elotus's blog

TCM Pharmacology of Autism by M.M. Van Benschoten, OMD

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder first described by Leo Kanner in 1943. CDC estimates of prevalence are 1 of 68 children born in 2002 with 1 in 42 males for the autism spectrum disorders that include Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. The prevalence of ASD has increased 37 fold over the past 30 years to more than 1% of US children. Level of impairment varies from nonverbal with severe developmental delay and repetitive behaviors to high functioning with social communication abnormalities.

Onset is most often between 6 months and 2 to 3 years of age. One of the earliest markers at 1 year of age is the inability to point at an object to communicate. Delayed speech and motor skills, seizures, and avoidance of eye contact are common.

Genetic, immune, dietary, and environmental factors combine to induce central nervous system inflammation and impaired neurotransmission. Treatment focuses on speech, language, physical, and occupational therapies to manage specific behaviors. SSRI and antipsychotics may be used to control ritualistic and self injurious behavior.

Air pollution, maternal infections, dairy and gluten intolerance, and genetic abnormalities in neurological and immune systems are potential contributing factors. From a TCM perspective wind, heat, and phlegm are the dominant pathogens as common childhood infections generate internal wind and obstruction of the sensory orifices. Wind and phlegm damage spleen and stomach resulting in food intolerances that intensify the inflammatory process, with phlegm and damp heat disturbing shen.

Adverse and Paradoxical Reactions to Herbs and Pharmaceuticals: Seven Case Studies by M.M. Van Benschoten, OMD

OAdverse responses to pharmaceuticals and Chinese herbal formulas are complex issues that require immediate action. Side effects from prescription medications should be managed by having the patient contact the prescribing MD for instructions on dose reduction or discontinuation. Herbal formulas causing side effects should be stopped, with reexamination and reformulation of the prescription with different ingredients. If this is not an option, after all adverse symptoms resolve, the prescription may be restarted at one half the original dose. If a lower dose is not tolerated, reformulation is in order.

In our experience, food poisoning can sensitize patients to their herbal prescription, which explains initial tolerance followed by gastrointestinal side effects weeks later. This observation coincides with the traditional restriction on raw and cold foods, which are more likely to have bacterial contamination.
In clinical practice, acupuncturists routinely treat the aftermath of extensive pharmaceutical interventions. Drug resistance is common in many diseases, and side effects of prescription medications may persist long after they are discontinued. The case studies below illustrate common conditions seen in the clinic.

Case 1

Mr. A is an 87 year old with stage 4 prostate cancer and hypertension maintained on antihormonal therapy and Terazosin, an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker. After twenty years of treatment with Chinese herbal extracts, his last two prescriptions have caused increased blood pressure, even though the ingredients are antihypertensive and are taken at least one hour apart from the pharmaceuticals.

TCM Five Element theory describes interacting cycles of energy between internal organ systems with both physiological and pathological effects. This concept is similar to the biomedical understanding of autoimmune disease. Counteracting, encroachment, and violation, xiang ke, xiang cheng, and xiang wu, describe these interactions. Autoimmune responses to common respiratory tract infections and air pollutants can be described as Lung/Metal damaging the other elements and their related internal organs. Autoimmune responses to intestinal flora are related to the Spleen/Earth damaging other organs.

TCM theory states that the Lungs do not like dryness. This corresponds to increased susceptibility to infections from dehydration due to toxic air quality and inadequate water intake. Frequent flyers are often our most challenging cases as the exposure to jet fuel damages yin and wei qi, creating the ideal conditions for chronic infection. Home painting and remodeling, gardening, and toxic dust and chemical exposures from cleaning products can also contribute to cycles of recurrent infection.

TCM theory states that excess of sweet flavor and raw, cold foods damage the Spleen. This is the inflammatory effect of bacterial overgrowth due to food poisoning, high fat and sugar intake. When chronic infections persist due to errors in diet and toxic environments, secondary inflammatory responses become more complex over time and involve more healthy tissues. The TCM correspondences are wind, heat, and damp generating phlegm and blood stasis. Clinical correlations may be considered according to the table below:

Lung/Metal attacking Heart/Fire - arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, insomnia

Lung/Metal attacking Spleen/Earth - diabetes, hypoglycemia, fibromyalgia, leukemia, lymphoma

Lung/Metal attacking Kidney/Water - arthritis, osteoporosis, nephritis, myeloproliferative disorders

Great webinar with Dr. Jimmy Chang as he discussed Kidney disorders... more specifically, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and kidney deficiency and failure.

In class, Dr. Chang talked about the pulse signs for each condition and appropriate herbs to treat the conditions. A class worth watching over and over again!!

To watch the 1 hour class, click here to catch it on the TCM Wisdom Tube!

~Donna Chow, L.Ac.

For more great and FREE recordings of past 1-hr webinars, click here for the TCM Wisdom Tube!

This weekend, 11/2/13-11/3/13, will be 2 great classes with Dr. David Karaba on how to explain to your patients, how acupuncture works (11/2/13) and with Dr. Brad Whisnant on how to build your own private practice and be successful (11/3/13).

Want to get a sneak peek on what these doctors will be talking about?

Check out their FREE 1 hour videos here on our TCM Wisdom Tube:

1. Intro to How Acupuncture Works: Simplify How You Educate Patients and Colleagues with David Karaba - learn what happens to the body when acupuncture is performed so that you can communicate with your patients in this Western world we live in!

2. Intro to Practice Management: Making Private Practice Work with Brad Whisnant - learn key concepts like the location of your practice so that you can do well in a private practice...it's not as hard as you think!

~Donna Chow, L.Ac.

For more great and FREE recordings of past 1-hr webinars, click here for the TCM Wisdom Tube!