June 2021 - Page 2 of 2 - Health BeatHealth Beat

June is Cataract Awareness Month

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated June as Cataract Awareness Month. The purpose of this designation is to help educate the public on what cataracts are and how to treat them once they are diagnosed.

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. This will result in blurry vision, and since less light is being transmitted, objects will appear darker as well.

It is estimated that 25 million people in the United States age 40 and older will be diagnosed with a cataract, and by the time people reach the age of 80, more than half of the population of the United States will be affected with the disease.

Risk factors for developing cataracts include:

Age
Diabetes
Smoking
Prolonged exposure to sunlight
Obesity
High blood pressure
Hereditary factors
Prior eye injuries

Cataracts are classified by what causes them. Age is the biggest factor, followed by eye trauma, congenital causes and secondary to taking certain medications like steroids.

There are a few ways to lower the risk of developing cataracts, but they may not be completely successful.

Wearing sunglasses when outdoors
A diet rich in vitamin C foods
Avoiding smoking

Treatment for cataracts involves a surgical procedure which removes the old lens of the eye and replacing it with a synthetic one. It is a very common procedure and considered relatively safe. If you would like to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5900.

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.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

When people live through a traumatic event such as a war, an act of violence, a rape, a serious accident, an act of terrorism, or have been seriously threatened, they may experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD. This is a mental health disorder that affects approximately 3.5% of the U.S. population. PTSD is known to occur more commonly in women than men and certain ethnic groups including Latinos, African Americans and American Indians.

When people go through traumatic events they may not necessarily experience the effects immediately. It is not uncommon for the symptoms to start anywhere from a month to several years after the event. Sometimes traumatic events that occur during childhood may not manifest until later in life.

Symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person and are divided into four groups: Intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in emotional and physical reactions, and negative changes in thinking.

Symptoms of intrusive memories include:

Flashbacks
Nightmares
Severe emotional distress or physical reactions

Symptoms of avoidance include:

Avoiding certain places that remind you of the event
Avoiding talking about the event

Symptoms of changes in emotional and physical reactions include:

Easily frightened
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Aggressive behavior

Symptoms of negative changes in thinking include:

Feeling hopeless
Negative thoughts about the world or yourself
Difficulty maintain relationships
Sense of detachment

Long-term PTSD may lead to alcohol or substance abuse, eating disorders, thoughts of suicide or depression. Complications can also lead to poor coping skills, loss of work, loss of relationships and health complications.

Anyone who has experienced a traumatic event and has any PTSD symptoms that last more than a few weeks should seek professional care. If any of the symptoms are so severe that they may lead to physical danger, for themselves or to someone else, 911 should be called immediately. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center please call, 718-206-5575

Jamaica Hospital Receives Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence Designation

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to receive Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence (DICOE) designation from the American College of Radiology (ACR).

To receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in all modalities they provide, and in which the ACR offers an accreditation program. Another requirement is participation in the Dose Index Registry® and General Radiology Improvement Database, as well as Image Wisely® and Image Gently® pledges. All of which are initiatives promoted by the ACR to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, and effective imaging care to patients.

Furthermore, facilities must demonstrate excellence at multiple levels. Performance is measured by the successful completion of comprehensive assessments in the following areas:

Governance and personnel
Facility organization and management
Physical environment
Equipment and IT infrastructure
Radiation and general safety
Quality management
Policies and procedures
Patient rights and medical records

Jamaica Hospital has exceeded the standard requirements of accreditation to achieve DICOE designation. Patients of the hospital can be assured they are receiving the highest levels of imaging quality, safety, and care.