Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. and

a quarter of them do not even know that they have it.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which a person’s body does not produce or properly process

sugar. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness and a number of

life-threatening medical complications. Caren Bryant, certified diabetes educator at SIU

School of Medicine in Springfield, says individuals can take a diabetes risk test to determine

their chances of having the disease.

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Bryant says the individuals who might be at risk for diabetes include those sit at a desk most

of the day, don’t get much exercise, and don’t eat a healthy diet. She explains who should take

the diabetes risk test.

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Individuals interested in taking the diabetes risk test can go the website

www.stopdiabetes.org or call 1-800-diabetes. Anyone who is at high risk should see their

primary care physician for diagnosis and treatment.