Explores the powerful potential of treating diabetes with Ayurveda, a chronic disease affecting millions in India. It delves into the common symptoms and root causes of diabetes, as well as natural treatments such as herbs, lifestyle modifications, and dietary changes. Learn how to take control of your health and manage your diabetes holistically with Ayurveda. Introduction to Diabetes and Types Diabetes is a long-term health condition that is linked to several other illnesses. –The root cause of diabetes is either an insufficient amount of insulin in the body or a lack of effective use of insulin. This results in elevated blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia. -If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to damage in the heart, blood vessels, vision, kidneys, and nerves, which increases the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and eye and kidney problems. People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to experience illness and death compared to those without the condition. -A rise in blood sugar signals the pancreas to release insulin, which acts as a key to allow glucose into your body’s cells for use as energy. Diabetes affects the way your body converts food into energy. Diabetes can take many different forms due to the complications involved. The 2 most common types of diabetes diagnosed are- -Type 1 Diabetes -Type 2 Diabetes What is Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects around 10% of people with diabetes. Whilst it can occur at any age, it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults -In this condition, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed, leading to an inability to produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections daily to regulate their blood glucose levels. -Insulin is an essential hormone that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells and provide energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body still produces glucose from the carbohydrates in food and drink, but the glucose cannot enter the cells due to a lack of insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels. What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder caused by the body’s inability to respond to insulin correctly, known as insulin resistance. -Too much glucose collects in the blood when the body cannot use insulin effectively, leading to a diagnosis of diabetes if blood sugar levels are 126 mg/dl or higher after fasting for 8 hours. -It is the most common form of diabetes and can be influenced by factors such as family history, genes, low activity level, poor diet, and excess weight around the waist. The aim of treatment is to reduce blood sugar levels and prevent complications by managing the disease with the help of medication and lifestyle changes Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms include: -Feeling thirstier than usual -Increased Urination -Unusual bed wetting in children -Increased hunger pangs -Unnatural weight loss -Sudden mood changes and irritation -Feeling tired and weak -Having blurry vision Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms include a range of Type 1 Symptoms along with: -Headaches -Loss of Consciousness -Slowed healing of wounds -Red, swollen, tender gums -Tingling hands and feet Causes of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Causes: Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. This process can take place over an extended period, ultimately resulting in a complete lack of insulin. The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not yet fully understood, but a strong genetic component is suspected. The likelihood of developing the disease without a family history is low, at about 0.4%. However, if a biological parent has Type 1 diabetes, the risk increases to- -1-4% for a mother -3-8% for a father -30% if both parents Scientists believe that certain triggers, such as viruses or environmental toxins, may activate the immune system to attack the pancreas in individuals with a genetic susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes Causes: Type 2 diabetes is a growing health concern in India, with an estimated 72 million people living with the disease. The causes of type 2 diabetes are complex and multifactorial, but certain risk factors have been identified that increase the likelihood of developing the disease. -Obesity and excess weight are one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes in India India has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, and this is a major contributing factor to the diabetes epidemic. Being overweight or obese increases the amount of insulin required to regulate blood sugar levels, and over time, the body becomes less able to produce enough insulin to keep up with demand. Some of the other identified causes are related to -Lack of physical activity -Excess consumption of Sugar -Consumption of High Caloric Foods -Type 2 Diabetes can also be impacted through genetics. People with a family history of diabetes are at an increased risk of developing the disease. -With an increase in age, the risk of Type 2 Diabetes increases as well. As people age, their bodies become less able to produce and use insulin effectively, which increases the risk of developing diabetes. What is HbA1c Test? Haemoglobin is a kind of molecule that is present in red blood cells and helps in carrying oxygen to the body’s tissue. The full form of hba1c is Haemoglobin A1c or HbA1c. Glycosylated Haemoglobin(HbA1c) is a form of haemoglobin that contains sugar. This is something that’s made when the glucose (sugar) in your body sticks to your red blood cells. Your body can’t use the sugar properly, so more of it sticks to your blood cells and builds up in your blood. Red blood cells are active for around 2-3 months, which is why the reading is taken quarterly. The HbA1c test measures how much glucose is bound. Need to measure HbA1c Test Early detection and treatment of diabetes is crucial in preventing or delaying complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and blindness. Prediabetics, Borderline
