Gestational Diabetes – A Common Problem

Pregnancy is an exciting time when a woman’s body is going through all types of changes and adjustments. One of the common problems that can occur is gestational diabetes. Although the condition is not usually dangerous, and generally disappears when the baby is born, it is important to monitor it, as left unchecked it could cause problems for the mum and unborn baby.

It generally occurs in women who have had it during a previous pregnancy, those over 35 years old, women who are overweight, and those who have a history of polycystic ovary syndrome. It can also occur for those whose culture has a background of high risk such as Hispanic, South Asian and African women. However, it is something that the medical profession will always look out for as it can cause complications in pregnancy.

Symptoms of Gestational Pregnancy.

A woman’s body is constantly changing during pregnancy, so it can be helpful to be aware of the symptoms of gestational diabetes. Pregnant women need to talk about all manner of topics and should raise anything with their doctor that they are not certain about, or that is affecting them, and seems out of the ordinary. It is always better to ask about something that becomes a false alarm, or of no real consequence, than to ignore something that should be dealt with as soon as possible.

One of the signs of gestational diabetes is thirst. If you find you are getting dehydrated and you are increasingly thirsty, although this may happen naturally, it is important to mention it to your doctor.

Another frequent sign is nausea and vomiting. Again, this is a common symptom for some women during pregnancy, but it is important to mention it. Even if it is not gestational diabetes, there may well be helpful advice that may help reduce the problem. Many women find having a dry biscuit with a drink before getting up helps while others discover that they do not like wearing waistbands when pregnant and so wear looser clothing.

There is point worrying about this aspect of pregnancy as doctors do have a number of standard tests to check whether or not you have gestational diabetes. If you have then they will want to monitor this aspect of your pregnancy, if not then there may be possible options to deal with the symptoms you are experiencing.

Whatever, the results of the tests, it is vital to work closely with your doctor and the nursing staff. Their whole aim is to make sure that you are as healthy as possible during your pregnancy and enjoy it to the full. They are also determined to make sure that your baby remains as healthy as possible and that the end of the pregnancy results in a healthy child with a well mum to car for it. Whatever advice they offer, the condition of gestational diabetes is temporary, as is pregnancy, although at the time it may feel it might go on for ever.

The Atkins Diet And Diabetes

Diabetes seems to be the silent disease that most people are worried about developing. Those who do not inherit diabetes can develop it through not having a well balanced diet. It can catch some people unawares and the health problems that can accompany it can be very disruptive as they include heart and liver complications.

It is a very confusing disease as few understand that in its simplest form, it is a disease that causes a malfunction in the cells so that they cannot produce the right amounts of insulin to help the body to function. This can lead to allsorts of things as the brain gets confusing messages about the body’s supply or lack of sugar levels. Since this can lead to all sorts of complications, it is very important to get it under control as soon as possible.

Control, for many people, means a diabetic diet. One diet that is used by many is The Atkins Diet. This is a method of diet that limit’s the consumption of carbohydrates. It is known that lowering your carbohydrate level is good for diabetic conditions. Many diabetics swear by the effectiveness of the Atkins Diet which means it must be considered as one of the more effective diets for diabetics. The only down side to the unusual but effective diet is that it is effective only for those suffering from Type II diabetes or those whose diabetes is caused by lifestyle and poor diet.

While not everyone may choose to use the Atkins Diet, it will be necessary, on any diabetic diet, to control the intake of carbohydrates and eat a well balanced diet to ensure the constant sugar level control that the body needs.

Another aid in the fight against diabetes, is the use of exercise. Since many people who have diabetes tend to be overweight, following an organised exercise routine will certainly help to reduce the surplus weight. This approach, coupled with dietary control, will certainly help with the condition of diabetes.

The aim is always to prevent further deterioration in the condition of your diabetes. It can have such complicated and far reaching affects that it is well worth persevering. Controlling your consumption of Carbohydrates, eating a good variety of proteins and good fats , along with exercise will all help in the battle against diabetes.

Coping With Diabetic Recipes

People with diabetes, have to be very careful with the range of foods they eat and the frequency of meals. Those who have insulin treatment have to be even more careful as the insulin prescribed relates directly with the amount of food that is eaten. Failure to follow the correct prescribed food and insulin amounts can lead to serious complications.

Indeed, meal preparations for a diabetic can be quite challenging and need to be well thought out and planned to achieve the most benefit. You need to have a wide source of diabetic recipes to keep variety in the diet. Since the body of a diabetic is not producing enough insulin to utilise the sugar required from daily food intake, the range of foods must be particularly well balanced with regard to the right amount of sugar. We all need sugar for our bodies to function but of course diabetics cannot break down the sugar properly for use in the body. With the advent of the internet, there are now many recipes that can help keep the variety so that everyday food does not get repetitive and boring.

Foods Suitable For Diabetics

Fortunately, there are a wide variety of foods that are suitable for diabetic recipes. Foods such as vegetable, fruits, cereals, breads, fats and meats are all suitable. Obviously, you can’t eat them all at once. They need to be spread out over each day with lots of variety to encourage the body in the absorption of these good foods. A health provider or dietician will be able to guide you in the amount of calories needed at any one time. They can also advise you on how to construct a good varied diet and give you good eating guides to help. Often a plan is made and then you learn how to vary it so that the mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and fats remains in the correct balance.

Benefits Of Measuring Food Intake

It really is important to stay within the correct balance of calories allowed in one day as well as the balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Eating the right amount of food will help to maintain your blood sugar level within normal limits. If you go overboard, you risk complications which can mean emergency help from a doctor or even a hospital visit.

Most diet plans for diabetics are made up as 20% protein, 30% fat, and 50% carbohydrates. The carbohydrate element of the diet is mostly made up of what is known as compound carbohydrates, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and cereals. These compound carbohydrates (in amounts agreed by your dietician) are believed to create moderately minute alterations in blood glucose levels.

The Restriction of Sweets.

The majority of desserts have high sugar levels which are not advisable for diabetics. This is because the sugar tends to cause a rapid increase in the blood glucose level which will require a high dose of insulin to manage. It is best therefore to stick to prescribed recipes. There are special recipes for desserts on the internet, so you don’t have to give up desserts altogether.

When ever you are out at a restaurant, it would be wise to ask for a special diabetic option. Many restaurants do accommodate all manner of special diet requirements. If there is no special menu then you are best to stick to lean meats like fish and roasted chicken. It is also best to avoid butter on vegetables and be wary of sauces. With regard to dessert your best option is probably fresh fruit.

The important thing for diabetics, is to always stick as closely as possible to your diet so that you can enjoy the best quality of life as possible.

How to Get the Right Diet for Diabetes Type 2

Diabetes Type 2 is perhaps the most treatable of diabetes diseases. However, that does not make it easy to treat. This is because it often the result of our twenty first century diet and life style. Often people have the disease before they realise it and then it can be very hard to sort out.

It is not just about diet but also why we have got to the eating patterns we have adopted. The important thing is to recognise two things. One is that we have diabetes and the second is that we can do something about it and halt its progress. If we don’t then it is likely to get worse but if we do deal with it then we can stop its progress and often improve the condition. Sometimes it is possible to improve things to the point where we do not need medication (although we should only drop any prescribed medication on the advice and encouragement of our doctor).

Today’s society seems to say that there is a pill for everything or that someone out there is responsible for our illness. We may want to blame the fast food giants of our day, but we were the ones who chose to eat there produce. However, once we understand what has caused our diabetes and learn how to sort it out then we can take responsibility for our own lives.

It is important to look at different diabetes diets and decide which ones will work for us. The important thing is to reduce our carbohydrates and replace them with proteins and vegetables and fruit. We will need to abandon the processed foods and turn to home cooking. Limit our use of sauces and high fat foods and increase the healthy options we can make at home.

Starting the Diet

Once we have done our research and found the diet that will best suit us, we need to start it right away. The longer we delay, the harder it will be to do it.

We also need to tell our family and friends that we are going to diet and re-arrange our diaries. It is always best to plan a block of time when dieting to avoid those social events where possible or to build them into our schedule.

There are so many options on the internet now with lots of ideas that we can tailor the diet to our lifestyle. The benefits are huge. Not only will you have more energy, but you will look younger and feel healthier. You will be able to achieve more and still have energy to enjoy yourself. Today can be the first of your new slim life. It is up to you to make that first move.

Gestational Diabetes and Food

There are many new things for women to cope with when they become pregnant. Suddenly, everything you do, eat, and drink takes on a new meaning. What holidays have you planned, are you able to fly, can you cope with the heat, what medicines can you use, how far should you walk, can you exercise, etc. One of the lesser know things is the possibility of gestational diabetes. Mums are so taken with what they can or can’t do that few consider diabetes as a possibility. It does mean you will have to pay close attention to what you eat and drink, but the good news is that gestational diabetes normally ends when baby arrives.

Watching The Carbs.

If you find you have gestational diabetes, then you will soon discover that counting your daily intake of carbohydrates is a key factor in dealing with this problem. Since carbohydrates convert to glucose (blood sugar), you will need to keep a close eye on them. Indeed the monitoring of the both (Carbohydrates and blood sugar), will help you to help your body at this time and although it seems quite daunting, you will soon get the hang of it.

First of all you need to take five or six small meals spread out through the day rather than two or three larger ones. This will automatically ensure that your intake of calories (and carbohydrates0 are spread out over the day. With a growing baby it is usual to need an extra 300 calories a day (not the double portions that used to be suggested) so the total would be around 2200 calories.

Next you need to look at what you are eating. It is best to avoid fatty meats, high fat snacks and lots of processed or fast food. The idea is to eat more natural food that is preferably home cooked. A good idea is to divide your plate into thirds. You make up your meal with a third of protein, a third of carbohydrates plus a third of fruit and vegetables.

Your Relationship with Food

Risks with gestational diabetes usually come for women who are overweight or are over the age of 25 years when they become pregnant. It is really important to consider what you are eating since it will lay down good practices for the feeding of your growing family and help to teach them healthy habits and food choices. If you are slightly overweight it will help not to put on too much extra weight and put extra strain on your joints and heart.

You will also need to monitor everything very carefully. It is essential that you attend all of your check-ups and discuss things with your doctor or midwife regularly. Pregnancy is not the time to diet to lose weight, neither is it the time to use fad diets, or any form of fasting or cleansing diets. It will put too much of a strain on your body. The best you can do is to monitor your progress and try to eat as healthy and balanced a diet as possible to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a health baby at the end of your gestation.

Research into Juvenile Diabetes

Research has always been the key to finding cures and understanding illnesses and diseases. Diabetes is no different. It is recognised that diabetes is a disease that can be inherited or develop in the body. Although no cure has yet been found we have learnt a lot about it and its affects on the body.

Although not often publicised, juvenile diabetes trials are always happening. There is always room for volunteers who are willing to help in the search to find out more about this disease.

The importance of these trials is evident when we consider what we now know about diabetes and how much we understand about the disease. It is also how we have so many treatments and aids for the disease. We can alleviate the disease and help people to have a better quality of life. However, everyone is really focusing on the end result which is a cure for diabetes.

Keeping Informed About Juvenile Diabetes

Researchers are particularly focused on juvenile diabetes as its affects are serious and far-reaching. It can affect the organs like the pancreas and even lead to blindness if not treated properly.

The body needs sugar in order to function properly. Sugar is used in the form of glucose and is used by the brain as well as the cells in the body. It is used as energy and therefore it is important that it is available for the body to use on a daily basis. Indeed, diabetes is often described as a malfunction of insulin producing organs.

The need to experiment with trials is essential if we are to learn more about this disease and its affects. There is obviously a need to experiment with foods as well as medicines. We also need to understand the affects of different situations on diabetes. We need to help sufferers to reverse what effect they can or at least halt the development of the disease. It is also essential to spot potential victims before the disease progresses too far. It will always be better to spot eyesight deterioration before blindness becomes a reality.

Those who have already participated in trials have made an invaluable contribution to the combat against diabetes. It is hoped that many more will be able to help with their hours of research and cataloguing as well as those brave and thoughtful heroes who actually participate in the experiments.

Symptoms Of Gestational Diabetes

It is vital for pregnant mums to be aware of the signs of gestational diabetes. Many mums to be, experience these things but they are not always lasting. However it is important to look for these signs as if left unchecked, they could be harmful to both mum and unborn baby.

There are a number of signs and it is always best to check with your doctor for peace of mind. Signs can be increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss in spite of increased appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, frequent infections (including bladder, vagina, and skin infections), and even blurred vision.

What Happens Next

All mums experience some of these symptoms. It is important to discuss them with your doctor as soon as they become apparent. It is always best to ask questions. Not only will it put your mind at ease but it will also allow the doctor to check for any problems at a very early stage.

There are a number of standard tests that will enable the doctor to reach a diagnosis. Whether or not you have diabetes, there may well be a number of helpful comments that your doctor may be able to make to avoid some of the symptoms you are experiencing so that you can enjoy your pregnancy more as it progresses.

Treatment

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do, if you notice gestational diabetes signs, to help you and your baby stay safe and healthy. One of the most important things is to eat a well balanced diet. If necessary, you can also monitor your glucose levels with a home blood sugar kit. It is obviously important to monitor sugar levels to ensure they stay within an acceptable level so that the foetus does not gain too much weight during pregnancy.

It is quite usual for doctors to monitor the foetal growth. They may well ask you about movement of the foetus and ask you to notice if it increases or decreases. Basically, as you get to know how the unborn baby moves around, you will be the first to pick up when he or she is most active in the day or night. Keeping a regular check on the movements of the unborn baby is normal practice.

If you find you need to take medicines or have insulin injections from your doctor, the most important thing is to work with your doctor so that you and your unborn baby get the best help to enjoy these early months. It will be the preparation of your future lives together. Getting things as right now as is possible, will increase the prospect of the safe delivery of a healthy baby, as well as the continued health of Mum.

Types Of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes Mellitus, the full name for diabetes, is now recognised as a disease. It can be triggered by a virus or even inherited. One of the things it can lead to is known as Diabetic Neuropathy. This is a cluster of nerve damage caused by the disease diabetes which is a common complication of the disease diabetes. Basically, it causes injuries to the nerves responsible for feeling sensation and can be the result of blood glucose level being too high for too long for the body to cope.

Signs Of The Disease.

Diabetic Neuropathy can lead to numbness, weakness and even pain in moving areas of the body – namely hands, arms, feet and legs. It can also occur in any organ of the body and can affect systems in the body like cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and reproductive. It seems to affect in particular people who have a hard time controlling their blood sugar levels, those with high blood pressure or cholesterol, those who are overweight and people over 40 years old.

Common Types Of Diabetic Neuropathy

1 Peripheral
This is the most widespread of diabetic neuropathy. It is also called distal symmetric neuropathy. As it’s name peripheral suggests, it involves the outer parts of the main body or torso – namely arms and legs, toes and feet, hands and arms. There is usually pain or loss of feeling in these areas. Sometimes both pain and loss of sensation occurs.

2. Autonomic
This type tends to affect the working parts of the body that are almost automatic. It is responsible for changes in the digestion, sexual response, bowel and bladder function, and perspiration. It also affects the nerves in the heart and the control in blood pressure. There is always a danger that this can lead to hypoglycaemia where the person involved will not be aware of any warning signs that they are suffering from low blood sugar. This is why it is so imperative that diabetics should follow a balanced diet to keep their sugar levels at the right levels. There are many such recipes and meal choices readily available on the internet.

3. Proximal
Proximal Neuropathy can also cause pain in the thighs, hips and buttocks. Usually, the pain begins on one side only but it can vary. It often leads to leg weakness and the common treatment for this is physical therapy and medication. Recovery varies from person to person and is dependant on the type and degree of nerve damage.

4. Focal
This last type can result in sudden weakness of a specific nerve or bundle of nerves that can cause muscles pain or even weakness. It often affects the head, leg and torso. Sometimes it can cause eye pain, double vision, Bell’s Palsy, or even paralysis of one side of the face. This type of diabetic neuropathy is often unpredictable. However, it is thought to be self-limiting and not usual to cause long term damage.

How to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

I recently found an account of a man who had successfully reversed his type 2 diabetes. He has started a newsletter that helps people who suffer from diabetes to overcome their illness.

His story is quite remarkable and the photographs on his website showing before and after are very inspiring. You can read more at Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes.

I have quoted some of his write up here as it gives you the flavour of what he is saying far better than I could.

You may not think you are up to the task of healing your own diabetes. Here are some secrets. Controlling blood sugar levels and healing diabetes is automatic - if you remove the bad foods and the bad habits that block your recovery. Losing body FAT and getting down to your correct weight is also automatic - if you eat nutrient-dense PRIMAL foods that fill your nutritional deficits and act to banish hunger cravings. YES! If you eat the right kinds of PRIMAL foods then your body cells will be nourished with vital nutrients and will not crave the junk that keeps you FAT, diabetic and sick!

      It sounds simple doesn’t it? That’s because being healthy had to be simple! If it weren’t simple, the human race would have died out long ago. Our ancient ancestors did not have doctors or pharmaceutical drugs. What they had were PRIMAL foods that their bodies were designed to thrive on. And our ancestors ate these foods for millions of years before we became “civilized”. Experts claim that our “pre-industrial” ancestors had no diabetes, no cancer, no heart disease, no arthritis, no stroke, etc. Their constant dangers were drought, famine, floods, the ice age, wild animals and infectious diseases - but they had no degenerative diseases because nutrient-dense PRIMAL foods kept them healthy. You can regain that vigor, that vitality and become robust and healthy again

      For many years I was so FAT and diabetic that I believed I would never wear normal sized clothes, or live a regular life. I used to exercise like a crazed animal, but all I did was build muscle under the fat. Then I found about PRIMAL foods. By eating this new, delicious way, I lost weight and also stabilized my blood sugar by doing less exercise!

If you want to read more then go to Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes. There is a lot more information about the author there.