How do I know if I am at risk of diabetes? Are there any symptoms I should be aware of?

Diabetes is always a serious disease and many people who have diabetes don’t know it. Some people are at higher risk for diabetes than others. People at high risk include those who:
– Are older than 45
– Are overweight
– Have a close family member such as a parent or sibling who has or has had diabetes
– Had diabetes during pregnancy
– Had a baby that weighed more than nine pounds
– Are African American, Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander or American Indian
– Have high blood pressure
– Have high cholesterol or other abnormal blood fats
– Are inactive or sedentary

You can be screened for diabetes by simple blood tests. Common symptoms of diabetes can include:
– Excessive thirst and appetite
– Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
– Unusual weight loss or gain
– Fatigue
– Nausea, perhaps vomiting
– Blurred vision
– In women, frequent vaginal infections
– In men and women, yeast infections
– Dry mouth
– Slow-healing sores or cuts
– Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area