Health Tips for April 11

Health Tip: Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar rises too high because your body doesn't produce enough of the hormone insulin, or the insulin doesn't work correctly.

Insulin, made by the pancreas, helps body cells absorb sugars from food.

Here are some common warning signs of diabetes, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Excessive thirst and urination.
* Feeling very hungry frequently.
* Feeling very tired.
* Unintentional weight loss.
* Frequent infections, or wounds that don't heal.
* Blurred vision.
* Numbness or tingling in hands and feet.
* Dry, itchy skin.

If you have any of these symptoms, visit your doctor to be tested for diabetes, especially if you are 45 or older.

Health Tip: Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Women who are at a healthy body weight before pregnancy should gain between 25 pounds and 37 pounds, the American Pregnancy Association says.

It offers this additional information about weight gain during pregnancy:

* Women who are underweight before pregnancy should gain between 28 pounds and 40 pounds.
* Women who are overweight before pregnancy should gain between 15 pounds and 25 pounds.
* Eat healthy meals with sufficient calories, and avoid eating fatty foods and junk food.
* Eat a daily well-rounded diet, including three servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese; three servings of protein; three servings of fruits; four servings of vegetables; and nine servings of whole grain products.