Having this mood disorder could mean you have symptoms of type 2 diabetes

From express.co.uk

THERE are many different symptoms for those with type 2 diabetes condition however a major change in your mood could mean you are at risk of type 2 diabetes. Do you have this mood symptom?

Type 2 diabetes plays havoc on one’s health with the increase of blood sugar levels. The symptoms of diabetes does not just affect a person physically but can affect you emotionally too. It occurs when the blood glucose levels are too high. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin and when too much glucose stays in the blood it doesn’t reach the cells properly. This causes major health problems such as blurred vision, sores that don’t heal properly and a numbness or tingling feeling in your hands or feet.

A symptom of type 2 diabetes that often gets overlooked is a change in a person’s mood.
Diabetes can affect a person’s mood causing rapid and severe changes. Feelings such as irritability, high emotions that causes a person to cry for no reason or even anger are common symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
The reason for this is due to the brain not getting enough glucose.
As the brain is the centre for thoughts and emotions, it needs glucose to function properly and if it doesn’t function properly it can cause your brain to go haywire.
When the blood sugar levels are too high a person can feel grouchy and not in control of their emotions.
The severity of the mood swings are different for each person with some explaining feelings of weirdness, uncomfortableness and being emotionally off-balanced.

   Type 2 diabetes: Mood disorder could be a symptom of type 2 diabetes (Image: Getty Images)

Ways to help with the change in mood caused by type 2 diabetes:

Talk about how you feel
Expressing your emotions to loved ones and work colleagues is the first step to helping you feel better. Offloading some of what you’re feeling has many benefits. Sharing the burden will help you feel less alone and can take a weight off your mind.
Choosing the right kind of food
Having to pay close attention to what you eat can be stressful and some people find they eat more when they are stressed. The food we eat has a major impact on how we feel as many processed foods and saturated fats will make you feel worse. Choosing a healthy well-balanced diet will not only help you blood sugar levels but will also make you feel better.
Getting regular physical exercise
Exercising makes you feel better as the endorphins released will elevate your mood. When you exercise the insulin resistance is decreased and the cells can use the glucose in the body more effectively. Exercise will not only help you physically but emotionally too.

             Type 2 diabetes: Speaking about your emotions will make you feel more in control

                                                        (Image: Getty Images)

Learning to control the fluctuations in blood glucose levels can result in stabilising your mood.
Avoiding sugar as much as possible will help greatly Doctor Dawn Harper explained: “Excessive sugar consumption has a massive impact on our health and is a major factor in problems with diabetes, so its important we think carefully about how we can reduce the sugar content in our diet.
"There will always be times we want to eat treats or celebrate special occasions and when we do, its about managing this appropriately.”
It is important to speak with your doctor if you have experienced a change in your mood such as irritability, anger or sadness for no reason.
Luckily, if managed correctly your mood disorder can go away and learning to cope with type 2 diabetes will be easier.
Meditation and being mindful are other ways to help you control your emotions.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1132831/type-2-diabetes-symptoms-what-is-type-2-diabetes-uk-insulin-diet

Are you at risk of Type 2 diabetes? These are the common causes, symptoms and treatment

From womanandhome.com/health-and-wellbeing

With more than 5.5 million people in the UK expected to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by 2030, could you be next? If you are at risk, there are plenty of things you can do to take control.

Over the past 20 years, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has more than doubled from 1.4 million to almost 3.7 million.

This dramatic rise has put an extreme burden on the NHS, costing £8.8 billion each year.

“As the number of people with Type 2 diabetes continues to grow, there’s a risk that these costs will rise to unsustainable levels,” warns Pav Kalsi, senior clinical advisor at Diabetes UK. Unlike irreversible Type 1 diabetes, where the body can’t produce insulin, 10% of the NHS budget is spent on Type 2 diabetes – that’s £1 million an hour.

“The good news is that Type 2 diabetes is a reversible condition for a lot of people, so costs could be saved,” says Dr Campbell Murdoch, GP and medical officer for diabetes.co.uk. “The challenge now is to empower as many people as possible.”

Diabetes: the different types

• Type 1 diabetes

This is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells. “Your pancreas shuts down and you don’t produce any insulin, causing the glucose to rise in your blood,” says Natasha Marsland, senior clinical advisor at Diabetes UK. This is why symptoms – including feeling thirsty and tired, needing to pee more often, unexplained weight loss and blurred vision – are often more obvious. The reason for Type 1 diabetes, which affects around 10% of all cases, is not yet known, although family history can be a factor. A misconception is that people are born with it, but the peak age for diagnosis is 10 to 14 years old.

• Type 2 diabetes

With the more common Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas may still produce insulin “but the amount may be reduced or the insulin it produces doesn’t work properly, meaning symptoms develop gradually,” explains Natasha. Our waistlines are mainly to blame, although there are other factors that can put you more at risk (see Q&A). “Symptoms often creep up on people,” says Dr Ian Lake, medical officer at diabetes.co.uk. “You might be more tired than normal, have central obesity, be getting up more at night to urinate, possibly have increased thirst and need to sleep more after a big meal. A lot of people also mention brain fog – so things that we put down to ageing.”

Type 3c diabetes

This is where part of the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, sometimes caused by inflammation. Typical symptoms include vague abdominal pain, loose fatty stools and vitamin deficiencies. It’s thought that far more people are likely to have Type 3c diabetes than diagnosed at present, as may have been misdiagnosed with Type 2, but the condition is still being researched. “Although lifestyle measures may help improve health, insulin therapy may also be needed,” says Dr Murdoch

Diabetes symptoms: which are the most common?

• Excessive thirst and hunger
• Frequent urination (from urinary tract infections or kidney problems)
• Weight loss or gain
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing wounds
• Nausea

How will I be diagnosed?

You need to see your GP for a urine and blood test. “Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed by detecting persistently high blood levels of glucose and HbA1c, which reflects blood glucose levels over the past three months,” says Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones.

“If you have borderline results (known as “pre-diabetes”), you should be rechecked annually.”

What happens next?

“You’ll need regular checks on your blood pressure, cholesterol, kidneys (blood/urine tests), feet, eyes and circulation to see whether you need more intensive treatment to prevent complications,” says Dr WynneJones.

“If you’re prescribed tablets or (occasionally) insulin, you’ll need to learn the symptoms of dangerously low blood sugar (sweating, hunger, irritability, confusion and/or unconsciousness), and tell the DVLA if you’re a driver. You may be offered weight loss surgery.”

My children are overweight, are they at risk of diabetes?

With the Health and Social Care Information Centre revealing that one in five children in England leave primary school obese, it won’t be long before Type 2 diabetes affects more under 18s. “Numbers are increasing,” warns Pav.

All food or drink high in fat, salt or sugar was banned across all children’s media in summer 2017, but it’s still too early to see if it has made a noticeable effect.

How can I cut my risk of diabetes?

Being a healthy weight is key. Women should keep their waist size below 31.5 inches/80cm. Reduce your intake of high-sugar, starchy foods, especially sugary drinks (including fruit juices and smoothies), confectionery, cakes and biscuits. Plus, make sure you get moving – 30 mins five times a week if you can (brisk walking is a great way to start), and 10 mins of standing and stretching for every hour of sitting.

Can natural cures for diabetes work?

“Before prescribing any medicines for Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may suggest you try natural approaches, such as improving your lifestyle,” says Dr Brewer. “During this phase, your GP may be willing to support you taking ayurvedic herbal medicines (including bitter melon, fenugreek, amla fruit, gymnema and turmeric), which can improve insulin release in the pancreas, reduce insulin resistance and suppress cravings.”

What happens if I ignore diabetes symptoms?

“Diabetes damages small arteries, and can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, blindness and limb gangrene/amputation, so careful monitoring and effective lifestyle changes/treatment are vital,” says Dr Wynne-Jones.

What is the treatment for type 2 diabetes?

“Metformin is one of the main drugs prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes, especially in overweight patients,” says Dr Sarah Brewer. “It helps to lower blood glucose levels and, while most people tolerate Metformin well, it can cause side effects.
“Doses are often gradually increased to help avoid taste disturbances, nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite or abdominal pain. If these occur, they tend to improve after a day or two, but tell your doctor.”

Will the Sugar Tax help?

In April last year, the Government launched the sugar tax, with 18p per litre on drinks with more than 5g of added sugar, and 24p for added sugar of 8g or more. But with 33% of us having no interest in quitting sugar, despite worrying about its effect on Type 2 diabetes, will it make a difference?

“It has had patchy success,” says Dr Lake. “The good news is that manufacturers are cutting sugar in their products to beat the tax. It is predicted to raise £1 billion per year (in the first seven months it raised £154 million), presumably to spend on complications of diseases made worse by added sugar. The bad news is that pure fruit juices and sugar added to milk are exempt.”

https://www.womanandhome.com/health-and-wellbeing/type-2-diabetes-diabetes-symptoms-diabetes-treatment-322216/

Diabetes Foot Care: How to File Buildup of Hard Skin or Corns

From healthxchange.sg

The Podiatry Department at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) shares how to properly file feet.

How to file build-up of hard skin or corns

1. Use a callus foot file to gently file any hard skin or corns' sites.
2. Do not file with too much force as it can cause a skin abrasion.
3. If the amount of hard skin or corn builds up quickly, you may have to increase the frequency of filing.

Do not use scissors, knives, blades or nail clippers to remove the hard skin or corn as it may cut the skin and injure it, resulting in a wound!

Do not use corn plasters or liquid corn/callus removals. They can cause the skin to break down and create wounds.

https://www.healthxchange.sg/diabetes/essential-guide-diabetes/diabetes-foot-care-how-file-buildup-hard-skin-corns

Diabetes Can Put Your Liver at Risk: The Mediterranean Diet Might Help

From healthline.com

People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop complications from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The obesity epidemic has led to a ripple effect for the health of Americans, increasing their risk of many other health problems.
One of these is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic condition that affects between 30 and 40 percent of American adults. This condition can lead to scarring or cancer in the liver, and in some cases liver failure.
Researchers are now learning how NAFLD is strongly linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood lipid levels.
Among the new findings, people with type 2 diabetes are most at risk of developing serious liver complications if they have NAFLD.
With obesity and diabetes rates increasing in the United States, experts say there is a need for better NAFLD treatments, a focus on prevention and greater awareness of this condition among primary care doctors.

Obesity-related build-up of fat in liver

There are two types of NAFLD, which causes a build-up of excess fat in the liver. But in this case the fat in the liver is not related to heavy alcohol use.
The majority of people have simple fatty liver, in which there is excess fat in the liver, but little or no liver cell damage or inflammation.
About 20 percent of people with NAFLD have a second type called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This involves inflammation in the liver — hepatitis — and liver cell damage.
NASH can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) or liver cancer.
Dr. Maya Balakrishnan, an assistant professor of medicine and gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, said several “red flags” indicate that someone with NAFLD may have the more serious type, or NASH — diabetes, older age, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and an elevated liver enzyme test.
However, doctors need to use blood tests, medical imaging tests, and sometimes a liver biopsy to make a definite diagnosis of NAFLD or NASH.

Greater awareness of liver disease needed

Healthy eating and exercise have the best chance of preventing liver disease if you start early.
Unfortunately, a recent study published this month suggests that many people are diagnosed at a later stage of NAFLD or NASH.
This study, published in BMC Medicine, also found that fewer people than expected were being diagnosed with NAFLD or NASH at primary care centres.
The BMC Medicine study authors found that people with type 2 diabetes had the highest risk of developing liver complications from NASH such as cirrhosis or cancer.
The authors write that greater awareness of NAFLD among primary care physicians could lead to earlier detection of the condition, when treatments can be more effective.
“Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease,” said Dr. Hugo Rosen, professor and chair of the department of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in Los Angeles. “Clearly, there needs to be increased awareness of NAFLD among primary care doctors.”
Balakrishnan said this is a good reminder that diabetes is a major risk factor for many adverse health problems, not just liver disease, but also kidney disease, stroke and foot complications.
Eating healthier and exercising regularly can reduce your risk of all of these.

Weight loss reduces liver fat

In addition to diabetes, overall obesity is a huge risk factor for this liver condition.
Some research has found that more than 90 percent of people with severe obesity who were undergoing bariatric surgery had NAFLD.
“Obesity is the most common and well-documented risk factor for NAFLD,” Rosen, said.
No medications have been approved to treat NAFLD or NASH, but lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing liver complications.
“We counsel all patients that weight loss is the best — and really the only — widely available treatment for the disease,” said Balakrishnan.
She said research suggests that someone with NAFLD needs to lose at least 5 percent of their original body weight to see a reduction of fat in the liver.
For a 200-pound person, this means losing 10 pounds.
If a person has NASH, or their doctor suspects they may have this condition, Balakrishnan said they should aim for 7 to 10 percent weight loss.
This greater weight loss is needed to reduce the scar tissue and inflammation in the liver that occurs in NASH.

Mediterranean diet for healthy liver

Rosen said that weight loss surgery — bariatric surgery — has been shown to greatly improve NAFLD and NASH, as well as reduce a person’s risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Non-surgical weight loss through dietary changes and exercise can also be effective — if you can keep the weight off.
Many healthy diets can help you lose weight, but some may have extra benefits for the liver.
“Research shows that following a Mediterranean diet is probably the healthiest choice for both promoting weight loss and promoting liver health,” said Balakrishnan.
There are many version of the Mediterranean diet, but in general it involves eating mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fish, seafood and olive oil.
Rosen said all patients with NAFLD should also add regular exercise — aerobic or resistance training — to their daily routine, since this has been shown to have liver benefits beyond just helping you lose weight.
Cutting back on alcohol intake may also help the liver. Rosen pointed to a recent study that found even moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a worsening of fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/diabetes-increases-risk-of-deadly-liver-cirrosis-moderate-exercise-could-offer-protection#Mediterranean-diet-for-healthy-liver

A guide to low-carb diets for diabetes

From medicalnewstoday.com

A low-carb diet can help people with diabetes better manage their blood sugar levels.

Carbohydrates or carbs raise blood glucose more than other foods, meaning the body must produce more insulin to digest them.
Reducing carb intake can help stabilize blood glucose. It may also counteract some other effects of diabetes, such as weight gain and heart disease.
Despite this, low-carb diets also carry some risks, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies. For some people, low-carb diets are challenging to stick to over time.
In this article, learn more about a low-carb diet for people with diabetes. People should remember to speak to a doctor before making significant dietary changes, especially ones that affect diabetes management.

Carb recommendations

There is no longer any expert-recommended standard carb intake for people with diabetes.
A person's carb needs vary with their activity level, weight, health goals, and other factors. Working with a doctor or dietitian can help people set specific carb targets.
A very low-carb diet includes just 30 grams (g) or less per day. Low-carb diets include 130 g or fewer of carbs, while moderate-carb diets include between 130 and 225 g of carbs.
To get an idea of how significant a change in diet will be, people can try counting their daily carb intake for a few days, then set a new target.
Another strategy — which may be more sustainable — is to slowly and steadily reduce carb intake and see how blood glucose levels change.
For example, a person might replace their morning toast with a hard-boiled egg, then slowly replace other carbs with further nutrient-rich alternatives.

Foods to eat and avoid

Most of the calories in a low-carb diet should come from healthful, natural sources, including:

• vegetables
• lean protein, such as eggs, fish, nuts, and tofu
• good fats, such as olives or avocados
• fruit in moderation

People following a very low-carb diet may wish to limit fruit intake since fruit also contains sugar. For most people, however, fruit is a healthful substitute for sugary snacks and processed foods.
As part of a healthful, low-carb diet, people should avoid or limit intake of the following:

• processed foods, such as pre-packaged meals and salty snacks
• sugar-rich foods, such as cakes, candies, pastries, cookies, sodas, and juices
• starches, especially white bread or bagels
• alcoholic beverages
• potatoes, including potato chips
• other starchy vegetables
• white pasta

Whole-grain bread, lentils, and beans are also high in carbs, but they can be a vital part of a healthful diet. Eat these foods in moderation or as a substitute for unhealthful carbs, such as cakes and pies.

Meal plan

When devising a low-carb meal plan, it is useful to know how many calories a person needs each day and to stay within that range. Daily calorie intake varies depending on a person's height, weight, and activity level.

Variety can help make meals more enjoyable, so a person may wish to develop a list of tasty low-carb options.

Some simple ideas for meals include:

Breakfast

• hard-boiled eggs
• low-sodium cottage cheese
• sliced avocados
• fibre-rich smoothies with avocado, frozen berries, and a banana
• low-fat yogurt
• eggs and vegetables fried in extra virgin olive oil

Lunch and dinner

• baked or grilled chicken
• cauliflower rice with vegetables and tofu
• salmon
• salad with toasted nuts
• zucchini noodles
• bunless hamburgers or cheeseburgers
• pizza with a cauliflower crust
• chicken stuffed with vegetables and cheese
• whole-grain pasta with vegetables or fish
• tuna, including packaged tuna and tuna steaks
• spaghetti squash stuffed with vegetables
• eggplant lasagne

Snacks

• nuts
• fruit
• hummus and vegetables
• string cheese
• beef jerky
• olives
• dark chocolate
• kale chips
• apples and peanut butter
• steamed edamame
• sardines

How do carbs affect diabetes?

A low-carb diet may be one of the most effective diabetes management strategies, especially for people who might be able to avoid medication.
Carbs elevate blood glucose more than any other food. For people with insulin resistance, blood glucose may remain elevated for hours after eating carbs.
For those with type 1 diabetes who do not produce enough insulin, carbs can also cause blood glucose spikes, so a low-carb diet may help people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Carbs can also affect a person's health in other ways. Carb-rich foods tend to be high in calories but low in some important nutrients, such as protein. Eating too many of these "empty calories" can lead to weight gain.
Research shows that people who eat carb-rich foods may also feel more hunger between meals, causing them to overeat.
A low-carb diet may also:

• give a person more energy
• lower average blood glucose, or HbA1c levels
• reduce food cravings, especially for sugar
• lower the risk of hypoglycaemia
• aid weight loss efforts
• decrease the risk of long-term diabetes complications
• lower cholesterol

Risks and considerations

Without proper planning, a low-carb diet can make it more difficult to get specific nutrients.

People on a low-carb diet may also eat large amounts of protein, which may accelerate kidney damage if they already have kidney disease.

Other risks include:

• osteoporosis and bone fractures
• low-fibre intake
• clogged arteries

These risks may be due to eating too many processed protein sources, such as cold cuts and red meat. Limiting fruit and whole-grains can also be problematic if a person is not getting enough fibre.
Some people struggle to maintain a low-carb diet in the long term. Eating a low-carb diet may cause some people to feel hungry, moody, or have trouble concentrating.
Anyone who wants to try a low-carb diet to help manage diabetes may want to speak to a doctor or dietitian first, as healthcare professionals can help ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Summary

A low-carb diet can help people with diabetes avoid complications. It can help keep blood pressure low, reduce energy slumps, aid weight loss, and even reverse the course of the disease.
For people who want to avoid medication or whose doctor has only recently diagnosed diabetes, a low-carb diet may be the first line of treatment.
Low-carb diets are not for everyone as an unhealthful low-carb diet — such as living off of fried, fatty meats — can be even more harmful to a person's health than lots of carbs.
Likewise, a person must be able to stick with a low-carb diet long-term to fully reap its benefits.
Before trying any new diet, always talk to a doctor or dietitian. People can consider keeping a log of their symptoms and what they have eaten, to measure how the diet affects their health over time.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325195.php

Research: More nuts, less risk, for those with Type 2 diabetes

From news4jax.com/health

Nuts are an important part of a healthy, whole food diet.
A recent study shows when people with Type 2 diabetes eat nuts, especially tree nuts, they can lower their risk of heart disease and death.
                                
“They showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk factors with diabetics when they’re eating at least five servings of nuts a week; and the serving size was about an ounce -- 28 grams -- which is exactly what we recommend,” said Dr. Julia Zumpano, of Cleveland Clinic, who did not take part in the study. 

The study involved 16,217 men and women with diabetes.
Researchers found the people who ate tree nuts -- such as walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and pistachios -- saw the most benefit in terms of reduced heart disease risk, as well as overall death risk.

Zumpano said nuts are a healthy addition to anyone’s diet, but especially for people with Type 2 diabetes.
She said nuts provide us with high monounsaturated fatty acids, high protein and fiber and low carbohydrates -- which means all of these nutrients help fill us up, while keeping blood sugar low.
Nuts have also been shown to improve good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.

Zumpano also said when people eat nuts instead of a carbohydrate-rich or fat-filled snack food when they get hungry, it helps keep their numbers in check.
“Regular nut intake gives you such satiety and fullness and nutrient density, so that you’re not looking for other snacks to fill up on, therefore, helping manage your blood sugars better and your cholesterol profile better,” she said. 

Zumpano suggests aiming for 3-5 servings of nuts each week. A serving size is an ounce, or a quarter of a measuring cup, or the amount that would fit in the palm of the hand.
Complete results of the study can be found in Circulation Research.

https://www.news4jax.com/health/research-more-nuts-less-risk-for-those-with-type-2-diabetes

Ways to prevent gestational diabetes

From medicalnewstoday.com

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy. It is not always possible to prevent it, but a pregnant woman can take steps to reduce her risk.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gestational diabetes develops in approximately 2–10% of pregnancies in the United States each year.
Gestational diabetes can negatively affect both the woman and foetus. Possible effects include:

• an increase in the woman's blood pressure
• a higher risk of preeclampsia
• an increased risk of the woman developing type 2 diabetes later in life
• high birth weight of the baby
• premature birth
• the baby having low blood sugar levels at birth

Keep reading for tips on how to help prevent gestational diabetes. We also cover risk factors and early signs and symptoms.

Prevention

Although gestational diabetes is not always avoidable, women can take some steps to help reduce their chances of developing it.

Go into pregnancy at a healthy weight

A woman looking to conceive should make lifestyle choices that can help her reach and maintain a healthy weight ahead of getting pregnant.

The authors of a 2018 study looked at 10 years of data on gestational diabetes and concluded that being overweight was a significant risk factor.

Other research confirms that having a BMI higher than 25 increases a woman's likelihood of developing gestational diabetes. However, the researchers also noted that making dietary changes reduced the risk.

People looking to lose weight can take steps to modify their diet, such as:

• measuring out smaller portion sizes
• avoiding packaged food and "junk food"
• replacing candy with fruit
• eating more lean protein, such as fish and tofu, to stay fuller for longer
• increasing fibre intake by eating plenty of vegetables and whole grains
• replacing juices, dairy-laden coffee drinks, and sodas with herbal tea, black coffee, or sparkling water with lemon or lime slices

Exercise

Exercise is a vital part of maintaining a healthy weight. Both before and during pregnancy, exercise can help prevent gestational diabetes. Exercise helps the body become more sensitive to the insulin that the pancreas creates, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
It is a good idea to start getting active before becoming pregnant, even if it means making simple, long-term lifestyle changes. For anyone with a sedentary lifestyle, steps that may help include:

• walking or cycling to work
• parking farther away from the destination and walking the rest of the way
• taking the stairs
• doing active leisure activities, such as hiking, gardening, or playing with children outdoors
• trying yoga, ideally a class specifically for pregnant women or beginners
• doing low-impact exercise, such as swimming
• joining a running club to stay motivated

Anyone looking to prevent gestational diabetes should try to do about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on 4–5 days of the week. Moderate-intensity exercise should cause a person to break a sweat.
Good cardio options include stationary biking, walking, swimming, and using an elliptical machine.

However, pregnant women should speak to a doctor about any new exercise regimens and discuss which types are safe to do at each stage of pregnancy.

Eat well during pregnancy

During pregnancy, morning sickness, cravings, and food aversions can make it challenging to eat a nutritious diet.
However, eating well can help prevent gestational diabetes and ensure that a woman only gains a healthy amount of weight during each trimester.
Healthful food choices include:

• lean proteins, such as beans, fish, tofu, and white poultry
• healthful fats from nuts, olive oil, coconut oil, and other plant-based fat sources
• whole grains, such as brown rice, pasta, oatmeal, and bread
• low-fat dairy products, such as Greek yogurt
• non-starchy vegetables
• fruits

It is best to avoid:

• processed foods
• sugary beverages, including store-bought coffee drinks, energy drinks, juices, and sodas
• extra or added sugar

Attend routine care appointments

A woman should see a gynaecologist regularly during pregnancy for routine care. During these visits, the doctor will ask about the pregnancy and any new symptoms.
They will also do a pelvic exam and use an ultrasound to look at the developing foetus. A doctor may recognize some of the early signs of gestational diabetes and suggest ways to help prevent it.
Between 24 and 28 weeks, a pregnant woman will have a gestational diabetes screening. If the results come back positive for gestational diabetes, the doctor will talk to her about how to prevent further complications.

Risk factors

There are several primary risk factors for developing gestational diabetes, including:

• being overweight or having obesity
• having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
• having a close family member with type 2 diabetes
• being African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, or a Pacific Islander
• having prediabetes

Early signs and symptoms

Many women with gestational diabetes do not experience significant symptoms. The symptoms may also be difficult to distinguish from those that occur due to regular changes during pregnancy.
Possible early signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes include:

• extreme thirst
• fatigue
• frequent, large-volume urination
• sugar in the urine
• numerous bladder, vaginal, or skin infections
• blurred vision
• nausea

When to see a doctor

It is usually possible to discuss gestational diabetes at a regular scheduled appointment during pregnancy.
However, anyone who experiences changes in symptoms or other complications should speak to a doctor or another healthcare professional as soon as possible.
A doctor can ask the individual about their symptoms and determine whether further tests are necessary.

Summary

It is not always possible to prevent gestational diabetes. Certain risk factors make it more likely that a woman will develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
However, maintaining a healthy weight before and after conception, eating well, and exercising regularly during pregnancy can all reduce the risk.
Anyone worried that they might have gestational diabetes or a higher risk of it should discuss this with a doctor at their next pregnancy checkup.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325156.php