Welcome everyone[Contact us at Center for Health Sciences and Counseling]

Introduction
or digestive issues? It is not bad enough to go to a
hospital, and you have been managing on your own,
but you feel jealous of healthy friends, worry that it
might never get better, or feel disappointed in yourself
that you would perform better if you were healthy.
Even minor health problem could make each day
challenging. We have summarized information on thephysical and mental issues for those of you who areconcerned with minor health issues.
This is for those who are struggling now and forever yone else. Please take a moment to read thispamphlet.

For students○Mon. – Fri. 9:00-17:00○http://www.chc.kyusyu-u.ac.jp/

Have you experienced fatigue, occasional headaches,Selfcare

Center for Health Sciences and Counseling(2nd floor, Big Sand) 092-802-5881
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Center Zone, Ito Campus
Ito Center Zone (1st floor, Center Zone 1) 092-802-5859
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Ito Campus West Zone
Ito West Zone (3 rd floor, West Zone 3) 092-802-3297

Mental and physical health 4Intestinal issues

Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Hospital Campus(1st floor, Building of Administrative
Offices of Research and Education) 092-642-6889
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Chikushi Campus(old health science center) 092-583-7685
Center for Health Sciences and Counseling,
Ohashi Campus(2nd floor, Design Commons) 092-553-4581

Selfcare series for students[Student life][Mental and physical health]

1. Student counseling Q & A

1. Sleep disorder

2. How to make small talk

2. Headache

3. How to take tests andmake presentations

3. Anemia

4. How to not procrastinate
5. How to get over failures
6. How to deal with parents
during adolescent year

4. Intestinal issues
5. Adjustment disorder
6. Anxiety disorder andpanic disorder

7. How to control anger

7. Cause ofdepression

8. Transfer students

8. Symptoms of depression

9. How to manage yourschedule

9. Autonomic nerves andautogenic training

This pamphlet summarizes the information necessary for you

10. Friendship at the university

10.Relaxationencounter. Please refer to this pamphlet as needed.

11. Quit the university?

11. Health issues associatedwith smoking

12. For students that planto study abroad

12. Infectious diseases

Source: Center for Health Sciences and Counseling, Kyushu University.
Illustration by Chiyo Inoue※Copyright Center for Health Sciences and Counseling, Kyushu University.

to manage the mental and physic al problems you may

Kyushu University
Center for Health Sciences and CounselingIntestinal issues

disease, and which include organic or functional impairment.” Itexamining the lifestyle habits and stress is required. If one

excludes mental diseases such as neurosis and depression

cannot change the dietary habits, sleep habits, and the way ofaccompanied with physical symptoms.

thinking, symptoms c ould repeat. Moreover, forcefully
controlling stomach aches, diarrhea, and constipation—

1. Intestinal issues are issues of the body

In short, not only when there are visible damages (organic

expression of stress—through drugs could lead to otherdisorder), but also if there are problems with functions despite

symptoms.

The intestine is a ver y long organ. There are individual

not having any visible abnormality in organs (functionaldifferences, but generally, the human small intestine is 6 to 7 mdisorder), if stress is involved in the onset or course, it is calledlong, while the large intestine is about 1.5 m long. However, thispsychosomatic disorder.

keep the intestines in the abdomen, making them shorter

3. What is important in treating
psychosomatic disorders

is anatomical length, and in a living body, muscles contract to②Symptoms and the disease

The treatment of psychosomatic disorders requires both
physical and psychological treatments. In psychological(especially the small intestine). As it is such a long organ andworks continuously to digest and absorb, maintaining a regularSymptoms of IBS include diarrhea, constipation, stomach

treatment, stress must be removed or managed. Drugs

bowel movement is not an easy feat. I am sure everyone hasache, and excess gas. It is common in developed nations(anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, etc.), counseling,experienced constipation or diarrhea. Dehydration or weakened

including Japan. In Japan, 10% to 15% of the population

relaxation techniques, and support of friends and family may beintestinal function can lead to constipation, while stimulants

suf fer s f rom I B S, w hic h is 1/ 3 of t he pat ient s visit ing

effective. It is necessary to enjoy hobbies and leisure time. For

could cause diarrhea. If constipation or diarrhea lasts for a long

gastroenterology departments. Depending on the symptoms, it

those who tend to develop psychosomatic disorders, to improvetime, leading to weight loss, or if there is fever, change in stool,

is classified into constipation, diarrhea, and alternating

their stress management, they must objectively examine theiror blood, you need to be tested at a hospital or see a specialist.

constipation and diarrhea. It is slightly more common insituation and what is causing stress, and learn to express

women. Diarrhea is more common in men, while constipation isemotions appropriately, and not accumulate stress.

2. What is irritable bowel syndrome?

more common in women. Other than stress, its cause isunknown. However, it has recently been shown that when there①A close link between mind and intestine

is stress, a stress hormone is released from the pituitary gland,
which inter feres with the intestinal function, leading to

If you have recurring diarrhea or constipation, especially whensymptoms of IBS. As this process repeats, the intestine

stressed, you may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome

becomes “hypersensitive” to stimuli, and reacts to minor pain or(IBS), which is a name for diseases caused by an abnormal

movement and causes a stress reaction in the brain, enhancing

function of the large intestine or secretory function. It used tothe symptoms. The link between the body and mind has been

be called irritable large intestine syndrome, but it became clear

empirically known for a long time, and it has been said thatthat it involves not only the large intestine but the whole“ fancy may kill or cure.” The progress made in modern

digestive tract; thus, the term large intestine changed to bowel.

medicine is now trying to scientifically elucidate our empirical

One may experience stomach pain or diarrhea in stressful

knowledge.

situations such as meetings, presentations, or a situation one
wishes to avoid. Generally, people do not suffer from a sudden③To prevent worsening symptoms

onset of constipation; thus, rapid onsets are usually stomachache or diarrhea. Since there is no sign such as inflammation

IBS is not a disease that causes any risk of death, but if thereor tumor in any test, it is considered a psychosomatic disorder,

are many restrictions in daily lives in order to avoid symptoms,

which refers to “diseases that have psychological and social

QOL could be affected. Therefore, to improve symptoms, notfactors (stressor) closely involved in the onset of a physicalonly regulating the intestinal function with medications but also

Masahiro IRIE, March 2016