MADHUMEHA (DIABETES MELLITUS) IN AYURVEDIC LITERATURE: A REVIEW

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the leading non-communicable disease contribute to death and disability. Its complications pose a major threat to public health resources throughout the world. In India it has become a major health care problem with an estimated 66.8 million people suffering from the condition, representing the largest number of any country in the world. Etiological factors described in Ayurveda literature, signs and symptoms, complications of Madhumeha closely relate to Diabetes Mellitus. Madhumeha has been extensively described in ayurvedic texts under the broad umbrella of Prameha. Madhumeha is type of vataj prameha. Causative factors like dietary factors, life style factors & psychological factors, prodromal symptoms, signs and symptoms, complications of Madhumeha are very well explained. Etiological factors of Madhumeha are similar to causes of diabetes. Researches have proven the efficacy of drugs and therapies mentioned in Ayurvedic texts for Madhumeha as potent as in management of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Stress, sleep deprivations, obstructive sleep apnoea have emerged as newer causes of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Prodromal symptoms like alasya and others, signs & symptoms prabhoota and avila mootrata, complications like pootimamsa etc of Madhumeha appears at different stages of diabetes. In this article review of Madhumeha from classic ayurvedic texts is put together, kriya- kala of Prameha is drawn. Nidana, poorvaroopa, roopa and upadrava of Madhumeha are discussed in diabetes according to modern sciences.