The Transition of Theory on the Outbreak and Transmission of Wasting-Thirst

소갈병(消渴病) 기전(機轉)에 관한 이론의 변천

Unsatisfied with the modern medicine's treatment of diabetes, patients diagnosed with the disease turn to alternative medicine for treatment. A look at the percentage of people using alternative medicine marked 72.8% in the United States and more than 60% in Korea in 2006. The most preferred form of alternative medicine turned out to be usage of dietary supplements and herbal medicine. Most of the dietary supplements and herbs that diabetic patients use largely originated from their usage in East Asian Traditional Medicine. As Western Medicine made its way into East Asia in late 18th century, excessive efforts were made to translate Western medical terminology into traditional medical terminology equivalents. In the process of doing so, wasting-thirst became a concept equivalent to diabetes. Theories regarding the pathogenic outbreak and transmission of wasting-thirst has been supplemented and progressed according to needs and even showed new tendencies. Profound understanding of wasting-thirst achieved through historical research is expected to lead to proper application of wasting-thirst treatment methods in treating modern diabetes.