Diabetes: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Half of the nearly 16 million Americans who have diabetes don't know it. But early detection of diabetes is critical for preventing or limiting serious health complications of the disease - complications which include blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke and lower limb amputations.

Who is most at risk?

• People who are overweight
• People who don't exercise regularly
• People who are 40 or older
• Women who have given birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds

In addition, your risk increases if you are an African American, Hispanic, or Native American.

When it comes to identifying diabetes, these factors only scratch the surface. Finding out if you have diabetes is a two-step process: first, you must identify your risk factors and second, see a physician who can evaluate your health and make a proper diagnosis.