2012年5月31日 星期四

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes - Learn the Symptoms Before it is Too Late


Gestational diabetes is one of the three types of diabetes, aside from type 1 and type 2. This afflicts non-diabetic pregnant women during the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy (weeks 24 and 28) and the symptoms are not usually specific and typically the same with that of other diabetes.

As the period of pregnancy progresses, the placenta which provides sustenance to the baby while inside the mother's womb produces more hormones. These hormones are blocking other hormones like prolactin, progesterone, cortisol, estrogen and lactogen resulting to insulin resistance.

The effect is gestational diabetes once the pancreas fails to produce the necessary insulin to transport the glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream to the muscle, fat and liver cells for body fuel. Gestational diabetes normally vanishes after giving birth but leaves the mother susceptible to type 2 diabetes.

Pregnant women may experience the common symptoms like:

o Frequent urination

o Abrupt weight gain

o Always feeling tired

o Dizziness especially when standing up

o Feeling hungry most of the time

o Blurred vision

o Urinary tract and vaginal infections

Quite a number of pregnant women are affected by gestational diabetes ranging from 3% to 5%. The women who have the most risk factors are those who are:

1. More than 30 years old at the time of pregnancy,

2. Suffering from overweight or obesity

3. With a family background of diabetes

4. With history of having given birth to a child over 9 pounds

5. With history of having given birth to a child with birth defect

6. Ascertained to have plenty of amniotic fluid,

7. With gestational diabetes in previous pregnancy

8. With high blood pressure

If the symptoms of gestational diabetes are already present, it can be diagnosed via glucose tolerance test starting on week 24 through week 28 or on the 13th week if the doctor sees that there is a risk that gestational diabetes will develop.

The glucose tolerance test requires the expectant mother to drink a solution of glucose (sugar). Blood will be taken from the arm's vein for checking of blood glucose level. It is assumed that no gestational diabetes exists if the blood glucose level is less than 140 mg/dl. On the other hand, if it is higher, a three-hour glucose tolerance test is needed.

The expectant mother will be allowed to eat 150 grams of carbohydrates, at the least, three days before the test. The objective is to get the fasting glucose level which will be compared with the normal blood sugar level to arrive at a conclusion whether there is gestational diabetes or not.

If any pregnant woman suspects that she has the symptoms of gestational diabetes, she should immediately go to her doctor for proper medical check-up. Gestational diabetes is not life-threatening and can be treated by having a planned diet, exercise, possible daily insulin injection, maintaining an ideal pregnancy weight and constant monitoring of glucose level.




Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and diabetes natural treatment. Discover how you can reverse your diabetes for good using proven and effective home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.minusdiabetes.com





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Gestational Diabetes Mellitus


Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance of variable severity with the first recognition during pregnancy. Screening is now part of routine antenatal care in many settings in developed countries. There are several screening tests, but the most common is the oral glucose tolerance test, which tests the blood glucose level in order to initiate treatment for the prevention of complications in pregnant women and their infants. There is substantial debate surrounding the most suitable screening tests, the effectiveness of treatment in averting adverse mother and infant outcomes in women with mild to moderate glucose intolerance, the possibility of causing anxiety, and the potentially adverse effects of a "high risk" label in pregnancy for those with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to examine the psychosocial effects of screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. There was inconsistency in the results due to the variety of designs and methods used, and the outcomes assessed.

Most studies found no significant differences between women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and controls regarding mental health (anxiety and depression), concerns for the health of the newborn, and attitudes towards screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. However, women who were found to have Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or who had false-positive results were more likely to worry about their own health than those whose screening test was negative or were not tested. Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus were more likely than controls to rate their health as poor rather than excellent. The long term consequences of these concerns are not known. Many studies were methodologically weak, with low recruitment rates, large losses to follow up, recall bias, turf effects, and the use of unstandardised measures. More studies in this field are needed since there is little research investigating the psychosocial implications of screening for GDM.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is controversial in terms of management and outcomes among women who are initially found to have glucose intolerance during pregnancy (Khandelwal, 1999; Scott, 2002). There is debate regarding appropriate screening and diagnostic criteria for elevated blood glucose during pregnancy, the best screening methods to be applied (Rumbold and Crowther, 2001; Scott, 2002), and also regarding the benefits and potential harm of screening programs (Brody, 2003). However, screening for GDM is becoming part of routine antenatal care in many parts of the world. An important aspect of the evaluation of any screening program is its impact on those who are screened (Rumbold and Crowther, 2001).

GDM is identification of diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) of variable severity first recognized during pregnancy (American Diabetes Association, 2004). GDM exists when there is an increase in blood glucose levels (Scott, 2002) because of a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism (Metzger and Coustan, 1998). This disorder may affect the fetus and newborn as well as the mother if untreated (Jones and Stone, 1998).

GDM is associated with a disorder of insulin resistance, insulin action and insulin secretion during pregnancy. Thus, GDM is classified as Type-2 diabetes. Some women with GDM go on to develop Type-2 diabetes in later life (Daniells, 2003; Khandelwal, 1999).




You Will Know and Learn More about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus with my website at

http://diabetesmellitus-gestational.blogspot.com/

I graduated from International Class of Medical Faculty of Universitas Indonesia in 2000. In 1998-1999, I did a research in Key Centre's of Women's Health in University of Melbourne about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. I was interested in dealing with Women's Health, especially Pregnant Women. For my research, a systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to examine the psychosocial effects of screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in pregnant women.





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What Causes Gestational Diabetes? Key Facts on Where it Comes From and How to Control It


Gestational Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that tends to originate during the later stages of pregnancy. In the United States alone, around 135,000 pregnant women suffer from it every year.  And these numbers keep on increasing every year.  As like any other form of diabetes, this condition also involves abnormally increased concentrations of glucose in the blood.  However, nobody is absolutely sure about what causes gestational diabetes. Interestingly, the causes of the disease play an important role towards controlling gestational diabetes.

Exactly What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

According to experts, it is not possible to pinpoint the exact causes. However, research studies have revealed certain clues.

1. During pregnancy, the baby receives its nutrition from the mother through the placenta. Also, the placenta releases certain important body hormones such as estrogen and cortisol that are essential for protecting the health of the fetus.  Ironically, these same hormones also block the insulin receptors present on the cells, thereby causing reducing insulin response.  This phenomenon is better known as insulin resistance.  As a result, the body's normal response to insulin gets blocked, thereby causing problems in glucose absorption and metabolism. 

2. For preventing gestational diabetes occurrence in women, the human body adapts a natural control mechanism where the pancreas does excess work and produces extra quantities of insulin to cope with the situation.  It occurs when the pancreas can no longer produce any extra insulin.  At this point, a pregnant woman might need three times more insulin for controlling gestational diabetes.  An interesting fact about this condition is that the disease appears in 24th or 26th week of pregnancy. As the pregnancy time increases, the amount of placental hormones secreted into the blood also increase.  Due to this, even insulin resistance also increases.

3. Chances of this condition occurring increases in cases where the woman is aged above 35 years, has a familial history of this condition, is suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome, is obese, has already given birth to a child with birth defects or in women who had experienced this ailment during their first pregnancy.

Controlling This Condition:

It usually disappears after pregnancy.  However, controlling gestational diabetes is extremely important during pregnancy.  Otherwise, it can lead to severe complications in the fetus such as congenital defects, abnormal physiological and neurological developmental patterns, and conditions such as macrosomia, jaundice, hypoglycemia and injuries during birth time.  In the mother, this condition causes formation of overweight baby.  Due to this, delivery becomes extremely traumatic.  In women with this condition, there is an increased risk of preeclampsia characterized by hypertension and presence of excess protein in the urine. Also, women tend to develop type 2 diabetes after a couple of years.

Proper Prevention:

An important point to remember is what causes gestational diabetes is not nearly as important as preventing it from occurring or reoccurring in in the final analysis.  Some effective preventive measures include eating healthy foods that are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, mineral and other nutrients, ensuring regular physical activity, maintain an appropriate height-to-weight ratio and lead a stress free life.




For more information on Gestational Diabetes Diet, try visiting http://www.curefordiabetes.org - it is a website offering solid tips and information on different diabetes treatments and diabetes in general.





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2012年5月30日 星期三

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms - How to Manage Gestational Diabetes During Your Pregnancy


Unlike the symptoms in diabetes type 1 and 2, gestational diabetes symptoms are hardly recognized as signs of diabetes due to the pregnant condition of a woman. They are often manifested in the form of excessive thirst and frequency in urination, but are usually treated as part of the child-bearing stage.

The main gestational diabetes symptom indicative of the disease is the elevation of the blood sugar levels. Hence, great care should be taken that high blood sugar levels should be treated with utmost urgency in order to avoid any complications that can affect the woman's pregnant condition. The following information may be useful to any pregnant woman:

The Root Causes of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy involves the active participation of your placenta as it produces hormones to sustain you and the developing baby in your womb. However, these hormones have the tendency to render your cells resistant to insulin.

As you enter the second and third trimesters, the more hormones are secreted since your pregnant body demands it; this however makes it more difficult for the insulin to help your cells absorb glucose.

The pancreas tries to help by producing more insulin to thwart the insulin resistance of the cells, however, there is now an over production of insulin, which was not successful in opening the cells to glucose absorption. Glucose in the blood increases, insulin level increases yet the body cells remain wanting in glucose supplement, due to its resistance to insulin.

You may now experience excessive thirstiness and frequently urinate to pass the excess glucose out of your system. These now are the gestational diabetes symptoms taking place.

Who are Prone to Gestational Diabetes?

1. Any woman who is 25 years or older, but some women have greater risks.

2. Women with familial history of developing gestational diabetes from where she may have acquired the genetic deficiency.

3. Women who were pregnant before and likewise developed gestational diabetes during the previous pregnancy. Usually this is true among women whose baby weighed about 9 pounds upon delivery or those who experienced an unexplained stillbirth.

4. Pregnant women who were already overweight even before the onset of the pregnancy.

5. For unexplained reasons, statistics show that women who belonged to the following ethnicity: African, Hispanics, American Indian or Asian are prone to develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancies.

Managing Gestational Diabetes during Pregnancy

Address your pregnancy with more concern by making more trips to your health care provider for pre-natal checkups. This is very important particularly during the last three months of pregnancy for constant monitoring of your blood sugar level.

Ask your health care provider for a referral, regarding other health professionals who can help you in managing your gestational diabetes during the term of your pregnancy. This may be an endocrinologist, a registered dietitian or a diabetes educator. In extreme cases, your health care provider may refer you to a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies.

These professionals can help you in all aspects to ensure that your diabetes disorder will not lead to any complications that may endanger your life and that of your baby's.

If you are among those women who have a high risk of developing gestational diabetes, do not wait for such symptoms to take place before taking the proper preventive courses of action.




Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and diabetes natural treatment Discover how you can reverse your diabetes for good using proven and effective home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.minusdiabetes.com





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Understanding Gestational Diabetes


For women, diagnosed with gestational diabetes, caring for diabetes when pregnant is a great concern. Depending on the way the diabetes progresses, a medication may be necessary. One of the most popular medications used for gestational diabetes, is insulin. The use of insulin will be instructed by your health care provider, and can be very easy. But for those who do not have this disease, they may be interested in preventing gestational diabetes. Fortunately, there is plenty of information on both of these topics. So no matter what your individual situation is, you will be able to find the information you need, quickly.

Caring for diabetes when pregnant, may be a popular topic, for those with gestational diabetes. But this disease does not have to be particularly concerning. If you follow the steps your health care provider gives, you should find it simple, caring for diabetes when pregnant.

Most doctors handle gestational diabetes through the use of dietary changes and exercise. The pregnant woman, who is caring for diabetes, when pregnant, will simply institute these changes. She will make better food choices, as her way of caring for diabetes when pregnant. The better food choices you make the healthier you and your baby will be.

Depending on the way this form of diabetes progresses, a medication may be necessary. One of the most popular medications used for GD, is insulin. The use of insulin will be instructed by your health care provider, and can be very easy.

Understanding the risk factors of this disease is crucial to preventing gestational diabetes. Some risk factors, such as family history, or race cannot be changed. But other risk factors, such as obesity, can be used in preventing gestational diabetes. Women willing to exercise, monitor their weight, and make dietary changes, can lessen their chances with this disease.

There are other ways for pregnant women to prevent developing gestational diabetes. One of these is to maintain a healthy weight. Pregnant women are expected to gain weight. It is a natural part of the pregnancy process. But they do not have to gain excessive weight. Monitoring your weight is a great way of preventing this form of diabetes.

Regular exercise, is also a way to prevent this condition, as well. Regular exercise is known to keep one's blood sugar levels within a safe range. Not only does exercise help to maintain your levels, it also promotes overall health. It assists you in the process of monitoring your weight.

There are also home remedies that can address those susceptible to gestational diabetes. Many of these can work to affect blood sugar issues, you may already have. One of these is the use of a supplement. Garlic for instance, is a known sugar regulator. And chromium picolinate is used to keep one's sugar levels low. One natural home remedy is huckleberry, in various forms. Huckleberry, promotes the production of insulin in the body.

It is wise to consult your physician before using even home remedies to address your gestational diabetes. Although there may be no harm done, it would be better to be safe, rather than sorry. Remember, that anything taken affects not only you but your baby, as well. This is why, consulting your doctor is best.




You can find helpful information about preventing gestational diabetes and everything you need to know about caring for diabetes when pregnant at Aha! Baby.





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2012年5月29日 星期二

Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan Defined


Gestational diabetes is a disease that affects roughly 4 percent of pregnant women in the US. It is not completely unstated why several women get it as it normally vanishes the moment the baby is born. One assumption is the anxiety of pregnancy causes it, however no matter what the cause is any woman who has it will have to stick to a gestational diabetes diet plan.

As a matter of fact, this kind of diet requires to be adhered if the expecting mother already has existing diabetes. The threat of fetal imperfections or even death is significantly greater with gestational diabetes. High blood glucose levels or hyperglycemia in the expecting mother is the main cause of any problem attributed to such disorder. When this takes place the fetus will start to make large quantities of insulin to cope with the excess sugar that is passing throughout the placenta.

Enhanced insulin levels in fetus may cause a condition called macrosomia, resulting to bigger than normal head and body size. Also, it can lead to respiratory failures, jaundice, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia or hypokalemia in newly born babies.

It is greatly suggested that any woman with gestational diabetes should acquire nutrition counsel and make a diet menu program with the assistance of a licensed dietician/doctor. It is crucially significant to manage the levels of blood sugar during pregnancy and this can be best made by changing the diet.

A diet for gestational diabetes is specialized for every pregnancy depending on the height and weight of the mother. Also, it will give a sufficient quantity of calories as well as nutrients that are required during pregnancy and control blood sugar levels. Moreover, the mother should check her blood glucose levels at least 4 times each day to ensure that her sugar levels are controlled. The moment a good sugar control is recognized, the occurrence of self-monitoring can be lessened although self-monitoring must be sustained throughout the duration of pregnancy.

The diet plan for gestational diabetic preferred nutrition and weight gain needs in order to have a normal pregnancy. During the initial trimester, weight gain must be between the range of two to four pounds and an additional pound each week during the second and third trimester. For the second trimester, it is suggested that caloric consumption must be changed upwards around 100-300 kcal per day above than the first trimester. Consumption of protein needs to be enhanced throughout pregnancy to ten grams each day. It can be done by consuming one to two ounces of meat or by drinking 2 glasses of milk. 400 grams of folic acid each day must also be incorporated in the diet of gestational diabetic to avoid neural and congenital tube defects.

A gestational diabetes diet plan is an important part of any pregnant woman who has this risky condition. A pregnant woman who is diagnosed to have gestational diabetes must be examined carefully by a licensed dietician who can help her to meet all her dietary requirements.




Ken Wynn helps diabetics create healthy lifestyles through his American diabetes diet website. For a free mini course with more great tips on the gestational diabetes diet plan [http://www.american-diabetes-diet.com/gestational-diabetes-diet-plan] visit [http://www.american-diabetes-diet.com].





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Gestational Diabetes Diet


Gestational diabetes is just as serious as other types of diabetes, even though you may only be "diabetic" for a short period of time; however, with gestational diabetes, you are not only concerned about the health of yourself but also the health of your unborn child. So, in actuality, gestational diabetes can be even more serious than other forms.

You should definitely take your diet seriously when it comes to gestational diabetes. It may take some getting used to but keep in mind that it is only for a short period of time. Once you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your physician will help to instruct you on how to better care for yourself and for your unborn child. Sometimes just watching your diet can help, other times, you may have to enlist the help of medication or even insulin during your pregnancy.

A healthy diet is extremely important after the diagnosis of gestational diabetes just as it was prior to the diagnosis. You will want to make sure to cut out as much sugar out of your diet as possible, and to also consume plenty of proteins and vitamins. As a gestational diabetic, you will basically have the same symptoms as a Type 2 diabetic because of the hormones that are produced during the pregnancy. Your body is still producing insulin; however, it may not be enough and a lot of time by following a diabetic diet you will be able to help your body out and possibly even overcome the diabetic symptoms. In actuality, you will want to follow a diabetic menu for a Type 2 diabetic.

This means that your diet should be low in carbohydrates, low in sugar, low in sodium and high in protein and vitamins. It is recommended that you consume fruits and vegetables even though fruits have natural sugars; however, there are only certain fruits that you will want to consume as some are extremely high and can put a strain on your body.

Seek Help - Ask your physician, if they haven't already, to recommend a dietician for you to consult with, to help explain the different aspects of a diabetic diet and what you should and should not do. There are also books available that will help as well as doing research on the internet. You will definitely want to learn how to read a nutrition label and to even purchase a book that gives you the nutrition guidelines on foods that usually do not come with a label, like garden foods, fruits and so on. This will prove to come in very handy in your education and understanding of the gestational diabetes diet.

The proper diet is actually easy to learn if you keep an open mind and pay close attention to details. In the long run, not only will you be better off by following gestational diabetes diet guidelines but your unborn child will be better off as well. Diabetes, no matter what type, is a serious condition and should be regarded as such.




Go to Diabetic Diet Zone to get your free ebook on Diabetic Diets at Diabetic Diet. Diabetic Diet Zone also has information on Gestational Diabetes Diet along with a lot of other free information. Come by our new Diabetic Diet Community site today for free ebooks and other free information that can help you today.





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What is a Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan?


Gestational diabetes is a disorder which will affect around 4% of all pregnant women in the United States. It is not entirely understood why some women get it because it normally disappears once the baby is born. One theory is that the stress of the pregnancy itself causes it, but whatever the cause any woman who is diagnosed with it will need to follow a gestational diabetes diet plan.

In fact this type of diet needs to be followed if an expectant mother has preexisting diabetes as well. The risk of fetal defects and even death are considerably higher with gestational diabetes. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, in the mother is the primary cause of any problems caused by this condition. When this happens the fetus will begin to produce large amounts of insulin to deal with the excess glucose (sugar) that is crossing through the placenta.

Increased insulin levels in the fetus cause a condition known as macrosomia which results in larger than normal body and head size. It can also cause respiratory problems as well as hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or jaundice in new born babies.

It is highly recommended that any woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes receive nutrition advice and create a diet plan with the help of a registered dietician. It is vitally important to control blood sugar levels during pregnancy and this best done by modifying the diet.

A gestational diabetes diet is individualized for each pregnancy based on the mother's weight and height. It will also provide an adequate amount of calories and nutrients that are needed during pregnancy as well as controlling blood glucose levels. In addition the mother will need to self monitor her blood sugar levels at least four times a day to make sure her glucose levels are under control. Once good glucose control is established the frequency of self monitoring can be decreased but self monitoring should be continued during the entire pregnancy.

The diet plan should meet the desired weight gain and nutrition requirements needed for a normal pregnancy. For the first trimester weight gain should be in the 2 to 4 pound range and then an additional pound every week for the second and third trimesters. During the second trimester it is recommended that caloric intake be adjusted upwards approximately 100 to 300 kcal/day above that of the first trimester. Protein intake also needs to be increased during pregnancy to 10 grams per day either by drinking two glasses of milk or 1 to 2 ounces of meat. 400 ug/day of folic acid should also be included in the gestational diet to help avoid congenital and neural tube defects.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a very real threat during a pregnancy so restricting calories should only be done under direct medical supervision. The minimum number of calories eaten per day must not be below 1700 to 1800 and these calories should come from foods of high nutritious value.

A gestational diabetes diet plan is a crucial part of any pregnancy for women who suffer from this dangerous condition. Any pregnant woman who is diagnosed with this disorder should be evaluated by a registered dietician who will then assist the woman to meet her dietary needs.




For more information about a gestational diabetes diet please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here





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2012年5月28日 星期一

Gestational Diabetes Diet - Good Pregnancy Nutrition Can Prevent Your Child Developing Diabetes


Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can mean that too much sugar is passed to your developing baby, increasing their risk of becoming diabetic later in life. Following a well planned gestational diabetes diet can reduce this risk by controlling the level of sugar in your blood, and reducing the amount that is passed to your baby via the placenta.

There are other issues that can arise from your baby receiving too much sugar. The main problem will be that your baby could grow exceptionally large, causing difficulties with delivery. Overweight babies have a much higher chance of being born by cesarean section and experiencing birth complications than normal weight babies.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, but usually disappears after the baby is born. The condition can develop when the mother's body is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the increasing needs of their developing baby. Insulin levels can also be affected by pregnancy hormones, which can limit its production.

Controlling your condition with a good gestational diabetes diet plan is crucial for the health of mother and baby. Nutritionist Bridget Swinney says;

"When large amounts of glucose accumulate in your blood, it means that your cells aren't getting the fuels they need. High blood sugar can be harmful for you and your developing baby, so it is important to try to control it".

Consult a dietician to put together your gestational diabetes diet plan

Your gestational diabetes diet plan will depend on a number of factors so it is important to consult a professional to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby. Your diet plan will be based on the following issues:

a. How many calories you need each day

b. Your height and weight

c. Your level of activity

d. The particular needs of your baby

e. Your level of glucose intolerance

Another important issue in creating your gestational diabetes diet plan is to include foods that you actually like. Any mother will know that pregnancy is a time when food can provide enormous comfort, and trying to stick to a strict diabetes diet that does not include foods you enjoy will be very difficult.

Here are some general tips for creating a gestational diabetes diet plan:

1. Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of big meals that will suddenly increase your blood sugar levels. Towards the end of your pregnancy small meals will be more comfortable for you to eat anyway.

2. Don't skip meals, and make sure you eat breakfast, even if you have morning sickness, as your blood sugar levels are at their most irregular first thing in the morning.

3. General pregnancy nutrition advice may recommend fruit juice and flavored teas. These should not form part of your gestational diabetes diet plan as they can increase your blood sugar very quickly.

4. You will need a good source of calcium for your developing baby, but look for alternatives to milk which contains high levels of lactose, a simple sugar which will increase your blood sugar level. Two or three small glasses of milk a day are the maximum for your gestational diabetes diet plan




Lisa Janse is a professional writer specialising in health topics. You can read more practical and interesting facts about Diabetes Diets and Diabetes Nutrition at http://www.sugardiabetes.net





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Gestational Diabetes Baby Risks


Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that is characterized by insulin resistance that occurs primarily during the second and third trimester of a woman's pregnancy. It is believed to be caused by the rapid and excessive hormone production that women go through during their pregnancy. It is also thought that pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to deal with rising blood sugar levels which leads to hyperglycemia. Left untreated a gestational diabetes baby is placed at a higher risk for a variety of health problems.

About 4 percent of all pregnant women will be afflicted with gestational diabetes but it usually goes away after the baby is born. Left untreated this form of diabetes can pose a dangerous risk to both the mother and unborn baby. The biggest risk is caused by excessive sugar that crosses the placenta to the baby. Insulin on the other hand does not cross this barrier.

High blood sugar levels in the mother means the same for the baby. The developing baby's pancreas compensates for this by producing more insulin to remove the excess sugar from its blood stream. The sugar is stored away as fat which leads to macrosomia, also known as fat baby syndrome.

Babies born with macrosomia can have a whole host of health issues, some of which can be life threatening. Because babies born with this condition tend to be larger then normal they are most often require a cesarean birth. If they are born naturally they can damage their shoulders because they are too large for the birth canal. They can also be born with extremely low blood sugar levels and their respiratory system may not be fully developed, causing breathing problems.

To prevent gestational diabetes baby risks every woman should be tested during the second trimester of their pregnancy. If they are found to be suffering from this condition treatment and control needs to be started quickly. In most cases it can be controlled through gestational diabetes meal planning and exercise but in more extreme cases medical intervention may be necessary including daily insulin injections.




For more information about the symptoms of gestational diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.





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Gestational Diabetes Completely Explained - Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment


Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs during a woman's pregnancy. Just like all other types of diabetes, it deals with the body's inability to use sugar properly, which is your body's energy to perform day to day activities. The only positive of gestational diabetes is that generally after the pregnancy is over, the diabetes goes away.

There is a couple of reasons why some women receive gestational diabetes, while others do not.

During pregnancy, the woman's placenta is responsible for producing hormones to help with the hormones during the pregnancy. The hormones work to ensure your cells are more apt to take in insulin. As the placenta grows larger in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, it lets out more hormones, which makes it much harder for the pancreas to do its job.

Normally, your pancreas responds by producing enough extra insulin to overcome this resistance. But sometimes your pancreas can't keep up.

When this occurs, not enough glucose gets into the cells and way too much stays in your blood. This is gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes usually develops during the second trimester - sometimes as early as the 20th week, but often not until later in the pregnancy.

Below is a list of the top symptoms for women that may have gestational diabetes:

o Many women experience no symptoms at all

o Thirst

o Hunger

o Urination increase

o Fatigue

o Nausea

o Vomiting

o Bladder infection

o Vaginal infection

The symptoms above should be used as a resource to diagnose yourself with diabetes, it should simply be a resource to pre-diagnose yourself. The only way to truly know if you have diabetes or not is to visit the doctor and be tested. If you have any slight assumption in your mind that you may have diabetes, then visit the doctor immediately.

In order to prevent gestational diabetes you should:

Eat healthier foods - It's really key to have a healthy diet. Choose foods that are low in fat content and be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in your day to day diet.

Lose weight - Weight loss during pregnancy is not usually recommended, but if you're planning ahead, losing weight may help you to have a much more healthy and successful pregnancy. Be sure to work on permanent changes to your exercise and nutritional habits. You can motivate yourself by thinking about the benefits of losing weight, such as a better heart, increased energy and better self-esteem.

Be more physical - Physical activity has so many benefits that you should be working on it every day of your life. Before pregnancy, be sure to get plenty of physical activity in. Aerobic exercise is known to have amazing benefits for your overall cardiovascular health and heart. Once you are in the middle of your pregnancy, talk with your doctor to determine what type of physical activity you are allowed to participate in.

Gestational diabetes is becoming more and more common in pregnancies by the day. Live a healthy lifestyle and you should be able to prevent or significantly reduce the effects of gestational diabetes.




Gary Sanders is an expert on gestational diabetes. He has dedicated the last decade of his life to mastering every aspect of diabetes including nutrition, diabetes symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention. He has created an award winning guide that is available at http://www.diabetessymptomsguide.com/





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2012年5月27日 星期日

A Great Sample Diet For Gestational Diabetes


Gestational diabetes is becoming increasingly common, so if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this - you're not alone! Gestational diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This diagnosis means that now is the time for you to take action and make some changes to your diet. Here we provide a great sample diet for gestational diabetes. This sample diet includes low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates, without skimping on the vital nutrients required for the growing baby.

The sample diets provided below, should serve as just a starting point. You may find that you have greater success with gestational diabetes diets that are more structured or with tailor-made recipes. Always make sure that you consult closely with your health care professional before starting a new diet.

Although some weight loss plans offer diabetes diets, such as Medifast's Diabetes Program, this is designed only for people with type II diabetes. The Medifast Diabetes Program is not recommended for managing gestational diabetes.

Sample Diet for Gestational Diabetes

A healthy diet for gestational diabetes is one that includes low GI carbohydrates, such as wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, pasta or low fat dairy products. The key to controlling blood glucose levels is to have meals at regular times, with controlled portions. Here is a sample of a healthy diet, according to Diabetes Australia guidelines.

Breakfast

1/2 cup of a high fibre low G.I cereal, such as untoasted muesli, bran, or rolled oats with low fat milk

OR

1 - 2 slices of toast (wholegrain bread such as multigrain, soy & linseed)

OR

100g low fat dairy product

Morning Tea

1 slice of toast with reduced fat cheese

1 serve of fruit

Lunch

2 slices of bread OR 2/3 cup cooked rice OR 1 cup cooked pasted

with fish OR lean meat

salad vegetables

1 serve of fruit

Afternoon Tea

1 cup low fat milk OR 100g low fat yoghurt

1 slice of fruit loaf OR 1 crumpet

Dinner

2/3 cup cooked rice OR 1 cup cooked pasta OR 1 cup sweet potato

with fish OR lean meat

1 serve of fruit

Supper

100g low fat dairy product

1 serve of fruit

Avoid biscuits, cakes, pastries, chips, takeaway foods, and high sugar drinks such as cordial, or softdrink.




Click here to find more information about the Medifast diet and a Sample Diet for Gestational Diabetes as well as tips and advice on successfully losing weight.





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2012年5月25日 星期五

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms and Its Care


Diabetes is a medical condition where the body is unable to control blood sugar levels. The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which controls the sugar levels in the body. In a diabetic, the insulin levels drop or completely stop being produced thereby increasing the glucose levels leading to many complications. The sugar level fluctuations, if not checked, may result in a variety of health complications. There are many types of diabetes including Type1, Type2, gestational diabetes and juvenile diabetes. Some of the main symptoms are many and can be easily identified with a series of tests.

This particular types of diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Many women may not normally have diabetes before pregnancy but may develop this condition during their term. This is called gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes may decrease or completely disappear after childbirth. Here, the woman's blood sugar levels are very high during pregnancy. Certain gestational diabetes symptoms can be easily identified through a series of tests, which your gynecologist will prescribe. It is always necessary to undergo the entire range of tests prescribed in order to have a safe pregnancy. Pregnant women must take care not to get into any medical issues related to diabetes in order to ensure a safe delivery.

This type of diabetes occurs in non-diabetic women when insulin produced by the pancreas stops being utilized in an improper manner. About three to six percent of pregnant women are affected by gestational diabetes. It begins in the fifth or the sixth month of pregnancy and generally disappears after childbirth. Gestational diabetes symptoms are easily identified with the help of your doctor. In gestational diabetes, the effect of insulin is partially blocked by various other hormones produced during pregnancy. This process is known as insulin resistance. As the placenta grows in the womb, more hormones are produced increasing insulin resistance.

Any woman can develop this type of diabetes. However, certain women are prone to high risk:
• Women who are pregnant above the age of thirty.
• Obese women and women with a family history of diabetes are at high risk.
• Women who have had previous complications during childbirth.
• Excess amniotic fluid present in the woman can cause gestational diabetes.
• If the previous pregnancy was also a gestational diabetic condition.
• Women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Symptoms of this type of Diabetes

Pregnant women who experience excessive weight, excessive hunger, thirst, recurrent vaginal infections and excessive urination are prone to gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes is detected with the help of a test called glucose tolerance. This test is conducted from week 24 up to week 28 of the pregnancy. If the doctor has any suspicion that the pregnant woman is at a risk of developing gestational diabetes symptoms, he may consider prescribing the test in the thirteenth week itself. Glucose test includes drinking a sugar solution and giving your blood from the vein after an hour. If the test proves positive and shows sugar levels, more than the normal levels, then the concerned woman may have to be treated for gestational diabetes. With proper care and support, this condition can be overcome and you can be ensured of a safe delivery.




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Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan


Gestational diabetes is a condition brought about by high blood glucose levels that remain high during pregnancy. The health of the fetus and mother as well as the development of the fetus can be adversely affected by this form of diabetes. Although it seems as if the pregnancy causes the diabetic response in some women there have been studies done which show they may have been predisposed to diabetes as they develop type 2 diabetes later on in life. A gestational diabetes diet plan is critical to properly managing the affects of this disease.

Routine screening for gestational diabetes is recommended during the second trimester for all pregnant women to help limit the negative impacts it can have on mother and baby. If it is not controlled it can lead to pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature birth, large fetus size, congenital abnormalities, future obesity and diabetes in the infant, and other birth complications.

A gestational diabetes diet requires dietary modifications that the mother may not be used to but to control this form of diabetes it is essential. This is accomplished through individually developed dietary prescriptions based on metabolic nutrition and lifestyle requirements. Basic changes include reduced intake of simple sugars such as white table sugar and syrups.

The simple sugars are replaced with more complex carbohydrates with a balanced intake of nutrients, particularly with the carbohydrates, during the day. To make starting this type of gestational diabetes diet plan easier a registered dietician will use exchange lists to make their clients meal planning easier.

Exchange lists were first developed for diabetic meal planning but they have become a basic tool for almost all food guides and dietary recommendations.

Another system to control diabetes, carbohydrate counting, has recently begun to see more widespread use. This system allows the client to keep track of carbohydrate intake during the course of the day.

An overall gestational diabetes diet plan takes into account the physical, psychosocial, and educational requirements. For the woman with this form of diabetes reliance on her health care providers to help manage her condition is vitally important. Her registered dietician has the primary responsibility for developing and teaching her the individualized dietary plan that will work best for her. Nurses at her doctor's office and in the hospital help reinforce these dietary needs and also are responsible for teaching her how to effectively monitor blood glucose levels and administer insulin if needed. By working together the pregnant woman and her health care team can successfully manage and overcome the risks posed by gestational diabetes.




For more information about a gestational diabetes diet please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.





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Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan - What Kind Of Diet Plan Should Be Followed And How Rigid Is It?


Keeping the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats keeps the blood sugar level within the normal range that is necessary in gestational diabetes. One serving of carbohydrate food contains about 12 grams of carbohydrate that is necessary to cure gestational diabetes. Vegetables contain only 5grams of carbohydrates per serving.

I heard that some people with gestational diabetes could control their blood sugar level with diet alone. So, I preferred smaller meals rather than the big three meals for the day, to cure gestational diabetes. I avoided sugar beverages and sugar-laden foods like honey, jams, and jellies. They aggravate symptoms of gestational diabetes.

Pregnancy is the best time to gauge on food that one craves the most. High fiber foods control weight and help in regular bowel movements. Fresh fruits, beans and cereals are such types of foods. I had them when I was hungry between the meals.

Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan:

This menu helped me to fight against gestational diabetes:

1. ½ plate non-starchy vegetables (salad, broccoli)

2. ¼ plate protein (meat, fish)

3. ¼ plate grains (rice, pasta, bread)

4. 8 oz of milk

5. A fruit

" Breakfast: Add one egg on a muffin with melted cheese, light juice with light yogurt.

" Lunch: A sandwich with meat, cheese with two pieces of bread, many fruits and vegetables (carrots, apples)

" Dinner: One cup of pasta or a small potato, one protein (chicken, salad and many vegetables

" Dessert: Ice-cream serving is about 1 serving of carbohydrate

" Snacks: Mixed nuts, fruits, cheese

Even after such meticulous planning to cure gestational diabetes, the doctor one day came up to me and said that I need to begin taking insulin, to help the body against gestational diabetes. I thought that I had failed somehow against gestational diabetes. However, the doctor assured me that diet and exercise work great, but sometimes it may not be enough to cure gestational diabetes.

I always had a daily chart that kept tracks of the number of calories eaten at the time of gestational diabetes. Most pregnant women need to take in about 300 calories a day to gain enough weight. This is important for the overall health of a woman with gestational diabetes.




I would like to share with you my personal story of how I managed and recovered from diabetes gestational.

Remembering my efforts of trying to understand and get as many details as possible to find an answer for my doubts directed me into writing and sharing all I know about diabetes gestational.

Three years ago, during my pregnancy, I came to know that I had diabetes gestational. However, there are few subtle symptoms, which I did not particularly notice that help to diagnose diabetes gestational in its early stage.

Here, In this site: http://the-diabetes-gestational.com I will give clear information about the causes and risks of Diabetes Gestational. The information is written in simple language, easy to read and leads the reader step by step to acquire knowledge of prevention, note the symptoms and know which questions to ask your physician.





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2012年5月24日 星期四

Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan - Planned With Proper Medical Consultation


Based on statistics, 3 percent to 5 percent of pregnant women suffer gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes is related to the insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes as far as the need for proper diet and exercise is concerned.

Due to her pregnancy, the pregnant woman is less mindful of her dietary intakes and has more tendencies to be inactive owing to her condition. It simply means that a well-placed gestational diabetes diet plan should be on hand to prevent this disease from developing.

On 5th to 6th month of pregnancy, the placenta generates a lot of hormones which block the functions of insulin. More hormones are produced when the placenta becomes bigger resulting to more blockage and greater insulin resistance. When the insulin could no longer neutralize the placenta hormones, this gives rise to gestational diabetes.

In some cases, other causes of gestational diabetes can be related to family history of diabetes, obesity, previous delivery with birth defect, previously giving birth to a large infant, or having too much amniotic fluid (a slight yellowish fluid that covers the fetus).

Gestational diabetes disappears upon giving birth since the placenta is already removed. However, 40 percent of these women are likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

The need for a gestational diabetes plan is important because an uncontrolled blood sugar level can lead to the incidence of birth defect or miscarriage. Some may even require insulin injection but are never prescribed with oral medication to preclude any unknown side effects.

It is important that the diet plan be created with the gestational diabetic patient in mind. This should be a well-balanced diet to support the pregnancy of gestational diabetic women.

Care should be given not to include a drastic reduction of carbohydrate intakes since this will prove to be an unhealthy practice for pregnant women. In view of this, hereunder are the do's and dont's to be observed in formulating a gestational diabetes diet plan:

Proper Gestational Diabetes Foods

1. Small breakfast that includes protein foods like eggs, skinned chicken, brown bread with peanut butter or lentil broth.

2. Small meals after 3 to 4 hours comprising of high protein products, e.g. skinned fish, low fat meat, eggs, nuts, cottage cheese, peanut butter etc.

3. Fruits, green and leafy vegetables; fruits should be eaten only during lunch or dinner but never at breakfast.

4. Milk low in fat or skim the milk before drinking.

Improper Gestational Diabetes Foods

1. Sugar, sweetener and sweets; Examples are chocolates, pies, cakes, pastries, cookies, soft drinks, marmalade, cookies, jam, fruit juice, table sugar, honey, molasses corn syrup and cornstarch.

2. Junk foods and packaged meals such as burgers, instant noodles, hot dogs, potato crisps, French fries, frozen foods, canned fish and canned soups.

3. Fatty and deep fried foods; Instead of using cooking oil, try to bake, steam, grill or boil. Grilled lean meat and fish are good but not pork.

4. Butter, cheese, mayonnaise, thick cream, sour cream and margarine.

The best gestational diabetes diet plan your dietitian can come up with is one that is done with proper consultation with your doctor. The above food groups merely serve as reference because there is no universal diet plan for gestational diabetes.




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Gestational Diabetes Diets That Don't Take The Fun Out Of Eating


Your pre-natal caregiver will usually provide advice on dietary matters but the following information will give you a good idea on what to expect and what to do when it comes to the Gestational Diabetes Diet.

Managing diabetes throughout pregnancy can be a complicated issue, and one that brings a lot of deeper, unnecessary stress to mothers-to-be. The right gestational diabetes diet can be a relatively simple solution to the problem, but not without a lot of sacrificing the foods you love (and quite possibly crave.)

Approximately four percent of American moms-to-be will be affected by the gestational form of diabetes during their pregnancies. As unfortunate the number of mothers suffering with this temporary problem may be, these statistics have allowed for a lot of widespread information to be available to moms struggling to manage a proper diabetes diet.

Creating a meal plan that is just right for the mother and her unborn baby is the first step to a comfortable pregnancy with minimal gestational diabetes related complications. Each woman is different, as is her individual problem blood sugar level. There is no universal gestational diabetes diet for all mothers, but there are certain foods and behaviors to always stay away from under these particular circumstances.

Less is not always more

In any gestational diabetes diet, it is important to remember to eat three small meals a day and two snacks. Skipping meals to lower overall food intake does not do your blood sugar/insulin levels any favors.

Eat foods that contain fewer sugars and fats.

As with any other form of diabetes, fatty and sugary foods are the main culprits for causing dangerous blood sugar spikes and crashes. If you're craving ice cream, be sure to choose a low fat sugar free type, if you just can't stay away.

Eat fewer carbs during breakfast time.

Your insulin resistance is at its highest during the morning hours. Keep away from high carbohydrate foods. If you're craving something hearty, try eggs!

Stay hydrated

All OB-GYNs and midwives push the importance of drinking 64 oz of liquid per day. It may not hold as much importance to us, but it really is the difference between healthy and dehydrated. Any level of dehydration is bad for the body, especially during a time where a gestational diabetes diet is necessary. Drink the amount of fluids recommended by your practitioner. Always remember, coffee and soda do not hydrate; drink water!

Lots of foods high in fiber

Fiber is a great additions to a gestational diabetes diet. Whole grain breads and pastas (not enriched!) are great foods to satisfy your cravings for breads and pasta dishes you thought had to be abolished while also boosting your fiber content. Many delicious fruits and vegetables also have high amounts of fiber.

If your practitioner informs you of the onset of gestational diabetes; don't panic. On one hand, it's only temporary. Secondly, there are many delicious foods to make up for the few you have to give up when eating a gestational diabetes diet. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about all possible concerns you may have, or any questions you have about your ability to eat certain foods.




Author's Comment:
For more about the above topic, please visit: Gestational Diabetes Diet and also see Gestational Diabetes for additional general information. Thank you.





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2012年5月23日 星期三

Understanding The Gestational Diabetes Diet


Women with preexisting diabetes who become pregnant are at risk for fetal complications along with risks to their own health if and when complications of diabetes occur. About 4% of all pregnant women in the United States will contract gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.

It is believed that the stress of pregnancy is one of the causes of gestational diabetes because once the baby is born it goes away. Because of the risks associated with pregnancy and diabetes it is important that any woman diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy follow a gestational diabetes diet.

Whether the mother has preexisting diabetes or gestational diabetes there is an increased risk of fetal abnormalities and mortality because of the hyperglycemia caused by the insulin resistance. Any woman with gestational diabetes should receive nutrition counseling by a registered dietician and every effort should be made to control blood glucose levels.

Changes that take place during pregnancy greatly affect diabetes control and insulin use. Some hormones and enzymes produced by the placenta are antagonistic to insulin reducing its effectiveness. Maternal insulin does not cross the placenta but glucose does. This will cause the fetus's pancreas to increase insulin production if blood glucose levels are too high.

This increase in insulin levels causes the most typical characteristics of babies born toe diabetic mothers; macrosomia which is a larger than normal body size. New babies can also suffer from other conditions such as respiratory difficulties, hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or jaundice.

Individualization of a gestational diabetes diet is contingent on maternal weight and height. The diabetes diet plan should include provision for adequate calories and nutrients to meet the needs of the pregnancy and should be consistent with established maternal blood glucose goals.

Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important part of any diet plan because it gives vital information about the impact of food on blood glucose levels. When blood glucose monitoring begins during a pregnancy the minimal daily SMBG should be take place four times a day. Blood glucose goals during a pregnancy are as follows.

Fasting - less than 95 mg/dl

1 hour after a meal - 140 mg/dl

2 hours after a meal - 120 mg/dl

The frequency of the self monitoring can be decreased once blood glucose control is established. It is important to continue checking glucose throughout the pregnancy though.

Desired weight gains and nutrient requirements are the same as for established pregnancy guidelines: 2 to 4 pounds for the first trimester and 1 pound per week for the second and third trimesters based on body mass index before the pregnancy. Calorie adjustments for the first trimester are not needed. During the second and third trimesters, an increased energy intake of approximately 100 to 300 kcal/day is the recommendation.

High quality protein should be increased by 10 g/day and can be easily met with one or two extra glasses of low-fat or skim milk or 1 to 2 oz of meat or meat substitute. All pregnant women should also take 400 ug/day of folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects and other congenital defects. As with any pregnancy drinking alcohol should be avoided.

Any restriction of calories should be approached with caution. In order to prevent ketosis a minimum of 1700 to 1800 calories per day of carefully selected foods must be eaten. Eating less then this amount is not advised under any circumstances. Weight gain should still occur even if the pregnant woman has had considerable weight gain before the onset of their gestational diabetes. Every pregnant woman with gestational diabetes should be individually evaluated by a registered dietician to create a gestational diabetes diet that fits her specific needs.




For more information about gestational diabetes please visit the web site Diabetic Diet Plans by Clicking Here.





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Preventing Gestational Diabetes - Is it Possible?


Gestational diabetes is a metabolic condition commonly observed in pregnant women where your blood glucose levels in the blood shoot up to abnormally high levels. As per the available statistics, around 2-5% pregnant women suffer with this illness. Gestational diabetes usually starts between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy and the condition gradually aggravates with every passing day. Controlling gestational diabetes is extremely important so as to safeguard the health of both the mother and the fetus and avoid any severe health complications.

Preventing gestational diabetes usually involves keeping your blood glucose levels under control. For this, the first step is to know whether or not you are at the risk of suffering with gestational diabetes. Exercise regularly and ensure that your lead an active and healthy lifestyle. For pregnant women, a good exercise schedule includes light to moderate exercises for at least 30mins a day and three days per week. And lastly, strictly adhere to a properly designed diabetes diet plan.

Below are summarized some important characteristics that constitute a sample diet for gestational diabetes. 


Gestational diabetes diet should never be aimed at restricting or oppressing any of the existing eating habits of the person. It is just a different pattern of eating where much emphasis is given on the food combinations that are healthy and provide nutrition.
Most importantly, there is no standard diet plan for gestational diabetes patients. The diet plan changes as per the body weight of the person, her age, her general eating habits, and the time of pregnancy. The entire objective is to provide proper nutrition both to the mother and the fetus.
Controlling gestational diabetes is only possible when the sample diet for gestational diabetes usually requires an individual to eat small volumes of food at every 3-4h interval. This will help the body metabolize body sugar efficiently and doesn't allow your stomach to become empty at any time of the day. Remember not to keep your stomach empty for long hours during gestational diabetes. It can result in hypoglycemia, a condition that is strictly not suggested during the development of the fetus. Even at bed-time, never forget to consume some protein-rich food. This will help stabilize glucose levels at night time.
A sample diet for gestational diabetes must include a balanced combination of proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. The entire objective is to control the glycemic index and slow down the glycemic response inside the body and provide long-lasting energy, apart from providing nourishment to the baby.
Diet plan should never include certain food items that can tremendously increase the overall calorie intake. Some examples include sweets, chocolates, ice-creams, fruit juices, honey, muffins and other foods having excessive amounts of sugar, complex carbohydrates and fats.
Finally, for preventing gestational diabetes, one must emphasize on foods that have high fiber intake. Also, have a strict count on the average number of carbohydrates consumed per day.

By keeping this information in mind, you will stand a much greater chance at preventing gestational diabetes.




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Gestational Diabetes - What Is It, How Does It Develop?


As indicated by the word Diabetes, you might have guessed that this is a condition involving a higher than normal blood sugar level (glucose) but what does it mean to have this condition? Well this condition is actually related to developing Diabetes during pregnancy. Approximately 4% of women develop this form of Diabetes during pregnancy. Although all women will have some type of impaired glucose intolerance as a result of the hormonal changes that their body will be going through, their higher glucose levels are not usually serious enough for the development of Diabetes. However for some women the hormonal changes as a result of the pregnancy places them at risk for developing Diabetes during their third trimester.

The cause is related to the placenta and the increased levels of certain hormones that are produced to actually help prevent the mother from developing low blood sugar. In essence these hormones produced help stop the actions of the naturally produced insulin. Since insulin regulates the level of blood sugar in the system, the hormones produced by the placenta counteract the insulin and result in a high blood sugar level. Over the course of a pregnancy progressive impaired intolerance is developed. The body tries to lower the blood sugar level by producing more insulin from the pancreas, however if the pancreas can not produce enough insulin to overcome the effect of the pregnancy hormone levels then there is a good chance that Gestational Diabetes will develop.

Although it may seem like a cruel joke from the big guy upstairs, there is some good news. Most women return to normal glucose levels within about 6 weeks after the birth of their child and the diabetes is no longer an immediate factor. You may need to take another test several weeks later to confirm but this is usually not required. However you are not out of the woods yet as women that develop Diabetes during pregnancy have a 60% greater risk of developing type 2 Diabetes later in life. So if you find yourself in this group it will be important for you to follow a healthy diet, exercise and maintain an ideal body weight to help reduce your risk.

Top risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy


Family history of Diabetes
Previous pregnancy involving a stillborn or baby over 9 pounds
20% or more overweight prior to pregnancy
Member of a high risk group (Asian, Black, Native American, Hispanic)
Gestational Diabetes in a prior pregnancy
Previous impaired glucose levels (higher than normal glucose levels but no Diabetes)
Excessive amniotic fluid (called polyhdramnios)
Sugar in the urine

It is important to note that although these are the top risk factors many women that develop gestational diabetes have none of the top risk factors.

How I know if I have Gestational Diabetes?

The key is to first asses if you have a high risk for gestational diabetes. If you have some of the high risk factor previously mentioned then you should be tested as early as possible during your pregnancy. If you do not have any of the high risk factors then you should be tested between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. The important thing here is to be sure and discuss this issue with your doctor if you have a concern as there is no one solution for every person

The test for gestational diabetes is easy and relatively quick. It is called an oral glucose tolerance test and involves consuming a sweet liquid that is absorbed by the body quickly and causes the blood sugar levels to rise within 1 hours time. After an hour the blood is tested and a blood sugar level greater than or equal to 140 mg/dL is considered to be abnormal and additional test may be required to verify development risk.

What Are The Risks?

Gestational Diabetes can affect the development of the baby throughout pregnancy. If developed early in the pregnancy there is the risk of birth defects that affect the major organs as well as the brain. In addition, there is an increased risk of miscarriage. In the second and third trimester of pregnancy the diabetes can result in over nutrition to the baby and cause the baby to be larger than normal. Now while this may not seem to be a concern on the surface, a larger baby can cause additional trauma to the mother and shoulder trauma to the baby if delivered naturally, especially for smaller women. Most often this situation requires a caesarean type delivery. Finally a baby once delivered can suffer from hyperinsulinemia. A condition in which the blood sugar level of the baby drops to very low levels as they are no longer receiving high blood sugar levels from the mother. While this may seem frightening, it is important to remember that just because you may be at risk does not mean that you will experience any of these issues. With proper treatment there is no reason why you can not deliver a healthy baby. Trust you physician and if you do not understand...ASK QUESTIONS!

Ok...... Now What?

Managing Your Gestational Diabetes

Managing your gestational diabetes involves monitoring, exercise and diet. As an overview some of the best approach involves:


First and foremost, follow the guidelines provided by your doctor
Monitor weight gain
Take insulin, if necessary
Keep your high blood pressure under control
Monitor your blood sugar levels at least several times during the day (this may include monitoring urine for Keytones)
Keep a journal of monitoring results, glucose test, diet, exercise and general overall how you feel
Exercise as allowed by your physician

Diet Changes with Gestational Diabetes

While some of the steps below may take some effort on your part, they will go a long way towards you and your babies health.


Drink 64oz of liquids per day (min)
Ensure your diet includes sufficient vitamins and minerals. Consult your health physician regarding the use prenatal supplements to meet these needs
Consume foods high in fiber (20-35 grams per day)
Avoid large meals. Eating three small meals along with two snacks will help avoid blood sugar spikes
If experiencing morning sickness eat small servings of crackers or pretzels before getting out of bed
Avoid fried and greasy foods as your fat intake should be below 40% of your total calories

All the best




At Best Diabetes Diets we provide resources for the management of diabetes as well as many health related issues. For more information on our services go to http://www.best-diabetes-diets.com





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2012年5月22日 星期二

Gestational Diabetes - The Facts and the Treatment


There is no greater gift for a mother than the joy of giving birth to a healthy child.

But sometimes, for some expectant mothers, the joy and promise of the pregnancy can be clouded by the possibility that they will develop a form of diabetes called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

GDM is a temporary form of diabetes, a condition in which higher than normal blood sugar levels exist in the blood. While any form of diabetes can cause problems if allowed to go untreated, the pregnant mother can, by following the advice of her doctor and with the assistance of her health care team, look forward to a healthy and happy pregnancy that will provide a great start in life for the new baby.

Gestational diabetes only occurs in about 4 to 7 percent of pregnant women but is more frequent at up to about 10 percent and above in certain higher risk populations, those of African, Hispanic and South Asian descent and even higher for pregnant women of aboriginal descent. There are some other known factors that also increase the risk, all of which are well known and monitored by the medical profession.

If it should occur, gestational diabetes commences during the second and third trimesters and lasts until the baby is delivered. It is important to treat gestational diabetes during pregnancy to avoid complications to mother and baby.

Why sugars are in the blood

Sugars are needed by the cells of the body and occur in the blood quite naturally after eating food. The primary nutrients in food are classified as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and together with water are essential for life to exist. The main source of the sugars are the carbohydrate portion of foods such as potatoes, pastas, breads, beans, and vegetables and they are also found in sweets, candies and soft drinks. The cells of the body use the sugars as fuel to provide the energy to maintain the complex processes of life. The problem of diabetes arises when the cells cannot take up the sugars because of an impaired system of control within the body.

The ways to manage and minimize the effects of gestational diabetes are well understood but they do depend to a large degree on the cooperation and understanding of the mother to be. That is not a lot different than all types of diabetes, but in the case of GDM, the condition normally ends when the baby arrives whereas for the full diabetic it lasts for a lifetime.

The treatment of gestational diabetes

Since the condition involves higher than normal levels of blood sugars, the objective is to do what is necessary to bring them down to safe levels and keep them there, the safe levels being those normally experienced by pregnant women who do not have GDM.

Treatment usually includes the adoption of a special but easy to follow meal plan that provides adequate nutrition while controlling blood sugar levels. The right amount of physical activity and weight gain are also factors that help a successful pregnancy and these would be monitored by the doctor to ensure the intensity of the activity is reasonable and the amount and rate of weight gain is appropriate for the pregnancy and any related risk factors.

If difficulty is encountered in achieving and maintaining recommended blood sugar levels, the doctor may prescribe medication including insulin, a special type known to be safe for use during pregnancy.

It may be necessary to self monitor blood sugar levels, a simple process done with a hand held metering device, the same as that used every day by most persons with diabetes. It is easy and quick, it takes about 30 seconds to get a reading, one soon gets used to it. It is valuable because it immediately shows how close to the necessary levels that the measured blood sugars are are at the time of the reading.

The recommended target levels for blood glucose during pregnancy:

The values listed below are guidelines only and are based on publications of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) dated 2008. As for everything related to diabetes, always follow the advice of the doctor. The Canadian Diabetes Association's data is equal to the best available in the world, Canada is a leader among nations in the treatment of diabetes and the CDA has an aggressive stance in promoting good practices and treatment of the disease.

Early this year, 2010, a report of gestational studies was published by Chicago's Northwestern University stating the belief of researchers that the currently accepted blood sugar levels should be lowered to reduce the risks of the disease. If this was to happen, it would increases significantly the number of cases of gestational diabetes in North America,

Target levels for most pregnant women:

· Level after fasting are: 68.4 to 93.6 mg/dL (3.8 to 5.2 mmol/L)

· Level 1 hour after eating a meal are: 99 to 139 mg/dL (5.5 to 7.7 mmol/L)

· Level 2 hours after eating a meal are: 90 to 119 mg/dL (5.0 to 6.6 mmol/L)

· A1c Levels are: 6.0 % or less

Fasting is usually for about 8 to 10 hours overnight from the last meal in the evening until before breakfast the following morning

The A1c test provides an average read of blood glucose levels during the previous 120 days and measures the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that have glucose attached to them. Hemoglobin makes up about 35 percent of blood constituents.

After the arrival of the baby, that lovely bundle of joy, a warning



When labor begins, the gestational diabetes usually ends, but if the blood sugar levels of the mother are still high at the time of birth, which means that higher than normal levels of insulin may also be in the blood of mother and baby, the baby might immediately experience a significant drop in blood sugar levels, the opposite of diabetes. The doctor will be aware of and be prepared for this and may need to give a glucose injection to the baby to avoid a seizure or other complications. For this reason it is wisest for the birth to take place in a hospital where every care for mother and baby is readily available.

In cases where GMD has been a factor, and as a precaution, it is usual to test the blood of the new baby for glucose between about 6 weeks and 6 months after birth.

It should also be noted that a mother who has had gestational diabetes has a statistically increased risk, later in life, of developing type-2 diabetes, the most common form of all types of diabetes. Knowing that, it is wise to continue to follow a healthy diet and include physical activity in a daily lifestyle. Also, check periodically with your doctor who can order a blood test to monitor for the possibility of diabetes developing. Prevention beats cure but for type-2 diabetes there is no cure anyway.

It is also recommended, in order help reduce the risks of developing type-2 diabetes at a later time, that mothers breast-feed their new baby. And check with the doctor when planning another pregnancy.




Author's Comments:

For more information on gestational diabetes, including the conclusions from the Northwestern University report, referred to above, see the article titled: "Currently Accepted Blood Glucose Levels in Pregnancy Pose Risks to Mother and Child", here: Gestational Diabetes and for many other diabetes topics see Normal Blood Sugar Levels.





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What You Need to Know About Gestational Diabetes


Gestational diabetes is a condition, where women who typically have not been diagnosed with diabetes, exhibit it. These women are found to have high blood glucose levels some time during their pregnancies. This is a well-known occurrence in some expecting mothers. In reality, gestational diabetes affects 3 -10% of all pregnant women.

Gestational diabetes is loosely defined as any degree of glucose intolerance, in a pregnant woman. This condition is brought on during pregnancy. They're some women who are particularly at risk for developing gestational diabetes. One set of women, who are at risk, are those who have a family history of diabetes.

Women, who have experienced one or more still born births in the past, are also susceptible to GD. There are other risk factors that are connected with this disease. If the pregnant woman has experienced either of the other risk factors, and she is over the age of 25, she fits into another category of risk.

Race also plays an important role, in determining what women are vulnerable to gestational diabetes. African American women are at the top of the list, as it relates to the racial connection to this type of diabetes. Next are, Native Americans, and Hispanics. Pregnant women, who meet some, or all of these criteria, should be on alert. They should also monitor any unfamiliar symptoms, and report them to their physician.

The symptoms, pregnant women experience, are especially important in tracking this disease. This is important particularly, because there is no known cause for gestational diabetes. It is believed, however, that hormones play some role here. Since hormones during pregnancy increase quite a bit, some women become develop a resistance to insulin. As a result of this, their glucose tolerance becomes impaired and gestational diabetes and pregnancy is a concern.

Most women, who go on to be diagnosed with this form of diabetes, experience no symptoms. There are a smaller number of women, who experience some very specific symptoms. These women are increasingly thirsty, and urinate a lot. They, also, experience fatigue issues, as well as, vomiting. Some pregnant women have been known to have either yeast or bladder infections in connection with gestational diabetes.

Another common symptom is to experience blurred vision. If any of these symptoms have been noticed by a pregnant woman, she should consult her physician. He or she would be able to determine exactly what the problem is, and how best to treat it. This form of diabetes is most often discovered through the administration of screening done during pregnancy.

There is a combination of screening done before gestational diabetes is diagnosed. Screening in essence detects if there are inappropriately increased levels of glucose in the pregnant woman's blood samples. These tests, which are performed, fall under the non-challenge blood glucose form of testing. A pregnant woman would be administered tests like, the fasting glucose test, the 2-hour postprandial glucose test, and the random glucose test. These tests not only show what a woman's glucose levels are, but if she has this form of diabetes.




You can find helpful information about gestational diabetes and everything you need to know about gestational diabetes and pregnancy at Aha! Baby.





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Treatments for Gestational Diabetes


Treatments for gestational diabetes are basically the same as treatments used for regular diabetics. There are, however, certain differences due to several factors. For one, gestational diabetes only manifests during pregnancy, and usually disappears after. For another thing, gestational diabetes affects both the mother and her unborn child, so any dietary and medical treatments have to take both of them into account.

Normally, insulin shots and a low sugar diet are the main ways to combat diabetes. However, for a woman who is suffering gestational diabetes the insulin shots have to be modulated to ensure that they do not harm the growth and development of the baby. As for the low sugar diet, having TOO low a count of glucose in the body will definitely harm the baby, so again it has to be applied in judicious doses.

Then there's the diet in general. Carbohydrates and fat play their own roles in affecting diabetics, and often these two are curtailed for most diabetics. However, dietary treatments for gestational diabetics have to take into account the increased food demand of a pregnant woman's body, as well as the overall growth of her child. To this end, the usual procedures of carbohydrate counting and monitoring calorie intake are quite different.

Treatments for gestational diabetes [http://gestational-diabetes-cure.blogspot.com/2007/10/gestational-diabetes-and-pregnancy.html] are necessary even though most people would write it off as a relatively harmless and temporary situation. The main reason is that women who develop gestational diabetes and their children are likely to develop regular diabetes later on in life if during pregnancy the situation is left unchecked.

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Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other health related stuffs. To learn more about Treatments for Gestational Diabetes [http://gestational-diabetes-cure.blogspot.com/2007/10/gestational-diabetes-and-pregnancy.html]... Click Here! [http://gestational-diabetes-cure.blogspot.com/2007/10/gestational-diabetes-and-pregnancy.html]





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2012年5月21日 星期一

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?


There are three types of diabetes - type 1 (diabetes mellitus), type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Perhaps you're already familiar with the first two types, so now you need to familiarize yourself with the third type which is the gestational diabetes.

What causes gestational diabetes?

This type of diabetes often develops during pregnancy, particularly on the late stages. Over 135,000 pregnant mothers develop gestational diabetes in the US and every year, the number keeps on growing.

Like the other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes is characterized by high levels of glucose.

The exact cause of this disease is still unknown but there are several factors which seem to contribute to its development.

These things happen during pregnancy:

1. The placenta is the source of nutrition of the baby inside the womb. The placenta also releases hormones like cortisol and estrogen to protect the health of the baby. However, these hormones block insulin receptors thereby reducing the response of insulin. This situation is called insulin resistance. The normal response of the body is blocked and therefore problems arise related to metabolism and glucose absorption.

2. The body has a way of dealing with certain problems and if insulin resistance takes place, the pancreas tend to overwork and they produce more insulin until such time that the pancreas can no longer produce any insulin. To control gestational diabetes, the pregnant mother needs more than 3 times of insulin. This condition usually appears when you reach the 24 -26th weeks. At this time, placental hormones increase thereby creating an insulin resistance.

3. If you're more than 35 years during your pregnancy, you're more prone to gestational diabetes especially if you have a history of diabetes in the family. If the pregnant mother is obese or is exhibiting polycystic ovary syndrome, they are more at risk of developing the metabolic disorder.

The fact is, you can control this from happening. Not only that, the condition disappears after the mother gives birth.

Controlling the disorder is important because it can cause congenital defects, abnormal neurological and physiological development patterns, hypoglycemia, jaundice, and macrosomia. The delivery can become extremely traumatic for the mother. There are even times when hypertension or pre-exclampsia happens.

Just like the type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes should be taken seriously. Getting monthly check up is a good idea so that the doctor can monitor your condition and the health of your baby.

Your baby is a gift and you must ensure its safety until delivery. The pregnant mother should consult a doctor if they feel that they are developing gestational diabetes.

Now you know what causes gestational diabetes and you should ensure your safety and that of your baby's.

It would also help if you eat healthy food choices especially the ones which are rich in protein, vitamins, mineral, carbs, and other vital nutrients. Even if you're pregnant, you should still do some physical activity to get enough exercise; not only that, you should also avoid being stressed.

Talk to your doctor if you feel anything unusual. You can't just take any medication because it can affect your baby. Ask your doctor first even if you plan to use natural treatments. You must always think about your baby's safety first.

Fight gestational diabetes by being well informed.

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Charlene J. Nuble

For All the things you need to know about diabetes, please go to: All About Diabetes [http://www.yourdiabetes.org/]





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