February 2020 - Health BeatHealth Beat

The Benefits Of Using A Primary Care Physician

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Your primary care physician (or PCP) is typically your first point of contact when you needed non-emergency medical treatment. They are trained to treat most conditions and if they can’t provide care, they can help you find a specialist best suited to help you.

Unfortunately, fewer people today are utilizing the services of a PCP. Studies have determined that the rate of American adults with a primary care doctor has steadily declined over the last decade. The most recent data suggests that one quarter of Americans currently do not have a primary care physician.

There are multiple factors that can account for this trend. One reason is our ability to research and self-diagnose illness on the internet. Another factor is the recent proliferation of ‘urgent care centers” where individuals can seek convenient care. While both of these advents do have their benefits, neither should take the place of a primary care physician.

There are many benefits to having a primary care physician, including:

Familiarity – Simply put, your PCP knows you best. Through regular appointments, they will get to know you, understand the intricacies of your health, and develop a trust that will foster communication and allow them to provide more personalized care.
Comprehensive care– Your PCP is usually your first point of contact for care. They are familiar with your medical history and know what questions to ask to ensure that you receive appropriate care.
Prevention and management – Your PCP is not only responsible for treating you when you are sick. By conducting routine screenings, they can monitor for the existence of any potential chronic conditions or diseases and help you manage and treat them once detected.
Coordination – While a PCP is trained to manage most physical and mental health conditions, they also understand when specialty care is necessary. They can provide referrals to experts and serve as a hub to ensure that information is appropriately shared between providers.

It has been found that those who have a PCP receive more preventative screenings and better management of chronic conditions. They also require fewer visits to the Emergency Department, are hospitalized less and generally live longer, healthier lives.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician at Jamaica Hospital’s Family Medicine Center, please call 718-206-6942.

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.

This Month We Shine Our Spotlight on Ray Fredericks, Jr.

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Ray Fredericks, Jr. Ray has been with the hospital for close to thirty years. He is a familiar sight on both campuses as well as our facility in Melville.

Ray grew up in Bethpage Long Island. He graduated from Plainedge High School and then went on to BOCES Tech where he obtained his degree in Printing in 1986. He currently lives in Orange County New York.

One of the most important aspects of Ray’s life is spending time with his very close knit family. He has a fourteen year old son who he enjoys spending time with and they share many of the same interests. They often have air hockey tournaments at home and Ray enjoys watching his son participate in Pokemon competitions. To Ray, family is everything. His family spends a great deal of time together and of course, enjoys celebrating holidays and other special events with one another. They have also traveled together as a family.

Ray loves the outdoors and enjoys partaking in all kinds of outdoor activities, especially hiking and fishing. He enjoys playing the drums, and dancing. Ray’s other interests include reading, (especially about history), and going to the movies. He is an avid photographer also.

Ray is very proud to be a part of the Jamaica Hospital family. In fact, three generations of his family work either at the hospital or the MediSys Network. He enjoys the comraderie and the sense of belonging to a wonderful organization that does great things for our patients. We are very proud to have Ray working with us and we look forward to him being a part of the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and MediSys Network for many more years to come.

Strep vs. Sore Throat

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Joann Ariola

We all develop a sore throat from time to time. There are many reasons for this. It might be due to a viral infection, an allergic reaction, or hoarseness from overuse. In some cases, however, a sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, which is a bacteria that if left untreated can lead to serious complications.

Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils. You can get the infection from someone who is sick with it or is a carrier of it. Like other infections, it spreads from person to person or by touching objects that are contaminated and then touching your own eyes, mouth or nose. Strep throat is most common in children, but anyone can get it.

In addition to a sore throat some other symptoms of strep throat include:

A fever of 101 F or higher
Red, swollen tonsils
White patches in the throat
Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth
Appetite loss
Headache
Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
Rash

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and can administer a test to confirm if you have strep. There are two ways to test:

A rapid strep test can identify a case in just a few minutes. The doctor will gently hold down your tongue with a depressor. Then, use a cotton swab to take a little bit of mucous from the back of the throat.
A throat culture is performed by rubbing the sample from the throat swab onto a special dish. If you have strep throat, the streptococci bacteria will grow in it. It usually takes about two days to get results from a throat culture.

If you have strep, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that caused the infection. Most treatments last for about ten days. The medicine can make your symptoms go away faster and help prevent complications. It is important to take the full the dose of antibiotics. Stopping the medicine too early can leave some bacteria alive, which can make you sick again.

Other things you can take to treat the symptoms of strep throat include:

Ibuprofen or acetaminophen to bring down a fever and ease pain.
Throat lozenges or piece of hard candy to soothe a sore throat.
Liquids such as tea and broth or something cold such as an ice pop.

The best way to prevent getting strep is to practice good hygiene. Don’t share cups, dishes, forks, or other personal items with someone who’s sick and wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer many times daily.

If untreated, strep can lead to scarlet fever, inflammation of the kidney, and rheumatic fever; a serious inflammatory condition that can affect the heart, joints, nervous system and skin.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect that you or your child has strep throat. If you do not have a doctor, please call Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001.

NYPD Recognizes Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Trauma Service

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Last month, the NYPD Patrol Borough South recognized the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Trauma Department for its many years of service to the community and to the NYPD. A plaque of appreciation was presented to the hospital by Assistant Chief Ruben Beltran the new Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens South and his predecessor Chief David Barrere. Both Chiefs lauded the hospital’s personnel for their unyielding commitment to serving the public and the men and women of the NYPD. Chief Barrere stated “I’ve been at this hospital for officers with ankle injuries and wrist injuries and I’ve also been here for officers with gunshot wounds to the head. There are officers who are walking around today and who are still serving as police officers because of the work you do here.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Jamaica Hospital were Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO and Dr. Katherine McKenzie, Medical Director of the Trauma Department. Mr. Flanz stated “ I’ve been working at the hospital for 44 years and throughout that entire time the collaboration we’ve been doing with the police department is just second to none. Everybody, our entire team is privileged to serve you and what you do every day to keep us all safe is just amazing and words cannot adequately thank you and your team.” Dr. McKenzie commented that “It is not only our great privilege to care of police officers who become our patients but to also care for patients that are victims of crime and we frequently interact with the police department here in providing care for those patients.”

Should You Speak to a Genetic Counselor Before Getting Pregnant?

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Choosing to start a family can be a complex decision for many. You need to balance your desire to have a baby with an assortment of real-life concerns about raising one. For some, a real concern is the risk of passing on a genetic disorder to their child. If this is an issue for you, a genetic counselor can be helpful.

Genetic or “hereditary” conditions are diseases that run in families. If you or your partner has a parent or grandparent with one of these types of conditions, there is an increased chance that your baby is predisposed to developing it as well.

Genetic counselors are specialists that can help you understand the causes of genetic conditions, what types of screenings and diagnostic tests are available to you, and what your chances are of having a baby with a genetic condition. In addition, genetic counselors can help potential parents deal with how genetic conditions can affect your family emotionally.

Genetic counselors can help determine the likelihood of your baby developing a wide range of conditions, including:

Single gene disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease or hemophilia
Chromosomal abnormalities that can lead to conditions such as Down syndrome
Complex disorders such as heart defects, spina bifida, or cleft palate which can be caused by a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors

There are multiple factors that can increase a person’s risk of passing along a genetic disorder, including:

A family history of a genetic disorder
A prior child with a genetic disorder
One parent with a chromosomal abnormality
Advanced maternal age (35 or older)
Advanced paternal age (40 or older)
Multiple miscarriages or prior stillbirth

To help prepare for your appointment, a genetic counselor may ask you to collect the medical histories of you and your partner’s parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings, including a history of birth defects in your family. You may also be asked to provide a history of all other known medical conditions in your family, the age at which your family members were diagnosed and of any deaths resulting from these conditions.

If you are planning a pregnancy a genetic counselor can help you assess your risk-factors, review testing options, provide education and resources, and help you make informed decisions.

To make an appointment with a genetic counselor at Jamaica Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, please call 718-291-3276.

Do People Really Sleepwalk?

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

We have seen people who sleep walk in movies but how many of us have actually seen it in person? Probably not many of us have. Sleepwalking, or as it is known in medical terms, somnambulism, actually does exist. It is more common in children, but adults can experience it as well.

Most people won’t remember when they were sleepwalking. This is because sleep walking typically occurs during a deep stage of sleep.

A few of the causes of sleep walking are:

Stress
Fever
Change in sleep schedule
Lack of sleep
Substance abuse
Taking certain medications
Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Medical conditions that can lead to sleepwalking are:

Nighttime seizures
Migraines
Heartburn
Heart rhythm problems
Restless leg syndrome

Diagnosing sleepwalking starts with doing a physical exam which may be accompanied by a sleep study in a specialized lab. Sensors will monitor breathing patterns oxygen levels, brain waves, eye and leg movement.

Treating sleepwalking is based upon the cause and may include antidepressants, as well as adjusting prescribed medications that the patient is taking already. People who sleep walk should avoid drinking alcohol, be in a stress free environment and get a good night’s sleep.

If someone you know tends to walk in their sleep it is a common misconception that they shouldn’t be awakened. It is important to make their environment safe so that they don’t hurt themselves and doors and windows should be locked.

If someone you know tends to walk in their sleep it is important to make the environment safe so that they don’t hurt themselves. They should also be as stress free as possible, have a relaxing routine prior to going to sleep, and they should not drink alcohol.

To schedule an appointment with a sleep disorder specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Signs and Symptoms of Colic

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Colic is diagnosed when a healthy baby cries or fusses frequently for a prolonged period of time and cries for more than 3 hours a day. This behavior usually starts a few weeks after birth and is generally worst between 4 and 6 weeks of age

According to the Mayo Clinic symptoms of colic may include the following:

Intense crying that may seem more like screaming or an expression of pain
Crying for no apparent reason, unlike crying to express hunger or the need for a diaper change
Extreme fussiness even after crying has diminished
Predictable timing, with episodes often occurring in the evening
Facial discoloring, such as reddening of the face or paler skin around the mouth
Bodily tension, such as pulled up or stiffened legs, stiffened arms, clenched fists, arched back, or tense abdomen

Since the cause of colic is unknown, it is difficult to treat. However, there are some foods you can avoid, especially when breastfeeding, to help your baby digest better such as cow’s milk, nuts, wheat, soy, eggs and fish. When formula feeding, your baby may experience colic if they have an allergy to milk or lactose intolerance.

Some home remedies you can use to sooth your baby if they are experiencing symptoms of colic are:

Lay your baby on his/her back in a dimly lit quiet room.
Swaddle your baby snugly in a blanket.
Lay your baby across your lap and gently rub his/her back.
Put a warm water bottle on your baby’s stomach.
Offer your baby a pacifier to suck on.
Soak him/her in a warm bath.

If your baby’s colic persists with out relief, you may want to seek the advice of a doctor. If you’d like to make an appointment with a Pediatrician at Jamaica Hospial’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Indigestion VS Heartburn

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Although the words indigestion and heartburn are often used interchangeably, they are two completely different conditions.

Indigestion or upset stomach is a general term used to describe a feeling of discomfort in the upper abdomen. Symptoms of indigestion can occur differently in each person. They may include:

Nausea
Burning in the upper abdomen
Bloating in the upper abdomen
Uncontrollable burping
Feeling full longer than you should
Feeling full right after you begin eating

These symptoms can be caused as a result of eating fatty or greasy foods, eating too quickly, drinking too much alcohol, eating during stressful situations or smoking.

Making certain lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of indigestion. Here are a few tips to minimize symptoms and reduce your risk: quit smoking, avoid fatty or greasy foods, eat slowly, decrease stress or limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Indigestion can serve as a warning sign for more serious digestive diseases. If you are experiencing symptoms for more than two weeks, it is advised that you see a doctor.

Heartburn is a condition that occurs when stomach acids flow up into the esophagus. This process is called acid reflux. It causes a burning pain in the upper chest or the middle of the chest. Additional symptoms of heartburn can include:

A foul or acidic taste in the mouth
Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
Burning sensation in the throat
Difficulty swallowing

Eating certain foods can trigger or worsen the symptoms of heartburn. Limiting the following can reduce your risk: spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, onions, citrus fruits and products, caffeinated drinks such as coffee, fatty meals, chocolate and tomato-based products such as ketchup.

Some individuals are more at risk than others for developing heartburn. People at risk include those who are pregnant or obese; those diagnosed with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernias as well as those who are taking certain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs.

It is advised that you see a doctor if: your heartburn symptoms are severe and occur frequently; you are experiencing nausea or vomiting; you have diarrhea, black or bloody stools or you have a chronic cough. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing difficulty breathing or severe chest pain or pressure.

Pneumonia Vaccination

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Susan Ching D.O.

Illnesses such as the flu and pneumonia are more prevalent during the winter season. It is commonly known that getting the flu vaccine is one of the best defenses against the flu virus but did you know that there is a vaccine that can help to prevent pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses. It is most often caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. The pneumonia vaccine helps to prevent pneumonia infections and complications caused by these bacteria.

Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and may include:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

It is important to receive prompt treatment for pneumonia because bacteria can spread from the lungs to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body. This may require hospitalization and if left untreated can lead to death.

Who can get the pneumonia vaccine?

Children- Most children will receive the pneumonia vaccine in multiple doses as part of their childhood vaccinations before 2 years of age.
Adults- Adults aged 19 to 64 years old who smoke cigarettes, use alcohol excessively or have chronic heart, lung or liver disease are recommended to receive one dose of the pneumonia vaccine.
Elderly- All patients aged 65 and older should receive at least one dose of the pneumonia vaccine.

Unlike the flu vaccine, which is given every year during the fall/winter season, the pneumonia vaccine can be received at any time. However, you do not have to get the pneumonia vaccine every year. Speak with your doctor about recommendations based on your age and immunization status.

The vaccine is a good way to prevent yourself from getting pneumonia, but remember, if you do have pneumonia, the flu or even the common cold, always wash your hands and cover your face when sneezing or coughing to prevent spreading it to others.

To speak with or see a Family Medicine doctor about the pneumonia vaccine, please call 718-206-6942.

How to Spot and Prevent Frostbite

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Frostbite is an injury caused to the skin and underlying tissues as a result of exposure to windy and cold- weather conditions.

Staying outside in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time is the most common factor and risks increase when temperatures fall below 5°farenheit, or in conditions with above freezing temperatures and extreme wind chills. Additional factors may include:

Direct contact with ice, very cold liquids and freezing metals.
Wearing clothing that is not suitable to protect against cold weather.

Although frostbite mostly occurs on parts of the skin that are not properly covered, it is important to note that in extreme temperatures it can also develop on areas that are covered by clothing.

Our nose, fingers, cheeks, ears and toes are the parts of our bodies that are highly susceptible to frostbite. They are furthest away from our core and are first to decrease in blood flow in cold temperatures.

The symptoms of frostbite vary with severity and are categorized in three stages:

Frostnip: This is a mild form of frostbite. Skin may turn pale or very red and feels cold. The affected areas may also itch, burn, sting or feel tingly. Continued exposure may lead to a “pins and needles” feeling or numbness.

Superficial Frostbite: Skin appears reddened or pale. Skin can become hard and look waxy or shiny. At this stage, after the skin is thawed, blisters may form on the affected area. Skin may also appear blue or purple once rewarmed.

Severe (Deep) Frostbite: Severe cases of frostbite affect all layers of the skin as well as the tissues that lie below. Skin becomes very hard and cold to the touch. It may look blue and some instances black, as the tissue dies. The affected area may lose all sensation and joints or muscles may no longer work.

Some people are more at risk of developing frostbite than others, they include:

The elderly
Young children
Patients taking medication such as beta blockers that reduce blood flow to skin
Diabetics
People who use nicotine
People under the influence of alcohol
People with prior cold-related injuries

Frostbite is preventable. If you expect to spend time outdoors in cold weather, take care in protecting yourself. Dress appropriately and in layers. When temperatures become extreme, stay inside as much as possible. It is also advised that you stay hydrated; dehydration increases your risk of frostbite. Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking if you know you will be outside in the extreme cold.