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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.

“When should I be concerned about stomach pain? ”
—Rebecca H., Northern Illinois University

What matters is how much the stomach pain is interfering with your life. Ask yourself:

• Is the pain making it hard to sleep, concentrate, study, get to class, exercise, or do other normal activities? 
• Is it affecting your eating patterns? 
• Are there associated symptoms such as fever, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, weakness, weight loss, or change in the appearance of your stool?
• Is the pain occasional or constant, mild or intense? 
• What is the quality of the pain: burning, cramping, or stabbing?
• Is the pain getting worse, staying the same, or getting better?

It’s important to notice these patterns. I would also recommend a face-to-face evaluation with your doctor. Stomach pain is a pretty common complaint with the students I see. When I ask the questions (like the ones above), it helps me focus the exam and testing, and helps narrow things down.

Here are some common diagnoses and how they typically present themselves:

Lactose intolerance
Symptoms?

• Gas and bloating, especially after meals
• Can cause diarrhea, loud intestinal gurgling, and the feeling that “things aren’t right in my gut”
• It may follow a vomiting and/or diarrhea illness
• Sensitivity to lactose may be more intense for periods of weeks or months, then less so

Constipation
This may be triggered by changes in diet or schedule (both the sleep/wake cycle and bathroom use schedule).
Symptoms?

• Abdominal discomfort and a sense of lethargy and heaviness 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms?

• Crampy abdominal pain and increased frequency of loose stools or constipation or both
• Discomfort and a need to evacuate the bowels, though efforts to do so may produce only gas or mucous

Gastritis
Symptoms?

• A chronic gnawing, irritating, but ignorable pain often felt right under the breastbone
• May be worse with acidic foods (e.g., citrus fruits or tomatoes)

Appendicitis
Symptoms?

• Steadily worsening abdominal pain over hours to days
• May start generalized, but often becomes more focused under the right side of the rib cage
• Movement typically aggravates this pain

If you’re worried enough to ask, I’d recommend you go for an examination. It will be helpful to you to better understand the pain. Some causes are more serious than others and may improve with understanding and learning to manage the pain. 

	Ask the professor Amy Baldwin, MA, is the director of University College at the University of Central Arkansas.

“If a professor is being unfair to you when it comes to passing or failing their class, who do you talk to about it?”
—Alejandra C., Purdue University, Calumet, Indiana

From my experience as a student (yes, I am still in graduate school) and professor, I can say that I have rarely seen a professor be unfair about grades. But it can and does happen.

As a department chair who has handled student complaints about grades, I found that the issue was often a miscommunication about expectations. Faculty often thought they were being very clear about how they would grade and how grades would be calculated, and students often thought they understood how they were being graded. However, when there was a conflict, it was because one side was out of sync with the other.

With that said, I recommend speaking with the professor first to see if there’s been a miscommunication.

You might ask:

• “I am not sure I understand how I earned this grade. Do you mind going over the graded work with me?”
• “I have calculated my grade based on the information you have given us, but it doesn’t seem to match what you have recorded. Can I talk with you about the discrepancy?”

Approaching the situation as an opportunity to get clarity will make for a smoother conversation.

If you still feel as though the professor is being unfair, these tips can lead you to a positive resolution:

• Show good faith first: As I mentioned before, speak with the professor first and get as much information as possible before taking the next step.
• Follow the chain of command: Find out how your institution prefers you to resolve conflicts such as grade disputes. You may be required to meet with a department chair or dean after you first meet with the professor.
• Document, document, document: I have students who come see me to complain about a grade and they do not bring with them the assignment or the syllabus. It is hard to help them when I don’t have anything in front of me to review. You should be able to demonstrate why you think you have been graded unfairly.

What else do I mean by “document”?
You’ll want to document conversations you have had with the professor (when, where, what was said) and emails that you have sent. Bring all copies of assignments, graded work, grading rubrics, and feedback from the professor.

• Be prepared for action: When I say this, I don’t mean to get ready for a fight, but I do mean that if you feel the grade is unfair, you should be prepared to make an actionable request. For example, do you want to make a formal complaint against the professor? If you are taking the concern to a higher level, then consider the possibility that you will need to provide in writing the issue and the request for resolution. Don’t go into a department chair’s office just to vent that you didn’t pass algebra.

Remember that learning to handle sticky situations like this with grace and fortitude will help you develop many important skills you can use later on.

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

“Is coconut water even a thing?”
—Parker W., California State University, Chico

If you search online for the benefits of coconut water, you’ll get a list of claims that make it sound like a magical drink. They might claim that it cures hangovers, helps with weight loss, is nutrient-rich, or boosts hydration. When you dig a little deeper, however, you can find out what’s really known about coconut water.

What is coconut water?
Coconut water is a clear liquid that comes from young, green coconuts. It is lower in calories and sodium, and higher in potassium, than sports drinks, and doesn’t contain extra calories from sugar.

Does that make it a better drink?
Coconut water replaced body fluids lost during exercise about as much as a typical sports drink or drinking water did, according to a 2007 study in Malaysia. So, it could be used to rehydrate after exercise, but so can water or sports drinks, which may cost less and taste better. 

For those who prefer a strenuous workout, coconut water has insufficient carbohydrates and electrolytes to support intense physical activity. A better way to fuel your body is with a high-carbohydrate food, such as a bagel, and plenty of water during your workout. 

What about the other claims? 
No major studies link coconut water to cancer prevention or hangover cures, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Those looking for a healthy beverage choice might enjoy coconut water, which contains some nutrients and is high in potassium and Vitamin C. It is slightly high in sodium, however, so if you drink coconut water often, watch your sodium intake from other sources. 

Here’s the bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. To maintain your health, a good start is to be physically active, eat well, and get enough sleep. These wellness activities will go a long way toward keeping you healthy in college and beyond.

Mind your mind

Stress less this holiday season

By Dr. Holly Rogers

Finals are over. You’re supposed to head back home today but you can’t locate your suitcase, let alone think about packing it. Remember which airline you’re flying? Better find out.  And be sure to brace for the annual fight over who shovels the driveway. Urgh, you just can’t even.

Before you resign yourself to a winter break in your residence hall room, learn the art of the conscious breath. You’ll need it when Uncle Reg tries to seat you at the kids’ table.

#JobProb

Revamp your résumé

In this feature, a recruitment expert reworks a student’s résumé, showing how to tweak it for greater impact and better internship or job prospects. Compare the “before” and “after” versions.

Whichever year of college you’re entering, it’s not too soon to be thinking about how to position yourself for the job market you’ll face after graduation. The Job Prob, our monthly series, shows you how to use your college years to build the skills, practical experience, and networks that will help you thrive professionally.

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Contributor spotlight

Kerry Johnson is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is majoring in English and creative writing.

For this issue, Kerry reviewed Happify, an app with the sole purpose of making us happier. It’s a mix of games and activities that help reduce stress and negative thoughts.

Why did you join the SH101 Student Advisory Board?
“I joined the SAB because I found it to be the most realistic, entertaining, and simple way to genuinely get college kids to listen up about the most important aspect of our lives: our health. Student Health 101 is able to bring pressing issues and their solutions to students by staying relevant and getting down to what college kids are actually concerned about.”

Best wellness tip?
“Branch out early in college: Get yourself into a bunch of different friend groups and activities or clubs. This establishes great connections and opens a million different doors socially. Later in college, when you are thrown into internships and jobs, you’ll already be an expert in networking.”

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Student advisory board
Selected students from our diverse community of readers help shape SH101 content.
+ 2015 – 16 Student Advisory Board