Safety Tips for Hoverboards

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Hoverboards are the hot new toy, but how safe are they? These self-balancing scooters are on the top of every kid’s (and some adult’s) list to Santa this year, but as these unregulated travel devices rise in popularity, so too have trips to the Emergency Department.

Hospital ERs across the country are reporting a series of injuries, from scrapes and contusions, to fractures and sprains, to even head injuries resulting from hoverboard accidents. These toys can reach maximum speeds of 15 miles an hour and falls from them can cause significant harm. All you have to do is go to You Tube, Twitter, or Instagram and type in #HoverBoardFalls to see how dangerous hover-boards can be if the rider (or parent, if the rider is a child) does not take proper precautions.

Hoverboard price and quality vary greatly so read online reviews from previous buyers before purchasing one. Also, because they are so new to the market, there are no national safety standards for hoverboards. Until regulations are in place, riders should follow the same safety guidelines they would for riding a bicycle, including wearing a helmet, elbow and knee pads, wrist guards and/or gloves.

Other tips to follow before getting on a hoverboard include carefully reading the instruction manual to learn how to properly operate it. Also make sure to adhere to all safety rules, including age and weight recommendations.

It is a good idea to have a “spotter” with you when you first attempt to ride your hover-board in case you fall. Lastly, riders should not use their hoverboards in the street or on public walkways to avoid seriously injuring themselves or others.

Like everything else, hoverboards can be a lot of fun if they are used responsibly. Happy and safe riding!

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.

Do You Have Trouble Identifying Colors? You Might Be Color Blind!

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – the colors of the rainbow; most of us can identify and distinguish each of these colors from the rest, but for those who are color blind, telling these colors apart is not so easy.

As much as 8% of men are color blind, (compared to only 0.5 % of women). Why are men so much more prone to colorblindness? Well, the reason for colorblindness is a dysfunction in the x chromosome. Men only have one X chromosome, but women have two – and all someone needs is one working x chromosome to compensate for the loss of function of the other.

Being color blind doesn’t really mean that a person can’t see color though. Complete color blindness is actually very rare. What is much more common is a visionary deficiency, which means a person isn’t aware of the differences among colors. Some deficiencies are profound while others are mild. In fact, some people who don’t have a severe form of color blindness are not even aware they have the condition.

The most common type of color blindness is an inability to distinguish between red and green. While there is no cure for color blindness, those who are red-green color blind can actually use a special set of lenses to help them perceive colors more accurately. There are even apps now available on smartphones to help people differentiate colors.

While some people go their entire life unaware they are color blind, most are diagnosed as children. This is because educational material is often color coded, so when a child has trouble processing information, color blindness can be identified as the reason.

Eye care professionals can use a variety of tests to diagnose color blindness. The most common tests use a series of colored circles with overlapping color shapes inside of them. These shapes are easily identifiable to people who have normal color vision, but are difficult to see for people who are color blind.

To have yourself, or your child tested for color blindness, please consult with your primary care doctor or ophthalmologist. The TJH Ophthalmology Center at Jamaica Hospital is staffed with board certified doctors who can test and diagnose this condition. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-5900.

Information About Varicose Veins

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Michael Hinck

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately half of Americans age 50 and older have varicose veins. These veins are most commonly located in the legs, appear to bulge from the skin and are dark purple or blue in color.

The veins in a person’s legs carry blood back up to the heart and should only allow blood to flow in one direction. However, when the valves in a person’s veins become weak and allow blood to flow away from the heart, blood pools and the veins in that area become stretched or enlarged, thereby, creating a varicose vein.

While varicose veins are very common among both men and women, there are several factors that can increase a person’s risk of being affected. These include:
 Heredity
 Hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
 Increasing age
 Obesity
 Sun exposure

Not only can varicose veins cause discomfort and embarrassment for the men and women who have them, but they can also sometimes lead to more serious health conditions. If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to:

 Blood Clots- These are extremely dangerous, as they may dislodge from the vein and travel to the lungs or heart, preventing either from functioning properly.
 Sores and Ulcers- Varicose veins may lead to sores and ulcers of the skin because of long-term buildup of fluid.

Varicose veins may also cause ongoing swelling, rashes, and pain, and can increase a person’s chances of infection.

Varicose veins may signal a higher risk for circulatory problems. If you have varicose veins that cause pain, swelling, itching, tiredness, or numbness in the legs, you should seek medical attention. Jamaica Hospital Department of Vascular Surgery offers a variety of options to treat varicose veins.
Treatment options available include:

 Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected to seal off the area in which blood is pooling.
 Laser treatment: Without the use of needles or incisions, strong bursts of light are delivered precisely onto varicose veins to make them fade and eventually disappear.
 Endovenous Radiofrequency: A catheter is inserted into the vein and radiofrequency or laser energy seals the vein wall. This approach is used in treating deeper varicose veins.
 Surgical litigation and stripping: Varicose veins are removed entirely.

If you have varicose veins and would like to schedule a consultation with a vascular surgeon at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7108.

Facts About Blood Circulation

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Here is a fun fact about the circulatory system that you may not know.

Our blood vessels, which consist of arteries, capillaries, and veins are responsible for transporting blood throughout our body. Did you that if you were to lay out the blood vessels of one adult, end-to-end, they would stretch about 60,000 miles.

By comparison, the circumference of the Earth is about 25,000 miles. That means a person’s blood vessels could wrap around the planet approximately 2.5 times

Kitchen Safety Tips This Holiday Season

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Michael Hinck

As the holiday season approaches, the kitchen can become especially busy for many. During this time of year, we tend to host more family dinners, and holiday parties. With all this increased kitchen activity, safety can sometimes be overlooked.

While cooking-related injuries can take place any time of year, these incidents tend to increase in frequency around the holidays. Some of the injuries that take place in the kitchen include cuts, sprains and eye-related injuries, but the most common type of cooking-related injury are burns to the skin from hot liquids such as water, grease, or other substances.

Caution is the best practice for avoiding burns especially, while frying or boiling your favorite holiday foods. It is best to keep the flame at a reasonable level to avoid splatter burns when frying food. Also, be careful with your eyes while working in the kitchen as oil or hot water can cause irritation, injury or infection.

In addition to burns, hospitals also treat many people who suffered lacerations from knives while chopping or carving foods. Most injuries occur on the hand, knuckles or tips of the fingers. In some cases these injuries can result in stiches or even the loss of a digit. When using knives it is very important to use the right tool for the job. Don’t use a bread knife to carve a piece of meat or try to chop vegetables with a paring knife. It might sound odd, but always keep your knives sharpened. More kitchen injuries come from people using cutlery with dull blades than sharp ones.

Here are a few additional cooking safety tips:
• When chopping vegetables, slice downward and away from your body while keeping your fingers away from the blade.

• Never fry a turkey indoors or in a garage or other structure attached to a building. Be careful to follow specific thawing, preparation, and cooking temperature and timing instructions to avoid potential serious injury.

• Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen, and know how to use it.

• Never leave your food unattended while frying or grilling.

• Use a timer and routinely check whatever you’re cooking.

• Keep your cutting area well-lit and dry. Good lighting will help prevent an accidental cut of the finger and making sure your cutting surface is dry will prevent ingredients from slipping while chopping.

• Make sure to wear a mitten when you are grabbing food from the oven.

Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division recognizes that many of these injuries, accidents, and fatalities are preventable. Our Trauma Division is fully dedicated to reducing and preventing these injuries through community outreach, education and advocacy.

November is COPD Awareness Month – Know Your COPD Facts

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Michael Hinck

November is National COPD Awareness Month. This observance is an opportunity for everyone across the country to increase their overall awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

COPD is a form of lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It is caused by damage to the lungs over a prolonged period of time and is usually attributed to smoking. COPD can result in serious, long term disability and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It kills more than 120,000 Americans each year – that’s one death every four seconds and that number is increasing every year.

The most common symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and difficulty performing simple daily tasks, such as climbing stairs.

Those most at risk of developing COPD are individuals who:
• Are over age 40 and currently smoke or smoked at some point
• Worked or lived around chemicals or fumes
• Have certain genetic conditions

If you think you have COPD, you should:
• Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms
• Request a breathing test, known as a spirometry
• Quit smoking! If you need help, ask your doctor
• Avoid pollutants or fumes that can irritate your lungs

While you can’t undo the damage COPD has caused to your lungs, there are steps you can take to prevent the condition from getting worse, such as:
• Taking medications as directed by your doctor
• Enrolling in a pulmonary rehabilitation program
• Avoiding factors that can irritate your lungs
• Receiving annual flu and pneumonia vaccines

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Living with diabetes can affect your entire body and your mouth no exception. The good news however is that by effectively managing your blood sugar and practicing good oral hygiene habits, you can avoid diabetes-related problems to your teeth and gums.
Diabetes can take a toll on your mouth in the following ways:

• Tooth decay (cavities) – When bacteria in the mouth interact with sugars and starches found in the food we eat, it creates plaque, which destroys the enamel on our teeth and creates cavities. There are more sugars and starches in the mouths of diabetics because they have higher blood glucose levels, and are therefore more susceptible to tooth erosion and damage.

• Gum disease (gingivitis) – Diabetes reduces our bodies ability to fight bacteria, such as plaque. When plaque hardens on the gum line, it creates tartar, which can irritate the gums and cause swelling and bleeding. Gum disease can advance to a condition known as periodontitis, which can result in your teeth falling out.

• Thrush -People with diabetes who take antibiotics to combat infections are more likely to develop this fungal infection of the mouth and tongue, causing a burning sensation. This fungus thrives on the high levels of blood sugar found in the saliva of diabetics.

You can do a lot to avoid these problems, including:

• Manage your diabetes by monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it within your target range

• Take good care of your mouth by brushing at least two times per day with a soft-bristled brush and floss once per day to help remove plaque.

• Schedule regular dental visits and make sure your dentist is aware that you have diabetes and provide him with your doctor’s contact information.

• Look out for early signs of gum disease such as redness, bleeding or swelling. Also alert your dentist of loose teeth or mouth pain.

• Quit smoking as it increases the risk of serious diabetic complications, including gum disease. Ask your doctor about ways to quit if you need help.

If you have diabetes and are experiencing problems with your teeth and gums, make an appointment with your dentist immediately. Jamaica Hospital operates a full-service dental facility on its main campus. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-6980.

Smoking and Emphysema

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Smoking can lead to many health conditions, many of which are reversible or treatable. One disease however that is not is emphysema.

When someone has emphysema, the tiny air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the airways in their lungs are damaged. When these sacs are damaged or destroyed, their walls weaken and eventually rupture. Ultimately, this reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches their bloodstream. Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema.

While emphysema is most likely to develop in cigarette smokers, cigar and pipe smokers also are susceptible. The risk for all types of smokers increases with the number of years and amount of tobacco smoked. Other factors include:

• Age
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Occupational exposure to fumes or dust
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution

The main symptoms of emphysema are shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Because these symptoms develop gradually, you can have emphysema for many years without knowing it.

See your doctor if you’ve had unexplained shortness of breath for several months, especially if it’s getting worse or it’s interfering with your daily activities. Don’t try to attribute it to deconditioning, age or weight. Seek immediate medical attention if:

• You’re so short of breath that you can’t perform basic activities such as climb stairs
• Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray with exertion
• You’re not mentally alert

Tests to determine if you have emphysema include imaging and lab tests. Lung function tests to measure how well air flows in and out of your lungs may also be performed.

Unfortunately, emphysema is not currently curable, but there are medications and therapies that can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In extreme cases your doctor may suggest one or more different types of surgery.

If you have emphysema, you can take a number of steps to halt its progression and to protect yourself from complications, including exercising regularly and avoiding irritants, but the most important measure you can take for your overall health and the only one that might halt the progression of emphysema is to STOP SMOKING.

Fun Facts About Your Eyebrows

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Our eyebrows – they are two (for some, maybe one) tufts of hair that grow directly above our eyes. Throughout our evolution, we have lost most of the hair that once covered our bodies, yet the eyebrow remains. Why? Actually there are a few good reasons why they remain in the middle of our face.

Our eyebrows offer protection for our eyes. Like our eye lashes, eyebrows deflect dirt from entering the eyes. They also trap liquids like rain or sweat from running down our face and into our eyes. They even offer protection from glaring rays from the sun.

In addition, your eyebrows serve as markers for our face. Without them, identifying someone is much more difficult than you would think. In a recent study, researchers showed people images of famous celebrities without their eyebrows. Amazingly, the participants were only able to identify 46% of the faces.

Lastly, your eyebrows are a crucial tool in non-verbal communication. This collection of about 250 hairs is considered the most expressive parts of our faces. Think about it! You can tell exactly how someone is feeling based on the positioning of their eyebrows. If they have furrowed brows they’re probably angry. If one is raised it could mean they are feeling inquisitive or confused, and if they are feeling shocked, both eyebrows might be raised.

So, now you know, our eyebrows were not just placed on our heads to be plucked or waxed. They actually have some really interesting purposes.

Trampoline Safety Tips to Avoid Serious Injury

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Put a kid in front of a trampoline and dare them NOT to jump on it. They can’t resist! Trampolines provide hours of fun for children (and even some adults), but how safe are they?

The answer is not very safe at all. Trampoline jumping poses a high risk of injury for children. The activity can result in strains, sprains, fractures and other injuries — including potentially serious head and neck injuries. In fact, over a ten year period, trampoline injuries accounted for nearly one million visits to emergency departments. Due to these alarming statistics, the American Academy of Pediatrics now strongly discourages the trampolines for residential backyard use. In addition, most home owner insurance policies don’t cover trampoline-related injuries.

Despite these risks, parents are still buying and kids are still jumping on trampolines. If you choose to allow your child to jump on a trampoline, here are a few safety tips to greatly reduce the chances of injury:

Only allow children on trampolines with safety nets. Trampoline enclosures are special nets that surround the trampoline to ensure children don’t fall off.
Make sure they are padded. Trampolines padding should cover the frame, springs and surrounding landing surfaces with shock-absorbing pads.
Place the trampoline on level ground. Make sure it’s a safe distance from trees and other hazards.
Limit trampoline activity. Allow only one person to use the trampoline at a time. Don’t allow somersaults or other potentially risky moves on the trampoline.
Don’t allow unsupervised jumping. If you use a trampoline ladder, always remove it after use to prevent unsupervised access by children.

While following these rules won’t guarantee that your child won’t get injured on a trampoline, they can decrease the likelihood of having to take a trip to your local emergency department.