Is TCM only effective for chronic diseases?

In TCM, we actually do not have the term diabetes, but it is closely associated with a condition known as ‘Xiao Ke’. ‘Xiao’ literally means emaciation (being abnormally thin) and ‘Ke’ means thirst. This condition is characterized by excessive thirst, excessive hunger, excessive urination and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can also be observed in diabetic patients, hence we commonly refer diabetes as ‘Xiao Ke’ in TCM. A person’s health is determined by the balance of Yin and Yang in the body.

Truth to be told, diabetes cannot be found in ancient TCM literatures. However, a condition called “Xiao Ke” (Wasting-Thirst) was mentioned in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine written in Han Dynasty (黄帝内经), which has records of the following symptoms: frequent thirst, excessive hunger, sweet-tasting urine, and weight loss. Doesn’t it sound exactly like the diabetes that we know? Therefore, diabetes may be treated under “Xiao Ke” which arises due to a deficiency in body fluids with production of dry heat.