Worried sick at exam time?

Most people get stressed around exam time. Here are some useful tips from our doctors, to help you overcome the anxiety and stress.

Worried sick at exam time?

Every exam time, our doctors see students with stomach complaints and trouble sleeping.

The work of the stomach is to mix and break down food with enzymes and acid produced by its cells. So as not to be damaged by these chemicals, the stomach has a protective mucus lining. In very simple terms, the health of the stomach is a balance between how much acid it produces and how good its protective layer is. Gastritis is an inflammation or redness of the inside of the stomach. Over time, this can get worse resulting in a small hole (erosion or ulcer) . This looks a bit like a mouth ulcer does, and, like a mouth ulcer, can hurt a lot. It used to be thought that ulcers were caused by stress, alcohol and spicy food. Twenty five years ago it was discovered that a bacteria, called helicobacter pylori, loves the acid environment of the stomach, makes its home there for the life of an individual, and is very strongly associated with the development of peptic ulcer disease. The bacteria cause a problem with the regulation of acid production. In crowded countries of the world, such as China and India, most adults have probably been infected with this germ. The acid production versus protective lining theory still helps to explain why an individual may suddenly get severe symptoms. Here are some examples of what can go wrong at exam time.

You are stressed and using the computer a lot so you get headaches. You take Aspirin or Ibuprofen for the headaches.

This class of drugs opposes prostaglandin hormone in the body. Prostaglandin is needed to produce the mucus that protects the stomach lining.

Solution

use only paracetamol for pain relief. Avoid headaches in the first place. Make sure your glasses (optical) prescription is up to date. Drink more water, especially if you are having caffeine containing drinks. Get up and have a small break from the computer every hour or so. Don’t study with your laptop in a weird position like on the floor or your bed.

You don’t have time for regular meals.

Irregular meal times have been shown to be a significant risk factor for gastritis. In Chinese as well as Western medicine, unfavourable eating habits include skipping breakfast, eating too quickly, eating too late at night and suddenly changing your diet.

Solution

During times of stress you need a regular and well balanced diet. Suddenly grabbing fast food at all hours will lose you time due to having to visit the doctor.

You are really stressed so you smoke much more than usual.

Smoking reduces blood supply and the ability of the stomach to heal itself. Nicotine also increases gastric acid production.

Solution

Do something else for your stress. Go for a walk..chew gum..watch a quick episode of the Simpsons..but don’t smoke more!!

You are really worried about how much you have to cover so you have caffeine drinks to help you stay awake.

Caffeine, in coffee or energy drinks, increases gastric acid production. It will also make it difficult to sleep when you need to. It will increase your pulse and alertness and make you feel more stressed.

Solution

Use it wisely and in moderation.

You are so stressed you can’t think straight.

Stress and worry alone can cause a breakdown in the lining of the stomach, even without other factors. It can also make your study and sleep time less effective as your mind chases itself round in circles.

Solution

Set yourself a day by day task diary for your study period. Don’t think of how much you have to do before the exams.. focus on the tasks of each day at a time.

GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR EXAMS AND STUDY HEALTHILY!