Students with ongoing medical conditions can require additional support and reasonable adjustments to access their studies. This can include learning support or individual examination arrangements. Students may miss some taught sessions and should follow the notification of absence procedures.
There are usually a large number of students who declare they have asthma. The condition can vary from individual to individual, with a few students having frequent attacks. In extreme circumstances students may miss periods of study whilst their condition is stabilised in hospital.
This condition can result in an urgent need to use the toilet and diarrhoea. It's not always appreciated that symptoms can also result in extreme fatigue, abdominal pain and painful joints. Medication to address the symptoms can lead to depression, headaches, nausea and flu like symptoms. Students are likely to experience the disease in a different way and support will be tailored to their needs. Crohn's and Colitis UK is a good source of information.
There are two types of diabetes, namely “type 1 diabetes” and “type 2 diabetes”. These are completely different diseases and are affecting different groups of people. Type 1 diabetes is more common in younger people, while type 2 is more common in middle aged and older people. Type 2 diabetes is also common in people with South-Asian roots (for example, India and Pakistan).
The rest of this explanation for staff is about type 1 diabetes (if needed you can find more about type 2 diabetes here).
Students with type 1 diabetes inject the hormone insulin to try to have a near-normal blood glucose level. Some students will wear an insulin pump to inject insulin whereas others use insulin pens. They will typically wear a glucose sensor in their arm or on their belly. These students need to be able to inject insulin during the day while at university. It is difficult to manage diabetes well and many students regularly experience out of range blood glucose values. Out of range blood glucose values can affect students cognitively and emotionally.
Because of the use of the glucose sensor and the pump, students with type 1 diabetes need to be offered to use their phone at all times to monitor their glucose levels.
These students will also have transitioned from living at home to living at university and now being more responsible for all aspects of their health is a challenge for these young people. The students will benefit from participating in the on-campus group for students with diabetes led by staff.
Diabetes UK has produced some useful guidance for students.
There are many types of epileptic seizure. Most people with epilepsy successfully control their condition although medication can cause drowsiness. This can have implications for both taught classes and private study.
Some students have a long-term medical condition which has an effect on their studies. This could include ME, HIV and cystic fibrosis amongst other conditions. Many of these conditions will not be visible.
Students who have low energy levels may find it difficult to concentrate for long periods which will affect both work within lectures and classes and their private study. Others may incur periods of ill health when they are unable to attend lectures or may be absent to attend regular hospital appointments. Medication can also exacerbate.