Problem: Article: There is no way to determine if a woman is going to get gestational diabetes before she is pregnant. But there are certain risk factors that may indicate a higher probability in some women. If you're planning to get pregnant, or you are pregnant, review these risk factors and speak to your doctor about possible testing when the time is right. Age. Women who are 25 years of age or older are at a higher risk or developing gestational diabetes. Medical history. You are also at a higher risk if you have a personal history of diabetes, PCOS, insulin resistance, or history of diabetes in your immediate family. In these cases, you should be screened for gestational diabetes at the beginning of your pregnancy. Previous pregnancies. Get screened for gestational diabetes at the beginning of your pregnancy if you have had gestational diabetes before or if you delivered a macrosomic (larger than average) baby, then you are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. Weight. Obese women with a body mass index (pre-pregnancy) of 30 or higher are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and should be screened for gestational diabetes at the beginning of any pregnancy. Ethnicity. Black, Hispanic, Indigenous peoples, and Asians have a higher risk factor for gestational diabetes. Throughout your pregnancy, record any medical symptoms you may experience, especially those your doctor has asked you to track. This information may be useful to your doctor in diagnosing gestational diabetes at a later date. Some symptoms (and other items) to keep track of include: Excessive thirst and urination. Birth weights of previous children. Details on when you've lost or gained significant weight in the past. Before any doctor's appointment it's always useful to write down any and all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) you current take. Having a written list will help ensure you don't forget anything, and will allow you to easily remember the exact dosage of each medication that you take. Remember to include medications you take on a regular basis (i.e. daily) and medications you take as needed (e.g. when you have specific symptoms). Depending on the type of screening test that is going to be performed, there may be specific restrictions you have to follow in the 24 hours leading up to the appointment. Make sure you are fully aware of what these restrictions are and that you following them as instructed to ensure your test is not delayed. For example, some blood glucose tests must be performed after the patient has fasted for 12 hours. However, most blood glucose tests that are performed during pregnancy are non-fasting. It is highly likely that you have been reading pregnancy books or websites and have a lot of questions floating around in your head. To be sure you remember them all, write them down before your doctor's appointment. Some example questions related to gestational diabetes are as follows: What websites do you recommend I view in order to get reputable and relevant information pertaining to my condition? If I have to change my diet, is there someone that can help me (e.g. dietician, nurse, etc)? How will we know when and if I need to take medication? What type of medication might I need to take? Will I need to check my blood sugar level regularly? Will I continue to have diabetes after the baby is born? Will I need to do additional screening tests? What potential complications might exist during my pregnancy, and what can we do to lower those risks as much as possible? If your doctor sends you for the second gestational diabetes test, called the glucose tolerance test, you will be required to remain at the clinic or office for at least 3 hours. During this time you will not be permitted to eat or drink anything (except maybe water) and you will likely not be allowed to leave the premises. You may want to bring something to keep you occupied during this time, as it will likely be rather boring.
Summary: Consider your risk factors before and immediately after you're pregnant. Monitor and record your symptoms. List all your current medications. Confirm any pre-appointment restrictions. Write down any and all questions you have for your doctor. Prepare to keep yourself occupied.

Problem: Article: Ensure that your food is chewed thoroughly, which helps to ease digestion and may help relieve IBS-related symptoms. You can also prevent yourself from overeating, which could make symptoms of IBS feel worse. It may help to monitor how you feel after you eat. This should be done approximately 1 hour after eating. This way, you can track the foods that worsen your IBS symptoms and those that alleviate your condition. Note any effects of food in your body including: gaseous discomfort, abdominal pains, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Small, more frequent meals as opposed to fewer, larger meals can help to reduce diarrhea and cramping pain. With smaller meals, the abdomen is emptied more frequently, which relieves symptoms caused by IBS. Ask your doctor if probiotics may be a good option for you. Probiotics ensure there is enough "good bacteria" in the stomach and intestines to help break down food. You can find tablets, capsules, as well as yogurt drinks at your local health food store or pharmacy. Note that foods can make IBS worse by causing severe gaseous pain and discomfort, and should be eaten in moderation. Use your own discretion before eating foods like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, and milk products. Other gas-inducing foods include beans, cauliflower, carbonated drinks, hard candy, lettuce, onions, and whole grains. Avoid foods that are extra spicy or greasy, as they may cause your symptoms to flare up. Additionally, avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, which may make your IBS symptoms worse. Some other common triggers include dairy products, carbonated drinks, apples, watermelon, pears, cole slaw, sauerkraut, soy beans, chickpeas, lentils, baked beans, pizza, and fried food. Switch out your normal bread and grain products for gluten-free alternatives. Even if you don't have celiac disease, you may find that your symptoms improve when you don't eat as much gluten on a daily or weekly basis. Note that gluten can be found in unexpected places, like soy sauce and salad dressing, so be sure to double-check your food labels. You may need to try this diet for several weeks before you see any results. Note that FODMAPs, or certain carbs and sugars, may be making your IBS symptoms worse. Opt for foods like bell peppers, kale, celery, and squash, which are all naturally low in FODMAPs. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols.
Summary:
Eat slowly to help your digestion. Have small, frequent meals rather than fewer large ones. Try probiotics to support healthy gut bacteria. Limit foods that are known to cause gas. Reduce or eliminate common food triggers for IBS. Try a gluten-free diet to ease your symptoms. Experiment with a low FODMAP diet to find relief.