Don’t Let Depression Meno”PAUSE” Your life

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Joann Ariola

If you are between the ages of 45 and 55, did you know you are four times more likely to have depression than women who have not reached that stage in their life?

During menopause, a woman’s body experiences a reduction in the production of estrogen and a rise in production of testosterone (typically known as a male sex hormone). The rapid fluctuations of these hormones can influence the neurotransmitters in the brain and can lead to depression.

During Menopause, a woman’s body can experience irregularities, such as, restless sleep, hot flashes, weight gain, blood circulation, as well as, reduction in sex drive and a slower metabolism.One change that gets far less attention is a woman’s psychological health.

Studies have proven that menopausal women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than the general population, even if they don’t have a personal history of mental health disease.

Depression is a common yet potentially serious symptom of menopause. It involves more than the occasional bout of sadness and, if not treated, can lead to more severe mental disorders and a lessened quality of life.

Although depression experienced during menopause is often dismissed, it is recognized as a valid disease and, when identified, can be managed.

If you are experiencing similar changes and are in an at risk age group, you can schedule an appointment with the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Mental Health at 718-206-7005.

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.

Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Whether you are a new or seasoned parent, sleepless nights caused by your newborns restlessness can be un-nerving. You ask yourself the basic questions, “Is my baby’s diaper dry or is he/she hungry?” The answer could be, neither. If your baby is fussy, cranky and seems to be experiencing stomach pain, they could be “colicky.”

The condition known as colic is the term that applies to any healthy, well-fed infant, approximately two to three weeks old, who cries more than three hours a day, more than three days per week, for more than three weeks. The exact cause of Colic is unknown, which is why there isn’t a defined prescription to alleviate the discomfort associated with this condition.

Reasons for symptoms could be:

Tummy trouble, perhaps a problem with cow’s milk protein or lactose in some baby formulas.
Reflux, which is heartburn due to stomach acid and milk flowing back into the windpipe.
A growing digestive system with muscles that often spasm.
Hormones that cause stomachaches or a fussy mood.
Oversensitivity or over-stimulated by light, noise, etc.
A moody baby.
A still-developing nervous system.

It is helpful to attempt to ease your infant’s acid reflux. Try feeding half as much and twice as often. A smaller volume of food will empty from the stomach faster leaving less chance of it rising back up in the esophagus. An infant’s stomach is only the size of their own fist, so you can understand why their stomach can become overwhelmed.

Another measure you can take in preventing colic is to make sure you are relieving any gas that may be trapped. Gently rub your baby’s back, in an upward motion, to help release any gas that may have formed during their feeding. Laying your infant down, immediately after a feeding, is discouraged since a prone position can cause acid-reflux.

In addition, crying after a feeding increases intro-abdominal pressure, this can cause abdominal pain so attempt to soothe your infant. The calmer your baby is, the better their stomach will tolerate milk.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. The symptoms usually begin to subside, on its own, by the time the infant reaches three or four months old.

If your baby is experiencing the symptoms of colic, you can make an appointment at The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Call 718-206-7005

Oh My Aching Feet!

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Corns and calluses are caused by pressure or friction on skin, which leads to the formation of thickened skin on the top or side of a toe. Complications from corns and calluses are rarely serious; however, if you are a diabetic they can lead to more serious issues.

Diabetics often have impaired sensitivity and may not be aware of the friction or presence of a corn or callous. Since they are unaware, the corn or callous can progress into ulcers or secondary infections without the person knowing.

In addition, diabetics don’t, usually, heal as quickly as non-diabetics and their infections can become life-threatening.

Indications that you may have a corn or callous:

Skin is thick and hardened.
Skin may be flaky and dry.
Hardened, thick skin areas are found feet or other areas that may be rubbed or pressed.
The affected areas can be painful and may bleed.

According to the National Institutes of Health, preventing friction by wearing proper fitting shoes and avoiding walking barefoot are often the only preventative measures you can take.

Regular examination of you feet can help you to identify any problems and, if you receive a foot injury, you should seek immediate medical attention.

If you have diabetes and are experiencing corns/calluses that are painful, red, warm, or there is drainage in the area, you should call your healthcare provider immediately to determine the cause.

To make an appointment with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Jamaica Hospital Medical Centers Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-206-7005 to schedule an appointment.

Is Your Child Being Bullied?

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Bullying occurs when an individual or group possesses an imbalance of power, either from a physical or social status perspective, over another person or group. While bullying is prevalent among all age groups, it has become a serious cause for concern among children.

The National Bullying Prevention Center defines bullying as behavior that hurts or harms another person physically or emotionally. Those being bullied often have difficulty stopping the behavior directed at them and struggle to defend themselves.

Statistics have shown that at least 28 percent of students, ages 12-18, reported being bullied at school during the year. Additionally, 7.2 % of students admit to not going to school due to personal safety concerns. Many fear the physical and verbal aggression of their peers, and many more attend school in a state of anxiety and depression.

Many children will not tell parents they are being bullied until the situation escalates, but there a few changes in their behavior that can alert you. Signs that your child may be a victim of bullying include refusing to speak about their day at school,not wanting to go to school, unexplained marks and bruises, asking for more lunch money, complaining of frequent headaches and stomach aches,sudden loss of friends and frequent nightmares.

“Bullying has profound effects on children. For some, it affects them for life. Psychological responses can range from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder to severe reactive rage leading to the victim being the perpetrator of cruelty to others. In some instances, children have responded to bullying and cyber-bullying by committing suicide,” states Dr. Seeth Vivek, Chairman of Psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital.

If you find that your child is being bullied, you will need to document the dates, times and places of the action. If the bullying is taking place on school grounds, call the school and schedule a face to face meeting with a teacher or principal. If not on school grounds, notify the police.

Most schools have adopted an anti-bullying policy. Obtain a copy to determine if the bully violated school law. Bullying is best handled when you work together, with the proper authorities.

After notification, be sure to follow up with your child, and the school, to make sure that the bullying has stopped.

The Life You Save…

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Joann Ariola

According to the American College of Surgeons half of all deaths in the United States involve alcohol. Traumas, caused by alcohol related incidents, are the most tragic because they can be avoided.

Almost 30 people in the United States die every day in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 51 minutes.

These statistics make it imperative to have a safety plan in place before the consumption of alcohol begins. Some recommended precautions are:

Know your limit and plan ahead

Eat food before and while you drink
Beware of unfamiliar drinks
Appoint a designated driver
Respect the rights of individuals who do not want to drink
Space your drinks
Avoid drinking games
Avoid combining alcohol with other drugs
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE

With the holiday season quickly approaching and statistics showing that 90% of all drunk driving happens after drinking with family, friends and co-workers, making use of these tips will help you be able to incorporate safety into your plans.

Can You Dream Your Depression Away?

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Joann Ariola

It has been proven that depressed people dream up to three times as much as non-depressed people. They are unable to get negative thoughts off their mind. If you are suffering with depression, dreaming may be a way for you to control those negative thoughts and ruminations that keep you worried and awake.

Although some researchers believe that dreams are no more than a byproduct of sleep, many think that dreams are important for memory consolidation or conflict resolution. There have been studies to suggest that dreams may help with mood regulation, which, in turn, can help a depressed person.

The latest scientific studies on the understanding of dreams have taught us that we dream for specific biological and psychological purposes. According to the website Clinical-Depression.co.uk, emotionally arousing ruminations which are unfulfilled at sleep onset (i.e. the concern is still a worry) get ‘dreamed out’ metaphorically during dreaming. This is done to leave the ‘higher brain’ (neo-cortex) free for dealing with the next day’s events. If a depressed person wakes up every time they show a rapid eye movement, the symptoms of clinical depression can lift.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of depression and would like to seek help, call the Department of Psychiatry at The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-7160 for an appointment and consultation.

Asthma Medication and Pregnancy

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Often times, pregnant woman living with asthma are reluctant to take their asthma medication fearing the medication will be harmful to their baby.

The contrary is true. According to mayoclinic.org, asthma during pregnancy can post health risks for you and your baby.

If you’re effectively treating your asthma and it’s well controlled during pregnancy, there’s little or no risk of asthma-related complications. However, severe or poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy might increase the risk of various problems, including:

Oxygen deprivation for the baby
Morning sickness
Vaginal bleeding
High blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy
Restricted fetal growth
Complicated labor
Need for a C-section
Premature birth
In extreme cases, the baby’s life might be in jeopardy

Prescribed asthma medication, such as asthma inhalers or allergy shots during pregnancy is strongly recommended since the non-medication alternative is much more likely to harm both yourself and your baby.

Studies regarding the safe use of asthma inhalers and allergy shots, during pregnancy, have shown positive results. With proper treatment the risk of asthma attacks can decrease and your lung function can improve.

In the majority of cases, you and your baby can look forward to a good outcome, so long as you follow your doctor’s instructions. It is very important to monitor your asthma during your pregnancy. At the first signs of breathing difficulty, call your doctor.

By following your doctor’s recommendations, you and your child can look forward to a healthy pregnancy and birth.

If you are pregnant and have asthma, you can schedule an appointment with the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center at 718-291-3276.

Is There Medicinal Power in Herbs – Bay Leaf

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Joann Ariola

There are many benefits of drinking bay leaf tea. Some of the most widely known benefits are:

1. Bay leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Also regular inclusion of bay leaves in meals promotes general health.

2. They have been proven to be useful in the treatment of migraines.

3. Bay Leaf contains enzymes that help to breakdown proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm indigestion.

Recipe for Bay Leaf

16 oz water
3 bay leaves
Juice of 1 large or 2 smaller lemons

Place ingredients, together, in a pot and bring to a boil.
Drink, after it cools down

A hot cup of bay leaf tea can be very comforting. The aromatic fragrance that the leaves release is calming and the essence of the spiced tea makes bay leaf tea delicious.

Fact or Myth? Reading in poor light or reading too much fine print will eventually harm your vision.

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Fact or Myth? Reading in poor light or reading too much fine print will eventually harm your vision.

Answer: Myth

As with sitting too close to the television, you may feel eyestrain or get a headache from reading in the dark, but it will not weaken your eyes.

Breastfeeding after Augmentation

Posted on October 31, 2014 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.