Changing lifestyles is an underlying cause of diabetes, a condition that occurs due to high levels of blood glucose. If poorly-managed, it is known to give rise to more severe long-term conditions such as heart attacks, stokes, blindness, nerve damage, limb amputation, impotency and so on. Ayurveda classifies around 20 types falling under the three distinct dosha types – four because of Vata, six because of Pitta, and 10 due to Kapha. Any form of diabetes left unattended or not treated eventually develop into Madhumeha, or diabetes mellitus (commonly referred as just diabetes) – a chronic, lifelong condition that affects your body’s ability to use the energy found in food.

Some of the mostcommon symptoms and signs of diabetes are:

• A burning sensation or numbness in the limbs
• Fatigue
• Increased appetite
• Intense thirst
• Nausea and abdominal pain (misguided as the flu)
• Recurrent infections
• Frequent urination
• Slow-healing injuries
• Unclear vision
• Unusual weight loss

Here are some of our tips on how to manage Diabetes at home:

Dos:

• Avoid high complex carbohydrates which increase blood sugar levels such as rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, sugar, etc.
• Use moderate amount of salt in your food and avoid adding salt in cooked food.
• Consume less fatty food.
• Eat small portions of food at fixed intervals throughout the day. A fair approach to eat proportionate is to include three food groups of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables at each meal.
• Exercise on a regular basis. A 45-mintue walk must be a daily routine as it can decrease the glucose in your blood.
• Have a mixture of whole-grain foods and root vegetables daily.
• Include one bitter dish in each mealtime like bitter gourd juice, fenugreek, etc.
• Restrain foods that are sweet and high in sugar like banana, cereals, potato, rice, and fruits.
• Take care of your feet, because as a diabetic any kind of nerve injury, movement problems, and toxicities can cause severe foot problems.
• Take extra of the eye as any carelessness can harm the small blood vessels in your retina. This is also called diabetic retinopathy.
• Substitute simple carbohydrates for example (rice, white bread, white pasta, maida) with compound carbohydrates like oats, bajra, jowar, ragi and wheat.

Donts:

• Take a siesta as it may result in night-time sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• Smoke as it increases your blood sugar. Abandoned blood sugar can cause severe diabetic problems with your kidneys, heart, in addition to blood vessels.
• Consume alcohol as it can result in increase or decrease in blood glucose levels, depending on how much is consumed.
• Skip meals, as it isn’t good for your metabolic rate.
• Drink regular soda or sugar-coated drinks.
• Make starchy carbohydrates your main course.
• Overeat, as it would lead you to consume fats and thus resulting in high blood sugar level.

Managing diabetes through dietetic intrusion is the most operative way to help the body fight and control the disease, together with required medication.