Top 9 health concerns among college students

Every year, the American College Health Association conducts the National College Health Assessment to help universities gather data on the overall health of college students. The results every year point out one stable tendency: the deteriorating health of college students. 

College students live in apartments and hostels together, eat in the cafeteria, and play sports. Hence, their mutual interaction is indispensable for most of their day. Therefore, it is quite easy for illnesses to spread among students.

The most common health concerns among college students include the following:

1. Stress, anxiety, and depression  

Stress causes many illnesses; at the same time, it is an illness too. In a TimelyMD survey, 82% of the students reported stress and depression during the recent pandemic. Overall, reasons for persistent stress in college students include poor eating habits, lack of sleep, pressure to get good grades in college, failed relationships, personal skirmishes, etc. 

Many students also experience stress because they are not ready to meet the demands of college life. They may feel like a misfit and their abilities insufficient. Students also face a lot of stress regarding debt repayment —the money they take to pay for their college fees. 

2. Sexually transmitted diseases

College students risk developing sexually transmitted diseases. This is often because of their negligent attitude and failure to take preventive measures. The common college STDs include Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea. Other STDs include hepatitis A, B, and C and genital herpes. 

All these diseases have different symptoms and treatments. But how a certain STD impacts a college student can vary significantly. Therefore, college students need to take effective measures to thwart the spread of these diseases to their intimate partners. 

3. Cold and flu

Since students live close to one another, the spread of viral diseases such as flu and cold is much easier. And college students who have flu and cold experience the illness for eight days and sometimes more. They may fail to attend their classes during this time, impacting their performance. 

Often it is difficult to distinguish between flu and cold. Normally, the latter is less severe. Common symptoms of cold include sneezing, coughing, mild fever, and watery eyes. On the contrary, flu is characterized by high fever (often above 102F), dry cough, body aches, and upset stomach or vomiting. 

In cold and flu, the most you can do is take plenty of rest and drink fluids. You can also use over-the-counter medicines. They may improve the symptoms. Consulting a doctor is recommended too. If you are not up for an in-person visit, go for a telehealth visit using a phone or video call. 

4. Bruises, Sprains & Strains

Because of the activity and bustle of a college student’s life, bruises, sprain, and strains are very common. Often they are not very serious and heal fast. Bruises can cause your skin to turn purple/black/red/brown. In contrast, strains happen when your muscles and tendons get an undue stretch. 

Home remedies are recommended, but they don’t replace the need to consult a doctor. So, if you see no sign of improvement in your condition, visit your college healthcare center or a nearby hospital. 

5. Eye diseases

Doing assignments and homework on computers and submitting them online has become a norm for college students. Therefore, it is common for them to be negligent of their eye care and sit in front of the computer screens all day long, often in the wrong poses. 

It is important to manage your time spent looking at the screen. Otherwise, you may affect your eyesight or face other eye-related issues such as watery eyes and infections.

6. Meningitis

This disease often occurs due to bacterial and viral infections. In some cases, a fungal infection also leads to meningitis. Symptoms of this condition are similar to what you experience in flu— high fever, head and body aches, stiff neck, rash, vomiting, fatigue, nausea, and confusion. 

College students who live together in dorms are most prone to getting meningitis as their physical distance decreases immensely. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends that high school students receive the meningococcal vaccine before their term starts. 

7. Eating Disorders

Binging on calorie-loaded snacks and sugary juices at odd times is the hallmark of most college students’ lives. Moreover, eating during the night and when you are studying also disturbs your eating habit leading to eating disorders. 

Eating disorders can impact your health and, ultimately, your education. Most college students don’t recognize the risk associated with eating disorders. Owing to the seriousness of the issue for the health and well-being of public and college graduates, the National Eating Disorders Association provides ample resources, including a support hotline for eating disorders. 

8. Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Alcohol and substance abuse becomes more widespread when you are on your own, living an independent life—a college life. Students live among their peers; they are often curious and desire to try new things. Often knowing the unknown takes the college students near alcohol and substance abuse. 

The addiction center reports that 80% of college students in the USA have had their experience with alcohol. Every year more than 110,000 students aged between 18 and 24 face police arrests due to alcohol-related violations. Alcohol and substance abuse can lead to crimes such as theft and molestation. 

9. Lack of Sleep

Mentioning lack of sleep as a health concern for college students must not surprise anyone. Sleep might come at the last of their priority list for students pumped up with zeal and excitement. The increased independence and no familial check can make them berserk—too infatuated with their new life. But they fail to realize how detrimental sleep deprivation is to their health. 

Sleep deprivation also occurs when roommates do not have similar schedules. If your roommate studies at night, you might have disturbed sleep under a light. The research mentions that 41% of the students wake up during the night due to noises coming from other’s rooms. 

Conclusion

College life is full of excitement, but it is also plagued with various health issues. Various viral diseases can easily get college students living together in dorm rooms. Additionally, students may also suffer from poor sleep and diet. Only a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, physical activity, good hygiene, and a dedicated schedule can save them from these issues.