Posts Tagged ‘Diabetes’

2010 INTEGRIS Women’s Health Forum Preview: “PCOS: Prognosis for Type 2 Diabetes?”

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is one of the most common female endocrine disorders, affecting one in 15 women. Infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, acne and increased facial hair are all signs of female hormone imbalance. Even more striking is the potential of women with PCOS to develop Type 2 diabetes. Come join us as Pam Patty, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, explores what PCOS is and how insulin resistance and obesity put a woman at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Shartel Church of God 11600 S. Western This session is free. Registration is required. To register for this session please call the INTEGRIS HealthLine at (405) 951-2277.

Diabetes Mellitus – Invitation to Several Health Problems

In diabetes mellitus, the glucose level in the urine and blood is high. A high level of blood sugar is due to deficiency of insulin, the hormone that facilitates the entry of glucose in body cells. This occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or due to antibodies that are formed in the blood which interfere with the normal functioning of the insulin. In either case, there is a high level of glucose in the blood.

Diabetes generally appears as polyuria (frequent urination) and polydipsia (increased thirst). It is always essential to check for diabetes if a person is suffering from any ailment and is not recovering fast; particularly those approaching 40 should and must check for diabetes every year.

1. Diabetes may cause itching of vulva in women and inflammation of the glans penis in men.
2. You may lose weight inspite of normal or increased appetite.
3. You may have a variety of infections like tuberculosis, infection of kidney (pyelonephritis).
4. You may have retinal detachment or even loss of vision, may develop infection in the feet which may turn into gangrene and require amputation if the disease is not checked in early stage.
5. You may have aches or pain in the body, weakness, a boil or carbuncle of skin which does not heal rapidly.
6. There is an increase in still births of pregnant women in a diabetic condition. The child born could be heavy (over 10 lbs. at birth).
7. Diabetes can complicate arthritis.
8. It may cause amenorrhea (stopped periods).  Read more...

Womens Health: What is Gestational Diabetes?

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes occur only in pregnant women. This diabetes is caused due to disorder in the placenta of the pregnant women. When the pancreas of the women fails to produce extra insulin, the blood sugar level becomes unusually high. This condition is termed as gestational diabetes. It is essential for all future mothers to have a complete knowledge of the link between women and gestational diabetes.

Diagnosis

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when the woman is about 24-28 weeks pregnant. It is diagnosed by “oral glucose tolerance test” in which the woman is instructed not to eat for 4 to 8 hours. Then her blood sugar level is measured by the medical caretakers.

After checking the normal sugar count, she is given a sugar drink and after 2 hours the sugar level test is redone to assess abnormality in blood sugar level. If the women’s sugar level is below 140 mg/dl then she is certified to be in the safe limit. However, if the sugar count is more than 140 mg/dl, she is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Causes

Gestational diabetes is more likely to happen in obese women more than 25years of age and who have following records -

A family record of diabetes or has prior experience of this disease in past pregnancies can lead to gestational diabetes.  Read more...