On November 14, International Diabetes Day, was held, with the motto ‘Women and Diabetes, our right to a healthy future’.The campaign affects the importance of getting women with this disease, or at risk of developing it, have affordable and equitable access to medicines, technology and education about self -care, essential to face it.

There are currently more than 199 million women with diabetes, a figure that is expected to reach 313 million in 2040, according to data from the International Diabetes Federation (there are 422 million people who suffer from it in the world).

Diabetes is a chronic disease that appears when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body is not able to use it effectively.

Insulin has the function of making glucose (sugar) present in the blood penetrate cells so that they can obtain energy.Thus, the effect it produces is an increase in blood glucose levels, which is known as hyperglycemia.

Female risks
Diabetes has notable consequences on female health.And a usual problem of diabetic patients are fungal infections."The glucose present in your body creates the perfect environment to promote the growth of fungi," explains the American Diabetes Association, which also clarifies that some drugs used for the treatment of diabetes can influence the effectiveness of contraceptive methods.

Oral medications called thiazolidatediones can make women who are not ovulating and have not yet passed menopause again, which makes them conceive.And it is possible that oral contraceptives are less effective when this medicine is taken.

Regarding contraceptive pills, the American Diabetes Association clarifies that they can increase glucose levels.

“Using more than a year or two can also increase the risk of complications.For example, if when you take the pill, the pressure rises, this can grow the probability of worsening the diseases of the eyes or kidneys, ”says said entity.

These issues are especially relevant since, according to data from the International Diabetes Federation, two out of five women with the disease are of reproductive age, which represents more than 60 million women in the world.This organism claims that all women with diabetes should have access to planning services before conception to reduce risks during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes
It can also happen that women who did not have diabetes have high levels of blood glucose during pregnancy, which is known as gestational diabetes.

As indicated by the International Diabetes Federation, one in seven births is affected by gestational diabetes.

“We do not know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have certain clues.Placenta hormones contribute to the baby's development, but they also block the action of insulin in the mother's body.Gestational diabetes begins when the organism cannot produce or use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy.

“Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and enter the cells to become energy.Therefore, hyperglycemia is accumulated and occurs, ”describes the specialists of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN).

Similarly, they point out that if you have gestational diabetes in a first pregnancy, the probability of reappearing in future pregnancies is much greater.

In addition, women who have suffered gestational diabetes have a seven -time probability.of presenting type 2 diabetes in the future that those that did not have diabetes during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes also implies a higher risk that the baby is born prematurely and complications in childbirth, with a greater frequency of caesarean sections.

To prevent gestational diabetes, SEEN recommends, among other measures, perform moderate physical exercise and have a healthy eating.In this sense, Dr. Rebeca Reyes, a specialist in Endocrinology, affirms that a healthy lifestyle "is an important part for the effective control of all types of diabetes and to help avoid complications."

A evil between two types
There are two main types of diabetes, which WHO defines:

Type 1: Also called insulin -dependent, youth or initial in childhood, is characterized by poor insulin production and requires the daily administration of this hormone.

Type 2: Also called non -insulin or starting in adulthood, it is due to an ineffective use of insulin.This type represents most world cases and is largely due to excessive body weight and physical inactivity.

Physical activity is vital
Doing physical activity regularly is a key aspect of diabetes control, in addition to planning meals properly, taking prescription medications and limiting stress.

When doing physical activity, cells become more sensitive to insulin, so they can work more efficiently.During exercise, cells also extract blood glucose through a fully independent mechanism of insulin.

Therefore, exercise regularly can reduce its glucose level and improve the A1C level.When it reduces the A1C level, you may take less diabetes pills or use less insulin.

Source: American Diabetes Association.