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Diabetes Mellitus: Salient Points to Remember & Role of Homeopathy

Diabetes mellitus: Salient Points to Remember & Role of Homeopathy in Diabetes mellitus

By
Dr Saurav Arora
Dr. Saurav Arora, BHMS (Gold Medalist), Founder: Vivid Homeopathy

Dr Bharti Arora
Dr. Bharti Arora, MD (Hom.), BHMS (Silver Medalist), Co-Founder: Vivid Homeopathy

Issued in Public Interest by

Arora’s Homeopathic Clinic
An Establishment under
Vivid Homeopathy
www.arorasclinic.com | vividhomeopathy@gmail.com | +91 9811425214

On the Occasion of World Diabetes Day

Read Online Below or Download PDF here


diabetes mellitus


Diabetes Mellitus: Salient Points

Diabetes mellitus is now an established multi-system and challenging syndrome. It is attributed to various risk factors including lifestyle, stress and genetic predisposition. Diabetes mellitus is prevalent in almost every part of the world in today’s scenario. Once thought to be a disease of sedentary origin, it is now one of the most common endocrine disorders prevalent amongst every strata, sexes and ethnicity.

Given below are some of the quick points which may help us to understand and thus tackle diabetes mellitus in a better manner:

  • Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disease syndrome characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels), resulting either from inadequate secretion of the insulin, or an inadequate response of target cells to insulin, or a combination of both factors.
  • DM has been recognized since antiquity, and treatments of various efficacies have been known since the middle ages, but the elucidation of the pathogenesis of diabetes occurred mainly in the 20th century.

The DM is commonly divided into Type 1 and 2 DM.

Image source: http://www.startstemcells.com/img/diabetes1.jpg & http://danii.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Type-2-Diabetes-1.jpg


Other types of DM are Gestational and other specific types.


Image source: http://myremedysource.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/insulin-for-type-2-diabetes.jpg


Type 1 DM

  • The type 1 DM is also known as Insulin dependent DM or IDDM or Juvenile diabetes has an early onset (usually 2nd or earlier decade of life). It is characterized by beta cell destruction caused by an autoimmune process, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency. The onset is usually acute, developing over a period of a few days to weeks. Over 95 percent of persons with type 1 DM develop the disease before the age of 25, with an equal incidence in both sexes and an increased prevalence in the white population.
  • A family history of type 1 DM, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease) or other endocrine disease is often found.
  • Most of these patients have the “immune-mediated form” of type 1 DM with islet cell antibodies and often have other autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, vitiligo or pernicious anemia.

Type 2 DM

  • Type 2 DM (formerly called NIDDM, type II or Adult-onset) is characterized by insulin resistance in peripheral tissue and an insulin secretory defect of the beta cell.
  • The defective secretion of insulin and/or defective uptake fuel the cycle of glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia.

Risk Factors

The following risk factors increase the chances of developing Type 2 DM:

  • Genetic factors, usually family history, are present in many patients.
  • Increasing age
  • Altered food habits
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity; and
  • Lack of physical activity.

Other (or rarer) causes include:

  • Certain medicines;
  • Pregnancy (gestational diabetes); and
  • Any illness or disease that damages the pancreas and affects its ability to produce insulin e.g. pancreatitis.

Type 2 DM now affects a higher proportion globally!


Symptoms

  • The classical symptoms of DM may be polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, fatigue etc., but in the majority of the patients symptoms are variable in the presentation.
  • Many a time patients are diagnosed on the routine investigation or on the basis of non-specific and trivial symptoms.

Complications

The complications of diabetes are far less common and less severe in people who have well-controlled blood sugar levels.


In fact, the better the control, the lower is the risk of complications.


Diagnosis and Investigations

DM is diagnosed on the basis of clinical presentation and biochemical/specific investigations. The following tests are done in routine clinical settings:

  1. Blood sugar fasting and postprandial (PP)
  2. Blood sugar random
  3. Glycated Hb – HbA1C
  4. Serum insulin level
  5. Other tests: Liver function test, Lipid profile, Kidney function test, Eye examination etc.
  6. In addition, specific tests are also done depending upon symptoms and signs.

Goals of DM Medication

Whatever the form of medication you opt, the broad goal of medication remains the same

  • Normalcy of blood Sugar levels
  • Improvement in overall Health
  • Prevention of Complications

Levels of blood sugar for Normal and Diabetic Patients

Oral Hypoglycaemic and Insulin Preparations

A major challenge and equal confusion exist in general population regarding conventional treatment of DM i.e. whether to take oral hypoglycemic or insulin. In this regard following points may be noted:

  • It is a common practice for a physician to start oral hypoglycemic drugs in initial stages. The oral hypoglycemic drugs lower the blood sugar levels after entering body’s digestive system.
  • On the other hand, when oral drugs fail to achieve the desired blood sugar levels, or there is lack of compliance on part of patient or due to side effects oral drugs etc., various insulin preparations are advised. The Insulin is injected directly into the bloodstream. The insulin preparation and units are decided by the physician keeping in mind average level of blood sugars, the age of patient, compliance, complications, if any etc.
  • Insulin is also advised where blood sugar levels are abnormally high and there is a chance of developing pathological changes in the body.
  • It is also commonly observed that patients keep on taking oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin without monitoring of blood sugar levels for longer times.
  • Therefore, it is not advisable at all to experiment with your health. The blood sugar levels must be controlled under the supervision of a medical practitioner only. It is also equally important to know which kind of medication especially insulin preparation you are taking because it lowers blood sugar levels faster and a patient may end up in acute hypoglycemia rather than control.

Following are the common types of insulins and the duration for which they work


Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycemia is commonly encountered in diabetic patients and can be life-threatening. To treat, one simply needs the presence of mind and alertness to the condition. Here too, prevention is better than cure. It is advised to take sufficient food with anti-diabetic medications especially insulin to avoid sudden fall in blood sugar levels. Even if someone suffers from it apply the Rule of 15! When the blood sugar level falls beyond 70 mg/dl a diabetic is given 15gm of carbohydrates and after 15 minutes sugar is again checked. This is done until the sugar comes to a normal range. The following items contain approx. 15 grams of carbohydrates:

  • ½ cup of orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon of honey or syrup
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar or 5 small sugar cubes

Management

The management of DM has four thumb rules:

Education: The DM and its outcome must be taught to the patient is a simple language. Patient has the equal right to have the right knowledge of the disease, its progression, and complications.

Understanding: DM, its present situation, and prognosis must be understood keeping in mind background of the patient, presenting complaints, occupation, history, environment (family and working) and mental state. Not every diabetic land up in complication.

Participation in health activities and treatment is the key rule. The patient is advised to take active interest and participation in timely medication, exercise, and dietary restrictions. Activities may include smoking cessation, controlling elevated cholesterol levels, reducing obesity, maintaining blood pressure etc.

Save your Eyes, Kidneys, and Nerves. Undergo a routine check-up at regular intervals.


By changing diet, blood glucose levels can be controlled

  • Despite diabetes being a condition of sugar regulation, specific restriction of sugars is not necessary, except as part of ensuring a balanced diet overall.
  • The best thing is to reduce the amount of simple sugars and refined carbohydrates and increasing the amount of complex carbohydrates and fibre in the diet.
  • The body needs time and energy to break and use complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This leads to the slower release of glucose into the bloodstream.
  • Simple carbohydrates, such as sugars and highly processed or refined foods, are broken down quickly, leading to a rapid rise in blood sugar.
  • A diabetic may consult a dietician for specific and customized diet plans.

Exercises yield following benefits

  • Exercise causes contracting of muscles thereby using the circulating sugar and hence decrease the pancreas’ burden.
  • Exercise consumes much of accumulated fat and thus weight is maintained, which in itself may ameliorate most symptoms of diabetes.
  • Exercise gives a psychological boost.
  • A diabetic can opt for any light exercise like walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, gardening, etc.
  • A middle-aged diabetic should desist from doing heavy or tiring exercises.

Role of Homeopathy in Diabetes mellitus

Homeopathy heals holistically!

  • Homeopathy has been used for a long time to control the blood sugar levels.
  • Homeopathic medicines directly act on nervous system thereby stimulates the immune system. They stimulate the pancreas function and release of quality pancreas secretions, and at the same time improves the uptake and metabolism at the cellular level.

The homeopathic treatment of diabetes is divided into three major parts:

  • Initial stages (detected early): Constitutional treatment and/or specifics to control (and cure in some case) blood sugar levels, usually given for few weeks to few months.
  • Developed stages: Specific medicines to control blood sugar levels, usually given for few months to years.
  • Complicated cases: Specific medicines repeated too often and given for years. The pathology can’t be reversed but progression can be checked with improvement in the quality of the life of the patient.
  • Homeopathic medicines can be taken safely along with other/conventional medications (ADD-ON Therapy).
  • The patient is asked to maintain a gap of approx. 30 mins between different medications.

The key point of treating holistically is to keep a regular check on blood sugar levels, improve quality of life and minimize (or avoid) complications


In addition to constitutional or individualized medicines the following specific medicines are used frequently in homeopathy:

  • Syzygium jambolanum
  • Cephalandra indica
  • Uranium nitricum
  • Lycopodium
  • Acid phosphoricum
  • Abroma augusta
  • Insulinum
  • Natrum sulph.
  • Etc.
  • As a common myth, mother tinctures are not always superior to potencies.
  • The right potency may be mother tincture, trituration or a dilution depending on severity and presentation of the case.
  • One should not take medicines for DM without supervision. It is a common practice amongst general public to take anti-diabetic medications for long without checking their blood sugar levels.

The success of treating diabetes is directly proportional to its understanding.


Disclaimer

This article does not intend to replace the in-person consultation. The facts are for general purpose and public awareness only, and must not be taken as Medical Consultation in any form. For consultation, treatment and specific queries you need to contact your healthcare professional.


Not for Medico-legal purposes.


© Vivid Homeopathy & Arora’s Homeopathic Clinic 2017.


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