Colorectal Cancer

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer, or bowel cancer) is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates annually there are 136,830 people diagnosed and 50,310 will die from this disease.

Common symptoms include:
• A change in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of stool, that lasts longer than four weeks.
• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
• A feeling that bowels do not empty completely
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Factors that may increase risk of colon cancer include: Older age, African-American decent, a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory intestinal conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, a family history of colon cancer, a low-fiber, a high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Regular screening is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colon cancer. If polyps are found during colon screening, they can usually be removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also result in finding cancer early, when it is easier to treat and more likely to be curable.
One can help lower risk by eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and less red meat (beef, lamb, or pork) and less processed meat. Men should limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day, and women to no more than 1 drink a day. The American Cancer Society recommends regular colon cancer screening for most people starting at age 50. People with a family history of the disease or other risk factors should talk with their doctor about beginning screening younger age. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital that specializes in gastroenterology, please call 718-206-6742.

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.

History of Contact Lenses

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Woman inserting a contact lens in eye.

Contact lenses are so commonly worn today that people don’t give them a second thought. Did you know that the concept for contact lenses goes all the way back to Leonardo DaVinci who described them back in 1508. Many scientists experimented with different materials over the next few centuries with only a little success. It was in the late 1800’s that German scientists devised a prototype of a contact lens made from a thin piece of glass that covered the entire eye. In the early 1900’s it became possible to make a mold of the entire eye and this helped to make lenses that fit better. By the 1950’s plastics were being developed that could be made thinner and with a better fit for the eye and they were replacing glass as the material of choice for contact lenses. In 1960 the company Bausch and Lomb developed a technique to cast hydrogel, a plastic material that could be molded and shaped when wet, which allowed for the production of lenses that were able to be mass produced and of extremely high quality. Today lenses are much more comfortable than the lenses made 20 years ago. They can be worn for long periods of time and they allow the eye to breathe which earlier versions couldn’t do.
If you would like to make an appointment with our ophthalmology department please call 718-206-5900.

National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

October 6^th has been designated as National Depression Screening day, an annual event held during Mental Illness Awareness Week. This event was started 26 years ago as an effort to provide people with mental health education materials and give them resources for support services. National Depression Screening Day was also created with the hope of removing the stigma from mental illness.

The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The organization states that early recognition and treatment of the disease offer the best opportunity for successful outcomes. If depression is left untreated it can lead to destructive behaviors and possibly suicide.

In an effort to raise awareness, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry observed National Depression Screening Day by providing free depression screenings to the community. The community outreach initiative took place in the hospital’s Ambulatory Care building where members of the department educated guests about symptoms of depression and when to seek help. The group reminded everyone that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and they should not delay getting help for that reason.

Depression screenings help to distinguish between short term feelings of sadness and stress due to transient life episodes, and more severe cases that can go on for months and years. The tests usually last between two to five minutes and the scores will indicate whether a further evaluation by a mental health professional is needed. It is important for people to know that help is available.

To schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Department of Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7160.

World Heart Day

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

September 29th has been designated as “World Heart Day”. This observance serves to bring international attention to the dangers of cardiovascular disease. According to the World Heart Federation, over 17.3 million deaths occur each year due to cardiovascular disease. By the year 2030 it is expected that this number will rise to 23 million. This makes it the leading cause of death in the world. The most common cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attack) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke).
Ways to control heart disease and protect the heart:
• Keep active – a minimum of 30 minutes a day of physical activity or exercise
• Do not smoke – if you do smoke, quit and if you don’t smoke, don’t start
• Healthy eating – A healthy diet includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish
• Maintain a healthy weight – keep away from food that is high in sodium and sugar or contains unsaturated fat
• Keep blood pressure under control
• Take medication as prescribed to control cholesterol, pressure, and diabetes if present
It is very important to know the warning signs of heart disease. For instance, a person who is experiencing a heart attack will often experience chest pain (fullness, squeezing, pressure), discomfort in areas of the upper body ( neck, jaw, arms, back), shortness of breath, and may also experience nausea, lightheadedness, and cold sweats. A person who is experiencing a stroke may have sudden trouble seeing, sudden confusion, a severe headache, loss of balance, trouble speaking, and sudden numbness and weakness of the face, arms and legs that is often just one sided.
It is very important to receive a medical check – up at least once a year to ensure that your heart is healthy. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-7001.

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

September 22nd is designated as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. This observance serves to increase awareness and to educate the public about the risks of falls and how to prevent them from happening. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
A fall, with or without serious injury, can impact a person’s quality of life. Older people have a significant fear of falling and will often limit their activities because of it. This can lead to physical decline, depression, social isolation and feeling helpless. However, if they exercise caution and follow these steps, they can reduce the risk of an accident and continue on with routine activities:
• Speak to a doctor about performing a risk of falling assessment
• Build up balance, strength and flexibility
• Have vision and hearing checked
• Remove tripping hazards in the home and make sure that there is adequate lighting
• Install grab bars in the bathroom
• Make sure that there are secure rails on all stairs
• Review medications to make sure they don’t affect balance
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center to discuss fall risk prevention, please call 718-206-7001.

Hospice Pet Therapy

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

There are many beneficial reasons why a beloved pet should be a part of a patient’s medical treatment program, especially during end of life care. When a pet visits a patient there is an increased amount of positive activity, conversation, and emotional connection.
Pets can:
• Provide unconditional love
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Provide soothing companionship
• Reduce depression
• Lowers blood pressure

Most often dogs are the animal of choice used in pet therapy because of their loving, compassionate presence. They are also able to sense subtle human emotional and physical signs. Cats are also frequently requested because they are also very calming and bond well with people. Pigs have been used also because they are highly intelligent animals and are also affectionate and calming. Other animals that have been used are birds, horses, and rabbits. Any animal that is going to be used in pet therapy must be house broken, nonaggressive, able to sit, stay and come on command, and be properly vaccinated.
A person who is under hospice care needs to know that they are surrounded at all times by things that make them feel safe and secure. Having a pet visit a hospice patient, whether it be the patient’s own or a specially trained therapy pet, can provide immeasurable benefits to both the patient and their loved ones.

The Benefits of Taking a Vacation

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

We live in a stressful society, therefore It is very important for people to take a break in order to stay healthy. Studies have shown not taking a vacation for a few years can increase the risk of heart disease and the potential for a heart attack.

It was also found that people who take vacations have an easier time with breaking bad habits such as nail biting, smoking, and eating poorly because the stressors that lead to these behaviors are minimalized.

There are many additional benefits to taking a vacation:
•A better outlook on life
• A chance for the body to unwind
• An increase in happiness

To really benefit from a vacation a person has to leave their work environment at home.
Today, with electronic devices so prevalent, it is recommended to not check them more than once or twice a day, while on vacation to reap the full benefits of relaxation.

Prostate Cancer

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system that sits below the bladder and is normally the size of a walnut. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in American men. The majority of men who reach the age of 80 are found to have prostate cancer however most types of this cancer at that age grow slowly and may not contribute to any serious harm. Some types of prostate cancer are very aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body.
Prostate cancer can occur at any age, but is more common in men over the age of 65. There is a higher incidence of it in African American males and men who have a family history of the disease.
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:
• Difficulty urinating
• Less forceful urination
• Need to urinate frequently
• Painful urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis
• Unexplained weight loss
Prostate screenings are very important to help detect the disease. A blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam (DRE) are the two tests that a physician will start with to see if there are any abnormalities. If there is reason to believe that there is a problem other tests will be performed and this includes an ultrasound exam and a biopsy of the gland.
Treatment of prostate cancer depends on the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis, the overall health of the patient, and the amount of growth and spread of the disease. Treatment options can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
To schedule an appointment with a urologist at Jamaica Hospital who can perform a prostate exam, please call 718-206-7110.

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Doctor Giving Male Patient Injection

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. The importance of this designation is to make people aware about the different types of vaccines they should get throughout their lifetime. Vaccines are important to keep the body healthy by building up an immunity to serious diseases. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital, please call .

How Does Hot Weather Affect Asthma ?

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Exhausted female runner suffering angina pectoris

It is a fact that breathing difficulties associated with asthma are affected by hot weather. Anyone who has walked a few blocks when it is hot and humid outside will know that breathing seems to be more difficult. This is especially true for anyone who suffers from asthma. One possible cause of this is due to the hot, humid air irritating the airways causing inflammation which will lead to symptoms of an asthma attack. Another reason is that hot and humid air is heavier and therefore a person may have to struggle to breathe..
In hot weather months there is an increase in the amount of ozone in the air and also a higher concentration of dust and fine particles which can cause existing respiratory conditions to worsen especially in the very young and the elderly.
Some of the environmental factors that affect the respiratory system are:
• Higher levels of carbon dioxide and higher temperature can lead to more spores and mold in the air.

• Higher temperatures can lead to more greenhouse gases being produced.

• Environmental production of pollutants from vehicles and factories become trapped in the atmosphere.

These environmental conditions can cause chest pain, wheezing, and coughing, and reduced lung function for those who suffer with asthma.
Irritants that affect breathing function have definitely worsened over the years due to climate changes. People are being treated more frequently in the emergency rooms across the country due to lack of clean air to breathe.
To help avoid asthma attacks in hot weather it is recommended to:
• Stay indoors as much as possible in an air conditioned environment
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Keep hydrated
• Try to limit being outdoors during the hottest time of day
To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital who can help treat breathing difficulties, please call 718-206-7001.