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How To Manage Pregnancy Even If You Have Diabetes?

Diabetes in Pregnancy

A healthy pregnancy is a priority for every mother-to-be, but for women who have diabetes, including those who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, their health care can become more complex. You have a challenging road ahead of you, but the good news is that there’s a lot you can do to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Diabetes in Pregnancy – Complications

Women with diabetes who are diagnosed prior to pregnancy have a higher risk of complications, including miscarriage and birth defects. The good news is that with a plan, healthy strategies, and support, you can control your diabetes, have a healthy pregnancy, and deliver a healthy baby.

Here is how you can enjoy pregnancy even if you have diabetes:

If you have diabetes and plan to conceive, you should talk to your doctor to make sure your A1C levels are normal, talk about medication if it’s necessary or ask to be referred to a nutritionist.

Get your HB A1C levels tested regularly. Book Test here.

One of the best ways to ensure you will have a healthy pregnancy is to make sure you start out at a normal weight. Eat a primarily plant-based diet, avoid excessive added sugars, preservatives, processed foods, and those high in saturated fats.

Read More About 5 Diet Tips for Diabetes Management

Women who have diabetes can have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby, but it’s important to monitor diabetes complications that could worsen throughout pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, vision loss, and kidney disease.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Exercise will help you metabolize food better, control blood glucose and help to control your weight during and after pregnancy. The CDC recommends pregnant women get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week.

Read More About 7 Health Benefits of Regular Exercise

When planning your meals, know how many carbohydrates are in each food and limit the amount you eat because it will raise your blood sugar.

Vegetables are filled with phytonutrients and fill-you-up fibre, plus they aid digestion and prevent excess weight gain. They also are low calorie and low in carbohydrates, so they won’t affect your blood sugar. Non-starchy vegetables like lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and broccoli are all good choices.

Make sure you eat every two to three hours during the day to keep nausea at bay. If you take insulin or pills, eat a few saltine crackers before getting out of bed in the morning and then take your medication to make sure you can keep food down. A small source of fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets, honey, or juice can help if your blood glucose levels are low. Then have breakfast that includes a healthy protein source like eggs or plain Greek yoghurt.

Try a fresh green vegetable juice, which is a good source of folate and calcium. This can control your appetite and prevent sugar cravings. Avoid juices with a lot of fruit because it can spike your blood sugar.

Also Read: Can You Get Pregnant Without Having Sex? Debunking Pregnancy Myths

It’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during pregnancy. Be sure to avoid juice, soda, sports drinks and sweeteners in coffee and tea.

It’s OK to enjoy a slice of pie or holiday cookies but take stock of the total amount of carbohydrates you’ll be eating with dessert and if you will need to compensate with medication. If you want dessert, consider having a salad instead of a sandwich as your meal, for example.

Look for apps that help you log blood sugar, food or count carbs and sensors and continuous blood glucose monitors.

Studies show 35 to 60 per cent of women with gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. If you have gestational diabetes, it’s important to talk to your doctor about monitoring your blood glucose and making lifestyle changes after your pregnancy.

You might have misconceptions about diabetes in pregnancy, blame yourself or need advice. Seek out the help of a certified diabetes educator, a registered dietitian nutritionist who can help you create a realistic and delicious meal plan or a community of pregnant moms who have diabetes. It’s important to realize that you will need a plan, make healthy lifestyle choices for you and your baby and seek out information. But stick with it, and you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Also Read About: 10 Home Remedies For Diabetes

Conclusion

When suffering from diabetes in pregnancy, remember it’s important to work hard at achieving excellent control, remember that occasional blood sugar that is higher than you like is not going to do long-term damage to your child. And if you feel yourself getting frustrated and burnt out, try to keep in mind some of the long-term benefits of all the hard work you’re putting into your pregnancy.

Need more information on diabetes and its related diseases? Ask Anya! Chat with Anya Bot here via Facebook and get more information on diabetes management.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

Erectile Dysfunction & Diabetes! Are They Connected? Know How

Erectile dysfunction and diabetes are deeply connected.  Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is the inability to get or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. For some men, the problem is that they cannot get an erection, while for others, it is that the erection doesn’t last long enough. While there may be many reasons as to why someone has erectile dysfunction and men who have diabetes get this condition within ten years of diagnosis. The onset of erectile dysfunction is in men under the age of 45 years, usually. Those who have heart problems or high blood pressure problems may begin to experience erectile dysfunction much earlier.

The Link Between Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes

Erectile dysfunction is not an unavoidable part of ageing, but if someone has diabetes, it is a matter of time before they begin to experience this problem. While most men may have moderate erectile dysfunction, a minority have a more severe form.

Diabetes is a chronic disease of having elevated sugar levels. These high levels cause tissue and nerve damage in the body apart from having adverse effects on many organs. Even the small blood vessels feel the brunt of high sugar levels.

An erection happens when the blood flow to the penis is increased. This is because of the release of nitric oxide in the blood when the man is sexually aroused. The brain and the local nerve impulses cause the penile muscles to relax so more blood can fill them up, causing an expansion in the penis and creating an erection.

Diabetes causes damage to the nerves and the blood vessels to the penis and thus affects erection. Also, high glucose levels reduce the amount of nitric oxide that gets released into the blood.

Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes

Several factors increase the risks of suffering from erectile dysfunction if you have diabetes. They are:

  1. Poor Management of Blood Sugar

If the blood sugar levels keep fluctuating, the chances of nerve and blood vessel damage is more.

  1. Stress

Those who suffer from anxiety have more problems of erectile dysfunction than others who are less stressed.

  1. Depression

Men who suffer from depression have more sexual problems than others.

  1. Poor Diet

Our diet has a significant impact on our health. Those who have erectile dysfunction increase their problems when they eat a poor diet that lacks nutrients and fibre.

  1. Smoking

Diabetes is tough to manage, and those who smoke suffer earlier from erectile dysfunction. Read more on the health effects of smoking.

  1. Hypertension

Those who cannot control their hypertension suffer earlier, almost half a decade earlier than those who have diabetes but don’t have hypertension. In short, hypertension is a contributing factor that enhances the chances of erectile dysfunction and diabetes.

  1. Weight

Those who are obese suffer earlier from erectile dysfunction.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes

If you feel you are having problems, you should talk to your doctor about erectile dysfunction. Diagnosis is made with a physical examination to check for nerve problems in the testicles or the penis. A blood test may also be done. Either your doctor will prescribe the medicines, or he may refer you to someone specializing in sexual dysfunction. If you have diabetes but do not suffer from erectile dysfunction, you could talk to your doctor about the possibility of the issue in the future. Do inform your doctor of past allergies to medication, if any.

Treatment typically involves oral medication. These medicines increase the blood flow to the penis and the testicles. They do not react to diabetes medicines. There are other options like pumps and implants, but these are far less effective and with more complications than oral medication. Hormone and penile injection therapies are also employed in more difficult cases. However, always consult a doctor and never self-medicate.

Prevention

Research has shown that adopting a good lifestyle helps in staving off erectile dysfunction. Just because one has diabetes doesn’t mean that it is the end of your sexual health. These lifestyle improvements help to deal with diabetes and lower the risk of having erectile dysfunction.

  1. Controlling Blood Sugar

Having a stable blood sugar level will help you prevent organ damage and damage to the nerves and blood vessels. You can stabilize blood glucose levels through a healthy diet. It will help improve your energy levels and mental health.

  1. Stop Smoking

Smoking constricts the blood vessels in the body and reduces the amount of nitric oxide produced in the blood. Quit the habit immediately to stop your erectile dysfunction from worsening. Read more about tips to quit smoking.

  1. Lose Weight

Even a small amount of weight loss will help you control your diabetes and, in turn, reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. You will feel lighter, experience better moods and erections.

Men with diabetes are 3x more likely to have trouble getting or keeping an erection. There can be several reasons for this, such as limited blood flow, nerve damage (neuropathy) and damaged blood vessels. It can also be down to medication or just how you’re feeling at the time.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
  1. Exercise

Getting active will help you to reduce your sugar levels, improve blood circulation to various organs and feel increased energy levels. It will help you lose weight and feel better about yourself. Read more about the health benefits of exercise.

  1. Reduce Your Stress Levels

Stress hampers sexual arousal and may be the reason why you have erectile dysfunction. Many activities like meditation, yoga, exercising, listening to music and others help in reducing stress levels. Find your niche and engage in the activities that you enjoy. If you feel you are feeling anxious or depressed, consult your doctor. Read more different types of relaxation exercises that help fight stress.

  1. Catch Up on Sleep

Fatigue is another reason that causes erectile dysfunction. Ensure that you get your seven hours of sleep. Resting and sleeping sufficiently helps to manage diabetes and reduces blood sugar levels.

  1. Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Regular consumption of alcohol leads to blood vessel damage and causes high sugar levels. Also, it has been proven that while liquor increases your craving for sex, it reduces the ability to have sexual arousal. Smoking also increases the desire for smoking, which causes more harm to the body.

Conclusion

If you are noticing problems in having an erection, talk to your doctor. It might seem like an awkward conversation, but not having it will create more complications. Erectile dysfunction and diabetes have no one treatment as one treatment do not fit all, so your doctor will chalk out a strategy that will take into account your diabetes, blood pressure, and other medications. Speak to a doctor before taking any medication, as certain medicines may have severe side effects. The only way to ward off erectile dysfunction is by staying healthy, stabilizing your blood sugar levels and quitting smoking.

Also Read: Male Yeast Infection: An In-depth Look at Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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