Diabetes

Diabetes (Madhumeha) 
According to Ayurveda a holistic alternative most ancient medical science in healthcare , the main cause of diabetes are fat, urine, and Kapha buildups due to foods (Virudh Aahaar), liquids, Faulty lifestyle (  Virudh Dincharaya ), stress and those others factors which leads to the dosha imbalance .

It generally believes that any disease caused is due to doshic imbalance. The doshas are the three humors that govern the human body, they are vata, pitta and kapha. It includes diabetes in the Pramehacategory, which are a list of urinary disorders especially characterized by profuse urination with several abnormal qualities. 

Nidaan & Chiktsa sthana of Classical Ayurvedic therapy for Madhumeha (diabetes) begins with an assessment of the dosha imbalance. In all types of pramehas , kapha is vitiated, but in madhumeha, vata is often aggravated as well. Therefore, therapies will be directed at both vata and kapha simultaneously to restore the balance of the doshas. 

By determining the causal imbalances at the basis of a disorder, an Ayurveda evaluation strikes the root causes of diabetes which are Overeating and consequent obesity, Excessive intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, Overloading of proteins and fats which get converted into sugar if taken in excess, Excessive tension, worry, anxiety & grief, Hereditary factors. 

Ayur Sudha’ Ayurveda & Panchakarma for Diabetic Patients :: 
a) Diet restrictions -Avoid foods that increase kapha dosha like potatoes, rice, sugar, fatty foods and avoiding alcohol. 

b) Exercise – Regular physical exercise is a must for diabetics. Practising yogic asanas like ”Halasan”, ”Paschimottanasan” are found effective. 

c) Panchakarma Therapy – The greatest benefit of Panchakarma is that it reduces the insulin resistance in the tissues in diabetics which is the primary goal in treating the diabetes.

d) Herbal Mixtures :: The combination of herbs are used for the patients of diabetes to enhances the immunity of the body , which controls the level of blood sugar.

Diet & Lifestyle Modification ::

1. Eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates, and emphasizing complex carbohydrates. Protein is limited, as excessive intake can damage the kidneys.
2.  Fat is also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult.
3.  Since many diabetics have auto antibodies, Panchakarma is typically used for this cleansing the same. This begins with herbal massages 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. Colon therapy is next, first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to reconstitute the system.
4. Ayurvedic management of Diabetes depends on the strength of patient and type of diabetes he/she has.
5. Pizhichil is good for a week.
6. Takradhara can also yield good results.
7. Sleep during daytime, sex, not resting after food intake and excessive labour is to be avoided.

Modern View ::
Diabetes is a disease caused when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, heart disease, and stroke.

There are two major types of diabetes mellitus :
Type 1 – known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It is also known as juvenile diabetes and Childhood-onset diabetes. Type I diabetes is due to a deficiency or failure of the pancreas to secrete insulin. It occurs when the pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin, the hormone used by the body to make blood sugar (glucose) available to cells.

Symptoms of Type I Diabetes
Excessive urination
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Weight loss
Constant thirst and hunger
Recurrent skin infections
High levels of glucose in the blood and urine
Elevated blood-sugar levels and sugar in the urine

Individuals with type 1 diabetes must take insulin throughout their lives to manage their condition.
Type 2 – The most common form of diabetes (accounting for 90% of all cases). It is also known as adult-onset diabetes, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes. Type II diabetes runs in families. Your risk of having type II diabetes goes markedly high if you have excess weight, leads a sedentary lifestyle and have a family history of Type II diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that can cause significant, severe complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and loss of limbs through amputation.

Symptoms of Type II Diabetes
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Increased hunger
Increased thirst
Poor wound healing
Prolonged and unexplained fatigue
Numbness or burning sensations in the legs or feet
Gynecological fungal infections in women
Sexual impotence in men


Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is any type of diabetes that appears during pregnancy. Towards the end of a pregnancy (usually the third trimester), a woman may have higher than normal levels of glucose in her bloodstream. In 95 percent of the cases, the diabetes disappears after childbirth. For about 5% of the women, the diabetes remains after childbirth. Once a woman has had gestational diabetes, she’s at risk for developing another form of diabetes (usually type II) later in life.

Preventive Care
At present the best way to prevent diabetes is to have a healthy lifestyle
eat meals regularly during the day;
eat foods that are low in fat and salt;
eat lots of fruit, vegetables and pulses such as beans, lentils, and peas; and
cut down on sugar and have reduced sugar foods and drinks instead of chocolate, cakes and sugary drinks.
A healthy diet needs to be combined with regular exercise to help the weight stay off.

People with type 2 diabetes who exercise regularly have been shown to lose weight and gain better control over their blood pressure, thereby reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease (a major complication of diabetes). Studies have also shown that people with type 1 diabetes who regularly exercise reduce their need for insulin injections.

How do I know if my diabetes medicines are working ?
Learn to test your blood glucose. Ask your doctor about the best testing tools for you and how often to test. After you test your blood glucose, write down your blood glucose test results. Then ask your doctor teacher if your diabetes medicines are working. A good blood glucose reading before meals is between 70 and 140 mg/dL.

Ask your doctor about how low or how high your blood glucose should get before you take action. For many people, blood glucose is too low below 70 mg/dL and too high above 240 mg/dL.

One other number to know is the result of a blood test your doctor does called the A1C. It shows your blood glucose control during the past 2 to 3 months. For most people, the target for A1C is less than 7 percent.

Advice
It is very important to control stress. Avoid fatigue, and emotional upsets. Stresses create anxiety that send damaging hormones racing through your system. Exercise can be used to control stress. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent diabetes and controlling blood sugar levels.