Female Care

Gestational diabetes occurs in approximately 5% of pregnancies.  Several complications arise for both the baby and the mother if gestational diabetes is left uncontrolled, including large birth weight and difficult delivery, preeclampsia (high blood pressure), and the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.  For the expectant mother recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the revelation and information regarding treatment can be overwhelming.  However, there are several steps a woman can follow to minimize the complications. Continue reading »

By Marie McCarren (author of american Diabetes association Guide To insulin & Type 2 Diabetes. She lives in Arnold, Md.)

There are now six classes of diabetes pills and several combination oral meds. Each has a different way of helping you control your diabetes.

About 90 percent of diabetes in the U.S. is the type 2 form, which occurs in most people after the age of 40.  Type 2 diabetes is increasing in young people, especially among those who are overweight, physically inactive, or have a family history of diabetes. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes. Upper-body obesity is a stronger risk factor for type 2 diabetes than excess weight below the waist. Regular physical activity can protect against type 2 diabetes, while a lack of exercise is a risk factor for developing diabetes.

if you’re a typical person with type 2, your blood glucose levels are high because you have:

# a pancreas that doesn’t make enough insulin to control your blood glucose
# a liver that releases glucose inappropriately
# muscle cells that don’t easily take in glucose
Continue reading »