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Type 2 Diabetes

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Type 2 diabetes is when you have high blood glucose levels due to your body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly (insulin resistance). 

Symptoms of diabetes  

  • Weeing a lot, especially at night 

  • Being really thirsty  

  • Feeling more tired than usual   

  • Blurred vision 

  • Losing weight without trying to – and getting thinner  

  • Recurrent genital itching or thrush 

  • Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal 

Visit our prediabetes page to find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes 

Managing type 2 diabetes 

  • Healthy eating 
    Eat smart - choose whole grains, veggies and lean proteins. Cut back on carbohydrates, sugary drinks and snacks. 
    Diabetes UK provides helpful information about type 2 diabetes and food. 

  • Medication 
    Your doctor will prescribe you medication to lower your blood glucose level and lower your chance of developing future complications from diabetes. 

UK Government Eat Well Guide

Type 2 diabetes education 

Diabetes education empowers people to take control of their health. By learning how food, activity, and medication affect blood sugar, individuals can make confident daily choices that improve wellbeing, prevent complications, and lead to a better quality of life. 

  • MyDESMOND 

    • MyDESMOND is an online, interactive, self-directed education programme, free for adults living with type 2 diabetes in Wales.  Features of MyDESMOND include: 

      • Ask the Expert – where you’ll have the multi-disciplinary team of the Leicester Diabetes Centre at your fingertips  

      • Ability to track your activity levels and even link up to the Fitbit or Google Fit 

      • Track your weight, blood pressure, HbA1c, diet and cholesterol.  

      • Set daily goals that fit around your lifestyle  

      • Compete with others in the MyDESMOND community on the global leader boards  

      • Chat with members of the MyDESMOND community 

      • Invite your friends and family to join you in your journey 

      • Learn more about type 2 diabetes through interactive learning and 9-weekly booster sessions 

You can register for MyDESMOND as well as join a CTMUHB diabetes education session. MyDESMOND is also available for those that are unable to join group sessions. To sign up for this free online programme, visit www.mydesmond.wales and request access by completing the registration form.  
 

  • X-PERT First Steps 

    • X-PERT First Steps is an NHS group session suitable for adults with Type 2 Diabetes who would like to attend a single introduction session. The groups are delivered by Dietitians over a 2.5-hour session. Programmes are available during the morning and afternoon, online and in person in a variety of hospital and community venues across CTM University Health Board. 

  • X-PERT programme 

    • The X-PERT programme is an NHS Group programme suitable for adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Programmes are delivered by trained Diabetes Educators over six weekly 2.5 hour group sessions. Programmes are available during the daytime and evening, online and in person in a variety of hospital and community venues across the health board. 

      • Session 1: What is Prediabetes and Diabetes? 

      • Session 2: Nutrition for Health Fat Awareness 

      • Session 3: Carbohydrate Awareness 

      • Session 4: Psychology of Eating, Food Labels and Physical Activity 

      • Session 5: Possible Complications 

      • Session 6: Recapping and the Way Forward 

  • X-PERT Insulin programme 

    • The X-PERT Insulin programme is an NHS group programme suitable for adults living with Type 2 Diabetes prescribed Insulin medication. Each programme is delivered online by a Dietitian or Diabetes Specialist Nurse over six weekly 2.5 hour group sessions. 

      • Session 1: What is Diabetes? The Role of Insulin 

      • Session 2: Nutrition for Health & Fat Awareness 

      • Session 3: Know your Carbs & Troubleshooting 

      • Session 4: Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose & Exploring Insulin 

      • Session 5: MATCH IT 

      • Session 6: Physical Activity and MATCH IT 24/7 

Interested in attending an X-PERT education course? Ask your practice nurse for a referral. If a group session is not suitable due to your health requirements, individual education from the dietitians is available. 

Click here to visit the X-PERT health website 

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