Going off to University is a very exciting time in a young person's life. You’ll be going to live in a brand new city, make new friends and enjoy all of the benefits that the University lifestyle has to offer. But it’s important not to forget about your health while at University. It’s so easy in the busy time before moving to let vital healthcare tasks slip through the gaps, but you need to ensure you’re ready.


So read on to find out how to take care of yourself at University.



Register With GP Services

One of the first things you should do when starting university is register with a GP service. The odds are as a student you’ll be in a brand new city and be spending more time there than at your family’s home address, so you should be registering with a nearby GP instead of keeping your home one. This way you can access health services quickly and easily while away from home and receive emergency care if you require it. You should also try to register with a dentist as well in case of any teeth related issues.


Most Universities have a health centre attached which you can register at, this is especially useful if you’re a first-year living on campus, making it very convenient to access. A university health centre is great to use as they usually have links with other specialists such as counsellors, physiotherapists and psychiatrists that you can easily access without having to be referred to a different clinic. If you’re living off-campus, it might be best to research a GP service closer to your address and register there instead. Your local GP is always best if it is the one closest to you.


Registering with a GP is especially important if you have ongoing health conditions that require medication, such as diabetes or asthma. Having your GP close means you can get easy access to the medicine that you require to help with your condition. If you go home for holidays and the summer, it is easy to contact a nearby practice to ask for emergency treatment or register as a temporary resident for a few weeks while you’re home.


If you’re a student moving to the North West London area, register with NHS GP to get access to online student health services with NHS Online. We understand it is essential to get the right health advice while living independently for the first time, so offer a range of services to help with the changes in lifestyle, mental and physical health. This includes:


General/Student Health Advice And NHS Weight Loss

University life is usually regarded as a big lifestyle change, so you may find yourself wondering how exactly to take care of yourself. Talking to an expert through NHS GP will help you to stay healthy. This can be advice on healthy eating, how much sleep you need and other general health advice that may seem minor but can have a big effect on your health.


One great recommendation is the NHS Weight Loss App. This app will help you make small, simple changes to your diet to help you lose weight. You can plan meals, set goals, calculate your BMI and learn tips to get more active. A common misconception is that eating healthy at university is unachievable because of the cost, but eating healthier is often cheaper than ordering takeaways or buying ready meals. By maintaining a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water, you will find yourself with more energy, reduced anxiety and the ability to go about your day more easily.


If you have been drinking, smoking or doing drugs regularly at university and think you may have a problem, NHS GP can help with support for these issues by offering appointments with doctors, support groups or other services.


Counselling and Mental Health Support

Moving away from home and starting a degree can be very overwhelming mentally for a young person, so NHS GP offers mental health services such as counselling and other support. This is ideal for those who feel down about moving away from home, are having trouble adjusting, are having academic burnout or think they are suffering from more serious mental health issues. You can also access incognito, 24/7 support if you just want to talk anonymously to someone.


If you don’t want to talk to a professional, even just talking with a friend and keeping in touch with family can help you to feel better. It’s vital to have a good state of mental health at university as without it you will find it harder to focus on work or have a fun experience. Exercising regularly and eating healthier is a great way to improve one’s mental health.


Sexual Health Check and Contraception Advice

If you are worried about your sexual health and think you may need a check, or just need advice about sexual health or contraception, you can get this advice for free through NHS GP. You can come into a practice or talk online to an expert who will be able to answer any questions and address any concerns. This can include dealing with issues such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginismus, reduced sex drive or any other questions you may have about sexual health.


 If you think you may have an STI, read this page for potential symptoms that may need checking. If you need access to contraception, all general practises or family planning clinics provide free condoms and contraception to anyone, regardless of whether they are a patient registered there. It’s always best to have contraception, even if you don’t plan to be sexually active.


Appointment Management & Repeat Prescriptions

If you have frequent appointments with a GP, our online platform is great for handling your appointments, making sure you know when exactly you need to come into a practice or be ready for an online consultation. You can also handle your prescriptions efficiently, knowing when you’re going to run out and easily ordering more.


Vaccine Information

You can use NHS GP to find out more about what vaccinations you may need before you begin university, read on for more information about this.


Vaccinations

Before you head off to university, it is best to get vaccinations against certain diseases. This is due to being surrounded by new people from all over the country, who may be carrying different strains of diseases and antibodies. This means there is more chance of you getting ill or passing on diseases to others. Here are a few vaccines you should make sure you get:


●     COVID-19 Vaccine - Getting this vaccine will give you the best protection against coronavirus. It is best to have both doses and the booster for the maximum amount of protection. Most universities will strongly recommend all students and staff be vaccinated before starting the academic year.

●     Meningococcal ACWY Immunisation - Students are at an increased risk of Meningitis due to having close contact with new people who may be unknowingly carrying the meningitis bacteria. You may have had this vaccine given to you at school already, but it is best to talk to your GP practice to ensure that you have had it. The MenACWY vaccine will also protect you from septicaemia and other potentially fatal illnesses.

●     MMR Vaccine - This vaccine will protect you from measles, mumps and rubella which has commonly caused outbreaks in universities. In 2019 there were more than 220 suspected mumps cases in Nottingham universities, with many more unreported cases thought to have occurred. Mumps is a very infectious illness spread through fluids that causes swelling of the glands, leading to headache, joint pain, sickness, tiredness, high temperature and a loss of appetite. Rubella is rarer and causes a spotty rash, aching, swollen glands and a high temperature.

●     Flu Jab - An annual flu vaccination can help you stay healthy during flu season. New strains of the flu emerge each year, so having a flu jab can help keep these strains away.


For international students, you will need to be up to date with all immunisations as recommended by the Department of Health so check with your GP to see what you need.


GP Services From NHS GP

Register now with NHS GP to gain access to a range of services, both online and in person. We know that students live a busy schedule, so you can access online student health options without having to pop into a clinic to see us. This can include live online consultations with practitioners and access to a wealth of advice.


To find out more about the services we can offer, whether it’s online clinical services, prescriptions or appointments, visit our website now to find out more and find the contact details for all four of our North West London branches.

How to Tell if You Have Diabetes

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 28 September 2022
Diabetes isn’t an uncommon illness, but it can be serious and result in your having to change your lifestyle. There are two different kinds of diabetes, and the main difference between them is that type 1 is genetic, whereas type 2 diabetes can be down to your lifestyle and will develop over time, rather than showing up in an earlier stage of your life. It is important to know what the symptoms of diabetes are so that you can address the problem sooner rather than later, so below are some of the key things to look out for and when you should see a doctor. What are the Symptoms? If you want to know how to tell if you have diabetes, these are common indicators that you might have developed this problem. The need to urinate frequently, or feeling thirsty and/or hungry a lot. You might also notice that you experience extreme fatigue, weight loss, tingling sensation, or pain in your hands and feet. Cuts and bruises might also take longer to heal than they have done in the past. Some people might also experience blurred vision or find that they are getting thrush in the genital area repeatedly. You may want to refer to a self help service to check symptoms if you are concerned. What Should You Do? If you are concerned that you have diabetes, the first thing to do is make an appointment with your doctor. They can arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels, as this can be a great indicator of whether or not you have diabetes and can be one of the first warning signs. High blood sugar can be treated with lifestyle changes, and you may need to take insulin at times too. Your doctor can talk you through how to manage your diabetes more effectively, or look at NHS GP for more information. They may even refer you to specialist centers for disease control for further support and guidance. Who is at a Higher Risk? If you do have a history of type 1 diabetes in your family, then you are more likely to develop this condition, too. However, for type 2 diabetes, those at a higher risk include people who have a diet that is high in fats and sugars and are overweight. Your risk also increases the older you get, with a lot of people developing this when they are over 40. This is why it is important to monitor high levels of blood sugar and get this tested if you are concerned. Lifestyle Changes for Diabetics If you do have type 2 diabetes, there are some things you can do at home to help this. The first step is to look at moving to a healthier lifestyle and eating a more balanced diet with reduced sugar. Remember to be careful with carbs, too, as these can turn into sugar in your body. You might also want to think about getting more exercise to help you lose weight which can be beneficial.  If you are worried about whether or not you have developed diabetes, contact your doctor as soon as possible to take the necessary tests.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 25 August 2022
What is PTSD? Learn about the symptoms of PTSD and what to do if you think you or a loved one has this psychiatric disorder. PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that occurs after a traumatic event or prolonged trauma over time. Historically, it became known as “shell shock”, which many soldiers experienced after combat in the world wars. However, any kind of trauma can lead to this disorder, such as: Accidents Assault Abuse Illness or injury (either yourself or a loved one) The death of a loved one Going through these experiences does not being you will definitely experience PTSD. A traumatic event or prolonged trauma might trigger the disorder in one person and not another, and it has not been determined exactly why. One suggestion is that those suffering from PTSD have high-stress hormone levels, though this isn’t always the case. If you think you or a loved one might have PTSD, it’s crucial to understand the symptoms and seek medical help to process the memories and reduce symptoms over time. Below are the most common symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder PTSD. Flashbacks of Trauma After experiencing a traumatic event, many people feel sad, scared, and anxious, and these symptoms tend to improve naturally over a few weeks. In people with PTSD, these symptoms last far longer and can produce one of the most common symptoms associated with post traumatic stress disorder: flashbacks. Flashbacks make a person with PTSD experience the traumatic event over and over again in their mind. Often, the flashback is very vivid and causes high levels of panic and anxiety, and can even become debilitating in severe cases. Frequent Nightmares People with PTSD usually experience frequent nightmares, often of the traumatic event or events that they have been through. These nightmares cause elevated stress levels and can lead to further issues, like sleeping difficulties and insomnia. Extreme Anxiety Anxiety is a symptom of multiple mental health issues, including PTSD. After experiencing trauma, a person with PTSD will often feel extreme anxiety in their day-to-day life. They Avoidance It is common for people living with PTSD to avoid anything associated with the traumatic event they experienced, which often includes people, places or activities. It is common for sufferers to even withdraw from their friends and family. Over time, this can make their symptoms even worse as they continue to isolate themselves. Intrusive Thoughts Intrusive thoughts involve upsetting and confusing thoughts that those with PTSD wish would disappear. Typically, these thoughts lead to feelings of guilt and upset. Without treatment, these intrusive thoughts are difficult to manage and might worsen over time in some cases. Irritability or Anger Many people with PTSD become irritable or angry, which can lead to reckless behaviour. This behaviour might cause them to damage their relationships. Extreme anger may also be a sign of complex PTSD, which is caused by long-term trauma rather than a single event. PTSD in Children Children can get PTSD just like adults. The symptoms may look different, though. If you suspect your child has PTSD, here are the signs to look out for: Reliving the traumatic event Angry outbursts Nightmares Fear and/or sadness Seek Help for PTSD When experiencing symptoms like this, it’s important to see mental health specialists in order to determine the cause. Then, these mental health professionals can provide appropriate treatment to help the patient manage and improve their symptoms over time, whether through therapy or medication, or a combination of both. If you think you or your loved one is experiencing PTSD, book an appointment with your NHS GP as soon as possible. Help is available, and nobody has to carry on suffering with their symptoms.

How to Improve Student Mental Health

by Jahan Mahmoodi • 18 August 2022
Student life can be rough. If you feel as though your mental health is beginning to suffer as a result, here are some tips that may be able to help.