|
Ask questions ?
Share views !
Share difficulties with your conditions !
Meet people with a similar condition !
Your not alone !
UK
US
Click logo for forums
|
|
|
|
What are Student Health Issues?
Being a student is great. You spread your wings for the first time, move out and effectively move in with hundreds of other people just like you. Socialising is an important pass-time to most students and fun is the number one priority! But how can this affect your health? What is it you should be wary of and how can you protect your body from all of the student foes out there? Below are a few examples of some of the risks that students may be vulnerable to:
Alcohol
Yes, we know, you've heard it all before - alcohol is bad, don't drink, do your work, become a vegetarian and hug a tree, etcetera, etcetera. Despite all of your best efforts to ignore the advice, there are a few things that are worth thinking about just before you place that yard of ale to your mouth.
You may believe alcohol to be good as it 'allows' you to lose your inhibitions. It gives you the courage to finally approach that person you have been staring at across the library all term, you can talk to anyone and make new friends and you're not embarrassed to dance. However, the reason you lose all of your inhibitions is due to alcohol blocking the part of the brain that controls your judgement. When your judgement is blocked, it is all too easy to get yourself into trouble - that person you approach may mistake your overconfidence as indecent assault (try putting that on your CV), the people you try and make friends with could take advantage of your intoxicated state by stealing from you, and dancing to Kylie Minogue with eight pints of larger inside you may result in a fight.
You may find it funny to drink ten pints of larger, to then climb on roofs and hang off buildings, flashing your red, blotchy skin to passers-by below. However, you should know that 20% of alcohol related deaths are due to accidents.
Accidents, rape charges, fights and humiliation are not the only risks that are associated with excessive drinking. Alcohol can have dramatic effects on your body; both short-term and long-term. In the short-term, excessive drinking can lead to unconsciousness which can lead to a coma and perhaps result in death. Vomiting is a mere formality for a lot of students when out drinking. However, when asleep, vomiting can cause death by asphyxiation (suffocation). In the long-term, alcohol can destroy brain cells, cause high blood pressure, liver failure, heart failure and so on. An issue that may seem more relevant to you now is; alcohol has been associated with sexual problems such as impotence and infertility. Also, alcohol is full of calories - the more you drink, the more you expand.
Perhaps you feel that your sex life would be nonexistent without alcohol. If you have sex while under the influence of alcohol, it can be all too easy to forget to use contraception. If this sounds like you, then you should probably read on.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Unfortunately, STIs are not just something that parents and doctors have made-up to stop people from having sex. Nope, they're real. There are over 25 types of STIs and they are passed on from one person to another through the act of sexual intercourse or contact. Below are a few common STIs that can cause students problems - some curable and some not:
Chlamydia
Chlamydia can cause long-term problems for men and women if not treated. The danger lies in the fact that Chlamydia often shows no symptoms. Women with Chlamydia, in the long term, can experience pelvic inflammatory disease which can damage the fallopian tube, which in turn, can cause infertility. Chlamydia is also thought to affect the movement of sperm in men which can cause male infertility. Chlamydia is transmitted primarily through anal and vaginal sex.
Gonorrhoea
Like Chlamydia, gonorrhoea often shows no signs or symptoms. However, any symptoms that do occur are more likely to be experienced by men than that of women. In the long-term, gonorrhoea can infect the fallopian tubes in women which, if left untreated can cause chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and sub-fertility (reduced fertility). Gonorrhoea is usually passed on through vaginal sex, but can also be transmitted through oral and anal sex.
Crabs (Pubic Lice)
Crabs, or pubic lice, are so named because they have claws and resemble a crab. You don't have to have full sexual intercourse to catch crabs as they can work their way from hair on your body to someone else's a bit like a monkey swings through the jungle. They can be very annoying as they cause itchiness and redness in the areas affected. Crabs are not restricted to the pubic hair and can in fact be found anywhere with hair on the body.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is a virus that gradually destroys the immune system which is needed to fight off other viruses such as colds. Over time (around 5-10 years), the immune system is unable to fight off viruses and infections due to it being so weak. Without the use of the immune system, ordinarily 'common' diseases can become much more of a risk. HIV can develop into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when the immune system has been seriously damaged by the HIV virus. To look at someone with the HIV virus, they may not look ill or any different from anyone else and they may not know they have it themselves yet. This is why it is extremely important to wear contraception while having sex as HIV can be passed on through sexual intercourse.
Freshers' Flu
Two blissful weeks of getting better acquainted with all of those other nervous, sweating faces out there - that's freshers! However, a student running around kissing, cuddling, bundling, wrestling, dancing etc is inevitably going to allow a few germs to get shared along the way. Freshers' flu can leave you shivering, coughing and sneezing with a giant headache - not much fun!
Student Depression
Being a student isn't always fun and games. Students can face a lot of struggles and can go through a myriad of emotions. Pressures of work such as essay deadlines; debt or the general feeling of being unsettled is enough to make anyone feel low. Depression can find its way into anybody's life and does not necessarily provide an obvious reason.
Drugs
There are far too many drugs out there to name and describe them all. Different drugs have different effects and different risks. As students often enter university or college knowing no-one, making friends becomes an important element of student-life. This may mean students are more likely to try drugs if asked, than they would have been back at home for example. Drugs can pose various different risks depending on what type of drug they are. For example, 'speed', which can give the feeling of confidence, energy and power, can lead to dependence on the drug, cardiovascular problems and damage to the nose (if snorted).
The above are by far not a conclusive list of all of the possible health problems a student may face when studying at university. However, they are a list of a few of the most common student health problems that may become an issue for some people studying at university or college. To find out more about other health issues that students may face, check out some of the links on the right-hand side that we deem to be useful.
Why are Students more Susceptible to These Health Issues?
Being a student and studying at university or college means different things to different people. For a lot of people however, being a student provides an opportunity to experience new things and to experiment with things they have never done before. If someone enters university or college with little or no sexual experience, they may see the time as an opportunity to lose their virginity and to gain experience. This may lead to rushed decisions and a clouded judgment through the pressures of ridding their virginity, which in turn, could lead to contracting an STI.
As a student, you may find yourself socialising with people you would not usually associate yourself with back at home. This may influence your morals and opinions on alcohol or drug abuse and will perhaps leave you vulnerable to peer-pressure. Or maybe you will tell yourself that university or college is a time for you to experience new things, and drugs are one of the many items on the list. The fact is, when you begin a new life at university or college as a student, you will experience different aspects of life which you may or may not enjoy.
How can I Treat My Student Health Problem?
Again, it is difficult to cover all of the potential health problems that students may incur throughout their time at university or college. However, we will discuss briefly the health issues raised in the above sections.
Alcohol
Alcohol in itself is not a disease or infection and therefore cannot be treated as such. However, there are a few problems that the drug, alcohol, can cause which can and cannot be treated.
Firstly, alcohol can block your sense of judgment and therefore can lead, indirectly onto many other health problems - STIs (from unprotected sex), injury (from alcohol-related accident) or asphyxiation (from vomiting in your sleep). Some of these health issues can be treated if you're lucky, but others unfortunately, can not as death may be a result.
If you become concerned about the amounts you are drinking and perhaps a dependence on alcohol that you may have, then you should do something about it. Don't hide away from your problem and let it get worse. Talk to someone in confidence like your college nurse or doctor. There are always people ready to give you help and advice so that you don't go through it alone.
To tackle the question of how to treat the different STIs discussed, we will first list a few symptoms, diagnosis methods and then any possible treatments available:
Chlamydia
Symptoms
- It is possible not to experience any symptoms.
- It may hurt to urinate.
- Women may experience bleeding between periods or after sex.
- Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis.
- Low grade fever.
- Pain in the stomach.
Diagnosis
- Your doctor will probably ask questions about your symptoms and your sexual practice (safe sex?).
- A physical examination.
- A cervical swab (women) or a swab of the urethra (man).
- It is now possible to detect Chlamydia through a urine sample. This is especially effective in men.
Treatment
Gonorrhoea
Symptoms
- It is possible not to experience any symptoms.
- An unusual discharge from the vagina or penis that will develop a strong smell.
- Women may experience a burning sensation when urinating.
- Men may experience inflammation of the testicles and/or prostate gland.
Diagnosis
- A cervical swab (women) or a swab of the urethra (man).
- Urine samples may be taken.
- Your doctor may examine the genital area.
Treatment
- A course or single dose of antibiotics.
Crabs (Pubic Lice)
Symptoms
- You may experience itchy skin and inflammation of the area affected.
- You may actually see the crabs in your hair.
- Your underwear may have a black powder in them which is the lice droppings.
Diagnosis
- Looking at the affected area for visible signs of lice. You may need to use a magnifying glass.
- If you cannot detect the lice yourself but the symptoms persist, seeing a nurse can help get a diagnosis.
Treatments
- You can buy lotions and shampoos over the counter.
- Wash all of your body hair thoroughly, except eyelashes.
- If you notice lice in your eyelashes, attempt to remove them with tweezers.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Symptoms
- It is possible not to experience any symptoms for years after infection.
- Some people may experience flu-like symptoms with swollen glands, muscle aches and sore throat etc.
- All of the above symptoms are characterised by many other infections and illnesses and therefore do not necessarily indicate the infection of HIV. However, it is important to obtain a professional opinion about anything you are not sure of.
Diagnosis
- An HIV test involving testing blood for the presence of HIV antibodies (these are created by your immune system to attempt to fight off the HIV virus).
Freshers' Flu
You may not want to hear this, but the best way to get over freshers' flu is to rest. You should maintain a healthy diet, ensuring you are getting all of you vitamins and nutrients - that probably means dismissing the Pot Noodles for a bit. Drink lots of fluids (non-alcoholic) and perhaps take pain-relief medication such as aspirin or paracetamol to control your symptoms.
Student Depression
Depression is a very difficult condition to cope with and if you have it, you may not feel like seeing someone about it. You should know that you are not alone as depression is quite common and the affects can be reversed. A positive step may be to talk to someone close to you about how you are feeling. If and when you seek professional help for your depression, there will be a few options available to you for treatment. Your doctor may prescribe you antidepressants which can help lift your mood to allow you to fight your way through depression. Therapy may also be an option open to you. By talking to someone, you can explore the possible roots of your depression and learn how to turn negative thinking into positive thinking.
Drugs
When considering experimenting with drugs, you should first educate yourself on what it is you will be taking. Be aware that some drugs are not supplied in their purest form and can sometimes be mixed with other substances and chemicals to bulk them out. These unknown substances and chemicals could provoke a bad reaction. Some drugs such as speed, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy are commonly associated with paranoia, so if you do take drugs, be sure to surround yourself with only people you trust and try and do it in familiar surroundings. To stay clear of any of the possible side-effects and bad reactions that can be associated with taking drugs, it is best to refrain from taking them at all. If someone you know appears to be having a bad reaction to a drug they have taken, call an ambulance immediately.
Living a Healthy Student Life.
An important tool for living a healthy life at university or college is education. Use the information from this health zone page and the links on the right-hand side to educate yourself on what the potential risks are and how you can avoid them. You should always think before you do something. If someone asks you to take a drug, think about if you really want to take it and if you do, make sure you are aware of the possible side-effects.
Help your immune system fight-off those infections by sticking to a healthy diet. Not all healthy food resembles what your rabbit eats and a lot of it is simple to make. Also, it's understandable if you want to go out and have a drink with your new friends but there is no need to get drunk every time.
Try and erase the stereotype that all students are lazy by actively exercising. Perhaps try-out a few sports to see if you like any of them.
If you experience any problems, be it physical or mental; do not hesitate to speak to someone. There are people in place at universities and colleges that are there specifically to help. Remember to enjoy yourself but don't prematurely stop that enjoyment by coming down with an illness or disease that you could have prevented.
How can I Help?
Student health issues cover a wide variety of different illnesses, infections, diseases and problems. Medical research is constantly being conducted in all of these areas to gain a better understanding of their causes and effects. There are a wealth of different opportunities that you could get involved in to help the progression of medical research. These include medical trials where you may be required to test new medications for their effectiveness and safety. There are also non-invasive studies that are always looking for participants, such as brain imaging studies and psychology tests. By participating in medical research, you could be contributing to the discovery of future treatments and even cures. Some medical trials and studies pay generous amounts for your time and inconvenience. Look at our study section to see if there are any medical trials or studies that you can get involved in.
Medical research studies may be conducted and are carefully designed to answer specific medical questions while protecting participants´ safety. Well conducted medical trials are the fastest and safest way to find improved treatments and preventions for diseases. Clinical trials or interventional trials determine whether experimental preventions, treatments, or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled conditions. Observational or natural history studies examine health issues and disease development in groups of people or populations. For more information on current medical trials or to register on the BioTrax database, view the study section at
www.biotrax.com.
Why not E-Mail this Health Zone News Letter to a friend who may benefit or print copies to give to your support groups or friends? Click on the buttons below.
|
