If you think that you might be at risk or are worried about people you know who might be at risk, the Diabetes Risk Test will let you know whether you have reasons to be concerned. If you determine that you're a high-risk person, you might consider getting a blood test.

Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity, genetics or memberships in a high-risk group. African-Americans, Hispanics and Native-Americans are among those in high risk groups. Type 1 diabetes has risk factors that include viral infection, environmental triggers and geography.

For more information on diabetes, check out AOL Health.

Patients and doctors don't always see eye-to-eye, but there are ways to make your next doctor's appointment easier.

There are often many options for diagnosing or treating diabetes and choosing to work with your doctor -- instead of against him or her -- will help.

Make sure that you choose a doctor who you feel comfortable with and can build a great relationship with. Choosing a doctor who understands your lifestyle, wants, needs and limitations is essential. Be an active participant at your appointment, by takinge your daily blood sugar (glucose) monitoring logbook to your appointment. Also, be prepared for any tests that you might need to take and think about the following questions that your doctor can use to help you manage your diabetes, especially if you're having problems with your blood sugar.

• What steps have you taken to correct your high or low blood sugar level?
• Have you had signs of another illness?
• Have you made any recent changes in your diet, exercise or medicines?
• What other prescription and nonprescription medicines do you take?
• Have you recently had increased emotional or physical stress?
• Have you noticed situations that trigger your high or low blood sugar?
• Have you noticed any patterns, such as time of day, when your blood sugar spikes or drops?
• Have you used a high blood sugar card?
• Do you have other health risks?

During your appointment, take notes on any changes or modifications to your diet and exercise routine that your doctor would like you make. After your appointment, make sure to update your home medical records.

Refer to those notes when you get home and place them in a highly visible place until your doctor's tips are coordinated into your daily life. Once you've incorporated the tips, stash your notes somewhere where you can refer to them as necessary.

For more information on how to manage your diabetes, check out AOL Health.

"The finding suggests that any kind of policy that reduces consumption might have a dramatic health benefit," said senior study author Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who presented the finding Friday during the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention annual conference.

The American Heart Association already recommends limiting consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks.

Check out more diabetes information at AOL Health.

Georgetown guard Austin Freeman has developed diabetes, which shouldn't affect his basketball career, but has made the junior's status questionable for today's start to the Big East tournament in New York City.

Regardless of when he begins playing, his physician, Stephen Clement, head of the Diabetes Center at Georgetown University Hospital, will be on hand to help the Hoyas' leading scorer manage his condition.

Clement told reporters at a press conference that it may take up to a month to determine which type of diabetes Freeman has. Type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, afflicts five to 10 percent of all diabetics. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can't use the insulin that is produced.

Freeman had felt ill for several days leading up to his diagnosis. Doctors had originally suspected a stomach virus, gave the starter intravenous fluids and, though pale, allowed him to play in a weekend game. When he became increasingly ill, he was driven back to Washington and take to a hospital.

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Loss of consciousness

The study involved 72 participants age 13 to 17 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least six months. One group received access to conventional care, while the other received access to conventional care and access to YourWay, the Web site program professionals, researchers, young patients and other volunteers designed for the study.

In addition to tips on diabetes management, the site also included multimedia stories about struggles teenagers face after diagnosis like time management, school stress and social pressure. The stories also discuss the embarrassment that one might feel after diagnosis when they can be labeled as "different."

"We put a lot of thought and time into developing what we hoped would be helpful scenarios. It was important that they be authentic, real-world situations that can and do arise," Mulvaney said in a press release.

In addition to stories, the site used a personalized homepage, problem-solving guide and peer forum. Weekly e-mails to those registered for the site encouraged participation within the site and increased attention to self-management. In the future, the team would like to include text messaging intervention.

"The Internet and mobile technologies provide patients unprecedented access to learning tools and supports. They also readily integrate learning experiences into everyday situations, and allow researchers innovative ways to teach, motivate and prompt successful health behaviors," Mulvaney said.

Though the site is not available to non-research participants, with positive results like these, it's possible that the site will be available for wide-range use in the future.

Check out AOL Health for more information on life after a diabetes diagnosis.

Freeman is hardly the only Olympian with diabetes.

Olympic swimmer Gary Hall, Jr., was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 24, two years after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Despite taking home four medals -- two silver and two gold -- at those games his doctors believed he would never race again.

Eventually, though, he met Anne Peters Harmel, MD, who believed that he could succeed despite his diabetes. Six months after his diagnosis, he set a record at the U.S. Nationals. In his next two Olympics, he earned six additional medals including two gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle.

Retired from swimming, Hall created The Gary Hall Jr Foundation for Diabetes, which raises money for promising research. The foundation also provides costly product and care to uninsured and underinsured patients.

Check out more information on managing your diabetes at AOL Health.

Every health and fitness publication or web site in America has a top 10 lists of "superfoods" everyone should eat. They're full of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Which ones are right for a diabetic?

The American Diabetes Association believes that the following items should be added to your diet:

• Beans: Beans are very high in fiber. They're also a good sources of magnesium, and potassium.
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Spinach, collards and kale are low-calorie powerhouses with carbohydrates.
• Citrus Fruit: All citrus fruits are full of soluble fiber and vitamin C.
• Sweet Potatoes: These orange vegetables are full of vitamin A and fiber. They're a healthier option than white potatoes.
• Berries: Berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Throw a few in with a light, non-fat yogurt for a new dessert.
• Tomatoes: Raw, pureed or in a sauce, tomatoes are full of vitamin C, iron and vitamin E.
• Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are great for your health. Just don't fry your fish!
• Whole Grains: These grains offer magnesium, chromium, omega 3 fatty acids and folate. You'll also get some fiber and potassium, too.
• Nuts: Full of protein and fiber, nuts can fill you up as an afternoon snack.
• Fat-free Milk and Yogurt: Dairy helps build strong bones and teeth. In addition to having a large amount of calcium, you'll also get vitamin D.

Retinopathy is commonly treated with laser therapy, which is relatively painless and can be done in a doctor's office.

Still, it's incredibly important for diabetics to monitor their eye health. To make sure that your eyes are as healthy as possible, you must monitor your blood sugar levels tightly. People who keep their blood sugar at near-normal levels cut their risk of developing eye diseases by 75%. Retinopathy was also less likely to progress among those who had tight control over their diabetes.

Check out AOL Health for more information on diabetes management.

• changes in eating habits (eating more but still losing weight)
• unexplained weight loss
• unexplained hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• low energy levels
• frequent urination

• Taking your medicines as prescribed
• Participating in a physical therapy or stretching
• Exercising regularly by swimming, riding a stationary bike or walking to build muscle strength.
• Getting enough sleep every night
• Trying self-massage or trigger point massage therapy
• Getting a professional massage.

Check out AOL Health for more information on diabetes care.

• Monitor your blood sugar. Practice good blood sugar control by monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly. You should also have a glycosylated hemoglobin test ever three to six months.
  
• Practice good health habits. Visit your doctor and dentist regularly, exercise often and eat a healthy, varied diet.
  
• Have an annual eye exam. This should be done from the time of diagnosis in people with type 2 diabetes, and starting five years after diagnosis in people with type 1 diabetes.
  
• Avoid illness by staying up-to-date on your immunizations.

Recognizing the symptoms of diabetes can often help you get a proper diagnosis and treatment. There are currently 5.7 million people who have undiagnosed diabetes in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually come on quickly within days or weeks. The following can be signs of type 1 diabetes:

• Your appetite has increased, and you're still losing weight.
• You're fatigued or irritable.
• Your vision is blurry.
• You're dehydrated.

Once diagnosed, you will still experience high and low blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels develop slowly. Low blood sugar levels can develop in minutes. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, weakness and hunger. Symptoms of high blood sugar include increased thirst and urination.

Most people make resolutions to lose weight in January. For diabetics, sticking to a meal plan is more about staying healthy than looking great.

Your diet should be low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sweets. It should also be high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your dietitian can help create an individualized meal plan, but the basics will be the same regardless of your health status.

People with diabetes should get most (45-55%) of their daily calories from complex carbohydrates including vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals. The simple sugars found in low-fat dairy and fruit are included as healthy carbohydrates, too.

It's important to remember that blood glucose levels can be affected by how foods are prepared. Raw veggies are digested more slowly than those that have been cooked. Fruit juices will affect your blood-sugar level faster than eating a piece of fruit.

Make sure to limit your sugar and alcohol as well as fats. Diabetics can consume sugar as long as they plan for it and adjust their insulin dosage accordingly. Alcohol must be treated in a similar way.

Those with diabetes should opt for polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.

Dietary goals are different depending on the type of diabetes you have. Check AOL Health for more information on how to improve your diet.