Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Sugar Intolerance in Pregnancy - Gestational Diabetes
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Gestational diabetes is an intolerance to glucose that first occurs, or is first detected, during pregnancy. Glucose is the main form of sugar in the body. Gestational diabetes occurs in 4% of all pregnancies.
What is going on in the body?
Glucose is an important source of energy used by the body's cells. When a person eats, the pancreas normally makes extra insulin. The insulin causes the glucose in the blood to move inside the body's cells. In a woman with gestational diabetes, the hormones produced in pregnancy block the effects of insulin. Glucose then builds up in the blood and the cells are left without a main source of energy. The result is a high level of glucose in the blood, a condition known as hyperglycemia. High blood sugar levels can damage the growth of the fetus. This may cause complications for both the mother and baby.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
The following conditions may increase a woman's chance of developing gestational diabetes: