Role of Ayurveda in diabetes treatment

by Rahul Kumar Health and Medical

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes can be defined as a disease that may occur when a person’s blood glucose or blood sugar is very high. Blood glucose is the main source of energy that is derived from the food that a person eats.

Insulin is a hormone that is generated by the pancreas, which helps glucose from food get into our cells to be used for energy. Sometimes our body does not use insulin well or fails to make enough, or any insulin at all. In such a situation, glucose stays in our blood and does not reach our cells.

After a certain time period, excessive glucose in our blood can cause health problems. Diabetes may not be curable, but one can take steps to manage the condition and stay healthy.

Does Diabetes have types?

Diabetes is of different types. The most common types are type1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes:

In this stage, the immune system attacks and eliminates the cells in our pancreas that make insulin, preventing the body from making insulin. Type1 diabetes is more often diagnosed in kids and young adults, although it may occur at any age. People with type 1 diabetes may need to take insulin on a daily basis in order to stay alive.

Type 2 Diabetes:

It is the most common type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes prevents the body from making or using insulin well. This type of diabetes is usually not age bound and in some cases, it may occur during childhood. A person is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they are over 45 years of age or have a previous history of diabetes in their family, or if they are overweight.

Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes develops in some women during pregnancy. Mostly, this type of diabetes goes away soon after the delivery of the child. However, if a woman has had gestational diabetes before, she may have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in her life. It is sometimes common for diabetes diagnosed during the time of pregnancy to be type 2 diabetes.

How does diabetes affect the kidneys?

Diabetes can cause injury to the small blood vessels in the body. The kidneys may fail to clean the blood properly when the blood vessels in the kidneys get damaged. Our body will then retain extra salt and water than it should, which can result in weight gain and swelling around the ankle. We may have protein in our urine. Also, waste materials may get built up in the blood.

Diabetes may also cause damage to nerves in our bodies. This can cause a person difficulty in emptying their urinary bladder. The pressure resulting from our full bladder can back up and may result in injuring the kidneys. The bladder holding on to the urine for too long can cause an infection from the rapid growth of bacteria in the urine that has a very high sugar level.

Early signs and symptoms of kidney disease in diabetic patients

Increased excretion of albumin in the urine is the earliest indication of a diabetic kidney disorder. This is present long before the doctor finds enough evidence of possible kidney disease through tests.

A person suffering from diabetes must get their blood, urine, and blood pressure checked at least once in a year. Maintaining control of one’s diabetes can lower the risk of developing severe kidney disease.

Last Signs of kidney disease in Diabetic patients

A person’s blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels may rise as well as the level of creatinine in their blood as their kidneys fail. Signs like nausea, vomiting, a loss of appetite, weakness, itching, muscle cramps, and anemia are also common. One may need less insulin. This is due to the infected kidneys causing less breakdown of insulin.

Diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is a medical complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is also called diabetic kidney disease. It can affect the kidneys’ ability to do their usual function of removing waste products and extra fluid from the human body. The most feasible way to prevent or postpone diabetic nephropathy is by developing a healthy lifestyle and managing one’s diabetes and high blood pressure.

Over the years, the condition may slowly damage one’s kidneys’ delicate filtering system. Timely treatment may help prevent or slow down the disease and reduce the chance of further complications.

Risk factors

If a person is living with diabetes, factors that can increase their risk of diabetic nephropathy include:

● Uncontrolled high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

● Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)

● Being a smoker

● High blood cholesterol

● Obesity

● Any previous medical history of diabetes and kidney disorder in family

Role of Ayurveda in Diabetes Treatment

Ayurveda has a unique procedure for diabetes (Madhumeha) treatment, including diet (Pathya), medicines, exercise (Vyaayam), and Panchakarma (bio-purification procedures). It works effectively well if one sticks to the procedure.

Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes type1 comprises diet recommendations such as -

● Increase intake of barley in the diet

● Have fruits such as orange, watermelon, apple, and amla

● Add oils such as soybean oil, groundnut oil, and mustard oil to foods

● Avoid sugar, rice, potato, butter, fat, alcohol, and other heavy items

Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes type1 also comprises of changes in lifestyle such as-

● Regular exercising and physical activities like walking, running, or swimming

● Regular oil massage

● Regular steam

Diabetes can be cured by Ayurveda and also makes it the ideal treatment alternative as it has no side effects on the body. It is affordable and result-oriented.

Ayurvedic Kidney Treatment Hospital