It took only the cap of an eye-dropper falling on the foot of a 60-year-old Chinese man, suffering from a weak immune system and insensitive nerves, to have doctors diagnose that the foot had to be amputated. The man did not feel the cut that became infected, and his weakened immune system could not fend off the onset of gangrene, leaving this to be the only option.

All because of diabetes.

Such a decision is common practice for elderly patients suffering from such lesions affected by diabetes. Later, however, this patient was transferred to the Beijing Chaoyang Diabetes Hospital, where traditional Chinese medicines were also applied. In less than two months, the man has recovered with all of his foot saved except the big toe.

"I felt a combination of Western and traditional Chinese treatments works best for diabetes patients," revealed Wang Zhili, president of the Beijing Chaoyang Diabetes Hospital. Involved in the study of diabetes since 1987, he received his PhD in the UK at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School. He stayed in the UK for 14 years.

He explained that serious diabetic sufferers also have problems often associated with the eyes, heart, kidneys, brain, liver, blood vessels and nervous system around the lower limbs. His hospital offers treatments combining Western and Chinese medicine treatments to alleviate these symptoms.

"We apply insulin, common in Western medicine, to control the level of blood sugar, while using Chinese medicines to promote blood circulation and remove stagnation in blood vessels," explained Wang. "Patients can often avoid such results as an amputation."

Sun Hongli, one of the traditional Chinese medical doctor at the hospital, believes diabetes is caused by a weakness in the yang of the liver, spleen and kidneys, which in turn leads to internal secretion disorders. He uses herbal medicines as well as acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and medical massage to improve the relevant functions of the body.

As World Diabetes Day fast approaches on November 14, China has had more than 30 million diabetes patients over 20 years old, second only to India, with the number estimated to increase to 50 million by 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are 150 million adult diabetic patients worldwide, 75 per cent of them within developing countries such as India and China.

Wang believes the increase of diabetic patients is caused by lifestyle changes, a heightened intake of energy, intense work pressures and reduced physical exercise.

"Presently, many Chinese hospitals can not make insulin funtion check-ups systematic, sometimes because of a lack of equipment," revealed Wang Zhili. "At other times it is because of the number of patients they see every day. Many doctors also don't consider regular check-ups important."

Wang revealed that an early discovery of diabetes and early intervention is extremely important to prolong the quality of life of diabetes sufferers.

"In some cases, if diabetes is discovered early and treated in time, the patients can be exempt from taking medicine for life," observed Wang. Food control and physical exercise are the best solutions if the situation is not too serious. Presently, most medicines used for diabetes carry side-effects.

Since opening in July, Wang's hospital is one of the biggest, with 106 beds, that specializes in diabetes in China. The hospital follows the diabetes bible of the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, having strong co-operative ties with medical experts in the UK.