Ayurvedic Tips for Diabetes in elderly-old people

DIABETES IN ELDERLY-OLD PEOPLE Ayurvedic Tips

To diagnose diabetes, the doctor may perform one or more of the following tests:

• Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test: Calculates average blood sugar level for the past 2-3 months
• Fasting blood sugar test: Calculates blood sugar levels after an overnight fast
• Oral glucose tolerance test: Calculates fasting blood sugar level at empty stomach, followed by drinking of sugary liquid and periodic testing for blood sugar levels for the next 2 hours.

Once diagnosed, A1C levels should be checked 2-4 times a year. In addition, the doctor will advise for routine blood and urine examinations periodically to check for cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function and kidney function. Blood pressure checking along with regular eye and foot examinations are also important.

Diet Recommendations (Aahar)

• Increase intake of barley, wheat, green gram (mudga) and bengal gram (chana) in diet.
• Have herbs like gokshura, gudmar, triphalá, musta, cardamom, fenugreek, or coriander, mixed with honey.
• Include vegetables such as green banana, chaulee, dwarf copperleaf (matsyakhshi), methi (fenugreek leaves) and bitter gourd.
• Include fruits such as orange, watermelon, apple, jambu, kapitha and amla.
• In foods, include oils such as soyabean oil, groundnut oil, and mustard oil.
• Have karela juice or white pumpkin 20-30 ml on an empty stomach.
• Regularly have methi seeds soaked overnight in water.
• Avoid sugar, sugar products, rice, potato, ghee, butter, fat, regular oil, fermented food items, alcohol, urad (blackgram), rajma (kidney beans) and other heavy items.

Lifestyle changes (Vihar)

• Exercise for at least 30-60 minutes every day. Walking or swimming is an excellent option.
• Avoid sleeping during the day and being lazy.
• Improve personal hygiene, especially of feet and hands.
• Avoid injuries and immediately consult your doctor in case of injuries and skin infections.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
• Adopt yoga as a part of your exercise regime. Certain yoga postures are known to stimulate pancreas (organ that makes insulin) and improve its function leading to better management of diabetes. Some yoga poses that are good for diabetics have been given below. It is better to do yoga in the presence of a qualified yoga person.