A Case Report On Ayurvedic Interventions For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus exhibits an advanced frequence in India (4.3%) compared to Western countries (1-2%), with a similarly elevated complication rate. Diabetic neuropathy manifests in roughly 50% of individuals with long- standing type 2 Diabetis mellitus and mostly remains undiagnosed. Diabetic neuropathy commonly presents with symptoms such as pain, numbness, decreased sensation, tingling, burning sensations, skin ulcers, and reduced reflexes. This article discusses a case involving a patient exhibiting neuropathic signs and symptoms, who reported bilateral calf pain and numbness, along with occasional pricking pain, and burning and tingling sensations in both feet. The diabetic neuropathy screening score exceeded 75%, suggesting significant functional impairment.Diabetic neuropathy can be correlated to Prameha upadrava detailed in Ayurvedic classics. The symptoms like kara- pada daha(burning sensation), supthi(numbness), and soola(pain) are present as the complications of long standing prameha. The patient underwent Ayurvedic treatment comprising of oral medications, Udvarthana(powder massage), Dhanyamla nimajjitha choorna pinda sweda(podi kizhi), Abhyanga(oil massage), Jambeera Pinda Sweda (naranga kizhi) and Madhutailika Vasti (medicated enema) which is administered in a Yoga Vasti pattern. Following the completion of treatment, he showed marked improvement, with a significant decrease in pain, burning sensations, and other neuropathic symptoms. The screening scores dropped to below 15%, indicating substantial recovery.This case underscores the efficacy of Ayurvedic therapies and the importance of stage-wise selection of treatments based on disease pathogenesis.