JUVENILE DIABETES A Brief Overview

Basic Explanation Students with Juvenile (or Type 1) Diabetes are missing the cells in their pancreas needed to break down carbohydrates.

To Solve this Problem: These students must supplement their pancreas with insulin.

Balancing Act: To achieve “normal” blood sugar levels, diabetic students must balance food intake with exercise and insulin.

Food tends to make glucose levels rise.

Exercise and Insulin make glucose levels fall

Check Sugar Levels Regularly

Constant Attention If a student gets “out-of-balance”, they must always be prepared for serious hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions, both of which can be life-limiting and life threatening.

PROBLEM: Blood Sugar TOO Low The Symptoms: <75 mg/dl on meter Difficulty in thinking or concentrating Obsessive behavior Hunger Fatigue Sweating Anger Depression HYPOGLYCEMIA

Solution: When blood levels are too low: Eat or drink something with sugar in it. Orange juice is good. Wait 10 minutes Re-check blood sugar again If still low, contact a health care provider

Problem: Blood Sugar TOO High The Symptoms: >165 mg/dl on meter Fatigue Thirst Odd or sweet breath Frequent urination Muscular aches Depression Hyperglycemia

Solution: Check blood levels and have health care provider administer insulin as needed.

Insulin shock – This is the great risk for Diabetics the brain shuts down from a rapid loss of usable glucose or sugar for nourishment. Insulin shock may be brought on by any number of factors that normal people take for granted, such as meal containing "too few" calories or not eating "on schedule". A person with Diabetes at this point needs immediate medical attention. IF METER READS > 250 mg/dl INSULIN SHOCK CAN OCCUR

Long Term or Secondary Complications Swings between extremes of high and low blood sugars takes its toll on the small blood vessels in the body leaving it with the "secondary complications" of diabetes.

Adult-onset (Type 2) Diabetes Sometimes children will develop Type 2 diabetes. These children usually do not require insulin. Most control their diabetes with medication by taking pills, and by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly.

What Students Need to Know: You CAN’T catch Juvenile Diabetes. You CAN’T get Juvenile Diabetes by eating too much candy. Insulin is NOT a cure People with diabetes CAN eat cake and ice cream You CAN’T tell if a person has diabetes just by looking at them. People with diabetes CAN lead amazing lives.

What Teachers Need to Know Diabetes is classed as a disability under the ADA Act. Check for an IEP or a 504 Plan. There are privacy considerations described in HIPAA. Appropriate documents must be signed and filed before school administrators can legally discuss the student’s condition with anyone. Stay involved with parents about the student’s diet, medications, and physical activity. Check your knowledge. Go to: