Abstract

GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS; MANAGEMENT THROUGH AYURVEDA

Anubha Chandla* Rinku Tomer and Rosy Gupta

ABSTRACT

Gestational diabetes mellitus is defined as carbohydrate intolerance of variable degree with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. This disease has many detrimental consequences for the woman, the unborn fetus and child. As per International Diabetes Federation India is one of the Diabetes capitals of the world, harboring around 4 million women with GDM alone. IDF estimates that 6 million births are affected by some form of hyperglycemia in pregnancy in India alone, of which 90% are due to GDM. The management of GDM aims to mediate the effects of hyperglycemia by controlling blood glucose levels. The main way to treat GDM is through lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and checking blood glucose levels. In modern science subcutaneous insulin therapy (mainly) or oral hypoglycemic agents are being used for treating women with GDM not controlled by lifestyle modification. However both therapies have certain limitations and have reported potential risks for mother and fetus. So it is the need of the hour to establish and adopt a much safer evidence based management protocol for managing GDM through ayurveda treatment principles i.e. aahara, vihaara(yoga, meditation, breathing exercises) and herbs having antidiabetic potential. The present study aims to compile an evidence based ayurveda regime in management of GDM.

Keywords: pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, ayurveda management.