Definition
As the word itself announces, gestational diabetes is defined as a diabetic form typical of pregnancy in which - due to the marked hormonal alterations that characterize this period - there is a poor tolerance to glucose, a consequence of the increase in insulin resistance. In most cases, gestational diabetes does not cause harm to either the mother or the fetus.
Causes
Scholars have not yet found a single and precise cause responsible for the manifestation of gestational diabetes; however, what is certain is that the pathological condition is the result of the hormonal disruption that characterizes pregnancy, associated with the reduction of cellular sensitivity to insulin.
Symptoms
Generally, women suffering from gestational diabetes do not experience any symptoms; only in some patients urinary infections, mild hyperglycaemia, nausea, blurred vision, polyuria, intense thirst, vomiting are observed.
- Possible complications: macrosomia (excessive development of the fetus) and increased risk of shoulder fracture for the child (during childbirth), hypoglycemic crisis at birth, breathing difficulties, hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia.
Information on Gestational Diabetes - Drugs for the Treatment of Gestational Diabetes is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Gestational Diabetes - Drugs for the Gestational Diabetes Care.
drugs
Although there is no prevention to avoid gestational diabetes, it is recommended to undergo regular glycemic checks during pregnancy, since the risk of contracting the disorder during the expected wait increases due to the heavy hormonal modulations. Furthermore, during pregnancy, it is advisable to correct certain eating habits, follow a balanced diet (never too low in calories) and to exercise regularly.
In the event of a confirmed gestational diabetic diagnosis, it is recommended to self-monitor blood sugar: this practice is useful for women to avoid important glycemic alterations. A balanced diet, specially designed for each pregnant woman, is essential to keep blood sugar under control, in addition to ensuring (in most cases) a risk-free pregnancy.
In the event that the dietary correction is not sufficient to maintain blood sugar levels within the "physiological" level, it is possible to intervene with insulin-based drugs: oral hypoglycemic agents - drugs of choice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus - they cannot be taken to treat gestational diabetes, since they could create serious fetal problems. Rather, it is recommended to take insulin by subcutaneous injection: generally, three types of insulin are used to treat gestational diabetes, sometimes together: insulin zinc, regular insulin and isophane insulin.
Some countries allow the oral administration of some hypoglycemic drugs also for the treatment of gestational diabetes, such as metformin (eg Glucophage, Eucreas, Efficib, Avandamet, Glibomet)
- Insulin Zinc (eg. Monotard): this is an intermediate-long-acting insulin, which is injected 3 times a day and provides 30-50% of the daily insulin requirement. Although the dosage of the drug should be customized to obtain an optimal glycemic regulation, generally, the indicative dose scheduled to treat gestational diabetes is between 0.5 and 0.8 units / kg per day. The dose may increase up to 2.5 units / kg per day in case of marked insulin resistance.
- Isophane insulin (eg Protaphane, Humulin I, Actraphane, Humulin, Mixtard): the drug has an intermediate action, and is given 1-3 times a day, depending on the severity of the condition and the blood sugar levels. The dosage should therefore be established by the doctor; indicatively, the dose can vary from a minimum of 0.5 units / kg per day, up to a maximum of 2.5 units / kg per day. Isophane insulin is often alternated with “regular” (or normal) insulin and is often injected 1-3 times a day, 30-60 minutes before meals, based on the more or less marked glycemic alteration.
It has been observed that in a woman suffering from gestational diabetes, the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes mellitus after a couple of years after birth is very high; to avoid this complication, it is strongly recommended to follow a correct diet, low in sugar, rich in fiber and whole foods, which should always be accompanied by constant physical exercise.
Furthermore, it has been observed that also breastfeeding and maintaining the ideal weight are two very important rules for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially after having contracted gestational diabetes.
