Staying Well
We'll use this page here to let you know about services in Wales that can help you stay well when living with chronic disease. Simply click on the name of the service to be taken to their website.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, making movement difficult and sometimes affecting daily activities. The most common types are osteoarthritis, which results from wear and tear over time, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints. Arthritis can affect people of all ages but is more common in older adults, and while there's no cure, symptoms can often be managed with medication, exercise, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Versus Arthritis UK - Provides support to those living with all types of Arthritis
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed, which makes it hard to breathe. Common triggers include allergens, exercise, cold air, or respiratory infections. People with asthma may experience symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, which can range from mild to life-threatening. Although there is no cure, asthma can usually be managed with medications (like inhalers), avoiding triggers, and following a treatment plan to keep symptoms under control and prevent flare-ups.
Asthma + Lung UK - for people living with lung conditions
COPD
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe due to blocked or narrowed airways and damage to the air sacs in the lungs. It’s most commonly caused by smoking, but long-term exposure to air pollution, fumes, or dust can also contribute. People with COPD often experience symptoms like chronic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and frequent respiratory infections. The condition tends to worsen over time and is not fully reversible, but it can be managed with medications (like inhalers), lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking), pulmonary rehabilitation, and sometimes oxygen therapy to improve quality of life
Asthma + Lung UK - for people living with lung conditions
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body has trouble regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels due to problems with insulin, a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the cells for energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t make insulin; in Type 2, the body either doesn’t use insulin properly or doesn’t make enough. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood, which over time can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, kidney damage, nerve issues, and vision loss. While there’s no cure, diabetes can be managed through healthy eating, exercise, medication, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
DESMOND - for anyone with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
Lets Prevent - for those identified as at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future (or those who have had gestational diabetes)
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a general term for conditions that affect the heart's ability to function properly, most commonly due to blocked or narrowed blood vessels (coronary artery disease), which can lead to heart attacks, chest pain, or heart failure. It’s often caused by risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and lack of exercise. While heart disease can be serious, it is often preventable or manageable through lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, medical procedures like stents or surgery.
British Heart Foundation - for information and support for those living with heart disease and those wanting to keep their heart healthy
High Blood Pressure information
General Wellness support
Our local health board offers courses to help you manage some of the commonest chronic conditions. Click here to find out more and register for WISE (Wellness Improvement Service)