Diabetes During and Past The Reproductive Years
ABNORMAL GLUCOSE IN PREGNANT WOMEN: A WINDOW INTO FUTURE RISKS
Pregnancy is an insulin-resistant state, so future problems with diabetes may show up during this time. Although a pregnant woman with abnormal glucose may see her glucose problems go away once she’s delivered, she is at risk for diabetes in the future. After delivery, her OB/GYN should be in touch with her internist about blood sugar issues. This is important because the internist needs to know that preventive measures are needed even in the absence of symptoms. The internist may want to recommend lifestyle changes, such as strength training and controlling her weight.
PREGNANCY WITH ABNORMAL GLUCOSE CAN MOTIVATE WOMEN TO CHANGE THEIR LIFESTYLES
If a woman has an abnormality in glucose metabolism, this is a perfect time to encourage her to establish habits that she can continue the rest of her life. She’ll usually be highly motivated to do almost anything for her baby. A pregnant woman is apt to be so motivated to protect her baby that she’d be willing to eat cardboard three times a day and stand on her head (figuratively speaking) if it helps her baby! Pregnancy is therefore a very good time to suggest changes that initially will benefit her baby and will lower her long-term risk of developing diabetes.
RESISTANCE TRAINING IS IMPORTANT FOR DIABETES PREVENTION
For everyone who wants to avoid diabetes, resistance training is important. A large number of the body’s glucose receptors are in the body’s muscle mass, and it’s these glucose receptors that pull glucose out of the blood stream for use in the muscles. Muscle mass therefore helps in achieving normal blood sugar. However, as we age, and particularly after menopause, we lose muscle mass, and this makes us increasingly vulnerable to diabetes. Although walking or Zumba or whatever exercise a patient enjoys has many benefits, what’s really important for improved glucose metabolism is resistance training. This means weight lifting or bands or other exercises that focus on strengthening muscles.
ACHIEVING NORMAL WEIGHT IS IMPORTANT, BUT NO SINGLE WEIGHT LOSS REGIMEN IS PERFECT FOR EVERYONE
I tell patients, “You know your body better than I do. You know what foods are your triggers and what works for you.” Portion control diets work well for many patients, but not all. Portion control is the kind of diet that says, “You can eat that donut, but you have to cut back on something else.” Patients need to pay attention to–and minimize–eating foods that are difficult to eat in moderation.
Some patients are able to lose weight by cutting out carbohydrates. My problem with this is, cutting out carbs is not sustainable long-term.
On the other hand, it may be easy for some folks to handle a low-carb diet. One approach that does seem to help many people is they find they are less likely to overeat if they choose unrefined carbohydrates. Complex carbs such as beans are more filling and a person is less likely to overeat when consuming them.
THE GOAL IS TO HELP WOMEN TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR OWN HEALTH
Women do a good job of going to the doctor and having the rights tests. However, they also need to empower themselves to take action. Let’s say a woman visits her doctor because she doesn’t feel well. During the visit, she learns that she’s at risk for diabetes or she already has it. What happens next? Sometimes her response is to feel guilty, defeated, and overwhelmed, with the result that she’ll try to comfort herself by eating more.
As health care providers, we can try to prevent this by giving her positive and realistic things she can do to take control and minimize her risks. Let her know that she doesn’t have to be perfect; instead, encourage her to work on what she can and will do. Maybe she can start lifting weights. Maybe she could buy a new cookbook that would help her change her diet. Make sure to give patients advice on how to make things better and not just focus on how things look at the time.
Search Articles
Latest Articles
General Petraeus announces AI-powered mental health initiative for Ukraine at American University Kyiv
https://rubryka.com/en/2024/09/29/general-petraeus-announces-ai-powered-mental-health-initiative-for-ukraine-at-american-university-kyiv Publication –rubryka.com
Inside Ukraine’s Drone High Command
https://cepa.org/article/inside-ukraines-drone-high-command/ Publication –cepa.org
A New England Yankee Narrates the Story of America
https://cepa.org/article/a-new-england-yankee-tells-americas-story Publication –cepa.org
From Trauma to Triumph
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/to-end-human-trafficking/202409/from-trauma-to-triumph Publication –psychologytoday.com
Subscribe to Updates
About Author
Mitzi Perdue is the widow of the poultry magnate, Frank Perdue. She’s the author of How To Make Your Family Business Last and 52 Tips to Combat Human Trafficking. Contact her at www.MitziPerdue.com
All Articles
The Ultimate Soft Skill for Management: EMPATHY
The Ultimate Soft Skill for Management: EMPATHY Want a surprising statistic? (For a hint, it has to do with soft skills.) Eighty-five percent of management success depends on people skills. Cynthia W. Lett, the woman who gives this statistic, has been advising...
Family Businesses Can Learn from Military History
Family Businesses Can Learn from Military HistoryMilitary Culture My late husband was fascinated by military culture, and you could often find him reading the biographies of famous generals. His fascination stemmed from his interest in human motivation. He often...
Family Quarrels & Mediation–Pull Back from the Brink
Family Quarrels & Mediation– Pull Back from the BrinkI hope you’re not reading this because you’re up against a family quarrel. The pain of a family quarrel can permeate every hour of every day. The fallout has the potential of threatening everything we all hold...
What Family Businesses Can Learn From Military Culture
What Family Businesses Can Learn From Military CultureFor longevity and having an extraordinarily strong culture, few organizations can match our military. The military culture of our armed services began before the founding of our country, and it survives to this...
Four Sure-Fire Ways to Stand out in Your Career
Four Sure-Fire Ways to Stand Out in Your CareerA young man in a class I was addressing at a Columbia University business class asked me a poignant question. “How do I stand out in my career?” He was in his mid-twenties, professionally dressed, and his body language...
Family Stories Keep Families Together
Family Stories Keep Families TogetherJackie Kennedy Onassis once said: “If your children turn out well, nothing else matters. If your children turn out badly, nothing else matters.” Having the young people in your life turn out well is as important as anything else...