What is Diabetes? | Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes | Standard Blood Sugar Levels | Common Symptoms | Root Causes | Natural Home Treatment | Tips to Prevent Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus (Scientific Name), Madhumeha (Hindi / Urdu/ Marathi), Nirilivu (Tamil), Tangniaobing (Chinese), Dayabetisa (Bengali), Diabet (Russian). Diabetes type 1 and 2 natural cure, symptoms and signs, treatment. Natural Home Remedies offers you herbal method to treat diabetes effectively. Keep your blood sugar level and insulin under control with simple diabetes home remedies and tips. Also check information about diabetes symptoms, diabetes mellitus, diabetic diet, diabetic recipes, standard blood glucose levels guide, pre diabetes, juvenile diabetes, how to reduce blood sugar, diabetes Ayurvedic home treatment.
What is Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
Worldwide, diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases. In developed countries, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. In the developing world, cases of diabetes have surged, due mainly to the importation of the Western lifestyle, particularly the combination of physical inactivity and diets high in refined grains and sugar, both of which fuel weight gain and which, in turn, promotes obesity. By 2025, experts anticipate that diabetes will afflict 246 to 380 million people worldwide. Fortunately, type-2 diabetes, which accounts for 95 percent of diabetes cases, is largely preventable. Diabetes mellitus is a nutritional disorders, characterized by an abnormally elevated level of blood glucose and by the excretion of the excess glucose in the urine. It results from an absolute or relative lack of insulin which leads to abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism as well as in the metabolism of protein and fat. This causes a high level of glucose in the blood, and low absorption of the vital energy-producing glucose by the tissues. In Type I (insulin-dependency) diabetes the sufferer produces little or no insulin and requires lifelong monitoring. Blood sugar levels can swing wildly between hypoglycemia (featuring strange feelings, abnormal behavior, and a risk of coma) and hyperglycemia (causing overproduction of ketones, and coma). Type I usually first appears in those who are under the age of 35, particularly adolescents, and develops rapidly. This condition often appears in childhood. In genetically susceptible individuals, some trigger (perhaps a viral infection) causes antibodies to attack the insulin making cells of the pancreas. Type II, maturity-onset diabetes, is thought to be caused by the body’s cells’ lack of response to insulin. Pancreas makes plenty of insulin, but the liver, muscles, and fat cells become insulin resistant, meaning the cells fail to respond to this hormone. Things that promote insulin resistance include being overweight or obese, chronically stressed, sleep deprived, and physically inactive. Avoiding all of the aforementioned risks helps prevent type-2 diabetes. It usually affects people aged 40 and over, and there is an association with obesity and pregnancy. The onset of Type II is gradual and may go unnoticed for some time. According to Ayurveda diabetes is a metabolic kapha type of disorder in which diminished functioning of agni (digestive fire) leads to a tendency toward high blood sugar.
What are Standard Blood Sugar Levels?
Diabetes is a disease known to the medical world since time immemorial. Its incidence is, however, much higher at present than ever in the past. This is especially true in case of more advanced countries of the world due to widespread affluence and more generous food supply. The most commonly-used screening tests are the determination of the fasting blood glucose level and the two-hour postprandial, that is after a meal. The normal fasting blood sugar content is 80 to 120 mg. per 100 ml. of blood and this can go up to a level of 180 mg. per 100 ml. of blood two hours after meals. Anything above these norms can be termed diabetic levels. Diabetes occurs in all age groups, from young infants to the elderly. The greatest incidence occurs in middle or older aged persons. It is estimated that 80 to 85 per cent of all individuals with diabetes mellitus are 45 years of age or older. Diabetes affects over 10 million people in the United States and causes about 300,000 deaths each year. An estimated 5 million adults have undetected Type II diabetes, and another 20 million have a glucose intolerance that could lead to diabetes. Complications due to diabetes are the third most frequent cause of death in the U.S.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes
The word diabetes is derived from the Greek word meaning “to siphon to pass through”, and mellitus comes from the Latin word “honey”. Thus two characteristic symptoms, namely, copious urination and glucose in the urine give the name to the disease. The normal volume of urine passed daily is about one and a half liters. The urine is of a pale color, has an acidic reaction and sweetish odor. The quantity of sugar present in it varies from one-and-quarter decigram to two and-a-half grams the total per day in many cases reaching as much as one kg in 15 liters of urine. A diabetic feels hungry and thirsty most of the time, does not put on weight, though he eats every now and then, and gets tired easily, both physically and mentally. He looks pale, may suffer from anemia, constipation, intense itching around the genital organs, palpitations and general weakness.
Root Causes of Diabetes
Diabetes has been described by most biological doctors as a “prosperity” disease, primarily caused by systematic overeating and consequent obesity. Not only the overeating of sugar and refined carbohydrate but also of proteins and fats, which are transformed into sugar if taken in excess, is harmful and may result in diabetes. Too much food taxes the pancreas and eventually paralyses its normal activity. It has been estimated that the incidence of diabetes is four times higher in persons of moderate obesity and 30 times higher in persons of severe obesity. Grief, worry and anxiety also have a deep influence on the metabolism and may cause sugar to appear in the urine. The disease may be associated with some other grave organic disorders like cancer, tuberculosis and cerebral disease. Heredity is also a major factor in the development of the disease. It has been rightly said, “Heredity is like a cannon and obesity pulls the trigger.” Any successful method of diabetes treatment should aim at removal of the actual cause of the disease and building up of the whole health-level of the patient. Here are some natural home remedies for Diabetes.
Diabetes Natural Home Treatment
- Bitter Gourd: Recent scientific investigations have established that bitter gourd (karela) is highly beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. It contains an insulin-like principle, known as plant-insulin which has been found effective in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. It should, therefore, be included liberally in the diet of the diabetic. For better results, the diabetic should take the juice of about 4 or 5 fruits every morning on an empty stomach. The seeds of bitter gourd can be added to food in a powdered form. Diabetics can also use bitter gourd in the form of decoction by boiling the pieces in water or in the form of dry powder. OR For non-insulin-dependent diabetes, boil and cut one bitter gourd (karella) into small pieces and eat with the seeds every morning and evening.
- Herbal Mixture: Make herbal mixture using 1 spoon of guduchi, shardunika, kutki and 2 spoons of punarnava. Take 1/2 teaspoon mixture 2 or 3 times a day with warm water.
- Jambul Fruit: Jambul fruit also known as Syzygium cumini, jambolan, jamblang, black plum, faux pistachier, Indian blackberry or jamun. It is regarded in traditional medicine as a specific against diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas. The fruits as such, the seeds and fruit juice are all useful in the treatment of this disease. The seeds contain a glucoside ‘jamboline’ which is believed to have power to check the pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production of glucose. They should be dried and powdered. This powder should be taken mixed in milk, curd or water.
- Turmeric: Another simple and effective herbal way to control blood sugar is to use turmeric. Fill some 00-size capsules (available at a pharmacy or natural food store) with turmeric, and take 2 capsules 3 times a day, a few minutes before meals. You can continue this program for up to a month, and then revaluate your condition. Clinical observation suggests that a person who is insulin dependent will experience a markedly diminished requirement for insulin; the diabetes can often be brought under control.
- Gymnema or Gurmar: Long used in India to treat diabetes and poor sugar tolerance, gymnema stimulates insulin production and may help pancreatic function. Gymnema’s traditional name of “gurmar” means “sugar destroyer,” gained because it neutralizes the sweet taste buds in the tongue and tackles sugar cravings. Take 20–50 drops of tincture on the tongue every 3 hours. Larger doses are required to improve prediabetic states and diabetes, which should be treated only on the advice of a health professional.
- Control Sugar Levels: To help regulate your blood sugar level, you can try taking 1/2 teaspoon of ground bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, mixed in 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera gel. Take the mixture twice a day before lunch and dinner.
- Stevia – A Good Sugar Substitute: Stevia is a non-sugar natural sweetener that lowers blood sugar levels and makes a good replacement for both sugar and artificial sweeteners. The herb’s sweet taste and hypoglycemic action make it a valuable remedy in early onset diabetes. Take on its own as a tea or use in place of sugar 1/4 teaspoon of ground leaf is roughly equivalent to 1 teaspoon of sugar. It can also help to prevent tooth decay, aid weight loss, and improve immune resistance in yeast infections.
- Amla – Indian Gooseberry: It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Mix 1 tablespoon of amla juice with 1 cup of bitter gourd juice. Drink this once a day for at least 2 months. Consuming gooseberries orally in any form can reduce your sugar levels by stimulating the production of insulin.
- Copper water: Put one cup of water into a copper vessel at night, and drink the water in the morning.
- Fenugreek seeds: The seeds can also be used on a daily basis to help reduce blood sugar levels in diabetes. Components in fenugreek stimulate insulin as well as delay absorption of glucose. Fenugreek seems to benefit people with both types of diabetes. In one study, type-2 diabetics who added fenugreek to their regimen were able to reduce their medications by 20 percent. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), a plant cultivated in India, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, contains soluble fiber and beneficial components. Preliminary studies show that the powdered, defatted seeds lower glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Simply chewing some seeds daily can show remarkable change.
- Yoga Postures: Beneficial yoga postures for diabetic conditions include the Sun Salutation and the Peacock pose, Locust pose, Leg Lift, and Chest-Knee pose. Alternate Nostril breathing is also helpful.
- Mango Leaves: The delicate and tender mango leaves can be used to treat diabetes by regulating insulin levels in the blood. They can also help improve blood lipid profiles. Soak 15 gm. of tender mango leaves in a 1 and 1/2 cup of water overnight. In the morning, mash the leaves in same water. Filter the water and drink it on an empty stomach. Repeat for several days for better results. OR Dry mango leaves in the shade, grind them and store in air tight jar. Eat one-half teaspoon of powdered mango leaves two times daily.
Tips to Prevent Diabetes
- The diabetic patient should eliminate minor worries from his daily life. He must endeavor to be more easy-going and should not get unduly worked up by the stress and strain of life. When you’re stressed, the hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and glucagon rise. all three hormones raise blood glucose, thereby antagonizing insulin. For people who already have diabetes, moderate psychosocial stress can undermine glucose management. controlling stress, on the other hand, improves glucose levels. preliminary research supports mindfulness based stress reduction in diabetics. (Mindfulness meditation is a practice that involves deliberately paying attention to the present moment.)
- Onions and garlic lower blood sugar levels. Ensure that you have plenty in your diet; take garlic oil supplements if not.
- Sleep well. chronic sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
- Get a diabetes fighting magnesium boost from a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds. about 1/4 cup (35 g) of the seeds boasts 300 milligrams of magnesium; that’s 95 percent of the recommended daily dose.
- Exercise every day. Walking counts. physical activity improves your tissues’ sensitivity to insulin. Regular exercise also adds muscle mass and burns calories, making it easier to manage blood glucose and body weight.
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and trans fats (which are mainly man made). an excess of any or all of them can promote unhealthy weight gain, increasing the risk of diabetes. all increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Refined carbohydrates and sugars raise blood sugar and triglycerides (body fat) and tax insulin. if you eat real food (fruits, vegetable, fish, meat, seeds, and nuts) rather than processed food, you will naturally remove these items from your diet.