Introduction
Ayurveda, a holistic way of living, and a system of medicine which hailed from Indian sub continent is based on the theory that our individual body constitution is made up of three energies or doshas called as vata, pitta and kapha.
Imbalance in vata and kapha is the basic reason of a person being afflicted with diabetes. Its Cause are fat, urine, and Kapha buildups due to improper diet and an irregular lifestyle. In Ayurveda, diabetes is categorized under prameha, that are the urinary disorders, where the patient suffers a profuse urination with several abnormal qualities.
Diabetic Neuropathy is one of chronic, disabling and life threatening complications of Diabetes Mellitus. It is a nerve damage which occurs due to high sugar levels in blood for a prolonged period. Because of this the nerves cannot carry the messages to the brain and other parts of the body. Its symptoms are loss of sensation, loss of balance and co ordination, poor digestion, loss of appetite, nausea etc.,
Usually it affects the legs and feet and sometimes it may affect several parts of the body at the same time. Basically there are four different types of Diabetic Neuropathy, which are grouped based on their different symptoms and complications.
a) Neuropathic foot – Loss of sensation in lower extremity.
b) Symmetric distal polyneuropathy – In glove and stocking distribution of legs and arms unbearable pain is felt.
c) Assymetric neuropathy – Blurred vision.
d) Diabetic autonomic neuropathy – Head aches. dizziness, excessive sweating, etc.,
Ayurveda works in eradicating the root causes of Diabetic neuropathy by controlling the overeating habits, excessive eating of seets, more tension and worry Ayurvedic herbal formulations along with a modified life style, suitable diet, yogic practice, panchakarma therapy in order to balance both the vata and kapha doshas which then controls the sugar level.
Diabetic neuropathy- Diet and lifestyle
Ayurvedic science an ancient healing system of Indian medicine views Diabetes neuropathy as a chronic complication of diabetes which is being classified under madhumeha. The diet and lifestyle that is being recommended for controlling this disease are cited as below:
a) Take a natural, balanced healthy, low fat diet. Avoid refined sugars and processed food so that our body will cope up with processing glucose.
b) Avoid taking rice, potato, cereals, banana, and fruits that contains high concentration of sugars.
c) Take vegetables such as bitter gourd, string beans, cucumber, onion and garlic.
d) You may include home made cottage cheese, butter milk, eggs and Soya beans in your diet.
e) It is advised to take a meshashringi, a herb that deadens the taste buds in the tongue for few hours, so that your temptation for taking sweets will diminish.
f) Daily exercise regimen burns fat and reduces stress and body weight that contributes indirectly to the above disease. However take care to avoid over exertion that leads to raising blood pressure.
g) If you cannot do exercises a short regular walk is enough as it reduces demands on pancreas.
h) Include diet that has more of Vitamin B6 and B12 as it help to fight the intensity of diabetic neuropathy. Season your food with ¼ tea spoon of cinnamon as it will regulate the blood sugar level.
i) Limit intake of salty, refined, fatty foods. Take a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Try to include high fiber carbohydrates in your diet.
j) Oversleeping, suppression of natural urges, sedentary life style all indirectly contributes to DN. Hence take care to change this lifestyle.
k) It advises us not to overeat wholesome diet as that is also as bad as taking unwholesome diet.
l) It recognizes the impact of the negative emotional changes and stress as one of the contributing factor of Diabetes. For this practice yoga and meditation.
Hence ayurvedic approach to life aims at creating a harmony in daily life and applies self knowledge and self care.
Diabetic neuropathy – Ayurvedic management with medicines
Ayurveda, an age old holistic way of scientific living, manages Diabetic neuropathy, a chronic complication of diabetes which damages the nerves, by advising a modified life style, diet and yogic practice along with its oral medicines.
Ayurvedic oral medicinal formulations are being prepared from the extracts of medicinal herbs, leaves and spices. They try to work on restoring the balances of the vitiated doshas of vata and kapha, which are the main reason for diabetes neuropathy.
Generally Kashayam and Arishtam which are the herbal decoctions and fermentations or Lehyams which are semi solid formulations are recommended,Herbal formulations are used to control the sugar levels and needless to say that no chemicals are being added to it and they have no side effects.
** Gurmaar (Gymnema sylvestrae) – they will blend with the glucose molecules that are in intestines and prevent their entry into the blood.
** Karela (Momordica charantia) – it has such a good anti-diabetic property that prevents the diabetic complications.
** Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – very useful to fight weakness, fatigue and weightloss that occurs due to diabetes.
** Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) – The leaves when used regularly controls the blood sugar level.
** Gourdin is a all-natural herbal supplement that has been prepared from the seeds of BitterGourd, that regulates the blood sugar level and prevents the complications like diabetic neuropathy.
** Turmeric with aloe vera gel can be used to treat the initial stages of diabetes that helps in regulating the pancreas and liver functions.
** Decoctions of triphala, fenugreek, musta, arjuna, sandalwood, lodhra, ajwan, gokshura, vidanga, guduchi, haritaki, and chitrak when taken with little ghee is highly beneficial for diabetic neuropathy.
** Saptrangi (Salacia oblonga) – effective in controlling the diabetes.
** Ayurvedic medicines like hyponidd, Diabecon, DB tone powder keeps the blood sugar normal.
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