History of Hearing Aids

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

For hundreds of years devices have been used to help the hearing impaired. As early as the 1600s devices were made from sea shells, animal horns and then, in later years, from brass and copper. These early hearing instruments that were wide at one end to gather the sound and narrow at the other end to direct sound into the ear canal. They were described as ear trumpets because of the way they looked.
In the 1700s it was discovered that sound could be sensed as vibrations on bony surfaces of the skull so devices were placed behind the ear to help transmit these sounds.
In the 1800s devices were created that resembled tubes into which a person spoke at one end and the other end was placed in the ear of the person who was listening.
In the early part of the 20th century devices were developed that began to use electricity. This helped tremendously with the development of hearing devices that could amplify sounds and direct them into people’s ears. Some of the technology used by Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone was also used for these hearing aids. Sounds were amplified by using a carbon microphone and powered by batteries.
Over the years, batteries became smaller and transistors were developed that helped to miniaturize the devices, which improved helped sound quality.
The digital era has improved hearing aids even further both in quality of the sound and the size of the device. Hearing aids are now being used that fit in the ear canal and aren’t easily visible, making people less hesitant to wear them. While years ago hearing aids were used mainly by people who were hard of hearing, now they can be used for people who just need a little help to hear more clearly.
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty hearing, it is recommended that you speak with a physician who will make a referral to our audiology evaluation department. Please call 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

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.

Do you prefer real sugar or an artificial sweetner ?

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

While limiting the intake of sugar may be seen as a good trend, people seem to be consuming more of the artificially sweetened products which may not be beneficial in the long term. Over indulgence in products that are made with these artificial sweeteners can still cause weight gain.

As people in the United States have become more health conscious, the use of products made with artificial sweeteners has increased. More and more products are being produced each year that are labeled “Sugar Free”, “Diet”, “Low-Cal”, “Light”, or “Artificially Sweetened”.

There are six sugar substitutes that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in foods and beverages. These are aspartame, sucralose, stevia, neotame, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium. These products are very sweet and therefore only very small quantities need to be added to food and beverages to make them taste good. For as long as these products made with artificial sweeteners have been available there has been controversy over any harmful side effects that they may pose. So far the FDA has not been able to substantiate any claims of harmful effects from their use.

Whether a person choses to use sugar or a sugar substitute, moderation is the best way to
use these products.

National Depression Screening Observation Day

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

National Depression Screening Day which is recognized as October 8th was started in 1990 as a way to make people aware of this disease and to provide them with mental health information and access to support services. Though many mental health conditions are treatable, many people go through life not seeking help because they haven’t been properly diagnosed. Medical professionals estimate that one in five Americans has a mental health condition in any given year and less than half will receive treatment.
Depression affects one in 10 adults and is more common in women than in men. Depression can be categorized either as Major Depression which interferes with the ability to sleep, eat, work and study or as Persistent Depressive Disorder which lasts for at least two years having varying levels of severity and which does include Major Depression during this time. Depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Signs and symptoms of depression include:
• Waking up and feeling exhausted
• Sleeplessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Short temper
• Always worrying or anxious
• Lack of energy
• Sadness
Take this quick and to see how you are doing.
(This screening tool © Copyright Mental Health America”
Depression is real and there are ways to treat it. Treatment options include therapy with a trained professional and in some situations medication may be prescribed. If you would like to make an appointment to speak to one of our mental health professionals, please call 718-206-7071

Shingles

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Shingles is the term used for a skin rash that is caused by the herpes-zoster (varicella) virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, and the symptoms have resolved the virus can lie dormant dormant in their nerve roots for years. In some cases it can reactivate and cause shingles. Some of the factors that can cause the virus to become activated are stress, advanced age, exhaustion or a weakened immune system.

This rash is very painful and can last for many weeks. It is most frequently located on one side of the body, usually it shows up on the abdomen, the back or the buttocks as a band or stripe of fluid filled lesions that later are covered with scabs. They can also be found on the face and when they do, extra precautions must be taken so as to not affect the eye. Shingles isn’t contagious to people who have already had the chickenpox. There is the possibility of people contracting chickenpox if they come in contact with the open sores and if they have never had it before, however that risk is very low.

Signs and symptoms of shingles:

• Itching
• Red rash on one side of the body
• Pain
• Sensitive to the touch
• Headache
• Weakness
• Fluid filled blisters
• Tingling sensation
• Exhaustion
• Fever

Symptoms will last for several weeks, sometimes months. There isn’t a cure for shingles but a physician will usually prescribe medications to make the symptoms less intense. Antiviral medication will shorten the length of time that the symptoms will be present. Medication for pain will also help. People with shingles also get some relief by using certain skin creams, oatmeal baths, and cool compresses while the skin rash is active.
There is a vaccine for chickenpox which is given to children and to adults who have never had the disease. There is also a shingles vaccine that people who have had chickenpox can be given. It doesn’t guarantee that a person won’t develop shingles but can reduce the chances of developing complications. To learn more about vaccines for chickenpox or shingles please make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-7001.

History of Toothpaste

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Even in ancient times people were concerned with the health of their teeth and gums. The first toothpaste was used by the Egyptians around 5000 BC. It was made from the powder of ox hooves, burnt eggshells, pumice and water. There is also evidence that the ancient Greeks and Romans used crushed bones and oyster shells followed by the Chinese who favored ginseng, herbal mints and salt.
More modern versions of tooth cleaning products were made in the mid 1800’s that combined soap, borax and chalk. In those days toothpastes were mainly in powder form and were very abrasive which often damaged teeth. The first toothpaste which came in a jar was developed in 1850 In the 1890’s toothpaste was introduced in tube form. Soap was still an important ingredient of toothpaste until the 1940’s when it was replaced by sodium lauryl sulphate . One of the major developments was the addition of fluoride in the 1950’s which inhibited tooth decay and is still a key component today.
To make an appointment with a dentist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-6980.

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood obesity affects approximately one in five children in the United States. Obesity is measured by taking a child’s body-mass index (BMI) and evaluating where this number falls on a BMI age-growth chart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a table to make it possible to compare the BMI with those of other children of the same age and height. Other factors that need to be considered are the type of body frame, musculature, and the child’s development pattern.

There are many reasons why a child may become obese. Often obese children come from families where there are poor eating habits, and lack of physical activity. Other contributing factors can include stress, boredom, and depression as well as living in a community with limited accessibility to healthy food choices.

Obesity in children puts them at risk of developing chronic illnesses later in life such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, arthritis, and heart disease. It also makes children more prone to depression, low self-esteem and susceptible to bullying.

Ways to control a child’s weight include:

Limit fast food
Increase fruits and vegetables in the diet
Limit sweet drinks
Limit desserts and unhealthy snacks
Eat together as a family when possible
Regulate portion sizes
Increase physical activity, not just exercise
Decrease the amount of time spent watching TV or on the computer

Jamaica Hospital strives to help prevent childhood obesity by participating in workshops throughout the year at schools and at community health fairs by providing educational materials and guidance on proper nutrition. To speak with a pediatrician about childhood obesity, please call to schedule an appointment.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Ovarian Cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting women. In the United States an estimated 22,000 annually women will be diagnosed with this disease and approximately 14,250 will die as a result of it. This type of cancer typically affects women who are in their fifties and sixties, and frequently have a family history of the disease. When the disease is detected early, the five year survival rate is above 93%.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
• Bloating
• Nausea, indigestion, gas, and constipation
• Abdominal and pelvic pain
• Fatigue
• Backaches
• Urinary frequency and urgency
When a physician suspects ovarian cancer, they will perform certain tests to confirm the diagnosis. The exam will include a blood test for the CA-125 marker, examination of the abdomen to see if there is tenderness, a pelvic exam, ultrasound, and a biopsy.
There are four main stages of ovarian cancer.
Stage I – completely confined to one or both ovaries
Stage II – Found in one or both ovaries with spread to other pelvic organs (bladder, colon, rectum, uterus)
Stage III – Cancer is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to the lining of the abdomen and/or the lymph nodes
Stage IV – Most advanced stage of the disease with spread to additional organs such as liver and lung
The three main types of ovarian cancer are: epithelial cell tumors (most common), Germ cell tumors and Stromal cell tumors. When these tumors are benign they never spread beyond the ovary. When they are malignant these tumors can spread to parts of the body beyond the pelvis and be fatal.
Treatment options for ovarian cancer include chemotherapy, surgical removal of the affected organ(s), hormone therapy, and radiation. The type of treatment will be determined by the type of ovarian cancer, the age of the patient, and the stage of the disease.
Early detection is important and women should have an annual gynecological exam once a year. If you would like to make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, please call 718-291-3276.

Rare but True – Can You be Allergic to the Cold ?

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Every winter people complain that they need to be in a warm climate because they are “allergic” to the cold. While we think most are just trying to dramatize the effects of the cold weather in reality, there are some people who actually are allergic to the cold. The condition known as “Cold Urticaria” is brought on by exposure to the cold. It is caused by the body’s release of histamine i to the blood stream. the same chemical that gets released during an allergic reaction. This condition may be either an inherited trait or due to a virus.
Some of the signs and symptoms are:
• Reddish hives on skin that was exposed to the cold
• Hands that swell when they come in contact with cold objects
• Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat when touched by cold liquids
• Heart palpitations or fainting might occur in extreme cases.
• Headaches, fever and joint pain.
The effects of this allergic occurs when the temperature drops below 39 degrees but can also present at higher temperatures. The condition is usually limited to the part of the body that has been exposed but can have a full body effect if a person goes swimming in cold water or if they aren’t properly dressed in cold weather. One of the ways that it is diagnosed is by placing an ice cube on the skin for five minutes to see if there are any signs of a rash.
Treatment options include taking antihistamines, which will help ease the symptoms, avoiding extreme cold and making sure that you don’t leave areas of the body exposed in cold weather .
People who have cold urticaria should see a dermatologist to obtain prescription medications which may help to ease the symptoms. To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Asthma and Climate Change

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

It is a fact that breathing difficulties associated with asthma are affected by climate changes. These changes in the environment bring about higher levels of ozone in the atmosphere. A higher concentration of dust and fine particles 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.

• Climate change can lead to drought conditions which can lead to more dust 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, 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.

If you would like to speak with a pulmonologist about a breathing problem, please call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

History of Eyeglasses

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.