(NAPS)—Gestational diabetes is something to be concerned about after and not just during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. If you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, you and your child from that pregnancy have a lifelong risk for developing diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputations.
An estimated 84 million Americans are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes—and someone you love could be among them. However, many people don’t realize that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or even prevented with healthy lifestyle changes. This means that even if your loved ones are at risk for diabetes, there’s still time for them to take the steps necessary to turn their health around.
Stephen Habbe is the Director of State Government Affairs covering states in the Northeast including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Prior to joining the ADA, Stephen worked in the Massachusetts Senate where he had the opportunity to collaborate with the ADA on legislation aimed at improving health insurance coverage for people with diabetes.
"What can I eat?" is the #1 question asked by people with diabetes when they are diagnosed. Learn about our nutrition consensus report—and find answers.
Millions of people around the world live with diabetes or know someone living with diabetes.
Regardless of the type of diabetes, diabetes isn’t yet a curable disease. However, it is a very treatable disease, and no matter how frightening, annoying, and frustrating it can be, people with diabetes can live long, healthy, and happy lives. Our goal is to provide you the information, tools and resources to help make that happen.
An Overview
Don Fillenworth from Bismarck, North Dakota, is 55 years old and lives with type 2 diabetes. This is his success story:
Lynda Jimenez is the Associate Director of Online Strategy & Operations for the American Diabetes Association. This is her story:
Most women begin their journey through pregnancy as soon as those little lines appear. As for me, I started my pregnancy journey eight months before those little lines would make their appearance, an entire year and a half before my son was born.
Jana Franzen lives in Osage City, Kansas. This is her story:
Written by Pamela Roller, who lives with type 1 diabetes. Dedicated to all diabetics and their families.
I was 13 months old when I was diagnosed with T1D and I was diagnosed on my dad’s birthday! My parents were out getting some frosties from Wendy’s and they say that I kept reaching for them because I was thirsty. Well, later on I kept wetting my diaper. My dad would come in and change me, then he would come back in 10 minutes and have to do it again. This happened 3 times and they finally decided to take me in and see what was wrong. Turns out that their new baby was a type 1 diabetic. Surprise!
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