Gestational diabetes symptoms

Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Gestational diabetes shows several symptoms, the most typical being the "three more one less" syndrome, namely increased thirst, increased appetite, urination, and weight loss. The second common manifestation is fatigue, which is due to glucose not being utilized effectively in the body and being broken down too quickly, leading to insufficient energy replenishment. The third is unexplained frequent fungal infections, such as recurring candidal infections of the vulva and vagina, at which point blood sugar screening should be considered. The fourth symptom is pregnancy accompanied by excessive amniotic fluid or a large fetus. The fifth is glucose positivity in urine from two fasting morning samples.

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Will the fetus have diabetes if the mother has gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a common complication during pregnancy, characterized by elevated levels during glucose tolerance tests conducted while a woman is pregnant. Gestational diabetes can significantly affect both the mother and fetus, but actively controlling blood sugar can generally minimize these impacts. If a baby is born to a mother with gestational diabetes, this baby has a higher likelihood of developing diabetes later in life compared to the general population, but it does not necessarily mean that they will. This is because such babies have a genetic predisposition and might experience insufficient pancreatic function as adults, which can lead to diabetes. Therefore, it is important for these newborns to undergo regular blood sugar monitoring as adults to determine if they have diabetes, and if so, to seek proactive treatment.

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What to eat for diabetic foot

For patients with diabetic foot ulcers, first, their diet should control blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index like porridge, glutinous rice, and rice noodle rolls should be avoided. Additionally, sweet foods are also off-limits; it's important for meals to be regular and measured. Second, as patients with diabetic foot ulcers need nutrients for wound healing, they can eat foods high in protein such as eggs, fish, fish soup, and lean meats to promote wound healing. Third, if the patient also has high blood lipids, it's advisable to maintain a light diet and avoid greasy foods.

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Care for diabetic foot

The first fundamental step is monitoring blood glucose; good control of blood glucose levels is essential for the effective management of diabetic foot problems. Secondly, attention must be paid to the protection of the wound. It's crucial to keep the wound clean, perform regular cleaning and disinfection, and when necessary, debride necrotic tissue thoroughly. For instance, if there is a sinus tract or deep ulceration, it is essential to open the wound and ensure drainage, removing all necrotic tissue inside. Thirdly, footwear choice is critical for patients with diabetic foot; it is important to wear shoes that are loose fitting, moderately soft yet firm, and capable of evenly distributing pressure across the footbed. There are shoes specially designed for those with diabetic foot, and these can be custom-made. Other considerations include maintaining good blood pressure control and ensuring adequate nutrition to support wound healing, including sufficient protein intake, which plays a vital role in promoting wound repair.

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How to control diet for diabetes

The diet for diabetes mainly involves setting reasonable blood sugar reduction targets. Before achieving these targets, strict dietary control is necessary. All fruits, nuts, fried foods, and barbecued foods must be avoided. Meals should be regular and quantified without any extra meals or snacks. The amount of rice for lunch and dinner should be controlled, approximately a couple of ounces per meal, while intake of sufficient vegetables is encouraged to satiate hunger. However, vegetables like pumpkin should not be eaten. A certain amount of lean meat can be included, but fatty meats are to be avoided. Additionally, dry foods are recommended for diabetics, while liquid diets, like soups and porridges, should be avoided. For breakfast, if blood sugar control is poor, one should temporarily avoid noodles and rice noodles. Instead, consuming some pure milk and an egg, along with buns or dumplings such as steamed dumplings or wontons, is acceptable.

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Gestational diabetes indicators

Gestational diabetes refers to the absence of a diabetes history before pregnancy, but during pregnancy screening (Tang screening), blood sugar abnormalities are discovered. At this point, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. The criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes are based on a diabetes screening test conducted at 24-28 weeks. If the fasting blood glucose is ≥5.1, one-hour blood glucose is ≥10.0, or two-hour blood glucose is ≥8.5, meeting any one of these criteria is sufficient for a gestational diabetes diagnosis.