Carbohydrates are broken down during digestion into glucose. This substance moves into your blood and a hormone called insulin transfers the glucose to the body cells to give your body energy. People with diabetes either have a problem with insulin production or the cells aren’t able to use the insulin which causes glucose to buildup in the blood. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, gestational diabetes affects anywhere from three to eight out of 100 women in the United States. This condition is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy but typically resolves after the baby is born. Its symptoms are similar to those of diabetes mellitus.

Increased Appetite

An increased appetite can indicate gestational diabetes, but despite this symptom, a pregnant woman may also lose weight. The body responds to the high level of insulin in the blood by producing and releasing more insulin. One action of insulin is to stimulate the appetite, which means that a higher level of insulin leads to an increased hunger. If the cells aren’t able to use the insulin, the level of glucose in the blood will continue to build up, so the body breaks down the muscles and fat stores as a way to get the required energy to the cells. The pregnant woman may lose weight as these tissues shrink as well as feel constantly fatigued or lethargic, since this action causes the body to use more energy.

Excessive Thirst and Urination

A pregnant woman with gestational diabetes may have an increased thirst since the body craves liquids to help dilute the excess glucose in the blood. The body also moves liquids from the body tissues to help dilute the blood. For example, the body can pull fluid from the lenses of the eyes. This action can affect the way the eyes focus, which causes blurred vision. The increased fluid intake causes the pregnant women to pass large, excessive amounts of urine, which is different than the frequent passing of small amounts of urine that is typical of pregnancy. Diagnostic testing at the physician’s office can reveal high amounts of glucose in the urine.
Infections

Since diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections, the pregnant woman may experience frequent infections in areas such as the bladder, vagina and skin. White blood cells defend the body against bacteria, but these cells aren’t able to function normally when a person has a high blood sugar. A woman with gestational diabetes may also complain of a yeast infection in the vagina or on the skin. Yeast cells are normally present in the vaginal area in small amounts. The vaginal secretions and urine contain more glucose when a woman has gestational diabetes. The yeast cells use the glucose as food, which causes the cells to multiply. With the body’s immune system compromised by the high level of glucose in the blood, this increase in yeast cells turns into a yeast infection.

High Blood Sugar

Since a woman may not have any noticeable symptoms of gestational diabetes and symptoms can mimic regular pregnancy symptoms, screening for this condition is part of prenatal care for at-risk women between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. Your physician will initially order a blood test called a glucose challenge test. If the glucose challenge test indicates a high blood sugar level, your physician may order a glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Both tests involve drinking a sweet glucose solution and having your blood drawn after a prescribed amount of time.

1.   Focus on healthy lifestyle habits.

• Get plenty of sleep. This is one of the most important habits to heed since sleep is the time when our bodies heal and recharge. You can’t expect your body to fight off cold and flu viruses with an empty gas tank. It’s crucial for adults to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and for kids to get 10-12 hours.
• Wash your hands. Although we are surrounded by bacteria and viruses year round, we tend to be more susceptible during cold and flu season due to being indoors more, poor ventilation and being in close quarters with more people. Make sure you wash your hands regularly with a gentle germ-killing soap such as Dial® (it’s an antibacterial powerhouse). This is especially important after shaking hands or touching objects like phones and keyboards. And here’s an easy trick for making sure your kids spend enough time at the sink: Teach them to wash their hands for as long as it takes them to sing “Happy Birthday” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Bye-bye, germs!
• Drink plenty of fluids and remain hydrated. Stick to beverages like filtered water and herbal teas to keep the immune system running smoothly.

2.   Keep your immune system robust through healthy nutrition.

Focus on foods like leafy green vegetables and low sugar fruits like dark berries. Avoid processed foods or any foods that come out of a box as well as high sugar foods like pastries, cookies and candy. If you need to satisfy that sweet tooth, opt for raw organic honey or 70 percent (or greater) organic dark chocolate.

3.   Stock your medicine cabinet.

As the old saying goes, “an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure.” Keep some vitamin C around so that if you do get sick, you can take 1 gram per day in order to boost your immunity. Stock your house, office and purse with Scotties® tissues to help aid sniffles, sore noses and those sneezes that sneak up on you! The last thing you want is to find yourself or your child with a runny nose and nothing but an old crumpled tissue at the bottom of your purse. And since one of the top reasons for missing work is due to parents taking care of sick kids, make sure you pick up some Triaminic® products at your local drugstore. If symptoms do arise in your little ones, it can help alleviate symptoms and make them feel better while they heal so you don’t have to miss too many days of work.

With these few easy steps, you’ll be sure to breeze through this cold and flu season.

Allergic reactions range from annoying to deadly. If you notice an adverse reaction to food or something in the environment, a simple test administered by a health care professional can indicate the exact allergens that irritate you. Depending on your sensitivity to allergens and your medication regimen, you may take a skin test or blood test.

Instructions

1. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to take an allergy test. Tell your doctor about any antihistamines you currently take — some prohibit skin testing. Also tell your doctor if you’ve ever had a life-threatening reaction to an allergen or a serious reaction to a previous test.
2. Stop taking antihistamines one week before your test, or for a period of time specified by your doctor. Antihistamines include over-the-counter and prescription medications, nasal sprays or eye drops. If you are unsure whether you’re taking antihistamines, ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medications.
3. Dress in a short-sleeved short or layers over a short-sleeved shirt on the day of your appointment. This will make it easier for your physician to administer the test.
4. Go to your doctor’s office on the day of the appointment. You will be given a prick skin test on the forearm or back to detect allergens such as pollen, dust mites, molds and dander. You may alternatively be given an intradermal skin test (needle stick) or blood test, which is given to small children or people who can’t take a skin test due to medication. The test results take 15 to 20 minutes to develop, after which the doctor will discuss your results. The skin test site may flare up during this time, but effects usually fade after a few hours.
5. Apply a cold compress or topical antihistamine to the irritated skin test site if necessary. Avoid scratching the site.