a historical perspective on gestational diabetes

a historical perspective on gestational diabetes

When was gestational diabetes first discovered?

Although evidence of non-gestational diabetes dates back to 1500 BC, there was no evidence or documentation of gestational diabetes until the early 1800s. In 1824, Heinrich Bennewitz, a medical doctor who worked in Berlin, Germany, was one of the first physicians to record and publish a case of gestational diabetes.

How was gestational diabetes discovered?

The glucose values used to detect gestational diabetes were first determined by O’Sullivan and Mahan (1964) in a retrospective cohort study (using a 100 grams of glucose OGTT) designed to detect risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

What is gestational diabetes explain in detail?

Overview. Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose). Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health.

Does gestational diabetes come from the father?

Now, in a large study analyzing 20 years of data from Quebec, a team of scientists has demonstrated that gestational diabetes signals future diabetes risk not only in mothers, but also in fathers.

What is the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells.

How does gestational diabetes affect the reproductive system?

Diabetes and female sexual dysfunction In the long term diabetes can affect the blood vessels and nerves of the female genitals. This can result in difficulties in arousal and lubrication. Diabetes is not the only cause of sexual dysfunction; psychological factors can also diminish arousal for instance.

Is gestational diabetes genetic?

Gestational diabetes is a complex disease without a clear pattern of inheritance. However, many affected individuals have at least one close family member, such as a parent or sibling, with this disease or another form of diabetes (most commonly type 2 diabetes).

Is gestational diabetes preventable?

It is not always possible to prevent gestational diabetes. Certain risk factors make it more likely that a woman will develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, maintaining a healthy weight before and after conception, eating well, and exercising regularly during pregnancy can all reduce the risk.

Is gestational diabetes my fault?

IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT! This is due to the hormones released from the placenta. Those who are not diabetic are able to increase insulin production sufficiently enough. Those who cannot increase insulin production enough, or cannot use the insulin that is there effectively enough, are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Is gestational diabetes high risk pregnancy?

Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), may need high-risk pregnancy care due to complications that can arise during pregnancy and childbirth. Women with GDM have an increased risk of preeclampsia, a condition that leads to pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.

What is prenatal diabetes called?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first seen in a pregnant woman who did not have diabetes before she was pregnant. Some women have more than one pregnancy affected by gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually shows up in the middle of pregnancy.

Why does gestational diabetes cause large babies?

When a pregnant woman has high blood sugar, she can pass that along to her baby. In response, the baby’s body makes insulin. All the extra sugar and the extra insulin that is made can lead to fast growth and deposits of fat. This means a larger baby.

Is gestational diabetes caused by diet?

Be sure to follow the plan and care for yourself, but don’t feel guilty about the sugar you’ve eaten in the past. Just as high blood pressure is not caused by eating salt, gestational diabetes is not caused by your past sweet-tooth choices, but having it should alter your future choices.

Is gestational diabetes curable?

Can gestational diabetes be cured? Most women with gestational diabetes who receive treatment go on to deliver healthy babies. The risk of complications increases when blood glucose levels are not properly controlled.

What percentage of pregnancies have gestational diabetes?

In the United States, about 1% to 2% of pregnant women have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and about 6% to 9% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. Diabetes during pregnancy has increased in recent years.

What gestational diabetes is and why it develops and the physiological changes in pregnancy that bring it about?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. Diabetes means your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Gestational diabetes happens when your body can’t make enough insulin during pregnancy.

What are the causes of diabetes explain?

What causes type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system, the body’s system for fighting infection, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists think type 1 diabetes is caused by genes and environmental factors, such as viruses, that might trigger the disease.

What is the management of gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is managed by monitoring blood glucose levels, adopting a healthy eating plan and performing regular physical activity. Effective management of gestational diabetes will reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and the birth of your baby.

What birth defects are caused by diabetes?

Among the defects in children born to women with diabetes are heart problems, brain and spinal defects, oral clefts, kidney and gastrointestinal tract defects, and limb deficiencies. Diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy was linked with about 50% of the birth defect categories analyzed.

How does pregnancy affect insulin sensitivity and what effect does this have on the baby?

During pregnancy, an organ called the placenta gives a growing baby nutrients and oxygen. The placenta also makes hormones. In late pregnancy, the hormones estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen can block insulin. When insulin is blocked, it’s called insulin resistance.