There are two types of diabetes- Type 1 is an autoimmune disease called as Juvenile diabetes in which pancreas does not make any insulin. In Type 2 diabetes known as Diabetes mellitus, body does make insulin but can not supply glucose to the body.
From our diet, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are converted to glucose which runs into bloodstream to supply energy to the body. Insulin (a kind of hormone secreted by pancreas) opens up muscle cell membrane to put glucose into them. In Diabetes, Insulin does not work well and it is unable to let glucose enter our muscle cells. Thus, glucose remains flowing in the blood stream. This makes the blood glucose level rise up, which is the prime indicator of Diabetes.
Diabetes affects eyes, kidneys, nerves and the tiniest blood vessels in the body. Fragile blood vessels bleed. It can cause retinopathy or blindness.
World Diabetes Day is on 14 November
Prevalence
Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent type of diabetes. There are 5-10% of Type 1 diabetes cases in the US, while 90-95% of the population has Type 2 diabetes. It is known to be the sixth leading cause of deaths in US.
In India there were about 40 million persons affected by diabetes in 2007 and the number is indicated to increase up to 70 million by 2025 with every 5th diabetic patient to be an Indian. (Source: Diabetes Atlas, published International Diabetes Federation)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu, India) is known to have as many as 15% of the population who suffer from diabetes.
Symptoms
- Increased thirst or Polydipsia
- Increased urination or Polyuria
- Sugar in the urine or Glycosuria
- Increased need to munch or eat or Polyphagia
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision/ Chances of loss of peripheral vision
- Sores not heal quite well
- Numbness/tingling/ Diabetic neuropathy or abnormally decreased sensation starting from the feet moving up to other nerves (stocking and glove pattern)
- Nausea/ vomiting/ abdominal pain
Diagnosis
- Random Fasting blood glucose (nothing for 8 hours before having blood drawn) is 126mg/dL (decilitire). If it is above than that, it could be an indication of diabetes
- If the blood sugar level after glucose drink is greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL, the patient has diabetes
These observations with symptoms are a positive diagnosis for diabetes.
Causes
- Obesity- the major cause for Type 2 diabetes is known as obesity. 80% of the people with diabetes are overweight. Besides, the other causes are:
- Genetic predisposition
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Overeating
- Stress
Prevention
- Watch your weight, BMI and belly fat. A waist size of 40 inches or more for men or 35 inches or more for women increases risk for type 2 diabetes. Aim lose 7% of your body weight
- Exercise daily for 30 minutes or aerobic walking
- Take wholesome diet rich with fiber and essential carbohydrates that are complex, fruits and vegetables. Eat more fiber as it has slower absorption rate
- Release stress through massage, yoga & meditation
- Fasting with low calorie intake or limited food can be superb way for dietary restriction, bowel cleansing/detoxification and weight watch.
Cure / Managing diabetes
- There is no cure for diabetes but there are ways to control blood sugar and manage the disease. Monitoring blood glucose level is important.
- Follow an active lifestyle
- Take healthy diet
- Watch your weight
- Take medication as per the physician’s prescription
- Get eyes, teeth, gums, feet examined on a regular basis
- Do not smoke or take alcohol
- Calcium intake is advised for people who suffer from hypertension along with diabetes
- Chromium helps in the regulation and production of insulin
Herbs/Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, diabetes is a Kapha dosha. As per Unani (Persian system), and Siddha (Southern Indian system) there may be about more than one hundred medicinal plants to treat diabetes. Out of which some have retained significance with proven benefits.
Intake of bitter foods and fresh vegetables is advised for diabetes
- Bitter gourd (Karela in hindi) or Momordica charantia (Botanical name) juice or extract is used for diabetes treatment. It is known to contain a polypeptide similar to the polypeptide present in insulin
- Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Jamun are advised to be taken on empty stomach daily
- Turmeric is also known to be beneficial in Diabetes
- Honey is a good alternate for sugar
- Cinnamon increases the conversion of glucose into energy and reduces diabetic complications
- Fenugreek (methi in hindi) or Trigonella foenum-graecum ((Botanical name) is also known to reduce blood glucose levels and
- Lutein found in yellow and orange fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables are good for protection of eye cells and vision. Intake of these colorful vegetables and fruits can minimize risks of retinopathy and cataract
- Shardunikha (Gymnena sylvestre) commonly known as Gurmar is believed to be the destroyer of sugar. Meshasringi or Cherukurinja are its other names.
- Onion and Garlic ( Allium cepa and Allium sativum)
- Guar gum
- Kadamb tree (Mitragyna parvifolia) leaves are known to contain two kinds of quinoline alkaloids, hydrocinchonine and cadambine, which regulate insulin production
- Amrutham Diarice (Ponni rice treated with 11 type of diabetic herbs) is recommended for South Indians whose staple diet is rice and diabetics are restricted from rice consumption.
Allopathy
In the early stages of diabetes oral medications can help
- Sulfonylureas & meglitinides (stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin), biguanides (decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver), thiazolidinediones (regulate insulin and decrease production of glucose by the liver, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (slow absorption of the starches and glucose production), and the most recently approved DPP-4 inhibitors (help insulin production).
- Insulin injections- 90-95 per cent of all diabetic patients may ultimately need them. The insulin is then derived from other sources, human ((recombinant DNA origin), bovine, swine or made semi synthetic.
Stem Cell Treatment
Dr H L Trivedi et al, Ahmedabad (Gujrat, India) have discovered a cell that is present in human fat that can produce insulin, when cultivated. The stem cell can be transplanted into the liver where it can multiply and produce insulin like the islet cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.