medical_specialty diabetes mellitus type 2
Acromegaly is a disorder that results from excess growth hormone ( GH ) after the growth plates have closed . The initial symptom is typically enlargement of the hands and feet . There may also be enlargement of the forehead , jaw , and nose . Other symptoms may include joint pain , thicker skin , deepening of the voice , headaches , and problems with vision . Complications of the disease may include type 2 diabetes , sleep apnea , and high blood pressure . Acromegaly is typically due to the pituitary gland producing too much growth hormone . In more than 95 % of people the excess production is due to a benign tumor , known as a pituitary adenoma . The condition is not inherited from a person ' s parents . Rarely acromegally is due to tumors in other parts of the body . Diagnosis is by measuring growth hormone after a person has drunk glucose or by measuring insulin - like growth factor I in the blood . After diagnosis , medical imaging of the pituitary is carried out to look for an adenoma . If excess growth hormone is produced during childhood the result is gigantism . Treatment option include ___MASK83___ to remove the tumor , medications , and radiation therapy . ___MASK83___ is usually the preferred treatment and is most effective when the tumor is smaller . In those in whom ___MASK83___ is not effective , medications of the somatostatin analogue or GH receptor antagonist type may be used . The effects of radiation therapy are more gradual than that of ___MASK83___ or medication . Without treatment those affected live on average 10 years less ; however , with treatment life expectancy is typically normal . Acromegaly affects about 6 per 100 , 000 people . It is most commonly diagnosed in middle age . Males and females are affected with equal frequency . The first medical description of the disorder occurred in 1772 by Nicolas Saucerotte . The term is from Greek " akron " meaning " extremity " and " mega " meaning " large ". Signs and symptoms . Features that result from high level of GH or expanding tumor include : Bariatric ___MASK83___ ( weight loss ___MASK83___ ) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who have obesity . Weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or through removal of a portion of the stomach ( sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch ) or by resecting and re - routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch ( gastric bypass ___MASK83___ ). The glucose tolerance test is a medical test in which glucose is given and blood samples taken afterward to determine how quickly it is cleared from the blood . The test is usually used to test for diabetes , insulin resistance , impaired beta cell function , and sometimes reactive hypoglycemia and acromegaly , or rarer disorders of carbohydrate metabolism . In the most commonly performed version of the test , an " oral glucose tolerance test " ( OGTT ), a standard dose of glucose is ingested by mouth and blood levels are checked two hours later . Many variations of the GTT have been devised over the years for various purposes , with different standard doses of glucose , different routes of administration , different intervals and durations of sampling , and various substances measured in addition to blood glucose . Diabetic ketoacidosis ( DKA ) is a potentially life - threatening complication of diabetes mellitus . Signs and symptoms may include vomiting , abdominal pain , deep gasping breathing , increased urination , weakness , confusion , and occasionally loss of consciousness . A person ' s breath may develop a specific smell . Onset of symptoms is usually rapid . In some cases people may not realize they previously had diabetes . DKA happens most often in those with type 1 diabetes , but can also occur in those with other types of diabetes under certain circumstances . Triggers may include ___MASK77___ , not taking insulin correctly , stroke , and certain medications such as steroids . DKA results from a shortage of insulin ; in response the body switches to burning fatty acids which produces acidic ketone bodies . DKA is typically diagnosed when testing finds high blood sugar , low blood pH , and ketoacids in either the blood or urine . The primary treatment of DKA is with intravenous fluids and insulin . Depending on the severity , insulin may be given intravenously or by injection under the skin . Usually potassium is also needed to prevent the development of low blood potassium . Throughout treatment blood sugar and potassium levels should be regularly checked . Antibiotics may be required in those with an underlying ___MASK77___ . In those with severely low blood pH , sodium bicarbonate may be given ; however , its use is of unclear benefit and typically not recommended . Rates of DKA vary around the world . About 4 % of people with type 1 diabetes in United Kingdom develop DKA a year while in Malaysia the condition affects about 25 % a year . DKA was first described in 1886 and until the introduction of insulin therapy in the 1920s , it was almost universally fatal . The risk of death with adequate and timely treatment is currently around 1  4 %. Up to 1 % of children with DKA develop a complication known as cerebral edema . Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a long term metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar , insulin resistance , and relative lack of insulin . Common symptoms include increased thirst , frequent urination , and unexplained weight loss . Symptoms may also include increased hunger , feeling tired , and sores that do not heal . Often symptoms come on slowly . Long - term complications from high blood sugar include heart disease , strokes , diabetic retinopathy which can result in blindness , kidney failure , and poor blood flow in the limbs which may lead to amputations . The sudden onset of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state may occur ; however , ketoacidosis is uncommon . Type 2 diabetes is primarily due to obesity and not enough exercise in people who are genetically predisposed . It makes up about 90 % of cases of diabetes , with the other 10 % due primarily to diabetes mellitus type 1 and gestational diabetes . In diabetes mellitus type 1 there is an absolute lack of insulin due to breakdown of islet cells in the pancreas . Diagnosis of diabetes is by blood tests such as fasting plasma glucose , oral glucose tolerance test , or A1C . Type 2 diabetes is partly preventable by staying a normal weight , exercising regularly , and eating properly . Treatment involves exercise and dietary changes . If blood sugar levels are not adequately lowered , the medication metformin is typically recommended . Many people may eventually also require insulin injections . In those on insulin , routinely check blood sugar levels is advised , however this may not be needed in those taking pills . Bariatric ___MASK83___ often improves diabetes in those who are obese . Rates of type 2 diabetes have increased markedly since 1960 in parallel with obesity . As of 2013 there were approximately 368 million people diagnosed with the disease compared to around 30 million in 1985 . Typically it begins in middle or older age . Type 2 diabetes is associated with a ten - year - shorter life expectancy . Diabetes was one of the first diseases described . The importance of insulin in the disease was determined in the 1920s . Stroke is when poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death . There are two main types of stroke : ischemic , due to lack of blood flow , and hemorrhagic , due to bleeding . They result in part of the brain not functioning properly . Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body , problems understanding or speaking , feeling like the world is spinning , or loss of vision to one side . Signs and symptoms often appear soon after the stroke has occurred . If symptoms last less than one or two hours it is known as a transient ischemic attack ( TIA ) or mini - stroke . A hemorrhagic stroke may also be associated with a severe headache . The symptoms of a stroke can be permanent . Long - term complications may include pneumonia or loss of bladder control . The main risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure . Other risk factors include tobacco smoking , obesity , high blood cholesterol , diabetes mellitus , previous TIA , and atrial fibrillation . An ischemic stroke is typically caused by blockage of a blood vessel , though there are also less common causes . A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by either bleeding directly into the brain or into the space between the brain ' s membranes . Bleeding may occur due to a ruptured brain aneurysm . Diagnosis is typically with medical imaging such as a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) scan along with a physical exam . Other tests such as an electrocardiogram ( ECG ) and blood tests are done to determine risk factors and rule out other possible causes . Low blood sugar may cause similar symptoms . Prevention includes decreasing risk factors , as well as possibly aspirin , statins , ___MASK83___ to open up the arteries to the brain in those with problematic narrowing , and warfarin in those with atrial fibrillation . A stroke or TIA often requires emergency care . An ischemic stroke , if detected within three to four and half hours , may be treatable with a medication that can break down the clot . Aspirin should be used . Some hemorrhagic strokes benefit from ___MASK83___ . Treatment to try recover lost function is called stroke rehabilitation and ideally takes place in a stroke unit ; however , these are not available in much of the world . In 2013 approximately 6 . 9 million people had an ischemic stroke and 3 . 4 million people had a hemorrhagic stroke . In 2010 there were about 33 million people who had previously had a stroke and were still alive . Between 1990 and 2010 the number of strokes which occurred each year decreased by approximately 10 % in the developed world and increased by 10 % in the developing world . In 2013 , stroke was the second most frequent cause of death after coronary artery disease , accounting for 6 . 4 million deaths ( 12 % of the total ). About 3 . 3 million deaths resulted from ischemic stroke while 3 . 2 million deaths resulted from hemorrhagic stroke . About half of people who have had a stroke live less than one year . Overall , two thirds of strokes occurred in those over 65 years old . Osteoarthritis ( OA ) is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone . The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness . Initially , symptoms may occur only following exercise , but over time may become constant . Other symptoms may include joint swelling , decreased range of motion , and when the back is affected weakness or numbness of the arms and legs . The most commonly involved joints are those near the ends of the fingers , at the base of the thumb , neck , lower back , knee , and hips . Joints on one side of the body are often more affected than those on the other . Usually the symptoms come on over years . It can affect work and normal daily activities . Unlike other types of arthritis , only the joints are typically affected . Causes include previous joint injury , abnormal joint or limb development , and inherited factors . Risk is greater in those who are overweight , have one leg of a different length , and have jobs that result in high levels of joint stress . Osteoarthritis is believed to be caused by mechanical stress on the joint and low grade inflammatory processes . It develops as cartilage is lost and the underlying bone becomes affected . As pain may make it difficult to exercise , muscle loss may occur . Diagnosis is typically based on signs and symptoms , with medical imaging and other tests occasionally used to either support or rule out other problems . In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis , which is primarily an inflammatory condition , in osteoarthritis , the joints do not typically become hot or red . Treatment includes exercise , efforts to decrease joint stress , support groups , and pain medications . Efforts to decrease joint stress include resting and the use of a cane . Weight loss may help in those who are overweight . Pain medications may include paracetamol ( acetaminophen ) as well as NSAIDs such as naproxen or ibuprofen . Long - term opioid use is generally discouraged due to lack of information on benefits as well as risks of addiction and other side effects . If pain interferes with normal life despite other treatments , joint replacement ___MASK83___ may help . An artificial joint typically lasts 10 to 15 years . Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis with disease of the knee and hip affecting about 3 . 8 % of people as of 2010 . Among those over 60 years old , about 10 % of males and 18 % of females are affected . It is the cause of about 2 % of years lived with disability . In Australia , about 1 . 9 million people are affected , and in the United States , 30 to 52 . 5 million people are affected . It becomes more common in both sexes as people become older . Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state ( HHS ) is a complication of diabetes mellitus ( predominantly type 2 ) in which high blood sugars cause severe dehydration , increases in osmolarity ( relative concentration of solute ) and a high risk of complications , coma and death . It is diagnosed with blood tests . It is related to diabetic ketoacidosis ( DKA ), another complication of diabetes more often ( but not exclusively ) encountered in people with type 1 diabetes ; they are differentiated with measurement of ketone bodies , organic molecules that are the underlying driver for DKA but are usually not detectable in HHS . Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health . People are generally considered obese when their body mass index ( BMI ), a measurement obtained by dividing a person ' s weight by the square of the person ' s height , is over , with the range defined as overweight . Some East Asian countries use lower values . Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases , particularly heart disease , type 2 diabetes , obstructive sleep apnea , certain types of cancer , and osteoarthritis . Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake , lack of physical activity , and genetic susceptibility . A few cases are caused primarily by genes , endocrine disorders , medications , or mental illness . The view that obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is not generally supported . On average , obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass . Obesity is mostly preventable through a combination of social changes and personal choices . Changes to diet and exercising are the main treatments . Diet quality can be improved by reducing the consumption of energy - dense foods , such as those high in fat and sugars , and by increasing the intake of dietary fiber . Medications may be taken , along with a suitable diet , to reduce appetite or decrease fat absorption . If diet , exercise , and medication are not effective , a gastric balloon or ___MASK83___ may be performed to reduce stomach volume or bowel length , leading to feeling full earlier or a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food . Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide , with increasing rates in adults and children . In 2014 , 600 million adults ( 13 %) and 42 million children under the age of five were obese . Obesity is more common in women than men . Authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century . Obesity is stigmatized in much of the modern world ( particularly in the Western world ), though it was seen as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history and still is in some parts of the world . In 2013 , the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease . The duodenal switch ( DS ) procedure , also known as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch ( BPD - DS ) or gastric reduction duodenal switch ( GRDS ), is a weight loss ___MASK83___ procedure that is composed of a restrictive and a malabsorptive aspect . Caesarean section , also known as C - section , is the use of ___MASK83___ to deliver one or more babies . A Caesarean section is often performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby or mother at risk . This may include obstructed labour , twin pregnancy , high blood pressure in the mother , breech birth , problems with the placenta , umbilical cord or shape of the pelvis , and previous C - section . A trial of vaginal birth in some of these situations , including after C - section , may be possible . Some C - sections are also performed upon request . The World Health Organization recommends that they should be done based on medical need and in many cases they are lifesaving for the mother and baby . A C - section typically takes 45 minutes to an hour . It may be done with a spinal block such that the woman is awake or under general anesthesia . A urinary catheter is used to drain the bladder and the skin of the abdomen is then cleaned with an antiseptic . An incision of about 15 cm ( 6 inches ) is then typically made through the mother ' s lower abdomen . The uterus is then opened with a second incision and the baby delivered . The incisions are then stitched closed . A woman can typically begin breastfeeding as soon as she is awake and out of the operating room . Often a number of days are required in hospital to recover sufficiently to return home . C - sections result in a small overall increase in poor outcomes in low risk pregnancies . They also typically take longer to heal from , about six weeks , than vaginal birth . The increased risks include breathing problems in the baby and amniotic fluid embolism and postpartum bleeding in the mother . Established guidelines recommend that caesarean sections not be used before 39 weeks of pregnancy without a medical reason . The method of delivery does not appear to have an effect on subsequent sexual function . In 2012 , about 23 million C - sections were done globally . The international healthcare community has previously considered the rate of 10 % and 15 % to be ideal for caesarean sections . Some evidence finds a higher rate of 19 % may result in better outcomes . More than 45 countries globally have C - section rates less than 7 . 5 % while more than 50 have rates greater than 27 %. There are efforts to both improve access to and reduce the use of C - section . In the United States about 33 % of deliveries are by C - section . The ___MASK83___ has been performed at least as far back as 715 BC following the death of the mother with the occasional baby surviving . Descriptions of mothers surviving date back to the 1500s . With the introduction of antiseptics and anesthetics in the 1800s survival of both the mother and baby became common . Weight loss , in the context of medicine , health , or physical fitness , refers to a reduction of the total body mass , due to a mean loss of fluid , body fat or adipose tissue and / or lean mass , namely bone mineral deposits , muscle , tendon , and other connective tissue . Weight loss can either occur unintentionally due to malnourishment or an underlying disease or arise from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state . " Unexplained " weight loss that is not caused by reduction in calorific intake or exercise is called cachexia and may be a symptom of a serious medical condition . Intentional weight loss is commonly referred to as slimming . Stillbirth is typically defined as fetal death at or after 20 to 28 weeks of pregnancy . It results in a baby born without signs of life . A stillbirth can result in the feeling of guilt in the mother . The term is in contrast to miscarriage which is an early pregnancy loss and live birth where the baby is born alive , even if it dies shortly after . Often the cause is unknown . Causes may include pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and birth complications , problems with the placenta or umbilical cord , birth defects , infections such as malaria , and poor health in the mother . Risk factors include a mother ' s age over 35 , smoking , drug use , use of assisted reproductive technology , and first pregnancy . Stillbirth may be suspected when no fetal movement is felt . Confirmation is by ultrasound . Worldwide prevention of most stillbirths is possible with improved health systems . About half of stillbirths occur during childbirth , with this being more common in the developing than developed world . Otherwise depending on how far along the pregnancy is , medications may be used to start labor or a type of ___MASK83___ known as dilation and evacuation may be carried out . Following a stillbirth , women are at higher risk of another one ; however , most subsequent pregnancies do not have similar problems . Depression , financial loss , and family breakdown are known complications . Worldwide in 2015 there were about 2 . 6 million stillbirths that occurred after 28 weeks of pregnancy ( about 1 for every 45 births ). They occur most commonly in the developing world , particularly South Asia and Sub - Saharan Africa . In the United States for every 167 births there is one stillbirth . Rates of stillbirth in the United States have decreased by about 2 / 3rds since the 1950s . Definition . There are a number of definitions for stillbirth . To allow comparison , the World Health Organization recommends that any baby born without signs of life at greater than or equal to 28 completed weeks ' gestation be classified as a stillbirth . Others use greater than any combination of 16 , 20 , 22 , 24 , or 28 weeks gestational age or 350g , 400g , 500g , or 1000g birth weight may be considered stillborn . The endocrine system is the collection of glands of an organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards distant target organs . The phenomenon of biochemical processes ' serving to regulate distant tissues by means of secretions directly into the circulatory system is called endocrine signaling . The major endocrine glands include the pineal gland , pituitary gland , pancreas , ovaries , testes , thyroid gland , parathyroid gland , and adrenal glands . The endocrine system is in contrast to the exocrine system , which secretes its hormones to the outside of the body using ducts . The endocrine system is an information signal system like the nervous system , yet its effects and mechanism are classifiably different . The endocrine system ' s effects are slow to initiate , and prolonged in their response , lasting from a few hours up to weeks . The nervous system sends information very quickly , and responses are generally short lived . In vertebrates , the hypothalamus is the neural control center for all endocrine systems . The field of study dealing with the endocrine system and its disorders is ___MASK48___ , a branch of internal medicine . Special features of endocrine glands are , in general , their ductless nature , their vascularity , and commonly the presence of intracellular vacuoles or granules that store their hormones . In contrast , exocrine glands , such as salivary glands , sweat glands , and glands within the gastrointestinal tract , tend to be much less vascular and have ducts or a hollow lumen . Jaundice , also known as icterus , is a yellowish or greenish pigmentation of the skin and whites of the eyes due to high bilirubin levels . It is commonly associated with itchiness . The feces may be pale and the urine dark . Jaundice in babies occurs in over half in the first week following birth and in most is not a problem . If bilirubin levels in babies are very high for too long a type of brain damage , known as kernicterus , may occur . Causes of jaundice vary from non - serious to potentially fatal . Levels of bilirubin in blood are normally below 1 . 0 mg / dL ( 17 µmol / L ) and levels over 2 - 3 mg / dL ( 34 - 51 µmol / L ) typically results in jaundice . High bilirubin is divided into two types : unconjugated ( indirect ) and conjugated ( direct ). Conjugated bilirubin can be confirmed by finding bilirubin in the urine . Other conditions that can cause yellowish skin but are not jaundice include carotenemia from eating large amounts of certain foods and medications like rifampin . High unconjugated bilirubin may be due to excess red blood cell breakdown , large bruises , genetic conditions such as Gilbert ' s syndrome , no eating for a prolonged period of time , newborn jaundice , or thyroid problems . High conjugated bilirubin may be due to liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis , infections , medications , or blockage of the bile duct . In the developed world the cause is more often blockage of the bile duct or medications while in the developing world it is more often infections such as viral hepatitis , leptospirosis , schistosomiasis , or malaria . Blockage of the bile duct may occur due to gallstones , cancer , or pancreatitis . Medical imaging such as ultrasound is useful for detecting bile duct blockage . Treatment of jaundice is typically determined by the underlying cause . If a bile duct blockage is present ___MASK83___ is typically required , otherwise management is medical . Medical management may involve treating infectious causes and stopping medication that could be contributing . Among newborns , depending on age and prematurity , a bilirubin greater than 4 - 21 mg / dL ( 68 - 360 µmol / L ) may be treated with phototherapy or exchanged transfusion . The itchiness may be helped by draining the gallbladder or ursodeoxycholic acid . The word " jaundice " is from the French " jaunisse ", meaning " yellow disease ". Diabetes mellitus type 1 ( also known as type 1 diabetes ) is a form of diabetes mellitus in which not enough insulin is produced . The lack of insulin results in high blood sugar levels . The classical symptoms are frequent urination , increased thirst , increased hunger , and weight loss . Additional symptoms may include blurry vision , feeling tired , and poor healing . Symptoms typically develop over a short period of time . The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown . However , it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors . Risk factors include having a family member with the condition . The underlying mechanism involves an autoimmune destruction of the insulin - producing beta cells in the pancreas . Diabetes is diagnosed by testing the level of sugar or A1C in the blood . Type 1 diabetes may be distinguished from type 2 by autoantibody testing . There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes . Treatment with insulin is typically required for survival . Insulin therapy is usually given by injection just under the skin but can also be delivered by an insulin pump . A diabetic diet and exercise are an important part of management . Untreated , diabetes can cause many complications . Complications of relatively rapid onset include diabetic ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma . Long - term complications include heart disease , stroke , kidney failure , foot ulcers and damage to the eyes . Furthermore , complications may arise from low blood sugar caused by excessive insulin treatment . Type 1 diabetes makes up an estimated 5  10 % of all diabetes cases . The number of people affected globally is unknown , although it is estimated that about 80 , 000 children develop the disease each year . Within the United States the number of people affected is estimated at one to three million . Rates of disease vary widely with approximately 1 new case per 100 , 000 per year in East Asia and Latin America and around 30 new cases per 100 , 000 per year in Scandinavia and Kuwait . It typically begins in children and young adults . The pancreas is a glandular organ in the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates . In humans , it is located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach . It is an endocrine gland producing several important hormones , including insulin , glucagon , somatostatin , and pancreatic polypeptide which circulate in the blood . The pancreas is also a digestive organ , secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine . These enzymes help to further break down the carbohydrates , proteins , and lipids in the chyme . The pancreas is also known as mixed gland . Cachexia ( from Greek  " kakos " " bad " and  " hexis " " condition ") or wasting syndrome is loss of weight , muscle atrophy , fatigue , weakness , and significant loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight . The formal definition of cachexia is decrease of body mass , less fatty tissue accumulation that cannot be reversed nutritionally : Even if the affected patient eats more calories , lean body mass will be lost , indicating a primary ___MASK23___ is in place . Gastric bypass ___MASK83___ refers to a surgical procedure in which the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower " remnant " pouch and then the small intestine is rearranged to connect to both . Surgeons have developed several different ways to reconnect the intestine , thus leading to several different gastric bypass ( GBP ) procedures . Any GBP leads to a marked reduction in the functional volume of the stomach , accompanied by an altered physiological and physical response to food . Gestational diabetes also known as gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ), is when a woman without diabetes , develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy . Gestational diabetes generally results in few symptoms ; however , it does increase the risk of pre - eclampsia , depression , and requiring a Caesarean section . Babies born to mothers with poorly treated gestational diabetes are at increased risk of being too large , having low blood sugar after birth , and jaundice . If untreated , it can also result in a stillbirth . Long term , children are at higher risk of being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes . Gestational diabetes is caused by not enough insulin in the setting of insulin resistance . Risk factors include being overweight , previously having gestational diabetes , a family history of type 2 diabetes , and having polycystic ovarian syndrome . Diagnosis is by blood tests . For those at normal risk screening is recommended between 24 and 28 weeks gestation . For those at high risk testing may occur at the first prenatal visit . Prevention is by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising before pregnancy . Gestational diabetes is a treated with a diabetic diet , exercise , and possibly insulin injections . Most women are able to manage their blood sugar with a diet and exercise . Blood sugar testing among those who are affected is often recommended four times a day . Breastfeeding is recommended as soon as possible after birth . Gestational diabetes affects 3  9 % of pregnancies , depending on the population studied . It is especially common during the last third of pregnancy . It affects 1 % of those under the age of 20 and 13 % of those over the age of 44 . A number of ethnic groups including Asians , American Indians , Indigenous Australians , and Pacific Islanders are at higher risk . In 90 % of people gestational diabetes will resolve after the baby is born . Women , however , are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes . Classification . Gestational diabetes is formally defined as " any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy ". This definition acknowledges the possibility that a woman may have previously undiagnosed diabetes mellitus , or may have developed diabetes coincidentally with pregnancy . Whether symptoms subside after pregnancy is also irrelevant to the diagnosis . A woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes when glucose intolerance continues beyond 24  28 weeks of gestation . Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body . Not all tumors are cancerous ; benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body . Possible signs and symptoms include a lump , abnormal bleeding , prolonged cough , unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel movements . While these symptoms may indicate cancer , they may have other causes . Over 100 types of cancers affect humans . Tobacco use is the cause of about 22 % of cancer deaths . Another 10 % is due to obesity , poor diet , lack of physical activity and drinking alcohol . Other factors include certain infections , exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants . In the developing world nearly 20 % of cancers are due to infections such as hepatitis B , hepatitis C and human papillomavirus ( HPV ). These factors act , at least partly , by changing the genes of a cell . Typically many genetic changes are required before cancer develops . Approximately 5  10 % of cancers are due to inherited genetic defects from a person ' s parents . Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests . It is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy . Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking , maintaining a healthy weight , not drinking too much alcohol , eating plenty of vegetables , fruits and whole grains , vaccination against certain infectious diseases , not eating too much processed and red meat , and avoiding too much sunlight exposure . Early detection through screening is useful for cervical and colorectal cancer . The benefits of screening in breast cancer are controversial . Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy , ___MASK83___ , chemotherapy , and targeted therapy . Pain and symptom management are an important part of care . Palliative care is particularly important in people with advanced disease . The chance of survival depends on the type of cancer and extent of disease at the start of treatment . In children under 15 at diagnosis the five - year survival rate in the developed world is on average 80 %. For cancer in the United States the average five - year survival rate is 66 %. In 2012 about 14 . 1 million new cases of cancer occurred globally ( not including skin cancer other than melanoma ). It caused about 8 . 2 million deaths or 14 . 6 % of human deaths . The most common types of cancer in males are lung cancer , prostate cancer , colorectal cancer and stomach cancer . In females , the most common types are breast cancer , colorectal cancer , lung cancer and cervical cancer . If skin cancer other than melanoma were included in total new cancers each year it would account for around 40 % of cases . In children , acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and brain tumors are most common except in Africa where non - Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often . In 2012 , about 165 , 000 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with cancer . The risk of cancer increases significantly with age and many cancers occur more commonly in developed countries . Rates are increasing as more people live to an old age and as lifestyle changes occur in the developing world . The financial costs of cancer were estimated at $ 1 . 16 trillion US dollars per year as of 2010 . Definitions . Cancers are a large family of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body . They form a subset of neoplasms . A neoplasm or tumor is a group of cells that have undergone unregulated growth and will often form a mass or lump , but may be distributed diffusely .