Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 26. October 3 1977
Health Service
Health Service
Cystitis
What is it?
A feeling of discomfort when you urinate—usually described as a burning sensation. With this comes the urge to urinate more often even though there is only a small amount to pass. This is due to inflamation or infection of the bladder and its outlet, the urethra.
Is it common?
Yes, it's a very common illness and probably as many as half of all women suffer from it at one time or other in their lives. Some women suffer repeated attacks. Cystitis after intercourse is very common but not always due to an infection.
Is it dangerous?
Sometimes the infection can spread to the kidneys and this makes it a more serious illness. Because of this risk to the kidneys all people who have these symptons should consult their doctor for advice.
What can the doctor do?
1) | Confirm the type of infection by laboratory testing. Therefore it is most important that you bring a urine sample when first reporting to the doctor. |
2) | An antibiotic may be prescribed. However not all attacks can be cured by antibiotics. |
Self Help:
1) | Help the natural defences of your bladder by also having a good fluid intake. |
2) | Empty your bladder frequently—at least six times a day. |
3) | Keep your genital region very clean by washing twice daily. |
4) | Don't use strong deodorants, creams or powders. |
5) | Urinate after intercourse. |
Don't be shy about seeking help from you doctor.
Posture
If you suffer from fatigue, tiredness, cramping pain, pins and needles, then take a look at how you are sitting. 20,000 spinal injuries are reported every year caused by bad posture or bad work habit. Being uncomfortable causes fatigue and tiredness the result of sitting for too long in a cramped position or sitting on the wrong type of chair. Clothing too can influence the way we sit.
Shoes can be deforming in the growing (till 25 yrs), changing the joint structure of the legs and hips. Don't let fashion dictate what you wear. Be comfortable.
The standard chair can be deforming as in it we sit, generally, on the muscles at the back of the thigh which squashes the sciatic nerves causing pins and needles and pain; instead of on the bones of the buttock. Crossing the legs in one of the causes of varicose veins, interferring with circulation to lower limb and feet. Have you ever suffered from cold feet in lectures?
Ergonomics is a physical science and is best applied as preventative medicine. Should anyone be interested, an article by James Coe is avaliable at the Student Health Service.
Living Costs for Students
The survey of income and expenditure of residents in halls for 1977 currently being undertaken by the Accommodation Service will give up-to-date information on living costs for students and will be useful in documenting bursary submissions to the Minister of Education.
Before the end of September all full-time University students living in Victoria House, Helen Lowry, Everton and Weir House should have received a copy (printed on red paper) of the survey form Income and Expenditure of Residents in Halls for 1977 academic year. The date for the completion of the survey is the 8 October. Students have been asked to estimate their expenditure after this date (until after their final examination) so that this sum can be included in the totals.
All information obtained from this survey will be processed in a manner which will protect the confidentiality of individual students' finances and only average figures or a range of figures will be released.
This is the third year that Accommodation Service has surveyed living costs of students living in halls. This increases the value of the survey findings as it permits comparison with the 1975 and 1976 figures. The Accommodation Officer, Mrs M. Brown, expects this year's survey figures to reveal a big increase in living costs for students over 1976 figures.
The information on student living costs obtained from last year's survey was used by NZUSA and by the VUW Bursary Committee in its submissions to Government for adequate bursary assistance for students
The Government has undertaken at some time in the future to introduce a reformed bursary that will be adjusted annually to take into account increases in students' living costs.
A high response rate will increase the value of the survey findings and will indicate that the cost of living is a matter of grave concern to students.
Residents in halls can help next year's students by completing and returning their survey form by October 10 either to the Warden of their hall or to Accommodation Service Office, 6 Kelburn Parade.