Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children and young adults but can appear at any age. It is always treated with insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and usually develops in adults over 40 years old. Type 2 diabetes is treated with diet, pills or insulin.
Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy.
It may go away after the baby is born. However, women who have pregnancy-related diabetes may develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Frequently, there aren't any symptoms. You could have diabetes even if you don't have symptoms. Your blood sugar level should be checked if you are overweight or if diabetes runs in your family, or if you are black, Hispanic or older than 40 years of age.