Health Advice for Students as Exam Stress Begins

Irish pharmacists have issued a health guide to help students taking college, leaving and junior certificate exams to avoid minor ailments associated with exam stress.

The Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) say that exam stress can trigger minor ailments such as headaches, stomach upsets, diarrhoea or constipation and a flare up of certain conditions such as eczema, asthma and acne. Many students also experience bouts of insomnia, sore eyes, back and joint pain associated with long hours spent revising or cramming.

“Exam stress can manifest itself in the body in a number of ways . . . The best advice is to be prepared and recognise the triggers associated with minor ailments, that way you can treat the ailment as soon as it presents and minimise its impact,” said Keith O’Hourihane, a pharmacist from Tower Pharmacy in Blarney, Co Cork.

The IPU advise that students who may be susceptible to hay-fever should take preventative steps now. “Hay-fever can add stress to a student who is already feeling the pressure of exam revision. Students should take steps now to prevent hay fever ruining their exam preparation,” said Mr Hourihane.

To minimise the symptoms of exam stress the IPU are advising parents and children to discuss forthcoming exams and identify any areas or subjects causing particular concern or worry. Students or parents who are worried about a particular ailment are encouraged to talk to their local pharmacist to assess whether a student needs further medical intervention.

The Safe Guide to Exams is available at www.ipu.ie

Posted Monday 12th May 2008