Tips for a Healthy Summer

With summer just around the corner, I took the opportunity to sit down with my physician, Dr. Joseph D. Valentine, M.D., as he shared some simple tips for a healthy summer.  He is an internal medicine practitioner at Healthcare Partners Medical Group in Arcadia, Calif., and has been in the field for over 35 years.  

Our first topic of discussion was flu season coming to an end.

"Although flu season is technically over, influenza viruses still continue to circulate," Valentine said.  Those especially prone to the virus include the elderly, young children, and those exposed to the general public while in close quarters, such as a college classroom or dorm room.

Valentine recommended flu shots, taking multivitamins, and making sure to get enough sleep.

"Sleep is key," he said.  "Pulling all-nighters, especially during finals, and not allowing your body to rest will only weaken your immune system, but hinder recovery as well."

And some advice for staying healthy during the summer?

"Exercise, exercise, exercise...that is the best advice I can give you," Valentine said.

Making wise decisions and staying smart while consuming alcohol was another point Valentine touched on.

"College students have a tendency to go wild during spring break and summer in terms of their partying and drinking.  A few smart decisions will keep them out of trouble and ensure their safety," Valentine said.

CSULB also has a variety of services on campus to educate students on health awareness.  Be sure to check out the Student Health Services to get more information.

(Photo courtesy of Google Images)

Clothesline Project - It's Not About the Clothes

Survivors of sexual assault, rape and violence shared their experiences in a moving display of art on the Friendship Walk Tuesday for the Cal State Long Beach's annual Clothesline Project.

According to an interview with the Daily 49er, Meghan Adams, co-chairwoman of the Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality on campus, said, "this is their way of healing through an expressive form."

The purpose of the Clothesline Project is to combat and bring awareness to sexual abuse, assault, and violence.

The Clothesline Project is not just demonstrated at CSULB. According to its website, the project started in 1990, with 500 events organized around the world with an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 T-shirts. Projects are presented in 41 states and five countries.

If you would like more information on F.O.R.C.E. or the visual displays created by students, feel free to stop by the booth in front of the University Bookstore Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ashleigh Klein, the director of outreach at Sexual Assault Crisis Agency and a certified counselor, will be in front of the booth today to lead a workshop about rape myths.



Photo courtesy of the Daily 49er.
Video courtesy of YouTube.com.

Students Climb Towards Health in Class

Retiring wilderness studies instructor Bill Webb led his rock climbing class on a three day trip to Joshua Tree National Park this past weekend.  The students began their trip bright and early on Friday morning, leaving CSULB at 6 a.m. and were only allowed to bring possessions in which they could carry around the entire weekend.

"We had to really watch what we packed," said Andrew Herzfeld, a student in Webb's class.  "Anything we brought was strapped to our back for three days."

This class only gives students a glimpse of the active classes available to students at CSULB.  Other healthy classes include swimming, sailing, jogging, and golfing.  

"Many students are unaware of the variety of classes offered on campus," Herzfeld said.  "These classes are a great way to get out of the typical lecture hall and out in the open.   Nothing beats a day out of the classroom."

Check out the Fall 2008 schedule of classes and be sure to sign up for one of these classes and take the next step in staying active at school!

BELOW: Students begin climbing on their first day at Joshua Tree National Park as part of their wilderness studies class. (Photos courtesy of the Daily 49er)

Being OUT at CSULB

In a Daily 49er article written by Erica McClaugherty, professors at CSULB share their personal experiences with being out members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community as part of the LGBT Diversity Week.

Bianca Wilson, an assistant professor in the department of psychology and previous professor of mine, spoke to those in attendance about her concerns about health conditions.

As an active member in HIV research and prevention for more than 10 years, she feels that when it comes to healthcare and research in the LGBT community, professionals tend to only focus on HIV.  

"Some of us are really interested in expanding doing work in the LGBT communities," said Wilson.

She also went on to explain how students react to her being out.

"I'm always taken back by my students' reactions when they know I'm gay.  But for the most part it has been positive or neutral - and neutral is not always bad," she said.

Other speakers at the presentation included Gabriel Estrada, a lecturer in the department of American Indian studies, Griselda Suarez, a lecturer from the Chicano and Latino studies department, and Henry Fradella, professor and chairman of the department of criminal justice.

(Photo courtesy of Corbis Corporation)

Autism Awareness Month affects CSULB

According to an article published by the Daily 49er, CSULB professor Dave Whitney is pushing to increase the autism awareness in others after his two children were diagnosed with the disease.  

Two years ago, Whitney's first child was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  Now, two years later, his second child has been diagnosed.  Instead of focusing on the negative, Whitney is sharing his knowledge with those around him.

Whitney currently teaches a special topics course on autism and is trying to make it part of the psychology department's curriculum, according to the Daily 49er.  As he waits for approval, he plans to teach another special topics course during the sumer on communication disorders.

This is the second-most common serious developmental disability, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Characteristics of ASD include communication deficits, social interaction problems, and presence of routine behaviors.  Sufferers are awkward in social situations and have little recognition of normal cues, according to Whitney.

With April being Autism Awareness Month, people across the nation are getting together to raise money for the cause.  On April 26, the Walk Now for Autism will take place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to help raise money and awareness.

Bye Bye Alcohol at San Diego Beaches

With Spring Break right around the corner, students at Cal State Long Beach are not too happy about San Diego's latest alcohol ban at yet another San Diego beach, Torrey Pines State Park. 

 

According to an article published by the Daily 49er titled "San Diego beach drinking ban breaking spring break," a group of local do-gooders have been pushing for ALL San Diego state beaches to ban drinking after a group of college-age beach-goers threw beer cans at police during a riot last Labor Day at Pacific Beach.

I had the opportunity to speak with two students from CSULB who decided to change their Spring Break plans after hearing about this new law.

"My friends and I planned to spend the week in San Diego, but after hearing this, we're going a couple more miles south to Mexico instead," said journalism major Carly Youngren, 21.  "It's not worth the risk."

"Areas such as Torrey Pines and Pacific Beach with such a high college student population are slowly going to die off if this stays in effect," said business major Andrew Herzfeld, 21.

While it seems more students are unhappy about this new law than others, San Diego assures us that it is for the safety of its residents.  With college drinking at one of its highest points during Spring Break, the health of students and others will benefit from this new law.  

Below is a video, courtesy of YouTube.com, explaining the decision for the alcohol ban on San Diego Beaches.

Alzheimer's Presentation Provides Awareness to Students

Cal State Long Beach students and faculty, along with senior citizens of the Long Beach community, gathered in the Walter Pyramid for the sixth annual Donald P. Wellness Lecture on Thursday, as reported in an article in the Daily 49er.

The event, coordinated by the College of Health and Human Services, featured guest speaker Laura Mosqueda, the Ronald Reagan Endowed Chairwoman in Geriatrics at UC Irvine. The topic for the evening was "Alheimer's: Hope on the Horizon."

As she stated in her presentation, there are currently more than four million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and the number is estimated to grow to 14 million by the year 2050.

Mosqueda also clarified the differences between dementia and Alzheimer's, explaining that dementia is a symptom and is the impairment of thinking and memory loss that interferes with a person's ability to remember how to do things. Alzheimer's disease, on the other hand, is the common cause of dementia and is most common with elderly people.

Alzheimer's symptoms can take an emotional toll not only on its victims, but also the family members involved. When battling this illness, it is best to contantly communicate with the infected family member and give them comfort.

For more information on Alzheimer's, feel free to visit the Alzheimer's Association.

The following is an educational video providing more information on Alzheimer's, courtesy of YouTube and the Alzheimer's Association.

HSBA Hosts Blood Drive

The CSULB Hispanic Students Business Association (HSBA) held its annual blood drive on Monday, drawing in almost 100 donors to the University Student Union Ballrooms, according to an article in the Daily 49er.

Donated blood will go to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, which used 1,40o pints in patient transfusions last year alone, according to Cheryl Berlow, the hospital's donor recruiter. Berlow went on to stress the importance

of donating blood, explaining how one pint of blood can potentially save the lives of three people.

In December 2007, however, 65 pints alone were used at the hospital to save the lives of two seriously injured police officers.

"You never know what's going to happen," Berlow said. "There could be freeway pile-ups. There are a lot of children with leukemia who wind up living in the hospital and receive constant transfusions."

SoCal Blood Services Nurse Supervisor Lisa Barker said, "We need as much blood as we can get," and that it was great to see CSULB students donating "out of the goodness of their hearts."

If you were unable to donate blood this past week and would like to help, you can stop by Long Beach Memorial Hospital to do so. Requirements to donate blood include:

• Must be at least 17 years of age
• Must be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation
• Must weight at least 110 pounds
• Must have a healthy meal within four hours of donation (it is also advised to avoid caffein and coffee before donating)
  

For more information and requirements on donating, to set an appointment, or to get assistance on organizing your own blood drive, feel free to visit the Long Beach Memorial Hospital Blood Donor Center.

"There's no substitute for blood, and that's why today is so important for us," Berlow added. Make sure to do you part in helping to save the lives of those in need.

Photo Caption: Chantrea Phuong, a senior liberal studies major, squeezes a ball to get her blood flowing. (Photo Credit: Andrew Smith, Assistant City Editor, Daily 49er)

"Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at CSULB

Kristina Wong, a writer, actress, activist and filmmaker, performed and participated in discussions with Cal State Long beach students on Thursday, according to an article in the Daily 49er, written by Amber Watt.

Wong performed excerpts from her commentary titled "Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," detailing depression and suicide rates among Asian-American women.

The event, sponsored by the Asian and Asian American studies department, the Women's Resource Center, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the women's studies department, stemmed from personal experiences of depression through family and friends.

"It was an issue that was personally resonant and definitely an issue that was not being talked about...I feel because it was now being talked about, people were dying," Wong says.

In an interview with the Daily 49er, Dr. Ferdinand Arcinue, a psychologist with CAPS, said Wong's performance was inportant in raising the issue of mental illness.

"You don't need to be crazy, or mentally ill, or at the point of crisis to use our services," he stated. 

Wong will continue to perform her piece across the United States and already has plans for future pieces.  She will be back in Los Angeles to perform in September.

If you would like to learn more about Kristina Wong, feel free to visit her website.

"Fresh Off the Box" Interview with Kristina Wong, courtesy of YouTube.

(Top Photo courtesy of kristinawong.com)

CSULB's 2nd Annual Health Fair a Success

Cal State Long Beach held its second annual Health Fair Tuesday on the Southwest Terrace with great success.  The event was hosted by the University Student Union Program Council.

The Health Fair provided students with information on everything from safe sex practices to health care after college.  Ten tables were staffed with representatives from both on-campus and off-campus organizations such as the Physical Therapy Club and the Beacon House Association of San Pedro.  

The Sexually Transmitted Disease Program provide

d students with condoms and how-to guides.

In an interview with the Daily 49er, Oscar Dimas, a representative of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Program spoke about promoting safe sex among students.

"We're trying to help students gain knowledge about ways to talk about sex with their partners.  Most people tend to talk about sex in bed, which is not always the best place to do so.  We have guides to walk you through more productive was to talk to your partner."

If you were unable to attend the Health Fair and woul

d like more information about a healthy lifestyle, be sure to stop by the the Student Health Center to ask questions and learn more.

Natalie Tejeda, a junior nursing student, uses a body fat percentage machine.  (Photo courtesy of Mike Plaza, Daily 49er)

"Running on Empty? Learn How to Recharge!"

Physical and emotional health has become a growing concern among college students these days. The Cal State Long Beach Athletic department will be hosting motivational speaker and experienced college aid Elaine Penn as she speaks to students about the importance of taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically, while attending school.

The Daily 49er published an article on Monday by staff writer Erica McClaugherty informing students of Penn's visit on Tuesday, February 26.

Many students on

 campus are not only exhausted from studying and lack of sleep, but are also unable to find an effective way to deal with the stress and pressures from classes.  In a report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in January, 2007, "Colleges are seeing a generation of students who appear to be manifesting increased signs of depression, anxiety, perfectionism, and stress."  

In her presentations, Penn motivates students to cope with stress and frustration by exercising and and eating healthy.  When students say they do not have time to work out due to hectic schedules, Penn tell

s students they need to make exercising a priority.

"I get up early and exercise first thing in the morning; if I don't do it early, I'm not going to," Penn said.

In addition to laying out exercise tips and workouts you can do right at home without a gym membership, Penn will also explain healthy eating habits that even the most penny-pinching college students can take part in.  Be sure to check out this seminar - it is sure to be informative and may help benefit your health in the long run.