Diabetes Mellitus
It is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar. This happens either because
Pancreas does not produce enough insulin or because to the insulin produced cells do not respond.
Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) leads to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the
term sweet urine is also used.
Blood glucose levels are majorly controlled by insulin i.e. the hormone produced by pancreas. Insulin
lowers the blood glucose levels. After any meal the pancreas releases the insulin to normalize the
glucose level. Hence in diabetes the insufficient or non production of insulin causes hyperglycemia.
Diabetes is a co-morbid disease means that it can be controlled but it lasts a lifetime hence is a chronic
medical condition.
Types:Type 1- Insulin Dependent. In this the body fails to produce insulin and requires to inject insulin, it
is also known as juvenile diabetes.
Type 2- Non Insulin Dependent. This is insulin resistant, here cells fails to use insulin properly or
complete insulin deficiency also called “adult onset diabetes”.
Gestational Diabetes – Occurs in pregnant women without any previous diabetes diagnosis
develops high blood glucose level. This may develop type 2 DM.
Other forms of diabetesCongenital diabetes develop due to genetic defects of insulin secretion.
Cystic fibrosis – related diabetes
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young( MODY)
Steroid Diabetes – induced by high doses of glucocorticoids.
Drug induced
Several forms of monogenic diabetes
Signs and symptoms : CNS – Polydipsia – increased thirst
Polyphagia- increased hunger
Lethargy
Stupor
 Eyes – Blurred Vision
 Systemic – Weight Loss
 Breath – smell of acetone
 Respiratory – Breathing ( hyperventilation)
Kuss maul
 Gastric – nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
 Urinary – Polyuria (Frequent Urination)
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT :Ayurvedic System of Medicine clearly defines Diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus was known to Indian
Civilization since vedic period by the name Asrava (Prameha). Diabetes is also known as Madhumeha.
Diabetes is also called Maharoga (Major Disease) as almost all parts of the body and every cell of human
physiology are
effected.
It also disturbs
sheath}, pranamaya kosha{Energy
5 sheaths
sheath}, manomaya
of
the body –annamaya
kosha{Mind
kosha{Food
Sheath}, vijnana
maya
kosha{Intellectual Sheath} and anandamaya kosha{Bliss Sheath}. According to Ayurveda, prameha is
divided in 4 major types (and total 21 types)Kapha type (again divided into 10 types)
Pitta type (again divided into 6 types)
Vata type (divided into 4 types)
Juvenile diabetes for children (for unhealthy practices of parents and/or due to the sins of past-birth)
The main cause of prameha(diabetes) are lack of exercise and consumption of excess food
having ushna, snigdha and guru nature. Foods that increase kapha, medhas and mootra are the major
factors for prameha.
Ayurvedic practitioners have a multi-pronged approach to diabetes. Ayurveda, too, recommends lifestyle
remedies that include limiting foods that are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, eating smaller
portions through the day, eating a variety of whole-grain foods, complex carbohydrates and vegetables
every day, less fat and using less salt. It is also important to avoid smoking, reduce intake of alcohol,
sleep adequately, check blood sugar levels periodically, check weight periodically and maintain ideal
body weight.
Ideally, your food proportion should be 60% vegetables, 30% protein, 10% carbohydrates with half an
hour of mild exercise such as walking. The diet should be a Kapha-pacifying diet and should include
protein-rich foods like soya bean products and lentils like chickpea, moong, masoor and vegetables like
spinach, leafy greens, bottle gourd, turai, bhopla (white pumpkin), snake gourd and bitter gourd and,
cereals like green millet, ragi, corn, horse gram and barley.
Intake of protein should, however, be limited as it can strain the kidneys. Similarly, limit the intake of fat as
the deficiency of pancreatic enzymes makes digestion of fat difficult. A diabetic should avoid eating rice,
potato, sweet fruits, white flour, wheat, red meat and sago. He or she should also avoid sugar, sugar
cane, jaggery and juices of sweet fruits. In terms of fruits, oranges and lemon are good.
Herbs
Herbal remedies, if taken correctly, have a powerful effect on your body but should only be used under
the care and guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner. These include Jambhul (Eugenia jambolana) powder
from jamun core, Guggul, Amalaki, Triphala, Shilajit, Gurmar (gymnema sylvestre) and Bel (Aegle
marmelos) Most of these herbs target elevated blood sugar levels and balance the same. In fact, some
herbs like stevia and liquorice, are also used as a sugar substitute.
Treatment
Besides herbal medication, Ayurveda recommends the Panchakarma as a cleansing treatment program.
The Panchakarma begins with an herbal massage and an herbal steam sauna followed by fasting to
cleanse the body. This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver, pancreas and spleen and this is further
followed by colon therapy which cleanses the digestive tract and reconstitutes the system.
Snehana and shodhana are also the basic treatment methods which are employed dependent on the
condition and body type of the patient. The Shamana treatment is given after the above mentioned
treatments, and uses combinations of herbal medications.
Exercise
Daily exercise is necessary to manage diabetes. Yoga is beneficial, especially asanas like
Paschimottanasana and Halasana and Pranayama and Vajrasana.