Last Updated on April 11, 2025 by Dr. Mansi Srivastava
Are you struggling with symptoms of frequent urination, blurred vision and extreme thirst? Then you might be suffering from diabetes. Diabetes is a worldwide problem related to both lifestyle and genetics, as well as some unknown factors. According to recent research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, roughly 101 million Indians have diabetes, with another 136 million in the pre-diabetic stage.
But there is no need to fear it, with proper management, you can manage your diabetic condition and live a healthy life just like any normal individual. In this blog, we will talk about what diabetes is, its causes, and how to prevent it. So, let’s dive in!
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that develops when the pancreas does not release enough insulin to meet the body’s requirements for various reasons. It also happens when the body is unable to utilize insulin properly owing to insulin resistance.
Glucose is released in the bloodstream once the food is broken down. A rise in blood sugar level results in the Pancreas releasing, due to which blood sugar is utilized by cells as energy.
If the pancreas does not produce sufficient amounts of insulin or cells develop insulin resistance, it will cause blood sugar levels in the body to increase, leading to diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
In Type 1 diabetes pancreas makes very little or no insulin at all. Insulin helps glucose in the bloodstream enter the cells in our body, which is used as energy. In the absence of insulin, blood sugar fails to enter the cells and rises in the bloodstream.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes arises when the secretion of insulin is insufficient in helping cells utilise an appropriate quantity of glucose in the blood. In certain circumstances, the cells may develop insulin resistance. In each of these cases, the blood sugar level increases.
Type 1.5 Diabetes
Type 1.5 diabetes is also called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in adulthood and gradually turns worse with time as the person gets older. In 1.5 diabetes pancreas stops making insulin, but this process develops slowly, and patients aren’t required to take insulin immediately.
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women with no prior history of diabetes may develop Gestational Diabetes during their pregnancy. If someone experiences gestational diabetes, the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes increase significantly.
Symptoms of Diabetes
It is not uncommon for people to have diabetes without being aware of it because the symptoms of diabetes often do not make them feel unwell.
Here are some common diabetes symptoms:
- Persistent feeling of thirst
- Increased frequency of urination.
- Consistent fatigue.
- Gradual loss of weight with increased appetite.
- Delayed recovery from illness or healing of wounds
- Repeated episodes of itching or fungal infection around the genitals
- Blurred vision
Symptoms of Diabetes in Men include:
- Erectile dysfunction is due to damage to nerves and blood vessels.
- Genital thrush is due to a fungal yeast infection.
- Reduced muscle mass.
Symptoms of Diabetes in women include:
- Itching around genitals and pain with vaginal and oral yeast infection
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Thinning scalp hair
- Hair growth on the face and body
- Frequent urinary tract infections
Diabetes Symptoms
The exact cause of diabetes can be difficult to figure out. Diabetes’s basic cause is when the body does not produce sufficient quantities of insulin or develops insulin resistance. This leads to abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream.
Type 1 Diabetes Causes
Type 1 Diabetes is supposed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin in the body.
Diabetes Type 1 is also triggered by the following factors:
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Chemical toxins within food
- Unidentified triggers in the environment in persons with a genetic predisposition.
Type 2 Diabetes Causes
Type 2 Diabetes has multiple causes and a variety of risk factors. Most important is the family history of type 2 diabetes.
Other important contributing factors for Diabetes Type 2 are :
- Obesity
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Growing old
- Bad food habits
- Infection of the pancreas or pancreatitis.
Type 1.5 Diabetes Causes
Type 1.5 Diabetes can be caused by damage to the pancreas by antibodies to insulin-producing beta cells. Some genetic traits can be possible triggers.
Gestational Diabetes Causes
During pregnancy, the body makes some important hormones and goes through changes like weight gain. Due to these changes, body cells are sometimes unable to use insulin properly, a condition called insulin resistance.
Most pregnant women may secrete sufficient insulin and overcome insulin resistance, but some may not and develop gestational diabetes. Being overweight or having a family history of diabetes is linked to gestational diabetes.
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening complications.
High blood sugar can lead to high sugar levels in saliva and may compromise oral health. Bacteria in the mouth that flourish in this saliva can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities.
It can cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, and damaged blood vessels can swell and leak. This leads to diabetic retinopathy in both eyes. It may also be responsible for macular edema, cataract, and glaucoma.
Diabetic patients are at high risk of developing:
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart failure
- Myocardial infarction
- Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Kidney Dysfunction
- Nephropathy
- Renal failure
How to Prevent Diabetes?
You can prevent Diabetes by making simple lifestyle changes in your daily routine, such as
- Maintaining a normal body weight
- Being more physically active.
- Brisk walking
- Try Aerobic exercise
- Eat a nutritious, rich diet
It is important to eat a diabetes friendly diet that includes broccoli, spinach, peppers, mushrooms, protein from eggs, tofu, fish, chicken, and yogurt, whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, nuts, legumes, and citrus fruits. If you quit smoking, it helps prevent or delay the onset of diabetes as well. Avoid saturated fats, sugary foods, and starchy foods.
Diabetes Treatments
Diagnosing diabetes early is essential for effective management. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for treating diabetes. Controlling blood sugar through diet, oral medication, which may include alternative medicine or insulin, is the main treatment. Monitoring of complications at regular intervals is essential for the better management of diabetes.
Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes and 1.5 Diabetes
Type 1 and Type 1.5 diabetes treatment varies from individual to individual and is complex.
These patients require insulin injections daily in divided doses to remain alive and healthy.
The dose of insulin depends upon the patient’s weight, age, physical activity and the type and amount of diet he eats. It also depends on his blood glucose level, so close monitoring of the blood glucose level is needed. Larger doses of insulin are required during pregnancy, puberty and when one is taking steroid medicines.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Diabetes
The Ayurvedic system approaches any illness holistically. Ayurveda describes diabetes as Madhumeha (literally, sweet urine).
Prameha refers to diseases associated with high blood sugar levels. Diabetes mellitus is known as Vata Prameha. It results from an imbalance in Vata Dosha. Kapha Prameha (Diabetes insipidus) occurs as a result of an imbalance of the Kapha Dosha.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Diabetes
Various traditional Ayurvedic herbs are beneficial in managing blood sugar levels and boosting overall immunity.
- Karela: Karela or Bitter melon contains flavonoids, saponin, catechins, and charantin, which are effective in insulin production and help regulate blood sugar levels.
- Jamun: Jamun seeds stimulate insulin secretion, making them excellent for people with diabetes. Furthermore, jamun seeds facilitate wound healing in diabetics and reduce the risk of kidney dysfunction.
- Giloy: Giloy leaves are quite effective in controlling blood sugar levels and treating other symptoms related to diabetes. The antioxidants in this herb also help boost immunity and reduce free radical damage.
- Amla: Revered as one of the most versatile and powerful herbs in Ayurveda, Amla is rich in vitamin C and contains chromium, which helps in regulating carbohydrate metabolism, enhances insulin sensitivity and aids in regulating blood sugar levels.
- Aloe Vera: One of the compounds present in aloe vera is glucomannan. Studies have shown that it has the potential to reduce blood sugar levels along with detoxifying the body.
- You can try to incorporate these herbs into your lifestyle with the help of this Ayurvedic tablet for diabetes.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a serious medical problem that affects millions of people across the world. If not tackled properly, it can lead to various health complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and damage to nerves.
Diabetes is a slow killer, and there is no curable treatment available till now. However, an Ayurvedic approach to it can help you manage it effectively. Keep reading to explore more such Ayurvedic solutions to your health complications.
