Joann Ariola, Author at Health Beat

Interesting Facts and Myths About Using Sunscreen

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Joann Ariola

During the summer months, basking in the glow of the sun becomes a national past time. Bronzed, or tanned skin comes from the sun activating a color pigment in the top layer of your skin, the color only lasts between six to 10 days. However, the long-term effects of your skins over exposure to the sun may cause longer lasting conditions, even if you have a darker skin pigmentation.

Myth: People with darker skin tones do not need to apply sunscreen because they are not as susceptible to getting sunburned.

Fact: Health experts suggest that no matter your skin tone, you should use sunscreen to prevent sunburn and sun-induced damage to your skin. People with darker skin tones may believe they do not need to apply sunscreen because they are not as susceptible to getting sunburned as quickly as those with a lighter skin tone, but they are still susceptible to the damage the sun can cause to their skin, such as sunspots and wrinkles and cancer.

To maintain the health of your skin after tanning you should:

Exfoliate – The night before you are lying in the sun to ensure that your skin prepped for tanning, slough away dead skin cells with a gentle exfoliator. Dry skin can lead to peeling and, in some cases an uneven tan. It is easy to create your own body scrubs by combining a few heaping spoonsful of rock salt with essential oils or your regular olive oil from the kitchen.
Protect – Wearing sunscreen is vital when exposed to the sun, not only to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but also if you want a long-lasting tan. Wearing sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of 30, will help protect against damaging your skin. Make sure to opt for a sunscreen with a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) and re-apply throughout the day.
Hydrate – Water helps extend the life of your skin cells, so drink as much as possible. Melons, cucumbers, and celery are also high in water content and make the perfect skin-friendly snack this summer.
Moisturize – In addition to drinking lots of water, it is also important to keep the peeling at bay with a daily dose of moisturizer.

While tanning, keep in mind that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Exposure to the sun, without the benefit of sunscreen increases the risk of melanoma.

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.

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Joann Ariola

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month which gives us the chance to make the public aware of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease being very important health issues.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s have profound effects on many people. There are an estimated 5 million people with the disease and 15 million people who are caring for them. It is said to be the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

It has been said that Alzheimer’s is the only disease that can lead to death that cannot be slowed down, cured, or prevented. It acts by slowly killing brain cells which affects all of our ability to function normally.

Brain exercises may help mental functionality in areas of memory, focus, concentration and understanding.

Some suggested ways to keep our brains healthy are:

Getting enough sleep
Staying physically active
Eating properly
Not smoking
Challenging your mind with social interaction
Taking classes
Being aware of challenges that could lead to depression

If you would like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

June is Men’s Health Month

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Joann Ariola

The month of June has been recognized as Men’s Health Month. The reason for this designation is to bring awareness of preventable health issues and to encourage early detection and treatment of diseases prevalent in men.
The leading causes of death among men are:
• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease
• Injuries
• Stroke
• HIV/AIDS
Some of the reasons that men tend to have more serious chronic illnesses is because more men than women don’t have health insurance, men tend to have more physically demanding jobs with greater safety risks. Additionally more men smoke than women and they also tend to take greater risks with unsafe behavior.
Women tend to live five years longer than men and one of the reasons for this is that women usually take better care of their health. Men are often guilty of waiting until a disease has progressed to a more serious level before they seek help. There is an old adage that if a man is in a doctor’s waiting room, most likely a woman brought him there for an exam.
During the month of June, organizations across the country hold health awareness campaigns to educate men about various health issues that they may be at risk for and to encourage them to see a doctor regularly. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Using A Mouth Guard For Sleep Apnea

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Joann Ariola

America’s expanding waistline may be responsible for another growing problem in our country – sleep apnea. Approximately 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea and many of them are overweight or obese. In fact, the most common cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in adults is obesity.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common and serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops for 10 seconds or more during sleep. People with this condition often have trouble staying in a deep sleep because their throats close, blocking their airways. As a result, they partially awaken to start breathing properly. They do not realize they’re waking up and may become very sleepy during the day.

Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even death. People with sleep apnea are also at an increased risk of work and driving-related accidents, due to inadequate sleep at night. It’s important that anyone with signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea — especially loud snoring, repeated nighttime awakenings and daytime sleepiness speak with a physician.

Fortunately, sleep apnea is treatable. Trying to lose weight is the best way to help people sleep better. Recent studies have proven that weight loss can significantly improve and potentially eliminate obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in obese individuals. If, however, weight loss attempts are not successful, a common and effective treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), where patients wear a mask connected to a machine that blows air.

According to WebMD, oral appliances may be an effective treatment option, such as:

Mandibular advancement device (MAD). The most widely used mouth device for sleep apnea, MADs look much like a mouth guard used in sports. The devices snap over the upper and lower dental arches and have metal hinges that make it possible for the lower jaw to be eased forward. Some, such as the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), allow you to control the degree of advancement.
Tongue retaining device. Used less commonly than MAD, this device is a splint that holds the tongue in place to keep the airway open.

These options are effective for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea, particularly those who sleep on their backs or stomachs, dental devices may improve sleep and reduce the frequency and loudness of snoring. Also, people are more likely to use their dental appliances regularly than CPAP.

These devices must be fitted by a Dentist or Orthodontist and worn in the mouth at night.

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and have not been helped by the CPAP, you can contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Center to schedule a consultation with a Dentist to see if a mouth guard is a better option of treatment for you. You can call, 718-206-6980 to schedule an appointment.

Information On COVID-19 Third Dose

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Since the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, over 43% of the population in New York has been fully vaccinated. This number is rising daily as age restrictions lower for those eligible to receive the vaccine are announced.

Still, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be questioned by many members of our community. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is sharing the following information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to answer them.

Some commonly asked questions that people are asking:

Is the vaccine safe? The vaccines that are being distributed have undergone rigorous testing and have met the safety standards set forth by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Are there any side effects of this vaccine? The known side effects of the vaccines currently being distributed include soreness in the arm in which the vaccine was administered and some people have developed low grade fevers. Both of these only lasted less than 48 hours. There may be other side effects that we aren’t aware of yet.
Will the vaccine prevent me from getting COVID-19 ? This vaccine, like all other vaccines, will lessen the chances of getting the virus but is not 100 percent guaranteed to be effective for everyone.
How long will the vaccine be effective for? Until more time has passed and more people have been vaccinated, the CDC is not sure how long the vaccine will be effective for.

Most recently, there has been another question added which is:

Will there be a need for a third dose (booster) of the vaccine to maintain effectiveness? According to a recent CNBC report, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said, “People “likely” need a a booster dose within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated.

Although the “booster” vaccine is not currently available, it is hopeful that it will be available sometime this year.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is committed to vaccinating member of its staff and the community with the hope of vaccinating enough of the population to finally eradicate this deadly virus.

The Benefits of Beets

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Joann Ariola

According to www.healthline.com. Beets are packed with essential nutrients. They are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroot and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.

If you are in the mood for a beet based citrus salad delight, try this recipe for a quick, nourishing and delicious salad. INGREDIENTS:

1 bunch kale
1 bunch lettuce
1 kohlrabi
1 beet
2 carrots
1 grapefruit
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ cup sunflower seeds or pepitas

DIRECTIONS:

Remove the stems from the kale and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Peel the kohlrabi, beet, and 2 carrots and chop them into matchsticks (julienne) with a knife or using a food processor. Remove the sections from half of the grapefruit and peel them.
In a small canning jar, combine juice from the remaining half grapefruit (around ¼ cup), 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper. Cover the jar and shake vigorously to combine (or whisk all ingredients together in a bowl).
To serve, place vegetables on serving plates or in bowls. Top with grapefruit vinaigrette and sunflower seeds or pepitas.

For this and other delicious seasonal recipes visit – www.acouplecooks.com

If you want to learn more about the nutritional value of beets, visit: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/beetroot#:~:text=Packed%20with%20essential%20nutrients%2C%20beetroots,pressure%2C%20and%20increased%20exercise%20performance.

World Hand Hygiene Day

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Since 2005, the World Health Organization has been leading a global effort to improve hand hygiene in order to reduce infections among healthcare workers and the patients that they care for. This initiative is recognized on May 5th every year throughout the world.
Proper hand hygiene is very important in keeping germs from spreading from person to person. Hands should be washed:
• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating
• Before and after taking care of a person who is ill
• Before treating a wound
• After using the bathroom
• After sneezing, coughing or wiping a runny nose
• After taking out the garbage
• Before coming in to contact with a baby
• After touching pets
Usually warm water and soap are sufficient to clean your hands. If the cleanliness of the water is questionable, a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol can be used, keeping in mind that it may not remove all chemicals from the skin and doesn’t kill all types of germs.
There is no exact amount of time that hand washing should take but a good rule of thumb is about 20 seconds or about the same amount of time that it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song.

Maskne

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Joann Ariola

As part of the initiative to slow the spread of COVID-19 cases, the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) recommends that wearing a mask, that covers the nose and mouth and fits snugly against the sides of the face.

Wearing a mask is required in many public places and has become a part of our daily routine. However, some are finding that extensive wear may lead to skin irritation or breakouts. Masks help to trap saliva or other types of water droplets from escaping into the air and transmitting COVID. They can also trap moisture and create an environment for bacteria to thrive. Additionally, the fabrics used to make certain masks can irritate sensitive skin.

All of these elements may contribute to the development of the following conditions:

Acne – Pimples, whiteheads or blackheads caused by pores becoming clogged with oil, dead skin, and dirt.

Rosacea – If you already have rosacea, wearing a mask can irritate your skin and cause a flare-up.

Contact dermatitis – The material used to make the mask may cause an allergic reaction, especially if you have sensitive skin. The reaction may come in the form of a red rash and blisters.

Folliculitis – Wearing a mask for long periods of time can cause your hair follicles to become infected and cause bumps on your skin. These bumps can be itchy and painful and appear similar to acne.

Some ways to prevent these types of conditions are:

Wash your face regularly.
Use a gentle cleanser.
Apply cortisone cream and moisturizer to your face and neck.
Avoid wearing makeup while you are wearing your mask.
Frequently changing disposable masks
Washing your reusable mask with hypoallergenic soaps.
Use topical antibiotic cream to prevent a breakout before wearing your mask.
Always wash your hands before removing your mask.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends removing your mask for 15 minutes every 4 hours to give your skin a breather. Additionally, try removing your face mask in instances when you are in a situation where physical distancing is an option.

Keep in mind that wearing a mask is extremely effective in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and choosing the right type of mask can alleviate some skin irritations you may be experiencing.

If your skin irritation persists, you may want to seek the advice of a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

National Infertility Month

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Joann Ariola

The National Infertility Association founded National Infertility Week, which is observed each year to increase public understanding and awareness of the reproductive disease. People who are trying to conceive are encouraged to learn the guidelines for seeing an infertility specialist.

Infertility is more common than many realize. It is estimated that 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. Infertility affects both men and women equally.

There are several factors that can contribute to infertility. In men some of these are:

Problems with the delivery of sperm
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Damage resulting from chemotherapy or radiation
Abnormalities in the production of sperm
Use of tobacco or alcohol

Some causes of infertility in women may be the result of:

Hormonal abnormalities
Ovulation disorders
Damage to reproductive organs
Uterine or cervical abnormalities
Use of tobacco or alcohol

Although these conditions can impair a person’s ability to conceive, seeking medical assistance as soon as possible can greatly increase their chances of conception. A physician who specializes in infertility will conduct several tests to determine probable causes and explore several treatment options. Treatment can be surgical or medicinal and may include:

Intrauterine insemination
In vitro fertilization
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH)
Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG
Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH
Metformin
Bromocriptine
Sperm extraction

While coping with infertility can be challenging, it is important for individuals to remember not to blame themselves, lean on their partner or loved ones for support, acknowledge stress and practice stress-reducing techniques, gain knowledge by utilizing resources.

At Jamaica Hospital, we are dedicated to helping patients find ways to achieve pregnancy. We provide consultations for all female infertility problems. Our team of experts is prepared to treat infertility and assist you in your journey towards pregnancy.

If you are experiencing difficulty getting pregnant, it is recommended you seek a medical consultation. If you would like to make an appointment with with a medical professional at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Infertility team , please call 718-291-3276.

For more information about this observance, please visit http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/home-page.html

Stress Awareness Week

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Joann Ariola

In 1992, the month of April was designated as Stress Awareness Month. During this time, health professionals join together to increase the public’s awareness about what causes stress and what can help cure the growing stress epidemic.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is participating by reaching out to our social media community and sharing some helpful techniques that can assist you in managing your daily stress, such as:

Meditation – is helpful to the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress
Breathing Deeply – triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, neutralizes stress and elicits a calming feeling
Exercise – all forms of exercise can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain releasing feel-good chemicals giving your body a chance to practice dealing with stress
Eating Healthy – choosing a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fiber may reduce the chance that stress can boost the body’s natural defense system

Prolonged, excesive periods of stress is unhealthy for any individual. A change of mindset can bring about a healthier lifestyle. That positive change can help you manage stress and bring far-reaching improvement to your health and well being.

For more information and to find out ways you can make a difference visit – http://stressawarenessmonth.com/