Q and A Library  

Ask the Health Nuts

Past Q & A's

 

How Can I Eat Healthy On Campus? 

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Dear Nuts about Health Food,

Eating healthy on campus- and off for that matter- can be so tough! It’s great that you’re interested because it IS possible, I promise!  In fact, Campus Dining Services works closely with a Dietitian to make sure they are providing healthy options for all you “Health Nuts” out there!  Firstly, if you’re eating mainly inside the dining halls there are a few things to watch out for. Switching soda for water is a great start! Have you tried the infused water in the hot spot? It tastes great if you’re looking for flavor without all the sugar! Another substitute option is getting the grilled chicken from the diner without the bread and fries, and then making your own chicken salad. The best way to know you’re making good choices is to follow the MyPlate resource. You can find this at http://www.choosemyplate.gov. The great thing about MyPlate is you can always try your best to follow the guidelines no matter where you are on campus. In a “nutshell” you want 30% of your plate or meal to be grains, 30% to be vegetables, 20% protein and 20% Fruits, accompanied by a serving of non fat dairy like milk or yogurt!

Have you heard of the NAU Campus Dining app? If you have a smart phone you can download it free and use it to see how many calories are in the foods you’re eating, or drinking! If you are avoiding foods that are fried, or high in sodium that’s a great start! Heading to the Green Scene Café or Garden Toss are great places to get lunch because they don’t have unhealthy options to tempt you! If you’re a bagel fan, Einstein’s offers low fat cream cheese and you could take milk instead of the soda cup! As you leave the dining halls, grab a piece of fruit for a snack between meals to help you reach those 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day.

Feel free to come by Health Promotions in the HLC for more information!   And congratulations on being proactive!

Happy Eating!

-The Health Nuts

My roommate has herpes.  Can I catch it by sharing a bath tub or touching the door handle after her?

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“My Roommate has herpes and I am wondering if I can get it by using the same bathtub or by touching the same doorknob.”

Don’t freak out! Viruses such as herpes die almost immediately once outside of the body, so that’s good news! I think it is safe to say you have probably not contracted the virus from sharing the bathtub with your friend.

Herpes can be transferred by vaginal, anal and oral sex or by simple skin to skin contact where there are lesions (sores) present. Remember there are different strains of herpes and one strain that may infect your mouth (cold sores) could be transferred to the genitals. Here is a little known fact: the most common symptom of an STI is…none! In most cases people infected with herpes will show no symptoms at all until an ‘outbreak’ occurs. Sometimes this could take years and the outbreaks could be as a result of a stressful finals week or nasty cold you’ve come down with. Common visible symptoms would be small, painful blisters on sex organs or the mouth.

Even though you haven’t gotten herpes from sharing a bathtub with your roomie, if you are sexually active and worried about having an STI , I would recommend getting tested to put your mind at ease. STI tests are super easy and the doctors are there to make you feel comfortable. You could go to Campus Health Services for a small charge (928-523-8995) or at Coconino County Public Health Services. Although Herpes is not “curable” it IS treatable just like all other STI’s.  So when in doubt, check it out!  One in two sexually active young adults will contract an STI by age 25 and most won’t know it.  Know your status, talk to your partner and check these other websites for more answers to questions about STI’s.

www.gyt.org 

www.cdc.gov/herpes 

How can I tell if I have an STI (sexually transmitted infection)?

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Dear How Can I Tell, 

 

There is no foolproof way to tell if you have an STI. Often sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms so they go undetected. However, common symptoms include: discharge, itching, sores, pain during urination or intercourse, redness/rash, odor, and fatigue or flu like symptoms. These can be remembered my using the mnemonic device DISPROOF. A person may not have all of these symptoms and they may also come and go. Even having a rash for a couple days can be a symptom of an STI. The best way to know if you have an STI is to get tested. If you have had unprotected sex, multiple partners, or have any symptoms it is important to get tested right away. Better safe than sorry!  

The good news is that there are also lots of ways to prevent yourself from having to go through the agony of wondering “Do I have an STI?”.  Remember using a condom correctly every time you have sex, limiting your sexual partners and knowing your partner’s sexual history are all good ways to reduce the chances of being in this predicament.  No method is foolproof so make sure you consider all your options when deciding whether or not to have sex.  Sometimes, there may be an occasion to use that old Nancy Reganism and “just say no”.  

 

Thanks for being proactive in protecting your nuts and berries!

 

In good health,

-The Health Nuts

 How do I go about getting a genital exam?  What is involved?

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Hello,

 

Since you didn't specify what sex you are, I'm gonna cover both! Now you know double the info.

 

So, if you want to start with getting to know your genitals I recommend grabbing a mirror. To do a self exam for both men and women you're going to want to gently feel around your penis or vulva (and look with the mirror if necessary) to try and find anything unusual. By unusual I mean raised zit-looking things (warts), discharge, tenderness (in the testicles for men), or anything else that you think should not be there. If one labia is bigger than the other or if you penis is slightly crooked, then that's pretty normal. No two genitals look alike after all!

 

Now then, genital exams for both men and women are available at Campus Health Services. Yay! For men, the usual examination will involve an examination of the genitals and the prostate. For women, the examination will include a genital exam and a breast check-up. Both of these can be slightly uncomfortable (especially if it's your first sexual health exam), but the best advice that everyone will say is to RELAX and take a few deep breaths. If you are unsure, then just ask the physician if they could tell you what they are doing before they do it. That way you know everything that's going to happen and there will be no surprises. In preparation for the genital exam I would suggest just doing a quick search about what to do and not to do before a pelvic exam/prostate exam. 

 

Also, here are some more resources where you can get a genital examination:

 

Campus Health Services

Phone: (928) 523-8995

Payment: Depending on if you have insurance through the school, outside insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare), or none the cost varies from a $5-10 copay (Insurance through school) to $28 and up (No insurance).

 

Planned Parenthood at Flagstaff Health Center

Address: 1304 S. Plaza Way

Phone: (855) 207-7526

Payment: Takes cash, debit/credit, insurance (must bring in information), and money orders

 

Coconino County Health Services District

2625 N King St.

928-679-7222

They offer free sexual health services to people ages 13-19 and charge based on a sliding scale fee for those aged 20 and older. 

 

Good luck down there!

- The Health Nuts

The left side of my body is more toned than the right. My left calf, my left arm, and the left side of my waist are all visibly more defined than the right. Is there a reason why this is? When I work out I do everything evenly on both sides so I have no clue what it is, or if it is just my body.

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Hi! Thanks for your question; it’s great to hear you’re working out a lot. Firstly, it may be just as simple as you favor one side when you’re working out. It can be very hard to notice when you’re favoring a side which is why you may not be aware of it. 
There are, however, other reasons this could be occurring. Including genetics, previous injuries or reduced circulation – basically the amount of nerves going into the muscle.
Fortunately, there are some easy ways you can try combat this! 
• One way is to do what is called “one and two and one reps”. This is simply using the side that is less developed (so for you, the right) for the first rep, then using both for the second, then straight back to the weaker side again for the last. This routine will help to strengthen your right side! 
• Another technique if you’re doing a lot of weight lifting is to use uneven weights. For example, put a heavier weight in your right hand while doing an arm exercise.  Keep the difference around 5-10 pounds between the weights. 
• The final technique you could try is to use dumbbells for as many exercises as possible. Dumbbells make your body take responsibility for each side while doing the movement. There is a much smaller chance the favorable side will do all the work because the sides are isolated from each other when using dumbbells.
These techniques should help develop your right side while keeping you fit and in good shape overall. 
But, just to be safe, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care provider for a check up and more formal evaluation.  You want to make sure there is not underlying nerve problem.
Hopefully this helps you! Keep up the great work and good luck! 
-The Health Nuts