« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
A Study Guide on Children's Health
Unit 3: Diabetes
How will this unit help me?
This unit will:
- provide information about Diabetes Mellitus and the implications for young children;
- emphasise the importance of the health and well being of the child.
On completion of this unit,you will be able to:
- recognise symptoms of diabetes;
- identify procedures for dealing with hypoglycaemia;
- develop your knowledge and understanding of diabetes in the school context.
What is Diabetes?
In Europe there has recently been a steady increase in the diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes UK states that 1 in 700 children of school age has diabetes. Therefore, in your teaching career it is highly probable that you will teach a child with this condition.
Diabetes mellitus is caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin. Insulin controls the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood and enables glucose to be used as energy by the body. After eating foods rich in carbohydrate, blood glucose levels rise and insulin is released into the blood. When blood glucose levels fall, for example during a PE lesson, the insulin level also falls. Therefore, insulin plays a pivotal role in regulating blood glucose levels. Diabetes occurs where the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body is unable to use it properly.
Symptoms of untreated Diabetes Mellitus include:
- increased thirst;
- frequent trips to the toilet/ bathroom;
- weight loss;
- extreme tiredness;
- blurred vision
- genital itching or regular episodes of thrush.
Children who have diabetes will have lost the ability to produce insulin and as a result cannot use glucose. The glucose is transported into the urinary tract causing abnormally high excretions of urine and as a direct result, increased thirst. Weight loss is due to the body breaking down fat for energy.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes, where there is a severe lack of insulin in the body. Generally, people who develop diabetes under the age of 40, (especially in childhood) have this type. It is treated by insulin injections and diet. A simple blood or urine test conducted at home can measure glucose levels.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs either where the body produces insufficient insulin or when insulin produced by the body is not working properly. Generally, people over the age of 40 develop this type. It is treated by a combination of diet and tablets or diet and insulin injections.
Treatment
Most children diagnosed with diabetes will require insulin injections. This may be, typically, two injections per day - before breakfast and before the evening meal. This does depend on the age and size of the child. Parents will advise on this. If the child requires a lunchtime injection, he or she will know what to do without adult assistance, although a room should be made available. A balanced diet is essential, with the main focus on starchy foods such as potatoes, rice, cereals, bread and pasta. It is important that meals and snacks are eaten at regular intervals and in particular after periods of increased activity. Snacks should include fruit and biscuits. Sometimes these snacks will have to be eaten in class. The reason for this is that if a meal is delayed, the blood glucose levels fall causing hypoglycaemia.
Hypoglycaemia means low blood sugar. This is commonly referred to as a 'hypo' (a hyploglycaemic episode). Symptoms include:
- hunger;
- glazed eyes;
- lack of concentration;
- sweating.
Symptoms vary from child to child. To treat a 'hypo', a fast acting sugar food should be given to the child immediately. These are:
- fizzy drink (not a diet brand);
- fresh fruit juice;
- mini chocolate bar;
- jam/ honey;
The parent will be able to give you sound advice on what is effective for their child. Ideally, a fast acting sugar food should be kept in a desk drawer or filing cabinet and be accessible at all times.
In most cases, a child who loses consciousness will come round and will not be in immediate danger. On recovery, the child should be given a biscuit and a small glass of milk in order to maintain blood glucose levels.
Developing your understanding
Activity 1 : Matching exercise
Match the key words and definitions associated with diabetes to help to develop your understanding of the illness.
The correct answers are given at the end of the unit.
Key words | Match the definitions |
Insulin | A fast acting sugar |
Glucose | A hormone |
Thirst | A hypo symptom |
Weight loss | Low blood sugar |
Complex | CHO High in carbohydrate, low in fat and sugar |
Balanced diet | Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread and cereals |
Fizzy drink (non-'diet') | A major energy source in metabolism |
Mini choc bar | A fast acting sugar |
A Hypo | A symptom of diabetes |
Sweating | A symptom of diabetes |
Activity 2: Web site exploration
The purpose of this activity is to help you to learn more about diabetes by visiting the Diabetes UK web site. The web site offers up to date information about diabetes, including advice specifically aimed at young people.
Go to: http://www.diabetes.org.uk Enter the site and click on 'search'. Type 'Facts and Myths Quiz' in the search window. Participate in the quiz to test your knowledge and understanding of diabetes.
What would you do?
Situation - dealing with hypoglycaemia
The pupils have just returned from PE and are settling down to work on group history projects. There is a commotion and as you look over towards the noise you notice that John has collapsed to the floor. You are aware that John has diabetes. What should you do? What would the follow up procedures be? You will find commentary at the end of the unit.
Want to know more?
The following are considered useful background reading and references for students involved in initial teacher education. They are not intended as recommendations for classroom use
Further work:
Use the Diabetes UK web site to search for 'TeenZone' and review the information provided for young people.
Further reading and sources of support
Diabetes UK Scotland
Savoy House
140 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow G2 3DH
Tel: 0141 332 2700
Fax: 0141 332 4880
E mail: scotland@diabetes.org.uk
http://www.diabetes.org.uk
A list of resources is available on this website.
http://www.Kidshealth.org
A US based site providing excellent information for teachers and advice on formulating strategies to deal with child diabetes at school.
http://www.hebs.com
The Health Education Board for Scotland.
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
A full and detailed American site covering all aspects of childhood diabetes.
Barasi, M.E. (1997) Human Nutrition: A health perspective. London: Arnold.
Ridgewell, J. (1996) Examining Food and Nutrition. Oxford: Heinemann
Answers
Activity 1: matching exercise
Key words | Match the definitions |
Insulin | A hormone |
Glucose | A major energy source in metabolism |
Thirst | A symptom of diabetes |
Weight loss | A symptom of diabetes |
Complex carbohydrates | Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread and cereals |
Balanced diet | High in carbohydrate, low in fat and sugar |
Fizzy drink (non-'diet') | A fast acting sugar |
Mini choc bar | A fast acting sugar |
A Hypo | Low blood sugar |
Sweating | A hypo symptom |
Commentary
What would you do? Situation - dealing with hypoglycaemia
If a child does lose consciousness, place him or her in the recovery position. Send a child to the school office to inform the head teacher (and/or to the next classroom to summon adult help). On recovery, the child should be given a milk drink and a sweet biscuit in order to maintain blood glucose levels. Parents should be notified immediately. If it is necessary for an ambulance to be called, the head teacher will take that decision.
« Previous | Contents | Next »