Introduction |
|
Diabetes is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases of the modern world. Almost everyone is familiar with the disease and its symptoms, and almost everyone knows somebody who is suffering from diabetes related problems – so widespread the disease has become today.
Simply explained, diabetes is a disease in which the level of glucose in the blood increases. The diabetic person must take extreme care with the kind of diet consumed, and must avoid all hyperglycemic foods, i.e. foods that have a high sugar content. Apart from this, there are several other precautions to be followed.
No cure is known for diabetes yet. But this condition can be lived with if healthy measures are taken. Ayurveda has a treasure-mine of information relating to diabetes, which is called madhumeha in Sanskrit, and means to combat with the depressing disease.
|
Definition of Diabetes (Madhumeha) |
|
Diabetes is a disease that occurs due to defects in the carbohydrate metabolism in the body. It is one of the major metabolic disorders of the body.
The most common of the different types of diabetes is the diabetes mellitus, which is also known as hyperglycemia. It is the diabetes that is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood and the urine of the person.
All types of diabetes are caused due to the nonfunctioning of the pancreas. This type of diabetes is caused due to low insulin levels produced by the pancreas, leading to faulty utilization of the glucose in the body.
Definitions of different types of diabetes are given by the World Health Organization. This organization has defined another type of diabetes, called as gestational diabetes. This diabetes occurs only in pregnant women, when the hormonal changes in their body make it difficult to utilize glucose properly.
Go To Top
|
Causes of Diabetes (Madhumeha) - What Causes Diabetes |
What Causes Diabetes
The pancreas in the body has specialized cells called as the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans. These cells are responsible for the secretion of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that takes care of converting the bodily sugar, i.e. glucose into energy. However in some people, due to hormonal deficiencies or due to malfunctioning of the pancreas, the insulin is not produced in the proper amount. This leads to failure in the utilization of glucose and the retention of glucose in the body of the person. This situation is what is commonly referred to as diabetes.
The levels of insulin can also be brought down due to other extrinsic factors. Some of these factors are:-
- Stress
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Too much sleep
Consumption of too many sweet foods also leads to increase in the levels of glucose in the body. Hence, this may lead to diabetes.
What causes diabetes - According to the beliefs of Ayurveda, madhumeha is a disease that can be caused due to vitiation of any one of the three doshas – vata, pitta or kapha. Most cases of diabetes in the world are of the kaphadosha vitiation.
Agni is also responsible for the culmination of diabetes. Agni represents the bodily fires, and when these fires are diminished, then there is a chance that the carbohydrate utilization may not occur in the correct manner, thus leading to increased levels of glucose in the blood. Go To Top
|
Types of Diabetes (Madhumeha)
|
The World Health Organization has identified three types of diabetes. They are simply called as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes. These types of diabetes and their typical symptoms are given below:-
Type of Diabetes |
Characteristics |
Vulnerability |
Symptoms |
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus |
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is caused due to an inherent deficiency of insulin in the pancreas. An attack of the Coxsackie virus can also lead to the decreased production of insulin. Daily injections of insulin are required for survival. |
Children and adolescents are the prime victims of this type of diabetes. About 10% of all diabetes are of the type I. |
Increased levels of sugar in the blood and the urine of the person. |
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus |
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is caused due to hyperglycemia triggered by a deficiency of insulin. |
This type of diabetes is found in adults. This is the most common type of diabetes in the world, and no cure is known yet. |
Increased levels of sugar in the blood, increased fatigue, pain in the joints, insomnia, frequent urination |
Gestational Diabetes |
Gestational Diabetes is caused due to increased hormone levels during pregnancy and lactation. |
It is found more in pregnant women. 2 to 3% of all pregnant women have chances of contracting gestational diabetes. |
Increased sugar levels in the blood and urine during pregnancy, increased chances of a caesarean section delivery |
Go To Top
|
Symptoms of Diabetes (Madhumeha) |
The symptoms that are most commonly seen among diabetic patients are as follows:-
- Excessive urination
- Excessive hunger and thirst
- Pain in the back and joints
- Constant tired feeling
- Loss of weight
- Long time for healing of wounds
- A taste of sweetness in the mouth
Go To Top
|
Complications due to Diabetes (Madhumeha) |
Diabetes leads to perhaps the most number of complications compared to any other ailment. A list of the major complications produced due to diabetes is given below:-
Complications of Diabetes |
Type |
Heart stroke |
Macrovascular |
Gangrene leading to amputation |
Macrovascular |
Ulcers |
Macrovascular |
Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction |
Macrovascular |
Neuropathy, i.e. nerve disorders |
Microvascular |
Nephropathy, i.e. kidney disorders |
Microvascular |
Retinopathy, i.e. eye disorders |
Microvascular |
Glaucoma, Cataract and Corneal Damage |
Microvascular |
Go To Top
|
Transmission of Diabetes (Madhumeha) |
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and as such it is not a communicable disease. However, diabetes can be genetically transmitted.
Go To Top
|
Prevention of Diabetes (Madhumeha) |
People who have a history of diabetes in their family must take adequate care to prevent the onset of the disease in them. The following precautions are absolutely vital for people with diabetes histories:-
Go To Top
|
Diet during Diabetes |
Since diabetes is a mainly kapha dosha disease, the diet of the diabetic person must be aimed at bringing the kapha dosha down. The following kind of diet is preferable:-
- All kinds of sugary and sweet foods must be totally avoided.
- Milk should be avoided as it contains the sugar lactose which is converted into glucose within the body.
- The same is true of fruits. Fruits contain the sugar fructose. Hence fruits must be consumed with moderation.
- It is good to have bitter herbs and fresh vegetables. Bitter gourd, i.e. karela and fenugreek, i.e. methi, are excellent bitter herbs to be taken in the diet for diabetic patient.
- Fats such as oils and ghee must be severely curtailed.
- There is no restriction on fish and soy for a diabetic patient.
Go To Top
|
Ayurvedic Treatment for Diabetes (Madhumeha) |
Ayurveda has a very profound methodology of tackling the diabetic ailment. The technique prescribed by Ayurveda for diabetic treatment is as follows:-
(i) Apatarparna and Samshodhana – Apatarparna means to cause loss of weight by de-nourishment. This method works in people in whom diabetes is caused due to additional weight, i.e. obesity. Samshodhana is cleansing of the body. Both apatarparna and samshodhana go hand in hand in Ayurveda. De-nourishment and cleansing of the body is brought about by a systematic treatment called as panchakarma (fivefold therapy). This panchakarma regimen consists of the following:-
- Emesis
- Purgation
- Enema
- Bloodletting
- Errhines
(ii) Santarpana and Brumhana – Santarpana refers to the replenishment of the body and brumhana refers to increasing the body bulk. In people who are underweight, these two techniques increase the bodily defense mechanism and hormonal balance. This prevents further damage to the body and improves the repair process.
Apart from these two basic methods, the following herbs have been ascribed with amazing curative prowess for diabetic patients:-
Ayurvedic Name of the Herb |
Biological Name of the Herb |
Common English Name of the Herb |
Action on the Human Body |
Amla |
Emblica officinalis |
Indian Gooseberry |
Amla powder is mixed with haldi powder and consumed. This is a very good remedy for diabetes. |
Bael |
Aegle marmelos |
Bengal Quince |
Leaves of the bael fruit have immense potency in the treatment of diabetes. |
Curry patta |
Murraya koenigi |
Curry leaves |
Curry leaves consumed every morning are a known treatment for the diabetes caused due to hereditary factors. Since curry leaves have a potency to bring about weight loss, they can also cure diabetes caused due to obesity. |
Haldi |
Curcuma longa |
Turmeric |
A mixture of haldi and amla powder is a very effective remedy in the treatment of diabetes. |
Jamun |
Syzygium cumini |
Jambul fruit, Indian Plum |
Jambul fruit has a specific action on the pancreas. The entire jambul fruit, including the seeds and the juices are exceedingly beneficial for diabetic patients. This is because of the alkaloid jamboline which is present in them. Jamboline controls the conversion of starches into sugars and thus controls the blood sugar levels. |
Kanda |
Allium cepa |
Onion |
Onion is a hypoglycemic substance, i.e. it has low sugar content. Hence, it can be used to allay blood sugar complications. |
Karela |
Momordica charantia |
Bitter Gourd |
Bitter gourd is one of the oldest recipes for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Bitter gourd has charantin, which is a type of plant insulin. Hence, bitter gourd increases the level of insulin, which helps in better utilization of the sugars in the blood. |
Kumari |
Aloe vera |
Indian Aloe |
A gelatinous juice of the aloe vera plant is the traditional remedy for the treatment of diabetes. |
Lahsun |
Allium sativum |
Garlic |
Eating two to four cloves of garlic every day helps in treating the diabetic complications of vascular and neurobiological nature. |
Madh |
– |
Honey |
Though honey is sweet, it is not harmful for diabetic patients. Honey contains velulose which is antibacterial and antimicrobial. Honey must be taken in moderation, after asking the physician the exact ratio of sugar and honey that can be maintained. |
Madhuca |
Madhuca indica |
Mahua |
A decoction of the bark of the madhuca tree taken regularly helps in combating diabetes and treating its complications. |
Methi |
Trigonella foenum-graecum |
Fenugreek |
A decoction of fenugreek seeds suppresses the urinary excretion of sugar. Fenugreek also relieves the symptoms of diabetes. Fenugreek is very effective in curing diabetes due to the presence of the alkaloid trigonelline, which brings down the blood sugar level. |
Neem |
Azadirachta indica |
Margosa |
The leaves of the bitter neem consumed in the form of a paste are an age-old remedy for the treatment of diabetes. |
Palash |
Butea monosperma |
Butea |
Butea is a very useful herb in the treatment of diabetes. Its leaves are used in the treatment of glycosuria, i.e. excessive sugar in the urine. |
Tarwar |
Cassia auriculata |
Tenner’s Cassia |
A decoction of the whole shrub or the buds of the Tenner’s Cassia has curative properties for people suffering from diabetes related problems. The plant can be taken mixed with honey for better results. |
Go To Top
|
Thnak you for sharing educational information. I bookmark your post I will read agan.and discus with my friends.Herbal Remedies for madhumeha
beside these herbs Mamejavo,Sptarangi,gudmar,vijaysar have a good result in controling sugar level
http://basichealthguide.com/2012/09/healthy-tips-and-some-important-precautions-for-diabetic-patients/