Madhumeha: how much of an Autoimmune disease?

Abstract

Acharya Charaka has explained Madhumeha as a clinical condition characterized by Prabhoota avila mutrata in which patient voids the urine which is similar to Madhu i.e., having Kashaya and Madhura rasa, Pandu varna and has Ruksha guna. In modern parlance, Diabetes mellitus is corelated and understood under the umbrella of Prameha. Autoimmunity refers to immune system over activity. Most commonly type1 Diabetes mellitus is said to be caused due to autoimmunity. Many research works are being done to rule out the influence of autoimmunity in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In Ayurveda also it is important to understand the presence of auto immunity in Madhumeha and differentiation in terms of samprapti has to be analysed to find out the root cause and involvement of auto-immune pathology in different types of Madhumeha.

In Prameha vyadhi auto immunity can be understood based on the nidana and involvement of dosha-dushya which decides the prognosis. Autoimmune pathology is seen commonly in sahaja Prameha and to some extent can be understood in apthyanimittaja meha which has the dominance of ama and pitta dosha causing inflammatory changes.

In this article an attempt is made to compile and analyse the data about the concept of autoimmunity in the samprapti of prameha which helps in assessing the prognosis and thereby helps in planning the treatment accordingly.