With almost one-third of Manitoba’s population dealing with a form of diabetes, it’s time we get informed about the condition and get serious about preventing it.

There are many risk factors for diabetes, including family history, ethnic background and age, especially if we’re over 40.  

Jenn Freeman, Diabetes Program Coordinator with the Northern Health Region, says to know for certain if you have the condition you need a blood test.

“The best thing that someone can do is get tested and this means a blood test done at the lab. It’s typically a fasting blood sugar and something we call a hemoglobin A1C. If a person is living with risk factors for diabetes or if they have any signs or symptoms of diabetes, I would strongly encourage them to get tested.”

There are also certain health conditions that can contribute to diabetes such as having gestational diabetes, a history of pre-diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, gout, or HIV, to name a few.

Find out more about diabetes, it’s risk factors and common signs and symptoms - tune in to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.