Medical Conditions

Background Information

Some students will have long term or permanent medical conditions that may affect their studies. Some will result in physical or sensory disabilities - the implications of which for these students are covered in other sections. Others will have 'hidden' or unseen disabilities such as limited or varying stamina. There are many unseen disabilities and examples include Epilepsy, Diabetes, ME, Hay fever, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell, Cystic Fibrosis, HIV, AIDS, Asthma, Arthritis, Heart problems and other chronic conditions.

Many conditions may be stable, others may be variable, and some will be progressive. It is unnecessary to give detailed information about each as the condition may or may not affect a person's ability to study effectively. If you are unsure about a condition or its effect on study, ask the person, who should be able to provide relevant details. The following conditions are relatively common and yet are often misunderstood:

• Diabetes. Diabetes affects about 2% of the population. People with diabetes do not produce enough of the hormone insulin to control their blood sugar level. This can be treated with diet, exercise and, often, injections, which allow the person to lead a regular active life. Some people may be prone to variations in mood and concentration. In some cases, if the condition is not stable, it can lead to other complications such as visual impairment. On rare occasions, someone with diabetes can suffer from low blood sugar level. When this happens the person can become drowsy and confused and if left can become unconsciousness.
• Asthma. This is an increasingly common condition although it is not always severe enough to affect a student's study. Asthmatic conditions can be affected by stress, air quality and even the cold.
• Conditions affecting health and stamina. A range of different conditions belong in this category, which includes ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Haemophilia, Sickle cell, Cystic Fibrosis, Arthritis and Crohns disease. A person with one of these conditions may have stable health for some of the time but stress, some incident or the condition itself, may cause health to fluctuate. In these circumstances, s/he may need to take some time off until strength is regained.

The effects of all the above conditions can vary depending on age, circumstances and often, levels of stress. For many, a lack of stamina is one of the most prominent effects.

Be prepared to make arrangements appropriate for examinations. These may include the use of an amanuensis, a computer, extra time, rest breaks, or a separate room. Also, be aware that necessary arrangements need to be made with the relevant validating body at some point prior to any examinations. If you need to apply for these concessions for an exam, please contact us.