Many people may not realize that type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes are different kinds of diabetes.
As previously mentioned, gestational diabetes is caused by the effects of placental hormones and develops only in pregnant women who didn’t have diabetes before becoming pregnant.
Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin or makes very little insulin. It is believed to be caused by an immune reaction and can’t yet be prevented. Type 1 diabetes occurs most often in children, teens, and young adults, and it often starts quickly and has severe symptoms. People with type 1 diabetes need to use insulin daily.
Type 2 diabetes comes on gradually, developing over many years. It can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. Type 2 diabetes mainly occurs in older adults, although kids, teenagers, and younger adults can develop it, as well.
Prediabetes is a serious health condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but are not high enough to qualify as diabetes. It puts you at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Women with a history of gestational diabetes and their children are at a higher risk of developing prediabetes.
Conditions that may increase the risk of gestational diabetes include obesity and PCOS.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Obesity is an important risk factor for gestational diabetes, so women who are obese are screened for gestational diabetes earlier in pregnancy and may be screened again later in pregnancy, as well.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can lead to the development of cysts in the ovaries. PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting as many as five million women in the United States. Women with PCOS are often insulin resistant, meaning their bodies can create insulin but cannot use it effectively. This puts them at a greater risk for both gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Postpartum depression is another potential concern for women with gestational diabetes. A 2017 study found women with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of postpartum depression. Furthermore, for women who had a past depressive episode, having gestational diabetes made it 70 percent more likely they would develop postpartum depression.
I am a Ghanaian journalist, software developer, news editor, and media personality. I am the founder and CEO of Gabs Media & Technology and Apex News Hub, a leading online news platform in Ghana. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to fact-based reporting, I have established myself as a respected voice in Ghanaian journalism.
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