Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Coronary artery disease is the process where blood vessels within the heart have diminished flow of blood passing through them. The disease happens when plaque develops in the blood vessels of the heart. Plaque is composed mainly of cholesterol. If you are a male over the age of 45 or a female over the age of 55 you may be at higher risk. Heredity also plays a role in coronary artery disease.
Symptoms of coronary artery disease:
• Chest pain
• Feeling tired
• Heart palpitations
• Abnormal EKG
• Shortness of breath
Conservative treatment of coronary artery disease includes taking medications to help the flow of blood throughout the heart and the rest of the body. Taking a baby aspirin every day can also help in some cases. Diet and lifestyle changes are also recommended.
A surgical procedure, known as coronary artery bypass graft surgery ( CABG ) involves taking a vein from another part of the body, usually the leg but can also be from the chest or wrist, and bypassing the blocked portion of the coronary artery. One or more coronary arteries may have to be bypassed and is frequently referred to as double bypass, triple bypass or quadruple bypass to indicate that number.
In some cases there are no symptoms of coronary artery disease. It is very important to have an annual physical exam with an EKG. If any abnormalities are detected on an EKG or if the patient has symptoms, further testing, stress test, echocardiography, and coronary angiography, will be needed to determine the severity of the disease. Jamaica Hospital offers full diagnostic capabilities of coronary artery disease. To make an appointment with a cardiologist 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.

Who Invented the Stethoscope

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Probably the one diagnostic instrument that is used by almost every health care professional around the world is the stethoscope. It was invented by a French physician, Rene Laennec, in 1816. The idea came to him one day when he noticed two young boys sending signals to one another across a long piece of solid wood and making scratching sounds with a pin. Dr. Laennec experimented with different types of materials until he finally decided upon a hollow tube of wood, 3.5 cm in diameter and 25 cm long. The stethoscope has evolved over the years as new materials were introduced but the basic concept of being able to listen to sounds from within the chest cavity remain the same.

The Effects of Drinking Alcohol and Hypertension

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Blood Pressure?

There is a definite correlation between drinking alcohol and a person’s blood pressure. Blood pressure is raised because of alcohol’s effect on the blood vessels causing them to dilate.

Most people who occasionally consume more than three alcoholic drinks at one sitting will experience a short term rise in blood pressure. Three drinks or more can lead to a rapid increase in blood pressure which could lead to a stroke, for those who already have hypertension. People who regularly have three or more drinks every day will experience a prolonged elevation in their blood pressure which will be harder to reduce.

Staying away from alcoholic drinks completely for two weeks usually allows the blood pressure to return to whatever is normal for that individual. Alcohol may also have an effect on blood pressure medications which could limit their effectiveness.

While drinking moderate amounts of alcohol occasionally won’t have a prolonged effect on a person’s blood pressure, drinking excessively certainly can. To make an appointment with a physician who can help you to control your blood pressure, please call 718-206-6742.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

When a person is recognized as having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, they demonstrate unreasonable thoughts and fears that make them perform repetitive and ritualized behaviors. A person with OCD feels obliged to perform these actions as a way to reduce their stress and anxiety. They will feel that by not giving in to these impulses will cause something bad to happen, which can raise their stress and anxiety.

Traits of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders fall into themes:
• Washers – have a fear of germs makes them wash their hands over and over
• Checkers – will check to make sure a door is locked more than once
• Doubters and sinners – fearful that harm will occur to someone if everything isn’t done correctly
• Counters and arrangers – everything has to be in a certain order or something will go wrong
• Hoarders – hold on to everything so that nothing bad will occur
There are three main theories as to what causes obsessive compulsive disorder:
• Biology – caused by changes in the body’s chemical make-up or the way the brain functions.
• Environment – causes a person to respond to a triggering event that leads to the obsessive compulsive behavior.
• Genetics – may contribute to a person’s susceptibility to OCD and also a certain level of stress in a person’s life may be a factor.

What should a person do if they feel they may have obsessive compulsive disorder? The first step is to identify what traits they feel they are exhibiting that may be out of the ordinary. Consulting with a primary care physician about symptoms is a good place to begin. They may recommend seeing a mental health professional who can determine the degree of OCD and recommend psychotherapy and possibly medication to control the symptoms.

You can schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-7071.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
When a person is recognized as having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, they demonstrate unreasonable thoughts and fears that make them perform repetitive and ritualized behaviors. A person with OCD feels obliged to perform these actions as a way to reduce their stress and anxiety. They will feel that by not giving in to these impulses will cause something bad to happen, which can raise their stress and anxiety.
Traits of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders fall into themes:
• Washers – have a fear of germs makes them wash their hands over and over
• Checkers – will check to make sure a door is locked more than once
• Doubters and sinners – fearful that harm will occur to someone if everything isn’t done correctly
• Counters and arrangers – everything has to be in a certain order or something will go wrong
• Hoarders – hold on to everything so that nothing bad will occur
There are three main theories as to what causes obsessive compulsive disorder:
• Biology – caused by changes in the body’s chemical make-up or the way the brain functions.
• Environment – causes a person to respond to a triggering event that leads to the obsessive compulsive behavior.
• Genetics – may contribute to a person’s susceptibility to OCD and also a certain level of stress in a person’s life may be a factor.
What should a person do if they feel they may have obsessive compulsive disorder? The first step is to identify what traits they feel they are exhibiting that may be out of the ordinary. Consulting with a primary care physician about symptoms is a good place to begin. They may recommend seeing a mental health professional who can determine the degree of OCD and recommend psychotherapy and possibly medication to control the symptoms. You can schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-7071

Diabetes and Circulation

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

If diabetes isn’t controlled, it can lead to complications within the body. One of the more common conditions is poor circulation. Diabetes can cause the blood vessels to narrow, harden and impair the ability of blood to circulate properly. If there is decreased blood flow in the body, especially the feet and legs, complications can occur. The following complications can occur:

• Poor wound healing
• Loss of sensation
• Muscle cramps while walking
• Higher rate of amputation

Some of the warning signs of circulatory problems caused by diabetes include:

• Blurry vision
• Foot sores
• Burning or tingling in the feet and hands
• Weight gain
• Swelling of the extremities

The long term effects of poor circulation caused by diabetes can eventually lead to blindness, kidney failure, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.

Exercise, especially walking, can help to improve circulation. Depending on the severity of the problem, a physician may be able to prescribe medications that will help the circulation. Speak to your physician about how to keep your diabetes under control. You may schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-6742.

Pacifiers Effect on a Baby’s Teeth

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

There has been much debate on whether or not a baby should be given a pacifier and for how long. A baby starts sucking on his or her fingers before it is even born. Using a pacifier can have both positive and negative effects. The positives are that it helps to keep the baby calm, it has a relaxing effect, and it is believed to help reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The negative effects of a baby using a pacifier include:

Top teeth that slant outwards
Bottom teeth that slant inwards
Misalignment of the top and bottom jaws
Malformation of the roof of the mouth
Delay the falling out of the baby teeth

During the first two years of a child’s life, using a pacifier won’t really affect the growth of their permanent teeth. It is a good idea to have a baby’s teeth checked regularly by a dentist to make sure that they are developing correctly. To schedule an appointment with a dentist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-6980.

The First Ambulance at Jamaica Hospital

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

The first known ambulance at Jamaica Hospital was a horse drawn wagon that went in to service in 1902 and brought seriously ill patients to the hospital. As motorized vehicles became more widely available in the 1920’s, horse drawn wagons were eventually replaced, response times shortened and more lives could be saved. Jamaica Hospital now has a fleet of 8 ambulances that run 24/7 and that transport thousands of patients every year.

Childproofing The Home

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Young children are by nature very curious and if not properly protected from harm in the home, can end up being seriously injured. Taking a few precautions in the home is one way to protect small children from getting seriously hurt.

These are a few tips on ways to make your home safe:

• Install latches on cabinets and draws.

• Keep all cleaning products on shelves that are out of reach of small children

• Keep medications in childproof containers.

• Post the Poison Center Hotline number next to your phone (1-800-222-1222).

• Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps.

• Put safety gates at the bottom and top of staircases.

• Do not use looped cords on window blinds.

• Prevent furniture from tipping over by securing it to a wall.

• Do not leave children unattended in a bath.

• Keep your doctor’s phone number handy.

• Put door knob covers on rooms that children shouldn’t have access to.

• Have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of the home.

• Do not place furniture that a child can climb on in front of a window.

• Use window gates on every window.

• Place corner and edge bumpers on furniture.

Childproofing a home isn’t only for babies. Unintentional home injuries are one of the leading causes of death in children under 14 years of age.