HOW TO PREVENT AND CONTROL DIABETES

World Diabetes day is observed on November 14 of each year all over the world. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of diabetes all over the world.

Each year, World Diabetes day is centred on a particular theme related to Diabetes. Earlier topics have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, diabetes and obesity, diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable, diabetes in children and adolescents.

For 2009-2013 the theme chosen is Diabetes Education and Prevention.

Let us understand what is Diabetes – prevention and control methods.

Diabetes is called Prameha in Ayurveda. The description and details of the disease and its treatment can be found in Atharva Veda, which originated between 3000 BC to 1500 BC. More urine than the actual intake of water is mentioned as the simplest sign of diabetes in Ayurveda.

Symptoms associated:

Individuals can experience different signs and symptoms of diabetes, and sometimes there may be no signs. Some of the signs commonly experienced include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, tiredness, lack of interest and concentration, a tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet, blurred vision, frequent infections and boils, slow-healing wounds, vomiting and stomach pain.

People who lead a luxurious life with less physical work are prone to diabetes more than others. People with huge personalities are having a higher chance of being diabetic. Diabetic comes with stress, imbalanced diet and lifestyle.

Diabetes often runs in families. If one of your parents has diabetes, your chances of getting it immediately become significantly higher. You need to approach this situation consciously and prevent from occurring.

Ayurvedic practitioners have a multi-pronged approach to diabetes. Ayurveda, too, recommends lifestyle remedies that include limit to food that are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, eating smaller portions through the day, eating a variety of whole-grain foods, complex carbohydrates and vegetables every day, less fat and using less salt. It is also important to avoid smoking, reduce intake of alcohol, sleep adequately, check blood sugar levels periodically, check weight periodically and maintain ideal body weight.

Control measures:

In Ayurveda, the concept is that mind and body are interdependent and inseparable. So diabetic patients should always try to be calm and cool. The mind should be set in a free and easygoing manner. It is always better to keep cigarette smoking and alcohol at a distance. If a person is addicted to alcohol and is not in a position to avoid it, then  consume only brandy, whisky and rum, and avoid beer and sweet wine. Diabetic persons should strictly avoid alcohol on an empty stomach.

Based on your medical practitioners input plan for medicine intake. Intake of medicine will have an effect only when supported by a balanced diet. According to the calorie content, food items can be classified in to five categories.

• Pulses (grains)
• Meat, fish, nuts, ghee and oils
• Milk and milk products
• Fruits
• Vegetables

Each category is similar to one another in the quantity of calories contained. You can include any category in the diet. But frequency of food consumption is to be arranged in such a manner by taking in to account the patient’s age, lifestyle and nature of work.

Care should be taken to avoid glucose, sugar, cake, pudding, chocolate and sweets, potatoes, tapioca and fried foods are also not good. Diabetic patients must try to control their weight in proportion to their height and age.

The appetite of a diabetic patient is high and they tend to become impatient and angry. Actually it is not appetite but thirst.

• Onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots can be consumed in the form of soup or salad
• Consume fresh fruits like oranges and lemons. Avoid fruit juices.
• Include almonds in your daily schedule.
• Avoid dry fruits such as raisins(dry grapes), figs as fruit sugar is concentrated.
• Lemon tea, black coffee without sugar can be used
• Lemon juice without adding sugar , tender coconut water are suitable
• Avoid white flour.
• Include sprouted beans i.e moong gram and chick pea as these are proteins.

Exercise:

Daily exercise is necessary to manage diabetes. Yoga is beneficial. Ayurveda books refers reducing diabetic complaints by walking miles and miles without using foot wears. Walking is the least form of exercise prescribed. Walking distance is to be adjusted taking ones age and physical condition into consideration.

Early morning and evenings are the most suitable times for walking. Diabetic person should walk regularly and be active. Ideally it is better to walk in groups as you will not skip the session due to laziness and secondly it is safe to be among a group. The walk should follow the schedule of low speed for first 5 minutes. A warm up basically. Slowly increase the speed and continue it for 30 minutes , then the last 10 minutes should again be in a relaxed mode. Keep your shoulders straight and hands free while walking. For those preferring an evening walk, leave a gap of 2 to 3 hrs after food intake.

To summarize, food and lifestyle, in addition to the prescribed medicine , can to a large extent control and cure diabetes.

Go thru’ this article on the Recommendations to prevent diabetes naturally. Let’s share this message of awareness to our friends too.