The differences between gestational diabetes and diabetes

Written by Liu Wen Li

Obstetrics

Updated on June 23, 2025

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Gestational diabetes is a condition in which diabetes does not exist before pregnancy, but occurs after becoming pregnant. This is referred to as gestational diabetes. Diabetes refers to cases where the condition existed before pregnancy. Of course, sometimes it's not easy to distinguish between gestational diabetes and pre-existing diabetes, such as when diabetes exists before pregnancy but goes undiagnosed and is only discovered after becoming pregnant. In such cases, it is difficult to determine whether it is gestational diabetes or diabetes. In this situation, it is necessary to conduct further tests after childbirth; a 75g glucose screening test should be taken 6 weeks postpartum. If the results are still abnormal, it is considered diabetes.

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Written by Zhao Li Li

Obstetrics

43sec

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What should pregnant women with diabetes eat?

If a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it is still necessary to decide what food to eat based on the specific blood sugar levels. If the current blood sugar level is relatively stable, she can follow a diabetic diet, eat smaller meals more frequently, and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. It's important to avoid foods that cause high blood sugar, and it is essential to walk or engage in appropriate exercise 30 minutes after eating to help metabolize the blood sugar. However, if the blood sugar remains high and does not decrease significantly, insulin might be needed to lower the blood sugar levels.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

46sec

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How to treat early-stage diabetes?

In the early stages of diabetes, when blood sugar levels are not very high, it can be controlled through diet and exercise. This can be achieved by losing weight, reducing calorie intake, and increasing calorie consumption through exercise to lower blood sugar levels. However, for some obese patients or those who cannot control their diet, medications can also be used in the early stages to prevent further increases in blood sugar levels. Currently, medications such as metformin and acarbose, which are both effective and relatively inexpensive, are mainly recommended. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

1min 56sec

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Key Points of Diabetic Foot Care

First, a daily foot examination is necessary, including the top, bottom, and toes. Carefully observe the skin's color, temperature, and moisture level, check for edema, skin lesions, and assess sensory and motor reflexes. Second, maintain a daily routine of soaking the feet in warm water. The water temperature should not exceed 40°C, with the soaking time ideally between 10 to 20 minutes. Third, regularly trim your toenails. Long toenails can easily break and damage the surrounding tissue, thus it is important for diabetic foot patients to regularly trim their nails. Fourth, the breathability of shoes and socks is important. It is advised not to wear sandals or slippers that expose the skin of the feet since exposed skin is more susceptible to injuries. Fifth, never walk barefoot. Sixth, avoid using electric blankets, hot water bottles, heating by the fire, and cupping therapy, to prevent burns on your feet. Seventh, maintain proper skin moisture. For patients with sweaty feet prone to excessive sweating, fungal infections may occur. It is recommended to wipe the spaces between toes with medical alcohol during foot baths, and to add a small amount of vinegar to the footbath water, as a bifunctional environment discourages fungal growth. Eighth, actively control blood sugar levels in diabetes. Ninth, maintain moderate exercise. Frequently elevate the affected limb to facilitate blood return and improve circulation in the lower limbs.

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Written by Li Lang Bo

Endocrinology

1min 12sec

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early signs of diabetic foot

Diabetic foot, also referred to in our specialty as diabetic foot syndrome, mainly occurs in long-standing cases of diabetes, where the lower limbs develop arterial atherosclerosis and neuropathy, leading to ulcers in the feet. Severe diabetic foot can result from significant neuropathy, such as extreme numbness and pain in the lower limbs, pain akin to being pricked with needles, and severe vascular disease, such as ischemia in the lower limbs. Patients may feel unusually cold even in winter and sometimes need to wear socks even on hot days due to extreme sensitivity to cold, indicating severe vascular disease. Such serious vascular and neuropathic conditions represent a high-risk foot, which has a high likelihood of developing ulcers. The early signs of potential ulceration include these typical symptoms along with local injuries, such as nail trimming or other external injuries, which can easily trigger these conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant and avoid these precipitating factors.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

42sec

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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.