Health Alerts

ATTN: Seniors

ecanesi — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Congratulations Seniors!

on WEDNESDAY, MAY 2nd from 9:00am-12:00pm

Health Services will have "Senior Packets" available for you in the Rotunda

Packets will include:

~ a copy of your immunization records

~ information on health insurance

~ lifestyle transition toolkit

~ how to choose a new doctor, and lots more

Please be sure to stop by our table in front

of Faculty Suite A for your packet and receive a send-off gift too!

“Health Campaign Competition”

ecanesi — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:42:13 +0000

On Wednesday May 2nd Bryant University's Department of Communication, in conjunction with Health Services, will host its first annual Health Campaign Competition. This competition is the culmination of a semester-long project for students taking COM 480 "Advanced Health Communication: Health Campaigns," in which they were tasked to create a campaign that they believed would make Bryant's campus "a safer and healthier place for students." Utilizing the theory and research surveyed in COM 480 throughout the semester, students developed messages focused on changing people's attitudes and behaviors surrounding a wide array of health issues including, but not limited to, emotional abuse, academic stress, portion control, and sun protection. The campaign that receives the most votes will actually be run on Bryant's campus throughout the 2012-2013 academic year. Judges for the competition include faculty, administrators, and professional staff from within the Bryant community as well as Dr. Al Kurose, President and CEO of Coastal Medical. In addition, people who attend the event will have the chance to vote for their favorite campaign and these votes will be figured into the final tally. The event starts at 6:30 in Papitto. Students will be displaying their health campaigns throughout the room and will be available to answer questions. So come to Papitto on Wednesday at 6:30 to cast your vote for what you feel is the best health campaign - designed by students for students - to help make Bryant a safer and healthier place.

DO CELL PHONES CAUSE TUMORS?

ecanesi — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:51:29 +0000

Cell phones first became widely available in the United States in the 1990's. According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, there were more than 320 million cell phone subscriptions in the United States in 2011. Worldwide, the number of users is estimated to be approximately 5 billion in 2011.

Cell phones give off a form of energy known as radio frequency (RF) waves. This is a form of electromagnetic energy that falls between FM radio waves and microwaves. Concern focuses on whether cell phones might increase the risk of tumors in the head and neck area. Current research does not find evidence that cell phones cause tumors. RF waves don't have enough energy to cause tumors by directly damaging the DNA inside cells or raising temperatures in the body.

However, while current science does not support that RF waves may cause tumors; we do not know what time will show. Therefore, take prudent precautions like:

~ use a headset or speaker phone

~ reserve use of mobile phones for shorter conversations

~ limit children's use of cell phones

~ use an external antenna in a car

For more information, visit

https://www.cancer.org

Understand Food Cravings, Brain Chemistry and Body Weight

ecanesi — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:02:52 +0000

Consider how your lifestyle patterns, food choices, and physical activity choices influence your brain chemistry, your moods, your sense of well being and your weight. Research shows that certain foods and lifestyle patterns affect powerful mood-modifying brain chemicals called "neurotransmitters". Examples of these are:

~ Dopamine and Nor-Epinephrine—these are chemicals released after eating protein (meats, dairy, poultry, and legumes). They enhance mental concentration and alertness. These neurotransmitters come from the amino acid tyrosine.

~ Ghrelin - a neurotransmitter that sets up an irresistible urge to eat when elevated.

~ Endorphins - the body's natural "high" which gives pain relief and pleasure when elevated.

Sleep deprivation can cause an increase in ghrelin, which increases appetite and causes weight gain. At the same time, it decreases leptin, the neurotransmitter that suppresses appetite.

Exercise increases endorphins which, as described above, increases the feeling of pleasure.

Stress is a common reason for overeating or emotional eating. Two out of three people eat more under stress. Plus we don't usually eat vegetables when we are over stressed!

A few steps to a healthier life style are:

1. Practice healthy thoughts. Nothing has a greater ability to change your brain chemistry and your desire to eat, more than the way you think. Stress related thoughts lower serotonin which increases cravings.

2. Don't forget to eat! Don't allow yourself to get over hungry as this causes overeating.

3. Keep problem foods out of the house!

4. Note the benefits of physical activity, including lessening stress, controlling blood pressure, and increasing our mental sharpness and creativity.

For more information on healthy eating and lifestyle changes, stop by the Health Services Satellite in the Rotunda on April 18th from 10:00-12:00.

Get Off Campus!

scapuano — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:31:05 +0000

Get out of your dorm room and away from the computer, TV and phone and get active!! Being physically active has substantial health benefits and is an important component to staying healthy both mentally and physically. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, you need to do two types of physical activity each week to improve your health -aerobic and muscle strengthening. Below are some examples on how to achieve this goal according to the CDC:

Adults need at least: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., jogging or running) every week andmuscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

An equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

For more information go to www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/index.html

There are lots of ways to get physical activity and it is important to incorporate activities that you enjoy. Get off campus and enjoy the many free and local places that you can visit and enjoy.

Some examples include:

1. The Smithfield Conservation Commission has mapped out Seven Scenic Walks in Smithfield for you to enjoy. Go to www.netwalkri.com for more information.

2. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has many trails and walks that are available throughout Rhode Island and the list can be found at www.asri.org/refuges/wildlife-refuges

3. The Appalachian Mountain Club local Narragansett Chapter has hiking and biking for all abilities for all over Rhode Island and New England. For more information go to www.amcnarragansett.org.

4. Narragansett Wheelmen has bike routes and rides for all levels for all over Rhode Island. They also offer group rides every week and more information can be found at nbwclub.org.

Don't forget that the Chase Wellness Center on Campus offers a variety of group exercise classes so there is no excuse for you not to be active!

World’s health Day

scurran3 — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:27:50 +0000

April 7th is World's Health Day"Good Health Adds Life to Years" this years theme. The world's population is aging. Within the next 5 years, the number of people over 65 will exceed the number of children under 5 for the first time in human history. We need to make more of conscious effort on keeping ourselves healthy. This greater amount of longer living humans is fantastic, but can also bring an increase in the amount of people with chronic health problems, depending more and more on the medical system as well as dependence on our youth. Eat well, be happy and stress free, exercise, and seek routine checkups as advised.

Getting Enough Sleep?

scurran3 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:16:45 +0000

You need plenty of sleep for a healthy mind, body, and spirit. You will be healthier, happier, have more stamina, and increase your academic and athletic performance. The problem with being tired is that it can lead to chronic tiredness, mood changes, frustration, difficulty controlling emotions, inability to think abstractly, weakening of immune system and absenteeism. Did you know that 60% of 18-29 year olds have driven drowsy? 25% actually have dozed off. 100,000 traffiic deaths last year killed 1500 Americans. In order to be at your peak performance you need 8 hours of sleep on the average. Sleep has changed over the years. College students reported in 1980's of sleeping 7-7.5 hours a night. In 2002 they reported 6-6.5 hours. Going to bed later ( 2.5-3hrs later than 25 years ago) and busier schedules, classes and internships, clubs, sports and jobs have all added to this. Lack of sleep worsens depression and depression interferes with sleep. Medical problems are more prevalent in depressed students with sleep problems. This especially occurs around exam time. During sleep we restore and repair, conserve energy, and consolidate our learning and memory. We have built in clocks called the Circadian clock. This clock regulates a 24 hour rhythm of wakefulness and sleep. It also regulates frequency of eating, drinking, body temperature, secretion of hormones, volume of urination and sensitivity to drugs. So sleep keeps our internal regulations intune with the outside world. Light is critical for resetting our rhythms. Any stimulus like exercise, noise, meals, light, and temperature will reset your clock. Roommates bright lights, loud noise will cause "phase delays" in your ryhythms. Like jet lag. It shifts the phase and then becomes out of synche with what it should be. What should you do to sleep well? Try to go to sleep at the same time each night. Try not to take naps during the day. If you cannot fall alseep once you are in bed, get up and read or do something not very stimulating until you become drowsy. If you lie awake at night worrying about things, write them down make a to- do list putting the worrying on paper and out of your mind. Follow a routine to help relax you and unwind before bed. Avoid using your bed for anything other then sleeping. Don't eat a heavy meal before bed. Make sure your room is comfortable, not too warm or cold, dark and quiet. If light is a problem use a mask for your eyes. If noise is the problem use earplugs or white noise machine. Avoid caffeine and nicotine both stimulant. Alcohol makes you sleepy but causes you to wake up a few hours after going to sleep. Get regular exercise but not within 3 hours of going to bed. Sleep well! If you find these things do not help call health Services for further suggestions.

“Quantum Wellness”

ecanesi — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:04:31 +0000

In author, Kathy Freston's book, Quantum Wellness, she discusses eight areas of practice that are particularly powerful and compatible for wellness cross training.

They are:

~ Mediation

~ Visualization

~ Fun activities

~ Conscious eating

~ Exercise

~ Self-work

~ Spiritual practice

~ Service

She is not suggesting that you use all eight at the same time, but that you should think of wellness as something truly multi-faceted. Remain open to the idea that most of the issues we face in life have their roots and their resolution in several dimensions.

The information provided in this book shows you how to make simple and achievable changes that can radically alter the way you feel.

Check it out. http://www.kathyfreston.com/

Flu

scurran3 — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:55:12 +0000

FluHealth Services has begun to see isolated cases of the flu on campus. It has started later than usual this year. Generally, we forget about our heightened awareness of prevention this time of year thinking the flu season is over; it is not. This is a reminder because of the new cases we are seeing, if you have not received the flu vaccine this year, it is not too late. Please be diligent with hand washing. Cough/sneeze in the crook of your elbow. Throw away any used tissues in proper trash receptacles. Do not share glasses, cups, or water bottles. Stay away from people who appear ill. Eat nutritiously, get outside for fresh air, and get plenty of sleep. If you become ill, please call Health Services for advice - 401-232-6220.

Health Service Excuse Policy

scurran3 — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:23:57 +0000

Health Service Excuse PolicyHealth Services does not provide excuses for illness or visits to Health services that may have led to missed classes or exams. This policy resembles those of most Universities and is consistent with the recommendations of the American College Health Association, CDC and Rhode Island Department of Health. Health Service will recommend to students to contact their professors if they are ill and unable to attend class, complete assignment, or take exam. It is the student's responsibility to communicate directly and proactively with faculty of conditions that interfere with these processes. This policy reflects our respect for our students' medical privacy and our educational mission to help our students become independent stewards of their own health care. There are many patient confidentiality laws that must be observed. Requiring a written excuse from Health Services causes students who would not normally be in Health Services to be exposed to more infectious diseases. Requiring a note also makes students more likely to go to class when they are ill and thus exposing others creating a public health issue. When you are sick you should stay home in order to limit the transmission of illnesses around campus. Health Services duty is to provide direct medical care to students which is critical to their health and wellbeing.