Diabetes Mellitus - Causes and Symptoms

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes Mellitus is a change in the internal chemistry within your body due to a failure in the production of the hormone insulin, which results in abnormally high levels of glucose within the blood.

How does insulin control blood sugar levels?

Insulin is produced in the pancreas and is the only hormone that reduces blood glucose levels. It does this in three ways:

By increasing the amount of glucose stored in the liver in the form of glycogenBy preventing the liver from releasing too much glucoseBy encouraging cells elsewhere in the body to take up the glucose.

The effects of failing insulin production

When insulin production fails or diminishes it has a dramatic effect on the whole system because the blood glucose levels continue to rise. When this occurs glucose is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted via the urine. When filtering out the glucose the kidneys excrete more salt and water than is normal and thus there is excessive urine production - known as polyuria.
This process causes excess thirst and dehydration very quickly.

As well as the functions described above insulin acts to prevent weight loss and build body tissue, so if there is a problem with it's production the sufferer can experience weight loss.

Symptoms

ThirstDehydrationPassing large quantitues of urineUrinary tract infectionsWeight lossTiredness and lethargyBlurred vision resulting from dehydration of the lens in the eye

Different types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a complete failure in the production of insulin.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus exhibits some production of insulin but not enough and can also be combined with a reduced body response to insulin.

Who gets diabetes mellitus?

Type 1 is associated with younger people and although there may be a genetic link (scientists have identified a diabetes gene) a strong family link does not necessarily mean all the family will have or develop diabetes.

Some viral infections have been associated with diabetes such as mumps but there is no definite link bewteen general infections such as coughs and colds and the onset of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in women than it is in men and affects people in later life often those that are overweight and eat a poor unbalanced diet.

Secondary diabetes affect people that develop the condition secondary to other problems, for example pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), Cushing's syndrome (the body produces too much steroid) or acromegaly (the body produces too much growth hormone).

 

Blood Sugar Problems - Know the Causes and Natural Remedies

Are you suffering from high blood sugar levels? If yes, gain comfort knowing that you are not alone. A lot of people have the same concerns and this normally leads to a diagnosis of type II diabetes. This is considered as a chronic disease that can cause many health complications and may ultimately lead to early death. Hence, early treatment is a must. I have great news for all diabetic sufferers: Ayurveda, a system of holistic health and wellness which has been around for 5 centuries, approaches blood sugar problems the most natural way by making good changes in your diet and lifestyle.

Ayurveda combats blood sugar problems with a multiprong approach:

1. Diet modification comes first. Simple carbohydrates and sugar is eliminated from the diet while giving more focus on complex carbohydrates. The intake of protein is restricted, mainly because too much protein intake can cause damage to the kidneys. People suffering from diabetes are also advised to stay away from fat because diabetes causes a deficiency in the pancreatic enzymes which makes the digestion of fat difficult. More importantly, a detoxification or cleansing program is required, since people with diabetes have autoantibodies.

2. Panchakarma is used for detoxification. Body cleansing following Ayurvedic principles starts with herbal massages coupled with a herbal steam sauna. Fasting should go hand in hand with this, to properly cleanse the body.

3. Panchakarma is followed by a herbal treatment for the pancreas, liver and spleen. As soon as everything is good, colon therapy is administered, to reconstitute the system and properly cleanse the body's digestive tract.

What about your diet? Ayurveda uses the kapha-pacifying diet to address diabetes:

1. Excessive intake of sweets, dairy products and carbohydrates is strongly discouraged.

2. Eating bitter herbs and fresh vegetables is the way to go.

3. Eating other useful foods such as fried or roasted barley, light and bitter vegetables, corn flour, ghee, barley porridge and rice will help regulate your blood sugar.

4. Special herb preparations from gokshura, triphala, gudmar, fenugreek, coriander and cardamom - all mixed with honey is used for treating diabetes.

Other methods used to treat blood sugar problems include oil massage, exercise, sitz, steam or waist bath, as well as sprinkling of ointment and water. You may take cardamom, sandalwood and dry ginger or use them in baths. A nice fusion of shilajit and gudmar is used by lots of Ayurvedic practitioners because of their excellent therapeutic properties.