ASK Us About: Juvenile Diabetes and School Care
Diabetes is a condition in which the natural insulin in a person’s body, which usually helps regulates sugar control, is partially or completely impaired. Of the nearly 1.6 million people living in America with Type 1 Diabetes, over 200,000 of those are under the age of 20. From 2001-2009, there was a 21 % increase in the prevalence of T1DM in people younger than 20 according to the CDC. With such an increase in the prevalence of juvenile diabetes, schools and teachers should be knowledgeable and equipped to assist in the different aspects involved in their students’ diabetes management. Children with diabetes will likely need to check their blood sugars regularly before every meal. Teachers can assist in this by being knowledgeable of the proper finger pricking technique and how to read different glucose meters. Students with diabetes may also need to take regular insulin injections. Teachers can play an important role in this, as younger students often need assistance measuring and administering these injections. Teachers also play a crucial role in educating other students in the class about diabetes to help remove any stigma or answer any questions surrounding the condition. It is also important to know the signs of abnormal blood sugars. Low blood sugars can present as shakiness, sweating, or dizziness. Some signs of excessively high blood sugars could be headache, abdominal pain, or increased tiredness. Keeping an eye out for these signs and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency can make all the difference. Understanding the needs of these students will not only help keep them safe but also allow them to be more comfortable in the classroom environment.
For more tips and information on diabetes, visit CDC.gov/diabetes or JDRF.com. Resources: CDC. 2022. Diabetes . [online] Available at: [Accessed 23 March 2022]. JDRF. 2022. Facts. [online] Available at: [Accessed 23 March 2022].
Thank you to our contributing guest Pharmacy Student author from West Coast University Supervised by Dr. Rahul Nohria