WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders which is associated with prolonged high blood sugar. Millions of people worldwide have diabetes. When a person has diabetes, insulin deficiency, or the body’s inability to consume it, the sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of reaching the cells to produce energy. This excess of blood sugar causes the blood sugar level to exceed the normal level. Concept of diabetes according to Ayurveda.
According to Ayurveda prameha is a group of diseases, which includes all conditions related to the urinary system and diabetes is one of them. Prameha means; pra- abundant and meha- urination. In Ayurveda, based on the dominant dosha prameha is classified into 20 forms.
Vata – related : 4 forms
Pitta – related: 6 forms
Kapha – related: 10 forms
If left untreated, Prameha can develop into madhumeha or diabetes mellitus [type 2]. According to Ayurveda diabetes can develop due to dhatukshaya or due to avarana. Dhatukshaya is the loss or exhaustion of the tissues and avarana is the blockage of channels due to increased Kapha dosha or other tissues and diabetes tend to affect all the dhatus [body tissues]. Diabetes is mainly a Kapha disorder whereby the diminished Agni and low metabolic rate, cause an increase in blood sugar levels.
CAUSES OF DIABETES
- Hereditary
- Poor diet
- Sugar and dairy products
- Consumption of sweet foods
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- Excessive sleep
- Lack of exercises
- Excessive sex
- Stress and anxiety
FAQ / ARTICLES INCLUDES / POINTS COVERED
- Causes of diabetes
- Diabetes in Ayurveda
- What are the types of diabetes?
- What are the symptoms of diabetes?
- Diabetes and prameha
- What is prameha?
- Prameha types
- Complications of diabetes
- Lifestyle adaptation in diabetes
- What are the risk factors of diabetes?
- Panchakarma treatments for diabetes
- What are the complications of diabetes in pregnancy?
- How does yoga help in diabetes?
- Yoga postures for diabetics.
MAJOR SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
- Polyuria- frequent urination
- Polydipsia- Excessive thirst
- Polyphagia- increased appetite
- loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurred vision
- Tingling sensation and numbness in hands and feet
- Slow healing of wounds and cut
DO I HAVE DIABETES ?
If you have any symptoms or risk factors you should be tested. Diabetes can be detected early, treatment can be started earlier and complications can be reduced or prevented.
COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES CAN INCLUDE
Chronic complications of diabetes gradually develop. The longer you have diabetes- the lower your blood sugar control- the higher the risk of complications. Ultimately the complications of diabetes can be disabling or even life-threatening. Possible complications include:
- Increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases
- Nerve damage- excess sugar can damage the small blood vessels, that nourish your nerves, especially in your legs. It usually starts at the tip of the toes over fingers and gradually spreads upwards, causing tingling, numbness, burning, or pain.
- Kidney damage- severe damage may lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney damage
- Eye damage- diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina called diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of serious vision conditions.
- Foot damage-Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various complications of the foot.
- Diabetes can make you more prone to skin problems.
- Hearing impairment
- Depression
COMPLICATIONS IN PREGNANCY
- High blood pressure
- Miscarriage
- Preeclampsia
- Birth defects
TYPES OF DIABETES
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes
Type 1diabetes: It is an autoimmune condition, which means your body is attacking itself. In type 1 diabetes insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed and the damage is permanent. It is usually seen in children and young adults but can develop at any age. It is also called juvenile diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily this is why it is called insulin-dependent diabetes. Family history, physical stress such as surgeries or any illness, injury to the pancreas, and other health conditions are the risk factors for type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes: It starts as insulin resistance either your body does not produce enough insulin or the cells in your body do not respond normally to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, usually occurs in middle-aged and older people and is also called insulin-resistant diabetes. Genetics, lack of exercise, being overweight, having gestational diabetes, and other health factors and environmental reasons are the contributing factors.
Gestational diabetes: It occurs only during pregnancy and due to insulin blocking hormones produced during the time of pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Family history of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, being overweight before pregnancy, and people over the age of 25 are at risk for gestational diabetes.
HOW AYURVEDA HELPS IN PREVENTING DIABETES
Diabetes cannot be completely cured, but with the help of Ayurvedic medications, lifestyle changes, and daily yoga exercises can strengthen the pancreas and revive it to secrete a required amount of insulin in the human body. The treatment of prameha is also depended on the Prakriti of a person
PANCHAKARMA FOR DIABETES
According to Ayurveda, the panchakarma procedure naturally cleanses and detoxifies the body. It helps in finding the root cause, cleansing the body toxins, and improving the proper functioning of the organs like the pancreas, thus improving the production and absorption of insulin in the body.
- Abhyanga– helps to relax the muscles, improve blood circulation in the body, absorb glucose and increase the amount of insulin needed to lower glucose levels in the body.
- Swedanam– sudation therapy opens the pores cleanses the system through the skin and removes toxins along with perspiration.
- Vasti– the medicated enema therapy.
- Virechanam– medicated purgation therapy, removes toxins from the body makes the organs light, and helps in proper functioning.
- Udwartanam– the procedure involves the medicated powder massage helps in reducing the meda dhatu [fatty tissue].
DIET FOR DIABETES AND LIFE STYLE ADVICE
Vegetarian Diet:
- Avocados, sour cherries, blueberries, blackberries.
- Leafy greens like spinach, kale, collards, turnip greens, and swiss chard.
- Almonds and other nuts like walnuts, macadamias, and pistachios.
- Brown rice, whole-grain bread, pasta, millets, quinoa.
Non- vegetarian Diet:
Fishes rich in omega 3 fatty acids – salmon, trout, mackerel, halibut, tuna, skinless chicken or turkey, eggs
FOOD TO AVOID WITH DIABETES
- Root vegetables- potato, beet, tapioca, yam, tubers
- Refined sugars, sugar- sweetened beverages, alcohol
- Unhealthful fats- such as saturated and trans fats
- White bread, rice, and pasta
- Processed meats, red meats, deep-fried fish, poultry with the skin on
LIFE STYLE ADAPTATION IN DIABETES
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Maintain a proper meal schedule
- Proper sleep
- Reduce carbohydrate intake
- Quit alcohol and smoking
- Regular health checkups
EFFECTIVE AYURVEDIC HERBS TO TREAT DIABETES
- Karela- Bitter gourd
- Methi- Fenugreek
- Lashuna- Garlic
- Haridra- Turmeric
- Daru Haridra- Tree turmeric
- Amla- Indian gooseberry
- Bibhitaki- Belleric myrobalan
- Haritaki- chebulic myrobalan
NATURAL AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR DIABETES
- Positive lifestyle changes can help a lot in improving health and healing the body and mind.
- Practice yoga daily
- Drinking water from copper vessels helps in the overall wellbeing of the body and prevents fluctuations in sugar levels.
- Include bitter foods and juices in your diet.
- Curry leaves have anti-diabetic properties and are useful in preventing and controlling diabetes.
- The consumption of drumstick leaves can keep the blood sugar level in control.
YOGA ASANAS FOR DIABETES
Physical activity is essential for maintaining good health with diabetes. Yoga for diabetics integrates body movements with breathing techniques. As a result, it relaxes your nerves, facilitates chemical conversion within cells and it activates the internal organs to balance your blood sugar level.
Some of the best yoga asanas for diabetes cure are:
- Surya namaskar- Sun salutation
- Dhanurasana- Bow pose
- Trikonasana- Triangle pose
- Paschimottanasana- Seated forward bend
- Bhujangasana- Cobra pose
- Shavasana- Corpse pose
- Halasana- Plow pose
