Warning Signs of Gestational Diabetes You Can't Ignore

Pregnancy can cause insufficient insulin production, which leads to the development of a condition known as gestational diabetes. It normally disappears after childbirth and commonly appears during the third or second trimester. This illness may increase the risk of complications for both the mother and the child. Therefore, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and occasionally blood sugar-controlling medication are all part of the proper treatment required for gestational diabetes.

Causes of Gestational Diabetes

The primary causes behind gestational diabetes are the sudden change in hormone levels and the process of conversion of food to provide energy. A hormone known as insulin is responsible for breaking down glucose and providing energy to the body. If insulin stops working properly then the accumulated glucose in the body leads to the condition known as diabetes. This disease only appears in pregnant women.

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

The gestational diabetes symptoms are somewhat similar to the symptoms of diabetes and hence are commonly ignored without understanding its impact.

Fatigue

A sudden fatigue that starts as soon as you wake up might be a subtle indicator of gestational diabetes. 

Frequent Urination

Due to the imbalance in the body fluids, your kidney tends to release excessive fluids which eventually leads to the condition of frequent urination.

Increased Thirst

One might experience the sudden urge to drink water in volumes more than usual without much physical exhaustion.

Blurred Vision

In severe cases, gestational diabetes can harm your vision, which could result in permanent blindness.

Warning Signs of Gestational Diabetes

If the symptoms of gestational diabetes are left untreated, it might have serious consequences in the future. Here are some of the severe signs of gestational diabetes you should watch out for to treat the condition at the earliest.

Unexplained Weight Loss

A sudden fluctuation in weight might indicate a serious case of gestational diabetes. In certain cases, pregnant women may struggle to deal with sudden weight loss due to improper functioning of the insulin hormone.

Excessive Weight Gain

Due to an increase in fluid retention, a few pregnant women might have to deal with an unexpected gain in weight.

Sugar in the Urine

As the body fails to convert glucose into energy, the accumulated glucose gets mixed with the fluids, which is detected in the urine.

Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes

Here are the diagnostic measures doctors take for gestational diabetes.

Glucose Tolerance Tests

This blood assay helps find how your body handles sugar after a meal.

Glucose Screening Tests

Through this test, doctors check glucose levels after one hour of sugar consumption.

Treatment of Gestational Diabetes

It is possible to treat gestational diabetes by following the simple strategies mentioned below.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise aids in decreasing the blood sugar level, especially before, during, and after pregnancy.

Medication

If regular exercise fails to normalise the blood sugar level, you should opt for insulin therapy. Under this treatment, insulin injections are injected into your body to normalise the blood sugar level.

Healthy Diet

A gestational diabetes diet includes vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and grains. It limits the quantity of carbohydrates and fat while increasing the level of nutrition and fibre in the body.

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Regularly monitoring the blood sugar level provides a general idea regarding the condition of your body.

Prevention of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes can be prevented by following some simple strategies.

Maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy

Avoiding junk foods and modifying daily habits results in maintaining proper health and keeps the risk of gestational diabetes at bay.

Balanced Diet

A proper balanced diet is necessary for the prevention of gestational diabetes. Moreover, nutrient-rich food intake ensures that both the mother and the child have a perfect weight and health.

Physical Activity

Regular exercise helps in maintaining a healthy body which further prevents the occurrence of gestational diabetes. Regular exercise helps in insulin production which is necessary for maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

Conclusion

Gestational diabetes is a treatable illness that usually disappears after childbirth, but the signs of gestational diabetes need to be closely monitored to avoid complications in the future. It is possible to have a safe pregnancy if appropriate care and attention are provided.