There are two common types of obesity: simple obesity and secondary obesity. Simple obesity refers to obesity caused by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, and it is one of the most common types of obesity in society today. Secondary obesity, on the other hand, refers to obesity caused by other diseases or drug treatments, which usually require special treatment to address the underlying condition in order to reduce body weight.
Simple obesity is usually related to dietary habits and lifestyle, resulting from an overconsumption of energy-dense, high-fat, and high-sugar foods that are increasingly prevalent in modern life. People's sedentary lifestyles with little exercise are also major contributors to simple obesity.
Secondary obesity, on the other hand, is caused by other diseases or drug treatments. Some diseases, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome, can cause a decrease in metabolic rate and energy expenditure, leading to weight gain. Certain drugs, such as antipsychotics and steroids, can also affect the body's metabolism and energy expenditure, leading to obesity.
In addition to these factors, genetics may also be a contributing factor to obesity. Research shows that some people are born with genes that make them more prone to obesity, even in the same environmental conditions.
In summary, simple obesity and secondary obesity have different causes and require different weight loss methods. For simple obesity, effective weight loss methods include changing unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle, as well as increasing physical activity. For secondary obesity, adjustments need to be made to address the underlying disease or drug treatment. In addition, from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, acupuncture and magnetic therapy can be used to help regulate the body's metabolism and endocrine function to achieve weight loss.
Symptoms and signs of Simple and Secondary Obesity
Simple obesity is often associated with spleen and stomach dysfunction, overweight, and a high incidence of obesity-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. In traditional Chinese medicine, simple obesity is mostly related to lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise habits. Therefore, during diagnosis, doctors will examine the patient's tongue coating, pulse, etc. to understand their dietary habits and digestive system function. The spleen and stomach are important organs for digestion and absorption in the human body. If there are problems with spleen and stomach function, it will affect the body's digestion and absorption of food, leading to simple obesity.
The symptoms and signs of secondary obesity vary depending on the cause of the obesity. Secondary obesity is related to pathological conditions such as spleen and kidney yang deficiency, qi stagnation, and damp heat. For example, patients with secondary obesity caused by hormonal imbalances may also have symptoms and signs such as irregular menstruation and reproductive system diseases. In contrast, secondary obesity caused by brain diseases may be accompanied by neurological symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and visual impairments.
Can traditional Chinese medicine treat simple obesity and secondary obesity?
Traditional Chinese medicine can address both simple obesity and secondary obesity from multiple perspectives.
For simple obesity, traditional Chinese medicine often uses herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy to help regulate the body's metabolism, promote digestion, absorption, and excretion functions, and achieve weight loss. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine also places great emphasis on adjusting diet and lifestyle habits. A personalized regulation plan is usually formulated based on the patient's physical condition, spleen and stomach function, and Qi and blood status to achieve weight reduction. Common traditional Chinese medicine regulation methods for simple obesity include acupuncture, herbal medicine regulation, tuina massage, and dietary therapy.
For secondary obesity, traditional Chinese medicine places more emphasis on identifying the root cause of obesity, such as endocrine disorders, digestive system diseases, emotional instability, etc., and adopting corresponding regulation measures. Treatment should be targeted at the underlying cause of obesity. For example, for obesity caused by hypothyroidism, traditional Chinese medicine can use dietary regulation and acupuncture therapy to help regulate thyroid function and achieve weight loss. For obesity caused by long-term use of certain medications, traditional Chinese medicine can use herbal medicine or acupuncture therapy to help adjust the body's metabolism, promote drug metabolism and excretion, and reduce obesity. Common traditional Chinese medicine regulation methods for secondary obesity include acupuncture, herbal medicine regulation, Fuyang Tou Jiu, and cupping.
In addition, magnetic therapy can also be used as an auxiliary weight loss method. By using magnetic shaping and detoxification methods, excess moisture, toxins, and waste in the body can be eliminated to achieve weight loss. Magnetic therapy can also help regulate the body's Qi and blood circulation and metabolism through massage and physiotherapy, promoting self-repair and adjustment. Traditional Chinese medicine theory is also applied to magnetic therapy. Different magnetic therapy formulas and methods are used according to different physical constitutions and etiologies to achieve the best weight loss effect.
