Understanding Gestational Diabetes
While type 1 and type 2 diabetes are by far the most common forms of the disease, there is another fairly common variety, known as gestational diabetes.
This form of diabetes, as the name suggests, affects pregnant women, normally late in the pregnancy.
It resembles type 2 diabetes, displaying signs of low insulin production, coupled with low levels of response to the hormone, or complete insulin resistance.
With the absence of insulin (or the body's lack of response to it), glucose is unable to become absorbed into the body's cells.
This causes a build-up of glucose in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia.
Also, glucose is the body's main source of fuel, so as it is not absorbed by the body, it may lead to a whole host of other problems.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in about 2 to 5% of all pregnancies in the United States.
Normally, it will disappear after the birth, although it should be closely monitored during pregnancy to help avoid future complications.
Women who develop this form of the disease have a 20 to 50% chance of developing type 2 later in life, usually 5 to 10 years later.
Maintaining a reasonable body weight, as well as keeping physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes in these situations.
Gestational diabetes is thought to occur due to hormones from pregnancy and/or a shortage of insulin.
Symptoms are similar to those found in type 2, such as fatigue, frequent urination, and excessive thirst.
However, these symptoms are normal for most pregnancies, so if they are due to the disease, that fact will often go unnoticed.
Gestational Diabetes can also pose risks to the baby, if it goes untreated.
Some of these risks include macrosomia (high birth weight), nervous and circulatory system anomalies (including heart), and skeletal or muscular malformations.
Untreated the disease also presents the risks that there will be a higher chance the child will develop type 2 or type 1 in the future.
Respiratory problems have also been linked to gestational diabetes, and in severe cases, prenatal death may occur.
For these reasons, it is extremely important to be knowledgeable about this form of the disease.
If diagnosed, it is imperative to monitor blood glucose levels closely, and follow any treatment options your doctor may prescribe.
This form of diabetes, as the name suggests, affects pregnant women, normally late in the pregnancy.
It resembles type 2 diabetes, displaying signs of low insulin production, coupled with low levels of response to the hormone, or complete insulin resistance.
With the absence of insulin (or the body's lack of response to it), glucose is unable to become absorbed into the body's cells.
This causes a build-up of glucose in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia.
Also, glucose is the body's main source of fuel, so as it is not absorbed by the body, it may lead to a whole host of other problems.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in about 2 to 5% of all pregnancies in the United States.
Normally, it will disappear after the birth, although it should be closely monitored during pregnancy to help avoid future complications.
Women who develop this form of the disease have a 20 to 50% chance of developing type 2 later in life, usually 5 to 10 years later.
Maintaining a reasonable body weight, as well as keeping physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes in these situations.
Gestational diabetes is thought to occur due to hormones from pregnancy and/or a shortage of insulin.
Symptoms are similar to those found in type 2, such as fatigue, frequent urination, and excessive thirst.
However, these symptoms are normal for most pregnancies, so if they are due to the disease, that fact will often go unnoticed.
Gestational Diabetes can also pose risks to the baby, if it goes untreated.
Some of these risks include macrosomia (high birth weight), nervous and circulatory system anomalies (including heart), and skeletal or muscular malformations.
Untreated the disease also presents the risks that there will be a higher chance the child will develop type 2 or type 1 in the future.
Respiratory problems have also been linked to gestational diabetes, and in severe cases, prenatal death may occur.
For these reasons, it is extremely important to be knowledgeable about this form of the disease.
If diagnosed, it is imperative to monitor blood glucose levels closely, and follow any treatment options your doctor may prescribe.
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