Diabetes is a condition in which ‘Blood Glucose’, also known as ‘Blood Sugar’, is abnormally high. Your primary source of nutrition is blood glucose, which comes from the food you consume. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, aids glucose absorption into cells for use as energy. Either your body doesn’t produce enough or any insulin, or it doesn’t use it properly. Glucose remains in your blood and does not enter your cells as a conclusion.

Classification:
Diabetes is classified on the basis of its Etiology:

1. Type- I DM– Due to ‘Beta’ cell destruction, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency.
2. Type- II DM– Due to variable degree of
   i. Insulin resistance
   ii. Impaired Insulin secretion
   iii. Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance which generally increases with advancement of age
3. Other specific types of diabetes are due to Genetic Defects, Diseases of the Pancreas, Endocrinopathies, Drugs (Chemically induced), Infections and Gestational Diabetes (Developed during pregnancy).

Prediabetes: Prediabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than average but not to the point of diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes are at an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.

In ayurveda, diabetes is referred to as ‘Madhumeha’ (Literally meaning sweet urine). Diabetes mellitus is referred to as ‘Vata Prameha’. It crops up because of an imbalance in the ‘Vata Dosha’ (One of the 3 functional energies in the body). Diabetes insipidus is referred to as ‘Kapha Prameha’. This occurs because of the ‘Kapha Dosha’ imbalance.

Ayurveda emphasizes different diet and lifestyle changes as a long-term treatment for diabetes that can help a diabetic patient live a far healthier life. Ayurvedic practitioners make use of individualized diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle as well as herbal prescriptions in order to bring their patient’s ‘Doshas’ into optimal balance. The goal of ayurvedic practices on the treatment of type 2 diabetes like in western medicine also focuses on bringing the HbA1c value into a therapeutic range.