Common symptoms of diabetes can include:

• feeling very thirsty
• peeing more often than usual, especially at night
• feeling very tired
• losing weight without trying
• blurred vision
• cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
• itching around the penis or vagina, or repeated thrush

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over days or weeks. Type 2 diabetes can develop more slowly, and some people may not notice symptoms at first.

Prediabetes means your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Public Health Wales leads the All Wales Diabetes Prevention Programme, which offers targeted support to people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Public Health Wales says more than 200,000 people in Wales are living with diabetes and around 9 in 10 have type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. This means the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

Type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle. It is usually treated with insulin and regular blood glucose monitoring.

Type 1 diabetes is more common in children and young people than type 2 diabetes, although it can develop at any age.

Symptoms can come on quickly. Contact your GP practice urgently, or use NHS 111 Wales if you are unsure what to do, if a child has symptoms of diabetes.

Call 999 if a child becomes very drowsy, confused, has fast or deep breathing, has severe tummy pain, is vomiting repeatedly, or you are very worried.

Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly.

It is more common than type 1 diabetes. It is often linked with risk factors such as age, family history, ethnicity, weight and activity levels, but it can affect different people for different reasons.

Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicines, blood glucose monitoring and regular diabetes reviews.

Diabetes treatment depends on the type of diabetes and your individual needs.

Treatment may include:

• insulin
• tablets or other medicines
• healthy eating advice
• physical activity
• blood glucose monitoring
• regular checks for eyes, feet, kidneys, blood pressure and cholesterol

Your diabetes care team will explain your treatment plan and how to manage your condition safely.

Many people find it helpful to get support from others living with diabetes.

Diabetes UK Cymru provides information and support for people living with diabetes and their families in Wales.

People with diabetes may be at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from some infections. General COVID-19 information is no longer usually needed as a main link on this page, but people with diabetes should follow the advice from their diabetes care team and keep up to date with recommended vaccinations and infection advice.

If you are unwell and have diabetes, follow your sick day rules if you have been given them. Contact your diabetes care team, GP practice or NHS 111 Wales if you are unsure what to do.