HEALTH SERVICES NEWS

FALL 2019

Flu vaccines are here and available as of October 1st-call for an appointment 201-684-7536.

Hello All, Health Services would like to welcome all new and returning students to campus for the beginning of a new semester! For those of you not familiar with Health Services, a few points as a way to introduce ourselves. Health Services is a part of the same department as Counseling Services, but we are in a different location. Our office is in the gray building at the south entrance to the college, where the new solar panels have been installed. During fall and spring semester, we are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the summer, we are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

There are days when we are busy, typically once the cold and flu season begins, and ask students to please call and make an appointment before coming to the office. This allows us to see students without a long wait and prevents a student from walking to the office only to be told to come back later due to no available appointments at that time. Our main extension is 7536.

What We Do: We see students for a variety of illnesses including colds and flu, allergic reactions, skin problems, asthma, infections, STD testing, allergy injections and women’s’ health issues. We also administer influenza vaccines and do tuberculosis testing. Hyacinth, a community provider of HIV testing and counseling, will be on campus twice a month. They will provide free services by appointment and, if available, on a walk-in basis. Please call Health Services to make an appointment at x7536.

There is no charge for a student to be seen in Health Services, however, there are some charges related to diagnosis and treatment including any labs sent from our

office, such as those for STD testing, or dispensing prescription medications to students from our office. There is also a charge for some cold medications, flu vaccines and tuberculosis testing. Specific charges can be discussed when a student makes an appointment. If you have any questions about health issues, please call our office at x7536.

Ticks and Lyme Disease*:

Many of you are aware deer ticks are prevalent in this geographic area. There are many deer in the surrounding wooded areas that carry ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an illness that can affect all of the body systems, including the nervous system. Most ticks are active during the warmer months, April through September. Typically, ticks “hide” in high grass, bushy and wooded areas and can even be on animals. There are some ways to protect yourself from tick bites and, potentially, Lyme disease. If you are someone who walks or hikes outdoors and come in contact with areas of high grass, protect yourself from tick bites by doing the following:

• Cover as much of your skin as possible. Wear long sleeves and pants when walking or hiking in tall grass, where ticks “live”. • Try to walk or hike in a cleared path to avoid contact with ticks. • Use an insect repellant with DEET (we carry this in Health Services). • When you return indoors, check your body for imbedded ticks. If they are present, they should be removed ASAP. Sometimes showering soon after walking helps remove ticks that are not yet attached. • Check clothing for ticks. Either wash them in hot water or tumble them in a hot dryer to kill ticks. If you walk with your dog check them as well, they can also get Lyme disease from tick bites.

Note: It takes 36 to 48 hours for an attached, infected tick to transmit the spirochete of Lyme disease, so removal of ticks is important. Health Services has tick removal kits, can help you if you have an embedded tick or, if you removed a tick, and are concerned about infection.

*Reference: All content from CDC.gov

Eating Well during the Semester*:

Many students have problems with nutrition once classes begin. There may not be enough time to eat full meals. It is important to choose the most nutritious foods that can help you do your best work. Consider your food allergies then choose from a variety of foods that, even in small quantities, can help supplement your diet* and save time.

Low fat dairy: Cheese, milk and yogurt that contain protein. Combine the cheese with some crackers or add fresh fruit to yogurt to boost calories for energy.

Vegetables: Raw vegetables are great as a snack and can be eaten with dips, such as hummus, peanut butter and salsas.

Fruit: Fresh fruits contain carbs for energy and, in general, are fat free or low in fat.

Nuts and nut butters: These snacks contain good fats and carbs, and have dense calorie content.

Water and non-caloric mineral or flavored waters: Drinking enough fluids can make you feel full and stay hydrated, and these are portable and can be carried around campus as students go through their day. It is okay to drink some sugar but with many options available, save those calories for other foods. In addition, be careful consuming caffeine; too much will interfere with sleep and can lead to irritability, jitteriness and palpitations.

*Reference: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Use of Caffeinated and Energy Drinks*:

Energy drinks are typically produced to provide caffeine with the promise of staying alert so a person can perform better during sports. Some energy drinks have as much caffeine as 14 cans of caffeinated soda. Many have the same amount of caffeine as coffee drinks from a favorite coffee house.

The first energy drink produced in the US was Red Bull in 1997. Today sales are at least $5.4 billion per year The FDA limits caffeine in colas to 71 mgs per 12 ounces but no caffeine limit required on energy drinks. Energy drinks are marketed as dietary supplements but are not reviewed by the FDA before they are sold.

Examine the caffeine content of energy drinks by reading their labels. If you use energy drinks, be aware if you are taking in caffeine in other forms. Overuse of caffeine can lead to physical side effects.

If you need caffeine to get you through the day, you are not alone. About 83% of Americans in 2013 said they drank coffee, according to the National Coffee Association. Add the other sources of caffeine -- cola, energy drinks, and some medications and supplements -- and the number of caffeine consumers is even greater.

So is this a bad thing? Studies show caffeine can improve memory, decrease fatigue, and improve mental functioning. However, there is a dark side to caffeine. Studies show that too much caffeine can set you up for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and lower bone density -- not to mention jangled nerves. So use good judgement.

Caffeine content of energy drinks, sodas and coffee:  Red Bull: 80 mgs per 8.3 ounces  Tab Energy: 95 mgs per 10.5 ounces  Monster and Rockstar: 160 mgs per 16 ounces  No Fear: 174 mgs per 16 ounces  Fixx: 500 mgs per 20 ounces  Wired X505: 505 mgs per 24 ounces  Bomba Energy: 75 mgs per 8.4 ounces  Coffee: 200 mgs per 12 ounces  Mountain Dew: 54 mgs per 12 ounces  Coke Classic: 34.5 mgs per 12 ounces

*Reference: Content from WebMD.com