Management of Diabetic foot ulcer (Madhumehajanyadustavrana)in Ayurveda

Abstract

In present scenariosedentary life style, a lot of stress and over nutrition are important etiology of diabetes, as one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Foot complication and amputations represent one of the most important among all the long term problems of diabetes medically, socially and economically. In mostly cases diabetic ulcers are the result of underlying neuropathy characterized by neurogenic ulcer. Diabetic person have complication on many system as on eye, renal system, cardiovascular system and Central nervous system but foot lesions are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of nontraumatic lower extremity amputations in India, with approximately 5% of diabetics developing foot ulcers each year and 1% requiring amputation. The diabetic foot ulcer can be considered as Dushtavrana in Ayurvedic classics and the need to look for the management through Ayurveda. AcharyaSusruta who is the father of surgery mentioned Jaloukavacarana as a treatment in Dushtavrana. In the management of DushtavranaSushruta emphasized upon shodhana. The procedure employed upon a wound in order to clean it, is called vranashodhana.Charaka advocates shodhana by both systemic and local methods like Vaman, Virechana, vasti and shastra karma. Some herbal drugs can also be used in management of diebetic foot ulcer (DFU).