It's a Wednesday morning and alarms are sounding in a buzzing, cross-campus chorus as MSU students wake up for their first class. They stumble out of bed, bleary-eyed and with pounding headaches, ready to embark on a trek to their morning class.
Some of them stayed out too late partying. Some pulled all-nighters to finish their international relations papers. Some just couldn't sleep well. They plod into the bathroom and rummage through their toiletries, looking for something to ease their suffering.
Ready-made first-aid kits just won't cut it. College students need a more sophisticated repair system than Band-Aids and peroxide.
That's why we've talked to the experts and compiled a list of items all students should keep in their medicine cabinets.
"This medicine cabinet is going to be a big one," Dr. Beth Alexander, university physician, warned.
On to the goodies:
Painkillers: It may be tempting to pop a painkiller or five when eyestrain, partying or overindulgence has left your head pounding. But beware - mixing common painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil) with alcohol can release toxins and do some nasty stuff to your stomach and liver. Suggestions: Drink moderately or hold off on taking painkillers until the next day. For eyestrain, make sure you look away from your computer monitor or book regularly to give your eyes a rest.
Acne medicine: Javad Banisafar, pharmacist at CVS/Pharmacy, 240 M.A.C. Ave., said acne medicine is the most popular purchase for college students, followed by birth control and antidepressants. A study published in July's Archives of Dermatology studied university students and showed that acne was more severe than normal in the time three days before an exam to seven days after an exam. Banisafar suggests using acne medicine containing salicylic acid because it's more effective than traditional medicine containing alcohol. Suggestions: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Clean & Clear Invisible Blemish Treatment.
Dark chocolate: Long hailed as a PMS or stress-relieving treat, several recent studies show there is a benefit to eating a candy bar or two. Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, The Journal of the American Medical Association recently reported. A European study printed in Nature found dark chocolate temporarily lowers antioxidant levels. But don't pour yourself a glass of milk just yet - the studies also showed milk lowered the chocolate's effectiveness. Suggestions: Dove Promises Dark Chocolate Miniatures, Milky Way Midnight - tasty, but not as pricey as Godiva.
Essential oils: The Egyptians and Chinese began practicing aromatherapy more than 5,000 years ago, and many of their fragrances and techniques are still used today. According to Zack Sosnowski of the Douglas J Aveda Institute, 331 E. Grand River Ave., lavender oil is a good choice because it's calming and relaxing. Additionally, jasmine is soothing and uplifting, eucalyptus is refreshing and stimulating and sandalwood is relaxing and soothing. Suggestions: Mix an essential oil with lotion. Before taking a shower, put a few drops of oil on the shower floor. Add some oil to a damp cloth and put it in the dryer with your clothes. Remember to never put essential oils directly on your skin - they cause skin irritation
Also: If you're feeling more bummed out than usual, or if you notice your behavior and social attitudes change, you may be suffering from depression, and it's a good idea to talk to someone. The MSU Counseling Center provides a free assessment, and you might be eligible for other free services. For more information, call Olin Health Center at (517) 355-4510, visit http://couns.msu.edu or call (517) 355-8270.
Multi-vitamins: It can be rough eating balanced meals when living on campus or concocting meals in a tiny kitchenette. A multi-vitamin can help out when you haven't eaten all the oranges or drank all the milk you should have, Alexander said. "Read the literature carefully, because occasionally dietary supplements can be dangerous." Remember, vitamins aren't a good substitution for balanced eating habits. Suggestions: Centrum Complete, Scooby-Doo chewables.
Condoms/dental dams: More college students than ever are having unprotected sex, according to a recent report by the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Among sexually active college students who live away from home, 73 percent reported having unprotected sex while in college. "Right after HIV was discovered and after we found out about Magic Johnson, there was a huge rate in condom use, and then that fell off." Alexander said. "Young people believe it won't happen to them and they get less careful." She said communication between partners before having sex is also important to their health. Suggestions: Olin Health Center, the Lansing Area AIDS Network and many residence hall mentors give out free condoms and dental dams.
Band-Aids: Even if you don't slice your fingers on a regular basis, Band-Aids are still essential during sandal season, when plastic straps on flip-flops cause foot trauma for many open-toe aficionados. Suggestions: Standard beige bandages will work just fine, and Band-Aid now makes bandages that include antibiotics, which the company claims speeds healing and reduces infections.
Vitamin B12: It's not just a myth. Numerous studies have proven that taking a B-complex vitamin before going on a drinking spree can reduce hangovers. A deficiency in Thiamine (vitamin B1) makes it harder for your body to break down alcohol. Suggestions: GNC B-Complex 50 and Nature's Way B-12 Lozenge.
Caffeine: No longer limited to endless cups of coffee and Mountain Dew, caffeine can now enter your system by mints, soap or lotion. Large amounts of caffeine might make you more jittery than focused, but Alexander said a cup of coffee or two won't hurt. Suggestions: Bath and Body Works Skin-Firming Lotion (contains caffeine), Penguins caffeinated mints, Shower Shock caffeinated soap. Many caffeinated products are available at www.thinkgeek.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
