Can arteriosclerosis be treated with moxibustion?

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Arteriosclerosis can be treated with moxibustion. Moxibustion is a traditional disease treatment method in Chinese medicine, which can treat many diseases clinically. For patients with arteriosclerosis, moxibustion therapy can improve some clinical symptoms caused by arteriosclerosis. However, one should not rely solely on moxibustion for the treatment of atherosclerosis, as the mechanism of atherosclerosis is due to the disorder of lipid metabolism and the hardening of arterial walls caused by increased blood lipids. Treatment should include medication and dietary adjustments such as low-salt, low-sugar, and low-fat diets, and avoiding fatty meats, animal offal, and seafood high in cholesterol.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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Treatment of Arteriosclerosis

The treatment of arteriosclerosis includes general preventative measures, pharmacological treatment, interventional procedures, and surgical operations. General precautions involve a balanced diet, with some patients needing to lose weight, increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, and adopting a low-fat diet. Additionally, it is advised that patients engage in appropriate physical labor and sports activities, while also maintaining an optimistic and calm mindset. Pharmacological treatment is quite specialized, mainly including lipid-lowering and antiplatelet therapies. Then, there are cases with clear symptoms, such as renal artery stenosis or coronary artery narrowing, where interventional treatments can be considered. For those unsuitable for interventional procedures, surgical treatments, such as bypass surgery, might be considered.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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How is arteriosclerosis treated?

To treat arteriosclerosis, we differentiate treatments based on the severity of the condition. For early-stage patients, we emphasize the control of lipids, blood pressure, and blood sugar to potentially slow the progression of arteriosclerosis. For patients who have already suffered damage to target organs, such as cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, renal artery stenosis, or mesenteric artery stenosis, treatment might significantly rely on medication, and could possibly require the use of stents or even surgical bypass procedures. For the general population, we emphasize primary prevention, which includes a reasonable diet, appropriate exercise, and a balanced mental state to effectively prevent the disease.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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What tests are used for arteriosclerosis?

If arteriosclerosis is in the early stages, we need to understand the situation with lipids and blood sugar, so lipid and blood glucose tests should be done. Later on, when some atheromatous plaques appear, examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound and cardiac echocardiography can be done to assess blood flow and the degree of narrowing in the vessels. For some severe narrowings, consider conducting a CTA, MRI, or angiography, which can non-invasively understand the lesions of arteriosclerosis. For some patients, if there is a need for interventional treatment, invasive, selective arterial angiography can be performed to understand the condition of the lesions. Therefore, different tests can be chosen at different stages.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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Causes of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, the most common and important type of arteriosclerosis, is characterized by thickening and hardening of the arterial walls, loss of elasticity, and narrowing of the lumen. The causes are currently considered to be related to several factors, including age and gender, with older males being more prone. Patients with abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, smokers, those with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, obese patients, and those with a family history are all more likely to develop arteriosclerosis. Due to the incomplete certainty of the causes, its prevention and control are also managed through multiple factors.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to check for arteriosclerosis?

Arteriosclerosis is a relatively common disease in our daily life. After being diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, the following tests should be considered: Firstly, blood tests, such as lipid panels, are necessary to determine the levels of blood lipids. Based on the results, medication might be required for treatment. Secondly, arterial Doppler ultrasound is useful as it can effectively detect the presence and severity of arteriosclerosis. Thirdly, arterial angiography is recommended when there is a strong suspicion of arterial narrowing due to arteriosclerosis, leading to coronary heart disease or other conditions. This test helps in determining the severity of the arteriosclerosis and in deciding the treatment plan.