Living With Diabetes:  Lesson 5     ©2003

What are the health concerns of a diabetic?
SUBJECTS: Health, Language Arts, Technology

GRADE LEVEL:  5 - 8

LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  1. The student will list/identify and discusss complications associated with diabetes.
  2. The student will describe various symptoms of diabetes complications.
  3. The student will describe the most effective strategies to reduce/prevent diabetic complications.
  4. The student will write a short essay concerning one diabetes complication area.
  5. The student will access an internet site containing information about diabetes complications.
DURATION OF LESSON:  Two 45 minute class periods


MATERIALS

  1. Computer with internet access
  2. Student notebooks
  3. Powerpoint presentation
TECHNOLOGY/COURSEWARE:
  1. Computer with internet access
  2. Powerpoint computer program 
TEACHER NOTES:
  • Use powerpoint presentation to present lesson to students.
  • Have students write down information in their notebooks.
  • Use test answer sheet.
PROCEDURE:

Using the powerpoint presentation, present the following information about diabetes complications to the class:

Eye Disease

  • Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.
  • A person with diabetes may develop
    1. Glaucoma 
    2. Cataracts
    3. Retinopathy
    4. Blurred Vision
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Most eye problems (except blurred vision) have no symptoms until the damage is advanced. 
      2. Detection can be determined by a dilated pupil eye examination by an eye care specialist at least once per year.
      Prevention
      1. The best prevention strategy is to have a blood glucose level consistently close to normal.
Kidney and Bladder
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Diabetic bladder (nerve damage to bladder)
  • Nephropathy (serious kidney disease which can cause permanent kidney damage and failure)
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Urinary tract infection-person may experience burning or painful urination, urgency to go to the bathroom, or frequently cloudy or bloody urine.
      2. Diabetic bladder-bladder does not respond to the brain's signal to empty because the nerve inpulses are damaged.
      3. Nephropathy-changes in kidney function are detected by blood tests and urine tests because early signs may not be noticeable.
      Prevention
      1. Urinary tract infection-control glucose levels and body hygiene.
      2. Diabetic bladder-go to bathroom every 3-4 hours.
      3. Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day.
      4. Nephropathy-control glucose levels and body hygiene.
Neuropathy
  • Peripheral-damage to the nerves in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
  • Autonomic-damage to the nerves of the heart, intestines, and other organs.
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Peripheral-numbness, coldness, pain, tingling, sensitive skin of feet, legs and thigh, or foot-drop.
      2. Autonomic-heart burn, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, feeling full after eating only a little food, frequent diarrhea, chronic constipation, feeling faint, difficulty exercising without getting winded, and chest pain.
      Prevention
      1. Peripheral-keep glucose levels close to normal, blood pressure below 130/80, avoid alcohol and other drugs.
      2. Autonomic-keep glucose levels close to normal, keep blood pressure below 130/80, avoid drugs or food which may aggravate symptoms.
Heart Disease
  • Nearly half of the yearly heart disease deaths in the U.S. are caused by diabetes.
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, leg cramps, swollen ankles or legs, pain in jaw or shoulder, and difficulty in breathing. 
      2. All symptoms should be  reported to a doctor.
      Prevention
      1. Keep glucose levels close to normal, blood pressure control, weight reduction, and no tobacco use.
Skin
  • As many as one-third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused by or affected by       diabetes at some time in their lives.
         Symptoms/Detection
      1. Various skin lesions, discoloration, and/or infections.
         Prevention
      1. Check skin daily for lesions, discoloration, ulcers, or abrasions.
      2. Wear clothing or gloves when necessary to protect skin.
      3. Use lanolin-based creams to protect skin.
      4. See a doctor when necessary.
Gum Disease
  • If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk for gum disease and other mouth-related problems.
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Red, swollen gums, gums that may bleed easily, and pus formation.
      Prevention
      1. Good dental hygiene and regular visits to your dentist.
Foot and Leg Problems
  • People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Foot and leg problems often          happen when there is nerve damage in the feet or when blood flow is poor.
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Pain in calves after walking short distance, discoloration of skin of lower legs or feet, and continued coldness in feet.
      Prevention 
      1. Keep blood sugar levels under control, inspect  feet daily, wash feet with soapy water, avoid soaking feet, wear shoes that fit, do not apply heat to your feet, check shoes for loose objects, wear clean socks, and don't use tobacco.


The Flu and Pneumonia

  • Flu and pneumonia can equal longer stays in the hospital, continued illness, and even death for          people with diabetes.
      Symptoms/Detection
      1. Body aches, chills, sudden high fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and dry cough.
    Prevention
    1. Annual flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine.


Strategies to reduce risks of diabetes complications

  1. Follow a meal plan and maintain normal weight.
  2. Get regular exercise and physical activity.
  3. Get regular checkups from health care professionals, eye care professionals, dentist, and podiatrist.
  4. Monitor blood glucose levels.
  5. Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
  6. Maintain normal blood pressure.
  7. Follow prescribed regimen for diabetes.
MODIFICATIONS:
  • Student IEP will contain information about modifications/accomodations for student work.
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: 


EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT:

  • Rubric Evaluation   With Students Achieving At Least A Minimum Satisfactory Rating
    1. Class participation
    2. Observations 
    3. Multiple choice/true-false test 
West Virginia Standards: 

Health:

Computer/Technology:  6.35, 6.36, 6.37, 7.10, 8.37

Language Arts:  5.52, 5.53, 5.54, 5.55, 5.56, 5.57, 5.58, 5.59, 5.60, 5.61, 6.52, 6.53, 6.54, 6.55, 6.56, 6.57, 6.58, 6.59, 6.60, 6.61, 6.62, 6.63, 7.51, 7.52, 7.53, 7.54, 7.55, 7.56, 7.57, 7.58, 8.52, 8.53, 8.54, 8.55, 8.56, 8.57, 8.58

National Standards:

Health: 

Standard 1: Level III
2.  Knows how to locate and use community health information, products, and services that provide valid health information

5.  Knows situations that require professional health service

Standard 7:  Level III 
1. Knows personal health strengths and risks

2. Knows how positive health practices and appropriate health care can help to reduce    health risks

Technology:
Standard 1:  Level III
3.  Connects via modem to other computer users via the internet, an on-line service, or bulletin board system 
Language Arts: 
Standard 1:  Level III
6. Writes expository compositions (e.g., states a thesis or purpose; presents information that reflects knowledge about the topic of the report; organizes and presents information in a logical manner, including an introduction and conclusion; uses own words to develop ideas; uses common expository structures and features, such as compare-contrast or problem-solution)
         Standard 2:  Level III
2. Uses paragraph form in writing (e.g., arranges sentences in sequential order, uses supporting and follow-up sentences, establishes coherence within and among paragraphs)

3. Uses a variety of sentence structures to expand and embed ideas (e.g., complex sentences; parallel structure, such as similar grammatical forms or juxtaposed items)

               4. Uses explicit transitional devices

 Job/Career Clusters:

Health and Human Services

References:
 

  1. DiabetesAtWork
  2. Animation Factory
  3. Diabetesnet
  4. Lifeclinic
  5. Diabetes-therapies
  6. Diabetes
  7. Childrenwithdiabetes
  8. WebReferences


 
Back to Top of Page
Lesson 1:  Understanding Diabetes
Lesson 2:  Diabetes and Exercise
Lesson 3:  Diabetes and Diet
Lesson 4:  Diabetes and Menu Planning
Lesson 5:  Diabetes and Complications
Lesson:    Overview
AUTHORS:
Gordon Carter  Karen White Linda Cline