7 Common Health Issues Faced by Students

Students have to learn to navigate the world for the first time in their lives. They learn to do good in school, pay rent on time, budget, and take care of their physical and mental health all by themselves. Meanwhile, students are exposed to numerous health threats all the time. Their close proximity to each other, lack of health awareness, and chronic stress create a flourishing environment for various diseases. See what are the most common health threats among students. Being aware should keep you safe and well. 

1. Mental Health Disorders

Many young people experience some type of mental health issues while growing up. College can facilitate or contribute to development of mental health disorders. Indeed, college students should stay cautious and aware of their mental health and factors that impact it. For instance, mental health issues can appear as the result of loneliness, homesickness, school pressure, stress, social media comparison, lifestyle changes, bullying, etc. These mental states can provoke disorders like anxiety, insomnia, depression, stress, and eating disorders. Furthermore, financial concerns can also significantly impact the mental health of college students, with studies showing that 60% of US students are worried about their financial situation.

Any mental health disorder can affect students’ physical health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Such disorders prevent them from enjoying their lives and exploring their full potential. It may lead to social isolation, a reclined sense of self-worth, and a lack of motivation. It’s important that students with mental health disorders could find professional help and support. Counseling and therapy should be the first steps to recovery. 

2. Sleep Disorders

Sleep plays an essential role in our well-being. Yet, many students tend to ignore their need for a good night’s sleep. They may choose to party or study over normal sleep. However, doing so several nights a week may shift your sleep cycle and affect the quality of your sleep on other days. Living with chronic sleep disorders will significantly impact your life, school, and social life.

Overall, students should avoid having irregular sleep patterns as they lead to insomnia and sleep deprivation. Such conditions will result in a lack of energy, fatigue, increased levels of stress, decreased concentration and alertness, and more. Our brains need sleep to process the information received during the day. That’s when we memorize things, let go of the emotions and stresses of the day, and let our minds relax. Depriving our bodies of the rest period will affect our physical and mental health. 

3. Infectious Diseases

Students spend most of their days indoors, often surrounded by hundreds of other students. Such a setting is perfect for infectious disease spread. Meanwhile, students are often tired, lack sleep, don’t eat well, and probably have weakened immune systems. That’s why they become easy targets for infectious diseases like the common cold, flu, and other viral or bacterial infections.

4. Poor Nutrition

Many things can contribute to students’ poor eating habits. The lack of awareness about healthy eating choices and a balanced diet is always at the top of the list. However, many students choose to neglect their nutrition needs over fast, cheap, and easy food choices. 

Thus, many students believe eating healthy takes too much time and effort. Hence, they lean towards fast food, snacks, and other available, easy options. Such eating habits lead to irregular meals, which often lack the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Their lack can affect your mental and physical state. Students with poor nutrition may experience constant fatigue, lack of energy, mood swings, weakened immune systems, and difficulty focusing.

Some students also risk developing eating disorders because of their poor eating habits. Thus, they may live with anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. These disorders can have severe physical and psychological consequences.

5. Lack of physical exercise

The lack of physical activity can have severe consequences on students’ physical and mental health. Many young people live a sedentary lifestyle, which is not ideal for their well-being. Yet, long school hours, homework, and lack of energy force them to spend most time sitting indoors.

Such a lifestyle may lead to muscle pain, especially in the back, knees, and shoulders. It can also create tensed muscles all over the body, creating physical discomfort. Lack of exercise can also increase the chances of several health issues, including heart problems, weight gain, diabetes, and others.

6. Strains

Surprisingly, strains are also a common health issue among young people. Partly, strains are so common due to sports injuries. Many college students get injured during training or on the field. Partly, such traumas happen all around campus due to a lack of attentiveness, focus on screen rather than surrounding, or constant rushing and even stress. 

These injuries can cause pain, swelling, limited mobility, and discomfort. Strains can heal by themselves within two weeks, or they may require surgical intervention in more severe cases. 

7. Eye Strain and Sight Problems

Extended screen time and poor reading habits can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and vision problems among students. Students often study after dark, exposing themselves to blue light and causing excessive tension in their eyes. The best solution here is to use dark modes on every screen, do eye exercises regularly, and visit specialists at least once a year. 

Also, for the sake of your eyes’ health, it is better to order a paper from WritePaperForMe from time to time than spend hours and hours looking at the screen, exhausting your eyes even further.