Risk Factors and Symptoms

Of the 24 million people that have diabetes, 5.7 million don't even know they have the disease -- you may be one. If any of the following factors apply to you, you may be at risk for developing diabetes:

• Being overweight
• Living a sedentary lifestyle
• Having a blood relative with diabetes
• Being 40 years of age or older
• Being of African, Hispanic or Native American descent
• Having a history of gestational diabetes
• Having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth
• Having a history of hypertension
• Having had a recent surgery or illness

Also check for the following warning signs:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Constant hunger
• Numbness and tingling in feet
• Frequent infections
• Slow healing process
• Weight loss