Gestional diabetes is a form of diabetes that appears or is diagnosed in women during pregnancy - usually in the last third or trimester of the pregnancy. Pregnancy puts extra demands on insulin production and if these demands cannot be met then diabetes develops. Gestational diabetes usually goes away when the baby is born. You will have a glucose tolerance test carried out about 6 weeks after your baby is born to check.

Women can still inject insulin into their tummies when pregnant. It will not do the baby any harm. But it can be difficult to pinch up the skin on your tummy in later pregnancy as the skin is stretched. It may then be easier to inject elsewhere.

This is a common problem and is known as insulin resistance. It is more likely to affect those with type 2 diabetes and really means that insulin does not work so well in your body and so you have to take a lot of insulin - sometimes several hundred units of insulin daily. Adding in metformin helps a bit as it can make insulin work better. The best way to reduce insulin resistance and your need for high insulin doses is to exercise more and to lose weight. Not easy but is effective. If your sugars are dangerously high it is best to talk to your doctor or diabetes nurse.

Aspirin is helpful in those with diabetes who have angina or who have had a heart attack or stroke. In these situations aspirin reduces the risks of further problems. In those with diabetes who are well and have no cardiovascular complications aspirin is not helpful as recent evidence shows this.

Laser photocoagulation is a very good treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Laser treatment if carried out early enough can preserve your sight and prevent deterioration. The laser which is a beam of high intensity light is focused with extreme precision on your retina so that individual blood vessels that are leaking fluid into the retina can be sealed. Treatment is usually carried out in an outpatient clinic. Eye drops are used to enlarge your pupils so that the eye specialist can look into your eyes. The eye is numbed with drops and a small contact lens is put onto your eye to stop it blinking. During the treatment you will be asked to move your eyes in certain directions. The laser treatment is not that painful.

Early diagnosis is important. That is why it is crucial to attend the mobile eye screening service every time you are called to get your eyes examined and photographed. You should also go to your optician every year. Eye examinations are free for people with diabetes. Most problems caused by diabetic retinopathy can be managed by laser treatment if it is given early enough. Laser treatment can preserve the sight you have. The laser, a beam of high intensity light, can be focused with extreme precision so that the blood vessels that are leaking fluid into the retina can be sealed.

It is well known that excellent control of your diabetes greatly reduces the risk of eye complications. It is important to keep your blood sugars as near normal as you can and to get and keep your HbA1c less than 7%. It is also important to monitor your blood pressure and to treat high blood pressure. Not smoking also helps reduce the risk of diabetes eye problems.

Diabetes can affect your eyes in a number of different ways. The most serious eye condition associated with diabetes involves the retina and the network of blood vessels lying within it. The retina is a delicate tissue lying at the back of your eyes and is sensitive to light - a bit like the film in a camera. When diabetes damages the retina this is known as diabetic retinopathy.

Fluid retention and swollen ankles are a recognised adverse effect of this particular blood pressure treatment. If the swelling is only minimal you may be able to put up with it but if the swelling is bad then amlodipine may not be the right medication for you. Speak to your GP or to your diabetes team. Don't worry. No harm is done. The ankle swelling goes away when the tablet is stopped and there are lots of alternative blood pressure lowering tablets. Some others may suit you better.