Lesson Four - Other Conditions
| Site: | MoodleHUB.ca š |
| Course: | Chronic Conditions [1 cr] - AB Ed copy 1 |
| Book: | Lesson Four - Other Conditions |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 14 September 2025, 4:04 AM |
Information
- This lesson is designed to take approximately 30 minutes.
- You have the following tasks and assignments to complete in this lesson.
- Study all Lesson 4 content, including videos, supplementary reading, etc.
- 2.4 Quiz
- 2.5 Final Assignment Step 1
Lesson Outcomes
Explain:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
- obesity
- allergies
Introduction
Other Conditions
In this lesson, we will discuss a few of the conditions that fall under categories not previously discussed. The conditions discussed here will be Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, and allergies.
Pixabay
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that helps the cells of the body use sugar for energy. It also helps the body store extra energy
in muscle, fat, and liver cells. It is like a key that allows the glucose to enter the cells.
When the body does not make or properly use insulin, it leads to high blood sugar which can harm parts of the body, such as the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. High blood sugar can also increase the patient's risk for other complications.
There are different types of diabetes. In addition to Type 1 and Type 2, which we will discuss in this course, there is also gestational diabetes.
When the body does not make or properly use insulin, it leads to high blood sugar which can harm parts of the body, such as the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. High blood sugar can also increase the patient's risk for other complications.
There are different types of diabetes. In addition to Type 1 and Type 2, which we will discuss in this course, there is also gestational diabetes.
Pixabay
What is it?
Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes, since it usually presents in children or young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, the patient's pancreas beta cells stop making insulin. In order to treat Type 1 diabetes, patients are prescribed
exogenous insulin, insulin that comes from outside the patient's body.
Patients with Type 1 diabetes must test their blood sugar regularly, closely monitor their diet, and work closely with their doctor to ensure their insulin dosage is correct and their diabetes is under control.
Patients with Type 1 diabetes must test their blood sugar regularly, closely monitor their diet, and work closely with their doctor to ensure their insulin dosage is correct and their diabetes is under control.
Courtesy of MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or without the endorsement of Alberta Health or AHS.
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or without the endorsement of Alberta Health or AHS.
Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
Symptoms of untreated Type 1 diabetes include:
If diabetes is uncontrolled for too long, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening. Symptoms that a patient is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis include:
- excessive thirst
- excessive urination
- unintentional weight loss
- increased hunger (not as common)
- blurry eyesight
If diabetes is uncontrolled for too long, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening. Symptoms that a patient is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis include:
- flushed, hot, dry skin
- not feeling hungry
- belly pain
- vomiting
- a strong, fruity breath odour
- fast and shallow breathing
- restlessness, drowsiness, or trouble waking up
- confusion
Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes include the following:
- A family history of Type 1 diabetes.
- Being of European descent.
- Two or more diabetes tests indicating antibodies in the blood.
What is it?
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, the patientās body cannot properly use the insulin that the body does produce. This means that the body has to produce more and more insulin to get glucose into
the cells. Over time, the pancreas āburns outā and no longer produces insulin.
Pixabay
Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
Blood sugar for a patient with Type 2 diabetes may raise gradually enough that they do not notice that there is something wrong.
Common symptoms of high blood sugar can include:
Common symptoms of high blood sugar can include:
- unusual increased thirst
- unusual increased urination
- increased hunger
- blurred vision
There are more risk factors for Type 2 diabetes than there are for Type 1 diabetes. Some are controllable and others are not.
- family history of type 2 diabetes
- age
- EthnicityāIndigenous peoples, Africans, Asians, Hispanics, and South Asians are at higher risk
- history of gestational diabetes
- giving birth to a baby with a birth weight of more than 9 lbs
- being overweight
- being physically inactive
- an unhealthy diet
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- history of heart disease
- high blood pressure
- low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
- high triglyceride level
- acanthosis nigricans (increased pigmentation of the skin)
- prediabetes (blood sugar higher than it should be but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes)
Obesity
What is it?
Obesity is defined as having an amount of fat on the body that may harm the patient's health. Obesity is usually measured using body mass index (BMI) which is calculated using height and weight. It is important to work with medical
professionals to verify and treat obesity, as this will increase the chance of successful weight loss.
For children who are obese, the focus is not on weight loss. Instead, the focus is on adopting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining weight. Since children are still growing, their BMI will decrease as they grow if their weight does not increase.
For children who are obese, the focus is not on weight loss. Instead, the focus is on adopting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining weight. Since children are still growing, their BMI will decrease as they grow if their weight does not increase.
Pixabay
Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
The signs and symptoms of obesity are:
- a BMI of 30 or higher
- waist size over a certain measurement, generally accepted as:
- over 88 cm for women
- over 102 cm for men
Pixabay
There are numerous risk factors that increase a person's chance of obesity. These include:
- unhealthy eating habits or overeating
- sedentary lifestyle
- genetics
- influence of family and friends
- low self-esteem
- emotional concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, etc.
- a history of trauma
- alcohol use
- certain medications and medical conditions
Pixabay
Allergies
What are they?
Allergies are a response of the immune system to substances that the body comes into contact with, either internally or externally. The immune system response is excessive compared to the stimulus or trigger. Allergy triggers can vary and are usually
harmless to the majority of people. Allergens include peanuts, pet dander, pollen, etc.
Pixabay
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary based on the triggers and the individual.
Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
- blocked nose
- itchy nose and eyes
- runny nose
- swollen and watery eyes
- cough
Pixabay
- flaking
- itching
- peeling
- rashes
Pixabay
- vomiting
- swollen tongue
- tingling in the mouth
- swelling of the lips, face, and throat
- stomach cramps
- shortness of breath
- rectal bleeding, mainly in children
- itchiness in the mouth
- diarrhea
- possible anaphylaxis
Pixabay
- wheezing
- swelling at the site of the sting
- a sudden drop in blood pressure
- itchy skin
- shortness of breath
- restlessness
- hives, a red and very itchy rash that spreads across the body
- dizziness
- cough
- chest tightness
- anxiety
- possible anaphylaxis
Pixabay
- wheezing
- swollen tongue, lips, and face
- skin rash
- itchiness
- possible anaphylaxis
Pixabay
Learn More
Click each of the coloured tabs to view the videos.
To learn more about anaphylaxis, including symptoms and treatment, view the following video.
To bust the myth about anaphylaxis, view the following video.
To see a patient have an anaphylaxis episode during a food challenge while at the doctor's office, and watch her use an autoinjector treatment, view the following video.
Risk Factors
The most likely risk factors that increase the possibility for a person developing allergies include:
- a family history of asthma or allergies
- being a child
- having asthma
- not being exposed to enough sunlight
- having a different allergy
- birth by Caesarean section
Summary
Now that you have completed Lesson 4, you should have a better understanding of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and allergies. You should be able to explain what the signs and symptoms some of these conditions are. You should also be able to discuss what factors increase the risk of developing these conditions and start to understand how these conditions might be prevented.