Will my baby be born with diabetes?

Will my baby be born with diabetes?

diabetes treatment:Will my baby be born with diabetes? 

Will my baby be born with diabetes? No your baby will not be born with diabetes. However, diabetes tends to run in families, so your child may develop diabetes in adult life. What happens after your baby is born? After the baby is born, the diabetes usually disappears. A special blood glucose test is performed 6 weeks after delivery to ensure that blood glucose levels are back to normal. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. To help to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes, it is important to:

 continue healthy eating

 stay at a healthy weight

 exercise regularly

 have your blood glucose checked every 1-2 years.

For further information, speak to your doctor or contact Diabetes Australia 1300 136 588.

1.5. The Six most asked questions about diabetes

Q. What is Diabetes? A. Diabetes is a disease. For our bodies to work properly we need to convert sugar into energy. With diabetes, a hormone called insulin, which is essential for the conversions of the glucose (sugar) into energy, is no longer produced in sufficient amounts by the body or the insulin produced is not working properly. Q. Can you ‘catch’ diabetes? A. No. Diabetes cannot be ‘caught’ from other people. Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. About 800,000 Australians have diabetes, however approximately 400,000 of these don’t know it. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Diabetes can still cause damage to the body even in people who don’t realise they’ve got it. Early detection and treatment may prevent problems. Q. At what age do you get diabetes? A. Anyone can get diabetes at any age.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes, which usually affects young people and requires daily injections of insulin; and Type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes, which usually affects people over 45 years, is treated by healthy eating and regular exercise. Tablets and insulin injections are sometimes necessary. This second type is the more common form of diabetes. Q. What types of people get diabetes? A. Anyone may develop diabetes. Q. How can I tell if I have diabetes? A. The symptoms of diabetes include:

 Feeling tired

 Passing urine frequently

 Feeling constantly thirsty

 Blurred vision Itching of the skin or genital area

 Slow healing infections

 Numbness and tingling in the hands or feet

Sometimes these problems come quickly, other times slowly. If any of these problems are bothering you, see your doctor who will test you for diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes often feel unwell for long periods without knowing why. Q. Can diabetes be cured? A. As yet there is no cure. However, excellent treatment is available. Diabetes can’t be cured; however it can be managed through lifestyle, tablets or insulin along with help and advice from your doctor and other health professionals.

1.6. Diabetes and Travelling

Preparation Preparation is vital before any trip but even more so if you have diabetes. Plan ahead by making lists. Medications You may need medication prescriptions from your doctor. Carry your medication (insulin / tablets) in your hand luggage and in your travelling companion’s hand luggage. If you are travelling alone, keep the second set of medications in your stowed luggage.

Carry a letter from your doctor that says:

 you have diabetes

 your medication requirements

 that you are carrying needles and syringes for injection of insulin for diabetes.

Traveller’s Survival Kit Pack a traveller’s survival kit that contains:

 some form of sugar (for example, lollies such as jelly beans and soft drinks)

 carbohydrate snack (for example, dried fruits, fresh fruits, biscuits, sandwich)

 blood testing equipment

 basic first aid requirements

 glucagon injection and quick-acting insulin (neutral, clear) (This is only for people with Type 1 diabetes. Speak to your doctor for advice.)

 key contact details at home and your destination

 names and addresses of diabetes services available at your destination

 phone numbers of your doctor and specialist in case you need to call them for advice

 useful phrases in the language of your destination (e.g. "I have diabetes, please give me some sugar or something to eat")

 some form of identification (Medical Alert bracelet, locket or a card saying that you have diabetes)

Insulin users If travelling by air, contact your diabetes specialist or diabetes nurse for advice on how to manage your insulin dosage while flying. Insulin Storage

 Pack insulin in a polystyrene container to keep it cool

 If travelling by air, wrap the container in clothing and place in the centre of your suitcase

 Insulin is not affected by airport baggage x-ray equipment

 If travelling by car, do not leave it in glove boxes, trunks of motorcars

 Do not keep insulin in the outside pockets of backpacks.

Test frequently Everyone should test more frequently than usual while travelling because a different food and exercise schedule may either markedly improve or worsen your diabetic control.

1.7. Diabetes and Driving

If you have diabetes, you can hold a driver’s licence or learner permit as long as your diabetes is well controlled.

The main concern of the licensing authorities is the possibility of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) while driving. Diabetes complications like eye problems are also of a concern. All states and territories use the national guidelines of medical fitness to assess people with diabetes who wish to begin, or continue driving. These guidelines intend to protect your safety and the safety of the community as a whole. The guidelines attempt to balance the safety of all concerned and any unfairness against people with diabetes. Obtaining a licence If you have diabetes, a medical report must be provided before a driver licence or learner permit can be issued. This report should be from your treating doctor (general practitioner) or diabetes specialist.