Can you answer cheeka2162’s question about Diabetes?:

I found out a few days a go that I might have gestational diabetes. I immedietely did a lot of research but I would like to hear from other people’s experiences… what are the risks of having gestational diabetes and if anyone has had it, where there any comlications towards the baby and/or delivery. I am obviously eating differently and exercising more but want to know if I can do more. Iv’e heard that the baby can grow too big or not even make it after delivery which is a really big fear of mine. Thanks 2 everyone who answers!

Symptoms Of Type II Diabetes

Can you answer Mindy’s question about Diabetes?:

I am trying to find out more about the history of gestational diabetes. I am finding plenty of articles about people having a personal or family history of it, but what I am looking for is when the medical community starting using the phrase “gestational diabetes” rather than only talking about diabetes and pregnancy. I found an article from 1986 in a medical journal that mentions it, but nothing before that.

Does anybody know where there might be more information about this?

Treatment For Type 1 Diabetes

Can you answer ericalynn429’s question about Diabetes?:

i am 35 weeks pregnant and just found out i have gestational diabetes. At my last doctors apt the baby was 4 pounds and they estimated at the time of deliver he would be 7 1/2 pounds so everything was looking perfect. Now with the new of having diabetes, im curious if they will induce me. Is it common to be induced if you have gestational diabetes or do they normally go full term?

Adult Onset Diabetes

The mother`s blood sugar level may influence the child`s risk to become overweight or obese during childhood, according to a recent study. If more women are treated against obesity, the incidence of childhood obesity may be reduced, according to US researchers.

The study, conducted at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Researcher (CHR) in Oregon, showed that the child` s risk to become overweight or suffer from obesity is directly related to the mother`s blood sugar levels during pregnancy. The results also proved that untreated diabetes for pregnant women may double the children`s risk to become obese until the age of seven.

 

Experts showed that pregnant women that treat diabetes may decrease their child`s risk to become obese until it reaches the same level as children born by women with normal blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

 

The researchers collected data from almost 9,500 mother-child pairs between 1995 and 2000. Hyperglycemia during pregnancy plays a key role in the development of childhood obesity among American children, according to Dr. Teresa Hillier, lead author of the study.

 

However, the good news for pregnant women is that their child`s risk to become overweight or obese drops considerably, said Hiller. Children born to mothers who suffered from hyperglycemia had an eighty-nine percent higher risk to become overweight and an eighty-two higher risk to become obese until they reach the age of seven, according to the study.

 

The study`s results are encouraging since almost eight percent of pregnant women in the US suffer from gestational diabetes and the childhood obesity rate has doubled in the past twenty years. Pregnant women must talk to the doctor about diabetes screening, said Dr. Hillier.

 

 

(c) Project Weight Loss 2008. All rights reserved.

 

 

 



Thanks to Alan Rosca for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Early Warning Signs Of Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to naturally turn sugars ingested into your body into energy. There are three major types of diabetes.

Type-1 Diabetes

This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease – which is a result of the body’s failure to fight infection. As a result, the body begins to attack its own cells – in this case the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The body destroys the beta cells and no insulin is produced. People with type-1 diabetes have to take insulin shots daily in order to live.

The causes of type-1 diabetes are not known, however autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are believed to play a role in the onset of type-1 diabetes. This type of diabetes can affect people of any age, but most often is found in children and young adults. Symptoms of type-1 diabetes include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. An early diagnosis of type-1 diabetes is very important. Without daily injections of insulin, a person with this type of diabetes is at a high risk of lapsing into a diabetic coma, a life-threatening condition.

Type-2 Diabetes

This type of diabetes is the most common type. Type-2 diabetes usually affects adults who are obese, have a family history of diabetes, or have a previous history of gestational diabetes. Type-2 diabetes is not caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin, but rather by the body’s inability to use the insulin it creates effectively. This causes the blood to have higher levels of sugars than normal.

The symptoms of type-2 diabetes include frequent thirst and urination, nausea, unexplained weight loss, frequent infections, wounds and sores heal slowly, and fatigue.

This type of diabetes can often be prevented or controlled with certain lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. Some patients need to take medications and many use natural treatments to effectively control the symptoms of type-2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes

This type of diabetes occurs in pregnant women and is caused by an intolerance to carbohydrates, which causes blood sugar levels to increase. It is very important for a woman who has gestational diabetes to control the disease in order to prevent the baby from being affected at birth. If the blood sugar levels in the pregnant woman are not under control, there is a risk of the baby going into insulin shock at birth.

Gestational diabetes risk factors include a family history of diabetes, increased maternal age, and obesity. While the symptoms of gestational diabetes usually disappear after the birth, there are significant risks to both the mother and child. The mother is at a higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes at a later time and the child is at a higher risk of being obese or developing diabetes later in life.

Preventing the Onset of Diabetes

Many times, diabetes can be prevented or the onset can be delayed.

All three types of diabetes can be controlled effectively by changes in your lifestyle. A healthy diet is the most important change – eating healthy foods on a normal schedule allows your body to perform the tasks necessary to sustain life. A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Once a person has been diagnosed with any type of diabetes, the intake of carbohydrates should be monitored and the intake of sugars should be greatly reduced.

Regular exercise is also important for your overall health. Keeping your body in good working order by keeping muscles toned and blood flowing correctly also helps your body to perform its normal tasks. It is important for early diagnosis and effective treatment of diabetes in order to avoid more serious illness and diseases that can be associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing many other diseases and illnesses, but the most important thing to remember is that if you work with your body, your body will work for you.



Thanks to Dr John Anne for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:

Adult Onset Diabetes