July 2023 - Health BeatHealth Beat

3 Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Olive oil is used in a wide variety of meals, including everything from salads to pasta dinners and sautéed dishes. Although it is calorie-dense, containing approximately 120 calories per tablespoon on average, olive oil is considered a healthy fat. It is included as a staple component in diets such as the Mediterranean diet, which has been indicated through research to promote weight loss and help prevent serious health problems such as heart attacks, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Even on its own, olive oil provides several significant health benefits. Some of these include:

Anti-inflammatory properties: Chronic inflammation is associated with numerous conditions, including cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis. Olive oil contains a substantial volume of antioxidants, which can effectively help to fight inflammation in the body. Some of these antioxidants include oleocanthal, which can produce an effect similar to a small percentage of an adult dose of ibuprofen, and oleic acid, the main fatty acid contained in olive oil.

Cholesterol control: Olive oil is also capable of preventing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, from oxidizing. Oxidized cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which refers to the buildup of cholesterol along artery walls. Atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.

Antibacterial effects: There are a significant number of nutrients contained in olive oil that can kill harmful bacteria, particularly Helicobacter pylori, which lives in the stomach and can cause ulcers and cancer.

To get the full benefit of these effects, you’ll need to make sure you’re buying extra virgin olive oil, which retains more of the properties and compounds contained in olives than more refined types of olive oil. Even if the label on a bottle of olive oil says “extra virgin,” it may not necessarily be correct; check the ingredient list to make sure it doesn’t contain any other refined oils.

If you’re looking to make healthy adjustments to your diet to prevent chronic disease or other health problems, you can get professional guidance from a registered dietician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

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.

How Can Swimming Affect Eczema?

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Eczema is an inflammatory, non-contagious skin condition that causes irritation, itching, blistering, and infections. People with eczema often experience periodic “flare-ups” during which their symptoms temporarily worsen. These flare-ups may be triggered by certain environmental factors that can irritate or dry out the skin.

While there is no definitive link between swimming and eczema flare-ups, elements found in most swimming pools can affect the skin in ways that can trigger or worsen the onset of symptoms. These include calcium chloride and chlorine.

Calcium chloride is added to pools to increase their alkalinity and stabilize pH levels. Generally, pool water is kept between a pH level of 7.2 and 7.8, making it slightly alkaline. Human skin, on the other hand, typically maintains a pH level between 4.1 and 5.8, making it more acidic. This acidity helps to maintain the skin’s moisture; if the skin’s pH level rises and becomes too alkaline, it can dry out, potentially irritating the skin and triggering eczema symptoms.

There is no definitive evidence that chlorine generally causes adverse effects in people with eczema. While it is capable of drying out the skin in a way that can cause irritation, its ability to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin can also potentially improve symptoms. Similarly, there is no substantial evidence to indicate how elements of natural bodies of water, such as salt water, can affect people with eczema.

Barrier creams and ointments applied to the skin before swimming can protect your skin against potential irritants while swimming by retaining the skin’s moisture and infusing it with lipids and ceramides, which occur as natural protective substances in normal skin. Additionally, if you plan to swim outdoors, it’s recommended that you protect your skin against sun damage. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and wear ultraviolet (UV) protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50 or higher.

If you experience symptoms of eczema, you can receive a diagnosis or treatment from a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

Childhood Asthma

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Did you know that asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease? It is more commonly found in children who live in inner cities and more prevalent in African Americans than Caucasians, and in males more often than females.

Asthma often runs in families. Children who have brothers or sisters or parents with asthma often will have the disease themselves.

Additional risk factors for childhood asthma include:
• Allergies – environmental or food
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Being in an environment with second hand smoke
• Living in an inner city versus in a suburban area
• African American
• Low birth weight baby

Signs and symptoms include:
• Rapid breathing
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Feeling tired or weak
• Chest pain on exertion

If you would like to have your child evaluated for asthma, please contact the Ambulatory Care Center at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Cesar Florez

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Cesar Florez, Switchboard Manager.

Cesar will celebrate his 16^th year of working at the hospital in September of this year. He is a native of Columbia, and moved to the Flushing area of Queens when he was 11 years old and currently resides in Springfield Gardens, Queens. Cesar attended IS 25, Queens Vocational High School and is a graduate of Bayside High School. He obtained his Associate degree at Queensborough Community College and his Bachelors from York College.

Cesar has one son who is 28 years old. While he doesn’t own a pet, he fosters dogs, that he considers to be little angels. In his free time he enjoys exploring different areas in his own city, as well as going to concerts. He listens to Pop music and also enjoys jazz, salsa, and blues. He likes to read and to learn new languages. His favorite sport is soccer, both to play and to watch. Cesar enjoys dining out and his top choices are Columbian, Italian and seafood.

Cesar has travelled many times back to his native Columbia, and has also been to countries in Central America, and has also been to Mexico. In the near future he hopes to visit Europe. He enjoys spending time with family and friends whenever he has the opportunity.

Cesar considers himself to be a very positive person. He believes in always being an optimist. He strives to make a difference in the world any way he can. Even if it is only on a small level, he feels it is important to do things that will make people’s lives better.

Cesar likes working at Jamaica Hospital because of the diversity of the people, and the ability to grow both professionally and personally. He also enjoys the great people that he is fortunate to work with on a daily basis. We look forward to Cesar continuing to work with us for many more years in the future.

What is Uterine Cancer?

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Uterine cancer occurs in the uterus, the part of a woman’s reproductive system where a fetus develops during pregnancy. Approximately 3% of all people assigned female at birth are diagnosed with uterine cancer at some point during their lives.

There are two types of uterine cancer. The most common form is endometrial cancer, which develops in the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium). Uterine sarcoma, which develops in the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium) occurs much more rarely.

Endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma share some symptoms. These include:

Vaginal bleeding between periods or after menopause
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Thin white or clear vaginal discharge after menopause
Heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding after the age of 40

People with uterine sarcoma may also experience a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, frequent urination, and constipation.

While there’s no clear cause for either form of uterine cancer, certain factors can increase your risk, such as:

Age
Genetics
Diabetes
Obesity
Ovarian diseases that raise estrogen levels and lower progesterone levels
Long lifetime menstruation period, beginning before the age of 12 and/or ending after the age of 50
Not getting pregnant
Medical treatments that cause radiation exposure to the pelvic region or increase estrogen levels

Treatment for uterine cancer typically involves surgery combined with additional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and medication that targets specific cancer cells.

The surgery most commonly performed to treat uterine cancer is a hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus and cervix. You may also require a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which involves the removal of your ovaries and fallopian tubes to prevent the further spread of the cancer, as well as lymph node dissection, which involves the removal of lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread.

If you are experiencing symptoms of uterine cancer and require a diagnosis or treatment, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center by calling (718) 291-3276.

Lower Back Pain

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Lower back pain is recognized as one of the most common problems that people experience at some time in their lives. It may be described as a constant dull ache to a sudden sharp pain.

Common causes of lower back pain include:

Muscle sprains or strains
Herniated discs
Spinal stenosis
Arthritis of the spine
Spondylitis
Sciatica
Kidney problems
Ovarian cysts
Spinal infections
Pregnancy
Uterine fibroids
Misalignment of the spinal cord

Diagnosing lower back pain typically begins with a review of medical history and a thorough physical exam. This exam may include checking reflexes and evaluating lower extremity strength and ability to move. Further testing may require an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to evaluate if there are bone problems.

Seek medical care for lower back pain when:

It lasts more than a few weeks
It doesn’t improve with rest
It is accompanied by weight loss
It travels down one or both legs
It shows symptoms of numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs

Treatment options depend on the cause of the lower back pain and where it is located. Treatment options include home remedies such as heat, ice, rest, compression, stretching exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. Physical therapy may be prescribed by a physician if they feel it will help. A physician may also prescribe some medications for pain relief, These would include muscle relaxers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, a physician may feel a surgical procedure may be necessary.

There are a few things a person can do to prevent lower back pain. This would include regular exercise and stretching, watching one’s weight, bending at the knees when lifting heavy objects, quitting smoking, sleeping on a firm surface, and keeping proper posture.