Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF PREDIABETES: A CASE STUDY

Dr. Md Tanzil Ansari* and Dr. Sukumar Ghosh

Abstract

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be considered diagnostic of diabetes mellitus. It is considered to be a precursor of type 2 diabetes mellitus. As per American Diabetes Association – fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h plasma glucose (PG) and HbA1c ranges for Prediabetes are 100-125 mg/dl, 140-199 mg/dl and 5.7-6.4% respectively. The WHO uses an FPG of 110-125 mg/dl for Prediabetes category. It doesn’t have proper symptoms. But symptoms such as dry mouth, thirst, increased fluid intake, itching of the skin and various sensations characteristic of angiopathy are often found in patients with Prediabetes. In Ayurveda, both Prediabets and Diabetes along with its complication can be included under the Prameha. Prediabetes can be correlated with Prameha purvarupa avastha (Preclinical stage of Prameha). It is characterised by Sweda (excessive sweating), Anga gandha (bad odour from the body), Keshanakha ativriddhi (excessive growth of hairs and nails), Galatalu shosha (dryness of throat and palate), Pipasa (excessive thirst), Sada (debility), Karapada daha (burning sensation in hands and legs) etc. Its lines of treatment are Nidana parivarjana, Shodhana cikitsa and Shamana cikitsa. Proper pathya-apathya should also be followed along with these. The present case study deals with a 78 years old male patient having complaints of frequent micturition, dryness of mouth and general weakness for 3 months. Severe itching all over the body for 2 months. This case was diagnosed as Prediabetes (Prameha purvarupa avastha). For treatment, Shamana cikitsa along with lifestyle modifications were administered for 2 months which showed good results.

Keywords: Prediabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Prameha, Prameha purvarupa avastha.