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The Real Big O

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About one third of students here at Ohio State are Overweight or Obese.    The good news is that we’re no worse off than other universities across the country.  The bad news is that things may get a lot worse after graduation – almost twice that many people (63.4% to be exact) are overweight or obese in the general population!  Wow!  Why?

It’s a simple answer to a very complicated problem: too many calories and not enough activity.

In a recent survey, only about 60% of Ohio States students reported eating the minimal recommendation of 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day.  And only 40% said they took part in intense cardio or aerobic activity in the last week.  We’ve got to correct this balance between calorie intake and expenditure if we’re going to keep Buckeye Nation fit, and luckily we are surrounded by resources right here on campus to help us! 

Campus Dining Services lets you see the nutritional content of food served at Ohio State here.  Take a few minutes to see how many calories you’re actually taking in – you might be surprised.

If you need help coming up with a healthy eating plan, you can consult with registered dieticians here at Student Health or with our friends at Student Wellness.

And while the RPAC is the crown jewel of campus physical fitness, there are many other awesome facilities and programs here at Ohio State: 5 indoor facilities, 20 outdoor facilities, more than 60 organized clubs dedicated to fitness, 15 intramural leagues each quarter, and more than 50 PE classes per quarter.  You can learn more about them here. 

As great as these facilities are, we know that they can be intimidating – you don’t know where to go, how to use the equipment, or you feel like the super-buff regulars might give you a dirty look.  If that’s the case, then start off with something you already do every day – go for a walk! 

Rec Sports has some great maps for walking/jogging trails on campus that range in distance from 1.0 to 4.6 miles.  Grab your iPod or a friend and hit the road!

College is a watershed time in your life, so try to shed (pun intended) those old habits and gain new healthy ones.  What you learn during your time at Ohio State will shape the rest of your life and we want you to make the Big “O” at Ohio State mean “Outstanding” in every way.

Jo Hanna Friend D’Epiro, PA-C, MPH (OSU SHS)

Pink Eye Panic

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Photo 1

Allergic conjunctivitis

Q: My eyes were gooped up this morning and my roommate is freaking out.  Do I need antibiotic drops?

A:  Not necessarily.  It is common for us to wake up with some crustiness in the corner of our eyes. This is primarily caused by our tears drying on our eye lids overnight.  However, crustiness associated with any of the following symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention as soon as possible:

  • Eyes that are stuck shut in the morning
  • Eyes that are red, irritated and watery
  • Burning sensation
  • Vision changes
  • Sensitivity to bright lights.

I know that just saying the words “pink eye” is enough to send people screaming down the street while spraying antibacterial lotion at you over their shoulder, but it’s important to remember that not all goopy eyes are infected.  Take a look at the photos to the right.  One is “pink eye” caused by a viral infection and the other is caused by allergies.  Can you tell which one is which?  (Answers below)

Allergies, dry eyes and other irritants can cause the same symptoms and they are treated differently.  And the “pink eye” kind of eye infection that spreads like wildfire through daycares is much less common in adults.  You should obviously avoid touching your eyes, wash your hands frequently and come in to get checked out, but you don’t need to be in quarantine.

A great way to prevent bacterial build-up on the eyelids and prevent infection is to wash your eyelids and eyelashes regularly by performing a “lid scrub.” With your eyes closed, rub gently along the eyelashes for about 30 seconds with a soft wash cloth moistened with warm water and diluted baby shampoo.  You can also use a specifically formulated eyelid scrub that can be found over-the-counter (Sterilid and Ocusoft are two brands we recommend).  If you wear contact lenses, be sure to take them out beforehand. 

Performing these lid scrubs once a day – along with wearing sunglasses – will help you maintain healthy eyelids and keep you seeing straight for years to come!

Nazreen Esack, OSU College of Optometry

Julia Geldis, OD (OSU SHS)

photo 1: virus infection          photo 2: allergies

photos: UpToDate.com

Why is my poop green?

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photobucket.com

Q: Why is my poop green?

A: Green poop is usually caused by your diet – as they say, what goes in must come out.  Green vegetables like spinach and broccoli contain large amounts of chlorophyll, a green pigment that can remain in the stool as it passes through your system. Artificial dyes from things like soft drinks and candies can also cause your stool to be weird colors.  Blueberries and Pepto Bismol can turn your stool black.

Another potential cause of green poop is bile. Bile is a greenish/yellowish chemical stored in our gall bladder that helps us to digest fat.  It is usually broken down in the intestines and gives stool it’s normal brown color.  But if stool moves too quickly through the intestines – like when you have diarrhea – it can pass through unchanged and give the stool a greenish color.

There are some infections, such as Salmonella, that can cause green poop but they are usually associated with severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Unless you’re having other symptoms we don’t usually worry too much about the color of poop.  The only exception would be black or red, which can be a sign of bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract.  If you ate a big piece of Red Velvet cake the night before, it’s probably OK.  But if you see red or black in the toilet bowl, and/or you are having other symptoms (abdominal pain, fever, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, etc.) be sure to come in and see us.

Adam Brandeberry, Med IV (OSU COM)

John A. Vaughn, MD (OSU SHS)

Icky Feet!

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The latest in foot care technology?

To everything in primary care there is a season. Winter, for example, to me will forever be associated with runny noses, the flu, and the smell of Purell.  Summer is filled with poison ivy and sunburn.  Autumn brings allergies and sports physicals.

Spring for me is feet.  

As soon as the flip flops and sandals come out, patients start showing me their flakey and discolored toe nails; cracked dry heels; and their athlete’s foot. If you have a fungus among us-either in the toenail or the skin-then you need to see us for some of our prescription mojo.  But those dry, rough heels? You can deal with those yourself.

Dry skin on your heels is just a build-up of a lot of dead tissue, and it needs to come off. You’ll need a little elbow grease and a good, thick emollient. Go to your local grocery or big box store (i.e. Target) and pick up something to grind that tissue away, preferably something with two sides like sandpaper: a coarse side and a fine grit side. In fact, you can use actual sandpaper!  Ideally, 60-grade aluminum dioxide sandpaper on a sanding block, which basically makes a giant emery board.  It’s cheap, one package lasts forever, and it gets the job done.

Gently attack those rough, tough, thick areas on your heels, a little at a time. Wash off the powdery stuff that is left with soap and water in the shower, or soak your feet for 10 minutes or so in warm water.  When you’re done, apply a very thick emollient, like petroleum jelly, Eucerin (in the tub), Aquaphor, or something with lanolin. If you have time, throw on a thick pair of cotton socks for a few minutes to let that stuff work its magic.

Do this a few times a week and after a month or so you’ll have feet worthy of your finest gladiator sandals!  If you’ve been toiling away at foot perfection and it just isn’t working, come on in to see us.  We’ll set you up with a lotion that will help eat away that dead skin.

If you’re diabetic, have problems with your circulation, or have open wounds or pain in your feet – don’t try this at home.  You should have a foot specialist take a look to make sure nothing more serious is going on and you don’t do any damage to vital structures.

If you have questions or aren’t sure about the low down on your feet, get on the horn and make an appointment with your health care provider – we’re here to help you out. 

Victoria Rentel, MD (OSU SHS)

photo: ehow.com

Shouting “Smoke!” in a crowded theater

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Which of these phrases gets your pulse up? 

  • “Wanna grab a smoke?”
  • “Look at that disgusting ashtray right by the door.”
  • “Man, can you believe how far I have to walk to smoke a cigarette?”
  • “Ooooh, that cigarette smoke is coming in my window!”
  • “Gee is taking away my rights!”
  • “College students should be smart enough to not smoke!”

People feel strongly about smoking.  At least in cycles.  It is somewhat like a presidential election – every few years, people declare their intentions to fight for smokers’ rights, or to fight for a ban on all tobacco.   It’s one of those things that never goes away.  Yet the issue is a hard one to resolve.  Even the USG candidates and President Gee disagreed in the Lantern on what should be done. 

Perhaps we can agree on:

  • Nicotine is an addictive stimulant. Once you start using it, it is hard to stop.
  • Burning tobacco leaves and inhaling the smoke, or using any of the new smokeless versions exposes the user to multiple health risks.
  • For a lot of nonsmoking people, being around tobacco smoke is irritating and bad for their health too.

This is not a new debate for OSU, or across the country for that matter. Reducing tobacco use has been a prevention priority since the 1964 report from the Office of Surgeon General, which first described the hazards.  It has even recently come under regulatory control by the Food and Drug Administration. 

So, should we discuss this issue again?  Do we do something about it?  If doing something, what?  Give us your comments. 

Breathe easy.

Roger Miller, MD (SHS Preventive Medicine) for BuckMD

 

Ride with the Pelotonia Student Team

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Buckeyes Riding to Beat Cancer!

Did you know that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer?

Help change this startling statistic by riding with us on August 21st in Pelotonia! Pelotonia is a grass roots bike tour with one goal: to end cancer. In its inaugural year, Pelotonia raised $4.5 million for life saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, every dollar raised by riders goes directly to cancer research.  As a Buckeye, the registration fee is waived and your fund raising minimum is only $500. All funds must be raised by Friday, August 13, 2010.

Every rider will receive a Pelotonia rider jersey, goodie bag, food, drinks, entertainment, transportation and overnight lodging at Ohio University if they do the two-day ride.  Ohio State students also get a 10% discount and another 10% re-contribution towards your fundraising at Roll: bike stores. 

To register, visit here and contact pelotoniastudentteam@gmail.com about submitting the completed registration form!

Thanks and Go Bucks!

I stepped on a nail. Do I need a tetanus shot?

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Ouch!!!

Q: I stepped on a nail and am wondering if I need a tetanus shot.  My last shot was 5 years ago.

A: You should probably get a tetanus shot in this case.  Tetanus vaccines are given to children in the USA with a series of 5 childhood shots called the DTaP.  The vaccine covers diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.  A booster that contains vaccines to all three diseases is given between the ages of 11 and 18.  After that, it is recommended that adults get the Tdap booster vaccine every 10 years, and sooner (every 5 years) if there is an injury. 

Puncture wounds from objects like nails and bites are most susceptible to infection with tetanus. However, you can also get tetanus from any exposure to soil, including minor cuts, scrapes, and burns, and sometimes with no injury at all. 

Once the tetanus bacteria get into your tissues, it starts creating toxins.  These toxins interfere with nerves, which leads to spasms, contractions, and respiratory failure.  We take this disease seriously because it is potentially deadly but very preventable.

It is important to take care of a skin wound to prevent infection.  The first steps should be to clean the wound with soap and water.  Use an antibiotic cream and keep the wound covered with a bandage until it scabs over.  Remember to change the dressing daily or it becomes wet or dirty, and seek care if the wound is getting more red or painful, or if you have other concerns. 

FINAL SUMMARY – if you get hurt, consider getting a tetanus shot if it has been more than 5 years since your last booster, and keep your tetanus protection up-to-date every ten years. 

We provide the tetanus vaccine and many others here at the Student Health Center, so you can always come in and see us to get one.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tetanus/DS00227

Adam Brandeberry, Med IV (OSU COM)

Roger Miller, MD (OSU Preventive Medicine)

 

Flashes and floaters and Eyes, Oh My!

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eyehealth.co.uk

Have you ever seen flashes of light or weird little floaters in your vision? Wonder what causes them, and if they’re something to worry about?  Well wonder no more my friends!

Your eye is composed of a gel-like substance called the vitreous that helps maintain the shape of the eye and acts as a “shock absorber” to protect the fragile retina. As we get older, the vitreous begins to liquefy and deteriorate, and the contents of the vitreous clump together. These clumps of vitreous can appear in your vision as “spots,” “cobwebs,” or “floaters” and may vary in size and location. These floaters tend to appear as moving spots in your vision and can come and go throughout the day.

Floaters are quite common and usually harmless, but they may lead to other more serious conditions, such as retinal tears or detachments. It is important to see an eye care professional immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • sudden onset of floaters
  • loss of vision that accompanies the floaters
  • numerous or large floaters
  • floaters associated with trauma to the eyes or head
  • a sudden increase (or “shower”) of floaters
  • flashes of light

Flash of light are a little more worrisome.  They are caused by stimulation of the retina, which can be due to many things:

  • a retinal tear or detachment
  • a posterior vitreous detachment (common)
  • migraine headaches (common)
  • rapid eye movements (very common)
  • retinal infections or inflammations (rare)
  • central nervous system disorders (rare)

If you see any flashes of light it is very important to see your eye doctor right away to make sure you don’t have a retinal tear or detachment; if left untreated they can result in vision loss. 

If you have any concerns about your vision, you can make an appointment with Student Health Optometry Services – we’re happy to check you out.

Tia Tucker, OPT IV (Ohio State College of Optometry)

Julia Geldis, OD (Staff Optometris, SHS)

Muscle Milk or Mother’s Milk?

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diseaseproof.com

So you want to put on some muscle for the summer.  You’ve started going to the gym and are seeing some results, but you want to get there faster.  You’re eating a good diet, but you want to take it a step further and use nutritional supplements.  You’ve heard about this new stuff called Muscle Milk, and it sounds healthier than the average Ab-Blaster-Rip-Tear-Phytosterol-Gorilla-Pump-XXXX-5000 on GNC’s shelves, so you decide to try it out.  But what does it really do?

One serving of Muscle Milk contains 18g of fat, 12g of carbs, and 32g of protein.  Why all the fat?  Well, Muscle Milk’s marketing angle is that it is designed to mimic human breast milk – it even contains “purified bovine colostrum extract”.  Let me translate – it contains powdered cow breast milk. 

The thought behind this is that we go through our most rapid growth in infancy, and breast milk is optimized to provide the necessary nutrition, immunity boosters, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to achieve that growth.  Apparently cow’s milk is even “stronger” than human breast milk (and presumably easier to obtain in mass quantities) so if you really want to get buff but don’t have the time or inclination to head out to the Ag campus and milk a cow into your water bottle, Muscle Milk is more than happy to provide you the same benefits for about 40 bucks a jar (a little less than $3 a glass). 

Of course, none of these claims are backed up by any scientific evidence whatsoever, nor has Muscle Milk been tested for safety since “supplements” don’t have to go through the same FDA approval process as medicines do.  But the bottle looks cool and Shaq endorses it, so it’s gotta be good, right?

Whether or not Muscle Milk provides any advantage over plain old good nutrition is debatable, and we’re not endorsing the use of it, or any other supplements.   The best we can say is that while it contains many ingredients that are necessary for muscle growth, it should not be the primary source of your nutrition if you decide to use it.  

If you really want to learn how to achieve your goals in a healthy, balanced way, leave the cows to the vet students and come talk to our Registered Dieticians at the Student Health Center.  It’s a lot cheaper and you won’t have to dodge as many cow patties.

Adam Brandeberry, Med IV (OSU COM)

John A. Vaughn, MD (OSU SHS)

Flash mob at Union! See President Gee dancing!

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Two days ago, a group of Ohio State students broke out into an “impromptu” dance number at the new Ohio Union.  President Gee stopped by with Brutus and danced along with his fellow Buckeyes.  If you’re a fan of dancing, singing, Glee or Journey, check out this video.  Technically, it has nothing to do with your health – or Student Health Services for that matter – but seeing President Gee dance has got to be good for treating the Wednesday “Hump Day” blahs!

Go Bucks!