Download What is Diabetes?

Helping
Belton ISD
Students Stay Safe & Healthy
What BISD Staff Needs to Know About:
Diabetes Basics
Belton ISD
Health Services
UDCA_Level II
Diabetes
What Every BISD Staff Needs to Know
About Diabetes
• What is diabetes?
• How to recognize and respond to the signs &
symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)
& high blood glucose (hyperglycemia)
• Who to contact immediately in case of an
emergency
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease that impairs the body’s
ability to use food.
Body does not make or properly use insulin:
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no insulin production
insufficient insulin production
resistance to insulin’s effects
What Happens When We Eat?
Insulin’s job is
to get glucose into cells
GLUCOSE
INSULIN
Diabetes occurs when there is not enough
insulin for what the body needs. Without insulin,
the body’s main energy source, glucose, cannot
be used as fuel and builds up in the blood.
Before this diabetic child
received insulin he was
starving because he was not
receiving glucose for energy
Insulin Saved His Life
Two Main Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
• People with Type 1 Diabetes must receive
insulin through either injections or an insulin
pump. Insulin taken in this manner does not
cure diabetes and may cause their blood
glucose to become dangerously low.
• They must carefully balance food, medications,
and activity to keep blood glucose levels as
close to normal as possible.
Glucose CANNOT enter cell without…..insulin
Type 2 Diabetes: The Obesity Cycle
• Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form
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typically afflicting obese adults and youth.
The larger you are, the more insulin your body has
to make.
High insulin levels cause an increase in appetite
Increase food intake cause the body to make more
insulin.
Insulin does not work well in fatty tissue.
Type 2 diabetics can control their disease through
diet and exercise alone or may require oral
medications or insulin injections.
Diabetes is Managed,
But it Does Not Go Away
GOAL:
To maintain
target blood
glucose
Diabetes Management 24/7
Constant Juggling:
Insulin/medication
with:
Exercise
BG
&
BG
Food intake
BG
Know How to Recognize and Respond to the
Signs & Symptoms of High Blood Glucose
• Allow student to check their blood
glucose
• Stop testing/ class work/exercise.
The student’s diabetic plan
specifies when they may resume
these activities
• Do not send a symptomatic
student to the clinic unescorted.
Send with a responsible
buddy/adult.
• Provide/encourage access to
water and bathroom
• Seek help from the student’s
unlicensed diabetic care assistant
(UDCA) or school nurse
• Maintain confidentiality
Know How to Recognize and Respond to the
Signs & Symptoms of Low Blood Glucose
• Allow student to check their blood
glucose and eat a snack
• Stop testing/ class work/exercise.
The student’s diabetic plan
specifies when they may resume
these activities
• Do not send a symptomatic
student to the clinic unescorted.
Send with a responsible
buddy/adult.
• Seek help from the student’s
unlicensed diabetic care assistant
(UDCA) or school nurse
• Maintain confidentiality
Assistance in
Diabetes Management
Routine Care:
• Many students will be able to handle all or almost all
routine diabetes care by themselves
• Some students, because of age, developmental level, or
inexperience, will need help from school staff.
Urgent Care:
• Any student with diabetes may need help with emergency
medical care.
Care in the Schools:
School Nurses and Others
Nurse will:
• Coordinate diabetes care
• Supervise diabetes care
• Provide direct care (when available)
However, a nurse is not always available.
Non-medical school staff can be trained to assist students
• For both routine and emergency care
• Including checking blood glucose, administering insulin
and glucagon injections
Every Diabetic Should Have a
Diabetes Care
Plan that gives
Instructions on :
•Daily schedule/Routine Care
•Student’s Participation in their
Care
•Location of Equipment &
Supplies
•Emergency Contact Info
•Physician Contact Info
•Names and contact info of
Trained Staff (nurse & UDCAs)
The Diabetes Plan should include
a Quick Reference Plan or
an Emergency Care Plan
Summarizes how to
recognize and treat
hypoglycemia and
hyperglycemia
• Distribute to all
personnel who have
responsibility for
students with
diabetes
•
Helping the Diabetic Student Succeed
• All BISD staff need to have a basic understanding of
diabetes and to recognize and respond to the signs &
symptoms of low and high blood glucose
• Some may need to learn the knowledge and skills to
assist the student in an emergency situation
• Others may be assigned to be an unlicensed diabetic
assistant(UDCA). They will be taught the knowledge and
be allowed to practice and demonstrate the skills so that
they can be responsible for all aspects of the diabetic
care.
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Legal Considerations
Nutrition & Physical Activity Considerations
How to Check Blood Sugar
How to Give Glucagon
How to Intervene when Blood Sugar is Low
How to Intervene When Blood Sugar is High
How to Check Ketones
How To Give Insulin (Syringe, pen, or pump)
Please contact the campus nurse for any questions.