Diabetes is one of the most talked about diseases across the world affecting around 455 million people worldwide and the numbers are mounting rapidly every year. Unfortunately, India is amongst top 3 countries with high diabetic population and the number has doubled in 13 years in India with a whooping increase from 32 million in 2000 to 63 million in 2013.

Seeing such exponential increase, India certainly has a challenge to face which deliberates all of us to know the disease well and understand its adverse effects. It is necessary to prevent the disease load in India, Ayurved and Diet Planning is basic & essential component to combat disease .

Diabetes is not just having high blood sugar levels! It is much beyond that. Besides few manageable complications of skin disease, pregnancy complications, hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose), hyperglycaemia (High blood glucose), Mental Health, hearing loss or gum diseases, the devastating affect of diabetes can be seen in the form of few major complications that may lead to surgical interventions at times. Let’s see how:

COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES

The fact that diabetes may be the world's 7th largest killer by 2030 (Source: WHO), urges us to share the various complications that may arise in badly controlled diabetic patients.

• Cardiovascular Problems –Diabetes may affect the heart and blood vessels resulting into fatal complications such as coronary artery disease (heart attack) and stroke (blood supply to part of your brain is suddenly interrupted). These conditions may probe you to rush to hospitals for immediate surgical intervention that may involve Cardiac Surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) , carotid artery surgery, carotid stenting)
• Eye Complications – Chronic diabetic cases may have severe eye problems that may lead to Vision impairment due to diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma, cataracts all resulting into surgical interventions. Huge strides may be required for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. When laser treatment in the form of photocoagulation (laser treatment for retina repair) fails and the retina gets detached or when lot of blood leaks into the eyes, vitrectomy surgery (to remove scar tissue and cloudy fluid from inside the eye) may be required.
• Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)- Nerve damage from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. It is more common in chronic patients. Diabetes can cause damage to the nerves throughout the body when blood glucose levels are too high. This can lead to problems with digestion, erectile dysfunction and many other functions. Among the most commonly affected areas are the extremities, in particular the feet leading to pain, weakness and loss of feeling in the foot, ulcers, and sometimes gangrene which may require foot amputation as well.
• Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy): Diabetes can damage the kidneys and cause them to fail. High levels of blood sugar make the kidneys filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters. Subsequently, they start to leak and useful protein is lost in the urine. Moreover, failing kidneys lose their ability to filter out waste products, resulting in kidney disease.

Reducing the burden of diabetes

Diabetes certainly increases the risk for many serious health problems, but the good news is that with the correct treatment and preventive measures, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of above complications.

PREVENTION

The scary picture of complications can be averted by taking few preventive steps that needs to follow the strict rule book of diet, exercise, regular checkups, change in lifestyle and practicing good foot care.

TREATMENT

Dietary correction is primary aspect as per Dr Saurabh Soni,. Food is an imperative internal factor that accounts for health as well as disease. As Hippocrates said 2000 years ago, ‘‘Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.’’ The proper diet imparts physical strength and helps equilibrium of the Doshas, thereby maintaining equilibrium of the bodily tissues. Having balanced diet is important in preventing and controlling Apathyanimittaja (acquired) Prameha. The role of Ashta Aahara Vidhivishesha3 and Aayatana Aahara Vidhividhana3 (dietetic regulations) has primary importance among the multiple preventive aspects of Prameha. ‘‘What you eat.’’ The prime aspect of the dietetic regulations can be referred to as ‘‘what you eat.’’ Patients with Prameha must eat a diet that pacifies the disease. The best foods to eat are those that are not sweet, not too oily, have the ability to mitigate Kapha and Meda, and are nourishing. Foods and drinks that are sweet in taste, such as dairy products, Ikshu (sugar cane), sugar products, foods with Guru (heavy) quality and Sheeta (cold) quality (such as ice cream), Madya (alcoholic beverages and wines), and so on should be avoided since they further provoke Kapha and Meda.

Ayurvedic Treatment Diabetes can be named as Prameha as per symptom

Ayurveda has a many of herbs and herbal mixtures that are used in the treatment of Prameha. A large number of these herbs have demonstrated efficacy in researchs. The herbs have various properties, including hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, antihyperlipidemic, insulinpromoting, and antioxidant propertiesAyurveda also uses herbal remedies to manage diabetes. Some commonly used herbs for diabetes management include:

• Bitter Melon - Bitter melon has blood sugar-lowering properties and can improve insulin sensitivity.
• Fenugreek - Fenugreek seeds can lower blood sugar levels and improve glucose tolerance.
• Cinnamon - Cinnamon can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.
• Indian gooseberry - Indian gooseberry or amla has anti-diabetic properties and can lower blood sugar levels.

IDENTIFY YOUR STAGE

“Diabetes can be curbed at the initial level by introducing lifestyle changes, controlled through medicines in early stages and treated by administration of external insulin or surgeries in advanced stages. So identify your present status and act now!”