New
New
Year 10

Signs of health problems

I can describe the bodily signs that signal a potential health issue and explain what to do if I spot them.

New
New
Year 10

Signs of health problems

I can describe the bodily signs that signal a potential health issue and explain what to do if I spot them.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. It is important to know what is normal for your body and watch out for changes that don't go away after two weeks.
  2. Weight loss or gain without trying is a sign of a potential problem.
  3. Persistent tiredness is a cause for concern.
  4. If you experience changes to your bowel habits you should seek medical support.
  5. If you experience pain, abnormal bleeding or discharge from any area of the body you should seek medical support.

Keywords

  • Persistent - in this context, continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period

  • Abnormal - when something is not normal for you; this could be something that changes suddenly or over time

  • Acute - sudden, quick or sometimes severe

  • Chronic - persistent for a long time, or recurring

Common misconception

Only serious symptoms, like fainting or chest pain, mean something is wrong.

While serious symptoms are important, early or mild signs, like changes in sleep, appetite, or energy, can also signal a health issue. It’s best to notice and act early by speaking to a trusted adult or health professional.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Signs of health problems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to take all health concerns seriously, remind them that even small or vague symptoms are worth noticing and talking about with a trusted adult.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
How many hours of sleep should a teenager get each night?
4 - 6 hours
6 - 8 hours
Correct answer: 8 - 10 hours
10 + hours
Q2.
Feeling extremely thirsty, tired and a dry mouth could be a sign of...
indigestion
Correct answer: dehydration
constipation
insomnia
Q3.
The recovery position should...
be used if someone is unconscious and not breathing
be used to position the person lying flat on their back
Correct answer: be used if someone is unconscious but breathing normally
be used if someone is bleeding heavily
Q4.
An AED is a device that can be used to deliver an electric shock to the heart in case of a sudden cardiac arrest. They are also known as...
inhalers
Correct answer: defibrillators
nebulisers
auto-injectors
Q5.
Match the words to the definitions.
Correct Answer:casualty,a person who is in need of medical attention due to injury or illness

a person who is in need of medical attention due to injury or illness

Correct Answer:infection,when bacteria or viruses enter your body and multiply, causing illness

when bacteria or viruses enter your body and multiply, causing illness

Correct Answer:choking,a blockage of the airway that prevents normal breathing

a blockage of the airway that prevents normal breathing

Correct Answer:anaphylaxis,a severe allergic reaction that can cause breathing difficulties

a severe allergic reaction that can cause breathing difficulties

Correct Answer:cardiac arrest,when the heart stops beating unexpectedly

when the heart stops beating unexpectedly

Q6.
Complete the sentence: CPR is a life-saving technique used when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, combining chest with rescue breaths if needed.
Correct Answer: compressions

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:abnormal,when something is not normal for you;

when something is not normal for you;

Correct Answer:persistent,in this context, continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period

in this context, continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period

Correct Answer:acute,sudden, quick or sometimes severe

sudden, quick or sometimes severe

Correct Answer:chronic,persistent for a long time, or recurring

persistent for a long time, or recurring

Q2.
It is important to know what is normal for your body and watch out for changes that don't go away after how many weeks?
one
Correct answer: two
three
four
five
Q3.
Complete the sentence: Unexplained weight gain or should be referred to a healthcare professional.
Correct Answer: loss
Q4.
Select the correct options to complete this sentence: Persistent tiredness...
is normal, if you exercise regularly
can be cured with a good night's sleep
can get better if you sleep for longer at night
Correct answer: can be a sign of a health issue
Correct answer: can be a sign of a chronic condition
Q5.
Changes to bowel movements can be a sign of a health issue; things to look for include:
regular bowel movements
Correct answer: noticing blood in the stool or toilet water
stools that are soft and easy to pass
Correct answer: very dark stools
the bowel feeling completely empty after going to the toilet
Q6.
All health symptoms, not just serious symptoms like chest pain or fainting, should be seen by a doctor because...
Correct answer: it can prevent a small issue from getting worse
doctors have nothing to do and like to keep themselves busy
Correct answer: the internet isn't reliable for diagnosis
ignoring symptoms can speed up treatment
Correct answer: they can order further tests and treatment if needed