A recent study suggests that treatment of gestational diabetes cuts complications later and improves women's health.

The condition prevents glucose from leaving the blood and being converted into energy. Therefore glucose builds up in the blood to high amounts.

Although "90 percent of women return back to normal," says Dr. Thomas Koroscil, an endocrinologist in Dayton, there are increased risks for complications during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia (a type of hypertension), giving birth to larger babies and higher risk of the child developing diabetes in the future.

Reduced Serious Perinatal complications

But gestational diabetes is not as frightening as it initially may seem.

A recent clinical trial, published in the June 16 issue of New England Journal of Medicine, observed women with gestational diabetes who received dietary advice, blood-glucose monitoring and insulin (as needed) and compared them to women with the condition who received only routine care.

The publication reported that treatment of gestational diabetes reduced serious perinatal complications among babies and also improved the women's overall health.

On an even more positive note, "What we know now that we didn't know 20 years ago is it's preventable," says Dr. David Westbrock, endocrinologist and medical director at New Profile Weight Management Center in Centerville. "[The condition] is more of a caveat that says [pregnant women] have to be more careful."

'Nothing to Be Excited About'

When Westbrock sees a patient with gestational diabetes, he gives her this advice: "It's nothing to be excited about." He regards the manifestation of the condition as a "red flag," but "not a great medical concern." It indicates a woman needs "a lifestyle that makes it less likely to get diabetes."

Becky Harrold, a certified diabetes educator, has counseled diabetes patients for the last eight years. She talks about working through the emotional side of the condition. "Once they get over the initial fear," says Harrold, "they are more motivated. There's an end in sight. They are willing to do whatever until the baby is out."

To help women through the difficult time, "We listen to their concerns and fears. We tell them what they can do to protect themselves and their babies," Harrold says. Even if you're not high risk for diabetes, Harrold recommends that all women older than 25, who are 24 to 28 weeks into their pregnancies, should take a glucose-tolerance test.

Although exact treatment of condition is still under discussion, the American Diabetes Association recommends special meal plans, physcal activity, daily glucose testing and diabetes education.

But for long-term prevention and recovery, the ADA suggests the three keys to a healthy life: exercise, weight loss and healthy food choices.