Gestational Diabetes

pregnant2Gestational (jes-TAY-shun-ul) diabetes is diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. Out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States, three to eight get gestational diabetes. Diabetes means that your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. Your body uses glucose for energy. But too much glucose in your blood can be harmful. When you are pregnant, too much glucose is not good for your baby. (Spanish)

A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Raising Diabetes Awareness

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to rally individuals, communities and families to Join the MillionsSM in the movement to Stop Diabetes®. This year, the American Diabetes Association is asking individuals to take a pledge and raise their hand to Stop Diabetes.

World Diabetes Day (November 14th) raises global awareness of diabetes – its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases.

The Chronic Disease Control Branch mission is to prevent and control chronic diseases. The branch supports evidence-based programs to promote healthy behaviors, conduct research, and improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic disease. Critical to the success of these efforts are partnerships with local public health and education agencies, voluntary associations, private organizations, and federal agencies.

Diabetic Equipment & Supplies

BD Safe-Clip™ Device

The BD Safe-Clip™ Needle Clipping & Storage Device removes insulin syringe needles and pen needles safely and easily.

This portable device holds up to 1,500 clipped needles, approximately a 2-year supply.

The BD Safe-Clip™ Device makes the syringe unusable by clipping off the needle.

Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposalsyringe_disposal

1-800-643-1643

Established in August 2002, the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal is a collaboration of businesses, community groups, non-profit organizations and government that promotes public awareness and solutions for safe disposal of needles, syringes, and other sharps in the community.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food from the stomach through the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract.

Dietary Changes

Changing your eating habits can help control gastroparesis. Your doctor or dietitian may prescribe six small meals a day instead of three large ones. If less food enters the stomach each time you eat, it may not become overly full. In more severe cases, a liquid or pureed diet may be prescribed.

The doctor may recommend that you avoid high-fat and high-fiber foods. Fat naturally slows digestion—a problem you do not need if you have gastroparesis—and fiber is difficult to digest. Some high-fiber foods like oranges and broccoli contain material that cannot be digested. Avoid these foods because the indigestible part will remain in the stomach too long and possibly form bezoars.

A dietitian might suggest that you try to:TONY

  • Eat smaller meals more frequently.
  • Eat low-fiber forms of high-fiber foods, such as well-cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw fruits and vegetables.
  • Choose mostly low-fat foods, but if you can tolerate them, add small servings of fatty foods to your diet.
  • Avoid fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as oranges and broccoli, that are likely to cause bezoars.
  • If liquids are easier for you to ingest, try soups and pureed foods.
  • Drink water throughout each meal.
  • Try gentle exercise after you eat, such as going for a walk.
  • Find other natural remedies that may help.

Implanting an electrical device to control the stomach muscles.

Electrical gastric stimulation uses an electric current to cause stomach contractions. Working much like a heart pacemaker, this stomach pacemaker, consisting of a tiny generator and two electrodes, is placed in a pocket that surgeons create on the stomach’s outer edge. Stomach pacemakers have been shown to improve stomach emptying and reduce nausea and vomiting in some people with gastroparesis.

Connecting with others.

Gluten Allergy & Intolerance

celiac-disease-insights_1Gluten Sensitivity & Intolerance

Individuals who experience distress when eating gluten-containing products and show improvement when following a gluten-free diet may have gluten sensitivity (GS), instead of celiac disease (CD). These individuals are unable to tolerate gluten and develop an adverse reaction when eating gluten. GS has not been well researched, but there is a significant amount of clinical evidence supporting the existence of this condition. In early 2012 GS was classified by an international group of recognized celiac experts as a distinct condition. It is estimated to affect up to ten times more people than CD.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes

Celiac disease on the rise in the U.S.