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	Ask the doc Dr. Davis Smith is an internist practicing in Connecticut and at Trinity College in Hartford. He specializes in the care of adolescents and GLBTQ patients.

“Are UTIs preventable?”
—Antonio S., Suffolk University, Massachusetts

Some urinary tract infections (UTIs) are preventable. And while they tend to be regarded as a women’s problem—or, more accurately, as a problem for anyone born with a vagina—in fact, anyone can get a UTI. The anatomy of the vagina does make it much more susceptible to infection than the penis, however.

What causes UTIs?
Most urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, a bacterium found in the gut, but other bacteria can also cause these infections. The rectum is very near the vagina, where the urethra is located. If non-sterile bacteria from the rectum manage to ascend the urethra, they can infect the bladder, causing a UTI. Anyone born with a vagina has a short urethra, so it’s not that long of a trip for bacteria to get into the bladder.

How do I know if I have a UTI?
Symptoms can include:

• Painful urination
• Frequent urination and/or an urge to urinate even when your bladder is empty
• Low-grade fever
• Bloody or cloudy urine

A UTI is a “simple” bladder infection called cystitis. Sometimes, the bacteria can travel all the way up to the kidneys and infect them too, causing pyelonephritis. Both infections are fairly readily diagnosed and treated, but since a UTI can lead to a kidney infection, you’ll need to treat it right away. For that matter, a UTI may feel so uncomfortable that you’ll want to treat it right away.

How to prevent it?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some general guidelines that can lower your risk of a UTI:

• Empty your bladder before and after sexual activity
• Stay hydrated and urinate regularly
• Take a shower instead of a bath
• Avoid douching or using any sprays/powders in the genital area

I’ve dealt with this complaint with many patients over the years and we almost always can make things better. If you frequently get UTI symptoms, you should definitely speak with a health care provider who is experienced at dealing with them. Not all of your episodes of discomfort may be due to UTIs, but it’s worth talking the situation through and considering all the possibilities.

	Ask the nutritionist Karen Moses is the director of wellness and health promotion at Arizona State University in Phoenix.

“Sugar (e.g., candy bars) is the only thing that gets me to sit down and study. How do I stop this habit?”
—Madeline L., University of Delaware

Sugary foods cause a spike in blood sugar that can amp up your energy levels for a short time. It’s likely that you eat the sweets to (consciously or subconsciously) jump-start your energy for studying.

Unfortunately, what typically follows is a drop in blood sugar. This can create the desire for more sugar, to regain the energy. There are ways to stop the cycle, however. 

Here are some alternative ways to get your energy up for studying:

• Start your study session with a mini-workout
  Exercise gets your blood flowing, wakes you up, and improves your ability to shift and focus your attention—all important for study sessions. 
• Take activity breaks
  Do this every hour, or sooner if you feel your energy dropping. Stand up, stretch, or go for a brisk walk, bike ride, or run. 
• Stand up to study
  If you don’t have access to a standing desk, try putting your laptop or your books on the counter.
• Drink up—water, that is
  Dehydration can make you feel tired and lethargic, which is not helpful for studying. Alcohol and caffeine can contribute to dehydration and interfere with sleep, so watch your consumption.

• Choose foods that give you long-lasting energy
  Instead of eating sugary foods before and during study times, try eating meals and snacks that sustain your energy over time. Combine foods high in complex carbohydrates with protein and fat. 

These food combinations provide steadier energy over time:

• Peanut butter on whole grain bread
• Cheese with whole grain crackers
• Oatmeal with low fat milk, walnuts, and dried fruit

Still craving sweets? Snack on a trail mix that includes whole grains, nuts and seeds, and dried fruit. And maybe some dark chocolate chips too. 

If you integrate any or all of these strategies, you are likely to feel more energized and clear-minded when it’s time to study.

	Ask the counselor Joleen M. Nevers, MAEd., CHES, AASECT, is a certified sexuality educator and the health education coordinator at the University of Connecticut.

“How do you talk more openly with your partner about birth control and STIs?”
—Jack M., Metro State University, Minnesota

Talking about STIs and birth control with a partner can be difficult. It can be helpful to think about why these topics may be hard to bring up:

• Feeling like you don’t know enough about the issues
• Different cultural or family backgrounds
• Feeling embarrassed about sexual experiences
• Varying levels of comfort with the topic
• Feeling uncomfortable with your own sexuality

Here are some ways to be more open with a partner about these topics:

Acknowledge that discussions about sex, including birth control and STIs, can feel awkward or difficult. You could mention that it has been hard for you in the past, or that it still is hard, but that you value the conversation because you have felt closer or more comfortable after discussing it.

Bring it up in the context of a class you’re taking or article you may have read. This is a nonthreatening way to raise these topics with a partner.

Ask your partner in a neutral place how they feel about birth control and STIs. It’s better to keep this conversation away from the bedroom or wherever you might have sex.

Let your partner know how important this conversation is to you. Talk about how much you value and want to hear about their thoughts and experiences.

Discuss it in the context of your health and any concerns you have. Alternatively, bring it up in the context of a friend or someone else you know (you don’t have to use names).

Since not everyone is comfortable with these topics, it may not be something that your partner can be open about in just one conversation. It may take time and trust to build up to these conversations.

Mind your mind

Choosing change

By Dr. Holly Rogers

As the semester ends—and especially if graduation is looming—you can be sure that lots of changes are coming your way. When we ask college students about changes they’re anticipating, they sometimes say, “I hope my friends and family never change” or “I’m worried about what might come next.”

It’s natural to fear change, especially if we are pretty comfortable with the status quo. Change leads to the unknown, and the unknown makes our minds uneasy. But during college and the few years following graduation, you will likely experience more change than at any other time in your life.

Contributor spotlight

Reza Wang-Lotfi is a second-year undergraduate majoring in biology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. His focus is on pre-medicine; he aims to become a medical doctor.

For this issue, Reza reviewed Expensify, an app that helps you track your spending by letting you take photos of your receipts, sync your bank account with the app, and enter any paid hours you’ve worked.

Why did you join the Student Advisory Board? “I joined the SAB to get some experience in what it’s like to work on a major college student publication. Also, since I’m planning on a career in medicine, I thought it would be especially relevant to work for a health-related publication. So far it’s been great!”

Tell us something quirky about you “I’m half-Chinese and half-Iranian. People ask me how I balance my two very different cultural backgrounds. I’m proud of my heritages and I try to be as involved in them as possible. However, I never forget that I’m also a human like everyone else; that helps me to connect with anyone I meet.”

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