Study, sleep or socialize — welcome to college, where you can only choose two. Unfortunately, the most commonly shafted “s” of the three is the only one that is physically essential to our health and well-being.

Though the exact functions of sleep are unknown, sleep is crucial for normal motor and cognitive function, according to the National Institutes of Health.

“Sleep is restorative,” said Russ Federman, director of Counseling and Psychological Services. “Without sleep, we go crazy and our minds don’t work as effectively.”

Conditions associated with sleep problems include fatigue, loss of energy, lethargy, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses and emotional instability, according to the NIH.

Why, then, is sleep often neglected in the collegiate world?

“Students pour themselves into their course work, extracurriculars and social lives, dedicating too many hours to each one, without realizing that they compromise themselves in the process,” Federman said.

Ironically, it is usually this over-expenditure of biological resources that causes students’ sleep troubles in the first place. Most University students can speak firsthand about the far-ranging physical and mental implications after a poor night’s sleep.

“Recently, I’ve been finding it more difficult to fall asleep … I’ve had a lot of work piling up the last month or so. Hopefully once I knock it out, things will go back to normal,” second-year College student Reedy Swanson said. “When I don’t get enough [sleep] over a sustained period of time, I feel psychologically, physically and intellectually drained.”

Second-year College student Anna Kushner noted that she has had similar experiences.

“I feel really weak and kind of sick and have trouble working out,” she said.

Those effects, however, are relatively minor when compared to the dangers of prolonged sleep deprivation.

“Sustained sleep deprivation makes people more vulnerable to onset of depression,” Federman said. “Temporary sleep deprivation tends to precipitate hypomanic states, which are a milder version of mania, and vice versa.”

A good fraction of the student population actually experiences sleep deprivation, he added.

“It affects their mood and the general effectiveness of thought processes,” he said.

For those with trouble falling asleep, the NIH recommends a cool, dark room as the best environment to cause the onset of sleep. Federman emphasized that sleep is just as important to students’ health as eating right and working out.

“If you get good diet and exercise, you are less susceptible to illness,” he said. “Sleep is the same — it is essential to good health.”

You’re giving a speech and you notice your armpits feel warm and moist. You’re on a first date and your palms are drenched. You frequently have to bring two T-shirts to the gym. Sweating can be embarrassing, especially when it happens at times when you want to convey an image of cool confidence. Those who sweat excessively are often anxious about their condition, which may lead to social withdrawal. But fear not, loyal sweat-ers. Excessive sweating isn’t always a cause for alarm, and there are things you can do to weaken its adverse effects.

Hyperhidrosis, the fancy term for excessive sweating, can affect any body part that has sweat glands. Technically, more than 20 milligrams of sweat per palm per minute can be defined as hyperhidrosis. If you don’t have time to measure your sweat (who doesn’t?!), then just know this — any amount of sweating that causes you to feel embarrassed is considered “excessive.”

Hyperhidrosis can be focal or generalized. Focal sweating frequently occurs on the palms, soles, underarms and forehead, and is usually the result of stress. Generalized sweating, on the other hand, can involve the entire body. Although most cases result from unknown causes, endocrine disorders, some foods and drinks, certain medications, cancers and infections are the common culprits.

Hyperhidrosis can be diagnosed by history and examination, and your doctor might include other targeted tests. So if you’re experiencing any type of excessive sweating, visit your doctor.

The key to preventing sweaty situations is to figure out why you sweat. If it’s related to stress, you can retrain your brain by gradually exposing yourself to that stressor. Eventually, your body won’t respond as if you’re in danger. You can also try to avoid stimulants, such as caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate or certain over-the-counter medications.

If your prevention techniques aren’t cutting it, try controlling hyperhidrosis with over-the-counter antiperspirants. Look for ones with aluminum salts, which have been shown to block the ducts leading from the sweat glands to the surface of the skin. And even if you’re sweating in places other than your armpits, applying aluminum chloride at night may help. You can find this in both prescription and non-prescription strength. Wash and thoroughly dry the sweaty area, then apply the solution. If that doesn’t work, try applying a plastic film over the solution to enhance its effectiveness. Remove the solution in the morning. This regimen usually leads to positive results in a week. Afterward, an application once or twice a week will help to maintain relief.

If these non-invasive treatments still don’t work, your doctor can try some more aggressive methods. Tap water iontophoresis, for instance, uses electricity to “turn off” the sweat glands. Certain medicines can be used, as well, and injections of botox can temporarily diminish sweating. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each possible treatment.

Odor, which is caused by sweat mixing with bacteria and yeast on the surface of the skin, is often an embarrassing side effect of hyperhydrosis. Try cleaning the problem area twice a day with soap and water. To reduce the amount of bacteria, you may need to use antibacterial creams containing antibiotics. And don’t overlook the basics: Shave whenever possible and wash your clothes often!
The bottom line is, excessive sweating is an embarrassing problem, but you don’t have to let it affect your life. There are many treatments available, regardless of the root cause of your condition. Seek the advice of your doctor to rule out any underlying medical condition that could be causing your excessive sweating, and be sure to discuss the various treatment options.

Kira Blair Mayo is a University Medical student. She can be reached at k.mayo@cavalierdaily.com.

The evolutionary development of language — which is estimated to have begun 100,000 to 50,000 years ago — is the result of two small genetic changes with big physiological results, according to a study published in the journal Nature.

The FOXP2 gene in humans has about 740 units similar to that of chimpanzees, Homo sapiens’ closest evolutionary cousin. The human version’s primary function is to control 116 additional genes that have evolved as a network to produce language and speech.

Researchers found that not only do the two variations of FOXP2 between humans and chimpanzees look different, but they function differently as well. While all mammals and birds have the FOXP2 gene, the subtle differences — two different units of the gene — have enabled humans to speak and to formulate complex languages.

Scientists hope this discovery will provide insight into language and evolution on the molecular level. Researchers also say the results will provide insight into speech disorders and more complex conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. Oxford researchers initially discovered the FOXP2 gene in 2001 while studying a London family, half of whom had difficulty producing and understanding speech.

Studies since have been conducted, including one in which a German biologist genetically engineered a mouse to carry the human FOXP2 gene. Scientists observed subtle changes in the mouse’s communication but concluded that mice are too removed from human phylogeny to offer useful results. At the University of California, Los Angeles, Daniel H. Geschwind more recently placed the chimpanzee FOXP2 gene in laboratory-grown human neurons to confirm that the gene serves as the source of language.

—compiled by Lani Hossain

Scientists may have discovered the fountain of youth in an Ashkenazi Jewish community in New York. A team of researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered a gene in all subjects — who averaged 97 years old — that prevents their cells from aging.

The gene produces higher levels of the enzyme telomerase, which protects the body’s telomeres from shortening during cell division and over time, in turn protecting the body’s cells from dying. Telomeres are located at the end of chromosomes and serve to prevent DNA from unraveling during cell division. During each phase of cell division, however, the telomeres shorten. The shorter the telomere, the greater chance that the cell will die.

Researchers studied a group of 86 healthy individuals, 175 of their children and 93 individuals whose parents lived a normal lifespan. They chose to study the Ashkenazi Jewish community because its members are so closely related, making it easier to identify genetic differences.

The team’s published results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal indicate that younger generations inherited the gene. Moreover, further study could result in a drug that stimulates the “fountain of youth” enzyme. Some scientists warn against this, however, as it may lead to increased cell mutations, which could cause cancer.

—compiled by Lani Hossain