drlockie.com
drlockie.com

Diabetes

May be brought on by damage to the pituitary gland or, more commonly, by malfunction of the pancreas.

Diabetes Insipidus
Caused by a deficiency of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH); this hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the kidneys to reabsorb water from urine, but if pituitary is damaged (by a head injury, surgery, radiotherapy, or a tumour), production of ADH may slow down or stop; kidneys will then allow huge amounts of water- up to 20 litres (35 pints) a day - to be lost in urine and person will be obliged to drink equally large amounts; other symptoms are dry hands and Constipation. Orthodox treatment consists of synthetic ADH in form of nasal drops, and surgery if there is a pituitary tumour, or diuretics and low salt intake to encourage kidneys to conserve water. If Diabetes Insipidus is suspected, try the remedies below; if there is no improvement within 1 week, see your medical doctor. If symptoms are severe, consult your doctor if there is no improvement in 12 hours.

Specific remedies for Diabetes Insipidus to be taken 4 times daily for up to 7 days

  • Symptoms follow head injury Arnica 30c
  • Flow of urine day and night Squilla 30c
  • Flow of urine greater at night Phosphoric ac. 30c
  • Urination more copious at night, accompanied by an increase in sexual excitement, urine smells like herbs Murex 30c
  • Person extremely thin and debilitated Uranium nit. 30c

Diabetes Mellitus
Occurs when the pancreas secretes insufficient insulin or none at all; without insulin, cells cannot absorb energy-giving glucose from the blood, nor can the liver absorb and store it. Excess glucose is excreted in urine, which has to have a higher water content than normal to carry it, so urination is frequent and passed in large amounts and person is continually thirsty; also, because tissues are starved of glucose, person feels tired and apathetic, and may lose a lot of weight as body breaks down fat and muscle for energy; other likely symptoms are lowered resistance to infection (especially urinary tract infections) because germs flourish in a sugary environment, Cramp, tingling in hands and feet, blurred vision and possibly erectile difficulties and cessation of periods (see Erection ProblemsMenstrual Problems).

Longer-term complications include diabetic retinopathy (scarring of retina), damage to peripheral nerves (see Neuralgia and Neuritis), and chronic Kidney Failure; as a group, diabetics are also more vulnerable to Atherosclerosis. In some cases diabetes mellitus is a consequence of another disorder, usually hormonal (such as Cushing’s syndrome, Thyroid Problems, acromegaly). Speed at which symptoms onset depends on age at which disease sets in, and degree of malfunction of pancreas.

Specific remedies for Diabetes Mellitus to be taken 4 times daily for up to 14 days

  • Symptoms brought on by nervous exhaustion (grief, working too hard) Phosphoric ac. 6c
  • Symptoms include digestive upsets, emaciation, weakness, and bedwetting Uranium nit. 6c
  • Symptoms include swollen ankles Argentum nit. 6c
  • Skin irritation, restlessness, depression Codeinum 6c
  • Symptoms accompanied by gout Natrum sulph. 6c
  • Symptoms include cold, sweaty, smelly feet, and loss of stamina Silicea 6c

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, or Type 1 Diabetes is the form of diabetes mellitus most frequent in young people; it onsets in a matter of weeks or months, and occurs because pancreas produces little or no insulin; incompetence of pancreas may be congenital, or the result of an auto-immune reaction triggered off by a viral infection such as Mumps or Rubella. High incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes in Western countries may have something to do with high consumption of carbohydrates and dairy products. Orthodox treatment consists of daily insulin injections (insulin taken by mouth would be destroyed in stomach), and a strict timetable of meals and snacks so that glucose level in blood remains more or less constant

Insulin Non-Dependent Diabetes
Also known as Maturity-Onset Diabetes, or Type 2 Diabetes is predominantly a disease of middle and old age, most common among people aged 60-70, and onsets very gradually; majority of sufferers are overweight, and about a third have a family history of maturity-onset diabetes; pancreas produces insulin, but not in sufficient quantities to fuel excessive body bulk, and in any case tends to become less efficient with age. This type of diabetes mellitus is usually treated by strict control of diet (substituting small amounts of unrefined carbohydrates for intensely sugary foods such as sweets, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, jams and soft drinks, eating plenty of uncooked vegetables and fruit, and fibre-rich cereals) usually reduces weight to a level that the pancreas can cope with, but if blood still has too much glucose in it, person may be put on hypoglycaemic (glucose-lowering) drugs.

All diabetics are advised to carry some form of identification, giving instructions on what to do in emergencies. If a diabetic develops symptoms of Hypoglycaemia (sudden loss of energy, hunger, sweating, dizziness, weakness, unsteadiness, headache, irritability, slurred speech, pins and needles), give sugar or glucose by mouth immediately to prevent him or her becoming unconscious, but if this happens despite giving sugar, contact Emergency Medical Services. They may be going into a hyperglycaemic coma.

Constitutional homeopathic treatment is recommended in addition to orthodox treatment, and is compatible with it. The remedies below may help while constitutional treatment is being sought.

Self-help: Treatment for both insulin-dependent and insulin non-dependent diabetes is largely self-administered, requiring considerable discipline. The British Diabetic Association can provide valuable support and guidance. You will be expected to test your blood and urine at regular intervals, eat your meals and give yourself insulin injections at set times each day, or strictly follow the calorie intake rules given to you by your medical doctor. Both forms of diabetes benefit from the Blood Sugar Levelling Diet; this consists of three meals a day, with snacks in between, and ensures that your blood is never flooded with unmanageable amounts of glucose. Extra Vitamin E and anti-oxidants, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, chromium, zinc, magnesium are recommended; avoid Omega-3 fatty acids but eat fatty fish. Intake of salt and alcohol should be restricted. Lose excess weight, increase exercise and use stress-reduction techniques.

If you smoke, try to stop. Always tell anyone who is treating you for non-diabetic ailments - doctors, dentists, nurses, etc. - that you have diabetes. Also, your driving licence and any life or accident insurance policies you have may be invalid if you have not declared your diabetes. If you are dependent on insulin, you should not drive heavy goods or public service vehicles, or work at heights; shift work should also be avoided since it interferes with eating and injection routines. Regular foot care from a qualified chiropodist is recommended in long-standing diabetics.

Go Back Back to Ailments & Diseases

spacer
View Related

Ailment & Diseases

  Atherosclerosis
  Constipation
  Cramp
  Erection Problems
  Hypoglycaemia
  Kidney Failure (Renal Failure)
  Menstrual Problems
  Mumps
  Neuralgia & Neuritis
  Rubella
  Thyroid Problems
View Related

Remedies

  Argentum nit.
  Arnica
  Codeinum
  Murex
  Natrum sulph.
  Phosphoric ac.
  Silicea
  Squilla
  Uranium nit.
View Related

Nutrition

  Chromium
  Magnesium
  Vitamin B12
  Vitamin B6
  Zinc


Forward this Article


Email this Page
Forward this page to a friend

Print this Article

Print this Page
Send this page to your printer
Dr Lockie logo