February 2015 - Health BeatHealth Beat

The Impact of Too Much Texting in Front of Your Children

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Most are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but what about the impact of texting while with your children? Is there such a thing as being a distracted parent?

Smart phones and tablets have become a part of our daily existence. We check emails, text, and play games on our devices with greater frequency than ever before. We continue these activities even when we are with our kids. According to experts the effects these behaviors have on them is greater than we realize.

In a recent study by researchers at the Boston Medical Center, 55 parents were secretly observed while out to eat with their children. The observers found that 40 of those caregivers used their phones or other digital devices during the meal and appeared to be more engaged in the device than with their children.

Most of the children of the distracted parents either entertained themselves or acted out in some way to compete for their parent’s attention. Instead of redirecting their attention to the child after they acted out, most of the distracted parents responded harshly to the child for their misbehavior.

Some predict that this type of action can lead to long term problems for both parents and children. Children are learning that their parents are absent even when they are in the same room as them and are beginning to feel as if they are less important than a device to their parents. This behavior can also set a bad example for children as it creates a false understanding of how to act in public. This can become problematic when they repeat the same actions in school or during other social settings.

To address this issue, experts suggest setting boundaries and designating certain “off limit” time for parents to use digital devices, such as during meals and at story or bedtime. Also, avoid multi-tasking. If you absolutely need to answer an email, tell your child you need to take a break – it’s better than dividing your attention. Lastly, try to realistically determine how important it is to immediately respond to a text or email – you will probably find that most can wait.

Remember, your children aren’t young forever. Make the best use of your time with them and avoid spending unnecessary time on your phone. By not sending that next text message, you will be sending an even stronger message to your children.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
When a person is recognized as having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, they demonstrate unreasonable thoughts and fears that make them perform repetitive and ritualized behaviors. A person with OCD feels obliged to perform these actions as a way to reduce their stress and anxiety. They will feel that by not giving in to these impulses will cause something bad to happen, which can raise their stress and anxiety.
Traits of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders fall into themes:
• Washers – have a fear of germs makes them wash their hands over and over
• Checkers – will check to make sure a door is locked more than once
• Doubters and sinners – fearful that harm will occur to someone if everything isn’t done correctly
• Counters and arrangers – everything has to be in a certain order or something will go wrong
• Hoarders – hold on to everything so that nothing bad will occur
There are three main theories as to what causes obsessive compulsive disorder:
• Biology – caused by changes in the body’s chemical make-up or the way the brain functions.
• Environment – causes a person to respond to a triggering event that leads to the obsessive compulsive behavior.
• Genetics – may contribute to a person’s susceptibility to OCD and also a certain level of stress in a person’s life may be a factor.
What should a person do if they feel they may have obsessive compulsive disorder? The first step is to identify what traits they feel they are exhibiting that may be out of the ordinary. Consulting with a primary care physician about symptoms is a good place to begin. They may recommend seeing a mental health professional who can determine the degree of OCD and recommend psychotherapy and possibly medication to control the symptoms. You can schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-7071

Do You Need Less or More Sleep As You Get Older?

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Research indicates that as you get older, you will need less sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following hours for each age group:

• Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours

• Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours

• Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours

• Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours

• School-age children (6-13): to 9-11 hours

• Teenagers (14-17): to 8-10 hours

• Younger adults (18-25): 7-9 hours

• Adults (26-64): 7-9 hours

• Older adults (65+): 7-8 hours

It was also found that adults tend to take longer to doze off, sleep more lightly and wake up more often during the night than children and adolescents.

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Quieting That Cough, Naturally

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Coughing is a common health problem. When there is a blockage or irritant in your throat, your brain thinks a foreign element is present and tells your body to cough to remove that element.

Some reasons you may cough are itchy throat and congestion. Instead of using over-the-counter cough suppressants, you may want to try a natural cough treatment using readily available ingredients in your kitchen.

Ginger tea is one of the most popular cures for a cough and is a proven home remedy.

Follow the recipe below for a simple and effective way to quiet a cough.

GINGER TEA

· Cut fresh ginger into small slices and crush them slightly. Place them in a cup of water and bring to a boil. You can also use some lemon juice and honey to taste.

It is suggested to drink this herbal solution three to four times a day for relief from a sore throat, coughing and even chest congestion.

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Peripheral Vascular Disease and Hypertension

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Peripheral Vascular Disease or PVD as it’s more commonly known, is a condition that is often associated with Hypertension.

PVD is a slow and progressive circulation disorder involving diseases in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart, the lymph vessels – arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. Organs supplied by these vessels, such as the brain, heart and legs may not receive adequate blood flow for ordinary function.

However, the legs and feet are the most commonly affected.

Up to half of the people diagnosed with PVD are symptom free. For those experiencing symptoms, most common and first symptom is intermittent leg discomfort described as cramping that occurs with exercise and is relieved by rest. During rest, the muscles need less blood flow, so the pain disappears. It may occur in one or both legs depending on the location of the blocked or narrowed artery.

Other symptoms of PVD may include:

Decreased skin temperature
Diminished pulses in the legs and feet
Hair loss on the legs
Impotence
Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles
Reddish coloring of the extremities

Some risk factors for peripheral vascular disease include factors that can be changed or treated with lifestyle changes, such as controlling your blood pressure or increasing physical activity. Unfortunately, risk factors like age and family history of heart disease and hypertension cannot be changed.

It is important to take steps to prevent PVD. A prevention plan may also be used to prevent or lessen the progress of PVD once you are diagnosed. If you would like to consult a physician, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s 718-206-7001 for diagnosis and treatment.

Protect Your Children. Get Them Vaccinated

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Do You Vaccinate Your Children?

More and more parents today are opting not to have their children immunized against serious medical diseases. Their decision is largely based on unsubstantiated reports in the media that link vaccines to certain conditions.

The fact is vaccines are safe and immunizing your children protects them from more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that were once responsible for thousands of childhood deaths each year have been completely eliminated and others are close to extinction. Unfortunately, because some parents have opted not to get their children vaccinated, there has been a resurgence of certain diseases, such as whopping cough and measles, which has led to an increase in hospitalizations and childhood death.

By vaccinating your child today, you are not only ensuring their protection against a wide variety of illness, but you are also helping to eradicate these diseases for future generations.

How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Every 3 to 4 months as recommended by The American Dental Association.

Frayed toothbrush bristles will not clean teeth and gums properly. The ADA also recommends that toothbrushes should not be stored in closed containers as they are conducive to the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria. Store the brush in an upright position so that it can air-dry.

Best Exercises for Asthmatics

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Exercise -Induced Asthma (EIA) attacks can be triggered when participating in certain physical activities that are exertive or strenuous in nature. However, this should not discourage asthmatics from exercising. In fact exercise along with proper medical management is encouraged to help maintain a normal and healthy lifestyle. An added benefit of exercise is it can help in increasing lung capacity, which improves breathing.

If asthmatics choose to exercise, it is advised that they know their physical limitations and engage in activities that will not aggravate attacks. Activities that are lengthy, vigorous, conducted on freshly mowed fields and played in cold or dry air – such as ice hockey or skiing are usually not recommended.

Exercises that are asthma-friendly include: swimming, walking, lifting weights, golf, bicycling and yoga. These activities are often recommended because they allow control in breathing, they can be performed in an air-controlled environment or combine both short activities with long workouts.

There are several precautions asthmatics should follow or keep in mind before participating in any form of exercise. Some of which include:

Having an inhaler or prescribed medication on hand.
Warming up before exercising.
Doing breathing exercises before and after working out.
Taking into account pollen levels –if activity is performed outdoors.
Avoiding pools with too much chlorine. Pools that have a heavy chlorine smell tend to have excessive chlorine.
If you must exercise when it is cold outside use a scarf or wear a mask to cover up your nose and mouth.

Asthmatics can enjoy the benefits of exercise by following the recommendations of a physician, managing their medication and being aware of limitations. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing while participating in strenuous activities, you should consult a pulmonologist for a complete respiratory evaluation. Please call 718-206-6742 to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at Jamaica Hospital.

Six Natural Tips That Can Help Ease Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Do you tend to feel depressed each winter but feel much better during spring or summer? There is a possibility that you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD), also known as winter depression or seasonal depression.

Symptoms of SAD may include:

Craving foods rich in carbohydrates
Tiredness
Irritability
Oversleeping
Weight gain

Natural Tips that can help you combat these symptoms include:

Moderate your intake of carbohydrates- Excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates such as white rice or bread can raise your blood sugar, which can lead to mood swings and irritability.
Exercise- Fifteen to twenty minutes of exercise can improve your mood and increase endorphins; which is the hormone attributed to creating feelings of happiness.
Check your Vitamin D levels- Vitamin D levels may be low due to lack of sunlight during the winter months. Try to also get as much natural light as possible.
Include Omega 3 in your diet-It is suggested that incorporating foods rich in Omega-3 such as salmon can help improve your mood.
Socialize- Interacting with friends and family can help alleviate feelings of depression.
Brighten up your space-Open blinds and curtains to let in natural light. It also suggested that using bright colors and patterns in your space may improve your mood.

If symptoms of depression prolong it is recommended that you speak with a mental health professional.