FAIRMONT - The test is quick. Just a simple finger prick, with immediate results that could help add years to a person's life.
About 15 minutes is how long it should take for someone to stop by Fairmont Medical Center on Saturday, have their blood tested and get the results, said Danielle Wilmes, chronic disease coordinator at Fairmont Medical Center.
"No large needles are involved," Wilmes promised.
Fairmont Medical Center has roughly 1,500 patients with diabetes, but the statistics indicate many more people in the area are living with the disease, unaware they have it. Consider: One in four Minnesotans has diabetes or is at high risk of developing it - 25 percent of the population. In Fairmont alone, that's 2,750 people.
Taking those numbers into account, a local diabetes team decided to set up the free blood sugar screening from 7-10 a.m. Saturday. For the most accurate results, participants are asked to fast from eating and drinking, except water, starting at midnight.
Wilmes is encouraging everyone to take advantage of the free screening, but there are people at higher risk. For instance, anyone with a family history of diabetes and women diagnosed with any type of diabetes while pregnant. The chance of developing diabetes also increases with age after 40.
Symptoms include constant thirst, accompanied by the frequent need to urinate, sudden weight loss, fatigue and blurred vision.
These all sound pretty obvious, so wouldn't a person realize something was wrong?
"You can have pre-diabetes for a long time," Wilmes said, referring to when blood sugar levels are high, but not enough so for a diabetes diagnosis. "The body adjusts."
The dangers of ignoring these signs are serious, the worst including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and blindness.
"The earlier we can diagnose and treat, the earlier and better we can reduce those risk factors," Wilmes said.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Sometimes, when caught early enough, medication can be avoided through lifestyle changes. Whatever the case, the solution is bound to vary from one person to another.
"There is not one perfect avenue for everyone," Wilmes said. In contrast to the past, health care staff now work with patients to create an individualized plan, based on their current diet, exercise and schedule.