Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a metabolism disorder.

Diabetes mellitus (Madhumeha In Ayurveda) :

It describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin or both.

In 2013 it was estimated that over 382 million people throughout the world had diabetes (Williams textbook of endocrinology).

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is classed as a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our bodies. When our food is digested, the glucose makes its way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells, as soon as glucose enters the cells blood-glucose levels drop. A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the body does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin, or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas produces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood. This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.

How to determine whether you have diabetes, prediabetes or neither.

Doctors can determine whether a patient has a normal metabolism, prediabetes or diabetes in one of three different ways - there are three possible tests:

The A1C test​

• At least 6.5% means diabetes.
• Between 5.7% and 5.99% means pre-diabetes​.
• Less than 5.7% means normal.

The FPG (fasting plasma glucose) test​​

• At least 126 mg/dl means diabetes​.
• Between 100 mg/dl and 125.99 mg/dl means pre-diabetes​.
• Less than 100 mg/dl means normal​.

​ An abnormal reading following the FPG means the patient has impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

The OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) ​

• At least 200 mg/dl means diabetes​​.
• Between 140 and 199.9 mg/dl means pre-diabetes​​.
• Less than 140 mg/dl means normal​​.

​ An abnormal reading following the OGTT means the patient has impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Why Is It Called Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes comes from Greek, and it means a "siphon". Aretus the Cappadocia, a Greek physician during the second century A.D., named the condition Diabainein. He described patients who were passing too much water (polyuria) - like a siphon. The word became "diabetes" from the English adoption of the Medieval Latin diabetes. In 1675, Thomas Willis added mellitus to the term, although it is commonly referred to simply as diabetes. Mel in Latin means "honey"; the urine and blood of people with diabetes has excess glucose, and glucose is sweet like honey. Diabetes mellitus could literally mean "siphoning off sweet water".

In Ayurveda people observed that ants would be attracted to some people's urine, because it was sweet. The term “MADHU MEHA” was coined.

Main Symptoms :

The most common diabetes symptoms include

• Frequent urination
• Intense thirst and hunger
• Weight gain.
• Unusual weight loss.
• Fatigue
• Cuts and bruises that do not heal.
• Sexual dysfunction
• Numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

In Ayurveda we take care of a patient taking into consideration all these factors :

• The prakrithi of the patient.
• Dosha predominance of disease.
• Dooshya vitiation.
• Obstruction in srothus.
• Manasika Prakrithi.
• Ahara & Vihara.
• Hereditary factors etc...

In Type 1 the patients need to follow a healthy eating plan, do adequate exercise, take insulin, you can lead a normal life.

In Type 2 patients need to eat healthily, be physically active, and test their blood glucose.

They may also need to take oral medication, and/or insulin to control blood glucose levels.

In Ayurveda there are certain herbs which help us to maintain the blood sugar level in our body, but our COMBINATION DIABSTAT is extremely effective controlling sugar levels in body. It is combination of extracts of all the HERBS, which have hypoglycaemic effects and SHILAJIT which takes care of Neuropathy.

• Fenugreek Seeds.
• Dried Karela.
• Jamun Guthli.
• Gurmar Pati.
• Jamun.
• Bilva.
• Shilajit.

The risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher for a diabetic. We suggest every patient should take SHILAJIT 1 DROP DAILY IN WINTER SEASON (Precaution: taking care of his blood pressure levels). Shilajit is the only mineral which enhances the elasticity of vessels, still should be taken under medical supervision of an AYURVEDIC PHYSICIAN. Blood pressure and Cholesterol levels are monitored regularly. As smoking might have a serious effect on cardiovascular health, diabetics should stop smoking.

Sometimes the patients develop neuropathic disorders, so they must take care of their extremities, they should pamper their feet and hands, should daily have hot fomentation, wipe them thoroughly and apply some oil or cream to keep them moist, so that even a cut if occurs should be taken care of wisely ....

One can remain healthy if he remains vigilant about his problems....