Description:
Prameh is a broad category of metabolic and urinary disorders, most commonly referring to diabetes mellitus. In Ayurveda, it is categorized into twenty types based on the involvement of doshas, with Kapha-dominant Prameh being the most common. The condition is resulting from excessive intake of sweet, heavy, and unctuous foods, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predisposition, which leads to the vitiation of Kapha and Meda (fat tissue). Symptoms include frequent urination, turbid urine with a sticky texture, excessive thirst, fatigue, and sluggish digestion. If left untreated, Prameh can progress to Madhumeha (diabetes), which leads to severe complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Ayurvedic management includes dietary modifications, herbal formulations like Gudmar, Vijaysar, and Shilajit, along with lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and fasting
Signs & Symptoms:
Madhumeha (Diabetes): Excessive urination, often accompanied by high blood sugar levels.
Trishna (Excessive Thirst): Increased thirst due to high glucose levels in the blood.
Kshama (Fatigue): Persistent tiredness and fatigue due to inefficient energy utilization.
Aruchi (Loss of Appetite): Decreased appetite or irregular hunger patterns, often with cravings for sugary foods.
Daha (Burning Sensation): Burning sensation in the feet or hands, often caused by diabetic neuropathy.
Shwasa (Breathlessness): Difficulty breathing in cases of uncontrolled diabetes or during ketoacidosis.
Diagnosis:
Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1c
Risk Factors:
1. Dietary Factors
High consumption of sugary foods, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods, which elevate blood sugar levels and contribute to insulin resistance.
Poor diet with a low intake of fiber-rich foods, leading to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.
2. Lifestyle Factors
Sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and obesity, which increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Chronic stress and poor sleep, which can disrupt insulin regulation and contribute to diabetes.
3. Medical Conditions
Family history of diabetes, which increases genetic susceptibility.
Conditions like hypertension and hyperlipidemia that are often associated with Type 2 diabetes.
Complications:
Kidney Damage (Vrikka Vikruti) – Long-term uncontrolled diabetes can lead to diabetic nephropathy, impairing kidney function and leading to kidney failure.
Vision Problems (Netra Vikruti) – Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss or blindness due to damage to the blood vessels in the eyes.
Nerve Damage (Nadi Kshaya) – Peripheral neuropathy can occur, causing numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation, especially in the feet.
Cardiovascular Disease (Hridaya Roga) – Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.
Poor Wound Healing (Vranashoshan) – High blood sugar levels impair the body’s ability to heal wounds, increasing the risk of infection and complications.
Epidemeology:
More common in individuals over 40, though Type 2 diabetes is increasingly diagnosed in younger individuals due to obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
Affects both men and women, with men at higher risk in certain populations.
Global prevalence is increasing, with around 8-10% of the global population living with diabetes, most of which are Type 2 cases.
Higher rates in developed countries, though Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in developing countries due to lifestyle changes and dietary shifts.