## What Is Diabetes?

What do these people have in common? 

THEY ALL HAVE DIABETES AND IT HASN'T STOPPED THEM               
BEING SUCCESSFUL!  

## What Is Diabetes? What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is where the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. This happens when: 
- The pancreas does           

not make any or enough insulin. 
- The insulin does not        
work properly.  
- Or sometimes it can be a 
combination of both.  
 
 
There are two main types               
of diabetes 

- The body is unable to produce 
any insulin.  
- Has to be treated with insulin. - Most children with diabetes have 
Type 1.  
- You cannot prevent it. - It develops rapidly. 

## 

 
Develops when the body still makes some insulin, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly.  
 

Risk factors for Type 2 include: 
- Family history. - Age. 
- Overweight. 
- Waist circumference. - Very few children have Type 2. 
 
This presentation will focus on Type 1 diabetes.  
 

## Signs Or Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes

- Toilet. 
- Thirsty. - Tired. 
- Thinner. 
 

## What Do Children With Type 1 Diabetes Have To Do?

- Take insulin. - Test blood glucose level regularly. - Follow a healthy balanced diet. - Take regular physical activity.  
- Have regular appointments with 
their doctor and nurse. 
 

## Taking Insulin

By injection: - With each meal. 
- When blood glucose level is high. 
- Injections will be needed at school 

## 

By pump: - Continuous infusion of insulin. - Extra insulin with food/when blood 
glucose level is high. 

## Blood Glucose Levels

- Check blood glucose is      
at the right level. 
- Finger prick test . 
- Regularly during the day. - Continuous blood      
glucose monitoring. 

## Food

- Healthy balanced diet. - No food is forbidden. 
- But diabetic foods are not 
recommended.  
- May need to eat at certain times, 
including in class. 
- May need extra snack before, 
during and after PE. 
 

## Physical Activity

- Important for all children. - Can take part in all sports. 
- May need extra snack 
before, during and after PE. 
- May need to          
disconnect pump. 

## Type 1 Diabetes In School

Can and should join in all school activities including: 
- PE, games and sports. 
- School trips. - Exams. 
 

## Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Glucose Levels)

Signs - Hunger. 
- Shakiness. 
- Mood change. - Clumsiness. 
- Pale. - Sweating. - Symptoms come on quickly. 

## Causes Of A Hypo

- Too much insulin. - A delayed or missed meal  
or snack. 
- Not enough          
carbohydrate food. 
- Unplanned activity. 
- Sometimes no              
obvious cause. 
 

## Treating A Hypo - Immediately Stop The Activity

and give something sugary 
to eat or drink. 
- May need to follow up with 
longer-acting carbohydrate, e.g. sandwich or next meal  
if it's due.  
- Rest until they feel better. - And only then               
resume activity. 
- If untreated can lead to,        
fit or collapse.  

## Hyperglycaemia (High Blood Glucose Levels)

Signs - Needing to pass urine. - Feeling very thirsty. - Feeling very tired. 
- Tummy ache and headache.  
 

## Causes Of A Hyper

- Too little insulin. - Too much carbohydrate food. 
- Insulin pump failure. 
- Less activity than usual. - Illness. 
- Stress. 
 

## Treating A Hyper

- Check blood betone level. - Drink sugar free drinks. 
- May need extra insulin.  
 
If untreated, can lead to: 
- Vomiting. - Breathing difficulties. - Collapse.  

## Why Is Looking After Type 1 At School So Important?

- Immediate safety of child. - Long-term well being. - Optimal academic performance. - Increasing numbers of children 
with Type 1.  
- Now law in England, but best 
practice in other UK nations.  
 

## What Is Needed In Schools?

- Medical conditions policy. - Individual healthcare plan. 
- Everybody working together. 
- Training and support. 
 

## What Diabetes Uk Is Doing:

- Change in the law (England). - New legal duty on schools to 
support children with diabetes. 
- Type 1 diabetes: Make the 
Grade will help make that 
change a reality in all schools. 
- Resources for schools, families 
and health care professionals 
across the whole of the UK. 

## Diabetes Uk Resources

- Information packs for parents             
and schools. 
- Information about diabetes, what care 
to expect, tools and templates etc. 
- Information for key audiences and 
nation specific information. 
- Advocacy service, for advice on       
how you should look after a child         
at school.  
- Parents, children, teachers and 
PDSN's showing that good care is achievable. 
- www.diabetes.org.uk/schools   
 
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING GO TO WWW.DIABETES.ORG.UK FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT