Posts Tagged jelly beans
The Jelly Bean Study
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 19th, 2009
One of the most important components of diagnosing gestational diabetes, is the screening process. One test that has become popular, in the screening process, involve the use of jelly beans for gestational diabetes. Since many women to not see specific symptoms of this disease, diagnosis can be difficult. And since there is no certain cause of gestational diabetes, it is hard to connect the dots between symptoms and this condition.
Yes, caring for gestational diabetes when pregnant, is important, which is why testing is done. There are a number of tests that are a part of the screening. These are used essentially, to determine whether there are inappropriately high levels of glucose in a pregnant woman’s blood samples. These tests fall under the line of the non-challenge type of glucose tests.
The tests include a fasting glucose test, a 2-hour postprandial glucose test, and a random glucose test. The postprandial test focuses on the state of the pregnant woman’s blood after she has eaten. Then there is often a screen glucose challenge test performed. In the past there have been problems with this testing. Some pregnant women became nauseated or vomited, during one component of the screening.
This was generally the portion where they were expected to drink a thick, sweet cola like drink. Many of these women had problems keeping this drink down, which effected the testing process. Prompted by these troubles in determining gestational diabetes, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology stepped in.
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology did a study on women who consumed this old cola like drink. They also looked at them in comparison to women who consumed jelly beans for getational diabetes testing. This study was very specific in its criteria. In the study there were specific types of jelly beans for gestational diabetes are used. They used jelly beans for gestational diabetes studies, made by the Brach & Brock company. They also used a certain number of jelly beans for gestational diabetes results.
In the traditional test, 50mg of oral glucose is used. This is administered in the sweet cola liquid. They found that anywhere from 10 to 15% of pregnant women vomited after drinking this liquid. So, the jelly bean alternative entered the picture. In the study women were given 18 jelly beans to eat. Use of this particular brand of candy, it equals the amount of glucose, needed in the screening process.
The traditional test required a certain period of time, before results could be checked. These pregnant women would be given tests, requiring a specific time interval for results. But women who were given the jelly bean test, results could be checked within 2 minutes of eating them. A venous plasma glucose value reading could be determined. This test unlike the ones of the past didn’t have to wait because of time restraints. The results of these tests allow you to focus on caring for gestational diabetes when pregnant, after receiving a diagnosis.
The jelly beans for gestational diabetes test did require a focus on whether a woman had eaten, or even when her last meal was. The study found that this test was a success and could be used instead of the cola drink.
You can find helpful information about caring for gestational diabetes when pregnant and everything you need to know about jelly beans for gestational diabetes at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: The Jelly Bean Study
Ways To Prevent Gestational Diabetes
Posted by in Pregnancy on September 16th, 2009
Many pregnant women each year are diagnosed with gestational diabetes each year. Many of these women have family histories involving diabetes. This condition is characterized by high levels of glucose in their blood. There are women, though who will practice the prevention of gestational diabetes. These women also exhibit a tolerance to insulin, and have developed gestational diabetes. These are often women who understand about this disease, through their experience with others who have it. Some of these pregnant women will enlist the help of their physician, and learn about the prevention of gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
There are a few women who have family members with diabetes. They have seen the effects of this disease and want to use any methods they can to achieve the prevention of gestational diabetes. Apart of the testing process for this disease, now includes the eating of jelly beans. This is done in the screening process, before this form of diabetes is confirmed.
Prevention of gestational diabetes is often taken most seriously, when a pregnant woman finds she is at risk. Women, who are obese, and have a family history of diabetes are vulnerable to developing gestational diabetes. If you have experienced one or more still born births, you may be at risk of developing this disease. Women of certain races, are more susceptible than other women. Some of the races, which are at risk, are African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics.
There are a number of ways to practice the prevention of gestational diabetes. One form of prevention of gestational diabetes is through staying at a healthy weight. This practice can be beneficial even before a woman becomes pregnant. If you are able to maintain a weight that is healthy for your height, you will be in the habit of limiting yourself. Limiting the amount, of unhealthy food choices, is one of the most effective ways to maintaining weight.
Another method of prevention of gestational diabetes is to not gain too much weight during pregnancy. Women, who fall in line with many of the risk factors, do not have the option of ignoring weight. Weight is very crucial to remaining healthy and avoiding disease. So, just as a woman is used to monitoring her weight before pregnancy, she should do so during pregnancy.
This doesn’t mean she has to avoid all of her cravings. It just means she must watch what she eats, and how much. This is a way to prevent this form of diabetes from developing. Another prevention technique is exercise. If a pregnant woman gets regular exercise, she can provide a healthier scenario for herself and her baby.
Exercise works two-fold. It not only helps the pregnant woman to become physically fit, but to also monitor her weight gain. Exercise is important to maintaining weight. Another thing, that exercise can achieve, for these women, is to keep their blood sugar within a safe range. These and all preventive methods should be discussed with your physician. He or she can be very helpful in this process.
You can find helpful information about prevention of gestational diabetes and everything you need to know about jelly beans at Aha! Baby.
Article Source: Ways To Prevent Gestational Diabetes
