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 problems could make each day
challenging. We have summarized information on
physical 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 3

AnemiaCenter 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Anemia
1. What is anemia?
①Anemia and its symptoms
Anemia is “a state of thin blood.” Medically, it means there isinsufficient hemoglobin (protein in red blood cells, which carry
oxygen) in blood. A decrease in hemoglobin lowers the abilityof blood to transport oxygen, leading to various symptoms due
to hypoxia in organs and tissues. “Pallor,” “systemic fatigue,”“palpitation,” “shortness of breaths,” “unsteadiness on feet,”and “dizziness upon standing up” are common symptoms.

②The most common anemia: iron-deficiency anemia

progresses slowly; thus, the body may become accustomed toonset, one may experience heaviness in the head, headache,

low hemoglobin and you may not feel fatigue or shortness of

double vision, nausea, vomiting, feeling of being unwell,breath. Most medical facilities can perform blood tests for

palpitation, sweating, stomach ache, and black spots. Evenanemia. If you experience any concerning symptoms, please go

when one faints, it usually only lasts a few minutes (mostly lessget tested.

than one minute). Many healthy and young students without
serious medical history, who visit the center because they felt

2. Cerebral anemia

unwell or fainted during a class or in a bathroom, are sufferingfrom orthostatic hypotension or neutrally mediated syncope.

①Orthostatic hypotension and neutrally mediated syncope

The symptoms improve quickly if one lies down and rests. It is“Cerebral anemia” may be confused with anemia. Regardlesscommon during the morning (during commute or first/secondof the level of hemoglobin in the blood, the blood pressureperiods) in the first term (spring to summer) when students are

becomes unbalanced temporarily, and drops, causing cerebral

new to the school, have not eaten breakfast, and/or have hadischemia (insufficient blood flow to the brain). This in turnlittle sleep. The number of students who seem to be suffering

causes unsteadiness, dizziness upon standing, black spots,from orthostatic hypotension or neutrally mediated syncope

dizziness, and nausea. In most cases, symptoms improvedecreases in the afternoon and in the latter term.

“Anemia” is not one disease, but there are different types based

quickly. This condition is called “orthostatic hypotension.” Inon the c ause of anemia. The most c ommon anemia issevere cases, a person could faint, which is called “neutrally③Importance of prevention and treatment as needediron-deficiency anemia, caused by insufficient iron in the body.

mediated sync ope” (fainting means temporar ily losing

Prevention is impor tant for or thostatic hypotension andAnemia experienced by many young women is iron-deficiency

consciousness due to temporary decrease in blood flow to theneutrally mediated syncope. It is extremely impor tant toanemia. The reason iron-deficiency anemia is more common inbrain). Many people who visit the center complaining of anemia

understand what causes symptoms, and avoid likely triggers

women is because they tend to bleed more due to menstruation

are actually suffering from orthostatic hypotension or neutrally(standing or sitting for a long time, dehydration, lack of sleep,or gynecological diseases (fibroids, endometriosis, etc.),

mediated syncope.

stress, etc.). In many cases, lifestyle guidance is sufficient, andleading to insufficient iron in the body. Iron-deficiency anemia inthese symptoms usually do not inter fere with daily lives.

men tends to occur due to bleeding from stomach, intestine, or②Symptoms and triggers

However, there are some cases where symptoms occur

digestive tract. It has more likelihood of severe diseases, andThe symptoms of or thostatic hypotension and neutrally

regularly, or where the symptoms are so severe that theythus, requires more attention. Of course, women could develop

mediated syncope are a sudden onset unlike anemia. Theyinter fere with daily lives. In such cases, tests at medical

anemia other than iron-deficiency anemia, and should be tested

usually have clear triggers as well, including physical or mental

facilities and treatment with drugs may become necessary. If

if there are any symptoms that cause a concern.

stress such as standing or sitting for a long time, dehydration,

you are experiencing any concerning symptom, please feel freelack of sleep, fatigue, pain stimulation, and fear; environmental

to visit the center.

③Diagnosing anemia

causes such as crowd or enclosed space; urination (especiallyTo diagnose anemia, a blood test must be performed. A blood

after drinking); and defecation. A common situation is someone

test can determine if it is anemia, and if so, its degree (mild,becoming ill or fainting from standing for a long time in amoderate, or severe) and type (iron-deficiency or other types). It

crowded train. Normally, the autonomic nerve (sympathetic

is difficult to diagnose anemia based on subjective symptoms.

nerve and parasympathetic nerve systems) balances andIn a health checkup, the doctor asks you to pull the lower eyelid

maintains the blood pressure and pulse constant, but when

down to check for palpebral conjunctiva. If the conjunctiva isthese balances are not maintained, the blood pressure andpale blue, anemia is quite advanced. In a mild anemia, it would

heart rate could drop, leading to decreased blood flow in thenot be possible to tell in this manner. Iron-deficiency anemia

brain, and then fainting. As a precursor immediately before theNoriko YAMAMOTO, March 2016.03

Health consultation room