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→The classification of prameha
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(Note: Glycemic Index is a unit which measures the amount of glucose released into the blood by a food source. Foods which release more glucose into the blood will have a high Glycemic Index value and vice versa.)
==== The classification of prameha ====
==== The classification of ''prameha'' ====
===== Classification by ''Dosha''/Stage of Progression =====
As for all other disease systems described in Ayurvedic texts, prameha has been classified according to the predominant dosha in the disease process. Ayurveda describes three distinct categories of prameha by dosha, i.e., kaphaja, pittaja, and vataja prameha. , However, it is important to note here that the dominance of a dosha varies as the disease progresses. In the initial stage, kapha is in excess, which vitiates meda and kleda causing kaphaja prameha. Further progression results in the loss (or kshaya) of kapha. Pitta then predominates, which vitiates the blood (rakta), precipitating pittaja prameha. Further progression results in loss of pitta. This leads to vitiation of vata, which weans the body of vital substances/vital essence through urine, precipitating vataja prameha. Charaka says that any of these three types of prameha can be precipitated directly, depending upon genetic predisposition and improper diet and lifestyle.
As for all other disease systems described in Ayurvedic texts, ''prameha'' has been classified according to the predominant ''dosha'' in the disease process. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] describes three distinct categories of ''prameha'' by ''dosha'', i.e., ''kaphaja, pittaja,'' and ''vataja prameha''. However, it is important to note here that the dominance of a ''dosha'' varies as the disease progresses. In the initial stage, ''kapha'' is in excess, which vitiates ''meda'' and ''kleda'' causing ''kaphaja prameha''.
As mentioned earlier, prameha can be correlated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. The early manifestation of the disease process in these conditions is characterized by lipid, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism disturbances accompanied by glycosuria, proteinuria, etc., which can be equates with a kaphaja condition (i.e., which can be easily controlled and cured. Pittaja prameha can be correlated with the inflammatory conditions accompanied with diabetes like urinary tract infection and diabetic ketoacidosis.The advanced stage of disease, with metabolic disturbances associated with loss of immunity, correlates with type 2 diabetes that has progressed to insulin dependent diabetes, and correlates with the hereditary form of type 1 diabetes, which both correlate with vataja prameha. Both of these forms are incurable as described by Charaka.
Further progression results in the loss (or ''kshaya'') of ''kapha''. ''Pitta'' then predominates, which vitiates the blood (''rakta''), precipitating ''pittaja prameha''. Further progression results in loss of ''pitta''. This leads to vitiation of ''vata'', which weans the body of vital substances/vital essence through urine, precipitating ''vataja prameha''. Charaka says that any of these three types of ''prameha'' can be precipitated directly, depending upon genetic predisposition and improper diet and lifestyle.
Correlating the ''doshic'' classification of ''prameha'' with the etiology, ''kaphaja'' and ''pittaja prameha'' are always ''apathyanimittaja'' ''prameha'' (acquired), while ''vataja prameha'' can be hereditary or acquired. If ''kaphaja'' and ''pittaja'' ''prameha'' are not managed properly, in due course of time they lead to ''madhumeha'' (a subtype of ''vataja prameha''), which is a terminal stage of the disease and is said to be incurable. This disease can be equated with the terminal stage of type 2 diabetes, which progresses to insulin- dependent diabetes. It has been observed that in the ''pittaja'' stage of ''prameha'', there is a tendency toward moderate hyperglycemia, which may be due to increased adrenal medullary and cortical activities. In ''vataja prameha'', there may be severe hyperglycemia with hypoinsulinemia.
As mentioned earlier, ''prameha'' can be correlated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. The early manifestation of the disease process in these conditions is characterized by lipid, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism disturbances accompanied by glycosuria, proteinuria, etc., which can be equates with a ''kaphaja'' condition (i.e., which can be easily controlled and cured. ''Pittaja prameha'' can be correlated with the inflammatory conditions accompanied with diabetes like urinary tract infection and diabetic ketoacidosis. The advanced stage of disease, with metabolic disturbances associated with loss of immunity, correlates with type 2 diabetes that has progressed to insulin dependent diabetes, and correlates with the hereditary form of type 1 diabetes, which both correlate with ''vataja prameha''. Both of these forms are incurable as described by Charaka.
==== Prameha classified according to physique ====
==== Prameha classified according to physique ====