Diabetes Mellitus

The term Ziabetus Shakri is being used for Diabetes Mellitus in Unani System of Medicine; considered as metabolic disorder at various levels. The disease is classified as; (1) Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (2) Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. In former type body is absolutely unable to produce insulin while in later type body produce either insufficient insulin or glucose metabolism in the body refracts insulin. Both are metabolic disorder but type 2 has a greater relation with other metabolisms of the body than Type 1. No doubt in the modern era new drugs, better insulin, and superior monitoring techniques have been developed but cost and side effects of these interventions cannot be isolated. This is the reason to have a look on other systems of medicine which are helpful not only in controlling of the disease but also modifying its risk factors and improving quality of life. Unani System of Medicine which is one of the oldest and most popular systems of medicine can deal with this dangerous and life threatening disease in a very systemic and optimal way. In this paper an attempt has been made to explore the physiopathology of the disease and accordingly its management by Unani System, of Medicine.

Gloriosa Superba is an Indian medicinal plant demonstrated to expect multiple pharmacology effects. In light of traditional claim of the plant in treatment of diabetes, the present study was carried out to evaluate the hypoglycemic actvity of the plant in STZ induced diabetics rats. The diabetic’s rats were given ethanolic extract of Gloriosa superb (EEGS) (50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, and 200mg/kg) and metformin (180mg/kg) for 28days.The effect of both treatments on body weight and blood glucose were assessed. Three doses of extract and metformin show significant hypoglycemic actvity in acute, sub-acute study. Body wt. of extract and metformin treated rats were maintained during the study period where as body wt. of untreated rats had gone down. The result obtained from the study scientifically proved the folkloric use of Gloriosa Superba as Hypoglycemic agent. Thus the plant can be key contributor in treatment of diabetes.

Knowledge of Diabetes is an integral component for attaining optimal disease control, and reduce mortality. Patient counseling by Pharmacist would motivate the patients to attain better understanding of their Disease, its treatment and helps them to adopt healthy life style to avoid future complications. Assessment of Diabetes Knowledge in Diabetic Patients and Patient Counseling. A Cross sectional survey study was carried out over 6 months with 305 Diabetic patients in General Medicine department of Owaisi Hospital and Research centre, Hyderabad, India. A questionnaire consisting Demographic details and 21 questions relating to the patients’ knowledge of Diabetes was provided to the participants. The patients were later counseled by using Patient Information Leaflet. The results were expressed as Mean, Standard deviation and in number (%). MS Excel spread sheet have been used to generate graphs, Tables etc. Of the 305 patients 45% were male and 55% were female with a mean age of 55.52±6.9 years (range 20 to 80). About 59.3% of patients had positive family history, 65.9% of participants did not know what diabetes was. 63.5% of people thought mental stress to be the only cause for diabetes and 81.3% of subjects never received patient counseling. Study subjects showed knowledge deficits pertaining to causes, prevention and Medications used in Diabetes and very less number of patients received Counseling. These results highlight the need for educational programmes aimed at improving the knowledge of DM patients.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorder in which a person has high blood sugar either because the body does not produce enough insulin or because cells do not respond to the insulin. There are three main types of diabetes, Type I, Type II and Gestational, insulin therapy is used for the treatment of diabetes by administration of exogenous insulin.  Several classes of oral hypoglycemic agents like sulfonylureas, biguanides and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are available for the treatment of type II diabetes.  Tremendous advances have occurred in past few decades. New technologies include a variety of alternatives to needle injection for insulin delivery, advances in blood glucose (BG) monitoring devices and novel treatment technologies. The overall goal of DM technology to improve BG control, avoid long term complications and improve patient quality of life. Although these new technologies interesting to use, they must improve outcomes such as BG control and prevent long term complications to be effective and receive widespread acceptance.