6 Top Sicknesses You Might Catch in College
Did you know that various health issues can easily affect a student’s performance? Attending classes, submitting assignments on time, and scoring high grades in exams are not the only factors needed to achieve academic excellence. If you hope to be an A grade student, then you have to find a way to keep stress and various illnesses at bay.
However, while college life often comes with a lot of freedom like living on your own for the first time, college students are exposed to various health risks. Lifestyle changes, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems are the top factors that affect physical and mental health.
Luckily, we have compiled the top 6 common illnesses that students might encounter while in college and how to avoid, treat, or prevent it.
Eating Disorders
In the 2017/2018 academic year, over 22 million students were enrolled in college and universities. 1.7% and 1.3% of these students were identified to have anorexia and bulimia, respectively.
These eating disorders are often not just prompted by a desire to lose weight but because of unhealthy food choices, peer pressure, and the need to be in control which results in food restrictions and over exercises. Furthermore, increased workload or learning issues often cause students to turn to a paper writing service.
However, those who prefer to deal with a stressful schedule on their own might resort to unscheduled and unhealthy eating, which, if sustained over time, results in eating disorders. Besides, college students tend to have strange eating habits that may quickly progress to disorders which causes various health complications such as:
- Infertility;
- Organ failure;
- Nerve damage;
- Chronic vitamin and nutrient deficiency.
If you have an eating disorder, seek the right treatment that addresses the physical and psychological aspects of the disease.
Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are prevalent among college ladies and can even recur frequently for those with a shorter urethra. Increased urination, abdominal pain, nausea, burning sensation, strong-smelling, and cloudy urine are the main symptoms. The infection is caused by the migration of bacteria to the urethra.
While common risk factors are personal hygiene and being sexually active, college students tend to get UTI because most tend to postpone going to the bathroom. The longer the infected urine infected remains in the bladder, the higher the risks of the infection. Despite the discomfort, UTI can be diagnosed quickly and treated with antibiotics.
Flu
Students can easily confuse influenza and cold. While a virus causes both illnesses, flu rarely results in sneezing, nasal congestion, and sore throat. However, it does present severe body ache, fever, chest discomfort, chills, and dry cough. Although the virus mutates quite frequently, over the counter medication may lessen the severity of the symptoms. Washing your hands regularly and getting vaccinated reduces the chance of catching flu.
Meningitis
This is a bacteria or virus infection that presents symptoms such as headache, fever. When not treated, it leads to various complications like physical disability and brain damage. Meningitis, especially the type caused by bacteria is a common illness in college because of living in close sections or staying in environments where students gather in a large number for an extended period.
Bacterial meningitis can also spread by coming in close contact with an infected person. Getting vaccinated and practicing good hygiene are the most effective way to prevent this illness.
Gastroenteritis
Popularly known as stomach flu, gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the intestines generated by bacterial or viral infections. The main symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramping, and fever. Consuming contaminated food or water may result in gastroenteritis. By replacing the lost electrolytes, the signs can clear up but if they become severe, get medical attention.
Athlete’s Foot
Showers in dormitories, gym locker rooms, and walking barefoot around swimming pools increases the risk of athlete’s foot. This fungal infection thrives in damp environments AND exhibits symptoms like blisters in between toes, itching, and scaly rashes.
Over the counter fungal medications often help treat this infection, but if the signs progress to swelling, excessive redness, and fever then see a doctor. To ease the symptoms or prevent an athlete’s foot, keep your feet dry especially the areas in between your toes, wear well-ventilated shoes, and change socks regularly.
College life comes with its own unique experiences and challenges. If you know what illnesses you are likely to get, you can take the necessary measures to prevent them. Some of the conditions are not very serious, but since they make life uncomfortable, the preventive steps may save you the trouble of spending so much time in the college clinic.
