Diabetes and Ayurveda

1. DIABETES AND AYURVEDA WHO predicts India as the country with fastest growing diabetic population in the world. India, the land of Ayurveda, has a comprehensive explanation and prevention of the disease in the brilliant branch of natural medicine. Prameha which means “Obstinate Urinary Disease” in English, is a cluster of diseases described in Ayurveda. Excessive urination, diabetes, and other illnesses of the urinary system are included in this group. Ayurveda classifies Diabetes into 20 forms based on the dominant Doshas in the body. This amounts to four Vata kinds, six Pitta kinds, and ten Kapha types. If Prameha is not treated, it progresses to become "Madumeha," which is also known as Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2). A few of the major causes that can be accounted to diabetes include: • Lack of activity- Increased glucose levels, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes result from excess free fatty acid produced by adipose tissue, which is followed by a decrease in insulin sensitivity of muscle, fat, and liver. • Sleep deprivation- When you don't get enough sleep, your body releases less insulin after you eat, and simultaneously secretes more stress hormones, which helps you stay alert and awake. However, insulin can't do its job properly in such stressful environment resulting in too much glucose remaining in the bloodstream, and thus, increasing your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. • Excessive yogurt consumption- sweetened dairy especially yoghurt can do nothing but further spike up the blood sugar levels in people with mild or strong lactose intolerance. • Domestic, marine, and marshy animal meat soup- a diet rich and heavy in animal products and other related acidic foods can significantly reduce insulin sensitivity in the body which can result in spiking blood sugar levels. • Sweet foods- Sweet foods don’t have any direct impact on causing diabetes. However, eating such foods in excess causes obesity resulting in spike of fatty acids and inflammation. The result of this is decreased insulin sensitivity which may also result in Type 2 diabetes. • All other Kapha-inducing routines- heavier foods rich in salt, sourness, acids and sweet help in disbalancing the Kapha thus resulting in an onset of diabetes.

2. Some major damaging effects of diabetes are: • Dhatukshaya- it refers to a loss of Dhatus or tissues in the body. Diabetes effectively causes a depletion of tissues and further non-compensation. • Avarana- it is charecterized by a blockage of pathways or channels in the body. Certain type of Avarana results in manifestation of symptoms like Daha (burning sensation), Trushna (thirst), Shoolam (pain, Spasms), and Tamaha (feeling of being surrounded in darkness) to name a few. Symptoms of the disease: According to Ayurveda, diabetes has three major indications (Rupas). They are as follows: • Polyuria (excessive urination)- Polyuria is a condition in which the body urinates more frequently than usual and passes abnormally large amounts of urine each time which can amount to more than 3 litres per day compared to the usual daily urine output of 1 to 2 litres in adults. It's one of the most common symptoms of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), and it can cause severe dehydration, which can impair kidney function if left untreated. • Urinary sweetness Since urine aids in the elimination of waste, a person's food and fluid intake can have an impact on the appearance and odour of their urine. Thus, if your urine contains too much glucose, a form of sugar, it may smell sweet and can be a sign of some underlying diabetic problem. • The sensation of sweetness in the body Certain people complain of having a persisting sweet taste in their mouth. While this can be temporarily caused because of eating too much sugar in one go and will fade away with time; the other more perpetual feeling can be problematic. This could be a sign that your body is unable to regulate its blood sugar level and could be a potential diabetes. Some internal effects of diabetes on different areas of body are: • Rasa (plasma): high blood sugar occurs when the body has too little insulin in the body or practically inefficient system to use it up resulting in hyperglycaemia. • Rakta (blood): Diabetes essentially deteriorates the quality of the blood cells which increases their viscosity (thickness). This viscous blood can become a reason for strokes or tissue and organ damage thereby making you fragile.

3. Mamsa (muscles): High blood sugar level in diabetes causes nerves and blood vessels damage and reduced blood flow resulting in muscle wasting and often times necrosis. Necrosis is typically the dead body tissues caused due to decreased blood flow. When large areas of tissues die, the situation can also be termed as Gangrene. • Medhas (fat): increased cellular stress and decreased metabolic flexibility caused by diabetes leads to dysfunctional adipose tissues resulting in them getting bigger in size. The condition called Hypertrophy of adipose tissue and further insulin resistance in the body. • Asthi (bone):Increased blood sugar levels inhibit bone-forming cells from building strong bones. This causes in de-mineralization of bone tissue and reduced bone density. Many diabetics blame a sedentary lifestyle sans physical activity for the risk of developing serious issues like Osteoporosis. • Majja (nervous tissue): the effects of diabetes on blood vessels causing its inner linings to get damaged and low oxygen supply due to viscosity of the blood causes degeneration of brain tissues resulting in problems like dementia and memory loss. • Shukra (reproductive tissue): the nerve damage throughout the body during diabetes causes loss of libidoin both men and women. Furthermore, the disease itself can get transmitted to the next generation. • Sira (arteries): Diabetes as discussed above causes cellular inflammation. This, when affecting WBCs causes a build-up of plaque in the arteries and further inflammation causes them to swell up and block the path ways causing atherosclerosis. This further results in increased risks of heart attack and strokes. • Tvak (skin): Diabetics can lose sensations in areas of foot and beneath. This can lead to the formation of ulcers and may cause spreading of infection and further amputations if left untreated. Also, diabetes reduces the patient’s ability to fight off bacteria providing them easy entry in the wounded areas of the body forming inflamed and painful boils called carbuncles. • Snayu (nerves): Diabetic neuropathy develops as uncontrolled high blood sugar destroys nerves and interferes with their capacity to convey impulses over time. High blood sugar weakens the walls of the small blood arteries (capillaries) that provide oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. • Ayurvedic Treatment and management of Diabetes: The reversal of Prameha is easier and faster when recognised and treated early. The chikitsa prameha's main focus is the control of Kleda.

4. It is critical to stimulate the dige stive fire (Agni). Food regulation: Foods that are bitter or astringent assist in keeping the blood sugar levels in check. Mung beans, barley, and bitter gourd are all good options. It is necessary to follow an appeasing diet for the Kapha dosha. Consuming a lot of cooked green veggies and any edible plant or fruit seed will be beneficial. • • Yoga: For the Kapha dosha, yoga is a relaxing activity. Yoga workouts are good for you. Mayurasana is a beneficial Yoga pose (peacock position). Other responsibilities include Surya Namaskara, Trikonasana, Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana,and Pavana Muktasana. Alternate nostril breathing is a type of pranayama for diabetics. Original Source - https://telegra.ph/DIABETES-AND-AYURVEDA-11-23