Causes of Gestational Diabetes

Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

Updated on August 31, 2024

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Gestational diabetes refers to the abnormality of blood sugar levels that occurs during pregnancy, at which time it is called gestational diabetes. The reason for the occurrence of gestational diabetes is due to significant changes in the body's endocrine hormones after pregnancy. The body releases many hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which can increase insulin resistance. Thus, a much greater amount of insulin is needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels. If the pancreatic beta cells are not sufficient to compensate for the increased insulin secretion needed to meet the normal metabolic requirements caused by these resistance factors, then elevated blood sugar and abnormal glucose metabolism occur, ultimately leading to gestational diabetes.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

1min 22sec

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Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to abnormal glucose tolerance that occurs during pregnancy. It usually involves only mild, asymptomatic hyperglycemia without the typical symptoms of diabetes such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. However, significant increases in blood sugar can lead to symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. It is important to be vigilant for gestational diabetes in patients who exhibit symptoms such as excessive amniotic fluid, a large fetus, or recurrent urinary tract infections. Therefore, it is generally recommended for pregnant patients to complete an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) by the 24th week of pregnancy to confirm whether they have gestational diabetes. After childbirth, blood sugar levels in women with gestational diabetes generally return to normal, but the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future significantly increases. Therefore, patients with gestational diabetes should undergo diabetes screening 6 to 12 weeks postpartum and be monitored over the long term.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

48sec

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Gestational diabetes range

Gestational diabetes refers to abnormal blood sugar levels occurring during pregnancy. This term is used if the diagnosis is made during pregnancy, and does not include patients who were already diabetic before pregnancy, who are referred to as having diabetes concurrent with pregnancy. The criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes are based on the results of the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) conducted between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. According to the OGTT results, a fasting blood sugar level ≥ 5.1 mmol/L, a one-hour blood sugar level ≥ 10.0 mmol/L, or a two-hour blood sugar level ≥8.5 mmol/L, meeting any one of these criteria confirms a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

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Written by Luo Han Ying

Endocrinology

58sec

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Where to massage for diabetic foot

For diabetic patients, we do not recommend foot therapy. Why is that? First, the foot therapy institutions outside are not very professional; many individuals start working without proper training. The massage might lack strength, and the hygiene standards are often not met, which can lead to local injuries and infections. Second, diabetic patients have a specific bodily constitution due to high blood sugar levels, making their tissues particularly susceptible to damage. Once damaged, these tissues do not heal easily. If the hygiene is substandard, the feet of diabetic patients are especially prone to infection. Diabetic foot patients, because of poor blood supply, are also more susceptible to fungal infections. Therefore, given these factors, it is advised that diabetic patients avoid foot therapy.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

1min 10sec

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How to treat diabetic foot?

Diabetic foot is one of the most severe complications of diabetes. It is caused by a combination of factors including peripheral vascular disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes. In such cases, treatment can involve internal medicine, interventional vascular treatment, and surgical treatment cooperatively managed by multiple vascular departments. Early treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar, improving circulation, and nourishing nerves. If ulcerations and skin breakdown have already occurred in the foot, further debridement and anti-infection treatments are necessary. It is essential to conduct an ultrasound of the lower limb vessels to assess for any vascular narrowing. If severe vascular occlusion occurs, vascular surgery may be needed to restore blood flow. In cases of severe diabetic foot with infection, surgical debridement or even amputation may be necessary. Thus, it is crucial to control blood sugar well in the early stages of diabetes to prevent these complications and potentially avoid the onset of diabetic foot.

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Written by Chen Li Ping

Endocrinology

47sec

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incidence of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy, or any degree of glucose tolerance abnormality, which is classified as an independent type of diabetes. Diabetes combined with pregnancy or gestational diabetes can pose serious risks to the health of both mother and child. Before national screening of blood sugar levels during pregnancy was initiated, the detection rate of gestational diabetes was not very high, only 0.24%. However, with the widespread implementation of blood sugar screening during pregnancy, the current incidence rate of gestational diabetes is approximately 1% to 5%.