Understanding Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Along with Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes falls under the general category of Diabetes Mellitus. And unlike those other types, Gestational Diabetes only affects women.

It is generally believed that Gestational Diabetes is caused when the hormones produced during pregnancy reduce the sensitivity to insulin and thus cause an increase in blood sugar levels. A child born to a mother with Gestational Diabetes is also at a higher risk of suffering from various complications.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Unlike other forms of diabetes, Gestational Diabetes is generally easier to recognize and immediately diagnosis because it is always associated with pregnancy. Although Gestational Diabetes typically shows little signs or symptoms, there are a handful of symptoms commonly associated with Gestational Diabetes, including:

• Increased thirst
• Increased need to urinate
• General feeling of fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bladder and yeast infections
• Blurred vision

Preventing Gestational Diabetes

There are several steps that can be taken to lower one’s risk of getting Gestational Diabetes, such as:

• Avoiding pregnancy after the age of 35
• Obtaining a healthy weight before pregnancy
• Avoiding a subsequent pregnancy if a previous pregnancy resulted in having a baby with a significantly high birth weight
• Understanding one’s family history with the disease and diabetes in general
• Quitting smoking

Tips on Treating Gestational Diabetes

Unlike other types of diabetes, Gestational Diabetes is reversible. With the proper combination of treatment approaches, one can easily manage its effects. Here is just a sample of the treatment tips you get as a member of QualityHealth:

• Regular exercise
• Dietary planning that avoids peaks in blood sugar levels
• Self monitoring of blood sugar levels
• Medications like anti-diabetic drugs and insulin
• Weight loss

The QualityHealth Difference

QualityHealth is your must have Gestational Diabetes resource. Living with and understanding the complex disease is both stressful and difficult. At QualityHealth we understand your stress and your need to be able to obtain quick and in depth information. Join QualityHealth today and get access to exactly that – exclusive in-depth, expert medical information and advice.