World Health Day is April 7th

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

In 1948 the World Health Organization held the first World Health Assembly to address health issues affecting people around the world. Each year the World Health Organization chooses a health topic that it wishes to draw global attention to and that is a subject of major importance. April 7th was chosen as World Health Day to honor the founding of the organization.
This year the World Health Organization decided to focus on diabetes. The main goal is to increase awareness about the rise in diabetes and its staggering burden and consequences, particularly in low and middle – income countries. It also is designed to set in motion a set of specific effective and affordable actions to control diabetes.
• These actions include:
• Prevent diabetes
• Diagnose diabetes
• Treat and care for people who have diabetes
The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people in the world have diabetes and this number is expected to double in the next 20 years. In 2012 approximately 1.5 million worldwide people died from illness directly related to the disease.
Diabetes is a disease for which there is no cure but there are ways to treat it and keep it under control. Early diagnosis and management are key factors to successfully controlling the disease.
If you have a family history of diabetes, you are at higher risk for developing the disease. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital to check you for the disease, please call 718-206-7001.

World health day

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.

Can Aspirin Trigger and Asthma Attack ?

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Aspirin may have many benefits but for people who have asthma, it can trigger an attack. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 10 – 20 % of people who live with asthma have a reaction to either aspirin or other pain killers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Examples of NSAIDS are Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Naproxen, Aleve, and Naprosyn.
The likelihood of having an asthmatic attack is increased if a person living with asthma has nasal polyps in addition to sensitivity to aspirin. This condition, known as Samter’s Triad increases the chances of having an asthmatic attack by 30 – 40 %. This is due to the fact that nasal polyps are an inflammatory condition in the nasal passages and anti-inflammatories can lead to respiratory complications. Many people with nasal symptoms such as runny nose, post nasal drip, and congestion may be prone to an asthma attack if they take aspirin or NSAIDS.
If you suspect that you have asthma and are experiencing: shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, speak to your doctor about how aspirin can impact your condition. A doctor can recommend medications that are safer to take. To make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center please call 718-206-7001.

World TB Day

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

March 24th has been designated globally as “World TB Day”. The event began in 1982 is sponsored by the World Health Organization and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and is intended to raise awareness that anyone can contract TB to make health professionals aware of the importance of testing people for the disease.
This date was chosen to celebrate the discovery by Dr. Robert Koch of the Mycobacterium tuberculoisis (the bacteria that causes tuberculosis) in 1882. This important discovery was the beginning of the steps being taken to control and hopefully one day eradicate the disease.

Unfortunately, Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the leading causes of death around the world. TB is a contagious bacterial disease that affects mainly the lungs but can also affect the kidneys, brain and the spine. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Pain with breathing

TB is spread by coming into contact with the airborne droplets of the bacteria from an infected person. People most susceptible are those who have compromised immune systems and include people undergoing chemotherapy, have diabetes, are very young or very old, and have HIV/AIDS. There are antibiotics that given to fight the disease but depending on the strain and their resistance to treatment, may require months or years of treatment.

A routine physical usually includes a TB skin test. If you would like to schedule a physical exam and a TB test with one of our physicians, please call 718-206-7001.

Do You Stop at a “Stop” sign?

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Do you “Stop” at a stop sign? For some people it means a slow roll through an intersection, for some it is a mere tap on the brakes, for others it may seem like five minutes, especially if you are in a hurry and in the car behind them.
A stop sign means exactly what it says “STOP”, the wheels on the vehicle must come to a complete halt, and remain at the intersection until it is your turn to proceed safely.
Under New York State law, a motorist must come to a full and complete stop at a stop sign at either:
• A clearly marked stop line
• Before entering a crosswalk
• Before entering an intersection with a stop sign at the point that gives you a view of traffic on the intersecting roadway.
• At an intersection marked with a stop sign, the operator of the motor vehicle may proceed only after giving the right of way to a vehicle that already has entered the intersection, or when the intersection is free of pedestrians.
Unfortunately many accidents occur because operators of motor vehicles fail to observe stop signs. If an intersection looks clear, drivers will sometimes just slow down at a stop sign or not even bother to do even that. Failure to obey traffic signs is a violation and can be subject to a monetary fine and other disciplinary action.

Automobile Safety Features

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Automobile accidents happen all too frequently and can have devastating effects on the passengers who are involved. Fortunately though, advances in safety features help to lessen the number of fatalities and the severity of these accidents. With every year that passes, automobile manufacturers add safety features to their vehicles with the hopes that they will help lower the number of injuries and fatalities.
Through government regulation and the formation of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 1970, safety became a priority for all cars being sold in the United States. Manufacturers were required to meet these standards in order to be in compliance.
Some of the safety features that became mandatory include:
• 1964 Front seat belts became required equipment
• 1966 Padded dashboard, front and rear seat belts and back up lights
• 1968 Collapsible seat belts, side marker lights, front shoulder belts
• 1969 Front head restraints
• 1986 Third brake light in rear of car
• 1998 Front passenger airbags
Some additional features that became standard equipment over the years were windshield wipers, rear window defrosters, bumpers that can withstand front and rear impact, fuel tanks that are able to withstand impact without exploding, front and rear brakes, and shatterproof windshield glass.
We continue to see more safety features being added. They include back up cameras, blind spot detectors and sensors to alert drivers of drifting into another lane.
Each state also has regulations that require motor vehicle to be inspected every year for safety compliance. Tires, brakes, emissions, lights and mechanical equipment is checked to determine if the vehicle is road worthy. If the vehicle does not pass the inspection the owner is advised of the repairs that need to be made before they can renew their registration. The purpose of this is to ensure that each motor vehicle on the road is safe to be operated.

Whiplash – A Real Pain in the Neck

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden, forceful, movement of the head and neck. Often times it is caused by a rear end car accident but can also be caused by other forms of trauma like a sports related accident, shaking a baby forcefully, or if one person hits another in the head.

Signs and symptoms of whiplash sometimes don’t show up right away. It may take a day or two for some or all of the following symptoms to appear:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Limitation of neck range of motion
• Headache
• Shoulder and back pain
• Tingling in the arms
• Dizziness
• Feeling tired
• Blurred vision

A complete examination by a physician will include checking range of motion of the neck and shoulders, tenderness in the shoulders, neck and back, checking reflexes and muscle strength in the arms. The exam will also probably include an x-ray, and a CT scan or MRI of the upper part of the body.

Treatment for whiplash depends on severity as each case is different. It includes rest, immobilization of the neck with a foam collar, pain management with medication, ice or heat to the affected area, muscle relaxants, or physical therapy. It can take weeks or months for the symptoms to subside.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Which Type of Chocolate Do You Prefer – Milk or Dark ?

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Everyone has a preference when it comes to eating chocolate, however research has shown us that dark chocolate is more beneficial to your health.
Some of the benefits of eating Dark Chocolate may include:
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves blood flow
• Decreases cardiovascular disease
• Can protect the skin from sun induced damage
Dark chocolate contains a higher concentration than milk chocolate of polyphenols and flavanols. These chemicals have a beneficial effect on the body.
When eaten in small quantities, dark chocolate is healthy for you, but as with anything that we enjoying eating, too much of a good thing can outdo the benefits we obtain.

Is Obesity Culturally Influenced ?

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Obesity is a problem that is well known but not well controlled in the United States today. It has become a very big problem for both men and women and affects all racial, socioeconomic and ethnic groups, but how much does culture contribute to someone’s obesity risk factor? People who are defined as being obese are severely overweight and are also at greater risk of developing circulatory problems, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular problems.
Cultural factors play a role in why some groups of people are more likely to become obese during their lifetime. To understand how cultural factors play a role in obesity one has to understand that a culture is a set of rules, learned by sharing experiences, of a certain group of people. A group of people who share the same culture also share the same values and have shared experiences. How that group defines what is an acceptable way of eating, and how they appear to others is what makes them unique. There are some cultures for example that see being overweight as a sign of affluence because food may be scarce in that region.
People who share a cultural background tend to reside in the same neighborhood. An example of this would be when immigrants from other countries or from different parts of the same country, migrate to an area, these people tend to eat foods that are familiar to them. Those food choices may not be healthy but are comforting and may be eaten in quantities that are excessive.
Where people live and what resources they have available to them also can play a role in what choices they make are available for healthy eating. People who eat a lot of fast food because of its low cost are consuming food that is high in calories, fats, and refined sugars, all of which contribute to becoming obese in the long term. Fresh fruit and vegetables which are more beneficial to overall weight control tend to be more expensive and therefore not eaten as often. People living in societies that are more economically developed tend to be more obese than in parts of the country that are rural because they are more likely to eat prepared , packaged, and processed foods.
There has been a slow increase in the number of people who care considered to be obese in the United States and this is due to poor choices in foods and less physical activity, influenced by culture changes and lifestyles. People make choices in how they live their lives, and a society that allows for poor choices on how they eat, get physical activity and spend their leisure time will be doomed to an even greater population of obese people.
It is important for people with poor eating habits to adopt healthier diets. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital who can help you to improve your diet, please call 718-206-7001.

Electronic Medical Records

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

For as long as anyone can remember, patient’s medical records have been hand written and kept in a filing cabinet in each provider’s office. In order to access this information it was necessary to call the doctor’s office and have the requested information read over the phone, or have it sent through the mail.

Now the modern way for patients to access their medical records at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is through an electronic health record system called MyChart. This system allows the patient access, in a secure manner, portions of their health record online. Patients can have access to their lab results, immunization history, allergies, medication list, and their ambulatory care and emergency room visit summaries. Patients can also see what appointments they have on their schedule, can ask their physicians questions and request medication refills.

To use MyChart a patient must set up account. This is an easy process and only takes a few minutes. If you are a patient at Jamaica Hospital and would like to have access to your medical records through MyChart, please ask one of our registration associates who can assist you.

Instrument Sterilization

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Instruments that come in contact with the body during all surgical procedures and many non-surgical procedures must be free of all microbial elements. This is to ensure that the risk of infection is kept to a minimum.
Throughout history different methods were adopted using materials that were available at that time. In 3000 BC the Egyptians used pitch and tar as antiseptics. In later years the fumes from burning sulfur were found to cleanse objects of infectious material.
In 1680 a French physicist, Denis Papin invented a pressure cooker that would trap boiling water, convert it into steam, and was found to cleanse objects by cooking them. This device was further improved upon during the next two hundred years and it became possible to additionally sterilize linens, dressings, gowns using steam. Two major contributions to the art of sterilization came in the 1860’s when the French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur wrote extensively on how germs cause disease and the English physician, Joseph Lister, developed a technique that used carbolic acid as a spray to disinfect instruments. During the late 1800’s steam sterilization became much more widespread. Surgical instruments were also being made out of materials that were better able to withstand high levels of heat. This allowed them to be processed at higher temperatures and were being made with smooth surfaces which allowed for more thorough cleaning.
During the 1900’s various improvements were introduced. This included sterilization with steam, irradiation, with glutaraldehyde. More recently, sterilization of instruments can be achieved using high temperature / high pressure, ultraviolet light, and the most commonly used chemical for sterilization is ethylene oxide. It can be used on almost all instruments, both metal and non-metal.
The importance of cleanliness when it involves objects that come in contact with the body cannot be stressed enough. It was recognized in ancient times and improvements are still evolving today for the safety of patients.