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.

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 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.

Vaccination Timeline

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

There has been much debate over the importance of having children vaccinated. There have even been legal battles in some municipalities over school policies that sought to prevent children who were not vaccinated from attending school. Many of the communicable diseases that were prevalent in the early part of the last century have now been almost completely eradicated in the United States due to the discovery of vaccines.

It would appear that the benefits of having your child vaccinated outweigh the risks. Now that we live in global society and we are exposed to people who may be coming from parts of the world where vaccinations may not be readily available, it is recommended that you follow a vaccination timeline for your children.

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommends that the following vaccines be given at the appropriate time in a child’s life.

The CDC has set guidelines for vaccinations

Discuss with your pediatrician having your child vaccinated against communicable diseases. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center also offers our patients access to a program called “My Chart” which allows you to access your child’s medical records and to keep track of all tests results and all scheduled vaccines.

Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

One of the reasons that people don’t want to stop smoking is because they are worried about gaining weight. Smoking increases the rate of metabolism so when a person quits, their metabolism slows and they tend to eat a little bit more than they did when they were still smoking. As a result, people will typically gain four to 10 pounds when they quit. When you snack between meals, over the course of time, you can slowly be adding on the pounds. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, so it reduces these cravings. Smoking also makes people feel good, so that is another reason that people will eat sweet foods such as cookies and cake to replace cigarettes.
If you find yourself craving something sweet to eat, there are healthy alternatives:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Fat free or low fat snacks
• Sugar free candies
Drinking plenty of water and brushing your teeth frequently throughout the day will keep your breath fresh and will take away the urge to smoke.
Try finding alternate activities that will keep you busy so that you won’t have the desire to reach for a cigarette. It might be helpful to go to a movie theater, take a long walk, use the stairs instead of an elevator when possible, read a book and spend time with people who are supportive and who don’t smoke.
Smoking is a leading factor in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and many other illnesses. Speak to your physician to learn about ways to quit and how to manage the changes your body will experience. If you would like to speak with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

Swimmer’s Ear

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that affects the outermost portion of the ear canal. A common cause is the accumulation of water in this portion of the canal that leads to a bacterial infection. It can also be caused by the insertion of unclean foreign objects into the ear that irritate the lining of the ear canal.
Signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear are:
• Redness in the ear canal
• Itchiness in the ear
• Fluid discharge which may include pus
• Muffled hearing
• Sensation of fullness in the ear
• Fever if the infection is severe
A few factors that can make a person more susceptible to swimmer’s ear are:
• Swimming in water that isn’t clean
• Having a narrow ear canal
• Abrasion of the ear canal by improper use of a cotton swab
• Reduced production or improper removal of ear wax
It is important to treat swimmer’s ear as soon as possible in order to prevent serious complications such as hearing loss. Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment options are ear drops containing antibiotics, steroid, and a mild acidic solution. Have your physician evaluate the problem as soon as possible. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Homemade Ice Cream

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Its summer time and who doesn’t enjoy ice cream, especially at this time of year. If you have some basic ingredients and a couple of hours to spare, you can enjoy making it at yourself. Here is a very simple recipe from Real Simple magazine. The recipe can found at Ice cream from Real Simple Magazine.

Hands-On Time
15 minutes
Total Time
2 hours and 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 3.5-ounce chocolate bar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy cream
Directions
1. Break the chocolate bar into chunks and place in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Microwave the chocolate, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Stir condensed milk into the chocolate. Set aside.
2. Place the heavy cream in a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer to whip it until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until completely incorporated. Scrape mixture into an airtight container and cover. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

History of Sunglasses

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Sunglasses were used in the 12th century in China. These sunglasses were made out of flat panes of smoky quartz. Though they didn’t do anything to correct eyesight, they were used to protect the eyes from sun glare. In the 1400’s sunglasses were starting to be developed by the Italians who also sought to correct vision problems with them.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, sunglasses were prescribed for people who had syphilis as they were known to be sensitive to light and these glasses would be helpful.
Sunglasses became popular fashion accessories for Hollywood movie stars in the early 20th century and from that time the general public also started to wear them.
Mass production of sunglasses began in the late 1920’s when they were introduced by Sam Foster. He began by selling them on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. In the 1930’s the inventor Edwin Land introduced polarized sunglasses based upon his patented Polaroid filter. During World War II the Ray Ban company developed eyewear that protected pilots from glare and soon these became popular with the general public as well.
There are many styles and manufacturers of sunglasses today and they still serve the same concept that was discovered in China almost one thousand years ago.

Foods that promote lactation

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Breast feeding is a very special time in the life of a mother and her baby. It is important for mom to maintain a well-balanced diet in order in-order for both of them to get the proper nutrients needed.

Foods that are beneficial to the body during breast feeding are called lactogenic. If you are a breast feeding mother, some of the foods that are beneficial to you and the baby are:

• Oatmeal – good for relaxation and increases the production of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for the production of milk.

• Spinach – an excellent source of calcium, vitamins A. K and folic acid. It is also an excellent source of phytoestrogens, a plant based chemical that is similar to estrogen produced by the body.

• Carrots – contain phytoestrogens and also a good source of energy.

• Hummus – made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, a good source of energy.

• Papaya – has phytoestrogen and also promotes relaxation.

• Asparagus – contains phytoestrogen, fiber, folic acid, vitamins A, C, K and also tryptophan which stimulates prolactin, a hormone needed for milk production.

• Brown rice – Is a complex carbohydrate which is great for energy and also can increase serotonin level in the brain which is important for prolactin production.

• Apricots – contain fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium and calcium. Also contains tryptophan.

• Salmon – contains essential fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acid both help in the production of hormones needed for lactation.

It is very important for women who are nursing to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you would like to discuss your breast feeding nutrition requirements with a lactation consultant in our Women’s Health Center, please call 718-291-3276

Colorectal Surgery

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

A colorectal surgeon performs procedures on the intestinal tract, anus, rectum and peri-anal area of the body. One of the commonly treated conditions that they treat are hemorrhoids.
A hemorrhoid is a condition that occurs when veins in the anus and lower rectum become inflamed. They can be either internal (inside the lower rectum) or external (under the skin in the peri-anal area). They can be the result of repeated straining during a bowel movement and can also occur during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are common, and by the age of fifty approximately half of the adults have experienced them to some extent. This is due to the aging process of the tissues that support the veins in the peri-anal area.
• Symptoms of hemorrhoids include
• Discomfort in the anal area
• Swelling in the anal area
• Bright red bleeding during a bowel movement
• Bumps around the opening of the anus
Depending on the severity of the hemorrhoid, different treatment options exist. In mild cases, hemorrhoids may be able to be treated with creams or ointments. Changing the diet to include more fiber and adding a stool softener may also help. In more severe cases surgery may be necessary. A hemorrhoidectomy is the surgical correction of this condition.
The surgery department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center offers colorectal diagnostic imaging and board certified surgeons who can treat all forms of colorectal disorders. In addition to hemorrhoids, some of the other conditions that they can treat are polyps, rectal prolapse, colon cancer, fissures, and abscesses. To schedule an appointment please call 718-206-7110.

ADHD

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental disorder diagnosed in children, as well as found in teens and continue into adulthood. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, have difficulty staying focused, and can’t control their impulses. Boys tend to be affected more frequently than girls. There isn’t a definite cause for the illness but there is a hereditary component, or result of a chemical imbalance in people who are diagnosed with ADHD. Mothers who smoke, drank alcohol, had poor nutrition, or were substance abusers during their pregnancy tend to have children with a higher incidence of the disease.
Children with ADHD:
• Are easily distracted
• Have trouble sitting still
• Have trouble waiting their turn
• Have difficulty organizing themselves
• Talk excessively
ADHD cannot be cured but can be managed through therapy and medication. Dr. Teresita Ruiz a psychiatrist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, recommends that a parent who suspects their child is showing signs of abnormal behavior, seek professional help for an evaluation. Early intervention is an important component of successfully managing ADHD. To schedule an appointment with a child psychiatrist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7160.