Cougar Cry
P*age 14
What Are You Worried About?
By: Emily Pruitt
As a result of the recent influx of non-traditional college
students on the Wilkes Community College Campus,
new opinions, aspects, and concerns are present on
campus. These include health issues, which differ be
tween traditional and non-traditional college students.
Recent surveys have shown that the top health concerns
for people ages 30 and above are heart attack, stroke,
cancer, menopause, and fatigue. Each of these is a
very real and present health risk, and this risk often in
creases with age. This article’s purpose is to provide
the non-traditional college student with information about
these health risks, including causes, treatment, and pre
vention.
Fatigue is probably the top health concern of any college
student. The concern undoubtedly increases with addi
tional stress from jobs, children, and home manage
ment. Fatigue is often confused with tiredness, but con
trary to popular belief, the two are very different. Fatigue
is a daily lack of energy, often lasting more than one
week. It is whole body tiredness and is not relieved by
sleep. Many factors contribute to fatigue, and they in
clude, but are not limited to, drastic changes in appetite;
cancer or other long term illnesses; medication; chronic
severe pain; and stress or worrying.
Fatigue can be prevented and treated in several ways. It
is important to conserve energy in any way possible.
Plan ahead and make a schedule of weekly plans to
avoid extra, unneeded stress and don’t forget to sched
ule rest. Set a pace for life; this will allow the body to
form and adjust to a routine. Practice proper body me
chanics by staying comfortable and avoiding physical
activities that place stress on the body. Limit activities
that increase tension, both physical and emotional; how
ever, it is important to avoid long hot showers or baths
that result in a long term feeling of tiredness. When
treating fatigue, it is also important to maintain a healthy
balanced diet and to practice stress management.
Strokes are to the brain what a heart attack is to the
heart. They are caused by a blockage in blood supply to
the brain, resulting in a limited oxygen supply to cells.
Blockages in arteries (blood clots, etc.), tears in artery
walls resulting in bleeding in the brain, and low or high
blood pressure are all causes of strokes.
Strokes can be prevented through simple daily activities.
A healthy diet that allows one to maintain a healthy blood
pressure, which varies from person to person, is impor
tant. Strokes can be caused by blood pressure that is
extremely low, not just high blood pressure. When prac
ticing stroke prevention, it is important to limit intake of
alcoholic beverages and to exercise regularly. Medicinal
prevention also exists, but a physician should be con
sulted before taking this step.
Heart attacks are caused by blockages of blood to the
heart. They work much the same as a stroke, resulting
when the oxygen supply to the heart is low or when the
heart is overworked. People with heart disease are at
greater risk of a heart attack. Heart attacks can be pre
vented by healthy eating and regular exercise. Avoid
excess exercise or activities that can place extreme
strain on the heart.
Menopause, or perimenopause (the condition that pre
cedes menopause), is a major health issue for women
over 30 because it is a time of such drastic change and
is often an issue that is difficult to understand. Peri
menopause usually occurs between the ages of 40 and
44 as a woman’s supply of eggs begins to deplete. As
the egg supply becomes less and less, estrogen (the
female hormone that regulates reproductive functions)
levels also drop. These changes trigger symptoms such
as a change in menstrual cycles, hot flashes, night
sweats, insomnia, mood swings, forgetfulness, and joint
stiffness. This process occurs over a period of time, and
women generally reach menopause around age 50 to
55.
For women who have difficulties coping with the symp
toms preceding menopause, there are treatments. Hor
mone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that is
proven 80% effective in relieving symptoms associated
with menopause. This treatment requires a physician’s
administration in order to be effective. Several “over-
the-counter” medications are available, but are not as
safe or effective as HRT. To relieve joint stiffness
women are advised to an “over-the-counter” pain re
liever, such as Motrin or Advil.
Cancer is a general term that encompasses over 100
diseases. Virtually everyone is a candidate for some
type of cancer due to heredity or environmental factors.
Cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and begin
to multiply. When the cells multiply unnecessarily a tu
mor forms, which may be malignant or benign. Since all
organs and bodily tissues are made up of cells, they are
all susceptible to cancer.
Fortunately, there are warning signs for cancer, so peo
ple can seek medical care when they experience these
symptoms. Signs include, but are not limited to, sores
that do not heal, unusual tileeding or discharge, a thick
ening or lump in ANY area of the body, indigestion, diffi
culty swallowing, obvious changes in warts or moles,
nagging cough, or hoarseness. It is important to note
that some of these symptoms are also associated with
much less severe diseases but should be checked to be
absolutely sure.
Treatment for cancer comes in several forms. With the
latest advancements in technology, treatments now in
clude surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hor
mone therapy.
There are ways to prevent cancer. Prevention is not AL
WAYS 100% effective, but does help. Ways to prevent
cancer include avoiding tobacco products and harmful
rays from the sun, tanning beds. Etc. Choose food with
less fat and more fiber. Taking precautionary steps may
not totally eliminate the chance of developing cancer,
but it will reduce the risk.