Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus affects one in a 100 people. It is a life-long problem. In most cases, however it can be kept under control by daily usage of drugs. Dietics also playa role in the management.
Background
Diabetes has been recognised since ancient times and is of particular importance because of its wide prevalance. The name is derived from the sweet taste of urine from patients with this disorder (mellitus = honey) due to the glycosuria resulting from elevated levels of blood glucose. In Ayurveda, it is known as "Madhu Meha" i.e., passing honey-like urine.
Definition
Diabetes mellitus is a condition of impaired carbohydrate utilisation caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin.
There are two main types of diabetes: insulin dependent diabetes and non-insulin dependent diabetes.
1. Insulin Dependent Diabetes
This type occurs when the body produces virtually no insulin. This usually develops in the early teens though it can appear later. It usually develops very quickly, often over a few days. The child or young adult feels increasingly weak, becomes intensely thirsty, and passes large quantities of urine. She/he may lose weight rapidly because, unable to use or store its glucose, the body draws on its stores of fat or energy. There may also be confusion and sleepiness. Without prompt treatment, the condition can worsen to such an extent that the diabetic may lose consciousness and pass into a coma. The breath may smell of alcohol.
2. Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes
It is a milder form resulting when the body produces some insulin but not enough for its requirements. Most people in this group are over 40 years and over-weight.
The initial symptoms of thirst and excessive urine usually come on over a period of months (gradual onset). Other symptoms like tiredness, a feeling of pins and needles and blurred vision may also occur. But it is very rare for the older diabetic to go into a coma.
Diabetics - Characteristics
Diabetics are more prone to suffer from certain types of infection than other people, because sugar encourages the growth of bacteria/fungi and viri.
Common problems that occur are:
Recurrent boils and carbuncles; thrush and itching in the genital regions because of high blood sugar levels in the urine, and the failure of cuts and other injuries to heal.
Causes
Diabetes is caused by a lack of the hormone insulin, which controls the way the body uses sugar. When one consumes bread, cakes, biscuits and other foods containing sugar and starch, the digestive process in the bowel breaks down the sugar and starch into glucose, which is absorbed into the blood stream. Insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, a small organ located just below the stomach, helps the body process the glucose in the blood, so that it can be used to fuel muscle activity and other body functions. After processing, any excess can be stored in the liver as glycogen to be converted later into energy or fat.
In diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to allow the glucose in the blood to be used. In some cases, no insulin at all is produced.
Heredity plays an important part in this disease. Nearly one-third of diabetics have a family history of insulin deficiency.
Age can also cause the pancreas to become inefficient. Many of those who develop the disease in later life are over-weight.
Herbal Medicines
1. Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Home remedies or herbal drugs are not yet all effective in this condition, i.e., total lack of insulin. Only insulin injections at regular intervals as determined by the specialist should be taken under his direct supervision.
Dietics
Once on insulin, diabetics must be careful about food/diet. Regular meals throughout the day are a must. If they have an insulin injection and do not eat, the level of glucose in the blood stream will fall dramatically, and they can become the victims of a hypoglycaemic attack.
Insulin dependent diabetics, apart from regular meals, need to be particularly careful about the quantity of sugar and starch that they eat. They need some but not too much. So diabetic diets are prescribed to contain specified amounts of sugar. A special diabetic diet recommended by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) Hyderabad is reproduced in the 'THERAPEUTIC DIETS' chapter of this book for the benefit of the diabetics.
Now-a-days simple kits are available for testing and monitoring the level of sugar in the urine and as well as in blood. This way diabetics can keep their own check and get remedial measures. If there is a low level of sugar, they can take little bit of sugar to avoid hypoglycaemia.
2. Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes
This type of diabetes known as NIDD type usually improves with a carefully controlled diet to rid them of any excess weight and reduce their sugar and starch intake.
A regular check should be kept on the blood sugar level, and if it settles in the normal range, no further treatment is needed.
In case, if diet alone is not sufficient, one should try some home remedies before switching over to regular treatment.
Amla (Indian gooseberry) fresh juice 10ml and 2 grams pure haldi (turmeric) powder well mixed and taken twice a day, effectively maintains the sugar level and imparts many side benefits like strength and vitality.
Bitter gourd, popularly known as karela possesses the well marked anti-diabetic activity - Ayurveda also recommends the daily use of this vegetable. The active principle of this "plant insulin" is useful in lowering the sugar levels in blood and urine.
Fresh juice of two karelas (approximately 20ml) should be taken on empty stomach in the early morning daily. The regular practice of this gives enormous benefits to the diabetics.
Fenugreek: The National Institute of Nutrition, (NIN), Hyderabad, recently found that fenugreek seeds are effective in controlling diabetes. It is found to be effective in lowering the serum cholesterol and triglycerides apart from sugar. Therefore, this item should be added to chapatis, and eaten regularly, apprx. 25 gm of fenugreek seeds are needed daily.
Black Berry: also known as kala jamun is another home remedy for diabetes. It is extensively used in Ayurveda and other systems of medicine - its bark, fruits, seeds are useful. The inner bark of the jamun tree is used in the treatment.
Unboiled milk mixed with equal quantity of water taken early in the morning on empty stomach gives very good result.
Juice of satavar mixed with equal quantity of milk taken once daily is very helpful in controlling sugar level in blood.
Ayurvedic Remedies
Jambavasav an oral liquid prepared from this bark is available in the Ayurvedic stores. 15mL of this liquid with equal quantity of water should be taken twice daily ½ hour after meals. Useful Ayurvedic drugs available in the market are listed in the glossary of Ayurvedic drugs appended.
Pramch Mihir Tailam is very good for external massage in the abdominal region.
Jambulin tablets (Unjha) in the dose of 2 tablets twice daily with water or milk cures early cases of diabetes.
Diabecon tablets (Himalaya Drugs) in the dose of 1 to 2 tablets twice daily can be given depending upon the patient.
Hyponidd tablets (Charak) can also be added to the existing allopathic medicines for diabetes.
Glucomap tablets (Maharishi Ayurved) in the dose of 1 to 2 tablets twice or thrice daily is very useful in diabetes.
Madhumeharyog tablets (Baidyanath) produce good results in the dose of 1 to 2 tablets once or twice a day.
Do's & Don'ts
Dietics: See the special diets recommended in the chapter 'Therapeutic Diets'.
Exercise: It is a key factor in the management of diabetes. Briskwalks, jogging, light games and swimming are good toners of the body.
Yoga: Suitable Asanas are Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Sarvangasana etc. These should be performed under expert guidance.