What is Diabetes? Understanding the Condition
Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong metabolic disorder characterized by either low production of insulin or inability of the body to utilize the produced insulin properly. Insulin is the hormone that regulates transportation of sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream to the cells to be used as energy source. In case the regulation fails, accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream causes increase in blood sugar levels known as hyperglycaemia.
Diabetes is classified into 3 - Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and is common in childhood or early adulthood. Type 2 diabetes results due to inability to produce sufficient insulin or resistance of insulin utilization and is genetically and lifestyle-related. Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition in pregnant women. Chronic elevated blood sugar can have adverse effects on the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. This is why individuals must get early diagnosis and ensure consistent treatment of the condition.
The Ayurvedic View of Diabetes – Madhumeha
Diabetes, in Ayurveda, is called Madhumeha, meaning "sweet urine." In Ayurveda, this disease falls under the broader category of diseases of urinary system called Prameha. It should be noted that Madhumeha is viewed as not merely a disease of the pancreas but as a disturbance in digestive fire (Agni), metabolism, on the cellular level. If Agni becomes impaired because of a wrong diet, unhealthy lifestyle, stress, or consuming too much heavy, sweet food, tissues in the body are malnourished, and toxins (Ama) start accumulating in the body.
Madhumeha is mainly associated with the imbalance of the Kapha dosha. However, Vata-predominant Madhumeha is also observed in people suffering from Type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent Madhumeha. The Prameha Ayurveda treatment Kerala involves a careful analysis of the condition and determination of the dosha responsible for your particular form of Madhumeha.
Understanding the Root Triggers – The causes
Diabetes is not something that can develop instantly. There are many contributing factors for developing it, which are all taken into account while creating an individual plan for you within the framework of Ayurveda:
• Genetics and family history of diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle with almost no physical activity
• Eating too much of sweets, fried, and junk food
• Obesity and presence of excess belly fat
• Stress and disturbed sleeping schedule
• Low digestive fire (Agni) resulting in poor metabolism
• Old age and other underlying health problems
Early Signs & Symptoms Of Diabetes
Early detection of diabetes plays a very significant role in the management of the disease. The most common early signs of diabetes are:
• Increased urination, particularly at night
• Extreme thirst and always having a dry mouth
• Uneasy feeling and tiredness
• Unexpected weight loss
• Blurriness of vision
• Low healing capacity and repeated infections
• Feeling tingly or numbness in the feet and hands
In case of noticing any of the above symptoms, seeking an early diagnosis will help to prevent future problems. In our clinics, we evaluate your blood glucose levels, as well as your Prakriti, in order to identify how the disease manifests in you.
Why Ayurveda is Effective For Diabetes Management?
While most systems of healing only focus on reducing the sugar levels in the body, Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes in Kerala at Rasayana are concerned with improving digestion, insulin sensitivity and regulating body processes. These make the treatment highly sustainable, and eventually less medication is required. The therapies at Rasayna Ayurveda centre usually includes the following:
• Panchakarma Detoxification – Panchakarma for diabetes in Kerala make use of Panchakarma procedures including Virechana and Vamana to cleanse Ama and re-balance the body’s doshas, especially Kapha dosha.
• Herbs and herbal remedies — Proven formulas of Nishakathakadi Kashayam, Vasanta Kusumakara Rasa, and herbs like Bitter Gourd, Fenugreek and Gymnema Sylvestre (Madhunashini), etc. support Ayurvedic blood sugar control treatment.
• Adaptive diet and lifestyle changes (Ahara-Vihara) - Personalized diet plan based on your body type and lifestyle modifications that help restore digestion power.
• Yoga and Pranayama practices - Gently designed exercise regimen that improves circulation, eliminates stress hormones and improves metabolism.
• Periodical checkups — Follow-ups to modify your Madhumeha treatment plan according to your response to the therapy.
The difference with this method lies in the patience that Ayurveda employs. Unlike other techniques, Ayurveda does not force the body to make corrections immediately; rather, it relies on the body’s ability to heal itself, and this explains why our patients get better in all sorts of ways.
Can Ayurveda Completely Cure Diabetes?
It is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions, and we believe in being honest with our patients. If it is the early stage of type 2 diabetes, Ayurveda has proved to be highly successful in achieving normal and stable levels of blood sugar through strict regime of treatment, diet and lifestyle. However, if it comes to the long-term cases or even type 1 diabetes, when there is an evident lack of insulin produced by the body, Ayurveda can be utilized for managing the disease and not curing it permanently.
It can help to keep blood sugar levels under control, avoid complications, and have an improved quality of life. We believe in setting reasonable expectations with each patient, as the real trust is what matters to us more than a false promise.
Dietary Guidelines for Managing Diabetes in an Ayurvedic Way
Diet is very important in the Madhumeha treatment in Kerala. Ayurveda advises diet which is light, easy to digest, low on sugars and fats which suit the particular body constitution of the individual. Some of the common dietary suggestions by our doctors are:
• Preferring whole grains such as barley, millet and old rice over refined grains
• Consuming bitter vegetables such as bitter gourd, fenugreek leaves and drumsticks that help in maintaining healthy sugar levels in the blood
• Limiting consumption of sweets, fried foods and heavy dairy products
• Eating meals at proper intervals and avoiding over eating and fasting
• Having warm water throughout the day rather than cold and ice drinks
• Engaging in some kind of physical activity such as daily walk
Each individual has a customized diet chart prepared for him/her at Rasayana based on his/her body constitution, state of health and daily activities – we do not follow blanket dietary charts because that is not the way of Ayurveda or Rasayana.
Why Rasayana for Ayurvedic diabetes Treatment in Kerala?
Selecting a place for your treatment is a major choice to make and not something you would be taking lightly. This is why Rasayana stands out as a destination for ayurvedic treatment for diabetes in Kerala with these differentiating features:
• NABH accredited and Ayur Diamond Certified – Standards for hygiene and quality of treatment
• Run under the leadership of Dr. V. Madhavachandran, Chief Physician with 30+ years of clinical practice experience
• In-house manufacturing of medicines for genuine formulations
• Treatment based on personal diagnosis of Prakriti, not standard treatment plans
• Facilities for authentic panchakarma treatments for detoxification
• Diet kitchen for providing Ayurveda-compliant therapeutic food
• Yoga and meditation center for holistic treatment
• A relaxing environment with a peaceful residential atmosphere blended with nature
• Treated 25,000+ patients with consistent and reliable treatment results
