Integrative Review of Prameha Complications and Diabetes Mellitus.

Prameha is a group of urinary and metabolic disorders described in Ayurvedic classical literature. It is characterized by excessive urination and alteration in the quantity and quality of urine. Madhumeha, generally described among the Vataja varieties of Prameha, is commonly correlated with diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ayurveda describes several complications, or Upadrava, of Prameha, including excessive thirst, diarrhoea, fever, burning sensation, weakness, loss of appetite, indigestion, suppurative lesions, abscesses and tissue destruction. These features can be clinically compared with modern diabetic complications such as dehydration, gastrointestinal dysfunction, infection, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic foot ulcer, abscess, impaired wound healing and chronic metabolic debility. The present review analyses the Ayurvedic description of Prameha Upadrava and discusses its possible correlation with complications of diabetes mellitus. The Ayurvedic concepts of Dosha, Dushya, Agni, Kleda, Srotas and Ojas provide a broad framework for understanding the systemic nature of Prameha. However, Ayurvedic terms and modern biomedical diagnoses should not be considered identical. Accurate diagnosis requires both Ayurvedic clinical assessment and appropriate contemporary investigations..