Wellness Center

Congratulations!

Graduating! Or completing another semester at Loyola.

There are a couple announcements from the Wellness Center.

• Beginning July 15, 2010 there will be a $15 fee for all appointments that are missed. If something comes up – please take a moment to call and reschedule or cancel your appointment. Thanks.
• Follow the Wellness Center on Twitter for new and current health information, healthy events in Chicago and more http://twitter.com/LoyolaWellness.

Now, let’s talk about May. It’s almost over – but there is still some time to celebrate May being National Bike Month! Chicago is a great city to ride a bike in. It is a great way to get in some physical activity, avoid traffic and it is a green mode of transportation.

If you are going ride a bike in May or any time of the year, please wear a helmet. It does not look dorky and it is not just something kids should do. Wearing a helmet reduces your chance of head, brain, and severe brain injury by more than 60%.

Here is some great information from The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center…

Safety tips for bicyclists

1. Always ride with traffic and follow the rules of the road. Forget what you might have heard in the past, you are better off riding with the flow of traffic, not against it. You are much more predictable and visible to motorists, especially at intersections and driveways. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars, and use hand signals when turning and stopping. Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings and yield to traffic when appropriate, including pedestrians.
2. Don’t ride on the sidewalk. Although you might think it’s a safer option, motorists are simply not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk, especially those riding against traffic. So at every driveway and intersection, you are at much greater risk of being hit by a motorist than if you were riding on the road with traffic. Pedestrians will thank you for riding on the road as well.
3. Ride on the trail, paved shoulder, bike lane, or bike route. But, you still need to follow the rules of the road and watch out for your fellow travelers. Ride to the right, signal your turns, obey traffic signs and signals.
4. Be predictable and visible. Try not to be hesitant or do things that motorists and other travelers may not be expecting. Make sure everyone can see you and knows where you are and where you are going. If riding in the dark, use headlights, taillights and reflectors, and wear reflective materials and brightly colored clothing. Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while bicycling.
5. Watch for stuff on the road or trail that might make you fall or swerve. Rocks, trash, storm grates, wet leaves, potholes, gravel, railroad tracks, and even wet pavement markings can all send you flying. Also watch for parked cars, doors opening, and cars pulling in and out of driveways.
6. Watch for turning traffic. Perhaps rather surprisingly, the crash data tells us that getting hit from behind is extremely unlikely. Most car/bike collisions happen at intersections and driveways when motorists or bicyclists are turning. So, at every intersection and driveway, keep a careful eye out for:
   • Motorists turning right in front of you-you may be going faster than they think.
   • Motorists turning left across your path-drivers are looking for gaps in traffic and may not be paying attention to anything other than other motor vehicles.

Safety tips for motorists

1. Watch for Bicyclists at all Times. Bicycles are vehicles and bicyclists may take the entire lane. Scan for bicyclists in traffic and give them the appropriate right-of-way. Children and novice riders can be unpredictable; expect the unexpected. Watch for bicyclists before opening car doors. Don’t drive distracted or after consuming alcohol or other drugs.
2. Drive the Speed and Avoid Aggressive Maneuvers. Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at stop signs. Allow extra time for bicyclists to traverse intersections. Recognize hazards that bicyclists may face and give them space to maneuver.
3. Pass Bicyclists with Care. Treat bicyclists as you would a slow-moving car-don’t tailgate, and do wait until traffic conditions allow you to safely pass the bicyclist. Reduce speed when passing bicyclists and allow at least 3 ft of passing space. Check over your shoulder after passing a bicyclist before moving back. Don’t blast your horn in close proximity to bicyclists.

For more information visit http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/ – ride safely!

Using caffeine to help get you through the end of the semester?  While there are some benefits of coffee and caffeine, there can also be some negative consequences as well.  Check out this article provided by the Mayo Clinic. 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600

To keep yourself fresh for finals, remember to eat get plenty of rest, engage in some form of stress relief such as exercising or meditation and eat a well balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. 

Hang in there!  The end is near

Behiv will be here Wednesday, April 21 from 1:30-4pm providing HIV/STI screening.  Space is limited and is first come first serve.  Screening will be done at the Wellness Center.

Check out their website for any resources or additional services provided.

http://www.behiv.org/

By Angie Leenhouts, ABSN student

Most of us have at least heard of the Gardasil shot. Up until now it has been approved for use in girls and women ages 9 to 26 to help prevent cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer caused by HPV. But the vaccine is just for girls, right? Not anymore! The FDA has approved a new indication for the Gardasil vaccine to prevent genital warts in men and boys. This new indication is in light of studies showing the vaccine is 90% effective in preventing genital warts caused by infection with HPV types 6 and 11 in boys and men age 9 to 26.

This is great news in the fight against the spread of HPV. Every year, about 2 of every 1,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with genital warts. Now, boys and men ages 9 to 26 can undergo the vaccination process, which includes three injections over a 6-month period. Side effects of Gardasil include headache, fever, pain at the injection site, itching, redness, swelling and bruising. Ask your doctor if the Gardisil shot is right for you!

By Brigitte Seiler, ABSN student

With finals and the end of the semester right around the corner, the stress of the school year mounts and students often look for any extra boost. Staying up late studying is usually never without a secret weapon… caffeine! This ingredient acts as a stimulant by increasing wakefulness and alleviating fatigue. In small amounts, about 2-4 cups of coffee a day, there is no significant harm. However, between energy drinks, sodas, tea, coffee and even chocolate, caffeine intake can quickly accumulate to toxic levels. Heavy caffeine use can cause: headache, nausea, muscle tremors, anxiety, insomnia and a fast or irregular heartbeat. Poison control centers and emergency departments around the country are reporting an increase in caffeine abuse victims. Most of these individuals are under the age of 19. Vomiting is a serious sign of caffeine intoxication. Caffeine affects every person differently and some may have a much lower caffeine tolerance than others. Even in smaller doses, some can be seriously and dangerously harmed by caffeine. There is no way to know each person’s caffeine tolerance level, so in order to avoid serious problems related to caffeine over consumption, be sure to read the labels of both food and beverages. Also be aware that many times caffeine is not listed. Daily caffeine intake should not exceed 300 mg per day. By decreasing caffeine intake, quality of sleep is improved. Sleep is usually the reason daytime alertness is reduced. When caffeine is relied on to get through the day, nighttime sleep is more restless. So in a finals cram session instead of reaching for a Venti cappuccino, go for a decaf, juice or water. But most importantly, get those ZZZs!

So much of what we do is now on the internet including nutrition and physical activity tracking. Daily nutrition and wellness tips are just a click away!

Many of you may be wondering, “what are some good websites to use and how can I assess their credibility?”  Always be sure to check the credentials of the individual providing the information.  If the author or sponsor’s credentials are not available, try a different website. 

Check out some of these websites or ‘apps’ for your nutrition and fitness tracking:

www.mypyramidtracker.gov -Sponsored by the USDA.  Track your nutrition and physical activity.

www.wellnessdaily.com  -Sponsored by the Jennie-O Turkey Store, it is a “one stop shop” for information regarding fitness, nutrition, and well-being. 

www.dailyburn.com -Individually sponsored.  This is a great tracking tool, but be cautious about some of the information provided here.

www.nutritiondata.com -See the nutrient analysis for thousands of food items.

www.twitter.com/TeamNutrition -Sponsored by the USDA

Apps:

Fast Food Calorie Counter:  Find the nutrition info on that Big Mac or Subway sandwich.

Fresh Fruit:  Tells you what fruits and vegetables are in season and available in your area and informs you of the nutrient content of the fruits.

Eight Glasses a Day:  Helps you keep track of the amount of water you are consuming to stay hydrated.

Nutrition Tips:  Over 500 fun and easy nutrition tips.

Tap & Track:  A calorie and exercise tracker and database.

Stay up to speed with these websites, but don’t spend too much time sitting in front of the computer…get moving!

What is a neti pot?

A neti pot is a ceramic devise resembling a teapot used to irrigate nasal passages when combined with a salt water solution. Neti pots can be helpful first line or adjunct treatments for individuals suffering from chronic sinus problems as a result of bacterial infections or seasonal allergies.  Sinus symptoms such as headache, facial pain, congestion can be relieved with nasal irrigation therapy by thinning nasal mucus. Neti pots have been around for centuries and various forms can be found at most pharmacies and department for $10-$20.  Healthcare providers may recommend a neti pot for someone who has allergies, acute or chronic sinus infection, or any cause of congestion. Research suggests nasal irrigation therapy can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms and reduce need for antibiotics and nasal spray.
 

Kristy Magulak, RN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. She will be answering your questions every Friday. If you would like to submit a question please email Kristy at kmagulak@luc.edu. Unfortunately, we will not be able to post every question, however you are always welcome to call Dial-A-Nurse or make an appointment for any questions or concerns you may have.

Behiv will be here Wednesday, March 24 from 1:30-4pm proving HIV screening.  Space is limited and is first come first serve.  Screening witll be done at the Wellness Center.

Check out their website for any resources or additional services provided.

http://www.behiv.org/

To all the ladies on campus….there will be individuals from the wellness center at the Women’s Health Fair at Halas from 11am-3pm today.  Stop by for information on nutrition, stress and other various topics/vendors.  Hope to see you there!

Does the color of my snot determine what kind of infection I have and whether or not I need antibiotics?”

No. Although it was once believed the color of “snot” indicates a bacterial infection and thus a need for antibiotics, current research suggests this is no longer the case. There have been many studies showing purulent nasal discharge or “colored snot” is not useful in differentiating between viral and bacterial infections or the severity of infection.  In most viral infections such as “the common cold” nasal discharge is first clear and then becomes yellow or green after a few days.  This is due to the body’s immune response involving a type of white blood cells called neutrophils. The neutrophils are the immediate responders to most types of infection and create cellular debris resulting in the colored discharge.  The decision to use antibiotics is based on many factors including patient’s history and physical exam but the color of discharge alone is not an influential factor. Antibiotics have been shown to be over-prescribed for many illnesses including sinus infections which are usually self-limiting and respond to symptomatic treatment.

Kristy Magulak, RN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. She will be answering your questions every Friday. If you would like to submit a question please email Kristy at kmagulak@luc.edu. Unfortunately, we will not be able to post every question, however you are always welcome to call Dial-A-Nurse or make an appointment for any questions or concerns you may have.

Reference:
Arroll, B., Kenealy T. (2005). Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis. Cochrane Database Systematic Review, Jul 20;(3): CD000247.