Truth or Myth? Wearing Deodorant Increases your chances for Breast Cancer.

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Joann Ariola

A major concern has been that the aluminum-based compounds found in antiperspirants have estrogen-like effects that may fuel breast cancer growth. There’s no evidence to support that claim, nor is there any evidence to support another concern that’s been voiced: that the preservatives found in deodorants and antiperspirants, called parabens, cause cancer.

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 Facts about High Blood Pressure and your Kidneys?

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Joann Ariola

High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in the United States after diabetes.

High blood pressure, also known as Hypertension, can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to work properly. When the force of blood flow is high, blood vessels stretch so blood flows more easily. Eventually, this stretching scars and weakens blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the kidneys.

If the kidneys’ blood vessels are damaged, they may stop removing wastes and extra fluid from the body. Extra fluid in the blood vessels may then raise blood pressure even more, creating a dangerous cycle.

Most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms. In rare cases, high blood pressure can cause headaches.

Kidney disease also does not have symptoms during its early stages. A person may have swelling called edema, which happens when the kidneys cannot get rid of extra fluid and salt. Edema can occur in the legs, feet, or ankles and less often in the hands or face.

Once kidney function decreases further, symptoms can include:

Appetite loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness or feeling tired
Trouble concentrating
Sleep problems
Increased or decreased urination
Generalized itching or numbness
Dry skin
Headaches
Weight loss
Darkened skin
Muscle cramps
Shortness of breath
Chest pain

Following a healthy eating plan can help lower blood pressure. Your health care provider may recommend a dietary approach that includes foods that are low in fat and cholesterol, dairy that is fat-free or low-fat, fish, poultry and nuts, as well as, consuming less read meat, sweets and added sugars.

If you are experiencing symptoms and would like to speak with a physician, please call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001.

Autumn Kale Salad Recipe

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Joann Ariola

With Autumn arriving and our backyard grills safely packed away, we have provided a great kale salad recipe from allrecipies.com to compliment any fall meal choice.

“If you slice kale thin and toss it with other tasty treats like apple, persimmon, orange, and nuts, the kale mellows out and serves as a perfect foil for other vegetation.” Chef John

For the entire recipe please follow the link to –

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chef-Johns-Raw-Kale-Salad/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Will Drinking Soda Make you Sick?

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Let’s test your knowledge. What is the single biggest source of calories for Americans? Is it white bread? Fast food? Nope, it’s soda!

American’s drink about two cans of soda every day. You may think that drinking diet soda, with no calories or sugar is the perfect way to satisfy you need for soda. Think again. Drinking diet soda has its own set of side effects that may harm your health.

Unfortunately, diet soda is more in vogue than ever. Kids consume diet soda at more than double the rate of the last decade, according to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Among adults, consumption has grown almost 25%.

Some side effects of drinking too much soda are:

Declining Kidney function
High risk of metabolic syndrome
Bellyfat
High Cholesterol
Heart Disease
Obesity
Cavities
Gum Disease

So, you have to ask yourself, are you making the right choice when reaching out for a can of soda, diet or regular? The answer is, no. Drinking soda is bad for your health in so many ways. Science can’t even state all the consequences. Water is and has been the healthier alternative.

Are You Raising a Tween?

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Want to be a great parent? Want to raise a happy, healthy, well-behaved child? The secret is to create a closer connection.One of the most frightening times for parents is when your adorable young child becomes a tween. All of a sudden, that child who needed your nurturing has acquired a strong opinion, can debate brilliantly and, often times, experiences ups and downs.

Just as when your child was a toddler, parents need to accept and constructively negotiate their child’s newest growth of independence. Using constructive negotiation may avoid a disconnect with your tween.

The best way to navigate the tween years is by staying connected to your child. Having dinner together, as often as possible, is a great place to start. Sharing private time with your child will invite conversation. Use conversation with your tween as a trust building/getting-to-know-you again exercise. Building trust is key for your tween to be able to confide in you.

Additional tips to stay connected to your tween are:

Recognize their need for independence.

Re-think your previous ideas about discipline.
Don’t take it personally.
Use the tween years to teach values.
Be aware of the pop culture they are exposed to.
Stay aware of their schoolwork.
Know their friend-base.
Keep in mind that they are actively shaping their identity.

Being a tween is a confusing time for your child. Don’t wait until you see that your relationship needs some repair work… It’s never too late to build a great relationship with your child.

The Truth About Sugar Free

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Snacks can help curb hunger and add a nutritious energy boost to your day. When you are a diabetic, planning your snacks/meals is important for managing the disease. But, what about sugar free foods?

What you may not be aware of is that sugar-free does not necessarily mean carbohydrate or calorie free. Some sugar substitutes tend not to add calories, but it is the carbohydrate that has the greatest effect on blood glucose.

If you have diabetes, you know that by cutting sugary foods out of your diet does not manage your condition. What is necessary is to count the carbohydrates and calories in the food as part of your overall meal plan.

If you eat foods with sugar replacements such as: sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, or isomalt, (all sugar alcohols), although they do not contain sugar, they are high in carbohydrates. These foods will affect your blood glucose just as a sugar-containing food would.

However, consuming foods sweetened with aspartame or other non-caloric sweeteners like saccharin, acesulfame, potassium or sucralose do not contain carbohydrates and should not cause your blood glucose to rise.

When it comes to snacking, people often think of foods that are high in sugar or added fats, but there is a great deal of other options. Snacks can help curb hunger and add a nutritious energy boost to your day.

Experts have recommended that people with diabetes choose “free foods” as part of their daily meal planning. “Free foods” are those foods and/or drinks that have less than 20 calories per serving and no more than 5 grams of carbohydrate per serving and are proven to be a better food option for diabetics.

Some examples of free foods are:

Asparagus, cooked
Beans, green, cooked
Broccoli, cooked
Celery
Cucumber
Lettuce, iceberg
Olives, canned ripe
Peppers, sweet red
Radishes
Scallions
Spinach, cooked
Tomatoes
Tomato juice
Avocados
Rasberries
Strawberries
Macadamia Nuts

When planning your meals, try to fit in another serving of whole grains, fruits or vegetables. These foods are healthier than salty snacks and sweets. They, also, fill you up and give you the energy you need to sustain a long day.

Snack time and meal planning can be time consuming for diabetics, but is worth the result. Working with a dietitian can lessen the stress of meal planning and is beneficial when learning about the different types of foods you can eat at each meal and/or snack. If you would like to meet with a dietitian to discuss your diabetes and meal planning, please call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-6023 for an appointment with a Nutritionist.

Playground Safety

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Playgrounds are usually locations where children have fun and spend time with their friends and family. Unfortunately, this day of fun can end with a visit to the nearest emergency room.

According to the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention, each year, in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children for playground related injuries.

The consequences of playground-related injuries are: fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and, in some cases, an injury can be fatal. Most of the non-fatal injuries are related to playground equipment at schools yards, public parks and daycare centers.

One of the ways to combat injury is to know that the equipment in a playground is designed for different age groups. Making sure that your child is playing on age appropriate equipment is one of the key measures for safe play. The rule is; if the equipment is less than four feet tall, it is suitable for children under 5 years of age. Equipment less than eight feet tall is suitable for children ages 5 through 12.

As a further measure of safety, you should never leave your child unsupervised while at a playground. Play areas should be designed to allow an adult to clearly see the child while they are playing.

Newer playgrounds are built with materials that absorb shocks from falls such as, wood chips, pea gravel, shredded tires, double shredded bark mulch, fine gravel or sand that completely covers the playground floor.

Be observant and check to see that the playground is well maintained, hooks are closed on swings and there are safety bars at the top of all slides so that children will have to sit before going down. Additionally, be mindful of your child’s attire when going to a playground. Hoods or drawstrings may get caught on play equipment.

Taking your child to the park or playground to play is probably one of the easiest, fun-packed, and inexpensive forms of family entertainment. It’s also a great excuse to enjoy some much-needed fresh air. By following these helpful tips, you can make your day of fun a safe one too!

The Fungus among Us…Mold

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Joann Ariola

What is mold? Mold is microscopic fungi that live on plant and animal matter. They are most present in dark moist areas.

When mold grows, tiny spores are created that reproduce and float through the air continually. As spores land on damp places, they will begin to grow.

Fabrics, rugs, stuffed animals, books, and wallpaper can contain mold spores if they become damp or are kept in a damp space. Additionally, mold can live in the soil, on compost and on plants that are damp. For people who are sensitive to mold, inhaling spores can trigger an asthma attack.

Preventative measures you can take:

Clean up mold and eliminate sources of moisture in your home.
Use exhaust fans or open a window in the bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking or washing dishes.
Fix water leaks, as soon as possible, to prevent mold from growing.
Change furnace and air conditioner filters often.
Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
Central heating and air conditioning systems can help control mold.
Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers.

Studies have shown that mold reduction is associated with significant improvements in asthma symptoms among patients who are sensitive to molds.

If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment withJamaicaHospital’sAmbulatoryCareCenterto discuss mold as a trigger for asthma, call 718-206-7001.

Gallbladder Disease

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Joann Ariola

The majority of American’s see a doctor, yearly, for a general health check-up. We are diligent when it comes to making sure our major organs remain healthy, but what about the organs that go relatively unnoticed, like the gallbladder.

The gallbladder is the small sac in our body that stores bile from the liver and is located just below your liver. The gallbladder releases bile, through the cystic duct, into the small intestine to help break down the foods you eat, in particular, fatty foods.

Usually, the gallbladder will not cause too many problems; however, if something slows or blocks the flow of bile from the gallbladder, a number of problems can arise and lead to gallbladder disease.

Specific symptoms may vary based on what type of gallbladder condition you have, although many symptoms are common among the different types of gallbladder problems. But most gallbladder symptoms start with pain in the upper abdominal area, either in the upper right or middle.

Some common symptoms of gallbladder conditions are:

Severe abdominal pain
Pain that may extend beneath the right shoulder blade or to the back
Pain that worsens after eating a meal, particularly fatty or greasy foods
Pain that feels dull, sharp, or cramp-like
Pain that increases when you breathe in deeply
Chest pain
Heartburn, indigestion, and excessive gas
A feeling of fullness in the abdomen
Vomiting, nausea, fever
Shaking with chills
Tenderness in the abdomen, particularly the right upper quadrant
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Stools of an unusual color (often lighter, like clay)

The gallbladder seems insignificant until it is causing you severe pain. If you are exhibiting the symptoms of gallbladder disease, and would like to schedule an appointment with the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Department for a consultation, call 718-206-7005 for an appointment.

A Yogurt a Day…

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Joann Ariola

Studies have proven the benefit of yogurt being added to your diet. By consuming as little as a cup of yogurt each day can make a big difference. Especially, if you are suffering from post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Yogurt is a healthy snack that is packed with calcium and several other nutrients that help post-menopausal women maintain strong and healthy bones.

If you are concerned about developing osteoporosis or looking for a way to manage the disease, you should incorporate yogurt into your diet.

Benefitting from yogurt depends on what kind you are eating. Below is a quick checklist of which types of yogurt are best for your post-menopausal diet:

Plain yogurt as opposed to the fruit-flavored varieties because it usually contains more calcium and less sugar
Low-fat yogurt will help you watch your cholesterol
Fresh yogurt is better than frozen yogurt, which does not have as many live cultures
Plain, nonfat Greek strained yogurt could be the best option because it is rich in calcium and other essential nutrients. It also has twice as much protein as other yogurts

Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? You can boost the flavor, and sweetness, of plain yogurt by adding fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.

If you are suffering from post-menopausal osteoporosis and would like to control it with diet, you can contact 718-206-6023 at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for an appointment with a nutritionist.