Complete Diabetes Guidelines | Prevent and Handle at Home

Author: Randeep Singh / go to all articles on Yoga Concepts

In spite of the tremendous

progress made by science

in the field of medicine,

the world is still groping to

find a lasting cure,

for almost all the major illnesses

afflicting mankind, diabetes being one.

The achievements, if any, in this area have been more toward,

alleviating the symptoms of an ailment,

than finding a wholesome cure for the same. The claim made here at the most is,” will increase the life span”, with no comment on the quality of this expected increase in the life span. Expunging the symptoms of an ailment doesn’t equate with providing a healthy, fulfilling and a happy life. That is why these easy to follow diabetes guidelines can help one achieve the same.

Given the above scenario the only defense left with a regular mortal today is to arm itself with knowledge related to these ailments and the alternatives available for managing them. Yoga is one of the time tested, easy to manage, totally organic, always effective alternatives available to mankind today.

Let us start with understanding the basics of Diabetes and figure out a Yoga plan which can save one from the daily pricks of an insulin jab. The information mentioned in this article is part of the curriculum of our yoga camp we conduct on diabetes in Bandra west, Mumbai and at our Yoga retreat near Chandigarh. These camps also include the information on how different yoga techniques for diabetes work on the body

Diabetes Guidelines to Prevent and Handle it at Home

Our diet basically consists of carbohydrates, protein, sugar and fats. Each cell of the body receives energy for its functioning from the sugar present in the food, but this sugar needs an agent to enter the cell. Insulin is that agent, which is produced in a gland called Pancreas situated behind the stomach.

Diabetes is the inability of Pancreas, complete or partial, to produce enough insulin required to convert sufficient amount of sugar into energy for the body cells to maintain their functions. This can spike the level of unused sugar in the blood to detrimental proportions, which can be life threatening.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The 3Ps

Polyuria – Frequent urinationPolydypsia – Increased thirstPolydypsia – Increased thirsts and fatigue in spite of increased food intake

Bits on Diabetes Guidelines

Diabetes can remain symptom less and go undetected for years; Urine and blood testing is the only way to establish its presence
Diabetes is of two types: Type I ( total absence of insulin,insulin dependent); Type II ( some insulin is produced but nor enough, non insulin dependent)
A majority of Patients of Type II diabetes can control their condition with diet alone,
25 percent of diabetics are known to inherent the disease from their parents or relatives
80 percent of the diabetics are in the age group 50 to 60 years
For every 20 per cent of excess body weight, the chances of getting type two diabetes are doubled
Women are more prone to diabetes than men, women can experience diabetes during pregnancy which goes away after child birth
Surgery, Physical or emotional trauma can beget diabetes
Diabetes can facilitate heart related issues, blurred vision, cataract, damage to retina, loss of vision
The patient experience environmental cold more intensely than normal people, the wounds, infections do not heal fast in diabetics
Nerve damage, impotence, damage to kidneys ( swollen ankles, puffy face, fatigue)
Itching caused by skin infections, urinary tract infections are common to diabetics
Nerve damage, impotence, damage to kidneys ( swollen ankles, puffy face, fatigue) is common to diabetics
In the absence of the availability of sugar the body starts burning fat to makeup for the energy deficit which produces harmful by products leading to conditions like diabetic coma or even death
Presence of 200 mg. per cent of sugar in the blood one hour after meals is considered normal sugar level for diabetics
Benedict’s test and Diastix strips methods can be used to test urine sugar levels at home
Even when the pancreas are working normally, one can still have diabetes due to insulin resistance, insulin is there but unable to do its work
Obese people will have more of insulin resistance, thin people have deficiency of insulin
If the sugar is left uncontrolled, the kidneys, brain, heart and the eyes can die within 5 years span
High insulin levels can be dangerous to human body
One must get the blood sugar levels tested every 4 months in general
Smoking and diabetes is a lethal combination

Guidelines on Preventing, Handling Diabetes

“Accept that you have Diabetes”

Dietary Guidelines for Diabetes

Eat well-balanced meals which include maximum nutrients in a balanced form by following the tips for eating the right way
Break the over all daily food intake into smaller feeds, and spread them evenly at an interval of two to two and a half hours each through out the day
Eat at regular hours to avoid blood sugar level fluctuations
Avoid fasting
Practice good dental health as healthy teeth have been found to lower the blood sugar levels in the body
Eat with a relaxed, cheerful and positive state of Mind
High carbohydrate and low fat diet, as recommended by yoga diet, helps manage diabetes
Keep sweets out of sight to avoid developing craving for the same
Avoid taking alcohol as it contains empty calories adding to the overall calorie intake, there is also a risk of the routine of the diabetic going awry due to the intoxicating effects of consuming alcohol
Avoid non vegetarian food on account of its being high on protein, animal fat and low on fibre read a report from TOI on eating non veg food
Avoid eating papaya, chikoo, custard apple, mangoes and watermelons, a papaya which is less in sweetness content can be had though
Elaichi banana can be eaten by diabetics
A heavy meal at a single go is equal to a sweet meal
Include salad, leafy vegetables, in your meals, salad can impart around 200 benefits to the diabetics, eating the foods raw enhances the healing potency of the food

Fitness and Exercise Guidelines for Diabetes

The non insulin dependent type of diabetes can be completely controlled by just diet and exercise (yoga)
Get a medical check up done before starting exercise
Introduce exercise slowly and gradually, start with very basic and less strenuous ones to the more taxing
Stop immediately if you feel unwell, sip on a fruit juice, soft drink or munch on a sweet fruit
Be consistent with your practice
Avoid sudden spurts of activity
Diabetics with other related medical problems must be treated for them before you start the exercise regime
Cover yourself after you are done exercising to avoid chill
Diabetics with other related medical problems must be treated for them before you start the exercise regime
Be in loose and comfortable clothing and foot wear
Compulsorily check the feet for any injury before and after the exercise