If the woman had gestational diabetes during pregnancy then she is most likely to pass it on to the child in the womb. So, if a woman has gestational diabetes during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Gestational diabetes can be controlled effectively by diet and exercise. In rare cases the expectant mother might need medication.

After the baby is born, the mother and the child both recoup their original health. Only a small percentage of women with gestational diabetes remain diabetic after delivery, and experts suspect that most of these women actually had undiagnosed diabetes before they got pregnant.

The major risk associated with gestational diabetes is the birth of a fat baby. The condition is known as macrosomia. A macrosomic baby may be too large to enter the birth canal. Or the baby’s head may enter the canal but then his shoulders get stuck. Delivery can sometimes result in a fractured bone or nerve damage, both of which heal without permanent problems in nearly 99 percent of babies. Birth by caesarean section might be necessary.

Some basic precautions have to be taken to prevent the risk of gestational diabetes. It is taking recourse to natural methods again! Make it a point to lose weight, if you are overweight. Be careful and choosy about your food, and above all, do exercises regularly. This type of diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, your hormones make it tougher for your body to use insulin, so your pancreas needs to produce more of it. For most expectant mothers, this isn’t a problem. As the need for insulin increases, the pancreas secretes more of it. But when a woman’s pancreas can’t keep up with the insulin demand and her blood glucose levels get too high, the result is gestational diabetes.

If you are diagnosed as having gestational diabetes you will need to monitor your glucose levels, using a home glucose meter or strips. Eating a well-planned diet can help you keep those levels where they should be. Your diet must have the correct balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, while providing the proper vitamins, minerals, and calories. To keep your glucose levels stable, it is particularly important that you don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.

Studies show that moderate exercise helps improve your body’s ability to process glucose and keep blood sugar levels stable. Many women with gestational diabetes benefit from 30 minutes of aerobic activity, such as walking or swimming, each day. Exercise isn’t advisable for everyone, so you should consult your doctor for advice before you try any form of exercise.

What Is Diabetes?

In layman terms, “diabetes” is the inability of the body to process sugars properly. When we eat or drink, our “pancreas” produces a hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is released into the blood and helps to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes is a condition where this process does not function correctly.

Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (often called “insulin dependent” diabetes) occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetic persons require the administration of insulin injections to balance their blood sugar levels.

In Type 2 diabetes (often called “non-insulin dependent” diabetes), the body produces insulin but is incapable of using the insulin properly. People with Type 2 diabetes can often control their condition successfully through diet and exercise regimes. Type 2 diabetes is commonly known as “adult-onset” diabetes because it tended to occur in adulthood. It is, however, becoming more common in all age groups including young children.

The danger is that while diabetes is not immediately life threatening the long term effects of high blood sugar can be damaging to one’s health. Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels can, in later life, cause problems to many organs including the kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart.

Controlling blood sugar by a combination of medicine, diet and exercise will vastly reduce the danger of long term complications. Recent research shows that 2 in every 100 people have diabetes. About half of these people do not even know they have it. Many people have diabetes without being aware of it.

Testing For Diabetes

How do you find out if you have diabetes? The simplest way to check if you have diabetes is to arrange a blood sugar check with your doctor. If the results of the blood sugar check are abnormal, further investigations will be needed (eg a glucose tolerance blood test as mentioned above).

Diagnosis of diabetes can occur unexpectedly during a routine check-up but more often it follows from the sufferer experiencing the symptoms of diabetes. These symptoms can be many or few, mild or severe depending on the individual.

Common Diabetes Symptoms:

Loss Of Weight – Glucose is the form of sugar which is the body’s main fuel. Diabetics cannot process this properly so it passes into the urine and out of the body. Less fuel means the body’s reserve tissues are broken down to produce energy with a resultant loss in weight.

Thirst – No matter how much a sufferer drinks their mouth still feels dry. The problem is often compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by sufferers drinking huge amounts of sugary drinks. Of course this increases the blood sugar level and leads to increased thirst.

Urinating More Often – Sufferers need to urinate often and pass large volumes each time. This increased frequency of urination goes on night as well as day. Some sufferers make the understandable mistake of thinking this is caused by the increased thirst and drinking more. What is happening is that high sugar levels in the blood spill over into the urine making it syrupy. To counter-act this water is drawn from the body causing dehydration and therefore thirst.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms it does not necessarily follow that you are diabetic however it would be advisable to visit your doctor to be sure. There is also a syndrome called “pre-diabetes”. If it does turn out that you have diabetes please do not panic! It can come as a shock and it will mean some changes in your life. While it is incurable it can be treated so the long term complications are reduced or even eliminated. The vast majority of diabetics live completely normal lives and many of them don’t need to take any medication.

By knowing exactly what diabetes is – and being able to recognize the symptoms – you can prevent it from building up without your knowledge. Start today by monitoring your health and daily eating habits. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.

Diabetes is most common in adults over 45 years of age, but it is becoming increasingly common in people of all ages. People most at risk of diabetes are people who are overweight and/or physically inactive; and in people of African, Hispanic, and Native American descent. The highest rate of diabetes in the world occurs in Native Americans. More women than men have been diagnosed with diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, which usually starts in childhood, where the pancreas stops making insulin altogether. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. In type 2 diabetes the body still makes some insulin, but it doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body is unable to use it properly. Type 2 is often called “adult onset” diabetes because it typically starts in adulthood. However, Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common in children.

Diabetes is easily detected by a simple blood test. This is done by measuring the amount of glucose in the blood after a person has fasted (abstained from food) for about eight hours. In some cases, doctors use a “glucose tolerance test” to diagnose diabetes. This is done by measuring blood glucose levels before and after a measured amount of sugar has been ingested.

Once diabetes is diagnosed, treatment consists of controlling the amount of glucose in the blood and preventing complications. Depending on the type of diabetes, this can be accomplished through regular physical exercise, a carefully controlled diet, oral medication, or insulin injections.

People with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to provide the body with the insulin it cannot produce. The amount of insulin needed varies from person to person and may be influenced by factors such as a person’s level of physical activity, diet, and the presence of other health disorders. Typically, Type 1 diabetes sufferers use a meter several times a day to measure the level of glucose in a drop of their blood obtained by pricking a fingertip. They can then adjust the amount of insulin injected, physical exercise, or food intake to maintain the blood sugar at a normal level. People with Type 1 diabetes must control their diets carefully by distributing meals and snacks throughout the day so as to avoid fluctuations in their blood glucose levels. Persons with Type 1 diabetes also need to eat foods that contain complex sugars, which break down slowly and cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels.

For persons with Type 2 diabetes, treatment begins with diet control, exercise, and weight reduction. Over time this form of diabetes management may not be adequate, and the diabetic person might need to take medication. People with Type 2 diabetes typically work with nutritionists to formulate a diet plan that regulates blood sugar levels so that they do not rise too swiftly after a meal. A recommended meal is usually low in fat (30 percent or less of total calories), provides moderate protein (10 to 20 percent of total calories), and contains a variety of carbohydrates, such as beans, vegetables, and grains. Regular exercise helps body cells absorb glucose—even ten minutes of exercise a day can be effective. Diet control and exercise may also play a role in weight reduction, which appears to partially reverse the body’s inability to use insulin

The primary cause of type 2 diabetes is obesity. Obesity contributes to the onset of diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. Diabetes leads to an increased risk of heart disease, blindness, limb amputation, and kidney problems.

Persons who have been diagnosed as having pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes should monitor their body mass index (”BMI”), and take action to keep their BMI within the range of what is normal.

The body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on a formula that calculates the ratio of your height and weight. Your BMI is an indicator of your appropriate weight for your height and is a more reliable indicator of body fat than just weight alone. Although this number is not 100% accurate, especially when the calculation is based solely on height and weight, it’s a good indicator. Other factors that are normally taken into consideration are sex and age. If you are worried about your child’s BMI, it is important that you consult your doctor for help as the situation in regard to children and BMI is more complicated.

The most accurate way to determine your body mass index is by consulting your doctor. Your doctor can offer you some additional insights into the meaning of the number, and can also advise you on the best ways to start losing weight. As a rough guide, you can calculate your Body Mass Index by using the chart below.

After you’ve determined your BMI number, you’ll want to know what it means. As a rough guideline for adults a BMI of less than 20 implies underweight, over 25 is overweight, over 30 is obese, and over 40 is morbidly obese..

To calculate your BMI, use the chart below. Look for your height on the left-hand side and your current weight, going across. The number on the top of the chart that correlates to your weight is your BMI. If your number falls between 25 and 30, you are overweight. If the number is over 30, you are obese. If the number is over 40 then you are considered to be morbidly obese.

If you are overweight or obese you are in serious danger of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can be damaging your body without you knowing it is present. Diabetes is one of the diseases often called a “silent killer”. If you have diabetes you are in danger of suffering serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and strokes. This is the reason why it is important to monitor your Body Mass Index and take action if you are overweight.

Women who are diagnosed as having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome need to improve their insulin sensitivity in order to reduce their risk of developing type II diabetes Some other common symptoms of PCOS are infrequent or irregular menstrual periods, acne, and excessive body hair. These symptoms can be caused by a hormone imbalance caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

A medical check up will enable your doctor to diagnose PCOS if it is present. If you are found to be suffering from the syndrome, you will need specialist advice on how to control PCOS. You will need to learn how to avoid the onset of complications such as infertility, cardiac problems and type II diabetes. A healthy diet and regular exercise is essential for a woman who has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The symptoms associated with PCOS will be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight. Maintenance of the right weight for the woman’s height and age will help to prevent problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Some women find it impossible to lose weight even by taking an increased level of exercise and following a healthy diet.

Even without weight loss, clinical studies have shown that these women will still receive benefits to their health. Regular moderate exercise improves insulin sensitivity and helps to regulate the way the body metabolizes glucose and is, therefore, important in the prevention of diabetes. If our body loses sensitivity to insulin, the pancreas increases its production of insulin to try to compensate and restore the balance.

By improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin through exercise the pancreas is not forced to work at an abnormal rate. Losing weight is often important to women because the way they look affects their self-esteem, and they want to have a slimmer figure. A woman who finds losing weight a struggle should remember that exercise will be beneficial to her health even if weight loss takes a long time.

Women should always seek their doctor’s approval before commencing any exercise program. There might be matters in personal medical records that indicate caution when starting a new exercise plan. The doctor will be able to provide any recommendations appropriate to the individual case.

There is a wide choice of exercise. Some women don’t like going to the gym. They can get the same health benefits from swimming, walking or dancing. Walking is a particularly good way of starting the habit of exercising regularly. Walking is free, requires no expensive equipment, and no training is required to start. Regular walks improve the feeling of general well-being. Women who take daily walks will sleep better and find that they are less prone to mood swings.

The only equipment you need to start a walking program is a pair of good walking shoes. Don’t be tempted to try taking long walks wearing ordinary shoes. Your local sports store will be able to help you choose the right style of shoe. You need a shoe designed to give the feet correct support while walking.

When you first start walking, don’t worry about speed or distance. Walking even at a slow pace will improve your health. If you are not used to walking, you should start by walking short distances. You will find that regular walking will quickly build up your stamina. You will soon be able to increase the distance you walk each day. Start out slowly and don’t be tempted to overdo things. Walk a short distance at a comfortable speed. As you continue walking each day, you can increase the length of your walk gradually.

Thirty minutes is a good length of time for a daily walk. If you are not accustomed to taking exercise, start out with a ten minute walk and increase your time by two minutes every day or every other day. You will notice how much easier walking becomes day by day. In a short time you will find that you look forward to your daily walk.

The result can be low levels of insulin or abnormal insulin resistance. This mixed with inadequate levels of insulin secretion results in diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes mellitus include increased urine production, excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and excessive thirst and weight loss. These symptoms though may not be present in those people with only mildly elevated sugar levels.

Diabetes mellitus includes type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, which occur only during pregnancy. Each type has a different cause and different severity of symptoms. But all forms of diabetes are dangerous if not treated. With proper management though, people with diabetes can live a long, healthy, normal life.

The main cause of type 1 diabetes mellitus is the loss of insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This ultimately leads to an insulin deficiency.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is typically found in children and young adults. It is also termed juvenile diabetes. The common treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus is daily insulin injections to replace the insulin the body is not producing properly, along with careful blood glucose monitoring.

Without careful monitoring and treatment, complications from diabetes could include loss of limps such as arms, legs and feet, blindness and diabetic comas, which can be fatal.

It is extremely important that if you suspect you or your child to have symptoms of diabetes, that you visit your doctor to be tested. If the tests are positive it is not the end of the world. With careful monitoring and care, type 1 diabetics can live long healthy lives.

A diabetic coma can occur due to excessive loss of fluids from the body. This can happen if the diabetic person misses their insulin shot or consumes too much sugar without exercising or failing to use other diabetic medication correctly. In this situation the blood glucose levels can become dangerously high, the kidneys will attempt to regulate the blood glucose levels; the extra work done by the kidneys will result in loss of dangerously high amounts of water from the body.

Following this loss of water the body becomes locked in a vicious cycle of increasing blood glucose levels and worsening dehydration. The brain begins to shut down and the diabetic person’s condition becomes life-threatening.

Death while suffering from diabetic coma is not inevitable; the administration of intravenous fluids or other medication can restore balance in the diabetic person’s body. In order to avoid permanent damage, the diabetic person must receive the appropriate medical treatment as a matter of urgency.

There are three different comas that are associated with diabetes: the ketoacidotic coma, the hyperosmolar coma, and the hypoglycemic coma. The different types of coma are brought on by different things. For example the hypoglycemic coma is more likely to occur in a diabetic person using insulin to control blood sugar, therefore it is more likely to occur in type 1 diabetes.

To ensure that the correct medical treatment is given without delay, it is essential that the medical team know firstly that the unconscious person has diabetes and secondly whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes. For this reason, anyone with diabetes should wear a medical alert in the form of a bracelet or necklace at all times.