Ask A Question




Health Iowa staff members make every effort to address as many questions as possible in a timely manner, however, not all questions are answered. Written responses are general in nature and should not be used as specific diagnoses or treatment of conditions. Search the Q&A to see if your question has already been answered.

If you have a specific, personal health issue, contact your healthcare provider. University of Iowa students can call 335-8394 to schedule an appointment.

Recent Questions


How long does a typical Adderall pill stay in the system for?

Adderall is a combination of Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine which are a group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. These types of medications are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy among other cases determined by your doctor. For the most part these drugs are metabolized quickly, when you are prescribed the medicine and dosage by your physician you can speak specifically about how it will react with your body.

Many students who are not prescribed Adderall attempt to use it to help focus on writing papers, studying, or to suppress an appetite. Adderall can be habit forming, have many side effects, and have withdrawal effects if you have taken it regularly then attempt to stop. It is also difficult to determine how long it will stay in your system, because it depends on multiple factors within each individual. Detection of Adderall depends on the sensitivity of the test. For more information about the medicine, and to prevent abuse from occurring please visit: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602653.

Erika Christiansen
Practicum Student
Health Iowa/ Student Health Service

Paul W. Natvig, M.D.
Staff Psychologist
Student Health Service

Written 2/19/10
 

Question Link : http://www.uistudenthealth.com/question/default.aspx?q=1120

I keep getting Urinary Tract Infections. As you can imagine they are painful and inconvenient. Is there anything I can do to help avoid these? Is there maybe an underlying issue?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can affect men and women, but more commonly occur in women. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria, cling to the opening of the urethra (the part that connects the bladder to the outside of the body) and multiply. Most infections come from E.Coli from the colon, but it can also be from Chlamydia and Mycoplasma, which are sexually transmitted.

UTIs can be painful and annoying since you feel like you have to use the restroom often, and when you do, it burns. There may also be pressure in the abdomen and the urine can be milky or even bloody in appearance. Usually it does not cause a fever, but if it does you need to consult a doctor because it may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys.

Now that the unpleasant symptoms have been explained, let’s get to the treatment and prevention options. If you get them more than three times a year, see your doctor about the following options:
• Take low doses of an antibiotic (like TMP/SMZ or nitrofurantoin) daily for 6 months or longer
• Take a shorter course (1 or 2 days) of antibiotics when symptoms appear

Sometimes, when women complain of recurrent UTIs, it may be that the original UTI was undertreated with antibiotics (not long enough), or the antibiotic was not strong enough, the symptoms are actually from a sexually transmitted infection or perhaps there are other underlying issues predisposing to UTIs (neurogenic bladder, incomplete bladder emptying, pelvic floor dysfunction, kidney stones, kidney or bladder anomalies).

There are multiple possible underlying causes to your frequency of UTIs. Now, when you are UTI free – be sure to take these steps to stay this way:
• Drink plenty of water
• Urinate often and right away when you feel like it
• Wipe from front to back to keep the bacteria in the anus from spreading forward
• Take showers instead of baths
• Urinate and wipe well before intercourse
• Urinate immediately after intercourse (intercourse can cause all sorts of bacteria to spread to different places, so be sure to urinate to clean out the urethra)
• Research has shown that using condoms with spermicide increases UTI risk – avoid if you get frequent UTIs
• Change your tampons and pads frequently
• Avoid feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches which irritate the urethra
• If you use a diaphragm for birth control, try another method since women who use diaphragms are shown to get infections more often
• Some people recommend cranberry juice, yet the evidence isn’t clear

Additionally, if you still are experiencing the burn down there after treatment and prevention options have failed, consult a doctor, who specializes in urinary disorders (urologist) or kidney disorders (nephrologist) about more extensive testing.

Renae DeVolder, BA
Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Source: Mayo Clinic and the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Written 2/12/10
 

Question Link : http://www.uistudenthealth.com/question/default.aspx?q=1119

How long is the TB test valid?

Experts advise people who have a high risk of TB to get a skin test once a year. Generally, the TB test should be conducted each year during your birth month. High risk individuals include those with HIV or other conditions that weaken the immune system, people who live or work in a prison or nursing home, health care workers, people from countries with high rates of TB, and others in high-risk groups:

• People who became infected with TB bacteria in the last 2 years
• Babies and young children
• People who inject illegal drugs
• Elderly people
• People who were not treated correctly for TB in the past

Resources from www.mayoclinic.com and www.cdc.gov. Please visit websites for further details.

Amanda Truppe, B.S.
Health Educator
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written 2/11/10
 

Question Link : http://www.uistudenthealth.com/question/default.aspx?q=1118

Where should I have my immunization records sent to? What address?

Immunization records should be sent directly to Student Health Service at:

4189 Westlawn South
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242-1100

The records need to be validated by a health official of some kind: medical history form (with health official signature) or copies of actual immunization records from a health office. Scrapbook notes, copies of baby books, etc. will NOT work.

Students should send their records as soon as they have been admitted to the university. If you are a new student and do not send the records to Student Health Service, you will get a block on your registration for subsequent semesters. This will delay your registration process and getting into your preferred classes. Many students bring their records to summer orientation, which Student Health Service can accept there.


Amanda Truppe, B.S.
Health Educator/Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa

Lisa James, RN MSN
Interim Administrative Director
Student Health Service

Written 2/15/2010
 

Question Link : http://www.uistudenthealth.com/question/default.aspx?q=1117

Does Student Health Services offer non-latex condoms for free or a reduced price?

Approximately 7% of the population experiences latex allergy and Student Health Service attempts to meet the contraceptive needs of University of Iowa students. Student Health Service offers free latex and non-latex condoms for students. Latex condoms are available in the waiting areas in the Student Health Service, as well as at programming and outreach events. Latex-free condoms are available by emailing Cassandra-miller@uiowa.edu or by calling 335-8094.

Erika Christiansen
Practicum Student
Health Iowa/ Student Health Service

Written 2/11/10
 

Question Link : http://www.uistudenthealth.com/question/default.aspx?q=1116