Research Area
Effectiveness of Yoga as the Public Health Intervention Module
Research Title
Effectiveness of Yoga as the Public Health Intervention Module in the Management of Diabetes and Diabetes Associated Dementia in South East Asia: A Narrative Review
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder spreading at an alarming rate in India, which is considered as the future “Diabetic capital”. An expected 66.8 million 288 Neuroepidemiology 2020;54:287–303 Bali et al. population is faced with this condition Type 2 DM (T2DM) progression is characterized by insulin resistance resulting in increased level of blood glucose. It may also develop due to genetic and non-genetic (age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and stress) risk factors that are modifiable. The epidemic of diabetes is also related with various complications like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia, heart attack, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot, and so on. Hyperactivation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with increased cortisol production has also been noted in DM [4–6] but not studied adequately.
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is widely spread in South Asian (ASEAN) and Indian sub continent. The increasing healthcare costs of DM can be prevented in the developing world by improved public healthcare interventions. Modifiable risk factors of DM like sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and stressful conditions are associated with its progression;
however, the epidemiological data collected by Public Institutions are limited. Summary: A review of published literature describing geographic distribution of DM and associated dementia in South Asian region, particularly India, was conducted with the purpose of assessing the feasibility and challenges associated with the Yoga-based risk reduction.
Conclusion
DM is a metabolic disorder that is not treatable and can only be managed using some drugs. However, such treatment is not without side-effects. The high-risk individual
can be screened by utilizing an Indian Diabetic Risk Score [124] based questionnaire that can be administered in a population level. A preliminary intervention is possible at the community level.
