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A study of women with problematic pregnancies finds that the Metformin drug is safe for a newfound use.
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Some 800,000 people have this type of diabetes, which usually develops in children and young adults when their immune systems attack cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream.
People with this disease don't produce enough insulin and/or are unable to use it properly. Unless diet and medications are carefully managed, glucose can build up in the bloodstream. Possible complications include heart attacks and kidney failure.
As it grows, the placenta secretes hormones that make it harder for a woman's body to use insulin normally. She needs an increasingly large amount of insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. When Mom's pancreas can't keep up with the higher demand, the body falls behind in processing glucose, and gestational diabetes results.
Studies show that most people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years if they don't make some lifestyle changes such as losing weight and starting a program of moderate physical activity. They also have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
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Heart surgeon Charles Fraser with Rachel Parrish, 9, at Texas Children's Hospital. He operated on Rachel in 1997, 1998, and 2001 to treat her for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. (Kevin Horan/Aurora for USN&WR)
Out of 5,189 hospitals only 3 percent are ranked in one or more specialty. Johns Hopkins tops the Honor Roll.
New England is home to many of the best health plans in the country. U.S. News and NCQA review 684 plans.
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