An investigative documentation of the homoeopathic management of diabetes mellitus type 2 in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, or commonly known as diabetes, is a chronic condition that manifests when the pancreas can no longer produce insulin or when the body is unable to utilise the insulin that the pancreas produces. In diabetes mellitus type 2, patients commonly affected are middle aged adults. Prior to diagnosis there is an asymptomatic stage classified as prediabetes. During this stage there is mild hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance and an early decrease in insulin secretion. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a growing concern among the Black and Asian community in South Africa, more so affecting the high density of the abovementioned race groups in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. According to a recent investigation conducted (Brown et al, October 2015) in 2014 it was recorded that the KwaZulu-Natal Province had 1,288,973 diabetic patients registered in governmental health schemes. According to an article published on the National Health portal of India, Homoeopathy has had a positive role in the treatment and management of early diagnosed diabetes mellitus cases (Das 2016). Although at present there is no standard protocol for the Homoeopathic treatment and management of diabetes mellitus Type 2, Yoga, Naturopathy and homoeopathic remedies are among the many holistic methods utilized by homoeopaths. The main priority is to first control the elevated blood sugar levels to save the patient from life threatening complications. This is often done by prescribing homoeopathic remedies that could reduce the blood sugar levels. Aim The aim of this qualitative study is to determine the homoeopathic management of diabetes mellitus type 2 in the KwaZulu-Natal Province Methodology A study paradigm of qualitative, descriptive and exploratory design was employed in this study. Qualitative methods were selected for this study to gain an in-depth view of the methods homoeopathic practitioners use to manage type 2 diabetes in their patients. The population for this study included a minimum of 10 homoeopathic practitioners all of whom were registered with the Allied Health professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) and were practicing in KwaZulu-Natal for a minimum of 5 years (in private practice), selected through purposive sampling. The data collected was analysed using Tesch and Creswell’s methods of analysis. Results The results showed that the homeopathic management of diabetes mellitus type 2 involved indepth case taking and analysis with individualization of each case. Practitioners were involved in the health and well-being of their patients and put emphasis on patient education. Some of the ways in which practitioners managed diabetes mellitus type 2 in their practices included prescription of a constitutional remedy attained through thorough case taking, phytotherapeutic modalities, nutrition advice and referrals to specialist practitioners when necessary Conclusion In light of the results and discussion shared in Chapters 4 and 5, the main aspects of the homoeopathic management of Diabetes mellitus type 2 consist of full case taking and analysis by the practitioner, leading to a constitutional prescription for the patient. The findings in this study reveal that, unlike in allopathic treatment, there is no one specific remedy or group of remedies that are the first point of treatment for a patient seeking homoeopathic care. The management process is a very tailored and individualized method of treatment that considers the patient in their entirety