Why does gestational diabetes increases a woman’s risk of type 2 diabetes later?
I know GDM does increase your risk for type 2 diabetes, and I would like to know why and how it happens. Searched the web and couldn’t find an answer.
Please give me an explanation.
Thanks heaps.
"Women with gestational diabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus after pregnancy, while their offspring are prone to developing childhood obesity, with type 2 diabetes later in life. Most patients are treated only with diet modification and moderate exercise but some take anti-diabetic drugs, including insulin therapy."
from wikipedia gestational diabetes there is lots more info on the web……
the stress it bring on the pancreas during pregnancy can make it weak later in life.
Pregnancy itself induces a state of insulin resistance, which requires the pancreas to produce much more insulin than usual. GDM indicates pancreatic reserves are low. Even when it resolves after birth, there is a high risk of getting T2DM after age forty when the aging process causes decreased pancreatic insulin output. The best way to avoid T2DM after GDM is to place less stress on the pancreas with a low refined carbohydrate, natural food diet.
The fact that you got the GDM means you are probably disposed to have Type 2 later in life.
I cant give you a technical answer but my sister had GB and after delivery it never went away. Her dr. said its probably because genetically she was going to have it when she got older.