ATLANTA, August 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- As freshmen prepare to head off to college this fall, parents should make sure that students are as prepared for dorm life as they are for the classroom, and one important aspect of living away from home for the first time is good health practices.
"Students think about packing clothes and books and computers for school," said Reza Haque, M.D., spokesman for Novartis Ophthalmics North America. The company is the maker of GenTeal(TM) Lubricant Eye Drops and Zaditor(TM) (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.025%). "But parents need to make sure that good health habits don't get left behind."
Before heading off to college, students should have an annual physical to make sure all of their vaccinations are up to date. Most colleges and universities require proof of all or some of the following vaccinations: measles, rubella, tetanus, mumps, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis B and tuberculin PPD.
Students who rely on medications to control allergies and other illnesses may want to fill their doctors' prescriptions before leaving home. "Realizing you need a certain medication and not having it on hand is not fun," said Haque. "You are not going to feel like walking over to the student health center."
It's also a good idea to have an eye exam before beginning college, said Haque. Students will spend countless hours in front of computers and books during their college years, and a student's sight should be at peak efficiency to avoid eye strain (asthenopia). Symptoms include headaches; itchy, sore, or heavy eyes; and blurred or double vision. Visual stress can also lead to body fatigue and reduced efficiency. Students also may suffer from a painful condition called dry eye, in which the eye does not produce enough tears. Environmental factors such as poor indoor air quality, contact lens use and heavy computer use - all characteristic of college life - often contribute to dry eye, said Haque. Eye strain and dry eye are relieved by artificial tear products such as GenTeal, which soothes dry irritated eyes.
According to the American College Health Association, parents should also make sure their children know that on-campus medical help is available and encourage them to make use of campus health resources when needed. Parents should also explain medical insurance coverage.
A dorm-room first aid kit is also helpful. It should contain:
- Antibacterial cream - Anti-diarrheal medication - Anti-inflammatory cream or lotions - Cough suppressant, expectorant - Wound disinfectant - Fever, headache, muscle ache medication - Miscellaneous supplies, such as adhesive bandages, elastic bandage, ice bag and heating pad
Background on Novartis Ophthalmics
With worldwide headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Ophthalmics is a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of leading ophthalmic pharmaceuticals that assist in the treatment of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, eye inflammation, ocular allergies and other diseases and disorders of the eye. Novartis Ophthalmics products are available in more than 110 different countries. The North American headquarters is based in Atlanta, Ga. Novartis Ophthalmics has production sites in Switzerland, France and Canada. For more information, please go to the web site www.novartisophthalmics.com/us.
Background on Novartis AG
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2002, the Group's businesses achieved sales of CHF 32.4 billion (USD 20.9 billion) and a net income of CHF 7.3 billion (USD 4.7 billion). The Group invested approximately CHF 4.3 billion (USD 2.8 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 72 900 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com