An ayurvedic approach to the diagnosis and management of diabetic neuropathy

Abstract

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes but is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. Approximately 50% of patients with diabetes eventually develop neuropathy. The primary aim of the current diabetes management strategies is to achieve tight blood glucose level control. However, intensive blood glucose control alone does not necessarily reduce the risk of developing diabetic vascular complications. The scholars of Ayurveda have studied Prameha in detail. The features such as karapadadaha (burning sensation), cumcumayana (tingling sensation), suptata (numbness) are symptoms seen in prameha either in the prodromal stage, in the actual exhibition stage or in the complication stage, can be identified as Diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The growing side-effects of modern pharmacological agents do not provide an everlasting solution thus being a persuasion to search an amicable solution in Ayurveda for which understanding the disease, its pathogenesis in Ayurvedic perspective will aid in deciding the line of treatment which can replace or complement the conventional therapy.