Levels of the emerging cardiovascular risk marker growth-differentiation factor (GDF)-15 are higher in pregnant women with diabetes and pre-eclampsia than those without either condition, report researchers in the journal Hypertension.

The stress-responsive transforming growth factor-B??”related cytokine GDF-15 has recently been identified as a prognostic biomarker in patients with acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.

“Increased circulating levels of GDF-15 are associated with an augmented risk for subsequent cardiovascular events in nonpregnant subjects,” say Anne Staff (Oslo University Hospital, Norway) and team.

As pregnant women with diabetes and pre-eclampsia have higher cardiovascular disease risk than pregnant women with neither condition, Staff and co-workers tested levels of GDF-15 in plasma taken from 267 pregnant women ??” 59 normal “control” pregnancies, 112 diabetic pregnancies, 85 pregnancies with pre-eclampsia, and 11 pregnancies with superimposed pre-eclampsia in diabetes.

The median levels of maternal GDF-15 were higher for women with diabetes or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy than controls at 91,549 and 127,061 ng/l versus 79,875 ng/l, respectively.

The researchers also found that GDF-15 levels were higher in the amniotic fluid and fetal circulation of babies exposed to pre-eclampsia or superimposed pre-eclampsia in diabetes than controls.

“Our data should encourage further research into the (patho)physiological role of GDF-15 during pregnancy,” conclude the authors.

“Follow-up studies of women and their offspring after pregnancy complications, eg, pre-eclampsia and diabetes mellitus, are warranted to explore whether circulating GDF-15 remains elevated also after pregnancy and birth and to address the question of whether elevated maternal and fetal GDF-15 levels could play a role in the excessive risk of cardiovascular diseases after these conditions,” they add.

MedWire (www.medwire-news.md) is an independent clinical news service provided by Current Medicine Group, a part of Springer Science+Business Media. © Current Medicine Group Ltd; 2009

Free abstract

Diabetes affects an estimated 23.6mil people in the United States. Basically it is a serious, life- long condition. The condition has been diagnosed in children and adults alike. It presents with genetic pre-disposition, yet it is generally triggered by environmental factors.

Any individual who has been diagnosed must care for diabetes as if your life depended on it. The American Diabetes Association recommends that any one who has a pre-disposition for developing diabetes receive extensive, regular checkups.

In order to care for diabetes, it is imperative that you are aware of what it is. The condition is a disorder of metabolism. Metabolism is the method of which the body utilizes the digested food to promote growth and energy. The digested food is broken down into glucose or sugar in the blood. The body requires glucose for fuel and energy.

The body’s cells use the glucose, after passing through the bloodstream, for revitalization. In order for the glucose to get into the cells, however, the hormone, insulin must be available. This hormone is produced by the pancreas- gland behind the stomach.

The pancreas is an important organ as it supplies the insulin to the body for it to assist the glucose through the blood to maintain stamina. Specifically, it produces enough insulin to impel the glucose into the bloodstream then into your cells.

In individuals with diabetes, the pancreas does not function properly. There are three main types of diabetes; type 1, type 2 and gestational. Some form of malfunction in regards to the insulin supply occurs in each of them.

Type 1 diabetes, also referred to as juvenile diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin. To care for this type of diabetes, an individual must take insulin daily to live. Juvenile diabetes is basically an autoimmune disease.

Meaning, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. People who are developing type 1 diabetes may experience increased urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue.

The type 2 diabetic must also be aware of its challenges and treatment goals. Type 2 or adult-onset diabetes is the most common of the disease. Mostly associated with old age, obesity, genetics, ethnicity, and a pre- history of gestational diabetes, it requires intense life- style changes. The pancreas produces enough insulin, but the body resists or rejects its chemical make-up.

It is unclear why the body can’t use the insulin effectively. Eventually, as in type 1 diabetes, the insulin production decreases. The glucose begins to settle in the blood causing the body to loose its fuel and energy source. Healthcare professionals recommend that people change their life styles to care for adult onset diabetes.

The diabetic must implement a diabetic diet plan and exercise. Depending on the severity of the condition, oral medication or insulin injection will be prescribed. The symptoms may include frequent urination, slow healing of wounds or sores, and increased thirst or hunger. Unlike type 1 diabetes, the symptoms develop gradually or you may not experience any symptoms to identify at all.

Gestational diabetics must also be aware of how to care for diabetes. This type of diabetes develops in women late in pregnancy. The condition is caused by the combination of hormones of the pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. In most cases, there are no warning signs or symptoms.

More so, women who have experienced gestational diabetes; which generally subsides after birth, have increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Preventative methods include persistent physical activity and maintained body weight.

Conclusively, the primary goal of treating any type of diabetes is to maintain safe blood glucose levels. The body must be able to use the glucose as it is the main source of fuel and energy for the body. When it builds up in the bloodstream, obviously, it can’t be used. The overflow passes through your body via urination.

Baby Boomers Living with Diabetes: Keeping my toes, feet, and legs.

If you’re a baby boomer living with diabetes, you need to be aware of steps you should take to decrease your chances of losing a limb. The loss of a toe, a foot or a leg is quite traumatic, and the therapy, after such a procedure, can be extensive. But an even bigger fear a diabetic may have is, “what if they didn’t get all the infection?” Or, if the infection returns, “what will they have to cut off next??” Today, there is tons of helpful information available for baby boomers living with diabetes, to guard against a devastating loss of this nature. Your information gathering starts right here so, read on!

Just because you have type 2 diabetes, does not mean, sometime in the future, you will face amputation. Foot problems arise because of nerve damage, poor circulation, or both. Nerve damage is often the cause of a loss in feeling, not being aware of pain or temperature. If pain goes untreated, and the skin breaks down, an infection will most likely, set in. And infections are difficult to treat because of poor circulation found in most people with diabetes. Nerve damage can sometimes change the shape of your feet and toes. Ask your physician about therapeutic shoes and socks for comfort and to guard against future foot injuries.

Foot injuries require serious attention because diabetes causes a narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels in the feet and legs. This is described as poor circulation. Poor circulation makes fighting foot infections much more difficult. With diabetes the primary cause of hardening and narrowing blood vessels, smoking only makes the problem worse. For all diabetics, the single best thing you can do to improve

your condition is to STOP SMOKING!

To protect against foot injuries and possible infections, you should adopt a routine of

daily checking and caring for your feet:

- Daily exercise improves the circulation in your feet and legs.

- See a podiatrist to help you resolve minor foot problems, before becoming large ones

- Check your feet every day and notify your physician of any sores or changes in your feet.

- Wash your feet daily with a mild soap and warm water, before drying completely.

- As previously mentioned, stop smoking!!!

- Wear only well-fitting, comfortable shoes.

- Soften dry skin (especially the heels of your feet), with lotion or petroleum jelly.

The trauma involved in losing a toe, foot, or leg needs no explanation. And in the back of your mind is the question, “what will I lose next?” The harsh reality of an amputation is to keep you alive with the afterthought being, “will I face this again sometime in the future”? Poor circulation and nerve damage make it difficult for the heart to pump vital nutrients through out the body. But it’s important to know most amputations are preventable with proper foot ware and regular foot care.

Always follow the advice of your physician and notify them immediately whenever a problem surfaces. There is plenty of additional information on what you can do to lower your chances of dealing with such a predicament. Read all the information you can get your hands on and confer regularly with your doctor.

All baby boomers living with diabetes will not face amputation. Express your concerns to your doctor, follow his/her recommendations, and research preventing amputations on your own. Learn what you can do to minimize your chances of losing a limb and reducing the exposure to possible infections. Arming yourself with the latest information, will put you in a place of control over your illness. Do your homework!

To your continued health,

Rudy Venice