Tips for Diabetics to Manage Summer Heat

 

The summer heat in many parts of the nation these days is tough enough for Diabetics, special precautions is required.

"People with diabetes are at increased risk of experiencing difficulties in the heat, even though they may not be aware of it.

Here are some tips to manage heat-

§  Remain hydrated - If you have diabetes, dehydration (the loss of body fluids),also can occur when blood glucose is not under control. When blood glucose is elevated, this can lead to an increase in the body's excretion of urine. To prevent dehydration drink plenty of caffeine-free fluids such as water, seltzer or sugar-free iced tea and lemonade. Limit your intake of alcohol.

§  Take attention for the signs of heat effect- If you are working outdoors and having diabetes than you are more susceptible to heat effect you may feel Symptoms like feeling dizzy or fainting; sweating excessively; muscle cramps;  headaches; rapid heartbeat and/or nausea. If you feel any of these symptoms, move to a shaded and cool area, drink fluids like water or fresh  juice and go for medical chekup.

§  Exercise   schedule is in  early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are moderate.

§  Check blood glucose levels regularly because  heat can cause blood glucose levels to fluctuate.

§  Store your blood glucose meter, strips and insulin in a cool, dry place. Do not store insulin in extreme temperatures.it will spoil due to temperature. Never store insulin in the freezer, in direct sunlight, in the car.

If you have  any questions about coping with heat or other extreme weather conditions, consult with your doctor. 

From : Singhal Diabetic Clinic,Haridwar

Diabetes & Biological Clock

 Diabetes and Biological clock 

How Brain react to life style in contest to diabetes

Human brain is one of the most exciting organ gifted with mind, which perceives all the process happening in the surroundings. this all happen with the flow of bio-electric energy of human body. As it is circulated through all the systems of the body. As soon as the sense organ sense some stimulus, it immediately goes to the brain, by which brain send response to the corresponding functional unit. The whole bio-electric energy is controlled by the brain or we can say that brain is the power house to produce this energy to control all the body functions. Nervous system and circulatory system play an important role in carrying bio-electrical  energy. To balance energy fluxes, brain needs the clear view of metabolic state of the body.

The hypothalamus in the brain uses hormones and autonomic nervous system to balance the energy fluxes in the body. The regulatory, physiological and behavioral mechanism depends upon the biological rhythm. Which are also stimulated by environmental cycles of day and night, seasonal climatic changes (temperature etc.) induce modification in the highly complex mechanism of metabolic and hormonal process, these biological events constantly repeated in a fixed period are called “Circadian Rhythm” (eg. sleep/wake pattern)

Generated by endogenous mechanism, we can say it is a very synchronized clock adjusted with day and night cycle and environmental events. It is now known that the hypothalamic biological clock, which located in suprachiasmatic nucleus, receives light information through eyes and transmits it to rest of the body to synchronize physiology of environment. This suprachiasmatic nucleus is also responsible for a 24 hours rhythm  in plasma glucose concentration.This clock prepares the individual for the upcoming activity period by two separate mechanisms-

1.     Increasing plasma glucose concentration.

2.     Making tissue more tolerate to glucose.

This glucose tolerance vary during the day, the more glucose is taken up early in the morning than afternoon and evening. So when plasma glucose concentration is high before the onset of activity, human seems to be more tolerant to glucose. The 24 hour rhythm in glucose uptake correlated strongly with the 24 hour rhythm in plasma glucose concentration.

So the imbalance in bio-electric energy creates disturbance in the biological clock rhythm which is also associated with metabolic disorders such as Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension. Because this disturbance effect the metabolic process and Insulin sensitivity, liver function and fatty acids mechanism and some other hormone release phenomena which may result in such disorders. 

Because of this master clock brain  coordinates with every human activity,therefore  managing  life style  pattern is important to control the rhythm with positive flow of energy in the body.  

Dr.M.S.Singhal

Was Lord Ganesha Diabetic?

YES / MAY Be.

There is no word or method which can determine the boundaries to which lord Ganesha is respected in the Hindu community worldwide. He is a total GOD-CELEBRITY in the context that the Ganesha-festival celebrated on Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the largest festivals celebrated across the world with great zeal and devotion.

His spectacular appearance with the head of an elephant and the trunk and limbs of a human being remind us of the miraculous story when his father, LORD SHIVA (called the destroyer in the hindu mythology) transplants an elephants’ head on the body of his son to make him alive on the request of his wife Goddess PARVATI  .Medically speaking, such transplants are still beyond the reach of present highly advanced medical science, but at the same time tells us about the difference between man and god i.e. the possible and impossible; the scientific and miraculous aspects of human existence.

On the first look at the God as a medical practitioner, what you see is the huge pot belly indicating a central obesity with short stature indicating high BMI. further readings into the life of the “God Celebrity” tells us that he led a sedentary lifestyle (ref. lord karthikeya-the elder brother of lord Ganesha and the running around the earth story—read hindu mythology) with mythological readings also suggesting that he had a sweet tooth with special cravings for an Indian sweet called “Laddoo” (modak). Looking at the complete lifestyle one can easily gather the information that lord Ganesha had the triad of all the important risk factors that preclude the development of the non-communicable pandemic called Diabetes (called as Madhu-Prameha – in which large quantities of urine is passed) in his adolescence. However, any reference concluding firmly over the diabetic status of lord Ganesha is non-existent to our knowledge.

Another reason that has been cited as a theoretical possibility is that the elephant’s head transplanted to him might have had an anatomically larger pituitary gland, thereby releasing large amounts of ACTH and GROWTH HORMONE, excess of both of which may have led to increased cortisol (body’s natural steroid) and somatomedines (insulin like growth factors developing in the liver due to growth hormone) respectively, which have been medically proved to be a precursor of diabetes.

It is believed that the deteriorating physical health of lord Ganesha casted a permanent stress  to the Goddess Parvati who requested lord Shiva her husband, to treat their son. Lord Shiva reviewed the surgery and the general health of lord Ganesha and suggested the need for some herbal remedies to control/reverse the condition and said—

“Gajanan bhoot ganadi sevitam, kapitha jambu fal-charu bhakshanam.

  Uma sut shok vinashkarkam, namami vigneshwaram paad pankajam.”

It can be explained as under-

Gajanan- Elephant headed (lord Ganesha)

Bhoot Ganadi Sevitam- Two meanings of this can be derived – The first is - worshiped by the existing beings, of all living beings, and the second is – Oh Lord, Please consume the “herbs of bhoot-aghna group”!

Group of Bhutaghan herbs – Bhoj Patra(Betula Utilis), Bhllatak(Semecarpus Anacardim), shayonak(Oroxylem indicum), Gorakhmundi (sphaeranthus Indicus), Jatmansi(Nordostachys jatamansi), Tulsi(Ocimum Sanctum), Gugllu(Commiphora Mukul), Devdaru(Cedrus Deodara), Sasherp(Brassica Campestris), Rudaksha(elaeocarpus Ganitrus), Durva neel (cynodon Dactylon).

According to Ayurvedic literature these herbs have been found Anti microbial, Analgesic, Wound healing properties and have individual pharmacological and also synergistic functions regulating the central nervous system with antioxidant properties, and may also play an important role to reduce the gap between animal and human post-transplant physiology (subject to research)

Kapitha jambu fal-charu bhakshanam- meaning the fruit of Kapitha(Limonia Acidissima), Jamun (Sizygium Cumini) and Charu (dubra grass, Cynodon Dactylon ) all have to be consumed.  

Ancient Ayurvedic literature suggests that all these are astringent, anti-diuretic (to control polyuria), with hypoglycaemic properties and also significant immune-modulatory, antioxidant and fertility increasing properties.

Uma sut shoka vinashkarakam- two interpretations of this are-

1.    Son of uma (meaning lord Ganesha), you are the one with the ability to put an end to one’s sorrows and grief.

2.      Son of  uma(meaning Lord Ganesha), after consuming the above drugs your sorrows(health problems) shall be finished.

Namami vigneshwaram pad pankajam- Vigneshwara (synonymous with lord Ganesha) we bow to thy feet.

However the story of his illness doesn’t finish here! It is believed that lord Ganesh continued to have problems related to his illness and the above prescribed herbal medications weren’t enough to give a permanent solution to his problems.

So then again, Goddess Parvati requested Lord Shiva to treat lord Ganesha mentioning that the earlier treatment was unsuccessful in treating him. Ancient literature suggests that hearing this, lord shiva then designed “Shiva Gutika” a herbo-mineral drug aimed to treat the disease of his younger son Lord Ganesha (elder son – lord karthikeya-read Hindu mythology) and stated that after consuming this drug, Lord Ganesha shall be cured.

However, any further references stating the health conditions after the consumption of this drug have not been found by us. But we believe that lord Ganesha might have developed diabetes mellitus/prediabetic glucosuria for which he was prescribed the aforementioned medications. 

Conclusions:

·         The occurrence of the disease Diabetes might have had an Indian origin as per the mythology

·         The presence of uniformity in the risk factors suggests that we should stay away from such life threatening   lifestyles

·         Most importantly, the ancient texts refer to the drugs which were tried over lord Ganesha and we must try these drugs over diabetic patients. The pharmacological aspects of these drugs in respect of Diabetes/metabolic syndrome should be explored for development of new path-breaking drugs in the treatment of diabetes.

 Authored and compiled by -                                                                                                                                    

Dr.M.S.SINGHAL & Dr. ALKA SINGHAL.                                               

Links & References for further reading-

http://ganesh.com/

http://mylordganesha.com/2012/09/14/is-lord-ganesha-married/

http://www.amritapuri.org/3714/ganesha.aum

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/wellness/diabetics-and-lord-ganesha

http://joe.endocrinology-journals.org/content/118/3/353.abstract

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)73137-8/fulltext

http://www.kon.org/urc/v9/liebman.html

Charak Samhita-commentary by-Dr.Brahamnand Tripathi part 1&2, 7^th edition,2000, published by Chaukhambha Subharti Prakashan, Varanasi.

Shaligramoshad Shbadsaar (Ayurvaidiya Ayushdhiya kosh)1995, written by Shaligram, Khemraj Shri Krishan dass Prakashan Mumbai-4

Chakradutt – Vrashyadhikar/Shalok 191/ commentary by Indradev Tripathi , Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan Varanasi

Dravyagun Vigyan part- 1 & 2, written by Prof. P V Sharma, Reprint 2003 Chaukhambha Bharti Academy Varanasi

Bhaishjya Ratnawali – Rasayan Prakarn / Shalok 151-173/ Ambika Dutt Shasti Chaukhambha Prakashan Varanasi

Reasons of ignoring Diabetes in Hindi

Reasons of ignoring Diabetes in Hindi under the title "Madhumeha rogi apne hi  shatru kab" was issued in public interest in the year 2000 to create awareness by Singhal Diabetic Clinic, Governer of U.P. Sh.Suraj bhanji released this at that time.

Sweetness in blood v/s sweetness in relationship(Hindi)

lEcU/kks eas e/kqjrk ds LFkku ij vk jgh gS jDr esa e/kqjrk ;kfu Mk;fcfVt%

esjk fpfdRlk {ks= e/kqesg gS tks fo’o esa ,d pqukSrh ds :i eas fodjky :i ys pqdk gS vjcksa :i;ksa ds ‘kks/k ds i’pkr oSKkfud dksbZ lek/kku crkus esa vleZFkrk O;Dr dj jgs gS vkSj eq>s ;g dgrs gq, vR;Ur nq[k gks jgk gS fd fo’o dh vk/;krfed jkt/kkuh gekjk ns’k vc /khjs&/khjs jksxks dh jkt/kkuh curk tk jgk gS vius pkjks vksj utj Mkfy;s vkSj nsf[k;s fd gj 5 O;fDr;ks es ls ,d e/kqesg jksx ls ihfM+r gS D;ksfd bl jksx esa lh/ks dk;Z’kkyh izHkkfor ugh gksrh bl fy, jksxh ykijokgh djrk jgrk gS vksj tc bl jksx ds minzo vk tkrs gS rks fuf’pr :i ls mls nwljks ij ;k ifjtuksa ij fuHkZj jguk iM+rk gS vkSj ;gh ls ‘kq: gksrk gS e/kqj lEcU/kks dk izHkkfor gksuk]jksx ds dkj.k mRiUu gq;h fpMfpMkgV jksxh ds O;ogkj dks vlgt cuk nsrh gS ogh

&ckj&ckj fpfdRld ds ikl tkuk ,oa [kpZ

&CyM ‘kqxj de ;k T;knk gksus ij ;k vU; fdlh dkj.k ls &vkdfLed fpfdRlk gsrq vLirky esa HkrhZ

&‘kkjkfjd ekufld ikS:”ktU; detksjh ds dkj.k ikfjokfjd dk;ksZ esa lg;ksx u dj ikuk

eSus fiNys 22 o”kksZ dh fpfdRlkdky esa thou ‘kSyh ls lEcfU/kr iuirs jksxks ls fj’rks dh e/kqjrk dks lh/ks :i esa izHkkfor gksrs gq, ns[kk gS] ifjokj ds lnL;ksa ls mis{kk dh f’kdk;r vkfn dbZ ,slh ckrss gS ftuls jksxh /khjs /khjs vius ifjtuksa vkSj fe=ks ls nwj gksrk tkrk gS vr% esjk lHkh O;fD;ksa dks lq>ko gS fd&

fujksxh jgs] jksx ls cpus dk iz;kl djs]dqN fVIl bl izdkj gS   &

& ued de] pk; de] fpduk;h de ls de  

& ckj & ckj [kkus dh izo`fr cnys] nks [kkus ds chp esa pkj ?k.Vs dk  varjky j[ks

& ‘kkjhjhd Je vo’; djs lqcg le; ugha feyrk rks lh<+h;k p<+s vkfn

& lky esa ,d ckj esfMdy psdi vo’; djsa

                 fdlh u;s y{k.k ds vkus ij vius fpfdRld ls vo’; ijke’kZ djs

;fn vki jksxh gS &

&;ksX; fpfdRld ls ijkeZ’k ds i’pkr gh vkS”k/kh ys

&fe=] fj’rsnkj ds dgus ij nok dh ek=k le; vkfn esa ifjorZu u djs

&fdlh peRdkjh fpfdRlk ;k vkS”k/kh ds ihNs vU/ks gksdj u Hkkxs

&fpfdRld }kjk crk;h x;h tkpksa dks u Vkys

Dr.M.S.Singhal,Haridwar

Karela (Momordica charantia)-is it safe for every diabetic?

          Hindi & urdu name - Karela 

          Botanical name - Momordica charantia 

          English name - Bitter melon, Bitter gourd or bitter squash 

widely grown in Asia it is an edible bitter fruit. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit. Also having medicinal values in India it is very commonly used to control Diabetes in many forms-

• Raw fruit juice
• Vegetable with meals
• Dried fruit powder
• Extract of fruit

Because this is a common vegetable fruit every Diabetic takes it without medical advice.But In our clinical practice of last 22 years exclusively on diabetes found that every diabetic is not getting benefit of it instead having other health problems more common is hyperacidity,Burning micturition, bleeding disorders  & many more. so our suggestion is do not take it as medicine to manage  blood sugar without medical advice. 

By:Dr.M.S.Singhal

Haridwar       http://www.ediabetes.co.in/

Diabetes & Heart - Care (Hindi)

e/kqesg ,oa ân;  

   

ân;  ekuo 'kjhj dk og eq[; ,oa dksey vax gS tks 'kjhj ds fdlh vU; vo;o dh vis{kk fujUrj T;knk dke djrk gSA ekuo 'kjhj esa ;g ilfy;ks ds uhps dh vksj ls ck,a ufiy ds yxHkx uhps fLFkr jgrk gSA lkekU; O;fDr dh Hkkafr e/kqesg jksxh dk ân; 24 ?kaVsa esa yxHkx 1]15200 ckj /kM+drk gSA ân; ls 'kjhj ds lEiw.kZ vax izR;ax eas jDr igqapkus ds fy, ân; ls egk/keuh] /keuh vkSj jDr okgfu;ksa dk ,slk gtkjksa fdyksehVj yEck tky lk fcNk gSA ftleas cgus okys jDr ftlesa cgus okys jDr ds dkj.k ge thou ikrs gSA fpfdRlh; Hkk"kk esa ;g 'kjhj  dh jDr lapkj iz.kkyh dgykrh gSA

CyM&'kqxj ds izHkkoh daVªksy esa uk jg ikus ds dkj.k] vfu;fer vkgkj&fogkj ls e/kqesg jksxh ân;] ls jDr ys tkus okyh /kekfu;ksa] raf=dkvksaa ¼Nerves½ ] ân; dh ekal isf'k;ksa rFkk ân; fØ;k lHkh dqN izHkkfor gks tkrs gaSA ftlds dkj.k bu /kefu;ksa esa le; ls iwoZ dM+kiu vk tkrk gS] ftlds  ifj.kke Lo:i og viuk dk;Z iw.kZ :i ls djus esa /khjs&/khjs v{ke gksrh tkrh gaSA blds lkFk&lkFk vfu;fer Hkkstu ds :i esa yh xbZ olk rFkk CyM&'kqxj dh vfu;fer ek=k jDr ys tkus okyh /kekfu;ks esa /khjs&/khjs teus yxrh gSA ftlds dkj.k jDr /kefu;ksa esa jDr cgko esa vojks/k mRiUu gks tkrk gS]  ftls fpfdRlh; Hkk"kk esa ,FksjksLdyksjksfll dgrs gaSA ftlds dkj.k ân; dks viuk gh dk;Z djus ds fy, T;knk 'kfDr dk iz;ksx djuk iM+rk gSA ifj.kke Lo:i ân; dh ekalisf'k;kas eas lwtu vk tkrh gS] vkSj ân; dk vkgkj ¼fupyk fgLlk½ c<+ tkrk gSA ftls fpfdRlh; Hkk"kk esa dkfMZ;ksseSxssyh dgk tkrk gSA ftldk vfrae ifj.kke gkVZvVSd ds :i es vkrk gS] ftls izR;sd e/kqesg jksxh dks tukuk pkfg,A

e/kqesg jksfx;ksa esa vfu;f=ar CyM&'kqxj ds dkj.k ân; ls lEcfU/k raf=dkvksa dh fØ;kvksa esa Hkh vis{kkd`r f'kfFkyrk mRiUu gks tkrh gSA vr% e/kqesg jksxh dks ân; esa nnZ dk vuqHko lkekU; O;fDr dh vis{kkd`r de gks tkrk gSA ftlds dkj.k gkVZ&vVSd gksus dh voLFkk esa jksxh rFkk fpfdRld dks bl dk vuqeku lgtrk ls ugha gks ikrk] vkSj og lkekU; isV fodkj ¼xSl½ bR;kfn le>dj cgqewY; le; dks u"V dj nsrs gS] ftlds  ifj.kke Lo:i jksxh ds thou dh gkfu gks ldrh gSA vr% e/kqesg jksxh dks ijke'kZ fn;k tkrk gS] fd og fujarj fdlh e/kqesgK ls lEidZ cu;s j[ksA blds vfrfjDr ges'kk LoLFk ân; dh fØ;kvksa ds izfr tkx:d jgsA vr% ;fn jksxh dks dHkh

& Nkrh ¼lhus½ esa Hkkjhiu ;k nnZ ¼tks dHkh&dHkh mYVs gkFk ;k tcM+s rFkk isV ds Åijh  e/; Hkkx es tkrk ekywe iM+s ½ A

& BaMk ilhuk vk;sA

& lakl ysus eas dfBukbZ gksA

& xyk can gksrk ekywe nsA

& ?kcjkgV gksA

& mYVh ;k mcdkbZ vk;s

rks fpfdRld ls lEidZ djsa] vkidh tjk lh nsj ;k ykijokgh vkids         thou dks d"V esa Mky ldrh gSA

blds vfrfjDr e/kqesg jksxh esa mPp jDr pki dh leL;k cM+h gh lkekU; :i esa ikbZ tkrh gS] vkSj jksxh Hkh blds izfr cM+k ykijokg jgrk gSA tcfd mPp jDr pki e/kqesg jksxh n`f"V rFkk xqnsZ dks
lh/kk rFkk cgqr [krjukd <ax ls izHkkfor djrk gSA blds lkFk&lkFk CyM&'kqxj ds izHkkoh daVªksy cuk;s j[kus eas Hkh ijs'kkuh djrk gSA vr% e/kqesg jkssxh blds izfr ltx jgsA vr% izR;sd e/kqesg dks ijke'kZ fn;k tkrk gS fd &

& CyM&'kqxj ij izHkkoh daVªksy cuk, jD[ksA

& vius 'kkjhfjd otu dks uk c<us ns] vkSj rhu ekg esa ,d ckj otu t:j djk ys  rFkk mls Mk;jh esa uksV dj ysaA

& CyM&izs'kj 15 fnu esa ,d ckj vo'; djk;sA

& ân; dh lgh fLFkfr dk Kku j[kus ds fy;s 6 ekg esa ,d ckj fyfiM izksQkby rFkk  lky esa ,d ckj bZ-lh-th- vo'; djk;sA

& 'kjkc] flxjsV vkfn dk lsou uk djs] D;ksfd og lc ân; xr e/kqesg ds minzo dks  tYnh ykus esa mRizsjd dk dk;Z djrs gSA

& e/kqesg ân; jksxh dks izfrfnu fu;fer :i ls rst pyuk ,oa lqcg [kqyh gok esa cSB dj yEch&yEch lakl vanj [khpuk rFkk ckgj fudykuk lcls vPNk O;k;ke gSA

& fpark] vR;kf/kd ekufld ruko bl HkkSfrd thou dh nsu gS] ;g HkqykbZ rks ugh tk  ldrh ysfdu vius iz;Ru ls de vo'; dh tk ldrhA blds fy, lnSo iz;Ru 'khy   jgsA

& v/;kfRed /;ku] /khek e/kqj laxhr vkids eu rFkk efLr"d dks 'kkar j[kus esa fu'fpr :i ls lgk;rk iznku djsxkA

Mk-,e-,l fla?ky 

Diabetes & Early Aging

Early Aging & Diabetes –

Ageing the process of growing old is defined as the gradual biological impariment of normal function probably as a result of changes made to cells and structural components. These changes woule consequently have a direct impact on the functional ability of organs and ultimately the body as a whole.

Diabetes (also called as madhumeha in ayurveda) has today become a disease that not only has its own effects due to increase in blood sugar but also has a characteristic tendency of enhancing ageing induced body transformations. In other words, for someone 30 years of age with diabetes versus someone with 30 without diabetes, it may have been felt that patient with diabetes may actually have been 40 in terms of their actual physical age. 

Early ageing which is a sequelae of diabetes is enhanced by additional factors including environmental pollution, lifestyle habits and inappropriate dietary habits.Aging is the continuous process which can not be stopped, Diabetes works as catalyst to speed up this process hence signs & symptoms of early aging occurs in the people having diabetes –Fatigue, Early greying of hair, dryness of skin,Sexual weakness, irritability etc. are common.

As per Ayurveda (the Indian system of medicine which means the“ science of life and longevity.”), in every ten year of life span, human body gradually looses  important body building factors(including growth factors, hormones and antioxidant mechanisms) & vital energy  which are responsible for aging. Restoration of this vital energy can be done because Ayurveda is not merely concerned with the management of an illness but is also concerned about maximizing the life span and providing optimal living.

There are Manifold health management methodologies mentioned in Ayurvedic texts-to push-back early aging & Diabetes. Ancient Indian seers advocated the modes:

           -Life style modifications

      -Vaya sthapan dravya (Anti aging compounds)-

a)    By directly enriching the nutritional intake of the body

b)    By improving digestion and metabolism and thereby promoting nutrition.

c)    By promoting the capability of srotas/microcirculatory channels in the body,

·                       - Rejuvenation therapy (Rasayan Chikitsa) -It provides spiritual aid to the body as well, thereby bringing the body out of its state of natural or man made loss. It also claims at holding back the process of aging. Rasayana-chikitsa basically boosts vital energy of life and immunity .

So any diabetic  person should take rejuvenating preparations to maintain good health and

stay young.

Dr.M.S.Singhal

Dr.Alka Singhal 

Ayurveda & Indian Scenario of Cardio Vascular Disease

Indian scenario of Cardiovascular disease

 Although the prevalence of  CVD in India was reported to be comparable to that in united states in 1969s when the US had the second highest CVD mortality in the world, with big geographic difference between different parts of India were present.

Ancient Indian physician Charak and Sushruta Some 2800 years earlier identified the Cardiac disorders as  disorders effecting the people of upper socio economic classes who were Obese,  Lethargic,  Consuming large quantities of fatty food and sweet drinks etc. But there have been limited studies on CVD in India, at Present India is also in a high risk group for the development of  CVD. Some subsets such as immigrants urban and upper socio-economic classes have an unusually high incidence of the disease and mortality. Indians frequently get the disease at a comparatively younger age in the absence of the accepted risk factors.

The prevalence of CVD varies between  4-6 % in rural Indian to 10-12 % in Urban North West India.  How ever in urban south Indians the prevalence is about 16%. The absolute risk of CVD differs from culture to Culture which empahsises the role of various factors responsible for CVD.

Since CVD are Multifactorial in origin therefore the increased
susceptibility of the disease usually associated with increased prevalence of these factors in India -  

      -     High Prevalence of Obesity Particularly Central Obesity with high Hip-Waist
            Ratio.

      -     High Prevalence of Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, Impaired Glucose                                    Tolerance Or Increased Concentration of fasting plasma  Insulin .

             Indians have     shown 2.0-3.0 high prevalence of NIDDM

      -     Presence of Dyslipaedimia -High Plasma Triglyceride, Low HDL & High
            Cholesterol Level.

      -     Prevalence of Small Dense LDL particles.

      -     Hyperinsulinaemia, Elevated Proinsulin And Insulin Ratio.

      -     Increased Consumption of Lipoproteins

Simultaneously the type of conventional diet pattern appears to have significant role in promoting the present epidemic of the disease amongst them. The typical Indian diet is cereal based with  increased consumption of total fat and its subtypes may have the pathogenic role in the development of the disease. The basic defect in the Indian diet is the virtual deficiency of highly  unsaturated n-3 fats. The traditional Indian cooking were replaced by n-6 enriched oils. This leads to impairment of  destruction of alpha lipoenic acid and blocks the only available source for obtaining the highly unsaturated n-3 essential fats. So the diets derived from refined cereals and high fat diet with an physiological concentration of n-6 fat elevated n-6/n-3 ratio is a major coronary risk factor in the epidemiology of Indians.

In rural India the prevalence of CVD is also increasing, the reasons are the food habits, Medium Physical activity, Low body weight, Hypercholesteremia etc. Most of the Indian rural population belongs to the poor socio-economic group and the habit of chewing tobacco and smoking are very common which is the major risk factor if  CVD. The unknown CVD cases are also common in rural India .

There are no reports of decline of CVD in India Where as there is marked reduction in the incidence of disease in several western countries.

So we must have to focus on the fact that CVD needs to be prevented and physicians should make every effort to modify reversible risk factors. Primary care physicians are in ideal position to play major role in Preventing the  progression of CVD in India  by Providing some basic Guidelines to the patients prone to the disease.

Ayurveda the holistic Science of India has lot to offer to Medical Science in prevention of  such type of disorders by its unique concepts of Life-style, Diet,  Seasonal regimens and line of treatment which are completely suitable and acceptable by Indians. Only the motivation is required to refresh the knowledge of this oldest Indian science, Which not only deals with the diseases but  deals with the Body, Mind & Disease simultaneously  and that can reverse the major risk factors of  such type of Progressing diseases in India.   

 Dr.M.S.Singhal                                                                                                       Dr.Alka Singhal

Ayurveda & Diabetes

DIABETES & AYURVEDA

When should you seek Ayurvedic intervention ?

It is presumed that only 10 percent diabetics are aware of their diseases. The rest discover it accidentally in routine examination for any surgery , insurance or pregnancy. The news comes with as much shock as disbelief , and nearly 65 percent of causes disregard the diagnosis . while this should be the time to seek Ayurvedic intervention , most of them drift to western meditation.

As a result of this , use of Ayurvedic regimen and modification in the lifestyle are pushed to the backburner , lack of both leads to further imbalance in three doshas , vata , pitta , and kapha . diabetes only seek Ayurvedic when most of the things have alipped  out of their hands , and when they do , they expect miracles . It is better to take preemptive preventive actions in diabetes than curative steps in the same.

It has been observed that the use of western medication regularly or irregularly , with or without exercise , diet control , and lifestyle change , gives rise to a number of complication . what is surprising is that people contemplate of taking up Ayurveda for these complications rather than diabetes , which they should have in the beginning. Here is the list of a couple of complication that push a diabetes to Ayurvedic intervention.

a)      when high doses of medication fail to reduce rational blood sugar level.

b)      A diabetic is not ready to inject insulin.

c)      In case of insulin resistance

Apart form that what hassles a diabetic is a beeline of western medicine – induced symptoms like muscular weakness , pains and aches , weight loss , constipation , depression , irritability , sleeplessness , blurring of vision and sexual debilities..

While seeking Ayurvedic intervention , diabetics have been observed of asking some very blunt and demanding question , like : “can I stop insulin injections from today’’, “How far Iam be before Ican give up these injections forever,” and “can you guarantee me a cure by the Ayurvedic formulation you are recommending !!” diabetes is a lifestyle disorder , and an Ayurvedic expert was never a part of a prospective diabetic’s lifestyle , when he or she was “including much” and trying to catch up with a problem. Still these question ?

In as far as diabetes is concerned , Ayurveda offers much to a diabetic when western medicine has almost given him or her up. Despite this ,if a diabetic wants to see considerable improvement by using Ayurvedic intervention , the best outcome depends on the trust a diabetic bestows in Ayurveda and its expert.

Diabetes & Associated factors

Diabetes is a  Complex systemic disease,In addition of increase in mortality rate due to this disease morbidity associated with diabetes & its related illness has a great economic impact on our society.

Therefore, the diagnosis of this disease should no longer be missed. Although all type of diabetes have hyperglycaemia ( High level of Sugar in blood) in common ,but its cause may vary, diabetes occurs mainly by the deficiency of insulin hormone or the presence of factors that disturbs the action of insulin. 

Some common factors associated with Diabetes are as under-

• Larger dose & Prolong use of Drugs as -corticosteroids, OCP(Oral Contraceptive Pills), Diuretics etc.
• Diseases of Pancreas(gland secreting insulin)
• Sever & prolong illness
• Constant Moderate/Severe stress
• After burns/accidents
• Prolong chemical exposure

& many others

So instead of family history of the diabetes if anyone suffered/suffering from the above said factors must go for the checkups biannually.

• Patients visiting their Family Doctors/OPD of Hospitals should have a urine test especially if their symptoms are unexplained.
• Some patients do not explain their symptoms properly which may mislead the physician--be vigilant about your body.
• Symptoms like wt.loss, weakness & lethargy are most commonly misinterpreted-Tonics & other health supplements are taken without consulting the doctor, worsen the disease, if present.

Classically Diabetes manifests with the triad of symptoms as excessive thirst(polydipsia),excessive urination(polyuria),& excessive hunger(polyphagia)

But now any unexplained symptom may represent Diabetes.Some common symptoms are-

• Tiredness, Feeling of unwell
• Excessive Thirst/dryness of mouth
• Detoriating Vision
• Pain in shoulder/feet
• Excessive/burning urination
• Weight loss/gain –sudden
• Vaginitis /Balanitis
• Gynaecological disorders in females
• Foot/heel ulceration
• Undiagnosed fever

Should not be ignored because in some persons  the symptoms develop rapidly but in some very slowly (few days to few months) depending upon individuals immune system

Hence until its clinical & pathological detection, understand your body language & do not let the Diabetes to control you, Prevent & Control it.

Dr.M.S.Singhal

Diabetes control and Care Program

Diabetes Control & Care Program

The prevalence of Diabetes is increasing worldwide and now taking  its place in one of the main threat to human health . India have the largest population (by Govt. 4.9 million, while NGO claims more than 12 million) of diabetics and facing a rising steep in diabetes itself and its related complications  such as Cardio-vascular, Renal, Nervous system  along with  Foot and Eye, These complications place huge burden on an individual patient, their family and the community.

Recent advance in Diabetes management may improve or decrease the above said complications. But as diabetes is a silent disease in the first  5-6 years of its onset, result in carelessness, invite such complications which can make life misery and detoriate quality of life.

For diabetics, Improving quality of life with minimal complications is a great challenge. Because this require Patient awareness and compliance towards Life style & diet modification, Pharmacological therapy, Proper monitoring with laboratory assessment of various Physiological parameters.        

Singhal  Diabetic Clinic conducted a telephonic Survey of  6637 patients of uttarakhand  between April 2005 to 2008 Dec. and  found  4.9% population are diabetic, and majority of patients are lacking in achieving glycemic control, laboratory assessment (Pathological Tests) insufficiently done, many of patients did not have essential investigation(Blood Sugar estimation) tested once in preceding 2 yrs, not taken  proper therapeutic  regimn due to carelessness, while many of them due to economic reason.

To improve physician and patient adherence and compliance t standards of the diabetes care  Singhal Diabetic Clinic launched  Diabetes control and Care Program on  ^{26th Jan 2010}  (after completion of its 20 years of practicing) to organize the care for diabetics under one roof, to achieve positive clinical goals in diabetes patients with least  expensive diabetes care, because the success of long term  therapy and monitoring depends upon achieving  target goals of glycemic control with minimal complications.

This  Diabetes control and Care Program of its kind is First in India Which provides such long term regular rebate to the diabetics.

Stress & Diabetes

Tips for stress management-

Stress is also one of the main reason of poor glycemic control So here are a few tips for preventing stress and managing it which will be beneficial for diabetics & other healthy individuals.

Believe that stress can kill and be willing to do something about it.-

Analyses your present life, identify short-term and long-term stress and decide how much   stress you will tolerate.

Remove as many sources of stress as possible.

Develop sensible, rational beliefs and attitudes towards yourself, your job and job   performance.

Develop the requisite skills and behaviors to enable you to do your job to the best of your  ability

Develop a good social support network, both at work and with family and friends.

  Keep as physically healthy as you can through a balanced diet, adequate sleep, exercise,etc.

Change your response to stress, i.e. don’t just become cross, do something constructive   like changing your job, leisure habits and outlook.

Learn to relax.

Dr.M.S.Singhal