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More than 30 million Americans, including more than 350,000 Oklahomans, manage diabetes every day.
November is National Diabetes Month. This is an important opportunity to draw attention to this chronic disease and its impact on people's health and quality of life.
Types 1 and 2 of diabetes are the two most common forms of the disease.
Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, is another common type of the disease and is central to this year's awareness campaign.
In most cases, gestational diabetes disappears after the birth of a baby. However, mothers and children are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, half of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes.
Although this form of the disease often has no symptoms or mild symptoms, such as increased thirst or more frequent urination, it can lead to health problems for the mother and the child.
Gestational diabetes is sometimes linked to hormonal changes in pregnancy that make the mother's body less able to use insulin, but genetics and overweight can also play a role. The most effective way to manage gestational diabetes is to stay physically active and follow a healthy diet. If this is not enough to control your blood sugar, drug therapy can help you. To reduce your risk, lose weight before getting pregnant. If you are overweight, stay physically active before and during your pregnancy.
Women who develop gestational diabetes should be screened for type 2 diabetes within 12 weeks of delivery. If the results are clear, they should continue to be tested every three years.
If you have had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy and you are considering a new pregnancy, talk to your doctor. It is also important to inform your child's health provider that you have gestational diabetes.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. People with diabetes are at higher risk of serious complications such as blindness; renal failure; cardiac disease; stroke; and loss of toes, feet or legs.
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