Diabetes — Ayurvedic Treatment
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't effectively use what it makes.
Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes symptoms are driven by rising blood sugar levels:
- Increased hunger (polyphagia)
- Increased thirst (polydipsia)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent urination (polyuria)
- Blurry vision
- Extreme fatigue and slow wound healing
Types & Causes of Diabetes
- Type 1: The immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Genetic factors and viruses may trigger this autoimmune response.
- Type 2: Insulin resistance caused by genetics combined with lifestyle factors — excess body weight (especially abdominal fat), physical inactivity, and poor diet.
- Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy due to hormonal changes impairing insulin function.
- Kidney disease and sleep apnoea are also known risk-increasing comorbidities.
Diagnosis
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) test: Measures blood sugar after 8 hours of fasting
- HbA1c test: Provides a 3-month blood sugar average; 6.5% or above indicates diabetes
- OGTT: Oral glucose tolerance test — especially used to diagnose Type 2 and gestational diabetes
Complications of Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease — heart attack and stroke
- Diabetic nephropathy — progressive kidney damage
- Neuropathy — nerve damage causing numbness or pain
- Retinopathy — vision loss and blindness
- Hearing loss and increased risk of infections
Ayurvedic Treatment for Diabetes
Ayurveda correlates diabetes with Prameha — a metabolic disorder rooted in poor digestion and imbalanced Kapha and Pitta. Treatment involves blood-sugar-regulating herbs like Gurmar, Karela, Vijaysar, Jamun seed, and Methi combined with Panchakarma detox and a customised anti-diabetic diet. Diabetes treatment in Ayurveda reduces insulin dependency, improves cell sensitivity, and prevents complications naturally.