Chronic Health Issues By Luke, Lacey, & Lauren

What is a Chronic Health Issue?

Some examples are: Severe allergies Asthma Cerebral palsy Crohn’s disease

Diabetes Epilepsy Muscular dystrophy Spina bifida cancer

Chronic Health issues are long-lasting health conditions. The word “chronic” comes from the Greek word for chronos meaning time.

A chronic disease is one lasting 3 months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear

Cystic FibrosisIs a chronic, progressive and frequently fatal

genetic disease of the bodies mucus glandsIs the most common life-shortening genetic

disease in Caucasian populationsPrimarily affects the respiratory and

digestive systems in children and young adults

The natural history of CF is progressive loss of lung function that leads to death, however with early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention survival into the third and fourth decades is now common

Background HistoryFirst discovered in 1938Nearly all children with CF died in the first

six months of birthBy 1950, survival age reached 5 years of age1966 median life expectancy was 11 years1992 life expectancy reached 29 yearsNow many patients in their 20’s and 30’s

have excellent lung functioning

Emotional Impact Worry about the futureFear of the unknownAnger that this has happened to themResentment for the time and attention that

the CF child requiresGuilt for having this serious diseaseConcern for their well being

CharacteristicsPersistent bowel problemsReoccurring pneumoniaChronic coughing or wheezing with thick

mucusExcessive amount of salt when sweatingPoor growthInflammation of the nasal sinuses

Things you should be aware of Social impact of the illnessDifficulty concentrating and paying attention

due to discomfortSide effects of medicationImpact of the condition itselfNervousness about missing school and making

school work up, which then increases their stress and anxiety level

They need to break the cycle of stress and anxiety, which is made worse by missing school

Invisible AdaptationsActivities that include group or peer social interactionsHave students inform the student on what they have

been up to in the classroom (write letters)Story books that relate to empathy and compassionHonour non-invisible adaptation (i.e. skype)Vigorous physical activityASSESSMENT – educational planning should be based

only the skills listed in the childs IEPShould be repeated regularly and frequently

throughout the yearRepeated assessments should be used as the basis for

education decision making

Support Systems Available to Students (Nanaimo District)Hospital/Homebound ProgramProvides teachers to support and instruct

students who are temporarily unable to attend school for medical or non-medical reasons

Hospital/homebound teacher consults with the home school regarding the students educational needs

See our links page to find resources you can use in your classroom

Links to more informationhttp://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problem

s/deal_chronic_illness.htmlhttp://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problem

s/deal_chronic_illness.htmlhttp://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec19/ch268/ch

268c.html http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/awareness/24.htm

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/awareness/

http://www.ibsgroup.org/chronickids/chronichealth.htm