Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
There are 2 main types of diabetes:
- type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
- type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly,
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, over 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.
High blood sugar that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth.
Non-diabetic hyperglycemia (pre-diabetes)
Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, or pre-diabetes.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
If you have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, you may be eligible for the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This programme helps people make lasting lifestyle changes and has been shown to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are also recommended to take a blood test every year to monitor their blood sugar levels.
It’s very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it’s likely to get worse if left untreated and can cause long-term health problems.
When to see a doctor?
Visit your doctor as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:
feeling very thirsty
peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night.
feeling very tired.
weight loss and loss of muscle bulk.
itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush.
blurred vision.
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it’s treated, but it’s less common in people with type 2 diabetes.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general, or there are no symptoms at all.
Causes of diabetes
The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach).
When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it’s broken down to produce energy.
However, if you have diabetes, your body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there’s either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin produced does not work properly.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
You can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight.
You may be more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you:
are living with overweight or obesity
do not have a healthy diet
have a family history of type 2 diabetes
are of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin
take certain medicines such as steroids for a long time
have high blood pressure
have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
Naturopathic Understanding Of DM
Changes occurring in the body in the form of reduced elimination, assimilation, absorption, collectively And greatly influences homeostasis in the body.
Environment facilitates its onset(diet, reduced physical activity, stress, pollution.
Naturopathic approach is not to merely reduce blood sugar but on correction of the level 1 that cause the entire DM cascade
Signs & Symptoms
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent fatigue
Irritability
Repeated infection in genital, urinary tract and
Oral cavity
Burning sensation, pain or numbness in the
lower limbs, especially in the feet
Impotence/ erectile dysfunction
Vision impairment
Diagnosis
Thorough history
Polyuria, polydipsia
Family history
HbA1C Glycosylated hemoglobin 5.7-6.4
(Prediabetic)
Fasting Plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dl
(prediabetic)
2-Hour post loaded glucose after 75g of oral
glucose is 140-199 mg/dl in prediabetic.
Fasting And Dieting Therapy
Available seasonal fruits.
Encourage fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes.
Paleolithic Diet: Devoid of Grains & Sugar
Vegan Diet
Food is provided in original form and at proper
time along with Biological clock.
Avoid Animal food.
Follow Dinacharya : Ancient Meal Timings
Supervise fasting for 11-20 Hours.
Turmeric, Flaxseeds and Nuts
Fruits & Vegetables
Kiwi
Pears
Oranges (Citrus Fruits)
Strawberries
Avacados
Grapefruit
Jamun
Cherries
Apples
Leafy Greens
Zucchini
Broccoli
Garlic
Cucumber
Lettuce
Okra – Ladyfinger
Spinach
Onions
Tomatoes
Bittergourd
Fenugreek
Wheatgrass
Hydrotherapy and Mud Therapy
Hot Water Immersion – 30mins
Cold Douche to Spine and Abdomen
Wet Girdle Pack
Alternative Hot & Cold Compress
Gastro Hepatic Pack – 20mins
Steam Bath
Direct Mud application to whole body.
Mud Pack to abdomen
Heliotherapy, Chromo & Massage Therapy
Sun Bath
Orange, Yellow and Green Colour.
Full Body Massage, Abdominal Massage.
Acupuncture & Acupressure
ST 25
SP 15
GB 26
CV 6
CV 12
ST 36
ST 40
SP 6
Yoga Therapy
Padmasana
Dhanurasana
Paschimotasana
Mayurasana
Shalabasana
Nadi Shudi
Brahmari
Sheetali
Shatkriyas
Yoga Nidra
Living with diabetes
If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll need to eat healthy, take regular exercise and have regular checks including blood tests.
You can use the BMI healthy weight calculator to check whether you’re a healthy weight.
Try to quit smoking if you smoke, and cut down on alcohol.
People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes also require regular insulin injections for the rest of their life.
Type 2 diabetes can get worse over time and people living with type 2 diabetes often need medicine, usually in the form of tablets or injections.
However, some people can put their type 2 diabetes into remission by losing weight, where their blood sugar is reduced below the diabetes range. Some people are able to do this through a low-calorie diet, but this is not suitable for everyone, so it’s important to get medical advice first.
Diabetic Eye Screening
Everyone with diabetes aged 12 years or over should be invited to have their eyes screened regularly.
If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss if it’s not treated.
Screening, which includes a 30-minute examination of the back of the eyes, is a way of diagnosing diabetic retinopathy and detecting the condition early where possible so it can be treated more effectively. In many people, this can stop affecting their vision or reduce the chance of it getting worse.
It’s important to see a doctor if you notice any problems with your eyesight. Do not wait for your next screening appointment.
Read more about diabetic eye screening.
Diabetic Foot Problems
Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet and cause a loss of feeling. It can also reduce the blood supply to your feet. This means you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured, and injuries may not heal as well. This can lead to ulcers and infections, and sometimes amputations can be needed in serious cases.
Adults with diabetes should have their feet checked every year by a healthcare professional.
It’s important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you notice any problems with your feet.
