Archive for March, 2009
College Health Tips: Marijuana
What is Marijuana? Marijuana is a product of the plant cannabis sativa. Also known as weed, pot, grass, reefer, ganja, hash or Mary J, it is the most commonly used illegal drug. A hallucinogen, marijuana tends to accelerate heart rate, suppress muscle coordination, and can induce hallucinogenic effects. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC for short, is the psychoactive [...]
College Safety Tips: Keeping Safe
The first few weeks of the school year can actually be the most unsafe. Starting in a new place or city or just entering a new academic year can be exciting and yet stressful. Often there is much to do and many decisions to make. During this period of adjustment, be sure to think things [...]
Health Tips: Condoms
Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. It’s an individual choice that each person must make for themselves. If you presently are or choose to become sexually active in the future, however, condoms can help prevent the transmission of STIs and protect against unplanned pregnancy. How [...]
Health Tips: Stress Less
As you settle into your new class schedule, don’t get overwhelmed by commitments and bogged down with work. Make sure you take time for yourself, to keep yourself focused and stress-free. A great step to reducing stress is learning to manage your time well. The following tips may help: Time management and stress management are [...]
Healthy Breakfast
A healthy breakfast jump-starts your metabolism and fuels you for your day’s activities, so don’t overlook this important meal. Select healthy options that fit your taste and lifestyle, and put breakfast back into your morning! The benefits of a healthy breakfast * Breakfast not only starts your day off right, but also lays the foundation [...]
Healthy Aging: If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation
It is recommended that men have no more than two drinks per day and that women have no more than one drink per day. The differences in the recommended amounts are due to differences in body weight and metabolism in men and women. What counts as a drink: * 1 bottle (12 ounces) of beer [...]
Healthy Aging: Get enough calcium
Calcium can help to keep your bones strong and healthy to prevent fractures. The current recommendations are for men and women over age 50 to get 1200 mg of calcium and 400-800 s of vitamin D each day. Vitamin D allows the body use calcium properly. To help with getting enough calcium, read food labels [...]
Be physically active
Older adults need to be physically active in order to stay healthy and independent. Two overall benefits of physical activity are: * Preventing chronic conditions * Preventing falls and fractures Preventing chronic conditions To prevent chronic conditions including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes, and to maintain a healthy body weight, you need regular cardio [...]
The Caffeine High
Caffeine is the most popular and widely consumed drug in the world. It is in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and medications, including cold pills. Caffeine is the only drug in the food supply, and like all drugs, it causes an array of physiological changes. As a stimulant, caffeine has a direct effect on the [...]
Smokeless Tobacco Users: Check For These Signs
The early signs of cancer of the mouth and tongue may be detected by self-examination. Dr. Elbert Glover, director of the Tobacco Research Center at West Virginia University, and the American Cancer Society recommend that the following self-check procedures be conducted every month: • Check your face and neck for lumps on either side. Both [...]