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Diabetes Management Tips
Do you or someone you care about have diabetes? This common disease is usually progressive over several years' time, and it can create many kinds of health problems for those who have it. If you suspect you have symptoms of a diabetic nature, make a...

How do you tackle controlling your weight?
If you ask around, most people are on one form of a diet or another. But while losing weight may be a popular goal, for some it's an absolute necessity. Becoming overweight or obese starts with a few extra pounds that quietly turn into 20 extra...

How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Quickly
In most cases, the secondary diseases that follow the high blood pressure manifest long time after the hypertension and it's symptoms appear. To provide a treatment for hypertension and to lower blood pressure quickly it is significant to...

Maintaining Up To Date Medical Records and Emergency Information
Do you know what information you need in a medical emergency? Being prepared can make a life saving difference in an emergency situation. Who needs to keep their information available and updated? Actually, all of us should but very few do....

Weight Loss: It's Not Always What You Eat, But What You Don't Eat (Part 1 of 2)
On a little island half way in between Guam and the Philippines there is a rampant epidemic affecting the inhabitants. This tiny island of approximately 8,200 people is not afflicted with famine or a deadly disease as you might think when...

 
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Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects almost 4% of all pregnancies, making it one of the top health concerns related to pregnancy.

What is the cause of gestational diabetes?

While no-one really knows the cause, there are some factors that is might increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes. These include:
* A family history of diabetes
* Obesity in the woman
* Having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
* Older maternal age (over the age of 30).
* A previous delivery of a large (greater than 9 pounds) baby .

What are the risks of gestational diabetes?
High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you and your baby.
If a woman had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a greater change of developing diabetes, but there is also some other risks involved, such as macrosomia, or


a "fat" baby. Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own, including damage to their shoulders during birth, or a higher risk for breathing problems.

Treating gestational diabetes
In most cases, gestational diabetes is managed by diet and exercise, and goes away after the baby is born. But because gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby, it is important to start treatment quickly. You should consult your doctor for special meal plans and scheduled physical activity.

There is no reason to panic

While gestational diabetes is a cause for concern, the good news with the correct diet and exercise, you can keep your blood glucose levels under control, and give a healthy start for your baby.
About the author:

Andrew Palmer helps maintain a diabetes information website, for more information visit http://www.diabetesweb.net