The Link Between Gestational Diabetes And Type 2
If you developed gestational diabetes mellitus (pregnancy-related diabetes) during your pregnancy, then you already know what you need to do to prevent type 2 diabetes: Watch what you eat, stay on top of your blood sugar levels, and get appropriate exercise. “Outcomes for gestational diabetes have improved dramatically because women are very motivated during pregnancy. We just wish they would stay that way after the birth,” says Vivian Fonseca, MD, professor of medicine and pharmacology and chief of the section of endocrinology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Gestational Diabetes: What Is It? Gestational diabetes — elevated blood sugar during pregnancy — occurs in pregnant women who have not had diabetes prior to the pregnancy. Doctors do not know what causes gestational diabetes, but they have some theories. Insulin, made by the pancreas, helps regulate the blood sugar levels in the body. When a woman is pregnant, the placenta, which nourishes the baby, also makes hormones that block the mother’s insulin. That makes it tough for the insulin to convert the blood sugar into energy. If the sugar can’t be converted into energy, that sugar gets stored in the blood. And that is the start of gestational diabetes. These high blood sugar levels can cause complications with the pregnancy and put the baby at risk. When a woman is diagnosed, she and her doctor will work hard, focusing on diet, exercise, and weight management, to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Gestational Diabetes: Who’s at Risk? “Weight certainly plays a role, and it’s also genetically determined,” explains Dr. Fonseca. If you are overweight, you have a close relative who had gestational diabetes, or you had gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy, you ar Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes causes blood sugar levels to become too high. When you eat, your digestive system breaks down most of the food into a sugar called glucose. Glucose enters your bloodstream so your cells can use it as fuel. With the help of insulin (a hormone made by your pancreas), muscle, fat, and other cells absorb glucose from your blood. But if your body doesn't produce enough insulin, or if the cells have a problem responding to it, too much glucose remains in your blood instead of moving into cells and getting converted to energy. When you're pregnant, your body naturally becomes more resistant to insulin so that more glucose is available to nourish your baby. For most moms-to-be, this isn't a problem: When your body needs additional insulin to process excess glucose in blood, the pancreas secretes more. But if the pancreas can't keep up with the increased demand for insulin during pregnancy, blood sugar levels rise too high because the cells aren't using the glucose. This results in gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes needs to be recognized and treated quickly because it can cause health problems for mother and baby. Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes isn't permanent. Once a baby is born, blood sugar will most likely return to normal quickly. However, having gestational diabetes does make developing diabetes in the future more likely. Am I at risk of developing gestational diabetes? Anyone can develop gestational diabetes, and not all women who develop the condition have known risk factors. About 5 to 10 percent of all pregnant women get gestational diabetes. You're more likely to develop gestational diabetes if you Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes And Pcos
What is Gestational Diabetes and what does it mean to my unborn baby? Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of female infertility because it causes many types of menstrual irregularities, including the absence of a period.4 If you don’t ovulate or this process is impaired, then pregnancy is unlikely. So treating PCOS symptoms and addressing a condition called Insulin Resistance, which influences PCOS, is very important for women wishing to conceive.4 If a woman does conceive in spite of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome it is not all smooth sailing. Unfortunately, there will be a new series of health issues concerning PCOS and pregnancy.3 Women with PCOS have a higher risk of several pregnancy problems, including gestational diabetes, miscarriage, premature delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and babies with high birth weight.8 It is crucial for women with PCOS to work closely with their obstetrician during pregnancy to minimize the risk of these problems. What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes happens when a pregnant woman’s body has an impaired ability to process glucose. This results in high blood glucose levels that can cause serious complications for the woman and her growing baby.9 During pregnancy elevated blood sugar can be passed to the baby through the placenta producing a larger baby with potentially immature lungs. A large baby also means a more dangerous birth for both mother and child. Gestational diabetes affects about seven percent of all pregnancies and usually develops after the 20th week.5 Since gestational diabetes can be the cause of serious complications for both mother and baby, it is crucial to be under an obstetrician’s care, especially if you have PCOS or present with any other risk factors. Since PCOS in itself Continue reading >>
Women And Diabetes: 7 Ways We’re Different
We all know that women have some unique health care concerns. And as if that wasn’t challenge enough, diabetes can add another layer of complication. Carol Nartker, RDN, LD, CDE, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Premier Health. She says that when our bodies can’t process glucose, the excess has to go somewhere – and that can mess you up in a whole lot of ways you may not have expected. Here are a few examples of how diabetes affects women specifically. 1. Premenstrual Complications “Diabetes tends to be more difficult to control prior to menses,” says Nartker. “This can be very frustrating if you are otherwise doing everything right to control your blood sugar levels.” Nartker recommends knowing your menstrual cycles well, and adjusting your meal planning and exercise accordingly. And while you should always be attentive to blood glucose monitoring, she recommends keeping an especially close eye on your sugar levels pre-menstruation. 2. Birth Control Women of child-bearing age with diabetes must be vigilant about contraception. “An unplanned pregnancy with diabetes is scary, because of the risk of birth defects,” says Nartker. “You want to have reliable birth control and optimal blood sugar control prior to conception.” Women should also be aware that birth control pills can raise blood glucose levels, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Also, using them for longer than a year or two may also increase your risk of complications that stem from diabetes, such as eye or kidney disease and stroke. 3. Gynecologic Health If blood sugar is uncontrolled, it doesn’t just show up in your blood, Nartker says. It shows up in bodily secretions, making the risk of recurrent yeast infections and urinary tract infect Continue reading >>
The Link Between Diabetes And Pcos
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, bringing with it several alarming statistics from the American Diabetes Association: There are nearly 26 million adults and children living with diabetes and another 79 million at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes kills more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Recent estimates project that as many as 1 out of 3 American adults will have diabetes in the year 2050. These are scary statistics, but what do they have to do with infertility? A lot, particularly if you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Metabolic Disorders Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism — the way the body breaks down and uses food for growth and energy. When a person eats, food is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Then the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from the blood into the cells. In a person with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. This causes the glucose to build up in the blood and pass out of the body in the urine, and the body loses its main source of fuel. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In Type 2, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but the body is not using it effectively — a condition called insulin resistance. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is also a metabolic disorder and is one of the most common causes of infertility for women. It is characterized by an excess of androgens (male hormones), cysts on the ovaries and irregular menstrual cycles/lack of ovulation. Women who are diagnosed with PCOS are at increa Continue reading >>
Black Women & Diabetes – More Than A Little Sugar
For Black women, the risk of developing diabetes is great. It affects 1 in 4 Black women ages 55 years and older and is listed as the fourth leading cause of death for all ages. Diabetes is also more prevalent among Black women than other ethnic groups as noted in the following facts: Diabetes affects nearly 12% of all Black women ages 20 and older. As we age, our risk of developing diabetes increases. While Black women ages 20 and older represent 15% of all diabetes cases, we only account for 13% of the total female population in the U.S. Black women are especially at risk due to high rates of overweight and obesity, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol Nearly 50% of Black females born in the year 2000 and beyond will likely develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime What is Diabetes? Diabetes, often referred to as "sugar," is a serious, common and costly disease. It is a disease in which the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. Insulin is needed to help the glucose or sugar that is produced when a person digests food, enter the cells of the body. Diabetes is a lifelong condition and will steadily worsen unless a person makes consistent and healthy lifestyle changes. Risk Factors for Diabetes Lifestyle affects many of the "risk factors" of diabetes. Risk factors are conditions or habits that increase the chances of developing a disease or having it worsen. Many of the risk factors that can lead to developing Type 2 diabetes are common among Black women, including being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure and high cholesterol and lack of physical activity. These condition are linked to lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity and can make living with diabetes more difficul Continue reading >>
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Diabetes And Pregnancy
One in twenty pregnant women in Australia is affected by diabetes. Although the disease can cause serious complications for mothers and babies, good planning and comprehensive antenatal care can keep you and your baby healthy. By Joanna Egan. Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by the body's inability to control glucose levels in the blood. Glucose is a simple sugar found in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit, starchy vegetables, legumes, dairy products and sweets. A hormone produced by the pancreas, called insulin, converts this glucose into energy that is used to fuel the body. When a person has diabetes, they either don't produce enough insulin or are unable to use insulin effectively. This causes glucose to build up in their bloodstream. There are several types of diabetes: Type 1: People with type 1 diabetes don't produce insulin. As a result, they need to monitor their blood glucose levels carefully and require regular insulin injections (up to four times a day). Generally, type 1 diabetes arises in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age. Type 2: This is the most common form of diabetes. Some people have a genetic predisposition to developing the disease but often, it is caused by lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, insufficient exercise and poor diet. People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but either don't produce enough or are unable to use it effectively. Generally, it is initially managed with healthy eating and regular physical activity, but as the condition progresses, glucose-lowering tablets and/or insulin injections may be prescribed. Gestational diabetes: This form of diabetes develops, or is first diagnosed, during pregnancy. It usually appears late in the second trimester and resolves after childbir Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a severe and neglected threat to maternal and child health. Many women with GDM experience pregnancy related complications including high blood pressure, large birth weight babies and obstructed labour. A significant number of women with GDM also go on to develop type 2 diabetes resulting in further healthcare complications and costs. GDM facts: In 2015, there were an estimated 199,5 million women with diabetes. By 2030, this number is expected to rise to 313,3 million. Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 million women worldwide. IDF estimates that 20.9 million or 16.2% of live births to women in 2015 had some form of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. An estimated 85.1% were due to gestational diabetes, 7.4% due to other types of diabetes first detected in pregnancy and 7.5$ due to diabetes detected prior to pregnancy. One in seven births is affected by gestational diabetes. The prevalence of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy increases rapidly with age and is highest in women over the age of 45. Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
How Diabetes Affects Women: Symptoms, Risks, And More
Diabetes describes a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar due to problems processing or producing insulin. Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or lifestyle. Between 1971 and 2000, the death rate for men with diabetes fell, according to a study in Annals of Internal Medicine. This was a major coup, reflecting the many advances in diabetes treatment. However, according to the study, the death rate for women with diabetes showed no signs of improvement. Additionally, the difference in death rates between women who had diabetes and those who didn’t more than doubled. This study of diabetes in men and women presented several possible reasons for the gender differences. Reasons included: Women often receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular risk factors and conditions related to diabetes. The complications of diabetes in women are more difficult to diagnose. Women often have different kinds of heart disease than men. Hormones and inflammation act differently in women. The findings emphasize how diabetes affects women and men differently. Although the death rate was higher among women previously, there has been a shift in gender distribution of type two diabetes showing higher rates among men. The most current reported stats (in 2012) found that 13.4 million women and 15.5 million men have been diagnosed with diabetes in the United States alone. According to the global reports from the World Health Organization from 2014, there was an estimated 422 million adults living with diabetes. This is up from 108 million that was reported in 1980. If you’re a woman with diabetes, you’ll experience many of the same symptoms as a man. However, some symptoms are unique to women. Understanding both will help you identi Continue reading >>
Epidemiology Of Diabetes Mellitus
Prevalence (per 1,000 inhabitants) of diabetes worldwide in 2000 - world average was 2.8%. no data ≤ 7.5 7.5–15 15–22.5 22.5–30 30–37.5 37.5–45 45–52.5 52.5–60 60–67.5 67.5–75 75–82.5 ≥ 82.5 Disability-adjusted life year for diabetes mellitus per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004 No data <100 100–200 200–300 300–400 400–500 500–600 600–700 700–800 800–900 900–1,000 1,000–1,500 >1,500 Globally, an estimated 422 million adults are living with diabetes mellitus, according to the latest 2016 data from the World Health Organization (WHO).[1] Diabetes prevalence is increasing rapidly; previous 2013 estimates from the International Diabetes Federation put the number at 381 million people having diabetes.[2] The number is projected to almost double by 2030.[3] Type 2 diabetes makes up about 85-90% of all cases.[4][5] Increases in the overall diabetes prevalence rates largely reflect an increase in risk factors for type 2, notably greater longevity and being overweight or obese.[1] Diabetes mellitus occurs throughout the world, but is more common (especially type 2) in the more developed countries. The greatest increase in prevalence is, however, occurring in low- and middle-income countries[1] including in Asia and Africa, where most patients will probably be found by 2030.[3] The increase in incidence in developing countries follows the trend of urbanization and lifestyle changes, including increasingly sedentary lifestyles, less physically demanding work and the global nutrition transition, marked by increased intake of foods that are high energy-dense but nutrient-poor (often high in sugar and saturated fats, sometimes referred to as the Western pattern diet).[1][3] The risk of getting type 2 diabetes has been widely found to be associat Continue reading >>
Diabetes Information
Almost 30 million people in the United States have diabetes. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the disease, usually occurs in people who are 45 years of age or older. However, the rate of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents is increasing. Common Diabetes Terms (American Diabetes Association) Diabetes Can Be Silent | Definition of Diabetes | Warning Signs of Diabetes | Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes | Gestational Diabetes | Complications of Diabetes Diabetes can go silently undetected for a long time without symptoms. Many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its potentially life-threatening complications, such as heart disease, blindness or nerve disease. Fortunately, diabetes can be managed with proper care. Diabetes is a chronic (life-long) condition that can have serious consequences. However, with careful attention to your blood sugar control, lifestyle modifications and medications, you can manage your diabetes and may avoid many of the problems associated with the disease. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) can help you make the transition of managing your disease easier. Back to top Definition of Diabetes Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are three types of diabetes: Type 1 Type 2 Gestational Diabetes Back to top Warning Signs of Diabetes Frequent urination Unusual thirst Extreme hunger Continue reading >>
How Diabetes Affects Women
Diabetes can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or lifestyle. It can cause serious health problems, including heart attack or stroke, blindness, problems during pregnancy and kidney failure. Diabetes affects women and men in almost equal numbers. However, diabetes affects women differently than men. More than 13 million women have diabetes, or about one in 10 women aged 20 and older. Women with diabetes have a higher risk for heart disease, a higher risk of blindness and a higher risk for depression. Men and women with diabetes tend to have very different outcomes According to a 2007 study in Annals of Internal Medicine, the death rate for men with diabetes fell between 1971 and 2000, reflecting the many advances in diabetes treatment. However, the death rate for women with diabetes showed no signs of improvement during the same time frame. Additionally, the difference in death rates between women who had diabetes and those who didn’t more than doubled. This study of diabetes in men and women offered several possible reasons for the gender differences, including: Women often receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular risk factors and conditions related to diabetes. The complications of diabetes in women are more difficult to diagnose. Women often have different kinds of heart disease than men. Hormones and inflammation act differently in women. If you are a woman with diabetes, or are at risk for developing it, these are all areas of concern and something that at Westchester Health we take very seriously. To help all patients, male and female, understand how diabetes affects women differently and how to recognize and treat the symptoms, we offer this blog focusing on information and advice. Symptoms of diabetes in women Women with diabetes experi Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth. It can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second half. It occurs if your body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet the extra needs in pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during and after birth. But the risk of these problems happening can be reduced if it's detected and well managed. Who's at risk of gestational diabetes Any woman can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, but you're at an increased risk if: your body mass index (BMI) is above 30 – use the healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI you previously had a baby who weighed 4.5kg (10lbs) or more at birth you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy one of your parents or siblings has diabetes your family origins are south Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern If any of these apply to you, you should be offered screening for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. Symptoms of gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes doesn't usually cause any symptoms. Most cases are only picked up when your blood sugar level is tested during screening for gestational diabetes. Some women may develop symptoms if their blood sugar level gets too high (hyperglycaemia), such as: But some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy anyway and aren't necessarily a sign of a problem. Speak to your midwife or doctor if you're worried about any symptoms you're experiencing. How gestational diabetes can affect your pregnancy Most women with gestational diabetes have otherwise normal pregnancies with healthy babies. However, gestational diabetes can cause problems s Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Diabetes Symptoms In Women
What symptoms and signs of diabetes are the same for women and men? What is diabetes? What is prediabetes? Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose), is too high (hyperglycemia). Glucose is what the body uses for energy, and the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that helps convert the glucose from the food you eat into energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin - or does not produce any at all - the glucose does not reach your cells to be used for energy. This results in diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not produce insulin because the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells from the pancreas called beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which cells cannot use blood sugar (glucose) efficiently for energy. This occurs when blood sugar gets too high over time, and the cells become insensitive to insulin. Prediabetes (sometimes spelled pre-diabetes) is a condition that often precedes type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes does not usually have any symptoms so there may be no warning signs. A blood test can confirm if you have prediabetes. If a person does not change their diet and lifestyle, prediabetes can become type 2 diabetes within 5 years. What signs and symptoms are unique to women with diabetes? Many type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms in women are the same as those in men; however, there are some symptoms and complications of diabetes unique to women. Vaginal itching and pain as well as vaginal and oral yeast infections: An overgrowth of Candida albicans fungus can cause vaginal yeast infections and oral yeas Continue reading >>
Diabetes In India Rising, With Women At A Particular Disadvantage
KS Harikrishnan IPS, part of the Guardian development network The disease itself may not discriminate on the basis of gender, but when it comes to healthcare for patients with diabetes, women in India find themselves at a disadvantage compared with men. This is the conclusion of a study, Impact of Gender on Care of Type 2 Diabetes in Varkala, Kerala, which analysed gender roles, norms and values in a household and found women patients to be more vulnerable. This vulnerability influences all phases of diabetic care, according to the paper by Dr Mini P Mani at the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies (AMCHSS) in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the southern state of Kerala. Even when they suffer from diabetes, women cannot abandon the "caretaker role" in the family and have to continue to prioritise the health of other family members above their own, the study found. Inequitable access to resources prevents early diagnosis of the disease in women. Women pay more attention to the health of the men and children in the family, leaving them with less time to devote to their own wellbeing, said Rosy Raphy, who teaches at a school in Munambam, near the central Kerala town of Kochi. "As someone who has lived with diabetes for 26 years," Raphy told IPS, "I can say that I was not aware of the disease and did not take due care because I was preoccupied with matters of the family. As a result, my case got aggravated." Of particular concern to women and gynaecologists in the country is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a form of the disease that affects pregnant women. The incidence of GDM has grown fourfold in the past 10 years, according to Dr B Rajkumar, a doctor of Indian systems of medicine at the Keezhariyoor government ayurveda dispensary in the state's norther Continue reading >>
