Pan-Seared Salmon with Kale and Apple Salad

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Joann Ariola

It’s summer and we are all a bit more conscious about our waistline, but we don’t want to skimp on taste and the feeling full.

If you goal is to eat a hearty meal that will keep you on a healthy course, you will love this nutritional, light and filling recipe !

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.

The White Coats are Coming!

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Does the thought of having a physician take your blood pressure make you nervous? Anxiety over going to the doctor’s office can lead to an elevation in your blood pressure; a condition known as “white coat hypertension.”

White coat hypertension is a real condition that occurs when blood pressure readings at your doctor’s office are higher than they are in other settings, such as your home. The term white coat refers to the traditional white lab coat health care professionals wear in clinical settings.

The underlying cause of white coat hypertension is believed to be tension and stress associated with being examined by a physician. Not much attention was given to this condition since the blood pressure of patients returned to normal levels when taken in the home environment, where they feel more relaxed. Recent studies however have proven that people with white coat hypertension are twice as likely to develop true hypertension within a decade, compared to people with normal blood pressure levels.

How do you know if you have white coat hypertension and what should you do if you have it? The first step is for your doctor to have you monitor your blood pressure at home to see if it returns to normal levels. If it does, together, you and your doctor can decide whether to treat it or not. On one hand, if your blood pressure is normal during the rest of the day, taking blood pressure medications can lead to hypotension (low blood pressure). On the other hand, people with white coat hypertension might have elevated blood pressure during other stressful parts of the day. Many factors, such as age, family history, and the existence of other conditions will help the doctor make the right decision for you.

There are things that you can do to reduce your anxiety and stress before having your blood pressure checked by a health care professional. First, avoid drinking excessive amounts of water before checking your blood pressure because water can increase your reading. Also, do not participate in any physical activity before having your blood pressure taken. Excessive physical exertion will raise blood pressure. Lastly, avoid stressful situations and remain calm leading up to and during your visit to the doctor’s office.

If you think you have hypertension, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. If you do not have a primary care physician, call Jamaica Hospital’s Family Care Center at 718-657-7093 to schedule an appointment.

Cluttered Home = Cluttered Mind?

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Does the secret to escaping an otherwise stressful existence lie at home? When you enter your home it should spark instant relief and joy; it should be a sanctuary from the day’s stressors. If it isn’t, you have some work to do so that it becomes a retreat from the bustling world around you.

Messes at home can take up mental space. Thoughts of, “I need to clean the garage, organize my closet, rake the leaves or clean the attic” can hang out in your subconscious mind causing feelings of anxiety, sleepless nights and inadequacy.

Experts profess that by putting your house in order, literally, you can focus on putting your life in order as well.

Here are a few easy ways to help you unclutter your home:

Tackle clutter one room at a time – Break down which areas need the most attention and begin to go through the items you’d like to keep and the item’s you’d like to discard. The items did not arrive in a day, so don’t think that you have to purge in one day.
Let go of the past – When purging, don’t succumb to taking a trip down memory lane. Look at old photos, prom dresses, letters, report cards, etc. with a critical eye, not a teary one.

After you have looked through your closet, bedroom, garage, attic, etc. and have sorted out the things you want to discard, you will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. These feelings can transcend into a positive outlook in other aspects of your life.

Remember, your home should be a sanctuary where you can feel like you have escaped the day and your mind can become unburdened.

Breastfeeding and Augmentation

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), breast augmentation has become the #1 cosmetic procedure for the last decade.Since the best age for breast augmentation is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old, a woman’s desire to look younger may overlap with the tick of her biological clock.

One of the most popular questions women ask before having surgery is, “Will I be able to breastfeed?”

The answer is, yes. Breastfeeding after breast augmentation is absolutely possible.

Although the prior condition of the breasts, position of the implant and incision could have a direct bearing on milk production, it is very likely that you will have a positive experience when nursing your child.

If you have any questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, you can call Jamaica Hospital’s Lactation Consultant at 718-670-4200 for answers to FAQ’s.

Tips for Dealing with a Whining Child

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Parents of a whining child often ask themselves and others, “Why does my child whine?” Children can whine for various reasons, but in most cases, it is because we let them.

Like adults, children have two basic emotional needs, attention and power. Children only continue behaviors that get results. When a child whines and the parent gives in, they realize that whining gets them what they want. If you do not address this behavior, it could continue into your child’s teenage years.

When a child whines, it may seem annoying and irritating to the parent, but the child is often just looking for attention.

Some quick tips to help parents cope with a whining child are :

Take control of the situation – Refuse to let it bother you to the point of giving in to the behavior.
Speak with your child – Pick a quiet time and tell your child that there’s a new rule – If he/she whines, you will not respond.
Revisit politeness – Remind your child that “asking nicely” will get them a much more positive response to their request.
Praise – Give your child positive reinforcement for not whining.

Most of all, remind yourself that there is no crisis when your child is whining. This will allow you to deal rationally with the matter at hand.

Don’t Let Fireworks BURN Your Summer

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks displays. However, along with these activities are increased visits to the hospital emergency room, especially over the July 4^th holiday.

Fireworks are ILLEGAL in New York State, including the five boroughs and are extremely dangerous when they are not being used by a professional. Fireworks burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin. Items such as sparklers are mistakenly thought to be safe when they are actually quite dangerous.

If fireworks ARE LEGAL to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Older children should use them only under the close supervision of an adult
Never light fireworks indoors
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks in case of fire

This year, have a safe Fourth of July and leave the firework displays to the trained professionals. If you have questions about fireworks displays and safety, you can visit The National Council on Firework Safety webpage at . Take the test and learn just how much you know about fireworks safety.

Is This Job Killing Me?

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Some workplace stress is normal, but excessive stress can interfere with productivity and impact your physical and emotional health. If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, you can lose confidence, and become irritable or withdrawn.

Health issues that can be caused by excessive stress are:

Heart disease
Asthma
Obesity
Diabetes
Headaches
Depression and anxiety
Gastrointestinal problems

How you manage your stress is one way of avoiding the negative health impacts of a stressful lifestyle. By realizing that not being able to control everything in your work environment does not mean you are powerless, you can find ways to manage your workplace stress without rethinking career ambitions.

Some quick, office stress relievers are:

Take a short walk
Drink water
Stretch
Make a plan or to-do list
Unplug from email and social media
Breathe
Act rather than react
Ask for help

One of the best ways of coping with stress is to identify what your stress triggers are. Once you have identified them, you can find ways to resolve them.

If using these steps to relieve your feelings of being stressed is not helping, you may want to consult a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry. Call 718-206-7160 for an appointment.

Bistro Roasted Chicken

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Looking to cook a healthy and filling meal for two? Take a look at the recipe below and Bon Appetit!

Bistro Roasted Chicken

Ingredients

2 chicken leg quarters (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 whole garlic heads

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Rinse chicken with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Loosen skin from thigh and leg by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Combine basil and next 5 ingredients (basil through pepper). Rub herb mixture under loosened skin. Place chicken on a broiler pan. Insert meat thermometer into meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone.

Remove white papery skin from garlic heads (do not peel or separate the cloves). Wrap each head separately in foil; place on broiler pan with chicken. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450° (do not remove chicken from oven). Bake 30 minutes or until thermometer registers 180°. Cover chicken loosely with foil; let stand 10 minutes. Discard skin.

For this and other delicious healthy meals for two check out –

Mosquito Bites – More Than Just an Itch

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Summertime means most of us will spend more time outdoors, but this means we must share our space with mosquitoes. Of the 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, roughly 200 can be found in the USA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquitos have been labeled the most dangerous animal in the world since estimates hold mosquitos responsible for hundreds of millions of malaria cases each year, as well as transmitting West Nile virus, yellow fever and the more notable Zika virus.

We are told by health professionals and monitoring agencies that the Zika virus is primarily spread to people through the bite of an insect, the Aedes aegypti mosquito to be more specific. Additionally, there have been some cases where Zika has been spread through having sexual relations with an infected male. Men and women who have traveled to Zika hot spots should consider condom use during pregnancy if the man has been exposed.

The most common symptoms of the Zika virus disease are:

Fever
Rash
Joint pain
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

The CDC goes on to state that the Zika virus is usually mild with symptoms that last from several days to one week, but with Zika being linked to birth defects in women infected during pregnancy, the CDC recommends the following measures to protect you against being bitten:

Repellents – When used as directed, insect repellents are the best way to protect yourself and family from getting mosquito bites. The higher percentages of active ingredients provide longer lasting protection.
Cover up – When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Keep mosquitoes outside – Use air conditioning or make sure that you repair and use window/door screens
Protect yourself when traveling – learn about the country-specific travel advice, health risks and how to stay safe.

Since specific areas where Zika is spreading, and most prevalent, are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time, please visit the CDC Travelers’ Health Site for the most updated information at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information

National Senior Health and Fitness Day

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Joann Ariola

May 25, 2016, is National Senior Health and Fitness Day. This observance is designed to shed light on the importance of the health and fitness of older adults.

Exercise is essential to improving health at any age, and seniors are not an exception. A low-impact exercise routine can benefit your health by stretching and strengthening muscles, reducing stress and can even help to lower high blood pressure.

Staying fit doesn’t have to require a gym. You can work out, at your own pace, with an instructor in class, on a home gym machine such as a treadmill, or utilize the great outdoors by taking a walk.

The four categories of Low –impact exercises are:

Endurance –walking, swimming, or cycling.
Strength –light weight training
Flexibility – Yoga
Balance –Ti Chi

No matter what workout routine you choose, adding some gentle stretches will improve flexibility and range of motion.

After speaking with your physician and identifying what type of exercise is safe for you, an appropriate exercise regimen can lessen your visits to the doctor, lower your chance of being hospitalized and reduce the need for medications for a variety of illnesses.