Diabetes

• Verpleging en verzorging
• Medisch Engels
• +1
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1,2

4. Diabetes

• What is diabetes?
  
• Characteristics
• Sam's experience 
• Give instructions

What do you know about diabetes?

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses glucose (sugar). People with diabetes have problems with the hormone insulin, which helps move glucose from the blood into the cells for energy. When the body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it well, blood sugar levels become too high.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 usually starts in childhood and requires insulin injections every day. 

 

  

 

Type 2 is more common in adults and can often be managed with diet, exercise, and oral medication.

Nurses must teach patients how to monitor their blood sugar, follow a healthy meal plan, and recognize signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). It is also important to check the patient’s feet regularly, as poor circulation and nerve damage can lead to serious problems.

With proper care and support, people with diabetes can live healthy, active lives.

Diabetes is a  __________  that affects the way the body handles  __________, which is a type of sugar that gives us energy. It is a  __________ illness, which means it lasts for a long time and needs continuous care.

People with diabetes often have problems with ___________ , a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells. When this process doesn’t work properly, __________ levels can get too high.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 usually starts when a person is young and requires daily insulin. Type 2 can often be __________ by making healthy lifestyle choices like exercise and following a  __________.

managed

glucose

chronic

condition

insulin

blood sugar

meal plan

Nurses help patients learn how to  __________ their condition. This includes teaching 

them to check their blood levels regularly and to recognize signs of __________ 

(when sugar is too low) and  __________ (when sugar is too high). If not managed 

correctly, diabetes can affect  __________, especially in the feet, and may lead to  

__________ problems or even __________ to the body’s nerves.

One common symptom many patients experience is __________, which means feeling very tired or having low energy.

circulation

hypo

damage

monitor

nerve

hyper

fatigue

Characteristics

Type 1 diabetes 

Usually begins in childhood or adolescence and develops quickly. People with this type often experience sudden weight loss, feel very thirsty, and need to urinate frequently. They may also feel fatigued, have blurred vision, and suffer from nausea or vomiting.

Type 2 diabetes 

Is more common in adults and develops slowly. Patients may feel tired, experience increased thirst and frequent urination, and notice that wounds heal slowly. They might also have numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, which is a sign of nerve damage. Some may develop dark patches of skin, especially around the neck or armpits. 

Diabetes

Other

Fatigue

Thirst

Blurred vision

Frequent urination

Weight loss

Slow healing wounds

Tingling hands

Numb feet

Infections

Rash

Hearing loss

Weak muscles

Nosebleeds

Jaundice

Itchy scalp

Skin peeling

Skin patches

How old was Sam when he was diagnosed with diabetes?

1. 5
2. 11
3. 15
4. 22

What reaction does Sam often get when he injects insulin in public?

1. People ignore it
2. People ask questions
3. People overreact
4. People offer advice

What mistake did Sam’s maths teacher make during a hypo?

1. Called an ambulance
2. Accused him of lying
3. Took his tablets off him
4. Accused him of eating sweets

Why did Sam go to the hospital while at university?

1. He lost his insulin and had severe low blood sugar
2. He was drunk, which affected his diabetes
3. He overdosed on insulin and started vomiting
4. He suffered from a hyper as he couldn't get his insulin

What does Sam's daily routine look like?

What challenges has Sam faced from other people regarding his diabetes?

Give instructions

Work in pairs.

One of you is diabetic, the other is a nurse or social worker.

The nurse/social worker explains to the patient/client:

• What diabetes is (symptoms, what causes it)
• What the patient/client must do in case of low/high blood sugar.
• What the patient/client must do to prevent a hyper or hypo.

Use words like: you must, have to, could, should, etc.

Record this conversation and send the video to your teacher.

You can do it outside the class if you want :-) 

Done?

• Send the video to your teacher.
• Work on another subject or practice on Studiemeter Engels Compact (Giving Instructions and Modal verbs).