Asthma is a condition which affects the lungs.  They are often swollen and inflamed.  If the sufferer comes into contact with an irritant then they may start coughing and wheezing, suffer from a tight chest and become short of breath. There can be many different things which cause asthma attacks including allergies, smoke, animals or …
Read More Emergency action in the event of an asthmatic attack

Haemophilia and Von Willebrand’s are blood disorders which stop normal blood clotting when a person gets a cut or bump. They are both genetic disorders; haemophilia almost always occurs in males only but the defective gene is carried by females. Von Willebrand’s appears in both sexes. The conditions can range from severe, where spontaneous bleeding …
Read More Emergency action in the event of Haemophilia or Von Willebrand’s

Hypoglycaemia (or a ‘hypo’) occurs when the level of glucose in the blood falls too low, usually under 4 mmol/l. When this happens the person often experiences ‘warning signs’, which occur as the body tries to raise the blood glucose level. These ‘warning signs’ vary from person to person but often include feeling shaky, sweating, …
Read More Emergency action in the event of Hypoglaecaemia

Two main types; tonic/clonic (grand mal) and absences (petit mal). Can be genetic or can be the result of other trauma A person with this condition has fits (seizures) caused by a disruption in the electrical charge in the cells of the brain.  The fits can be severe and include jerking of the limbs, spasticity …
Read More Epilepsy

You should be aware if any pupil in your class suffers from epilepsy.  You should also know the name of the key person who will help.  However, fits can occur without much warning and occasionally a pupil who has never had a fit before could have one. Although it is alarming and worrying if someone …
Read More Emergency action in the event of an epileptic fit

Two types; insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent. Children nearly always insulin dependant. A condition where the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too high because the pancreas cannot process it properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to help the glucose enter the necessary cells. Complications can occur in vision, kidneys, …
Read More Diabetes

Child is normal at birth but becomes susceptible to infections etc. Life threatening condition – average survival age 30 Diabetes is a common complication in adulthood A condition where the lungs and pancreas produce abnormally thick mucus and the body sweats excess salt. Treatment Physiotherapy – usually twice a day to loosen the mucus in …
Read More Cystic Fibrosis

A disorder of the intestine caused by sensitivity to gluten, found in wheat products. What to look for:  A child with this problem may suffer from vomiting, weight loss and diarrhoea.  He/she may also feel tired, breathless and lethargic. Treatment:  Alternatives to bread products. Case Studies Teaching Strategies People who can help: SENCO/Resource Teacher Books …
Read More Coeliac Disease

Usually begins between 5 and 11 with an upper limit of 18 Can be suppressed so may appear different in one place (e.g. school) Different degrees of severity; from mild to socially debilitating. 3 times as common in males symptoms can increase or decrease or even go into remission condition usually improves after adolescence What …
Read More Tourette’s Syndrome

Down’s Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the body’s cells.  Normally the nucleus of a cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, 23 inherited from the mother and 23 from the father.  In children with Down’s Syndrome, there is an extra copy of chromosome 21, meaning that there …
Read More Down’s Syndrome – an Introduction