What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin you produce cannot work properly. This causes blood glucose levels to increase to a level that can lead to long term health problems.

Self-management is an essential part of Type 2 diabetes care. The following information is to help you learn about and become more involved in the management of your diabetes. Through lifestyle changes the onset of type 2 diabetes can be delayed and even prevented.

Whether you have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or were diagnosed a few years ago, below are four Diabetes Awareness videos you may find helpful to learn how to self-manage your condition.

Video 1: What is pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes?

Play Video

Video 2: An introduction to carbohydrates

For more information:

Video 3: Applying the Eatwell Guide to Diabetes

Video 4: Self-care, Monitoring and management

Play Video

Living with Type 2 Diabetes - 6 week course

This is a 6-week course consisting of one 2.5-hour session each week. It helps adults living with type 2 diabetes to maintain and improve their quality of life through self-management.

Topics include balancing your blood glucose, preventing complications, healthy eating, physical activity, foot care, medication usage, managing sick days, dealing with stress, low mood and difficult emotions, developing and maintaining your own self-management care plan, problem solving and decision making.

Digital Diabetes Self-Management Support

MyDESMOND
This can be used as a standalone programme if you are unable to attend virtual or face to face groups, or can aid self-management before, during and after attendance at group-based education sessions such as X-PERT or Diabetes Awareness session.

Anyone with type 2 diabetes can sign up by visiting mydesmond.wales and completing the access request form.

For more information about what’s MyDESMOND and how to register click here.

Additional resources available at:

Available here. Each film has been created by NHS Healthcare Professionals and people living with long-term conditions to help you to understand and manage your health.