This article is from page 17 of the 2007-06-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
A SHANNON-based | pharmacist has warned Leaving and Junior Cer- tificate students of the health risks posed by exam stress.
Feidhlim Hillery of the Irish Phar- maceutical Union (IPU) said that stress could cause an increase in a number of minor ailments among students including headaches, stom- ach upsets, diarrhoea or constipation and a flare up of certain conditions Such as eczema, asthma and acne.
Long hours spent revising or cram- ming for exams can lead to insomnia as students find it difficult to switch off from exam preparation. Muscular and joint pain can result from exces- Sive time spent writing or typing on a computer. Pharmacists have issued a safe code to help students minimise some of the symptoms that can be as- sociated with minor ailments result- ing from exam stress.
“Students can be under great pres- sure at exam time and stress mani- fests itself in the body in a number of
ways, both mentally and physically. We would encourage students and/ or their parents to talk to their local pharmacist 1f they have any concerns or want to take precautions in ad- vance of the exams starting. Coping with the exams is stressful enough without the added pressure of deal- ing with uncomfortable symptoms that can be distracting and upset- ting,’ said Mr Hillery.
The code encourages students to drink plenty of water to avoid dehy- dration and to study in a well-venti-
lated room. When eating, students should take small amounts regularly and avoid eating spicy foods.
Asthma sufferers are urged to be extra vigilant and to carry an inhaler Alar V OBB BOL ehe
Those who suffer from hay fever should take steps to ensure that the condition does not flare up during their exams. The safe code advises simple precautionary measures such as keeping doors and windows closed in mid-morning and early evening when pollen levels peak. It also sug-
gests that sufferers apply Vaseline inside the nose to help reduce symp- Ke sene
Mr Hillery added that if stress re- sulted in ongoing problems, students should consult with their local phar- macist.
“Obviously these are just guide- lines and we would recommend a face-to-face consultation with a local pharmacist who can assess whether a student needs further medical inter- vention depending on the nature and severity of a condition.”