He explains that both types of diabetes are serious and can lead to complications such as stroke, heart disease, eye problems and kidney disease.

The film also addresses the key differences between the treatment for both conditions.

Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin injections while Type 2 diabetes can be treated with diet, medication and insulin in some cases.

Dai Williams, the National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, is thrilled to be working with BBC Cymru Wales to address the common misconceptions surrounding the condition, which is rapidly increasing in Wales.

He said: “Despite 140,000 people being diagnosed with diabetes in Wales and 50,000 more having the condition without knowing it, diabetes is still misunderstood.

“People often think Type 2 diabetes is less serious because they are managing it with diet and tablets rather than insulin injections.

“But diabetes is serious whether you have Type 1 or Type 2. If it’s not properly managed it can lead to heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney disease and amputation.

“This film really sends out that message. We need people to understand that diabetes can be life-threatening if they don’t manage it properly.”

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are the two main types of the condition.

Type 1 diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin and usually appears before the age of 40.

It accounts for around five per cent of people with diabetes and cannot be prevented.

Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly.

Often linked to being overweight, it usually appears in people over the age of 40, though in South Asian and African-Caribbean people it often appears after the age of 25.

Other risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes include having a close relative who has Type 2, having high blood pressure and having had a heart attack or a stroke.

Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, extreme tiredness, weight loss, blurred vision, genital itching and passing water frequently.

Dai Williams said: “There are lots of misconceptions out there and we hope this film will address them.

“We need people with diabetes to understand the condition and how to manage it.

“The best ways to control diabetes are eating a healthy diet and keeping active, whether it’s walking the dog or doing the gardening.

“Other good ways to reduce the risk of diabetes complications are maintaining good blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol control and taking prescribed medications.”

From 26 September, the film can also be viewed online at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/info/sites/charities/pages/2009_09sep_tv_diabetesuk.shtml