Hypoglycemia and Its Relationship with Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time for the whole family. A new baby is about to be born, and there's no knowing what that baby would look like and grow up to be. Pregnancy however is also an unfortunately dangerous time for both the mother and the unborn child. Pregnant women are more vulnerable than usual to illnesses, and they need to take extra precaution to guarantee not only personal health but also the well-being of the child inside their wombs.



Pregnancy and Diet
Pregnant women often feel that their present condition gives them the license to eat whatever they want and as often as they wish. Although it's safe for most of the women to do so, such an outlook isn't exactly farsighted because overeating will lead to extra weight. Consequently, there'll be more pounds to burn once they've given birth.



If a pregnant woman wants to be on the safe side, however, there is a proper diet prescribed for women in this condition. Such a diet however may have to undergo several changes if a pregnant woman has been proven to be diabetic or hypoglycemic as well.



Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
While most people are aware of the conditions of diabetes, not all of them are equally cognizant of the facts about hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition wherein an individual's glucose level becomes abnormally low. Glucose or blood sugar is needed by the body to function properly.



At times, however, hypoglycemia is the result of an overproduction of insulin by the pancreas. As you know, insulin is one of the medicines used to treat diabetes. Insulin can help transform sugar into energy.



Also, hypoglycemia can be caused by stress, the wrong diet, critical problems with the pancreas or the liver, and of course, pregnancy.



The Links between Pregnancy and Hypoglycemia
Insulin resistance increases as a woman reaches the latter stages of her pregnancy. If the woman is suffering from Type II diabetes, she may find it necessary to take insulin intravenously to normalize the situation.



Oral medication for diabetes is very dangerous for pregnant women. If you haven't informed your ob-gyn about this yet, you should do so as early as possible because oral medication has been known to cause birth defects.



Pregnant women should constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. It's imperative that they make the necessary adjustments right after they find out that their glucose level is either too low or high. This will ensure that the health of the unborn child will not be affected. If left untreated, hypoglycemia has been known to cause a pregnant woman to faint. If she loses consciousness alone and worse, in a place where no one will be able to check on her periodically, this can cause further complications for her and the baby.



While regular exercise is certainly good for pregnant women, this will be made slightly more complicated if a pregnant woman happens to be diabetic as well. As such, she must test her glucose level prior and after her workout. It's also better to always have a medical kit and some light snacks with her at all times, in the event that she has a sudden attack of hypoglycemia.



If you or your loved one is pregnant and diabetic, you or she must be always accompanied by someone who's fully aware of both of your conditions, and what should be done if you suffer from hypoglycemia. When you're pregnant, it's not only your weight that's doubled...the risks you face are twice as high as well. Take care and have a blessed birth!

Diabetes: Relationship With Diet and Exercise

Introduction



Is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia (high levels of circulating glucose) due to deranged actions and / or production of the glucose level regulating hormone, insulin. Most of the clinical features and sequelae of diabetes are due to this persistently elevated level of glucose.



A strong relationship between modern life style and diabetes is cited by most scientific studies.



Epidemiology



The association of type II diabetes and physical inactivity was first noted in populations who migrated from rural areas to cities and were suddenly exposed a more modern life style. A case in study is that of the Japanese living in Hawaii who have an increased risk than those living in Hiroshima. Thus, lifestyle seems to contribute more than genetics.



A study from the University of Pennsylvania concluded that there is a 6% lower risk of diabetes if the weekly ingestion of calories is reduced by 500 Kcal. Another study suggests that there is a direct dose-response relationship between physical activity and reduction of risk for diabetes.



Types of Diabetes



Type I Diabetes Mellitus



This is characterized by absolute inability of the body to produce insulin. Pancreatic Beta cell destruction due to an autoimmune mechanism is universally accepted cause of type I diabetes mellitus.



Type II Diabetes Mellitus



This is characterized by relative deficiency of insulin and/ or resistance to the actions of insulin. This is the more common type and affects individuals in the middle age and is dependent to a large extent on factors like race, diet and obesity.



Diagnosis of Diabetes



Fasting glucose levels of > or = 126 mg/dL (7. 0 mmol/L)



OGTT: 2 hour plasma glucose > or = 200 mg/dL (11. 1 mmol/L)



Clinical Features



1. Polyuria



2. Polydipsia



3. Polyphagia



4. Unexplained loss of weight



5. Hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke occur more commonly in diabetics than normal population



6. Diabetic nephropathy: changes in the kidneys affecting renal function; causing end stage renal disease



7. Diabetic retinopathy: changes in the retinal arteries causing blindness



8. Diabetic neuropathy: causing damage to the peripheral motor sensory nerves and autonomic nerves; is the major cause of non-traumatic, lower limb amputations.



Management of type II diabetes



Is 3 fold:



1. Daily exercise



Exercise should form the basis of prevention as well as treatment of borderline cased of type II diabetes. Resistance training by increasing the muscle mass has a lot of positive effects in diabetes effects. Increased muscle blood flow, quality of muscle as well as mass leads to better extraction of glucose from blood without too much dependency on insulin. Furthermore, decreased abdominal fat leads to better control of insulin secretion. Exercise also causes increased insulin sensitivity in the liver and thereby reduces production of new glucose.



2. Diet



Diet containing complex carbohydrates and protein in combination with daily exercise will effectively control blood glucose levels within normal and also prevents the more serious sequelae. Also, ingestion of small meals through the day and low glycemic index foods are also good strategies.



3. Drugs



Oral hypoglycemic drugs are prescribed to keep the blood sugar levels within normal limits; classified into three categories:



1. Insulin Secretogogues: cause secretion of insulin from the pancreas



2. Insulin Sensitizers: increase the sensitivity of tissue to insulin



3. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: delay the rate of carbohydrate absorption and digestion and thus effectively control insulin levels and thereby glucose levels.

Hypoglycemia and Its Relationship with Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time for the whole family. A new baby is about to be born, and there's no knowing what that baby would look like and grow up to be. Pregnancy however is also an unfortunately dangerous time for both the mother and the unborn child. Pregnant women are more vulnerable than usual to illnesses, and they need to take extra precaution to guarantee not only personal health but also the well-being of the child inside their wombs.



Pregnancy and Diet
Pregnant women often feel that their present condition gives them the license to eat whatever they want and as often as they wish. Although it's safe for most of the women to do so, such an outlook isn't exactly farsighted because overeating will lead to extra weight. Consequently, there'll be more pounds to burn once they've given birth.



If a pregnant woman wants to be on the safe side, however, there is a proper diet prescribed for women in this condition. Such a diet however may have to undergo several changes if a pregnant woman has been proven to be diabetic or hypoglycemic as well.



Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
While most people are aware of the conditions of diabetes, not all of them are equally cognizant of the facts about hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition wherein an individual's glucose level becomes abnormally low. Glucose or blood sugar is needed by the body to function properly.



At times, however, hypoglycemia is the result of an overproduction of insulin by the pancreas. As you know, insulin is one of the medicines used to treat diabetes. Insulin can help transform sugar into energy.



Also, hypoglycemia can be caused by stress, the wrong diet, critical problems with the pancreas or the liver, and of course, pregnancy.



The Links between Pregnancy and Hypoglycemia
Insulin resistance increases as a woman reaches the latter stages of her pregnancy. If the woman is suffering from Type II diabetes, she may find it necessary to take insulin intravenously to normalize the situation.



Oral medication for diabetes is very dangerous for pregnant women. If you haven't informed your ob-gyn about this yet, you should do so as early as possible because oral medication has been known to cause birth defects.



Pregnant women should constantly monitor their blood sugar levels. It's imperative that they make the necessary adjustments right after they find out that their glucose level is either too low or high. This will ensure that the health of the unborn child will not be affected. If left untreated, hypoglycemia has been known to cause a pregnant woman to faint. If she loses consciousness alone and worse, in a place where no one will be able to check on her periodically, this can cause further complications for her and the baby.



While regular exercise is certainly good for pregnant women, this will be made slightly more complicated if a pregnant woman happens to be diabetic as well. As such, she must test her glucose level prior and after her workout. It's also better to always have a medical kit and some light snacks with her at all times, in the event that she has a sudden attack of hypoglycemia.



If you or your loved one is pregnant and diabetic, you or she must be always accompanied by someone who's fully aware of both of your conditions, and what should be done if you suffer from hypoglycemia. When you're pregnant, it's not only your weight that's doubled...the risks you face are twice as high as well. Take care and have a blessed birth!

Diabetes: Relationship With Diet and Exercise

Introduction



Is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia (high levels of circulating glucose) due to deranged actions and / or production of the glucose level regulating hormone, insulin. Most of the clinical features and sequelae of diabetes are due to this persistently elevated level of glucose.



A strong relationship between modern life style and diabetes is cited by most scientific studies.



Epidemiology



The association of type II diabetes and physical inactivity was first noted in populations who migrated from rural areas to cities and were suddenly exposed a more modern life style. A case in study is that of the Japanese living in Hawaii who have an increased risk than those living in Hiroshima. Thus, lifestyle seems to contribute more than genetics.



A study from the University of Pennsylvania concluded that there is a 6% lower risk of diabetes if the weekly ingestion of calories is reduced by 500 Kcal. Another study suggests that there is a direct dose-response relationship between physical activity and reduction of risk for diabetes.



Types of Diabetes



Type I Diabetes Mellitus



This is characterized by absolute inability of the body to produce insulin. Pancreatic Beta cell destruction due to an autoimmune mechanism is universally accepted cause of type I diabetes mellitus.



Type II Diabetes Mellitus



This is characterized by relative deficiency of insulin and/ or resistance to the actions of insulin. This is the more common type and affects individuals in the middle age and is dependent to a large extent on factors like race, diet and obesity.



Diagnosis of Diabetes



Fasting glucose levels of > or = 126 mg/dL (7. 0 mmol/L)



OGTT: 2 hour plasma glucose > or = 200 mg/dL (11. 1 mmol/L)



Clinical Features



1. Polyuria



2. Polydipsia



3. Polyphagia



4. Unexplained loss of weight



5. Hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke occur more commonly in diabetics than normal population



6. Diabetic nephropathy: changes in the kidneys affecting renal function; causing end stage renal disease



7. Diabetic retinopathy: changes in the retinal arteries causing blindness



8. Diabetic neuropathy: causing damage to the peripheral motor sensory nerves and autonomic nerves; is the major cause of non-traumatic, lower limb amputations.



Management of type II diabetes



Is 3 fold:



1. Daily exercise



Exercise should form the basis of prevention as well as treatment of borderline cased of type II diabetes. Resistance training by increasing the muscle mass has a lot of positive effects in diabetes effects. Increased muscle blood flow, quality of muscle as well as mass leads to better extraction of glucose from blood without too much dependency on insulin. Furthermore, decreased abdominal fat leads to better control of insulin secretion. Exercise also causes increased insulin sensitivity in the liver and thereby reduces production of new glucose.



2. Diet



Diet containing complex carbohydrates and protein in combination with daily exercise will effectively control blood glucose levels within normal and also prevents the more serious sequelae. Also, ingestion of small meals through the day and low glycemic index foods are also good strategies.



3. Drugs



Oral hypoglycemic drugs are prescribed to keep the blood sugar levels within normal limits; classified into three categories:



1. Insulin Secretogogues: cause secretion of insulin from the pancreas



2. Insulin Sensitizers: increase the sensitivity of tissue to insulin



3. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: delay the rate of carbohydrate absorption and digestion and thus effectively control insulin levels and thereby glucose levels.