Aspirin Therapy for Diabetes

Diabetic patients use different therapies to control the complication of the disorder. Aspirin is one of the most commonly used therapies for diabetic patients. Though the actual effect of aspirin towards diabetes is vague, aspirin therapy is found to be effective, up to certain extent, in diabetic patients.

Aspirin therapies are generally used to control the cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients. Death rate in diabetic patients is four times more in the patients with cardiovascular diseases. The major cardiovascular diseases associated with a diabetic patient are atherosclerosis, and vascular thrombosis. The reason for rise in cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients is due to the increased production of thromboxane. This increase in production of thromboxane causes aggregation of platelets in the blood. Due to aggregation of platelets, the circulation of blood is blocked at some parts of the body. Aspirin therapies are given to diabetic patients to impede the process of aggregation of platelets, by acetylating the enzyme cyclo-oxygenage, which helps in the aggregation of platelets.

Experimental analysis have shown that giving a lower dose of aspirin to a diabetic patients with cardiovascular diseases is useful, as a secondary strategy, for lowering cardiovascular diseases. In another study, it was found that giving aspirin therapy, of around 320 mg/day to diabetic patients, is useful in lowering the diabetic cardiovascular disease.

Giving aspirin therapy to a diabetic patient is helpful in preventing diabetic retinopathy. An experimental study about the effect of aspirin on diabetic retinopathy reveals that aspirin therapy may be used as a primary and secondary preventive measure for diabetic retinopathy. Though this mode of therapy is not recommended yet.

In an experimental study of about 20,000 diabetic patients with cardiovascular diseases and myocardial infarction, aspirin therapy is found to be useful in lowering the cardiovascular diseases by 16%, and by 68% with myocardial infarction. Aspirin therapy is useful in diabetic patients who have blood less than 160mmHg.

A dose of 70 mg of enteric-coated aspirin is effective enough to inhibit the synthesis of thromboxane. A lower dose of aspirin is better, as it is more effective with lower dose and also decreases the side effects of the therapy.

If aspirin therapy is used for a long time, it may cause bleeding on the walls of intestine, and may cause gastric mucosal injury. People who use aspirin for a long period may become a victim of hemorrhagic stroke. Use of aspirin also increases bleeding in other parts of body. Use of aspirin therapy has no effect on diabetic retinopathy, it neither improves nor cures in diabetic retinopathy. Use of aspirin may increase the problem of chronic renal diseases and blood pressure in the diabetic patients. Aspirin is not recommended for diabetic patients who are very young.

As always consult with your physician before starting any therapy.

Source:http://www.diabetic-tips.com/aspirin.htm

Ayurveda and chronic diseases part II

*Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition caused by increased levels of glucose(sugar) in the blood. this condition is caused in particular when our body does not produce enough of hormone insulin which helps in proper breakdown and utilisation of glucose. Insulin is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach) which helps to move glucose from blood into the cells of the body, where it is broken down to produce energy.
Diabetes is of two types: Type-1(Insulin dependent diabetes),Type-2(non insulin dependent diabetes)
Type-1 diabetes is caused when the body produces very little or no insulin thus leading to improper utilisation of glucose. In such cases the person has to depend on either insulin injections or antidiabetic medication for life long.
Type-2 diabetes is the condition wherein the amount of insulin produced is very minimal and or is not used properly by the body.
According to Ayurveda, Diabetes is known as 'Prameha' or 'Madhumeha'.
There are 20 types of Pramehas explained in ayurveda. Among these, 'Ikshumeha'(alimentary glucosuria) and 'Kshudrameha' are correlated with conditions in which sugar is found in urine.
Three ways have been prescribed for the management of diabetes in ayurveda. They are diet, deeds and drugs.
Patent formulations used are Shilajit, Vasantkusumakar Ras, Chandraprabha Vati, Triphala Guggul, Gokhshuradi Guggul. commonly used single drugs or herbs include Gudmar, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Neem, Amla, Arjun, Fenugreek seeds, Bilva, Bitter gourd, Triphala Jamun bheej.
These is given either as single drug or in combination.


*Liver Diseases:Liver disease is a term for a collection of conditions, diseases, and infections that affect the cells, tissues, structures, or functions of the liver.
Liver diseases are of two types:
1-diseases due to impaired digestive system, like Anaemia, Leukemia, Jaundice etc.
2-self-oriented diseases, like Liver Cancer, Liver Abcess, Swelling of the liver etc.
*Medications like Arogyavardhini vati, Avipathikar Churna, Triphala Churna, Punarnavadi Guggul are used.
*Herbs such as Bhumiamla, Bhringaraj, Kutaki, Manjistha, Kumari, Neem, Chirayat, Kamdhudha, Punarnava, Gokhshur, green leaves of Raddish, beetroot juice, coconut water, butter milk with curry leaves, cumin seeds,ginger is used as common remedy for all types of liver diseases.


*Renal Diseases:Renal disease is any disease or disorder that affects the function of the kidneys.There are approximately 37 renal or kidney disorders which include renal stones to total renal failure.
In Ayurveda, various renal disease are explained in details. According to this science, our body is made up of 14 'Srotas' or systems. one of them is 'Mutravaha Srotas'(urinary system) of which kidney is the main organ. Its main functions are formation and excretion of urine.
*The ayurvedic medicines useful in renal diseases are Guduchi(tinospora cordifolia), Punarnava(boerhaavia diffusa), Gokshur(tribulur terrestris), Varun(crataeva nurvala), Triphala etc.
*In renal stones, Pashanbhed Churna, Yawakshar,Shweta parpati and Kulath Kwath are beneficial.
*Argwadh (cassia fistula), Trunpanchamula(group of five roots) and Chandan are used in urinary tract infections, especially for burning urination.
Ayurvedic formulations such as Gokshuradi Guggul, Chandraprabha vati, Shilajit, Punarnava Guggul,Punarnavadi Kwath, Varunadi Kwath are found to be very much beneficial.


*CAUTION Above mentioned medicines should be taken only under strict medical consultation.

What Diabetics should know about Metformin!!!!!!

Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.Metformin is prescribed for people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Following are Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health
care professional as soon as possible:

Serious Reactions
* lactic acidosis - is when lactic acid builds ups in the blood
stream faster than it can be removed.Get emergency medical help if you have
any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis:
weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling,
muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling
light-headed and fainting.

* anemia - is a condition where there is a lower than normal
number of red blood cells in the blood, usually measured by a
decrease in the amount of hemoglobin....

Common Reactions that usually do not require medical
attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if
they continue or are bothersome):
- decreased appetite
- gas
- heartburn
- metallic taste in the mouth
- mild stomach ache
- nausea/vomiting
- weight loss
- rash
- diarrhoea
- flatulence
- asthenia
- indigestion
- abdominal discomfort

In combination with other diabetic medications, (like acarbose,
glyburide, glipizide, miglitol, or insulin), metformin may cause
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Diabetes and alcohol!!!

If you suffer from type 2 diabetes then you are probably wondering whether or not you can enjoy alcoholic drinks.Below is a short list of guidelines for diabetics when it comes to drinking alcohol:
*Before considering drinking any alcoholic beverage, it is imperative that you consult with your diabetes health care specialist.
*It is recommended that you limit your consumption of alcohol to two drinks each day if you're male. If you're a woman, than the recommended amount is one drink each day.
*Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. In fact, it is best to combine your drink with a carbohydrate snack.
*It is best to stay clear from alcoholic drinks that are high in sugar content like hard liquor mixed with high fructose mixes, sweet wines,etc.
*If you are experiencing other medical problems as a result of your diabetes then it is best to skip alcohol altogether.