The term diabetes was coined by Aretaeus of Cappadocia and is derived from the Greek word which means ‘passing through’ or ‘siphon’, a reference to one of the major symptoms of diabetes which is excessive urine production. In 1675, Thomas Willis added the word Mellitus, from the Latin meaning ‘honey’, which refers to the sweet taste of the urine. The ancient Indians tested for diabetes by observing whether ants were attracted to a person's urine and called the ailment "sweet urine disease" or madhumeha.

Diabetes is a condition, which is characterised by disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood sugar resulting from either low levels of insulin or from abnormal resistance to insulin's effects coupled with inadequate levels of insulin secretion to compensate. Hence, it develops as a consequence of an imbalance between insulin production and release on one hand, and hormonal and tissue factors on the other hand. Some sort of auto-regulation is already working without our being aware of it.

Most have undiagnosed diabetes as in the early stages they can have the disease without any symptoms. Early detection and taking corrective actions is important in minimising diabetes complications. It is generally detected during routine check-ups. The characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production, excessive thirst and increased fluid intake, and blurred vision. These symptoms may be absent if the blood sugar is mildly elevated.
Diabetes is believed to be the nation's third or fourth leading cause of death.

Diabetes hastens wear and tear in many crucial functions of the body. In particular, it attacks the circulatory system, kidneys, eyes and nervous system.

In nearly all situations, people with diabetes require, a minimum, routine medical treatment- including daily self-care. It demands meticulous attention to a healthy lifestyle and a strong commitment to maintaining target blood-sugar levels. This way diabetic people can significantly slow down the degenerative process.

Direct result
In Homoeopathy, the symptoms of an illness are viewed as a direct result of the body's attempt to heal itself. In doing so, Homoeopathy attempts to stimulate the body's own natural healing capacity with medicines acting as a trigger for the body's own healing forces.  In this manner there has been a good response in treating diabetes in the initial stages. If the condition has existed for long, the role of Homoeopathy becomes supportive in preventing further deterioration and minimising the complications of diabetes. Constitutional medicines after a detailed evaluation and understanding the case are given. Secale Cor is used in wounds and ulcers, or sores in diabetics, enabling to dry rapidly, and heal.  Uranium nitrate is another remedy, which gives universally good results. It lessens the sugar and quantity of the urine. The other medicines, which have given good results, are Arsenicum album, Natrum Muraticum, Acid Phos, Phosphorus.  These Homeopathic remedies address the problem in a complete way. From nature the plants like Syzigium Jambulanum, Cephalandra Indica, Gymnema Sylvestra prepared in a Homoeopathic way helps in preventing as well as maintaining the blood sugar levels. A patient suffering from diabetes goes through treatment like other diseases and much depends on how far tissue change has taken place at the beginning of treatment. Advanced cases may never cease treatment altogether but may live as long as other people.

Homoeopathy, used for chronic illness from an early life, very rarely develops any complications. It’s power in prevention is marvellous.

Learn to control
One can learn to control diabetes and one need to take personal responsibility for managing the disease. Diabetes is a lifestyle disease and one can prevent severe complications of diabetes just by controlling the blood sugar. Pay attention to diet and exercise.

Exercise helps reduce blood glucose levels and makes insulin more effective. It also helps to improve insulin's sensitivity. Exercise reduces the dosage requirement or the need for blood-glucose medications. We recommend that you exercise daily whether you are suffering from diabetes or not. It will help in preventing the disease or delay the onset of diabetes. Exercise alone can't control blood-sugar levels, except in rare cases. Some people have the mistaken notion that as long as they are exercising vigorously and regularly, they can eat as much of anything they want. This just isn't true. Exercise won't control blood glucose, although it does influence it.

ATTENTION READERS!
Beginning February, Living will carry a theme issue every month in the Health Page. The theme issue will focus on every aspect of a particular disease or ailment. The first such issue will be on Diabetes. Readers are requested to send in their diabetes-related queries to dhliving@gmail.com. Queries will be answered by diabetes experts.

Readers are also welcome to give us suggestions on what they would like us to focus on, in our future theme issues. Suggestions can be sent to dhliving@gmail.com or snail-mailed to Living, Deccan Herald editorial, No. 75, M G Road, Bangalore -560001. Three of the best suggestions will be published.

The author is a senior physician, Soukya and can be contacted at 22214625/ 22218252 or email:                       drsudha@soukya.com