The top 3 health issues for students

Long days studying, heavy workloads and the pressure to ace every exam can make it easy for students to dismiss their health. But looking after your physical and mental wellbeing is important for getting the most out of your student days.

Here are 3 common health issues that university students may face, plus how to tackle them before they become a problem.

We usually just accept cold and flu as a normal part of life, but there are ways to prevent them from sneaking up on us.

The first precaution is probably the simplest (but often most overlooked). Wash your hands, regularly.

Using soap and water, rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds, and don’t forget to clean under your nails. This helps get rid of any germs you may have picked up in public or from other people.

There are loads of ways to support your immunity to help fight off viruses, too. These include:

• regular physical activity. Don’t discount walking, even a brisk 30-minute walk around campus is a great way to fit in some exercise
• getting enough sleep. Studies show if you don’t get enough rest you’re more likely to pick up the common cold.¹ You should aim for between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night
• healthy eating. Getting the recommended 5 serves of veggies and 2 serves of fruit a day will arm your body with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which help build a strong immunity
• drinking less alcohol. Alcohol can affect your immune system, making it harder for your body to defend itself against infections.

If you’re sexually active and don’t practise safe sex, you’re at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs mainly affect young people and, if left untreated, can cause mild to severe health complications.

Some STIs found in Australia include:

• gonorrhoea
• chlamydia
• herpes simplex virus
• syphilis
• hepatitis B or C
• human papilloma virus (HPV).²

Tanya Montoya, Senior Health Promotion Officer for Youth at Family Planning NSW, says it’s important to have regular sexual health check-ups, because “you can’t tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them”.

“Young people who are sexually active should be getting a check-up if it’s been more than a year since their last one, they have a new sexual partner, they have any worrying symptoms, suspect they might have an STI or they’re wanting to change their method of contraception,” she says.

When it comes to treatment, time is of the essence.

“Checking in with yourself can help you catch anything nasty early on and treat it straight away,” Montoya says.

Although STI symptoms differ among people and conditions, some common ones to be aware of include:

• unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or anus
• pain in the scrotum or testicles or while urinating
• lumps and bumps on the genitals
• sores, blisters or rashes in the genital area.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re studying. A fear of failure coupled with family, personal and academic pressure can all add up.

In fact, according to a recent study, mental health concerns (including stress and anxiety) are the most common issue for Australian university on-campus health service users.³

Stress can sneak up on you. Some signs that you may need help with it include:

• feeling moodier or more overwhelmed than normal
• struggling to make decisions
• lacking motivation to do anything
• physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle pains and tension.

There are lots of ways to reduce stress, and some work better than others for different people. A few common methods include:

• getting enough sleep
• regular exercise
• walking in nature
• meditation.

If you’re concerned about your health, help is available. Most universities and TAFEs offer free and confidential health services. For more information, contact your campus’ student service centre.