Finals cause no health concerns to students

With the end of the semester coming up, students don't want to miss classes and of course, their finals.

A lot of students aren't changing their health habits to make sure they stay healthy when the deadline comes.

Lisa Woods, illustration major, said, "I don't think about [my health]."

Some are paying a little more attention to their health behavior. "I sleep more and I eat a lot," said Connie Lee, Japanese major.

Others do change their health habits, but for the entire semester, not just for finals week. "I [exercise more] before school starts so I feel energized [throughout the semester]," said David Sanchez, biology major.

Most students should get by with only a couple weeks of school left. But without an extra precaution, an untimely flu will make the end of the semester an unpleasant one.

CSULB hosts the Wellness Week

Last week was Wellness Week at CSULB.

Wellness Week included a Donald P. Lauda lecture on Tuesday, a Friendship Walk on Wednesday, and exercise demonstrations.

All of these events were free to the public but space was limited to some events like the Lauda lecture, a series of presentations from health experts.

It was sponsored by the College of Health and Human Services.

Signs were posted around campus advertising this.

However, signs haven't made an impression on all students.

Connie Lee, Japanese major, said, "I didn't notice the signs." The signs had bold messages on one side to catch people's attention like "Be alert, paying attention is free."

Students getting the case of the migraines

The end of the semester is coming and headaches are spreading around the campus.

Most students might not know whether they have just a regular headache or a migraine.

Some more obvious signs of a migraine include:
- throbbing pain in one or both sides of the head,
- eye pain,
- neck pain,
- numbness or tingling,
- nausea or vomiting,
- light, noise, and smell triggers the pain,
- activity worsens the pain and
- dizziness, double vision, or loss of vision.

But according to a Health.com article, there are some other signs of a migraine.

Mood changes like depression, irritability and excitement can be a sign of a migraine. Even things like cravings (like chocolate), frequent urination and excessive yawning can be signs of a migraine.

A post in Health Blog says, "As many as one-third of migraine sufferers with aura experience forewarning symptoms even the day before a migraine attack that might create an opportunity for intervention and prevention."

Healthy fast food breakfast

Students go to school full-time and work full-time.

That leaves very little time to sit down at home to have a good meal.

Everyone knows that the Sausage McMuffin isn't the ideal breakfast, but there are actually healthy breakfast items on fast food menus.

Health.com had a bigger list of foods, but here are the healthy items that are good for on-the-go and can be found all over Southern California.

Starbucks's Protein Artisan Snack Plate is a good source of grain, produce and fiber.

Jamba Juice's Berry Topper Ideal Meal is packed with vitamin C, D and calcium.

McDonald's Fruit & Maple Oatmeal will help you watch cholesterol and control blood sugar.

Subway's Western Egg White & Cheese Muffin Melt has 680mg of sodium, but is otherwise healthy.

Free HIV testing every other Thursday

Starting March 8, the CSULB Health Center set up a Mobile Clinic to provide students with free confidential HIV testing.

The next time the Mobile Clinic should be available is March 22.

According to the HRC's Facebook page, the test involves an oral swab and results are provided in a half hour. No blood work is needhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifed.

Caffeinated students on campus

Midterms are coming and going, and CSULB students are turning to coffee and energy drinks more often than not.

Health.com suggests these ways to cut back on caffeine:
- gradually cut back,
- find another drink to go,
- take a Tylenol to ease the headache symptoms of caffeine withdrawal,
- drink more water,
- exercise,
- eat healthier,
- have consistent meals (one every four hours),
- sleep more and
- try things like yoga or meditation.

Movies influencing alchoholism

Twenty-seven percent of adolescents, 10-19 years old, in a survey conducted by the journal, Pediatrics, said that they had consumed at five or more drinks on at least one occasion, according to an article on Health.com.

With the number of students going to CSULB that are under 21, this is a cause of concern.

Dr. Dimitri Christakis, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, told HealthDay News that these individuals are vulnerable to suggestion because they're seeking identity and role models.

According to this study, 86 percent of 655 movies included at least one alcohol scene.