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7 Facts Everyone Should Know on World Hepatitis Day
Your HealthHealth & Wellness

7 Facts Everyone Should Know on World Hepatitis Day

by BabyYumYum
written by BabyYumYum

Millions of people around the world are living with hepatitis without even knowing it. Often called a "silent" disease, it can cause serious damage to the liver before symptoms become obvious. World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to raise awareness, encourage testing and highlight the importance of prevention. By understanding the risks and recognising the value of early detection, individuals and families can take important steps to protect their health.

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Every year on 28 July, people around the world observe World Hepatitis Day, a global awareness campaign dedicated to increasing understanding of viral hepatitis and encouraging prevention, testing, and treatment. The date was chosen to honour the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, the scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and helped develop the first hepatitis B vaccine.

Despite major advances in medicine, viral hepatitis remains a significant global health challenge. According to the World Health Organization, hepatitis B alone caused an estimated 1.1 million deaths in 2022, largely due to complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

As World Hepatitis Day shines a spotlight on this often-overlooked disease, here are seven important facts everyone should know.

1. Hepatitis Is Not Just One Disease

Many people assume hepatitis is a single illness, but the term actually refers to inflammation of the liver that can have several causes. The most common viral forms are:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each type differs in how it spreads, how severe it can become, and whether it causes short-term or long-term infection.

2. Millions of People Don’t Know They Have Hepatitis

One of the biggest challenges in combating hepatitis is that many infected individuals have no symptoms for years. The World Health Organisation estimates that only about 13% of people living with hepatitis B worldwide knew their status in 2022, while many others remained undiagnosed. Because symptoms may not appear until significant liver damage has occurred, testing plays a crucial role in early detection.

3. Hepatitis B and C Can Cause Liver Cancer

Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are among the leading causes of liver cancer globally. According to the World Health Organization, chronic hepatitis B infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, particularly when left untreated. Similarly, the World Health Organization notes that chronic hepatitis C infection can cause severe liver disease, including liver cancer and liver failure. The good news is that early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce these risks.

4. A Vaccine Can Prevent Hepatitis B

One of the most effective tools against hepatitis B is vaccination. The World Health Organization reports that the hepatitis B vaccine is 95% to 100% effective in preventing infection and its chronic consequences. Vaccination is particularly important because hepatitis B can spread through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids, including from mother to baby during childbirth. In South Africa, hepatitis B vaccination forms part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule.

5. Hepatitis C Can Now Be Cured

Unlike hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. However, modern treatments have transformed outcomes for patients. According to the World Health Organization, direct-acting antiviral medications can cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C infection. This means early testing and access to treatment can prevent long-term complications and significantly improve quality of life.

6. Hepatitis Doesn’t Always Cause Symptoms

Many people associate liver disease with jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes. However, hepatitis often develops silently. The CDC notes that individuals with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C may have no symptoms for decades. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Jaundice
  • Loss of appetite

Because these symptoms can resemble many other conditions, testing remains essential.

7. Eliminating Hepatitis Is Possible

Global health organizations believe viral hepatitis can be dramatically reduced through prevention, vaccination, testing, and treatment. The World Health Organization’s hepatitis elimination strategy aims to reduce new infections and hepatitis-related deaths substantially by 2030. Achieving this goal depends on improving awareness, expanding access to healthcare services, and encouraging more people to get tested.

Why World Hepatitis Day Matters

World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder that viral hepatitis remains a major public health issue despite being largely preventable and, in some cases, treatable or curable.

Greater awareness can help reduce stigma, encourage testing and ensure that people receive care before serious complications develop. Whether through vaccination, routine screening, or simply learning more about the disease, every step contributes to the global effort to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. If you have concerns about hepatitis, liver health, vaccination, or potential exposure to viral hepatitis, seek guidance from a licensed doctor or healthcare provider. Never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of information you have read online.

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What the Shift from PCOS to PMOS Really Means
Your HealthHealth & Wellness

What the Shift from PCOS to PMOS Really Means

by The Conversation
written by The Conversation

Millions of women have heard the term PCOS, yet many still feel that the name never fully explains what is happening inside their bodies. Weight changes, insulin resistance, hormone imbalances and fertility challenges often extend far beyond the ovaries. That is one reason why the discussion around PCOS and PMOS is generating so much interest worldwide. Supporters of the proposed change believe it could help women, healthcare providers and the public better understand the broader hormonal and metabolic effects associated with the condition.

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“Hopeful,” “excited” and “helpful” for the future of women’s health — these are just some of the words expressed by the team that worked together for more than a decade to change the name polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

PMOS is a chronic condition associated with diabetes, heart disease, depression, infertility, pregnancy complications and a general decreased quality of life. It affects an estimated one in eight women worldwide, and about one in 10 Canadian women, yet the World Health Organization estimates that 70 per cent of those affected have never received a diagnosis.

Why the name has changed

The term PCOS was inaccurate, because there is no increase in abnormal ovarian cysts. Rather, the hallmark of this condition is follicles, or little fluid sacs, around partly developed eggs, which are caused when development is disrupted by a hormonal or chemical messenger disturbance.

For years, this inaccuracy contributed to the disorder being misunderstood, underrecognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated. Because PMOS is not primarily a disease of the ovaries, calling it PCOS meant all the broader features of the condition were neglected.

In a news release from Monash University, in Melbourne, Australia, chair of the charity Verity in the United Kingdom and a member of the name change team with almost 20 years’ lived PMOS experience, explains:

“It has not only impacted how the condition has been understood, it has also affected how seriously it is taken. The inaccurate name has negatively influenced awareness, education, and even the level of research, attention and funding it has received.”

Infographic featuring a teal ribbon and reason for name change
Reason for the new name. Authors’ own

The new name, PMOS, published in The Lancet on May 12, reflects the broader polyendocrine disturbances occurring in women’s insulin, androgens and neuroendocrine and ovarian hormones, and the metabolic impacts these have on their lives.

Prof. Helena Teede, the endocrinologist at Monash University who led the international name change team, said in an announcement: “PMOS is building on what we knew before but really is reflective of the much more diverse and broad features of this condition.”

ALSO READ: Living with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

The name change team also wants the new name to help remove the significant stigma and judgment that is often associated with PMOS, including stigma and judgment around weight gain. Anxiety, depression and eating disorders are all common in women with PMOS, and the risk of metabolic complications like developing Type 2 diabetes is high and occurs at a younger age compared to women without PMOS. Many women are also affected by bothersome symptoms like acne and excess hair growth.

Infographic with symptoms and effects of PMOS
Diverse impacts of PMOS.
(Image adapted from ‘The Lancet’ publication under Elsevier Creative Commons Licence), CC BY

With the new name now reflecting the condition as a complex and cyclical metabolic disorder, Robyn Vettese, who is chair of the PMOS Patient Advisory Council in Alberta and co-author on this story, hopes this will mean all patients, whose symptoms can vary significantly, are met with the understanding they deserve and are supported for long-term health.

How the name was changed

The transition from PCOS to PMOS has been described as the largest, unprecedented global engagement process ever undertaken for a health condition name change and highlights the value of creating space for patients’ voices and lived experiences in improving health care.

Following years of advocacy and campaigning, in 2025, the name change team reported on a survey that found 85.6 per cent of patients and 76.1 per cent of health professionals agreed with the change.

This secured the mandate needed, and after 22,000 health professionals and people living with PMOS participated in surveys and workshops — together with the involvement of 56 leading academic, clinical and patient organizations, including the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada — the acronym PCOS was retired.

Future PMOS advocacy and research

Looking ahead, Vettese sees the name change as a call to action for care providers to participate in education and learning about PMOS and to promote a wider, whole-body health approach.

Dr. Jamie Benham, who runs the Endocrine, Metabolic and Reproductive Advancements (EMBRACE) Women’s Health Research Lab at the University of Calgary and is an author of this story, agrees. She is one of the 62 Global Name Change Consortium authors cited in The Lancet paper, and her immediate priorities are to raise awareness about what the PMOS change means and to continue collaborating with patients to ensure the lab’s research questions are directly relevant to the affected population.

Infographic listing research goals for PMOS
EMBRACE Women’s Health Research Lab.
(Authors’ own)

Increasing diagnosis and providing funding for PMOS learning and research in Canada are critical to improve treatment and management of this lifelong, challenging condition, as was underscored in the 2024 McKinsey Health Institute report, Closing the Women’s Health Gap.

Throughout the three-year transition period planned for the name change, we anticipate an expansion in PMOS care by Canadian physicians in the diverse fields of endocrinology, gynecology, dermatology, pediatrics and primary practice.

Up until now, the treatment and management of PMOS has been insufficient. Its new name, and the journey to achieve it, signifies real, genuine change. Researchers, clinicians and patients have come together to say that people with PMOS deserve more appropriate and comprehensive care and support, throughout their whole lives. They are very hopeful this will happen.The Conversation

Pauline McDonagh Hull, PhD Candidate, Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Jamie Benham, Endocrinologist & Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Robyn Vettese, Research Assistant (Community Scholar), Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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When Hormones Become the Default Diagnosis for Women’s Health
Health & WellnessYour Health

When Hormones Become the Default Diagnosis for Women’s Health

by Press Release
written by Press Release

Women’s health symptoms are often quickly attributed to hormonal changes. Fatigue, mood shifts, pain or irregular cycles are frequently explained away with a single assumption. That is when hormones become the default diagnosis, a pattern that health professionals such as Luvuyo Maloka from Unu Health believe deserves far more attention. With International Women’s Day on 08 March 2026, the conversation is shifting toward ensuring women’s health concerns are taken seriously and investigated properly.

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As perimenopause gains attention, many women are asking a difficult question: “Are we becoming too quick to blame everything on hormones? “

She’s 42. She’s exhausted. She snaps at her children over small things. She forgets words mid-sentence in meetings. She wakes at 03:00 and can’t fall back asleep. She feels anxious, sometimes for no obvious reason. When she finally sees a doctor, she’s told gently, almost reassuringly: “It’s probably perimenopause.” Maybe it is, but what if it isn’t?

Perimenopause (the transitional years before menopause) is finally having its moment in the spotlight. Women are talking more openly about mood changes, brain fog, hot flushes, weight shifts and anxiety. Social media is filled with shared experiences. Podcasts, books and specialists are bringing long-overdue awareness to midlife hormonal changes.

Globally, this matters. According to the World Health Organization, most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with perimenopause often beginning several years earlier[i]. Research from institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic notes that perimenopause can start in a woman’s 40s (and for some, even late 30s), lasting up to 10 years[ii].

The awareness is overdue. For decades, women were told to simply “push through.” But as the conversation grows louder, a quieter concern is emerging. Are we now at risk of blaming everything on hormones?

Fatigue, low mood, weight gain, anxiety, poor concentration, yes, these can be symptoms of perimenopause. However, they can also signal thyroid dysfunction, iron-deficiency anaemia, insulin resistance, depression, chronic stress, burnout and autoimmune conditions

“The danger is not in recognising perimenopause,” says Luvuyo Maloka from digital health care provider, Unu Health. “The danger is in assuming that hormones are the default explanation before we’ve properly investigated what else might be going on.”

The current wave of awareness is empowering, but oversimplification carries its own risks.

For South African women in their 40s and 50s, this stage of life is rarely calm. They are often supporting teenage or university-aged children, assisting ageing parents, managing demanding careers and navigating rising living costs. They are the financial and emotional backbone of their families. When symptoms begin, pushing for further testing can feel like a luxury. Blood tests cost money. Specialist visits cost money. Time off work costs money. So, when told “it’s probably perimenopause,” many women accept the answer — partly out of trust, and partly out of exhaustion.

“There’s a very real economic dimension to midlife women’s health,” Maloka explains. “When healthcare feels expensive or time-consuming, it becomes easier to normalise symptoms than to investigate them. But delayed diagnosis — if something else is going on — can carry a far greater cost later.”

This isn’t about creating fear. It’s about balance. Perimenopause is real. Hormonal shifts are real. But so are thyroid disorders, early metabolic disease and clinical depression.

In South Africa, where chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are rising, often undiagnosed, the overlap in symptoms can blur important warning signs. Brain fog might be hormonal, or it might be unmanaged blood sugar. Fatigue might be hormonal, or it might be anaemia. Anxiety might be hormonal, or it might be burnout in a woman carrying too much for too long. The key is not self-diagnosis and self-dismissal.

What women need now is not less conversation about perimenopause, but a more nuanced conversation. The message is not: challenge every diagnosis. The message is: trust your body enough to ask questions.

For more information, please visit www.unuhealth.org

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International Gynaecological Health Day 2025: Let’s Talk Women’s Health
LifestyleIn The News

International Gynaecological Health Day 2025: Let’s Talk Women’s Health

by BabyYumYum
written by BabyYumYum

Too many women suffer in silence when it comes to reproductive health. International Gynaecological Health Day 2025 is about breaking taboos, raising awareness and encouraging women to prioritise their well-being. From menstrual health and fertility to early detection of gynaecological cancers, access to knowledge and care is essential. International Gynaecological Health Day 2025 calls on us all to support open dialogue, education, and respect for every woman’s health journey.

Gynaecological Health Day, observed annually on 10 September, is a powerful reminder that women’s health matters — and it deserves open, honest, and stigma-free conversation. In 2025, it’s time to push past taboos and make gynaecological health a topic we can all talk about without shame or discomfort.

From menstruation and fertility to menopause and reproductive cancers, gynaecological health affects millions of women daily. Yet many still suffer in silence due to embarrassment, misinformation, or lack of access to proper care. This observance aims to change that by encouraging awareness, education, and empowerment around the unique health needs of women and people assigned female at birth.

Why Gynaecological Health Can’t Be Ignored

Far too often, symptoms linked to gynaecological conditions are brushed off as “normal” or “just part of being a woman.” But heavy periods, ongoing pelvic pain, irregular cycles, and discomfort during intercourse are not things women should have to simply live with.

Conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervical cancer, and vaginal infections are common but frequently underdiagnosed. In many cases, women wait years before getting a correct diagnosis or the treatment they need.

Gynaecological health also plays a major role in:

  • Fertility and family planning
  • Sexual wellbeing and confidence
  • Early cancer detection and prevention
  • Mental health, especially when dealing with chronic conditions

Ignoring symptoms or delaying check-ups can have long-term consequences. That’s why Gynaecological Health Day 2025 is calling for better access to care, better education, and better communication.

YOU MUST READ: The lowdown on vaginal health

International Gynaecological Health Day 2025: Let’s Talk Women’s Health

How to Prioritise Your Gynaecological Health

Taking care of your reproductive and sexual health doesn’t have to be complicated. It starts with knowledge and regular habits that empower you to feel confident in your body.

Here’s how you can take charge:

  • Schedule regular gynaecological check-ups: Pap smears, pelvic exams, and STI screenings help catch problems early.
  • Track your cycle: Whether it’s using an app or a journal, knowing your normal helps you spot when something’s off.
  • Speak up about symptoms: Don’t downplay pain, abnormal bleeding, or anything that feels wrong. Your concerns are valid.
  • Stay informed: Read from reliable sources or talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your body and your options.
  • Practice safe sex: Use protection, get tested regularly, and have open conversations with partners.
  • Don’t forget menopause: Hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep problems are real and manageable. Ask for support and guidance.

Gynaecological health isn’t just about reproductive ability. It’s about wellbeing, self-esteem, and living fully without discomfort, fear, or shame.

ALSO CHECK OUT: The questions you were too embarrassed to ask – answered by a gynaecologist

FAQs

How often should I have a gynaecological exam?

Most experts recommend annual check-ups, but the frequency of certain tests like Pap smears may vary depending on age and medical history. Speak to your doctor for personalised guidance.

What are some common warning signs I shouldn’t ignore?

Painful periods, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, itching, unusual discharge, or pain during sex should all be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Is gynaecological care only for sexually active women?

Not at all. Gynaecological care is important for all women and people with female reproductive systems, regardless of sexual activity or age.

How can I support someone struggling with a gynaecological condition?

Listen without judgement, offer emotional support, and encourage them to seek medical advice. Being open and informed helps reduce shame and isolation.

Your Health, Your Voice, Your Power

Gynaecological Health Day 2025 is about more than raising awareness — it’s about shifting the conversation, busting myths, and encouraging people to prioritise their health without embarrassment or fear.

Every woman deserves to feel heard, understood, and cared for. So whether it’s booking your next check-up, learning about common conditions, or simply starting a conversation, take the step. Because talking about gynaecological health isn’t awkward — it’s empowering.

Let’s make 2025 the year we speak up, show up, and support one another.

References:

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Gestational diabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Here are 5 key steps to help lower your future risk and stay healthy post-pregnancy.
Health & WellnessYour Health

Had Gestational Diabetes? 5 Ways to Lower Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk

by The Conversation
written by The Conversation

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy, but for many women, it comes with a long-term concern—the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Studies show that women who experience gestational diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years post-pregnancy. But the good news? There are steps you can take to reduce your risk and maintain long-term health. By making simple yet effective lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, regular exercise, and monitoring blood sugar levels, you can lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a specific type of diabetes that occurs in pregnancy.

Once you’ve had gestational diabetes, your risk of having it again in your next pregnancy is higher. So too is your lifetime chance of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The good news is taking steps such as adopting a healthier diet and being more active will lower those risks, while improving health and well-being for you and your family.

Read more: Gestational diabetes in the mother increases Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes risks for the whole family              

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes affects about one in seven to eight pregnant women in Australia. Women are screened for gestational diabetes at around 24 to 28 weeks gestation using a glucose tolerance test. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar levels, are higher than the normal range.

Screening is designed to ensure women with gestational diabetes receive treatment as early as possible to minimise health risks for both the mother and the baby. Risks include having a baby born weighing more than four kilograms, and the need to have a caesarean section. Management of gestational diabetes includes close monitoring of blood glucose levels, a healthy diet, and being physically active.

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases markedly in the first five years following gestational diabetes, with risk plateauing after ten years. Women who have had gestational diabetes have more than seven times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future than women who haven’t had the condition.

Type 2 diabetes

If type 2 diabetes goes undiagnosed, the impact on your health can be high – especially if it’s not detected until complications arise.

Early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, frequent infections and feeling tired and lethargic.

Doing regular exercise can lessen the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.               From shutterstock.com  

Doing regular exercise can lessen the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.               From shutterstock.com

Long-term complications include an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, damage to nerves (especially those in the fingers and toes), damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney disease, and damage to blood vessels in the eyes, leading to diabetes-related eye disease (called diabetic retinopathy).

If you’ve ever been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, here are five things you can do to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

1. Monitor your diabetes risk

Although gestational diabetes is a well-known risk factor for type 2 diabetes, some women have not been informed of the increased risk. This means they may not be aware of the recommendations to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

All women diagnosed with gestational diabetes should have a 75g oral glucose tolerance test at 6–12 weeks after giving birth. This is to check how their body responds to a spike in blood sugar after they’ve had the baby, and to develop a better picture of their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

From that point, women who have had gestational diabetes should continue to have regular testing to see whether type 2 diabetes has developed.

Talk to your GP about how to best monitor diabetes risk factors. Diabetes Australia recommends a blood glucose test every one to three years.

2. Aim to eat healthily

Dietary patterns that include vegetables and fruit, whole grains, fish and foods rich in fibre and monounsaturated fats are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

In more than 4,400 women with prior gestational diabetes, those who had healthier eating patterns, assessed using diet quality scoring tools, had a 40-57% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with women with the lowest diet quality scores.

Read more: Are you at risk of being diagnosed with gestational diabetes? It depends on where you live       

Glycaemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate-containing foods according to their effect on blood glucose levels. The lower the GI, the slower the rise in blood sugar levels after eating. Research suggests that a higher GI diet, and consuming lots of high GI foods (glycaemic load), is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while a lower GI diet may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

3. Be as active as possible

Increasing your physical activity level can help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Engaging in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as walking for 30 minutes on five days a week; or accumulating 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity a week by swimming, running, tennis, cycling, or aerobics, is associated with a 45% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes after having had gestational diabetes. Importantly, both walking and jogging produced a similar lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

In contrast, prolonged time spent watching TV was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes.

Strength training is also important. A large study of 35,754 healthy women found those who engaged in any type strength training, such as pilates, resistance exercise or weights, had a 30% lower rate of developing type 2 diabetes compared to women who did not do any type of strength training.

Women who did both strength training and aerobic activity had an even lower risk of developing either type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, even in mums who haven’t had gestational diabetes.               From shutterstock.com

Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, even in mums who haven’t had gestational diabetes.               From shutterstock.com

                         

4. Breastfeed for as long as you can

Research shows breastfeeding for longer than three months reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by about 46% in women who have had gestational diabetes. It is thought that breastfeeding leads to improved glucose and fat metabolism.

The Nurses Health Study followed more than 150,000 women over 16 years. It found that for every additional year of breastfeeding, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was reduced by 14-15% – even in mothers who had not been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Organisations such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association and lactation consultants offer support to help all women, including those who have had gestational diabetes, to breastfeed their infants for as long as they choose.

Read more: Breastfeeding Tracker Printable – Download for Free

5. Keep an eye on your weight

Weight gain is a known risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. In a study of 666 Hispanic women with previous gestational diabetes, a weight gain of 4.5kg during 2.2 years follow-up increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 1.54 times.

Another study saw 1,695 women with previous gestational diabetes followed up between eight to 18 years after their diagnosis. This research found that for each 5kg of weight gained, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased by 27%.

Aiming to modify your eating habits and being as active as you can will help with weight management and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Within interventions that support people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, one review found every extra kilogram lost by participants was associated with 43% lower odds of developing type 2 diabetes.

Read more: Health Check: what’s the best diet for weight loss?       The Conversation

Clare Collins, Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle; Hannah Brown, PhD Candidate Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle, and Megan Rollo, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nutrition & Dietetics, University of Newcastle

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

BabyYumYum Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Gestational Diabetes and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. It typically develops in the second or third trimester and usually resolves after childbirth.

What causes gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect how insulin works, making it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels. Factors such as being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, or being over 35 can increase the risk.

Does gestational diabetes go away after pregnancy?

Yes, for most women, blood sugar levels return to normal after childbirth. However, having gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, so regular check-ups are important.

How does gestational diabetes increase the risk of type 2 diabetes?

Women who experience gestational diabetes may have insulin resistance, which can persist after pregnancy. Over time, this can lead to higher blood sugar levels and eventually the development of type 2 diabetes.

What are the long-term health risks after gestational diabetes?

In addition to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, women may also be at risk of:

  • Developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies
  • High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
  • Obesity and metabolic syndrome

How can I reduce my risk of developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to lowering the risk. This includes:

  • Eating a balanced diet with whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats
  • Exercising regularly to improve insulin sensitivity
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Breastfeeding (which may help regulate blood sugar levels)
  • Attending regular check-ups to monitor blood glucose levels

When should I get tested for type 2 diabetes after having gestational diabetes?

Women who have had gestational diabetes should have a glucose test 6–12 weeks after giving birth. If results are normal, screening should be repeated every 1–3 years to detect early signs of type 2 diabetes.

Can I develop gestational diabetes again in future pregnancies?

Yes, having gestational diabetes in one pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing it in subsequent pregnancies. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle before conception may help reduce the risk.

Does gestational diabetes affect my baby?

If poorly managed, gestational diabetes can lead to higher birth weight (macrosomia), premature birth, low blood sugar in the baby after birth, and a higher risk of childhood obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life. However, with proper management, most babies are born healthy.

Where can I get support after having gestational diabetes?

You can seek guidance from your GP, diabetes specialist, dietitian, or support groups for post-pregnancy health management. Many hospitals also offer diabetes prevention programmes for women at risk.

 

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. If you have had gestational diabetes, speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice on reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes.

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