Where East Meets West with Dr. David Cherian copertina

Where East Meets West with Dr. David Cherian

Where East Meets West with Dr. David Cherian

Di: Where East Meets West with Dr. David Cherian
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 Our wellness podcast addresses issues and explores wellness using both eastern and western medicine. We explain the science behind eastern medicine and how it can be acupuncture can be used to solve different medical issues. Igiene e vita sana Medicina alternativa e complementare
Episodi
  • How Ge Gen and Sheng Ma Can Help with Acne

    How Ge Gen and Sheng Ma Can Help with Acne
    Feb 8 2024
    How Ge Gen and Sheng Ma Can Help with Acne Chinese medicine links acne to excessive heat in the body, which may originate in the exterior (the skin) or in deeper parts of the body. In both cases, a combination of Chinese herbs Ge Gen and Sheng Ma are frequently used to help with acne. As one of the world’s most common skin conditions, acne affects up to 90 percent of adolescents and is common well into middle age. A lot of research has been dedicated to understanding acne and how to treat it, but for most patients, finding an effective treatment option means months of trial and error. Many of these patients turn to effective alternatives like Chinese medicinal herbs to improve their results. Acne Causes and Complications: A Western Medical Perspective Western medicine has proposed several theories as to what causes acne, including: Excess sebum production – Sebum is a fat-based oil substance produced by sebaceous glands located in the skin. These glands are heavily concentrated on the face, back and shoulders, and ensure the skin remains moist. However, excessive sebum production can clog pores and lead to acne.Bacteria – Certain types of bacteria are also linked to acne, as they may intrude into pores and also clog them up. Propionibacterium acnes is the bacteria most closely linked to the condition.Inflammation – Higher levels of inflammatory compounds in the blood are linked to acne. Inflammatory acne typically presents with papules, pustules, nodules or cysts – the swollen blemishes and whiteheads that most people think of when they think of acne.Hormone imbalances – Hormone imbalances, particularly androgen imbalances, can also cause acne to emerge or worsen. This is more common in women, who may notice their acne worsens and fades with their menstrual cycle. Birth control is a common treatment option for these women.Dietary factors – It isn’t clear how diet affects acne, and previous theories (eating greasy foods or chocolate, for example) have since been debunked. However, researchers believe that carbohydrate-rich foods may worsen the condition.Stress – Stress doesn’t cause acne, but it can worsen it by affecting a person’s hormone levels. Researchers are still studying the root causes behind acne, as there is still much to learn. However, for the majority of patients there are likely several factors at work. This is one of the reasons why acne is considered an individualized disorder, as there isn’t a single explanation for every case. Complications of acne include hyperpigmentation and scarring. Hyperpigmentation appears as dark spots on the skin and is typically the result of injury or inflammation – such as the inflammation resulting from acne. It can take months for hyperpigmentation to clear up on its own. Scarring (which occurs in about 20 percent of people with acne) lasts even longer. Acne scars are classified as atrophic (depression), hypertrophic (raised) or keloid scars. In each case, scarring may fade somewhat over several months, but most scarring is permanent to an extent. Western Medicine Treatments for Acne Western treatments for acne may consist of behavioral changes, topical medications, or oral medications. Some examples of behavioral changes include: Avoid picking at acneAvoid applying irritants to the skin, like sunscreenChoose a gentle cleanser when cleaning the skinWash the skin after strenuous activity or heavy sweating Common topical medications for acne include: TretinoinAdapaleneTazaroteneClindamycinErythromycinSalicylic and azelaic acid Common oral medications for acne include: IsotretinoinHormone treatments (anti-androgens and birth control)Antibiotics, like tetracycline There isn’t a single optimal treatment for every patient. It may take several tries and a combination of therapies to achieve results. The condition’s severity will also dictate treatment – for example, severe cases of acne typically require a round of antibiotics before other therapies can be used. The Link Between Acne and Heat in Chinese Medicine Chinese medicine has a different perspective on acne. In Chinese medicine, there is a strong link between skin disorders and heat. When a practitioner examines a patient for the first time, one of their goals is to determine whether their patient has a hot or cold disposition. In other words, are they predisposed to feeling hot or cold? Practitioners strive for a balance in their patients, as excess (or insufficient) heat can cause health problems, and acne is one example. In most acne cases, heat is a factor at some level. The question is – what level? The Four Levels: Chinese Medicine’s Approach to Classifying Disease In Chinese medicine, disorders may be classified using the concept of the Four Levels. They include the Wei, Qi, Ying and Xue levels. You can think of each as a different layer that may be affected by pathogens or disease – including heat. Depending on which level is affected by disease, the ...
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    24 min
  • Back Pain

    Back Pain
    Jan 17 2024
    Back Pain, Du Zhong and Xu Duan

    Back pain is an extremely common musculoskeletal condition, affecting close to 10 percent of people globally. There are dozens of potential causes behind back pain, ranging from simple ligament or tendon strains, to fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and spinal deformities.

    For many people experiencing intermittent back pain, the condition can be limiting and reduce quality of life. There are treatment options, but it can be difficult to identify which treatment to use with a patient, given the number of potential causes. Chinese medicine offers an effective alternative, though, in the form of beneficial botanicals like Du Zhong and Xu Duan.

    How does western and Chinese medicine explain back pain?

    In western medicine, the goal is to isolate the cause of back pain – which could be a muscle, a ligament or a disc. It’s common for physicians to find no clear cause at all, even after imaging the patient.

    Chinese medicine practitioners take a different approach to understanding back pain. In Chinese medicine, disease conditions can arise from weakness in an organ, and this connection may not be obvious. Over centuries of study, though, practitioners have identified the complex, interconnected nature of the body. And in the case of back pain, a common problem is weakness in the kidneys.

    The kidneys govern lower body and lower extremity health in Chinese medicine, so if there are deficiencies in the kidneys, this can manifest as back pain. If a kidney problem is expected, there are additional health markers that practitioners can use to assess the kidneys. This includes the color of urine, how often the patient urinates and body temperature.

    Using Du Zhong and Xu Duan to Treat Back Pain

    Houston practitioners frequently rely on herbal formulations to treat back pain, and a popular combination is Du Zhong (Eucommia plant) and Xu Duan (Teasel plant). These herbs both target the kidneys, but they influence them on different levels. Du Zhong restores the kidney Qi while Xu Duan enters the kidney channel and promotes movement in the blood. In effect, the kidneys’ essential energy is restored while circulation is improved through the organ. If kidney deficiencies are behind back pain, this herbal combination can address the underlying cause.
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    6 min
  • Oligospermia

    Oligospermia
    Jan 15 2024
    Oligospermia and Yi Zhi Ren

    Oligospermia is the medical term for a low sperm count. It’s typically identified during a fertility screening – specifically, by analyzing the patient’s sperm sample. The threshold for oligospermia is 15 million sperm per milliliter of sample. Any count under this number qualifies for diagnosis.

    Treating low sperm count can be a challenge, as there are numerous potential causes. However, in Chinese medicine fortifying the kidneys is the focus of treatment. One way Houston practitioners help fortify the kidneys is with beneficial herbs like Yi Zhi Ren.

    Causes of Oligospermia: A Western and Chinese Medicine Perspective

    In western medicine, there are a large number of factors associated with oligospermia. It could be due to a medical condition or disease, such as varicocele, tubule defects, tumors, hormonal imbalances, chromosomal defects, celiac disease, and infections. Previous surgeries, certain medications and drug/alcohol use are all linked to low sperm count as well. Environmental toxins and stress are also risk factors. Given the number of potential causes, it can be difficult to treat oligospermia, though some causes can be reversed. Varicocele is the most common reversible form of the condition.

    Chinese medicine considers sperm quality and testicular health to be closely tied to kidney health. Practitioners assert that the body is an interconnected network of organ systems. If one system declines in performance, it can adversely affect other organs.

    In Chinese medicine, poor kidney health can damage sperm quality and quantity. As such, practitioners will consider any potential kidney-related symptoms when treating low sperm count.

    How Chinese Medicine Helps with Oligospermia

    In Chinese medicine, Houston practitioners resolve many medical conditions by identifying which organs are experiencing dysfunction and fortifying them. In practice, this means tonifying or balancing the kidney’s essential life energies – the kidney yin, yang, and Qi.

    Yi Zhi Ren (black cardamom) is an herb used to tonify the kidney yang and essence, both of which are essential for good sperm health and function. It’s been used in this way for centuries and remains a popular option for modern practitioners in an effort to help those with oligospermia.
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    6 min
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