Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a kind of abnormal glucose metabolism that occurs during pregnancy, usually in the third trimester. It is one of the most common metabolic diseases during pregnancy. It is estimated that about 10% of pregnant women in the world will suffer from diabetes during pregnancy. If not treated and managed in time, diabetes during pregnancy may bring a series of risks and complications to mother and infant health. Therefore, it is very important to prevent and treat diabetes during pregnancy.
1、 Etiology and risk factors of diabetes during pregnancy
The etiology of diabetes during pregnancy has not been completely clear, but the main known causes are insulin resistance and insufficient insulin secretion during pregnancy. Due to the production of a large amount of hormones and growth factors by the placenta during pregnancy, these substances may interfere with the action of insulin, leading to insulin resistance. If insulin secretion is insufficient, symptoms of high blood sugar may occur.
In addition to physiological changes during pregnancy, there are also some risk factors that will increase the risk of diabetes during pregnancy. For example,
1 Age: the older the pregnant woman is, the higher the risk of diabetes during pregnancy.
2 Family history of diabetes: If a pregnant woman's first degree relative has diabetes, her risk of diabetes during pregnancy will also increase.
3 Weight: If pregnant women are overweight or obese before pregnancy, the risk of diabetes during pregnancy will also increase.
Abnormal blood glucose metabolism before pregnancy: If a pregnant woman has diabetes or abnormal blood glucose metabolism before pregnancy, her risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy will also increase.
Hypertension during pregnancy: If a pregnant woman has hypertension during pregnancy, her risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy will also increase.
2、 Clinical manifestations of diabetes during pregnancy
The symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy are usually not obvious, and the following situations may occur:
1 Frequent urination: because the blood sugar is too high, the kidneys need to filter more blood sugar, which will lead to an increase in the frequency of urination of pregnant women.
2. Fatigue and fatigue: Due to high blood sugar, energy cannot be utilized normally, and pregnant women may feel fatigue and fatigue.
3. Increased hunger: Pregnant women may feel an increase in hunger due to high blood sugar being unable to be utilized by the body normally.
4. Loss of appetite: Pregnant women may experience loss of appetite due to the impact on gastrointestinal digestive function.
5. Dizziness or headache: Pregnant women may experience symptoms such as dizziness or headache due to high blood sugar leading to dehydration and low blood sugar.
3、 Prevention and treatment of diabetes during pregnancy
1. The best way to prevent diabetes during pregnancy is to start improving your lifestyle and eating habits before pregnancy.
(1) Keep a healthy weight: If a pregnant woman is overweight or obese before pregnancy, she should lose weight before pregnancy to reduce the risk of diabetes during pregnancy.
(2) Persist in exercise: Moderate exercise can help improve the body's metabolism and lower blood sugar levels. Pregnant women can engage in moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga, etc.
(3) Maintain healthy eating habits: Pregnant women should try to choose low sugar, low-fat, and high fiber foods, and avoid excessive consumption of high sugar and high-fat foods such as sweets, pastries, fried foods, etc.
2. Treatment of diabetes during pregnancy
If the pregnant woman has been diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, the doctor may recommend the following treatment methods:
(1) Control diet: The pregnant woman should follow the doctor's advice, control diet, and avoid eating foods high in sugar and fat, such as sweets, cakes, fried foods, etc. Doctors usually recommend pregnant women to measure their blood sugar levels before each meal and adjust their diet based on their blood sugar levels.
(2) Moderate exercise: Moderate exercise can help lower blood sugar levels, but pregnant women need to choose the appropriate exercise method and intensity according to the doctor's advice.
(3) Medication therapy: If a pregnant woman's blood sugar levels cannot be controlled through diet and exercise, doctors may recommend the use of medication for treatment. Pregnant women need to strictly follow the doctor's advice when using medication and regularly check their blood sugar levels.
(4) Regular check ups: Pregnant women need to regularly check their blood sugar levels, urine sugar, weight and other indicators, and undergo prenatal check ups to ensure their own and their baby's health.
Pregnant diabetes is a common metabolic disease of pregnant women. If it is not prevented and treated in time, it may have a serious impact on the health of mothers and infants. Pregnant women should pay attention to controlling their diet and lifestyle, regularly checking their blood sugar levels and physical health status.