Non communicable diseases kill 71 million people every year which accounts to 71% of annual
\nglobal deaths. Among that diabetes being one of the major NCD contributes to 1.5 million
\ndeaths. It is estimated that approximately 537 million adults are living with diabetes which will
\nhit a peak of 643 million by 2030.<\/p>\n
India is deemed as world\u2019s diabetes capital. According to information by Health Ministry Govt.
\nof India, the diabetic population of the country is going to hit the alarming figure of 69.9 million
\nby 2025 and 80 million by 2030. Urban India has more incidences of diabetes than rural India.
\nAlso, the prevalence is more in age group of 70-79 years and also males are more prone to
\ndiabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb
\namputation and also there was 5% increase in premature mortality (aged less than 70 years)
\ndue to diabetes.<\/p>\n
BLOOD SUGAR AND INSULIN:
\nBlood sugar or glucose is an essentialsource of energy in our body and it supplies energy for the
\nfunctioning of brain, muscles and body tissues.
\nWhen we eat, our body breaks downthe carbohydrates in food to glucose. This triggers the
\npancreas to release a hormone called insulin, that allows the glucose toenter the cells from the
\nblood so that it can be utised as energy.
\nAs the cells start absorbing blood sugar, levels in bloodstream begin to fall which causes the
\npancreas to release another hormone called glucagon which signals liver to release the stored
\nglucose. This interplay between glucagon and insulin ensures energy supply to all the body cells.
\nIf the body fails to produce sufficient quantity of insulin or is unable to effectively manage the
\ninsulin produced in the body;the blood sugar level increase and this condition is known as
\ndiabetes.
\nDiabetes Mellitus
\nDiabetes Mellitus commonly known as diabetes is a metabolic disorder that causes high blood
\nsugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into our cells to be stored or used for
\nenergy.
\nUntreated high blood sugar on the long run can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys and other
\norgans.<\/p>\n
Types Of Diabetes
\n\u2022 TYPE 1 DIABETES is an autoimmune disease where the immune system
\nattacks and destroy cells in the pancreas where insulin is made.
\n\u2022 TYPE 2 DIABETES happens when body becomes resistant to insulin and sugar
\nstarts building up in the blood
\n\u2022 PREDIABETES occurs when blood sugar is higher than normal but lesser to be
\ndetected as type 2 diabetes.
\n\u2022 GESTATIONAL DIABETES happens during pregnancy due to the insulin\u0002blocking hormone released by placenta.
\nCauses Of Diabetes
\n1. The exact reason for type 1 diabetes is not known.
\n2. Type 2 Diabetes:
\n\u2022 Genetics and family history
\n\u2022 Age: chances of developing type 2 diabetes increases with increasing age.
\n\u2022 Obesity: excess body fat can cause insulin resistance
\n\u2022 Diet: a diet high in calories, fat and cholesterol
\n\u2022 Lack of exercise
\n\u2022 Hormonal conditions like Cushing\u2019s syndrome, acromegaly and hyperthyroidism
\ncan contribute for development of type 2 diabetes
\nGeneral Symptoms Of Diabetes
\n1. Increased hunger
\n2. Increased thirst
\n3. Unintentional weight loss
\n4. Frequent and increased urination
\n5. Blurry vision
\n6. Extreme fatigue
\n7. Sores that don\u2019t heal
\nSymptoms In Men:
\n\u2022 Decreased sex drive
\n\u2022 Erectile dysfunction
\n\u2022 Poor muscle strength
\nSymptoms In Women
\n\u2022 Frequent urinary tract infections
\n\u2022 Yeast infections
\n\u2022 Dry, itchy skin
\nDiabetes Risk Factors:
\n\u2022 Obesity
\n\u2022 Physical inactivity
\n\u2022 Family history
\n\u2022 Women who had gestational diabetes
\n\u2022 Pcos
\n\u2022 High blood pressure
\n\u2022 Abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides level
\nDiabetes Complications
\nPoorly maintained blood sugar over time can lead to development of serious
\nhealth issues which can turn out to be life threatening such as:
\n1. Cardiovascular diseases leading to heart attack or stroke
\n2. Nerve damage or neuropathy
\n3. Kidney damage or nephropathy
\n4. Eye damage due to damage to blood vessels of retina or retinopathy
\n5. Skin problems including bacterial or viral infections
\n6. Hearing problems
\n7. Alzheimer\u2019s disease
\n8. Depression
\nAlso, high blood sugar during pregnancy can cause:
\n\u2022 High blood pressure
\n\u2022 Preeclampsia
\n\u2022 Miscarriage or still birth
\n\u2022 Birth defects
\nInvestigations For Diagnosis For Diabetes
\n1. HbA1C:
\n\u27a2 measures the average blood sugar level for the past 2 or
\n3 months.
\n\u27a2 Range: > 6.5% indicates diabetes
\n2. Fasting Blood Sugar or FBS:
\n\u27a2 Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast.
\n\u27a2 Range:126mg\/dl or higher indicates diabetes
\n3. Post Prandial Blood Sugar or PPBS:
\n\u27a2 Checking glucose after 2 hours after having food
\ncontaining glucose.
\n\u27a2 Range: 200mg\/dl or higher indicates diabetes
\n4. Random Blood Sugar or RBS:
\n\u27a2 Testing for blood glucose level any time irrespective
\nof the fasting status
\n\u27a2 Range: 200mg\/dl or above indicates diabetes
\nTreatment And Management
\n\u2022 Early diagnosis always plays a key role in management of
\ndiabetes.
\n\u2022 Treatment of diabetes includes diet and physical activities along
\nwith medications or insulin to lower the blood sugar level.
\n\u2022 TYPE 1 DIABETES: insulin is used for controlling the blood sugar
\n\u2022 TYPE 2 DIABETES: requires oral medication. Metformin is the drug
\nof choice. Insulin is also required in some cases.
\n\u2022 Regular screening for blood glucose is necessary
\n\u2022 Blood pressure control and blood lipid control
\n\u2022 Tobacco use cessation is needed to treat complications
\n\u2022 Foot care, seeking help for ulcer management.
\n\u2022 Regular screening for diabetes related complications such as
\nretinopathy, kidney disease, etc is recommended.
\nPrevention
\nSimple life style measures help in preventing or delaying the onset of
\ntype 2 diabetes:
\n\u2022 Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
\n\u2022 Follow a healthy diet
\n\u2022 Stay physically active:30 minutes of exercise every day
\n\u2022 Avoid tobacco use
\nDiabetes in Ayurveda
\nDiabetes in ayurveda is called by the name \u2018PRAMEHA\u2019 which refers to a group of
\ndisorders associated with urinary system often coined to the term obstinate
\nurinary disorder.
\nAyurveda describes 20 types of prameha in which 10 are of kapha predominant
\nones, 6 are pitta predominant and 4 are vata predominant.it further explains
\nabout another variety called as madhumeha which comes as a complication if
\nthese 20 varieties of prameha are left untreated.
\nMadhumeha can be corelated to modern-day diabetes mellitus.
\nCauses Of Prameha
\na) Eating without any check or control
\nb) Addiction to the pleasure of sedentary habits and sleep
\nc) Excess intake of curds
\nd) Excess consumption of meat of domesticated and aquatic animals and animals
\nfrom marshy land
\ne) Excess intake of milk and its products
\nf) Intake of freshly harvested grains ,freshly prepared alcoholic drinks
\ng) All kapha aggravating factors
\nSigns And Symptoms Of Prameha
\nThe 3 signs of prameha according to ayurveda are:
\nExcessive urination
\nUrinary sweetness
\nThe sensation of sweetness in the body
\nAyurveda further includes the following under the signs and symptoms of prameha:
\nExcess thirst
\nDiarrhoea
\nHead ache
\nBurning sensation
\nGeneral debility
\nIndigestion
\nNecrosis
\nCarbuncles
\nMuscle wasting
\nExcessive sleep
\nSluggishness
\nAyurveda lists Prameha or Madhumeha under Asta Mahagada (8 most dangerous diseases) due
\nto the complications it can cause and make the life of the person miserable.
\nPrameha tends to affect all the Dhatus and Upadhatus (The body tissues) which can be
\nidentified as:
\n1. Rasa Dhatu (Blood Plasma & Lymphatics) :Hyperglycemia
\n2. Rakta Dhatu (Blood) : The reduced quality of blood along with increased viscocity)
\n3. Mamsa Dhatu (muscles) : Muscle wasting &necrosis
\n4. Medho Dhatu (fat) : Increased body fat
\n5. Asthi Dhatu (bones) : reduced bone density
\n6. Majja Dhatu (nervous tissue) : Degeneration of brain tissue
\n7. Shukra Dhatu (Reproductive System) : Loss of libido, transmission to next generation
\n8. Sira (arteries) : atherosclerosis
\n9. Tvak (skin) : carbuncles, ulcers
\n10. Snayu (nerves) : Neuropathies especially topical neuropathies.
\nAyurvedic Management of Prameha:
\nCorrecting Agni (digestive fire) and elimination of Kleda (Sticky elements in the body ) is the
\nmain aim in doing Ayurvedic treatments for Prameha.
\nThe line of Treatmenet includes:
\n1. NIDANA PARIVARJANA or Avoidance of causative factors : adapting a healthy life style
\nprevents prameha or controls prameha
\n2. SAMSHODANA KARMA or PANCHAKARMA :also knows as biocleansing or body
\ndetoxification aims at cleansing the body for toxins and making the body fit for further
\nrehabilitation. Panchakarma procedures like vamana , virechana and vasti are
\nperformed. But they mostly depends on the person\u2019s body constitution and severity of
\nthe disease.
\n3. SAMANA CHIKITSA or Palliative Therapy : Mainly includes various external therapies to
\nstrengthen the body , Drug therapies which can act as a supporting treatment for the
\nconventional diabetic treatment .
\nSIMPLE MEDICAL HERBS ADVICED IN PRAMEHA TREATMENT:
\n\u2022 Amalaki or Amla \/ Indian Gooseberry :Phyllanthus emblica
\n\u2022 Haridra or Turmeric : Curcuma longa
\n\u2022 Jambu or Jamun \/Java Plum : Syzgium cumini
\n\u2022 Meshasringi or Gudmar\/ Gymnema : Gymnema sylvestre
\n\u2022 Methi \/ fenugreek : Trigonella foenum-graecum
\n\u2022 Vijayasara or Bijak \/ Indian kino : Ptenocarpus marsupium
\n\u2022 Karela \/ bittergourd : Memorandia charantia
\n\u2022 Saptachakra \/ lolly berry : Salacia chinensis
\n\u2022 Bimbi \/ ivy gourd : Coccinia indica
\nYoga Practices Adviced in Prameha:
\nCertain yoga practices are belived to stimulate the pancreas and improves its function.But
\nperform these under the instruction of a yoga therapist.<\/p>\n