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Fact sheets

Abortion Safety and Privacy

In an increasingly digital world, there are more records of what type of information people are searching for and where they are searching for it. It's possible that this type of data can be used to prosecute those who are seeking an abortion or helping someone else seek an abortion.

Healthy Sleep Habits

Sleep plays an integral role in maintaining physical and mental health. Not getting enough quality sleep can interfere with a person’s ability to store newly learned information, potentially leading to a negative impact on academic performance. In addition, sleep deprivation is associated with daytime sleepiness, depressed mood, impaired concentration and memory, and a weakened immune system. Practicing healthy sleep habits (also known as good sleep hygiene) can make a big difference in a person’s quality of life. A considerable amount of research has demonstrated that practicing sleep hygiene strategies such as the ones listed below, improves sleep quality and prevents sleep disturbances among university students.

Communicating and Relating

Many people agree that communicating with others is scary. In fact, enough books on communication and relationships have been published to fill a library. When it comes to relating with fellow humans, there are a number of important factors to keep in mind:

Common Cold Care

First signs of a common cold, also called an upper respiratory infection (URI), typically include a sore throat and runny nose, followed by coughing and sneezing. The common cold is caused by a virus. Antibiotics will not help you recover from a cold. If you catch a cold, it’s recommended that you get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid smoking and second-hand smoke. Colds can last from one to two weeks, but there are a number of ways to relieve symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help ease symptoms, but some products may contain medications or alcohol you don’t need or want. Always use as directed and consult your health care provider if you have questions, especially if you have a chronic health condition or are taking other prescription or OTC medications.

Self-Care for Headaches

The main symptom of headaches is head pain. Though the majority of headaches are benign or not life-threatening, some may be an indicator of a more serious health issue.

Zika virus

The Zika virus is a virus transmitted through an Aedes mosquito bite. Most commonly, these mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected individual. The virus is then spread to other people through subsequent bites. A few cases of Zika virus have been transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, or from an infected pregnant mother to her baby, but more research is required to fully understand these processes. While outbreaks of Zika virus have mostly occurred in regions of Africa and Asia, a growing number of cases are occurring in parts of South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Flu (Influenza): Overview

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause illness ranging from mild to severe, and sometimes leading to hospitalization or death. Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination.

Stress: The Basics

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. Work, school, relationships, and daily hassles can often serve as stressors, or sources of stress. Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Good stress, or eustress, pushes us to work harder. When this stress becomes overwhelming or hard to manage, it’s called distress and can impact your health.

What is an abortion?

Abortion is the process of terminating a pregnancy. This can be done through two different methods: medication abortion or an in-clinic abortion. The different types of abortion may be used in varying circumstances, such as how long it has been since the pregnant person's last menstrual cycle, their health history, their preferences, and what services are available in their area.

How do I get an abortion?

Due to the changing legal landscape in the United States, access to abortion can vary by state. Various resources can be utilized in order to find an abortion provider and to learn about what services are available in your state. Different funds also exist to help people who need these services pay for the costs associated with it.

Alcohol: When is it a problem?

Patterns of alcohol use can change over the course of a lifetime or even over a semester. Deciding if your patterns of use are problematic can sometimes feel difficult. One way to conceptualize alcohol use is to think of it as behavior falling on a continuum.

Alcohol: Lowering Risk

Alcohol can be a way to enhance social experiences, especially when consumed in a way that reduces the risk of harm. Most Columbia students who choose to practice lower risk drinking behaviors.

Birth Control Options - Medication and Long-acting Reversible Contraception

There’s a plethora of birth control options to choose from when it comes to medication and LARCs. What is available in these categories differs based on whether they contain hormones, how often they must be taken or renewed, and their effectiveness rate. Hormonal options might contain estrogen, progestin (a form of progesterone), or a combination of the two. Estrogen prevents an egg from leaving the ovaries during ovulation. Progestin can also prevent ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. However, it’s important to recognize that medications and LARCs do not prevent STIs.

Birth Control Options – Barrier Methods

These methods attempt to block sperm from fertilizing an egg, either with a physical barrier or a substance that lowers the ability for sperm to swim and meet an egg. Some options can also reduce the chance of contracting or spreading STIs.

Birth Control Options – Surgical Methods

These methods are considered permanent birth control or voluntary sterilization options because they involve a surgical procedure that’s generally difficult or expensive to reverse. Additionally, reversing this procedure does not ensure that your fertility will return to pre-procedure levels. And it’s important to note that these options do not protect against STIs.

Birth Control Options – Lifestyle Options

While lifestyle options are typically the least effective at preventing pregnancy—aside from abstinence—they are often the most cost effective. However, they might involve some planning or communication between sexual partners to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. Lifestyle methods of birth control do not prevent against STIs, so be sure to use a barrier method if you are looking for protection.

Birth Control Basics

Birth control (or contraception) is any regimen or medicine used to prevent pregnancy. Most birth control options are used by people with internal reproductive anatomy such as a uterus, vulva, and vagina, while only a few options are available for those with external reproductive anatomy such as a penis and testes. However, more research is being done to expand options for those with external reproductive anatomy.

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