The college years are a time of new experiences, unfamiliar responsibilities, growing pains, and learning curves. Whether you stay in a dorm, live close to your home, or move away to a four-year university, it is a time when some students take care of their physical or mental health without their parent’s assistance.
Experts and researchers in mental health frequently use terms like ‘epidemic’ and ‘crisis’ to describe the mental health challenges that many college students in the United States face these days.
Around 30% of students said anxiety had a negative impact on their academic performance in the Fall 2021 National College Health Assessment. In addition, nearly one-fifth of students said they had been diagnosed with depression by a healthcare professional.
Mood disorders are just one of the many mental health issues that many college students face. Suicide and suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and substance abuse are common problems.
Students’ illness is a severe issue. Many pieces of research are available concerning health education dissertation topics related to diseases among youngsters, so the students could understand their situations.
Some chronic medical problems begin in the 18-24 age group as a new occurrence, while others persist from childhood. Seizures, migraine headaches, bronchial asthma, other atopic disorders, type I insulin-dependent diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and peptic ulcer disease are just a few illnesses regularly seen in student health centers (Patrick et al., 1992). Some cancers are more common in college-aged people. These disorders are increasing rapidly (Hunt et al., 2010).
Some of the major diseases are listed below:
1. DEPRESSION:
Depression is a mental disease characterized by chronic sorrow, despair, and a loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities.
Mood fluctuations, sleep difficulties, hunger changes, headaches, and/or bodily pains may occur without evident physical reason in people experiencing a depressive episode. It is one of the utmost communal mental health issues among college students worldwide.
Consider whether you have ever felt intense sorrow or hopelessness or whether you or anybody in your family has a history of depression. Students may resort to binge drinking or drug usage in such situations to alleviate their distress. Substance use is becoming an immense problem among college students (Pedrelli et al., 2015). They also could have suicidal or even death thoughts. There could be any reason, but most students get depressed due to their performance in exams or low grades. Still, there is no need to worry about them because, in today’s world, many educational institutes and other organizations offer a helping hand through various counseling sessions and even writing services. Many services hire experienced online dissertation writers for writing dissertations or research essays on complicated subjects. One should never burden themselves and ask for help when needed. Students usually waste a lot of time writing their proposal, let alone their dissertation. Time is vital for any student he needs to concentrate on other subjects and activities too (Qureshi, 2021)
2. MENINGITIS:
The protective tissue surrounding the spinal cord and brain is infected with meningitis. One of the most prevalent dangerous infections among college students is hepatitis C. The bacterial form is of particular concern because of its rapid start. It can also result in catastrophic consequences such as brain damage and physical impairment.
Meningitis is more common among college students since they live in close quarters. Meningitis and other infectious illnesses can spread quickly in dorms, flats, dining halls, and classrooms.
Vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect students against meningitis. Vaccines for bacterial meningitis are normally6 given at the age of 11 or 12. However, they can be given to young adults as early as 23. If your doctor believes your child is in danger, booster doses may be issued until adulthood.
3. VIRAL DISEASES:
Because most college events include large groups of individuals in close quarters, several illnesses can quickly spread. These include:
- Influenza virus.
- Staph infections that are resistant to antibiotics
- A typical cold.
- Group A streptococcus (strep throat).
To battle the spread of infectious diseases, the CDC recommends hygienic hand washing and avoiding close contact with large groups of people. Although college students tend to take their health and wellness for granted, the spread of disease can be pretty serious.
4. EATING DISORDER:
According to researchers, between 11 to 17 percent of female college students and 4% of male college students test positive for clinical eating disorder symptoms. Significant abnormalities in eating patterns and an excessive fixation with an undefined body image define eating disorders.
Food deprivation and binge eating are also possible symptoms of these illnesses. Anorexia and bulimia are the most common eating disorders if not treated appropriately. Still, anxiety disorders and non-feeding mental health conditions also have a high prevalence among those who suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders are life-threatening and contribute to significant health problems. Altering body shape and weight is a common feature of most eating disorders. Feelings of stress and anxiety are commonly experienced by those with eating disorders, and this often impacts physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach cramps, nervousness, or worry. One should consult the national eating disorders Association for guidance. Every individual with an eating disorder shares these behaviors and characteristics to a varying degree.
5. STI:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are also a threat to college students. Each year, people aged 15 to 24 account for up to half of all STI diagnoses. Parents should communicate with their teenagers before their kid leaves for college and talk about safe sex. Educational institutes should encourage young women and men studying in their institutes to receive the HPV vaccine. Among all STIs, chlamydia is the most common, with nearly 6.8 million cases occurring in 2008 and approximately 300,000 new cases each year.
CONCLUSION:
Premature morbidity and mortality and reduced quality of life for college students are caused by several behavioral, developmental, and environmental issues throughout the above list of health problems and concerns for college students. These factors can be listed and addressed by public health and preventive medicine. Despite the fact that they can be considered separately, it is critical to comprehend their interconnected nature.
