If left untreated, gestational diabetes can result in oversized babies who weigh over 8.8 pounds, and who are at a higher risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. More extreme complications include cognitive delays and even stillbirth. It is unclear what causes gestational diabetes, but it is more common in women who are obese, have a familial history of diabetes, and who are over the age of 25. For now, it is up to the doctors who treat women with gestational diabetes as to whether or not they will prescribe glyburide or insulin. If the drug manufacturers choose to promote the drug in this treatment, they will have to obtain FDA approval first.
Doctors often promote taking vitamins as a supplement to a healthy diet.
However, a new study suggests that vitamins may actually decrease the risk of stroke. The participants in the study included 30,000 men between the ages of 50 and 69 who smoked. The men were divided into four groups. One group received vitamin E supplements, another group received beta-carotene supplements, the third group took both supplements, and the last group received a placebo. All participants completed a health questionnaire and were given a general medical examination at the beginning of the study.