Science News Desk!!! Pregnant women should dim their home lights and turn off their computer monitors and smartphone screens a few hours before bedtime to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy complication and is known to increase obstetrical complications, and puts the mother at risk of diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. The child is also more likely to have obesity and high blood pressure as they grow up. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal Fetal Medicine, examined 741 women in their second trimester.
The results showed that women with diabetes mellitus during pregnancy had a greater adverse effect of light three hours before bedtime. The side effects of lights during daytime or during sleep or during other activity were no greater in pregnant women than in those who were not. The researchers report that light exposure before sleep may affect glucose metabolism through sympathetic hyperactivity, meaning that the heart rate increases before sleep, when it should remain low. It appears that there is an inappropriate activation of the fight or flight response when it is time to rest, said Dr. Minjie Kim, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Scientists don’t know which source of bright light causes the problem, Kim said, but say try to reduce whatever light is around you three hours before you go to bed. It’s best not to use your computer or phone during this period, Kim said. But if you must use them, keep the screen as dim as possible. He suggested people to use the Night Light option and turn off the blue light. “Our study suggests that exposure to light before bedtime may be an under-recognized, but easily modifiable risk factor for gestational diabetes,” Kim said.
–IANS
SGK/ANM