Can Some Bacteria be Good for You?

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Bacteria. The word alone makes us think of infection, disease and illness. We hate all bacteria, right?

Actually, there is such a thing as GOOD bacteria. They are called probiotics and they help you maintain a healthy digestive system. They do this by lowering “bad” bacteria that can cause infections and other problems. Sometimes we don’t have enough good bacteria in our systems (for instance, like when we are on antibiotics). A lack of good bacteria can cause a variety of digestive issues. By taking probiotics, we are replacing those good bacteria which are sometimes lost.

Probiotics are most commonly taken to help prevent or improve common digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. Others have suggested that they are also beneficial in treating skin conditions, such as eczema, improving urinary and vaginal health, and preventing colds and allergies.

Your body naturally generates probiotics, but if you want to increase your good bacteria levels, you can take probiotics in supplement form or get them by eating certain foods, most notably yogurt and other fermented products.

Probiotics are natural so they are generally considered safe to take, even in supplement form. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor about the best way of incorporating probiotics into your diet.

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.

Can Cracking Your Knuckles Lead to Arthritis?

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Michael Hinck

You were probably cautioned as a child not to crack your knuckles because it would cause arthritis… and if you are a parent, you probably tell your children the same thing, but is there any truth to this warning?

Our hands contain many joints where our bones meet. Surrounding those joints are capsules filled with synovial fluid, a natural lubricant produced by our bodies. When we push, pull, or crack our fingers or knuckles we are actually stretching those capsules, causing the gasses that were dissolved in the fluid to release and equalize the pressure in the joints – kind of like popping a cork on a bottle of champagne. This release results in the common “popping” sound associated with cracking your knuckles.
The act of knuckle or finger cracking provides a momentary sense of relief as the joints are stretched. It takes our bodies about 30 minutes to re-build the synovial fluid in our joints.

The good news is that while the sound of knuckles cracking is annoying to hear, it actually does not contribute to the development of arthritis. The bad news is there are other consequences. In recent studies, habitual knuckle crackers were found to have reduced hand functionality and weaker grip strength than those who did not crack their knuckles.

With this newfound information, mothers and fathers everywhere can now change their parental warning to, “Stop cracking your knuckles or you will have a weak handshake!”

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Michael Hinck

September has been designated National Sickle Cell Awareness Month to bring attention to this genetic disease that affects an estimated 100,000 Americans.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited form of anemia – a condition in which red blood cells are unable to carry oxygen throughout the body. For most, red blood cells are round and can move easily through blood vessels, but the red blood cells in people with sickle cell disease are crescent, or half-moon shaped. These irregular shaped cells can get stuck in blood vessels, which can slow or block the flow of oxygen to certain parts of the body.

In addition to being irregular in shape, sickle cells are fragile and break apart easily. Normal red blood cells live an average of four months before they die and need to be replaced. Sickle-shaped cells however only live an average of 20 days. The result of this shortage of blood cells is a loss of energy and general sense of fatigue.
Other symptoms of sickle cell disease include:

• Hand-Foot Syndrome – Often the first sign of sickle cell disease. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the hands and feet

• Episodes of Pain – Referred to as a “crisis”, these episodes of pain occur when blood flow is blocked to the chest, abdomen, and joints. The frequency and duration of the episodes vary from person to person, but in severe cases, they can result in hospitalization.

• Frequent Infections and Fever– Sickle Cell can cause damage to the spleen, an organ that fights infection, making those with sickle cell at greater risk of developing an infection and an accompanying fever.

• Changes in Skin – People with sickle cell disease can develop a yellow tint to their skin or the whites of their eyes. Skin and nail beds can often become pale.

• Delayed growth – By not receiving enough oxygen rich red blood cells, those with sickle cell disease may also not get the necessary nutrients essential for growth.

The risk of inheriting sickle cell disease is a genetic one. For a baby to be born with it, both parents must carry the sickle cell gene. Doctors can diagnose sickle cell disease before a child is born. Couples who are at risk for passing on this disease to their children may want to talk with a genetic counselor about prenatal testing. The sickle cell gene is more common in families that come from Africa, India, Carribbean islands, and Central and South America.

To determine if you have sickle cell disease, your doctor can order a test to check for hemoglobin S, the defective form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia. Further tests can confirm the existence of one gene (carrying the sickle cell trait) or two genes (sickle cell anemia). For those who have sickle cell anemia, treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms and avoiding crisis. Regular check-ups to monitor your red blood cell count are important. Medications are available to reduce pain and prevent complications can be prescribed, and blood transfusions, supplemental oxygen and even bone marrow transplants may also be necessary.

Jamaica Hospital serves a culturally rich and diverse population. Many members of our community are from the parts of the world most often affected by sickle cell disease. In recognition of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Jamaica Hospital’s encourages anyone living with sickle cell disease to carefully manage their condition. The hospital also recommends all potential parents to be tested for the sickle cell trait.

September 13th – National Celiac Disease Awareness Day

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine, preventing the absorption of nutrients from food. It is triggered by the consumption of a protein called gluten, which can be found in wheat, barley, and rye. Approximately one percent of the population suffers from celiac disease and it affects men and women across all ages and races.

Symptoms vary depending on the age of onset, but in general, celiac disease, or gluten intolerance as it is also known, generally results in: abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, lethargy, irritability and depression.

Children with celiac disease fail to gain weight and have a late onset of puberty. Adults with the disease also can develop anemia, joint and bone pain, arthritis, itchy rash, and mouth sores.

Accurately diagnosing celiac disease is difficult because the symptoms are similar to other diseases, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health risks including infertility, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other auto-immune diseases.

Currently, there is no medication to cure celiac disease. The only way to treat the disease is through a strict, life-long gluten free diet, which means avoiding all foods that contain wheat, rye, and barley. Despite these restrictions, many people with celiac disease can still enjoy a well-balanced diet, with a variety of foods including bread and pasta. Due to increased awareness of celiac disease, there are many gluten-free alternatives now available; in fact sales of gluten-free products are expected to exceed $5 billion in 2015.

September 13th is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. If you think you or a loved one has celiac disease, make an appointment with your doctor. A series of blood tests can help determine if you have it. If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, together, you, your doctor, and your family can map out a plan to help you live a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle.

If you do not have a doctor, please call Jamaica Hospital’s Family Medicine Center to schedule an appointment at 718-657-7093.

The Many Benefits of Garlic

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Looking for a wonder drug that can:

• Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol? Check
• Boost your immune system? Check
• Control you diabetes? Check
• Improve your digestive and respiratory system? Check

What is this new, breakthrough drug? It’s not a medication at all; in fact you can find it at your local grocery store. It’s garlic!

Garlic is a plant that is used in many cultures for both culinary and medical purposes for hundreds of years. Eaten on its own, or more commonly used as an ingredient in many tasty dishes, garlic contains allicin, which is known to have anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties.

Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure by relaxing vein and artery walls. This action helps keep platelets from clumping together and improves blood flow, thereby reducing the risk of stroke. Garlic also decreases the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, substances that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies suggest that regularly eating garlic helps lower blood pressure and controls blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

This popular herb may also improve immunity by stimulating some of the body’s natural immune cells. Studies suggest that garlic may help prevent breast, bladder, skin, stomach, and colon cancer. Garlic’s antibacterial properties also make it a wonderful anti-viral and decongestant to prevent and combat colds, coughs, and upper respiratory tract infections. In addition, Garlic is often used to treat many other common maladies such as ear infections, toothaches, and treatment for warts and athlete’s foot.

Garlic can be digested either cooked or in raw form (but only in small amounts). If you do not like the taste of garlic there are also powdered or caplet forms. Your doctor can recommend which form of garlic is best for you.

For most people, consuming garlic does not cause any serious side effects if taken in moderation, but it can cause heartburn or stomach irritation if taken in excess. Due to its blood thinning properties, individuals taking anti-coagulant medications should speak with their doctor before increasing their daily garlic intake.

Rare but True – Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a rare, but real condition, but it doesn’t involve the Mad Hatter or the Cheshire Cat.

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological condition where the sufferer has temporary episodes of a distorted perception of their own size and the size of things around them. People with this condition visualize themselves as big as giants or as small as insects. The objects around them also appear abnormally large or small. For instance, someone with AIWS will perceive a teacup either as big as a car or as small as a thimble.

This hallucination-like state typically lasts anywhere from five to 30 minutes. People with AIWS also may experience an impaired sense of space, with objects suddenly seeming very close or far away. In some cases, the sense of touch and sound may also be distorted.

The syndrome references the adventures from the famous novel by Lewis Carroll, where the title character Alice experiences strange events in Wonderland. Many believe that the Carroll himself suffered from this disease and was the inspiration for the story.
The cause of the condition is unknown, although the episodes have been closely associated with the onset of migraine headaches or epilepsy. AIWS can affect anyone, but it is most common in children and young adults. Episodes stop for most over time, but those who experience symptoms are recommended to see a doctor immediately.

Just for the Taste of it

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Michael Hinck

The next time you sit down to enjoy your favorite tasting food or beverage, remember to thank your taste buds.

Here are some fun facts about those tiny sensory organs that allow you to experience everything sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.

• See those tiny bumps on your tongue? Those are NOT your taste buds. They are called papillae and they contain taste buds inside them. You can’t actually see your taste buds.

• Taste buds are not the only part of your body responsible for detecting flavor. Olfactory receptors in your nose help you smell. They send messages to your brain and work together with your taste buds to create your sense of taste.

• Contrary to what you learned as a kid, different parts of your tongue aren’t responsible for detecting specific flavors. All regions of the tongue can detect all tastes, although some areas are more sensitive to certain flavors.

• Taste buds aren’t just on your tongue. They can also be found on the roof of your mouth and in your throat. We all have different amount of taste buds, but most people have 10,000 on average.

• Taste buds only live approximately 10 – 14 days. We constantly regenerate new taste buds, but fewer taste buds grow back as we get older.

Why Do We Snore?

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Michael Hinck

hat do half of all Americans do, but very few admit to, partly because they are unaware that they are doing it? The answer is snore.

Snoring occurs when the flow of air is partially obstructed in some way while we sleep. As air flows past relaxed tissue in the throat, the resulting vibrating sound is snoring. Snoring can take place for a variety of reasons, including:

• The anatomy of your mouth – Having an elongated soft palate or uvula can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat

• Being overweight – Those who are overweight have extra, bulky throat tissue that may narrow the airways

• Obstructed nasal airways – Allergies, a nasal infection or a deviated septum can all contribute to snoring

• Alcohol consumption – Drinking alcohol before bed can relax muscles in the tongue and throat can obstruct the airways

• Sleep apnea – This is a serious condition when your throat tissues partially or completely block your airway, preventing your from breathing

Unless you have an upset spouse inform you that you are snoring, you may be unaware that you have a problem. Look out for the following symptoms if you suspect you are snoring:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sore throat
• Restless sleep
• Chest pain at night
• High blood pressure

To determine the cause of your snoring, your doctor will review your signs and symptoms, review your medical history, and perform an examination. Your doctor may request an x-ray or other imaging tests to check the structure of your airway. To determine is sleep apnea is the reason for your snoring, a sleep study to monitor brain waves, breathing and heart rate, and blood oxygen levels may also be ordered.

Lifestyle changes including losing weight, avoiding consuming alcohol before bed and changing your sleep position by either raising your head or sleeping on your side can reduce the liklihood of snoring. Other aids, such as nasal strips, form fitting mouth pieces, and short term decongestants for allergies or infections can also be helpful.

If these efforts prove unsuccessful, there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical interventions that your doctor could recommend. One of the most common therapies is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which involves wearing a pressurized mask that pumps air through your airways while you sleep.

Avoid Trauma in the Water This Summer

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Michael Hinck

When venturing into the water this summer, shark sightings or jelly fish stings shouldn’t be the only things you need to concern yourself with. Serious injuries can occur in the water and it is important to follow proper precautions.

Whether you are at the beach or in the pool this summer, follow these safety tips this summer to avoid water-related trauma.

AT THE SHORE
Heading to your favorite beach can be a lot of fun, but the ocean is very powerful. When venturing into the water, only swim in designated areas supervised by a lifeguard because dangerous rip currents can affect even the strongest of swimmers.

Know your environment before diving headfirst into waves or riding your surf or boogie board. Steep drop-offs or natural hazards such as sandbars or rocks can result in severe injuries to the head, neck and other parts of your body.

Lastly, even if you are close to the shore, be careful. Strong breaking waves can disrupt your footing and knock you over, causing severe injuries.

ON THE WATER
Jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, or boating are all fun water activities, but failing to follow the proper safety rules can be devastating. Last year, there were over 4,000 reported boating accidents, resulting in approximately 2,600 injuries and 560 deaths.

To avoid an accident, be sure to stay in navigable waters and never travel at excessive speeds. Also be sure to maintain plenty of distance between yourself and other boats, and be on the lookout for other people in the water. Failing to be aware of the rules can result in serious trauma or even death.

IN THE POOL
You don’t have to be at the beach or lake to experience a water-related trauma. Pools can also pose many opportunities for serious injury.

Be sure to secure your pool by surrounding it with a fence and self-latching gate. Place a safety cover on the pool or hot tub when not in use and remove any ladders or steps used for access. Consider installing a pool alarm that alerts you if anyone enters the pool.

Make sure the depth of the pool is clearly marked to avoid anyone diving into the shallow end. Also make sure the edge of the pool is clear of any objects that can be tripped over and be sure that no one runs along the edges of the pool. Slips and falls can result in severe head trauma.
OTHER TIPS
Regardless of whether you are at the pool or beach, mixing alcohol and participating in any kind or water-related activity is a bad idea.

Recommendations to minimize the chances of a serious injury include the usage of life jackets and other flotation devises whenever necessary. Enrolling in approved first aid and CPR courses are also beneficial and can save the life of someone you love.

Jamaica Hospital operates a Level 1 Trauma Center, the highest designation for trauma care. During the summer, the Trauma Center sees an increase in water-related traumatic injuries. Our entire trauma team wants our community to exercise caution to avoid injury.

Healthy Cookout Tips for this Summer

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Michael Hinck

One of the best things about the summer is spending time with family and friends at cookouts and barbeques. While we look forward to these outings, the foods found can cause us to pack on the pounds. Whether attending or hosting your next summer gathering, try some of these calorie conscious techniques:

• Skip the chips and dip. Instead, try healthier alternatives, like fresh vegetables. If you want to make a dip, use non-fat yogurt instead of sour cream or mayonnaise.

• Try kabobs. They offer the same opportunity to enjoy grilled chicken, beef, or pork, but minus the bread. Plus, the grilled vegetables on them will help you fill up.

• If you insist on having a burger or hot dog, choose healthier options, such as chicken or turkey instead of beef. Also, avoid whit flout buns and breads and opt for whole grains instead.

• Instead of heavy macaroni or potato salads loaded with mayonnaise, look for salads with a vinaigrette base as a lighter alternative.

• Don’t limit yourself to just grilling meat. There are many types of fish that are not only healthier, but also taste great on the grill. Vegetables, lightly coated in olive oil are also tasty and filling.

• For dessert, serve some refreshing summer fruit, such as cherries, peaches, plums or melons.
By following these tips, you can still enjoy your summer, but not pay for it in the fall.