October 2024 - Page 2 of 2 - Health BeatHealth Beat

Sleepwalking

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Sleepwalking or somnambulism is a sleep disorder that causes you to walk around or perform other activities while asleep. Approximately 7% of people have sleepwalked once in their lifetime.

Sleepwalking tends to run in families, and it occurs more commonly in children than adults. Children usually outgrow the condition by the time they’ve reached their teenage years or by the time they become adults. Sleepwalking may however continue into adulthood for some individuals.

In addition to age and genetics other factors that may lead to sleepwalking include:

Taking certain medications
Stress
Lack of sleep
Fever
Obstructive sleep apnea
Restless leg syndrome
Alcohol use

Sleepwalking typically happens 1 to 2 hours after falling asleep and may last for several minutes. SleepFoundation.org states that a sleepwalking episode may involve:

Walking or running
Urinating in inappropriate places
Open, glassy eyes with a blank look on the face
Routine actions, like getting dressed
Minimally responsive or incoherent speech

People who sleepwalk may also sleep eat or take part in sexual activity without being aware of it.

It is important to take steps to create a safe environment and prevent injuries in people who sleepwalk. This can be done by keeping doors and windows locked, securing dangerous items, removing breakable items, or using alarms or motion-sensing devices.

Sleepwalking occasionally is not a concern and does not require treatment. However, if episodes occur frequently, for example, one or two nights a week, or more you should see a doctor. You should also speak with a doctor if sleepwalking leads to dangerous behaviors, disturbs or puts others at risk for injury, continues into a child’s teen years, or begins in adulthood.

Diagnosing sleepwalking may include a physical examination, reviewing your medical history, or participating in an overnight sleep study. Treatment may involve cognitive behavioral therapy, applying relaxation and stress reduction techniques, scheduled waking, or medication.

To speak with a specialist about sleep-related health problems you may be experiencing, please schedule an appointment with Jamaica Hospital’s Sleep Center by calling 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.

Eye Injury Prevention Month

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

October is eye injury prevention month. More than one million people per year are affected by an eye injury and 90% of these injuries could have been prevented if protective eyewear was worn. Here are some facts and tips that can help protect your eyes from injury:

The leading causes of eye injuries include sports accidents, consumer fireworks, household chemicals, battery acid, and workshop and yard debris.
Eyes can be damaged by the sun, not just dust, chemicals, and foreign bodies.
Wear safety goggles when working in the workshop or yard, jumpstarting your car, or working with cleaning or other chemicals.
Always wear appropriate protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities.
Injuries such as cuts, chemical burns, or foreign bodies stuck in the eye are emergencies and require immediate medical attention.
In case of a chemical burn to the eye, flush the eye with clean water and seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

To ensure healthy vision, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends frequent, comprehensive eye exams every one or two years to prevent any serious problems.

If you would like to schedule an eye exam for you or someone you know, you can visit an ophthalmologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Whooping Cough

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Whooping cough or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that causes a distinct “whooping” cough.

Whooping cough primarily affects children too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations, and teenagers and adults whose immunity has faded.

Once you become infected with whooping cough, it takes seven to 10 days for signs and symptoms to appear, but it could take longer. The symptoms are usually mild at first and resemble the symptoms of a common cold, which include:

Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Red, watery eyes
Fever
Cough

After a week or two, the signs and symptoms of whooping cough worsen. Thick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing. Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may also cause:

Vomiting
Extreme fatigue
A high-pitched “whoop” sound during the next breath of air

Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. When the bacteria enter your respiratory system, they attach to the tiny, hair-like extensions that line your respiratory tract called cilia. The bacteria then release toxins damaging the cilia, causing the airways to swell, increasing mucus secretions, and creating severe coughing.

It is difficult to diagnose whooping cough early because the signs and symptoms resemble those of other common respiratory illnesses, like a cold, flu, or bronchitis. Doctors can sometimes diagnose whooping cough by asking about symptoms and listening to the cough. Medical tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Tests can include:

A nose and throat culture and test
Blood tests
A chest X-ray

The best way to prevent whooping cough is with the pertussis vaccine, which doctors often give in combination with vaccines against two other serious diseases, diphtheria and tetanus.

Treatment for whooping cough is dependent on age and vaccination history. Infants are typically hospitalized for treatment because whooping cough is more dangerous for that age group.

Treatment for older children and adults can be managed at home. Antibiotics can be prescribed to kill the bacteria causing whooping cough.

To speak with a doctor about appropriate vaccinations, please schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital by calling (718) 206-6000 or your primary care physician as soon

National Bullying Prevention Month

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It is a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families.

There are many forms of bullying. It can be verbal, physical, through social exclusion, or digital sources like email, texts, or social media. Unlike mutual teasing or fighting, bullying occurs when one person or group of people is perceived as being more powerful than another and takes advantage of that power through repeated physical assaults, threats of harm, intimidation, or by purposely excluding a person from a valued social group.

Being bullied can severely affect a person’s self-image, social interactions, and school performance, leading to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. It can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors as well.

There are many steps you can take to prevent bullying, including:

Addressing bullying at school- educators and teachers can create a safe and supportive learning environment and a classroom culture of positivity, inclusivity, and respect.
Talking about bullying at home- parents and caregivers can talk with their children about their school and digital life, and the many roles children can play in bullying.
Supporting your community- mentors can model kindness, inclusivity, and respect.
Raising awareness- share information about bullying prevention, its impact, and resources for support on social media to educate your community.
Support anti-bullying organizations- contribute to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to bullying prevention and support for victims.
Organize anti-bullying events- plan or participate in events, workshops, and seminars in your community that focus on bullying prevention and promote empathy.
Engage in school programs- encourage schools to implement anti-bullying programs and provide resources for students, teachers, and parents.
Be an upstander- teach children and teenagers the importance of standing up for others and reporting bullying incidents when they occur.

Participating in bullying prevention allows you to join the fight against bullying and create a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Foods Asthma Sufferers May Want To Avoid

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Although food is not a common trigger for asthma, some people with the disease may develop symptoms or adverse reactions as a result of eating certain foods or additives.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma-triggering foods can include those that contain sulfites an additive found in:

• Pickled foods
• Packaged potatoes
• Dried fruits and vegetables
• Wine and beer
• Shrimp
• Bottled lemon or lime juices
• Some condiments

Foods that contain salicylates, a naturally occurring chemical compound, have also been known to trigger symptoms in some people with asthma. Salicylates can be found in:

• Teas and coffees
• Certain herbs and spices

Additionally, foods that can cause gas or bloating such as beans, fried foods, carbonated drinks, onions, or garlic may make breathing more difficult for people with asthma.

Lastly, if you are allergic to certain foods, it is best to avoid them. An allergic reaction to these foods can also trigger an asthma attack.

Asthma sufferers should be careful about the foods they eat. Food allergies or reactions vary depending on the individual; therefore, speaking with a doctor about foods to eliminate or add to a diet is recommended.