HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Student Health

Drugs & Drug Safety

Substance Use & Abuse

After alcohol, the most common drugs used are tobacco and marijuana. Other drugs used are amphetamines (uppers); barbiturates (downers); hallucinogens, such as LSD; inhalants; and narcotics, such as cocaine. On the increase is the use of substances known collectively as “club drugs.” These are used at all-night dance parties, such as “raves” or “trances,” dance clubs, and bars. Examples are MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD.

The safest use of drugs is no use of drugs!

Cocaine

This drug is also called blow, crack, crank, “C”, coke, nose candy, rock, and white girl.

Dangers of Use

Increases pulse rate and blood pressure. Causes insomnia, irritability, and paranoia. Can result in severe depression, convulsions, heart attack, lung damage, hallucinations, brain damage, risk of infection (hepatitis, HIV from using contaminated needles), coma, and death.

Depressants

Examples are alcohol, barbiturates, sedatives, tranquilizers, downers, ludes, reds, and yellow jackets.

Dangers of Use

Causes drowsiness, slurred speech, drunkenness, memory loss, sudden mood shifts, depression, and lack of coordination. Can result in shallow breathing, dilated pupils, clammy skin, weak pulse, coma, and death.

Ecstasy

This is MDMA. Other names are Adam, Clarity, Lover’s Speed, and K.

Dangers of Use

Euphoric state initially, but depression can occur after taking the drug. Also carries the risk of a heat stroke from lack of fluids and sweating from dancing too long, especially in the hot environment of a club. May lead to a heart attack, seizure, and stroke.

GHB and GLB

GLB is a similar drug that turns into GHB in the body. Other names are: Grievous Bodily Harm; Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid Sex, Georgia Home Boy, and Scoop.

Dangers of Use

Common date rape drug that results in nausea, vomiting, a feeling of intoxication, and amnesia-like symptoms. The drug slows the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, and can cause the user’s breathing to stop. Overdose results in unconsciousness, coma, and eventual death. There is little difference in the dose that can get someone high and one that can cause death.

Inhalants

Examples are vapors from: Solvents, such as gasoline; aerosols, such as hair sprays; anesthetics, such as ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide; and spray paints, especially gold and silver.

Dangers of Use

Slows heart rate, breathing and brain activity. Can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, slurred speech, blurred vision. Can result in suffocation, heart failure, unconsciousness, seizures, brain damage, and even death.

Ketamine

This drug is also called: Special K, K, Vitamin K, and Cat Valium.

Dangers of Use

Causes dream-like states and hallucinations. Can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor functions, high blood pressure, depression, and breathing problems that can result in death.

LSD

This is also called acid, bloomers, and yellow sunshines.

Dangers of Use

Causes hallucinations, dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Nausea, weakness, numbness or trembling are common. Long term use can cause persistent psychosis and what used to be called “flashbacks” – re-experiencing symptoms of past hallucinogen use even though not taking the drug at the present time.

Marijuana

This is also called pot, grass, reefer, herb, jay, joint, smoke, weed, and AMP (marijuana with formaldehyde).

Dangers of Use

Can result in feelings of panic, impaired short term memory, decreased ability to concentrate, fatigue, paranoia, and possible psychosis. Also causes lung damage. Synthetic marijuana, such as K2 can have serious side effects, such as extremely high blood pressure, very fast heartbeat, paranoia, delusions, seizure, and hallucinations.

Methamphetamine

This drug is also called speed, ice, chalk, crystal meth, crack, fire, and glass.

Dangers of Use

Can result in memory loss, agitation, aggression, and violent or psychotic behavior and potential cardiac and neurological damage. Can contribute to higher rates of transmission of hepatitis and HIV, if injected. Can result in heart attacks, seizures, and death from overdose.

Rohypnol

This is also called R-2, Rib, Roofies, Rope, and Forget-Me Pill.

Dangers of Use

Common date rape drug. Used in sexual assaults. Results in decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, visual disturbances, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. When mixed with alcohol or other drugs, this clear, odorless, and tasteless drug can cause death.

Signs of a Drug Overdose

Signs of an overdose depend on the type of drug used. Call 9-1-1 or get emergency care for one or more of the following:

* Unconsciousness. This means the person is hard to rouse and can’t be made aware of his or her surroundings. This can be brief, such as with fainting or blacking out. It can put a person into a coma.

* No breathing or slow and shallow breathing. This means 10 or fewer breaths per minute or time lapses of more than 8 seconds between breaths.

* Slow pulse rate (40 or fewer beats per minute).

* Suicidal gestures.

* Seizures.

* Tremors.

* Sudden hostile personality or violent behavior.

* Very rapid pulse rate (140 or more beats per minute) and/or extreme anxiety or paranoia.

Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services

Gives names and phone numbers for local AA groups. Gives materials on the AA program.

www.aa.org

Al-Anon/Alateen World Service Office

A self-help program for families and friends of alcoholics. Also a referral line.

888.4AL-ANON (425.2666)

www.al-anon.org

American Council for Drug Education

A substance abuse prevention and education agency for youth, college students, parents, employers, educators, and health professionals.

800.488.DRUG (488.3784)

www.acde.org

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) World Services

Gives names and numbers for local self-help meetings.

310.559.5833

www.ca.org

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) World Services Inc.

Gives names and phone numbers for local self-help meetings and mails out literature on narcotics to hospitals and individuals.

818.773.9999

www.na.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Provides a free treatment referral service to link people with community-based substance abuse services they need.

800.662.HELP (662.4357)

www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Over-The-Counter Medication Safety

Medication

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are ones that you can get without a prescription. Often, they are less potent than prescribed ones. When taken in large amounts, though, an OTC medicine might equal or exceed the dose of a prescribed medicine. Read the information on the label. To learn more about OTC medicine labels, accesswww.fda.gov. Search for “over-the-counter medicine label.”

Use OTC Medicines Wisely

* Ask your doctor or health care provider what OTC products are safe for you to use and what you should take for pain and fever.

* To prevent harmful side effects and interactions, review all of the OTC medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies that you take with your doctor.

* Do not take OTC medicines on a regular basis unless your doctor tells you to.

* Read the package labels. Heed the warnings listed. If you are unsure whether or not an OTC medication will help or harm you, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Store medicines in a dry place and out of children’s reach. Do not call medicine “candy.”

* Before you take a medicine, check the expiration date. Discard expired medicines. Crush pills. Dissolve them in water. Mix this with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and put it in the garbage in a sealed bag.

* If you have an allergy to a medicine, check the list of ingredients on OTC medicine labels. Find out if what you are allergic to is in them. Some labels will warn persons with certain allergies to avoid taking that medicine.

* Do not take any OTC product if you are pregnant or nursing a baby unless your doctor or health care provider says it is okay.

* Before taking herbal remedies and supplements, check with your doctor.

Resources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

www.fda.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Suicidal Thoughts 2

Mental Health

Signs & Symptoms

* Writing a suicide note.

* Suicidal threats, gestures, or attempts.

* Thoughts of suicide that don’t go away or occur often.

Causes

* Depression.

* Bipolar disorder.

* Schizophrenia.

* Grief. Loss of a loved one.

* A side effect of some medicines. One is isotretinoin. This is prescribed for severe acne. Some antidepressants have this effect, too. This is more of a risk in the first days to the first month they are taken.

* A family history of suicide or depression.

* Money and relationship problems.

* Increasing use of alcohol and/or drugs.

* Withdrawing from others.

* Showing rage or seeking revenge.

* Behaving recklessly.

* Talking about feeling trapped, hopeless, or in unbearable pain.

Treatment

* Emergency care.

* Treating the mental and/or physical problems that lead to thoughts and attempts of suicide. Examples are bipolar disorder and depression.

* Counseling.

* Talking with family and friends often.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Suicidal Thoughts

* Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255.

* Let someone know. Talk to your doctor, a trusted family member, friend, or teacher. If it is hard for you to talk to someone, write your thoughts down. Let someone else read them.

To Help Prevent a Suicide

* Keep firearms, drugs, etc., away from persons at risk.

* Take courses that teach problem solving, coping skills, and suicide awareness.

* If you think the person is serious about suicide, get help. Watch and protect him or her until you get help. Keep the person talking. Ask questions such as, “Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?”

* Urge the person to call for help (e.g., his or her health care provider, a suicide prevention hotline, EMS, etc.) Make the call yourself if the person can’t or won’t.

* Express concern. The person needs to know that someone cares. Most suicidal persons feel alone. Tell the person how much he or she means to you and others. Talk about reasons to stay alive. Don’t judge. The person needs someone to listen, not preach moral values.

* Tell the person that depression and thinking about suicide can be treated. Urge him or her to get professional care. Offer help in seeking care.

Resources

Mental Health America (MHA)

800.969.6642

mentalhealthamerica.net

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

800.273.TALK (273.8255)

suicidepreventionlifeline.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Suicidal Thoughts

Student Health

For persons 15 to 24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death, behind unintentional injury and homicide. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. Young women attempt suicide 4 to 8 times more often than young men, but males are 4 times more likely than females to die from suicide.

Signs & Symptoms

A lot of people think about suicide or say things like, “I wish I was dead,” at times of great stress. For most people, these thoughts are a way to express anger and other emotions. They may not, in and of themselves, be a sign of a problem. The signs and symptoms that follow need medical care.

* Writing a suicide note.

* Suicidal threats, gestures, or attempts.

* Thoughts of suicide that don’t go away or that occur often.

(Note: In some suicides, no warning signs are shown or noticed.)

Causes

* Depression.

* Bipolar disorder.

* Schizophrenia.

* Grief. Loss of a loved one.

* A side effect of some medicines. One is isotretinoin. This is prescribed for severe acne. Some antidepressant medicines can increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, too. This is especially noted in children and adolescents. This risk may be higher within the first days to a month after starting the medicine. Persons who take antidepressants should be closely monitored.

* A family history of suicide or depression.

* Money and relationship problems.

Treatment

Suicidal threats and attempts are a person’s way of letting others know that he or she needs help. They should never be taken lightly or taken only as a “bluff.” Most people who threaten and/or attempt suicide more than once usually succeed if they are not stopped. Emergency care and hospitalization are necessary after an attempted suicide. Persons with suicidal thoughts should seek medical treatment.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

If You Are Having Thoughts of Suicide

* Let someone know. Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or teacher. If it is hard for you to talk directly to someone, write your thoughts down and let someone else read them.

* Call your school’s Mental Health Service, your local Crisis Intervention Center or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. Follow up with a visit to your health care provider or your school’s Mental Health Service.

How to Help a Friend Who May Be Suicidal

* Take him or her seriously. If your friend informs you of suicidal intentions, believe the threats.

* Keep firearms, drugs, etc. away from persons at risk.

* Take courses that teach problem solving, coping skills, and suicide awareness.

* If you think the person is serious about suicide, get help. Watch and protect him or her until you get help. Keep the person talking. Ask questions, such as, “Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?”

* Urge the person to call for help. If he or she is already under the care of a health care provider, have the person contact that provider first. If not, other places to contact are listed in the box below. Make the call yourself if the person can’t or won’t.

* Express concern. The person needs to know that someone cares. Most suicidal persons feel alone. Tell the person how much he or she means to you and others. Talk about reasons to stay alive. Don’t judge. The person needs someone to listen, not to preach moral values.

* Tell the person that depression and suicidal tendencies can be treated. Urge him or her to get professional care. Offer help in seeking care.

Resources

Your school’s Student Counseling or Mental Health Service or Student Health Service

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

888.333.AFSP (2377)

www.afsp.org

(This is not a crisis hotline.)

Metanoia Communications

www.metanoia.org/suicide

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

800.273.TALK (273.8255)

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Vaginal Problems

Women’s Health

A number of vaginal problems occur in women over age 50. Often, the problems are due to changes in the vagina that come with menopause. These include:

* Vaginal dryness

* Thinning of the walls of the vagina

* Loss of elasticity in the muscles in the vagina

* Shrinkage of the labia (external genitals that cover and protect the opening of the vagina)

These changes can lead to common vaginal problems, such as:

* Pain during and after intercourse

* Vaginitis – vaginal swelling, irritation, and/or infections.

Less common vaginal problems in women over 50 are:

* Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

* Cancer of the vagina, which is rare.

* Abnormal vaginal bleeding (unless still menstruating or on hormone therapy (HT)

It is common for menstrual periods to be irregular for several years before menopause. This is normal vaginal bleeding. For premenopausal women, the most common causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding, in this order, are: Not ovulating; malignancy; pregnancy; endometriosis; and benign tumors. The most common cause after menopause is malignancy.

The chart below lists signs and symptoms of vaginal problems and what to do about them. {Note: All vaginal bleeding that occurs after menstruation has stopped should be evaluated by your doctor.}

Hemorrhage

Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal bleeding with:

* A known bleeding disorder and you also have blood in your urine or stool

* Heavy vaginal bleeding after taking a clot dissolving drug for a heart attack or stroke

What to Do

Get immediate care.

Internal Injury

Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal bleeding after trauma to the abdomen, pelvis, or vagina or vaginal bleeding with any of these problems:

* Dizziness and very heavy bleeding (you saturate more than 1 full sized pad in an hour’s time)

* Pale and moist skin and a decreased level of consciousness

* Extreme shortness of breath or a very hard time breathing

* Severe abdominal pain

What to Do

Get immediate care.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries.

Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal bleeding with 2 or more of these problems:

* Abdominal tenderness and/or bloating

* Pain in the pelvis or back

* Pain during intercourse

* Skin on your abdomen feels sensitive

* Vaginal discharge with abnormal color or odor

* Change in menstrual flow, if still menstruating

* Fever, chills

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Infection of the cervix, uterus, or vagina

Cervical, uterine, or vaginal cancer.

Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal bleeding after menopause, unless on estrogen therapy (ET).

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Gonorrhea or similar sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Signs & Symptoms

Abnormal vaginal bleeding with:

* Mild itching and burning around the vagina

* Burning or pain when urinating or urinating more often

* A vaginal discharge with abnormal color

* Abdominal discomfort

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Genital Herpes

Signs & Symptoms

Sores and/or painful blisters in the genital area and sometimes on the thighs or buttocks

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Trichomoniasis

Signs & Symptoms

* Vaginal itching, burning, and redness

* Greenish-yellow vaginal discharge

* Burning or pain when urinating

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Bacterial Vaginosis

This is an infection from one or more types of bacteria that may or may not be sexually transmitted.

Signs & Symptoms

* Mild vaginal irritation or burning

* A thin, gray, or milky white vaginal discharge. This has a fishy odor, which is noticed more after sex. (About half of females have no symptoms.)

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Atrophic Vaginitis

This is caused by a decrease in estrogen.

Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal dryness, irritation, itching, and burning

What to Do

Contact doctor.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Signs & Symptoms

* Itching, irritation, and redness around the vagina

* Thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and may smell like yeast

* Burning and/or pain when urinating or with sex

What to Do

Use self-care.

Vaginitis from Contact Dermatitis

Signs & Symptoms

Itching and redness in the outer genital area without other symptoms

What to Do

Use self-care.

Care

Medical treatment depends on the cause.

For Atrophic Vaginitis:

Use a prescribed estrogen cream or prescribed estrogen pills.

For Bacterial Vaginosis:

Use a prescribed antibiotic cream or gel or prescribed antibiotic pills.

For a Vaginal Yeast Infection:

It is important, though, to make sure that you have the right problem diagnosed. A burning sensation could be a symptom of a urinary tract infection caused by bacteria, which requires an antibiotic. Antibiotics will not help yeast infections. They make them worse. Trichomoniasis mimics yeast infections, too.

Chronic vaginal infections can be one of the first signs of diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, or HIV in women.

Self-care measures treat most vaginal yeast infections. Your doctor can prescribe a vaginal cream or suppositories or an oral antifungal medicine, such as Diflucan.

For a Severe Case of Contact Dermatitis in the Vaginal Area:

Use an ointment prescribed by your doctor.

Other medical treatments are treating the specific cause, such as STIs, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer.

Self-Care / Prevention

For a Vaginal Yeast Infection or Bacterial Vaginosis:

* Bathe or shower often. Clean the inside folds of the vulva. Dry the vaginal area well.

* Wipe from front to back after using the toilet.

* Wear all-cotton underwear.

* Don’t wear garments that are tight in the crotch.

* Change underwear and workout clothes right away after sweating.

* If you still menstruate, use unscented tampons or sanitary pads and change them often.

* Don’t use bath oils, bubble baths, feminine hygiene sprays, or perfumed or deodorant soaps.

* Don’t sit around in a wet bathing suit.

* Shower after you swim in a pool to remove the chlorine from your skin. Dry the vaginal area well.

* Eat well. Include foods that contain live cultures of “lactobacillus acidophilus,” such as yogurt. If you can’t tolerate yogurt, take an over- the-counter product that contains lactobacillus acidophilus.

* Let your doctor know if you tend to get yeast infections whenever you take an antibiotic. He or she may have you also take a vaginal antifungal agent.

When You Have a Vaginal Yeast Infection:

* Use an over-the-counter product for vaginal yeast infections, such as Monistat, Gyne-Lotrimin, etc.

* Douche with a mild solution of 1 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar mixed in 1 quart of warm water. Repeat only once a day (up to 7 days) until the symptoms subside. Don’t do this if you are pregnant or if you have a sexually transmitted disease.

* Limit sugar and foods with sugar.

For Vaginal Dryness and Painful Intercourse:

* Don’t use deodorant soaps or scented products in the vaginal area.

* Use a water soluble lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly, Replens, etc. Avoid oils or petroleum-based products.

* Use an estrogen cream for the vagina. Your doctor needs to prescribe this.

* Keep sexually active.

* Don’t use antihistamines unless truly needed.

For Contact Dermatitis in the Vaginal Area:

* Avoid products that cause the problem (scented items, douches, etc.).

* Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. Use this infrequently, though. Hydrocortisone can, itself, lead to thinning of the vaginal tissue. Follow package directions.

* Put a cool compress on the affected area.

* Wash your underwear in a gentle detergent. Rinse it twice. Use only plain water for the second rinse. Don’t use a fabric softener.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Vomiting & Nausea

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

Signs & Symptoms

* Vomiting is throwing up the stomach’s contents. Dry heaves may precede or follow vomiting.

* Nausea is when you feel like you’re going to throw up.

Causes

* Viruses in the intestines. Eating spoiled food or eating or drinking too much.

* A side effect of some medications, such as certain antibiotics.

* Motion sickness. Morning sickness in pregnant females.

* Labyrinthitis. This is inflammation of an area in the ear. Often, a respiratory infection causes this.

* Migraine headaches.

* Acute glaucoma.

* Stomach ulcers.

* A blockage in the small or large intestine (bowel).

* A concussion from a head injury.

* Hepatitis.

* Meningitis. This is inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Vomiting

* Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or take aspirin.

* Don’t eat solid foods. Don’t drink milk.

* Drink clear liquids at room temperature (not too hot or cold). Good examples are water; sport drinks, such as Gatorade; diluted fruit juices; ginger ale, etc. Take small sips. Drink only 1 to 2 ounces at a time. Stir carbonated beverages to get all the bubbles out before you sip them. Suck on ice chips if nothing else will stay down. {Note: For children, contact your child’s doctor about using over- the-counter (OTC) mixtures, such as Pedialyte.}

* Gradually return to a regular diet, but wait about 8 hours from the last time you vomited. Start with foods like dry toast, crackers, rice, and other foods that are easy to digest. Or, eat foods as tolerated. Avoid greasy or fatty foods.

For Nausea Without Vomiting

* Drink clear liquids. Eat small amounts of dry foods, such as soda crackers, if they help.

* Avoid things that irritate the stomach, such as alcohol and aspirin.

* For motion sickness, use an over-the-counter medicine, such as Dramamine. You could also try Sea-Bands, a wrist band product that uses acupressure on a certain point on the wrist to control motion sickness. Sporting goods stores and drugstores sell Sea-Bands.

Resources

Foodsafety.gov

www.foodsafety.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
West Nile Virus

General Health Conditions

Mosquito bites cause West Nile virus if the mosquito is infected with it.

Signs & Symptoms

Most people who get the virus will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 persons will get mild ones (West Nile fever). Symptoms usually occur 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. See doctor for the following:

* Fever.

* Headache.

* Body aches.

* Skin rash on the trunk of the body (sometimes).

* Swollen lymph glands (sometimes).

About 1 in 150 persons get symptoms of a severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis). Get Immediate Care for the following:

* High fever.

* Stiff neck.

* Severe headache.

* Muscle weakness.

* Tremors. Confusion.

* Convulsions.

* Decreasing level of consciousness.

* Paralysis.

Prevention

Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Stay indoors at peak mosquito biting times (dawn, dusk, and early evening). Apply an insect repellent with DEET to clothing and exposed skin to last long enough for the times you will be outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

www.cdc.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
4 Warning Signs Of Teen Depression

SELF-CARE CORNER

Withdrawn. Irritable. Sleepy. This could describe almost any teenager, but these are also symptoms of teen depression.

Teen depression sometimes gets overlooked because it doesn’t always look like depression in adults. For example, sadness is a core feature of most depression and what most people associate with depression, according to Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Many teens also experience other symptoms-parents might miss these warning signs.

1.Sleep disturbance.“Many adolescents sleep until noon on a Saturday, but if you notice a change in their sleep or their sleep is irregular even more than before, that’s something to worry about,” Dr. Duckworth says.

2.Social changes.“Adolescents are typically very focused on social connections,” he says. “If they’re not interested in their social network and they want to quit sports, pay attention to that.”

3.Physical symptoms.Some teens demonstrate their emotional distress through physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach aches, weakness, and body aches.

4.Substance abuse.Some depressed teens use drugs and alcohol to change how they’re feeling. Abusing drugs and alcohol also increases the risk for depression or worsening depression.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Abdominal Pain

Abdominal & Urinary Conditions

The abdomen is the body region between the lower ribs and the pelvis. Many vital organs make up this body region.

Signs & Symptoms

The type of pain, its location, and other symptoms that come with it point to the cause.

* Mild to severe pain. It can feel dull or sharp.

* Acute (sudden) pain.

* Chronic pain. This is constant pain or pain that recurs over time.

Causes

Abdominal pain can be a symptom of a problem that affects any of the organs. Causes of abdominal pain include:

* Artery diseases, such as a blocked artery or an aneurysm.

* Celiac disease.

* Constipation.

* Crohn’s disease.

* Food poisoning.

* Gallstones.

* Heartburn. Indigestion.

* Infections, such as ones in the digestive tract and urinary tract.

* Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

* Kidney stones.

* Menstrual cramps or ovarian cysts in females.

* Reflux.

* Stomach ulcers.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. The key is knowing when it’s just a minor problem like a mild stomach ache or when it’s something worse. Pain that persists can be a sign of a medical condition or illness. Very severe abdominal pain usually needs immediate medical care.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Find a comfortable position. Relax.

* Take an over-the-counter pain medicine as directed on the label.

* Apply a heating pad set on low (adults only).

* Don’t wear clothes that fit tight.

* Don’t exercise too hard.

* Use a hot water bottle on the area that aches.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic problem that can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Other symptoms are fever, fatigue, and, at times, rectal bleeding or drainage. Symptoms occur when the disease flares up. This is followed by periods when symptoms go away or lessen.

With Crohn’s disease, any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, can be inflamed. Usually, the colon and the last part of the small intestine, the ileum, are affected.

Treatment for Crohn’s disease includes medicines, nutrition supplements, and surgery.

Resources

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America

www.ccfa.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stress At The College Level

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

The American College Health Association says that 30 percent of college students feel that stress hurts their academic success. Difficult classes, important exams, internships and jobs, and social events are just a few of the issues that can cause stress for young adults. Georgetown University offers these tips for stressed out students:

* Avoid alcohol, smoking, and other substances. They harm the body and make you feel worse in the long-term.

* Rely on your friends for support or take advantage of counseling services on campus.

* Minimize caffeine intake and make sleep a priority. Most college students need eight hours or more per night. Stick to a regular sleep schedule.

* Write in a journal.

* Find time for fun activities, such as exercise classes or campus events.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026