Diabetes

Diabetes mellitusis one of the commonest diseases  in the world. It is a life-long problem.It affects one in every 100 people.In most case, it can be kept under control by daily usage of drugs.Dietics also helps in the management.

Definition:- Diabetes mellitus is a disease of impaired carbohydrate utilization caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin.
There are two main types of diabetes: insulin dependent diabetes and non-insulin dependent diabetes.

(1)Insulin dependent diabetes: This occurs when the body produces no insulin. This usually develops in the early teens though it sometimes appear later in life. This type of diabetes usually develops quickly, often over a few days. The young adult feels increasingly weak, becomes intensely thirsty, and passes large volume of urine. He/she may lose weight rapidly because draws on its stores of fats or energy and unable to use or store its glucose.There may also be sleeplessness and confusion. The condition can worsene without treatment to the extent that the diabetic may lose consiousness and pass into a coma.The breath may smell of alcohol.


(2) Non-Insulin dependent Diabetes:This is a milder form of diabetes in which the body produces some insulin but not enough for the requirements of  the body.Most people suffering from non-insulin dependent diabetes are over 40 years and over weight.The initial symptoms of thirst and excessive urine usually come on over a period of months. Other symptoms of the disease includes tiredness, a feeling of pins and needles and blurred vision is common. But it is very rare for the older diabetic to go into a coma.

Causes:- Diabetes is caused by a deficiency of insulin, which regulates the way the body uses sugar. When one consumes bread, cakes, biscuits and other foods containing starch and sugar, the digestive process in the bowel breaks down the sugar and starch into glucose, which is absorbed into the blood stream  insulin, which is produced in the pancrease, a small organ located just below the stomach, helps the body process the glucose in the blood,so that  it can be used for muscular activities and other body functions.After the glucose is processed any excess can be stored in the liver as glycogen to be converted into energy or fat.In diabetes cases, the pancrease does not produce enough insulin to allow the glucose in the blood to be used.In some cases, no insulin at all  is produced.The diseases is also hereditary.Age can also cause the pancreas not to function well.Many people who develop the disease in later life are over weight.

Herbal Medicine
1. Insulin Dependent Diabetes: Home remedies or herbal drugs are not yet effective in this condition of total lack of insulin.Only insulin injections at regular intervals as determined by a qualified specialist under his direct supervision.

Dietics:Diabetics must be careful about food/diet, once on insulin. Regular meals must be taken throughout the day.If the do not eat and and have an insulin injection, the level of glucose in the blood stream will fall to a very low level.Insulin dependent diabetes, apart from regular meals, need to be particularly careful about the quantity of sugar and starch that they eat. They need starch but not too much.Diabetic diets should contain specified amount of sugar. Nowadays simple kits are available for testing and monitoring the level of sugar in the urine and as well as in the blood.This way diabetes can keep their own check and get remedial measures.If there is a low level of sugar, they can take little bit of sugar avoid hypoglycaemia.

(2) Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes: This type of diabetes is known as NIDD type usually improves with a carefully controlled diet to reduce their excess weight and reduce their sugar and starch intake.A regular check on the blood sugar level should be kept  and if it settles in the normal range, no further treatment is needed.If diet is not sufficient, one should try some home remedies before switching over to regular treatment.Indian gooseberry fresh juice 10ml and 2 grams pure tumeric powder well mixed and taken twice daily, effectively maintains the sugar level and improves strength and vitality. The inner bark of the jamun tree is used in the treatment. Un-boiled milk mixed with equal quantity of water taken early in the morning on empty stomach gives very good result.Juice of satavar mixed with equal quantity of milk taken once daily is very helpful in controlling sugar level in the blood.