Dr. Rose Cherian

Diabetes is a growing challange in India with estimated 8.7.1 population in the age group 20-70.

India is home to over 60 million adults with diabetes of which more than 30 million are undiagnosed or untreated, thus increasing risk of developing complications and premature mortality.

The diabetes burden in India results from various factors like genetic predeposition combined with lifestyle changes and associated with urbanization & globalization all together contribute to the rapid rise in India.

Definition :

Is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high level of blood sugar over a prolonged period.

“ In Ayurveda acharyas have explained 20 types of prameha amongs which madhumeha can be correlate with D.M.”

Types :

Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the cells of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced (Insulin Resistance)

There are three main types of diabetes mellitus.

1. Type 1 : Juvenile Diabetes/ Insulin dependent diabetes meltitus : Pancreas’s failure to produce enough insulin.
2. Type 2: Begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond properly.
3. Gestational Diabetes : Occur during pregnancy without previous history of diabetes develops high bloodsugar level.

According to Ayurveda 20 different types are explained - Kaphaj(10) Pittaj(7) Vataj(4)

१उदकमेह १ क्षारमेह १ मधुमेह

२ इक्षुमेह २ कालमेह २ हस्तीमेह

३ सान्द्रमेह ३ नीलमेह ३ वसामेह

४ सान्द्रप्रसादमेह ४ लोहितमेह ४ मधुमेह

५ शुक्लमेह ५ मंजीष्ठामेह

६ शुक्रमेह ६ हरीद्रामेह

७ शीतमेह

८ सिकतामेह

९ शनैमेह

१० आलालमेह

Type 2 is the commonest type represented by following signs and symptoms-

1. Always tired
2. Frequent urination
3. Sudden weight loss
4. Wounds that won't heal
5. Sexual problems
6. Always hungry
7. Blurry vision
8. Numb or tingling hands or feet
9. Always thirsty
10. Vaginal infections

As we have know that diabetes is multisystem related disease condition it shows severe effect on neurosystem ,nephrosystem & retina if not treated or sugar level kept controlled.

Treatment :-

In Ayurveda we treat diabetes as whole where along with maintaining blood sugar levels we treat the agni to improve the metabolism of pancreas and minimize the further complications and adverse effects of diabetes.

Ayurvedic treatment helps to reduce the insulin dose and prevent the late complications.

Treatment line includes :

1. Internal medication (Mehanta)
2. Diet
3. Exercise
4. Panchakarma
5. Weight management

Type 2 diabetes which accounts for 85-90% of all cases- can often be prevented or delayed by maintaining a normal body weight, engaging in physical activity and consuming a healthy diet.

Dietary changes known to be effective in helping to prevent diabetes include maintaining a diet rich in fiber / choosing good fats etc. In ancient ayurveda text Acharyas have mentioned to consumed pre-digested food.