Family Health
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What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby.
What causes it?
Insulin is a hormone in your body that helps your body use and store sugar.
During pregnancy, the placenta makes other hormones that make it hard for insulin to control blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes develops when your body can't make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels in a safe range.
What are the symptoms?
Gestational diabetes may not always cause symptoms, but it can involve:
- Thirst
- Blurred eyesight
- Peeing more often
How is it diagnosed?
The "oral glucose tolerance test” is used to diagnose the condition.
When do I get this test?
- Between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy
How is gestational diabetes treated?
- A healthy diet
- Ejercicio
- Oral medications
- Insulin shots
Source: Healthwise
Geovany Lizarraga, MPH, CHES, Health Education Specialist
Categories: Health Education Corner