Diabetes Information

Gestational Diabetes


Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnancies, making it one of the top health concerns related to pregnancy.

What is the cause of gestational diabetes?
While no-one really knows the cause, there are some factors that is might increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes. These include:

  • A family history of diabetes
  • Obesity in the woman
  • Having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
  • Older maternal age (over the age of 30).
  • A previous delivery of a large (greater than 9 pounds) baby .

    What are the risks of gestational diabetes?
    High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you and your baby. If a woman had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a greater change of developing diabetes, but there is also some other risks involved, such as macrosomia, or a "fat" baby. Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own, including damage to their shoulders during birth, or a higher risk for breathing problems.

    Treating gestational diabetes
    In most cases, gestational diabetes is managed by diet and exercise, and goes away after the baby is born. But because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, it is important to start treatment quickly. You should consult your doctor for special meal plans and scheduled physical activity.

    There is no reason to panic
    While gestational diabetes is a cause for concern, the good news with the correct diet and exercise, you can keep your blood glucose levels under control, and give a healthy start for your baby.

    Andrew Palmer helps maintain Diabetesweb, an informational site on everything related to diabetes. Be sure to check it out if you need further information on gestational diabetes.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

    Freeman Doesn't Understand His Diabetes
    eMaxHealth
    When Georgetown's Austin Freeman started experiencing symptoms of diabetes, he thought it was a stomach flu. Once word got out that he has diabetes, ...
    In wake of diabetes diagnosis, Georgetown's Austin Freeman overwhelmed by ...The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
    Georgetown's Freeman learning to cope with diabetesNewsday (subscription)
    Georgetown's Austin Freeman facing life with diabetesnewjerseynewsroom.com
    Afro American -New York Post
    all 7 news articles »


    SDNN

    Amylin Pharmaceuticals shares fall ahead of expected FDA decision on once ...
    CanadianBusiness.com
    The market for diabetes drugs will likely become even more cramped in the future. In January, the FDA approved Novo's Victoza, which is taken once-daily. ...
    Diabetes decision fuels option actionoptionMONSTER Research (registration)
    Diabetes Drug Makers Move Before Ruling, Plus Fast Food NewsSeeking Alpha (blog)
    All Biotech Eyes on AMLNTheStreet.com (subscription)
    eMaxHealth -Minyanville.com -Reuters
    all 34 news articles »


    New Alterations Found in Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
    Science Daily (press release)
    11, 2010) — Diet and aerobic exercise are highly effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but not for obese subjects that have developed the disease ...

    and more »


    American Diabetes Association Alert Day is March 23
    Battle Creek Enquirer
    Battle Creek Health System's diabetes department is joining the American Diabetes Association in alerting the American public about the seriousness of ...
    Better Hearing Institute Urges Americans to Take Diabetes Risk Test and Get ...PR Web (press release)
    Las Vegas NowHot dogs are as American as.. Diabetes!KLAS-TV
    Stopping diabetes starts with youHudson Valley Press
    iSurfHopkinsCo -PR-USA.net (press release)
    all 9 news articles »


    NDTV.com

    Today is World Kidney Day: Dialysis Patient Citizens Call for Greater ...
    PR Newswire (press release)
    Diabetes, which now impacts nearly 24 million people worldwide, is the leading cause of kidney failure in the US and a major risk factor for CKD. ...
    World Kidney Day 2010 - "Protect Your Kidneys, Control Diabetes"MedIndia
    Glycemic Control in Diabetic ESRD PatientsRenal and Urology News
    Protect your kidneys, control diabetesWorld News
    MarketWatch (press release) -NDTV.com -A Pakistan News
    all 104 news articles »


    Parents face trial in diabetes death of SoCal teen
    San Jose Mercury News
    AP RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Trial has begun for a Riverside County couple accused of letting their daughter slip into a deadly diabetic coma in their filthy ...
    Prosecutor: Couple allowed teen to dieThe Desert Sun
    Parents charged in diabetic's deathUPI.com

    all 37 news articles »


    Wadena man missing, needs diabetes medication
    Osakis Review
    A 76-year-old man in need of diabetes medication went missing in Wadena Monday morning, authorities say. WADENA, Minn. – A 76-year-old man in need of ...
    Missing Wadena man found in swampMorris Sun Tribune

    all 5 news articles »


    Early intake of Metformin could cure diabetes
    Celebrities With Diseases
    Scientists analyzed about 1800 diabetes patients for a period of five years. The study showed that the failure rate of Metformin in patients who had started ...
    Earlier Metformin treatment for diabetes the betterDiabetes.co.uk

    all 5 news articles »


    Definitive link found between drinking soda and obesity, diabetes
    Gather.com
    Now, new research has shown that drinking soda directly causes more than 130000 new cases of diabetes each year. This stunning fact, presented at the ...
    Over 130000 cases of diabetes now linked to soda consumption, HFCSNatural News.com

    all 12 news articles »


    Cortlandt Forum

    Self-monitoring in non-insulin-dependent diabetes
    Cortlandt Forum
    Self-monitoring of blood glucose is an essential tool for diabetes management among insulin users, but no proof exists to support self-monitoring in ...

    and more »

    Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2006