Diabetes [Siddha Terminology: Neerizhivu or Madhumegam]

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce any/sufficient insulin or when the produced insulin is resistant by the cells. Hence there is an increased level of glucose in the blood. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age, though it’s more common in people older than 40. Sedentary lifestyle, Obesity, High blood pressure, High blood triglyceride (fat) levels, High-fat and carbohydrate diet, High alcohol intake, are the risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

In Siddha Medicine, Diabetes is called Madhumegam. Siddha further divides Madhumega or diabetes into 20 sub-divisions. These sub-divisions are based on the doshas affected with 4 types of Vata madhumegam, 6 types of Pitta madhumegam and 10 types in Kapha dosha.

Neerizhivu or madhumegam is caused due to the unhealthy lifestyle of a person, over eating, laziness, mental stress, sedentary lifestyle, heredity, and high intake of ghee, milk, alcoholic beverages, meat & fish and food with sweet taste. symptoms of neerizhivu is characterized by excessive and frequent urination, loss of weight resulting in the gradual deterioration of the udal thathukal(the structural built of the body).