Wellness Wednesday: Meditation

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Meditation is the habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. It can wipe away the day’s stress and bring inner peace. It can also be used as a practice to develop other beneficial habits and feelings, such as a positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns, and even increased pain tolerance.

There are many types of mediation, including:

Guided meditation
Mantra meditation
Mindfulness meditation
Qigong
Tai chi
Yoga

Each type of meditation includes certain features to help you meditate. The most common features include:

Focused attention- focusing your attention is one of the most important elements of meditation. It helps free your mind from the many things that cause stress and worry.
Relaxed breathing- this meditation technique involves deep, even-paced breathing using the diaphragm to expand your lungs. The purpose is to slow your breathing, take in more oxygen, and reduce the use of shoulder, neck, and upper chest muscles while breathing so that you breathe better.
A quiet setting- if you’re a beginner, meditation may be easier to do if you’re in a quiet spot to have fewer distractions. As you get more skilled at meditation, you may be able to do it anywhere, including high-stress places.
A comfortable position- you can practice meditation whether sitting, lying down, walking, or in other positions or activities. Ensure you are comfortable to get the most out of your meditation. Aim to keep a good posture during meditation.
An open attitude- let thoughts pass through your mind without judging them.

Here are some emotional and physical benefits of meditation:

It helps reduce stress
It helps to control anxiety
It supports emotional health
It enhances self-awareness
It increases your attention span
It may reduce age-related memory loss
It can help generate kindness
It may help with addiction
It helps to improve sleep
It helps control pain
It can help decrease blood pressure
It is accessible anywhere
It enables you to be more patient

Meditation is something everyone can do to improve their mental and emotional health without special equipment or costly memberships. Trying a style of meditation suited to your goals is a great way to improve your quality of life, even if you only have a few minutes a day.

If you want to learn more about Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s integrative health services, events, or classes or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (718) 206-5675.

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.

National Afib Awareness Month

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

September is National Afib Awareness Month. Afib stands for atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat. During Afib, the heart’s upper chambers, or the atria, beat chaotically and irregularly. They beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, the ventricles.

Afib can lead to blood clots in the heart. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

It usually isn’t life-threatening, but it is a serious medical condition that needs proper treatment to prevent serious health issues.

There are many symptoms of Afib, they can include:

Feelings of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fatigue
Lightheadedness
Reduced ability to exercise
Shortness of breath
Weakness

People can experience three types of Afib, including:

Paroxysmal Afib
Persistent Afib
Long-standing persistent Afib

The most common cause of Afib is problems with the heart’s structure. Other health problems and heart diseases that can cause Afib include:

A congenital heart defect
Sick sinus syndrome
Obstructive sleep apnea
Heart attack
High blood pressure
Lung diseases, including pneumonia
Coronary artery disease
Thyroid diseases
Infections from viruses

Many factors can increase your risk of Afib, including:

Age
Caffeine, nicotine, or illegal drug use
Drinking too much alcohol
Changes in the level of body minerals
Family history
Long-term health conditions
Obesity
Some medicines and supplements

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent Afib. Some basic heart-healthy tips include:

Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
Not smoking or using tobacco
Eating a diet that is low in salt and saturated fat
Exercising at least 30 minutes a day at least five days a week
Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep a day
Maintaining a healthy weight
Reducing and managing stress

Afib is diagnosed when a healthcare provider examines you and asks questions about your medical history and symptoms. Tests may be done to look for conditions causing irregular heartbeats such as heart disease or thyroid disease, including:

Blood tests
ECG or EKG
Holter monitor
Event recorder
Implantable loop recorder
Exercise stress tests
Chest X-ray

The goals of Afib treatment are to reset and control the heartbeat and prevent blood clots. Treatment for Afib depends on how long you’ve had it, your symptoms, and the cause of the irregular heartbeat. Afib treatment can include:

Medications
Cardioversion therapy
Surgery or catheter procedures

If you are experiencing any symptoms of Afib, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks underneath the clear surface of your eye called the conjunctiva.

The most common sign/symptom of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red spot on the white of your eye.

The cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage isn’t always known. However, some activities and health conditions can briefly raise the blood pressure in your veins causing the blood vessels in your eyes to break. These can include:

Straining (during coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or while using the toilet)
Injury to your head or eye, including an infection
Lifting, pushing, or bending forward
Rubbing your eye too hard
Wearing contact lenses
Taking medications, including blood thinners or certain cancer medications

Some less common subconjunctival hemorrhage causes include:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Blood-clotting disorders

A healthcare provider or eye care specialist can diagnose a subconjunctival hemorrhage by looking at your eye. Other tests may be needed if you have recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages. Your healthcare provider may also:

Ask questions about your general health and symptoms
Conduct an eye examination
Take your blood pressure
Obtain a routine blood test to make sure you don’t have a potentially serious bleeding disorder

Treatment for a subconjunctival hemorrhage usually isn’t necessary even though it may look alarming. More often than not, it is a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or less.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a subconjunctival hemorrhage, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center by calling (718) 206-5900.

Oral Health

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Your oral health is more important than you might realize. The health of your mouth, teeth, and gums can affect your overall health.

Like other areas of the body, the mouth is full of germs. Those germs are mostly harmless, but the mouth is the entryway to the digestive tract. It is also the entryway to the respiratory tract. Because of this, germs in the mouth can lead to disease throughout the body.

Oral germs and inflammation are linked to a severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. Studies suggest that germs and inflammation that form in the mouth might play a role in some diseases, including:

Endocarditis
Cardiovascular disease
Pregnancy and birth complications
Pneumonia

Most of the body’s defenses and good oral care help keep germs under control. Good oral care includes daily brushing and flossing. Without good oral hygiene, germs can reach levels that may lead to infections like tooth decay and gum disease.

While practicing good oral hygiene can lower the risk of health problems, other factors can affect oral health. Certain medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, water pills, and antidepressants can lower the flow of saliva. Saliva washes away food and keeps the acids germs make in the mouth in balance helping to keep them from spreading and causing disease.

Some health conditions can also affect oral health, they include:

Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
Cancer
Alzheimer’s disease

You can protect your oral health and take care of your mouth every day by:

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a brush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste. Brush your tongue too.
Flossing between your teeth daily.
Eating a healthy diet and limiting sugary foods and drinks.
Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Sooner if the bristles are worn out.
Seeing a dentist at least once a year for checkups and cleanings.

Taking care of your oral health protects your overall health.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dentist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, you may call 718-206-6980

MPox

Posted on September 7, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Mpox previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus usually affects rats, mice, or monkeys. But it can occur in people as well.

Mpox usually occurs in Central and West Africa. Cases outside of Africa are due to international travel, imported animals, and close contact with an animal or person infected with mpox.

Mpox symptoms may start three to 17 days after exposure. Symptoms last two to four weeks and may include:

Fever
Skin rash
Swollen lymph nodes
Headache
Muscle aches and backaches
Chills
Fatigue

A skin rash starts about one to four days after a fever. It first appears on the face, hands, or feet and then spreads to other body parts. You can spread mpox while you have symptoms.

There are many ways that mpox can spread, including:

Person to person
- Direct contact with rashes, scabs, or bodily fluids of a person with mpox
- Extended close contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person, including sexual contact
- Clothes, sheets, blankets, or other materials that have been in contact with rashes or bodily fluids of an infected person
- An infected pregnant person can spread the mpox virus to a fetus
Animal to person
- Animal bites or scratches
- Wild game that is cooked for food
- Products, such as skins or furs made from infected animals
- Direct contact with bodily fluids or rashes of animals with mpox

There are many steps you can take to prevent infection or the spread of the mpox virus, including:

Avoiding close contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox
Avoiding the handling of clothes, sheets, blankets, or other materials that have been in close contact with an infected animal or person
Quarantining people who have mpox from healthy people
Washing your hands well with soap and water after contact with an infected person or animal. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Avoiding animals that may carry the virus

The treatment for most people with mpox is aimed at relieving symptoms. Care may include managing skin damage from the mpox rash, drinking enough fluids to help keep stool soft, and pain management. There is no specific treatment approved for mpox. Healthcare professionals may treat mpox with antiviral drugs used to treat smallpox. If you have mpox, quarantine at home in a room separate from family and pets until your rash and scabs heal.

You can make an appointment for mpox treatment and prevention at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s on-site Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

A Flavorsome and Comforting Chicken Chili Recipe for Fall Dinners

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

As the summer fades into fall, here is a comforting and delicious recipe for chicken chili to add to your dinner rotation.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/katie-lee/chicken-chili-3869708

Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

September is sickle cell awareness month. Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The disease gets its name from the abnormal crescent or “sickle” shape that some red blood cells develop, causing those red blood cells to block the blood flow through the body creating recurring episodes of pain.

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong disease affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States and 20 million worldwide. In the U.S., most people who have sickle cell disease are of African ancestry or identify themselves as black. About one in 13 Black or African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait and about one in every 365 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell disease. Many people who come from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian backgrounds also have sickle cell disease.

There are many symptoms of sickle cell disease. Early symptoms can include:

Jaundice- a condition that causes the color of the skin or whites of the eyes to turn yellow
Extreme tiredness
Painful swelling of the hands and feet

Many serious symptoms and complications of sickle disease can include:

Episodes of severe pain
Anemia symptoms- fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and an irregular heartbeat
Fever
Acute chest syndrome
Stroke
Priapism
Avascular necrosis
Pulmonary hypertension
Organ damage
Leg ulcers
Gallstones
Deep vein thrombosis
Pregnancy complications
Vision problems
Frequent infections

There are many ways to manage and treat sickle cell disease including:

Medicines
Blood transfusions
Blood and bone marrow transplant
Gene therapies
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Your healthcare team will probably include a doctor specializing in blood diseases called a hematologist.

If you need help managing symptoms of sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait, schedule an appointment with a hematologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine at (718) 206-7001.

Hand Hygiene for Children

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Hand hygiene is essential for overall health. Parents and caretakers play an important role in teaching children how to wash their hands. Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses as it is the best way to keep children from getting sick.

Here are some tips you can use to turn handwashing into a healthy habit for life:

Explain the benefits of handwashing
Demonstrate the correct steps of handwashing
- Step 1: Wet hands with running water
- Step 2: Apply enough soap to cover wet hands
- Step 3: Scrub all surfaces of the hands, including the back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails
- Step 4: Rinse hands thoroughly with running water
- Step 5: Dry hands with a clean cloth or a single-use towel
Hands should be washed with soap for at least 20-30 seconds. An easy way to determine the time is by singing the entire “Happy Birthday” song twice.
Set the times when they should be washing their hands
- When they are visibly dirty
- Before and after eating
- After using the toilet
- After touching animals and pets
- After blowing their nose or when they cough or sneeze
- Before and after visiting friends and relatives
Turn it into a fun family activity

There might be moments when children can’t get to a bathroom to wash their hands with soap and water. Teach them how to use hand sanitizer, especially one that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Handwashing can become a lifelong habit if you start teaching it to children at an early age. The time you spend at the sink could save you trips to the doctor’s office.

Social Anxiety

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Social anxiety disorder is a medical condition that causes intense fear of being judged or watched by others in social situations.

Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the early to mid-teens, though it can sometimes start in younger children or adults.

Like many other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors, which may include:

Inherited traits
Brain structure
Environment

Several factors increase the risk of developing social anxiety disorder, including:

Family history
Negative experiences
Temperament
New social or work demands
Having an appearance or condition that draws attention to them

There are many signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder, including:

Emotional and behavioral symptoms
- Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively
- Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
- Intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers
- Fear that others will notice that you look anxious
- Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling, or having a shaky voice
- Avoidance of doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment
- Avoidance of situations where you might be the center of attention
- Intense fear or anxiety during social situations
- Analysis of your performance and identification of flaws in your interactions after a social situation
- Expectation of the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation
Physical and physiological symptoms
- Blushing
- Fast heartbeat
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Trouble catching your breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Feeling that your mind has gone blank
- Muscle tension

People living with social anxiety may avoid social situations such as:

Interacting with unfamiliar people or strangers
Attending parties or social gatherings
Going to work or school
Starting conversations
Making eye contact
Dating
Eating in front of others
Using a public restroom
Taking or making phone calls
Performing in front of people

The symptoms of social anxiety disorder can change over time. They may flare up if you’re facing many changes, stresses, or demands in your life.

Although avoiding situations that produce anxiety may make you feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to continue over the long term if you don’t get treatment. Therefore, you should speak to your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing. Your healthcare provider will want to determine whether other conditions may be causing your anxiety or if you have a social anxiety disorder along with another physical or mental health disorder. They may determine a diagnosis based on the following:

A physical exam to help assess whether any medical condition or medication may trigger symptoms of anxiety
A discussion of your symptoms, how often they occur, and in what situations
A review of a list of situations to see if they make you anxious
Self-report questionnaires about symptoms of social anxiety
Criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association

Treatment depends on how much social anxiety disorder affects your ability to function in daily life. Treatments can include:

Psychotherapy (the most common treatment)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective type of psychotherapy for anxiety
Medications
- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Beta-blockers

If you or someone you know has a social anxiety disorder, you can call or schedule an appointment with a mental health provider at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575.

Updated Vaccine for Returning Students

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The new school year is right around the corner. That means parents will be taking their children shopping for new school supplies and clothes. In addition to updating their child’s wardrobe and supplies, parents should remember to schedule vaccinations before the school year begins.

Vaccines are the best way to prevent your child from getting many illnesses and spreading them to others. Each age group has recommended vaccines they need to receive before starting their new grade:

Vaccines for children aged four to six before they start kindergarten:

Flu – needed every year
COVID-19
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
Chickenpox
Polio

Vaccines for children aged seven to 10 before they start elementary school:

Flu
COVID-19

Vaccines for children aged 11 to 12 before they begin middle school:

Flu
COVID-19
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
HPV

Vaccines for children aged 13-18 before they enter junior and high school:

Flu
COVID-19
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
HPV

Vaccines for college-aged teenagers:

Flu
COVID-19
Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
HPV

You can find the complete schedule of recommended vaccines for your child by age on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. To schedule an appointment for your child to receive the vaccines needed, you can call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001.