Three simple ways of preventing diabetes complications are discussed.
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Can weight loss help you prevent diabetes? http://www.piedmont.org/livingbetter
From doctor’s appointments to blood tests, during pregnancy doctors make sure mothers are screened for anything that could cause health concerns to the mother and baby. “There is undiagnosed diabetes in the general population that gets picked up in pregnancy,” said Dr. Ravi Chokshi, an OB/GYN for Lee Health.
But the problem can be treated with diet changes and medication, if necessary. “There’s a misconception that I’m pregnant; I’m allowed to eat as much as I want. I‘m eating for two, and that’s not really true. The American of Congress of OBGYN actually recommends you go up by 300 calories by your second and third trimester. Most of us already overeat by 200 and 300 calories a day,” he explained.
Pregnant mothers are screened early to make sure their blood sugars are normal. “The recommendations are we screen at least everybody with a blood sugar very early in pregnancy. After that, we screen everybody after 24 weeks. The reason for that is the further pregnancy gets, the placenta gets bigger, and the hormones cause increased blood sugars,” said Dr. Chokshi.
If a mother is diabetic during pregnancy, her blood sugars are uncontrolled—that blood sugar goes to the baby, causing the baby to create more insulin. “Babies are not only bigger; they grow differently. Their bellies are bigger than their heads. Their shoulders are bigger than their heads,” he said.
Mothers who are diabetic during pregnancy are also at a higher risk of needing a C-section and developing diabetes later on in life. “If we can get your blood sugars in good control, studies show that you are going to have the same kind of pregnancy that non-diabetic moms have,” said Dr. Chokshi.
Eating a healthy diet, avoiding processed foods, and eliminating sugar can help pregnant mothers keep their blood sugar under control. All to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery for both mom and baby.
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A discussion about diabetes, management and prevention with Dr. Bartolome Burguera!
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Learn about risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes. Also, get important tips to avoid getting the disease from Sharp Rees-Stealy endocrinologist, Dr. Neelima Chu.
Endocrinologist Nanette Steinle, MD, discusses how to beat or delay the risk factors that can lead to diabetes. Dr. Steinle, a former nutritionist, covers weight loss, food choices, portion size, and the role of exercise to prevent diabetes.
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While type 1 diabetes is not preventable, type 2 diabetes can be prevented through 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day and healthy eating habits. Split moderate exercises up into 10 minute increments to help prevent diabetes with tips from a family nurse practitioner in this free video on diabetes prevention.
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It’s a growing health concern. Studies show more than three million people are living with type 2 diabetes. Teresa Spano, a naturopathic consultant with Lee Health, says what you eat, when you eat, and how you feel after you eat, can all help determine if you’re living with pre-diabetes. “Pre-diabetes is more referring to when your fasting glucose levels are going up, usually you can see the hemoglobin A1C that is starting to climb, it’s not necessarily in the diabetic range but it’s getting there.”
Discussing a patient’s sleep patterns, exercise, and diet can help determine if they’re at risk for developing diabetes. “There is a lot of gray area in between completely normal and actually being diabetic, which is where the pre-diabetic range is really where you can help people so much before they actually get to full blown diabetes,” said Spano.
Health experts may also use the waist to hip ratio to determine if patients are at risk. This ratio look at how the patient is carrying their weight: in their belly or in their hips and thighs? If patients have more belly fat, they are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. “A lot of people just don’t really know that they are creeping up towards that, which is probably the scariest thing about it,” said Spano.
Experts encourage healthy diets of fruit, vegetables, and fiber, and limiting animal protein. “Exercise is so important when it comes to preventing diabetes. Sleep is always important as well, stress reduction. It’s really the core for everything you hear for staying healthy,” said Spano.
A blood test to check a patient’s A1C, triglyceride levels, and cholesterol can ultimately decide if a patient is at risk for type 2 diabetes.
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Foods that diabetics should avoid are processed carbohydrates and sugars, so pastas, bagels, brownies and other high-carb, high-sugar foods should be reduced in a diabetic diet. Find out how to choose better options for diabetic meals with health advice from a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist in this free video on nutrition.
