

YOGA FOR DIABETES

Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body's ability to process blood glucose, otherwise known as blood sugar. Without ongoing, careful management, diabetes can lead to a buildup of sugars in the blood, which can increase the risk of dangerous complications, including stroke and heart disease. Different kinds of diabetes can occur, and managing the condition depends on the type. Not all forms of diabetes stem from a person being overweight or leading an inactive lifestyle. In fact, some are present from childhood.

Diabetes is a serious, chronic condition. While diabetes itself is manageable, its complications can severely impact on daily living, and some can be fatal if not treated immediately.

This disease is the most common endocrine disease It is also a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot metabolise carbohydrates , fats and proteins , because of lack of or ineffective use of the insulin.

Glucose is the main source of energy for all the body function . After digestion it passes into the blood stream where cells use it for energy and growth . For its utilization , insulin must be present in proper quantity , which is produced by the pancreas The defect in pancreas to produce proper insulin leads to decreased up take of glucose from the blood thereby leading to increased level of blood sugar level.

Diagnosis

Blood sugar level are normally maintained in a very narrow range , 70mg/dl to 120mg/dl

Classification

Type 1 This is classified as absolutely deficiency of insulin due to pancreatic beta cell destruction It amounts for approximately 10% of all the cases .This form of diabetes results from a severe lack of insulin caused by an immunologically medicated destruction of beta cells .Also known as juvenile diabetes, this type occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. People with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.

Type 2 It is cause d by a combination of peripheral resistance to insulin action an inadequate secretory response by the pancreatic beta cells or insulin deficiency . Approximately 80% to90% of the patients have type 2 Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus(DM) .Another reason for DM is that the cells cannot use insulin which is known as insulin resistance. Type II diabetes affect the manner the body uses insulin. Whilst the body still makes insulin, not like in type I, the cells in the body do not react to it as effectively as they previously did. This is the most universal type of diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and it has strong links with obesity.

Type 3 Gestational diabetes: This type occurs in women during pregnancy when the body can become less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes does not occur in all women and usually resolves after giving birth.

Less common types of diabetes include monogenic diabetes and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

The 2 metabolic defects that characterized type 2 diabetes are:

1. A decreased ability of peripheral tissues to respond to insulin ( insulin resistance)

2. Beta cells dysfunction that is manifested as inadequate insulin secretion in the face of insulin resistance is the primary event, and is followed by increasing degrees of beta cell dysfunction .

Clinical symptoms are Excessive urination , Increased appetite , Excessive thirst , Loss of body weight dehydration due to excessive urinary output.

Problems

More often the diabetes patients encounter heart attacks , gangrene of the foot, repeated attacks on the infectious boils, rapid deterioration of vision and blindness , kidney disease

Long term complication

Retinopathy The blood vessels and lens of the eyes are swollen and dilated due to increase in the blood glucose level, resulting in distorted vision . It has damaging effect on the optic nerve also

Nephropathy : Impaired kidney function NeuropathyWhen the blood sugar level goes very high , nerves can produce pain especially in the legs

Factors developing Diabetes

# overweight

# a family history

# a high-density lipoprotein, lower levelcholesterol

# high blood pressure

# gestational diabetes or giving birth to a overweight child

# history of a polycystic ovary syndrome

# age

# sedentary lifestyle

How yoga helps in Diabetes?

Yoga places a similar emphasis on mindfulness; some studies show that it could be used to encourage healthy eating behaviors. Yoga helped reduce both eating disorder symptoms and preoccupation with food. Yoga affects symptoms of binge eating disorder, a disorder characterized by compulsive overeating and a feeling of loss of control.Yoga was found to cause a decrease in episodes of binge eating, an increase in physical activity and a small decrease in weight.For those with and without disordered eating behaviors, practicing mindfulness through yoga can aid in the development of healthy eating habits.Yoga encourages mindfulness, which may be used to help promote mindful eating and healthy eating habits. Yoga brings lifestyle changes which helps in treating problems develop in producing insulin.Insulin allows the glucose from a person's food to access the cells in their body to supply energy. Yoga helps in improving function of body which results in right function and healthy lifestyle.

Yoga is becoming increasingly common as an adjunct therapy to improve quality of life for many individuals. Regular practice of six months of yoga has helped in many diabetes patients to recover and promoted the feeling of positiveness. Practicing yoga significantly improved quality of life, as well as mood and fatigue. Yoga can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients with diabetes.Other studies have found that yoga may help improve sleep quality, enhance spiritual well-being, improve social function and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with diabetes. Yoga helps in making lifestyle changes to support weight loss and overall health.

Yoga helps a person with diabetes or prediabetes to a healthy way of life. Yoga can help a person with diabetes lead an active, balanced lifestyle and manage the condition. Yoga helps in slow, steady and beneficial treatments

Diabetes and Yoga through Therapy in Omkar Yoga:

Omkar yoga combination of Yogasana and breathing practices truly makes wonder with diabetic patients. The regular practice of Yogasanas like paschimottasan, halasan, mastyasan, shavasan, dhanurasan, balyasan, purnagasan and parshwamukhshwanasa helps in reducing symptoms of Diabetes. Meditation , Mudra Therapy , Accupressure are also available throughOmkar Yoga, the practice of Yoga Mudra is also a considerable factor. There are several yogamudra which helps in purification and promote you to urinate a lot. It helps in reducing blood sugar. The good thing about the yoga mudra is that it can be practiced in seated position any time during the day.

It is provedfact that Yoga cannot cure diabetes, but controls the diabetes level and thereby insulin secretion takes and the diabetic level gets reduced and the dosage of the medicine also will bereduced. By reaching such a stage , it does cure diabetes related illnesses including: dental and gum disease, eye problem, foot problem, ulcer, untreated injuries, nerve damage, heart disease and kidney disease.

Management of Diabetes DIET .The calorie intake should allow the patient to loose or to gain weight as required

The protein recommended in the diet is normal. Carbohydrates should be sufficient to prevent Ketosis .High fibre in diet helps in controlling diabetes by preventing excessive rise in the blood sugar level helps in decreasing blood cholesterol and triglycerides and also helps in reducing weight.

Foods to be avoided

Potatoes , Fried food and sweets, soft drinks and Alcoholic drinks , Fruits like Mango, Banana ,Chiku, Custard Apple, Grapes and Dates . Oily , fried , frozen and fast foods should be avoided

Yogic Management

The main aim of the practice is

(i) To stimulate the pancreatic cells to produce adequate amount of insulin

(ii) To reduce the insulin resistance

Food intake : Healthy eating habits like alkaline foods, green vegetables , with salads and sprouts , taking food at the right time , with sleeping at the right time , will reduce the severity of the diabetes supported with the Yoga practices mainly on abdomen, supported by regular intake of medicine and the level of the diabetes will reduce after a reasonable period of say 6 to 8 months with all the above practices .

Finding the time to practice just a few minutes Omkar Yoga every day may be enough to make a noticeable difference when it comes to your knee health. Kindly visit the website and email your problems and requirements at menon@omkaryoga.co.in or at menonbs8650@gmail.com