Abstract

THE ROLE OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN THE AETIOPATHOGENESIS OF DIABETES MELLITUS (MADHUMEHA)

Vd. Khyati S. Sud* and Vd. Sushant S. Sud

ABSTRACT

Diabetes Mellitus (Madhumeha) is a lifelong chronic metabolic disease which requires lifestyle management and active patient participation in its management. Psychological well-being is itself an important goal of medical care and psychosocial factors are relevant to nearly all aspects of diabetes management. Lifestyle disorders, such as diabetes, are chronic and require a different yardstick for management. The psychosocial aspects of living with diabetes have been recognized in recent years and this has prompted the establishment of guidelines to ensure that these issues are recognized and properly dealt with by medical practitioners looking after patients with diabetes. This is because it has been realized that psychological disorders in patients negatively impact on their quality of life and ability to handle aspects of their management. This leads to poor glycaemic control and further worsening in quality of life. Ayurveda has specially emphasized the role of some psychological aetiological factors i.e. Krodha (anger), Udvega (anxiety) and Shoka (grief) in the aetiopathogenesis of Prameha. In Charak Samhita, Krodha (anger) is among one of the etiological factors in Paitika prameha and Udvega (anxiety) and Shoka (grief) for the Vatika prameha (C. S. Ni. 4/ 24, 36). Hence it can be concluded that psychosocial factors are important modulators in the aetiopathogenesis of Diabetes mellitus (Madhumeha) and optimal diabetes management can be achieved only if holistic approach associated with considerable physical, social and psychological well-being is dealt with. The current article addresses different aspects of this interface.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Madhumeha, Psychosocial factors.