Diabetes — Ayurvedic Treatment

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.