Symptoms of Diabetes Grossesse
Diabetes grossesse, also known as gestational diabetes, occurs when a woman has a higher than average blood glucose level during pregnancy. Hormones in the body during pregnancy typically block insulin so the baby can get enough glucose, but when the body cannot meet the demands of extra insulin, the mother experiences several symptoms.
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Significance
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Diabetes grossesse typically occurs after the first trimester of pregnancy, and the effects the mother experiences typically disappear after the baby is born. Although the condition is not a threat to the mother's health, it can cause problems throughout pregnancy and have an effect on the newborn. In some cases, the baby is born with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, experiences low blood sugar after birth that requires glucose supplementation or is born with congenital problems.
Key Symptoms
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Most women who have diabetes grossesse crave carbohydrates and sugar, because they have severely low blood sugar. Some of the most significant symptoms of diabetes grossesse are increased thirst; excessive fatigue; need to urinate frequently; blurry vision; irritability; extreme hunger and cravings; and unusual weight loss.
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Effects
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Diabetes grossesse can have several effects on the mother and child, but measures can be taken to reduce these effects throughout the course of the pregnancy. Some of the most significant effects of diabetes grossesse are stillbirth; premature labor; high blood pressure; excess amniotic fluid; newborn with jaundice; and baby that suffers from hypoglycemia. In some cases, there is also an increased risk of having a baby with a heart defect or respiratory distress syndrome.
Managing Symptoms
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Many of the symptoms of diabetes grossesse can be managed with dietary changes and supplementation. Women who are experiencing any or all of the symptoms of diabetes grossesse may need to undergo regular testing of blood sugar levels, maintain a healthy diet and undergo a regular exercise routine. In most cases, the diet consists of eating a variety of whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and starches. For women who are still experiencing high blood sugar levels, a daily injection of insulin may be required.
Warnings
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In situations where the symptoms of diabetes grossesse have been left unaddressed, the mother can experience a number of health problems that could harm the baby. If the blood sugar is too low, the mother may lose consciousness and will need a glucose supplement to restore the blood sugar to a healthier state. Common side effects of extremely low blood sugar include shaking, sweating and extreme hunger. The mother will need to have blood sugar levels monitored regularly to ensure that she is healthy and that the baby is not being affected by the lack of insulin.
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The term "grossesse" is French for pregnancy, so this article is really about diabetes during pregnancy, or gestational diabetes. I have indicated as such in the introduction.
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