May 2023 - Health BeatHealth Beat

World No Tobacco Day

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

On May 31^st each year, the World Health Organization highlights the harmful health effects of tobacco products such as cigarettes. While tobacco usage rates among the general population have decreased over time, approximately 22.3% of people across the world continue to use it. The risks of using tobacco are well documented; however, many people around the world are not fully aware of the dangers.

A substantial amount of information exists about the harmful effects of tobacco usage. Aside from lung-related conditions such as emphysema, there are also very strong links between tobacco usage and heart disease, circulatory problems, and stroke. Coronary vascular diseases are one of the world’s leading causes of death. Tobacco use is the second leading cause of these types of diseases, with hypertension being the leading cause.

Despite the wealth of information available about the harmful effects of tobacco products, their continued usage results in over 8 million deaths each year. Approximately 1.2 million of these deaths occur due to exposure to second-hand smoke, highlighting the negative health impacts that tobacco usage can have not only on the user, but on the people around them, as well.

A few of the World Health Organization’s efforts to inform people about tobacco’s harmful effects include:

Increasing public knowledge of the risks of smoking and secondhand smoke
Encouraging healthcare providers to speak to their patients about the hazards of tobacco
Encouraging governmental support for educational programs
Seeking ways to promote smoke-free zones in buildings and public spaces
Increasing taxes on tobacco products
Making it more difficult to purchase tobacco products
Banning tobacco advertising

If you would like to quit smoking, speak to your medical provider to learn more about the resources available to help you. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center offers a tobacco cessation program that can support you in your efforts to quit. Please call 718-206-8494 to learn more.

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.

Tips To Encourage Family Fitness

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Making fitness a priority in your family can provide several health benefits for your loved ones. Exercising regularly as a group can help family members maintain a healthy weight, improve concentration and focus, strengthen bones and muscles, improve coordination and flexibility, and most importantly allow for quality time spent together.

Exercise is an activity that the entire family can enjoy. Workouts do not need to be intense to reap the benefits. Here are some ideas for activities that could be enjoyable for everyone:

Hiking
Riding bicycles
Playing a game of tag
Gardening
Walking
Dancing
Playing volleyball
Skating/Rollerblading
Swimming
Building a snow fort or snowman

One of the ways you can keep your family motivated to participate in these activities is by creating challenges during which you can track progress and offer incentives. You may also participate in activities that support causes, such as charity walks; exercising for a good cause can be very rewarding.

Making fitness a part of your family’s routine is very important. Experts recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes, three times a week for physical activities. Don’t forget to keep it simple. The goal is to have fun and stay healthy together.

A Memorial Day Weekend Recipe – Crunchy Lemonade Drumsticks

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Memorial Day Weekend calls for an easy to prepare, crunchy lemonade drumstick for all to enjoy. Here is a recipe from the Food Network that we recommend.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/crunchy-lemonade-drumsticks-recipe-1973148

What is Optic Neuritis?

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. This inflammation causes damage to the myelin (an insulating sheath that covers the nerve and helps transmit these signals), leading to symptoms such as eye pain, temporary vision loss in one eye, a decreased ability to perceive colors vividly, and flashing or flickering lights.

Optic neuritis can be one of the first indicators of multiple sclerosis, a condition that can also cause inflammation in the optic nerve as well as the brain. Your lifetime risk of developing multiple sclerosis is roughly 50% after a single episode of optic neuritis; this risk is higher in people with lesions on their brain, which may appear on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Other conditions are also frequently associated with optic neuritis. These include neuromyelitis optica (a condition that causes more severe inflammation in the optic nerve and spinal cord than multiple sclerosis), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disorder (which also causes inflammation in the optic nerve, spinal cord, or brain), bacterial infections, viruses, sarcoidosis, Behcet’s disease, and lupus. Certain substances, such as methanol and ethambutol, are also associated with optic neuritis.

It is rare for symptoms such as vision loss or reduced color perception to be permanent after an episode of optic neuritis. Although most people will regain most or all of their normal vision, some degree of permanent optic nerve damage is also common.

An ophthalmologist can diagnose optic neuritis based on a variety of tests, including:

A standard eye exam
An ophthalmoscopy
A pupillary light reaction test
An optical coherence tomography (OCT)
A visual field test
A visual evoked response test

In addition to these exams, you may require other diagnostic procedures such as an MRI scan or a blood test to check for other potential indicators of optic neuritis. Your doctor may refer you to other specialists or locations for these tests.

You can receive a diagnosis or treatment for optic neuritis at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Ophthalmology. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-5900.

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The month of May has been designated as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Celiac Disease affects one in 133 people in the United States. It is estimated that only 5% percent of the people who are affected are aware that they have it.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, celiac disease is defined as “a genetic autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.” If left untreated, celiac disease can cause long-term health conditions such as gall bladder malfunction, infertility or miscarriage, pancreatic insufficiency, early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Symptoms of celiac disease include:

Diarrhea
Fatigue
Headaches
Dermatitis
Bloating
Anxiety
Constipation
Depression
Delayed growth in children

Diagnosing celiac disease is performed through a blood test. If the results of the blood test come back positive, an endoscopy will be performed to give a definitive diagnosis.

In addition to having a better understanding of celiac disease, educating yourself about the changes to expect in your lifestyle will prove helpful. Some of the changes include:

Discarding any food that contains gluten. This means sticking to a strict diet that excludes barley, farina, oats, rye, and other known to have gluten.
Excluding certain items from your diet may deprive you of some nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor about which vitamins and dietary supplements you should take.
Evaluating the ingredients in medications, some may have small amounts of gluten.
Taking care of your body by exercising and implementing more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
Following up with your physician or dietician as recommended. This is important as it will help to monitor your nutritional intake and check for deficiencies.

If you are experiencing symptoms of celiac disease and would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

What is Sciatica?

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Sciatica is nerve pain that can occur throughout the lower back, buttocks, hips, and down the legs. This pain may be mild or severe and cause a variety of sensations, including anything from sharp or shooting pain to a burning or electric feeling. It can also occur constantly or intermittently and worsen based on posture, movement, and time spent sitting or standing.

The primary cause of sciatica is injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. This nerve is most commonly injured due to a herniated or slipped disk. However, injury to the sciatic nerve can occur in a few different ways, including:

Degenerative disk disease
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Osteoarthritis
Pressure from tumors
Piriformis syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome

Several risk factors, such as aging, obesity, prior injuries to the lower back or spine, pregnancy, or a job that requires significant physical exertion such as heavy lifting, may increase your likelihood of experiencing sciatica. However, these risks may be reduced through adjustments to your lifestyle and activities, such as:

Improving your posture: Improper form while exercising or lifting heavy weights, as well as poor posture while sitting, standing, or moving can increase your risk of sciatica.

Following a regular diet and exercise routine: A healthy, balanced diet and a workout routine that incorporates aerobic and strength exercises can help you manage sciatica risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Exercises that build core strength can be especially helpful, as a stronger core provides more support for your lower back.

Avoiding tobacco: Tobacco products such as cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes spinal tissue, vertebral disk, and bone damage over time that can impact the sciatic nerve.

You can find effective treatment for most cases of sciatica from specialists such as chiropractors and physical therapists. However, for severe cases, you may need to work with a neurologist to diagnose the most likely cause and find the right treatment approach. You can find a doctor to treat sciatica at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Karen Clemente, PA

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Karen Clemente, Physician Assistant in the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Emergency Department. She has been a member of our team for 12 years.

Karen was born in the Philippines and moved to Queens, New York at a very early age. She attended PS 115 and is a graduate of St. John’s University. She is still residing in Queens. In her free time, she enjoys taking road trips and one of her favorite places to visit is Maine. Karen also enjoys going on Fall hikes in national parks.

Karen likes different types of food, the spicier the better. She loves music of all types and feels that there is always a genre that fits every mood. Karen enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.

Working at Jamaica Hospital has been a wonderful experience for Karen. The staff works well together and there are many positive aspects to working in the Emergency Department. We look forward to having Karen continuing to work with us for many more years.

Lupus Awareness Month

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation in many different parts of the body, including (but not limited to) your joints, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs, as well as other organs.

Lupus is often distinguished by a facial rash that spreads across both cheeks. However, it can still be difficult to diagnose, as it may present a wide variety of symptoms in different people that may resemble other conditions.

Most people with lupus experience mild symptoms broken up by periodic flare-ups, during which their symptoms temporarily worsen. Aside from inflammation, these symptoms may include fever, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, shortness of breath, and fingers and toes that turn white or blue in response to cold or stress.

People with lupus can also experience several complications. The leading cause of death among people with this condition is kidney failure due to damage caused by the disease. However, inflammation of the heart and lungs also increases the risk of additional medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, seizures, and strokes.

The cause of lupus is unknown, but it is most common for women and people of Black, Hispanic, or Asian backgrounds. Although lupus is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45, it can affect people of any age. Lupus (as well as flare-ups of symptoms) can be triggered by sunlight, infections, and certain medications, such as antibiotics, blood pressure medication, and seizure medication.

Lupus is a life-long disease with no cure, but it can be managed with the help of a doctor. Several different types of drugs, including steroids, monoclonal antibodies, and chemotherapy drugs, may be used to help you cope with your symptoms, depending on your specific symptoms. You may also need to avoid certain vaccines, particularly those with live viruses such as the chickenpox or shingles vaccine, as well as make certain adjustments to your diet.

You can receive specialized medical treatment for lupus at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.