Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a situation characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels that is first acknowledged during pregnancy. The condition occurs in approximately 4% of all pregnancies. In 95 percent of the cases, the diabetes fades away after childbirth. For about 5% of the women, the diabetes remains after childbirth. Once a woman has had gestational diabetes, she’s at risk for developing another form of diabetes (usually type II) later in life.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational-diabetes symptoms are generally mild and not life threatening to the woman. It can, however, pose problems for the infant, including hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and respiratory-distress syndrome. Women with gestational diabetes are more predisposed than normal to developing toxaemia, a critical condition for both mother and child.
In most cases, diet and exercise can control gestational diabetes. However, some women may need to take insulin.
Causes of Gestational diabetes
Almost all women have some degree of impaired glucose bigotry as a result of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. That means that their blood sugar may be higher than normal, but not high enough to have diabetes. During the later part of pregnancy (the third trimester), these hormonal modifications place pregnant woman at risk for gestational diabetes.
During pregnancy, increased levels of certain hormones made in the placenta (the organ that connects the baby by the umbilical cord to the uterus) help shift nutrients from the mother to the developing foetus. Other hormones are created by the placenta to help prevent the mother from developing low blood sugar. They work by stopping the performance and activities of insulin.
Over the route of the pregnancy, these hormones direct to progressive impaired glucose intolerance (higher blood sugar levels). To try to diminish blood sugar levels, the body makes more insulin to get glucose into cells to be used for energy.
Usually the mother’s pancreas is able to produce more insulin (about three times the normal amount) to raise above the effect of the pregnancy hormones on blood sugar levels. If, however, the pancreas cannot generate an adequate amount of insulin to overcome the effect of the increased hormones during pregnancy, blood sugar levels will rise, consequential in gestational diabetes.
Complications of Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes can affect the embryonic baby throughout the pregnancy. In early pregnancy, a mother’s diabetes can result in birth imperfections and an increased rate of miscarriage. Many of the birth defects that occur influence major organs such as the brain and heart.
During the second and third trimester, a mother’s diabetes can lead to over-nutrition and excess growth of the baby. Having a large baby increases risks during labour and delivery. For example, large babies often require caesarean deliveries and if he or she is delivered vaginally, they are at increased risk for trauma to their shoulder.
In addition, when foetal over-nutrition occurs and hyperinsulinemia results, the baby’s blood sugar can go down very low after birth, since it won’t be accepting the high blood sugar from the mother.
However, with appropriate management, you can deliver a healthy baby despite having diabetes.
Risk for Gestational Diabetes
The following factors increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy:
- Being obese preceding becoming pregnant (if you are 20% or more over your ideal body weight).
- Being a member of a high risk ethnic group (Hispanic, Black, Native American, or Asian).
- Having glucose in your urine.
- Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose (blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to be diabetes).
- Inherent fear of diabetes (if your parents or siblings have diabetes).
- Previously giving birth to an obese baby or over 9 pounds.
- Previously giving birth to a stillborn baby.
- Having gestational diabetes with a previous pregnancy.
- Having too much amniotic fluid.
High risk women should be screened for gestational diabetes as early as possible during their pregnancies. All other women will be screened between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
To screen for gestational diabetes, you will take a test called the oral glucose tolerance test. This test involves quickly drinking a sweetened liquid, which contains 50g of sugar. The body absorbs this sugar rapidly, causing blood sugar levels to rise within 30-60 minutes. A blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm 1 hour after drinking the solution. The blood test measures how the sugar solution was metabolized (processed by the body).
A blood sugar level greater than or equal to 140mg/dL is recognized as abnormal. If your results are abnormal based on the oral glucose tolerance test, another test will be given after fasting for several hours.
In women at high risk of developing gestational diabetes, a normal screening test result is followed up with another screening test at 24-28 weeks for confirmation of the diagnosis.
Management of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is managed by:
- Scrutinize blood sugar levels four times per day (before breakfast and 2 hours after meals. Monitoring blood sugar before all meals may also become necessary.)
- Scrutinize urine for ketones (an acid that indicates your diabetes is not under control).
- Following specific dietary guidelines as instructed by your doctor. You will be asked to allocate your calories consistently throughout the day.
- Exercising after obtaining your health care provider’s permission.
- Scrutinize weight gain.
- Taking insulin, if necessary. Insulin is currently the only diabetes medication used during pregnancy.
- Controlling high blood pressure.
Testing your blood sugar at certain times of the day will help determine if your exercise and eating patterns are keeping your blood sugar levels in control, or if you need extra insulin to protect your embryonic baby. Your health care provider will ask you to maintain a daily food record and ask you to record your home sugar levels.
Testing your blood sugar involves pricking your finger with a lancet device (a small, sharp needle), putting a drop of blood on a test strip, using a blood sugar meter to display your results, recording the results in a log book, and then disposing the lancet and strips properly (in a "sharps" container or a hard plastic container, such as a laundry detergent bottle).
Bring your blood sugar analysis with you to your specialist appointments so your doctor can estimate how well your blood sugar levels are controlled and determine if variations need to be made to your treatment plan.
Your health care provider will show you how to use a glucose meter. He or she can also tell you where to get a meter. You may be able to borrow it from your hospital, as many hospitals have loaner meter programs for women with gestational diabetes.
Based on your blood sugar monitoring results, your health care provider will tell you if you need to take insulin in the form of injections during pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar. If insulin is prescribed for you, you may be taught how to perform the insulin injection procedure.
As your pregnancy progresses, the placenta will make more pregnancy hormones and larger doses of insulin may be needed to control your blood sugar. Your health care provider will adjust your insulin dosage based on your blood sugar log.
When using insulin, a low blood glucose reaction, or hypoglycaemia, can occur if you do not eat enough food, skip a meal, do not eat at the right time of day, or if you exercise more than usual.
Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is a serious problem that needs to be treated right away. If you think you are having a low blood sugar reaction, check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is less than 60 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre), eat a sugar-containing food, such as 1/2 cup of orange or apple juice; 1 cup of skim milk; 4-6 pieces of hard candy (not sugar-free); 1/2 cup regular soft drink; or 1 tablespoon of honey, brown sugar, or corn syrup. Fifteen minutes after eating one of the foods listed above, check your blood sugar. If it is still less than 60 mg/dL, eat another serving of the food varieties listed above. If it is more than 45 minutes until your next meal, eat a bread and protein source to prevent another reaction.
Record all low blood sugar reactions in your log book, including the date, time of day the reaction occurred and how you treated it.
Diet Plan, If you have Gestational Diabetes
- Eat three small meals and two or three snacks at regular times every day. Do not skip meals or snacks. Carbohydrates should be 40%-45% of the total calories with breakfast and a bedtime snack containing 15-30 grams of carbohydrates.
- If you have morning sickness, eat 1-2 servings of crackers, cereal, or pretzels before getting out of bed. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day and avoid fatty, fried, and greasy foods. If you take insulin and have morning sickness, make sure you know how to treat low blood sugar.
- Choose foods high in fibre such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. All pregnant women should eat 20-35 grams of fibre a day.
- Fats should be less than 40% of calories with less than 10% consumed being from saturated fats.
- Drink at least 8 cups (or 64 ounces) of liquids per day.
Exercise
Regular exercise during pregnancy can improve your posture and decrease some common discomforts such as backaches and fatigue. Being fit during pregnancy means safe, mild to moderate exercise at least three times a week. But, regardless of gestational diabetes, every pregnant woman should consult with her health care provider before beginning an exercise program. He or she can give you personal exercise guidelines, based on your medical history.
Since both insulin and exercise lower blood sugar, you should follow these additional exercise guidelines to avoid a low blood glucose reaction:
- Always carry some form of sugar with you when exercising, such as glucose tablets or hard candy.
- Eat one serving of fruit or the equivalent of 15 grams of carbohydrate for most activities lasting 30 minutes. If you exercise right after a meal, eat this snack after exercise. If you exercise 2 hours or more after a meal, eat the snack before exercise.
Effective Herbal Remedy to Control Sugar Level
Diabeta Plus
This herbal blend called Diabeta plus is going to work slowly. Diabeta plus is not going to lower down sugar immediately or cause hypoglycemia. The effects are slow but sustained and can be monitored. Over the period of time, You may need to reduce the dosage of your other drugs, supplements or herbs for diabetes being used.
Diabeta plus is a mixture of various herbs for diabetes, which are described in Ayurveda for taking care of diabetes naturally. The herbs not only help to control sugar levels but also help to rejuvenate overall health, bring back stamina and help to overcome fatigue. Diabeta plus contains herbs like momordica, Gymnema, Salacia, Pterocarpus marsupium which are long know to have beneficial effects in diabetes.The herbs are not only good to control sugar levels but also excellent for preventing diabetic neuropathy.
This product has its roots in Ayurveda-ancient herbal healthcare system of India . According to Ayurveda the balance of 3 energies- Vata, Pitta and Kapha (Kinetic, Thermal and Potential energy) in the body is a disease free state whereas their imbalance causes diseases. In Ayurveda, imbalance in “Vata” and “Kapha” is considered as root cause of diabetes. Herbs in this formula control both “Vata” and “Kapha” and thus good in controlling sugar levels.
Herbs in Diabeta Plus
Diabeta Plus is purely a herbal formulation without any chemicals added into it. The ingredients are frequently used in Ayurvedic system of medicine since 5,000 B.C. without any side effects. Although there are many herbal products for diabetes, but this one is unique in bringing down sugar levels under control without causing side effects and without causing sharp fluctuation in sugar levels.
Ingredients of Diabeta Plus
| S. No. | Herb Used | Latin Name | Quantity |
| 1. | Gurmaar | Gymnema sylvestrae | 150 mg |
| 2 | Karela | Momordica charantia | 150 mg |
| 3. | Saptrangi | Salacia oblonga | 50 mg |
| 4. | Vizaysaar | Pterocarpus marsupium
|
50 mg |
| 5. | Ashwagandha | Withania somnifera
|
50 mg |
| 6. | Tulsi | Ocimum tenuiflorum
|
50 mg |
1. Gurmaar (Gymnema sylvestrae)
In Hindi language, Gurmaar means “The sugar killer”. It is a twine which is known since ages in Ayurveda for its sugar controlling activity. Recent studies show that it contains Gymnemic acid molecules responsible for its anti-diabetic action. They bind with glucose molecules in the intestines and inhibit their entry into the blood stream. Thus it is effective in controlling sugar levels. This is a perfect herb for sugar control.
2. Karela (Momordica charantia)
Commonly known as bitter gourd. It is very popular for it’s anti-diabetic properties. It’s also rich in micronutrients which are required for prevention of complications of diabetes. We have a juice form of momordica herb as well. Read more about our product Karela Saar The products like Diabeta plus, Karela Saar, Ashwagandha, Shilajit can all be used together to combat diabetes with herbal remedies.
3. Vizaysaar (Pterocarpus marsupium)
Vizaysaar is a big tree whose bark is very useful for diabetes. The bark of the tree is made into a wooden glass and the glass is termed as “The miracle care for diabetes”. Some water is kept in the wooden glass overnight and is consumed early morning by diabetes patients. The color of the water changes to brown and glass is changed after around 1 month when the water color does not change. Diabeta Plus contains extract of bark of this miracle tree.
4. Saptrangi (Salacia oblonga)
Salacia oblonga is a wonderful remedy for diabetes. It is also a tree whose bark is effective in controlling diabetes. It is extensively studied in the western herbal schools now a days, but in Ayurveda it is being used since ages.
5. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is adaptogenic, relieves anxiety and stress. It is also an effective anti-inflammatory. Ashwagandha is a useful herb especially for diabetic neuropathy, weakness, fatigue and weight loss due to diabetes. It improves overall well being.
6. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
It is popularly known as ‘The Holy Basil’ is a sacred plant according to Hindu mythology. People in India worship this plant as it has tremendous medicinal properties. Regular use of leaves of this plant controls blood sugar levels very effectively. It is also useful in many types of cancers, viral and bacterial infections, sore throat, cough and cold etc.
Dosage
For Non Insulin Dependent – 2 capsules twice daily, 1/2 hour before meals, with water.
For Insulin Dependent – 4-6 capsules twice daily, 1/2 hour before meals, with water.
To buy Diabeta Plus, please visit store.planetayurveda.com/products/dia-beta-plus
Diabeta Plus capsule contains effective Herbs for Diabetes control. It Controls Sugar Levels Naturally. The herbs for Sugar control are without any additives or preservatives.It can be very useful as an very effective herbal treatment for Diabetes.
A very useful and effective natural treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy. Although there are a lot of Herbal Products for Diabetes, but the unique combination of various herbs in Diabeta Plus has made it a very different and a very useful herbal product for diabetes.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Ashwagandha and Shilajit Capsules are some other herbal supplements which can be used along with Diabeta Plus to combat diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy responds quickly to this herbal combination. Ashwagandha is used 500 mg capsules in twice daily dosage to combat Diabetic Neuropathy effectively and other complications of diabetes.
