There are known three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. In this affection the glucose can not be used properly by the body and so, energy can not be produced in enough quantities. All this is due to a lack of insulin or a malfunctioning of insulin, which leads to an accumulation of glucose in blood instead of an accumulation of glucose in the cells of the body. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and its role is to take the glucose from the blood and lead it into the cells of the body where energy will be produced.

Diabetes type 1 is known to occur during childhood and was named as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The pancreas is not able to produce the insulin any more as the cells responsible to this process have been destroyed by the body. These patients require insulin injections permanently.

Diabetes type 2, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus occurs mostly during adulthood. In this case the insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or it is not effective on the body cells.

In the gestational diabetes women have plenty of insulin but this does not work properly because it is blocked by hormones released by the placenta (estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen hormone). This hormonal effect begins from week 20 to 24 of pregnancy. In most of the pregnant women the pancreas is able to produce more insulin to fight over the hormonal effect. When the pancreas does not produce additional insulin the gestational diabetes installs. The good thing is that this kind of diabetes disappears after pregnancy is done without leaving any injuries.

There are some risk factors for gestational diabetes. Women who have a family history of diabetes, who are obese, who have given birth of a very large infant before, who are over 25 or who have too much amniotic fluid can develop gestational diabetes.

It is best for all pregnant women to take a test for gestational diabetes. The usual test is the 50 gram glucose screening test. The patient does not have to prepare in any way for this test and does not even have to feast like in other tests is needed. The patient will drink a liquid which contains 50 grams of glucose and after one hour the glucose level in blood will be measured. If the level is found to be higher than 140 mg/dl than the test is considered to be positive. This does not mean that the woman has gestational diabetes. It means that a further test is needed: the 3 hour glucose tolerance test must be done as it can confirm the diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

This 3 hour glucose tolerance test needs special preparation from the patient. A diet containing at least 150 grams of carbohydrates must be followed for 3 days. With 10 to 14 hours before the test the patient is not allowed to eat anything, only to drink water. In the morning a blood test will be made, then the patient will be asked to drink a liquid containing 100 grams of glucose, and after 3 hour another blood test will be done.

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