Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Author at Health Beat

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Jia Llon Yee

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center would like to introduce one of the newest members of our clinical team, Dr. Jia Llon Yee to our community.

Dr. Yee went to medical school at SUNY Downstate. He completed his residency at Temple University and returned to complete his fellowship at SUNY Downstate.

Dr.Yee joins Jamaica Hospital and the MediSys Health Network as a hematologist/oncologist for our rapidly expanding cancer care program.

“I’m very excited to be the newest member of the MediSys Health Network’s cancer care team. We are serving a community that faces many obstacles when accessing quality healthcare. Helping provide these services to a community that needs them brings me great pride and joy, ” shared Dr. Yee.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Dr. Yee was thrilled at the opportunity to practice at Jamaica Hospital. He explained, “I feel as if I am returning home. This is a great opportunity to reconnect to my roots.”

Dr. Yee added, “When I decided to pursue a career in medicine, I knew that I wanted to help those with cancer because I believe the relationship between an oncologist and their patients is a very special one. There are great advances in cancer care taking place and I look forward to utilizing them to help our patients and community.”

Dr.Yee treats a wide range of cancers ranging from head and neck, lung, gynecological, and those affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dr. Yee treats patients every Tuesday through Friday in Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center.

For more information about Dr Yee or to make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

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.

Allergic Asthma Testing

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Fall means back-to-school, apple picking, and … allergic asthma? If you have asthma, now is the time to determine if seasonal allergies are worsening your symptoms. So, before you head out to do all the fun fall festivities, talk with your healthcare provider to see if a blood test for allergies is right for you.

Up to 90 percent of children and 60 percent of adults with asthma suffer from allergies. Identifying your triggers and reducing exposure could help you reduce the need for medication and improve your asthma.

Together with a detailed medical history and a physical examination, an allergy blood test will help a healthcare provider develop a customized treatment plan for allergic symptoms.

Most patients with asthma are seen in the primary care setting and most primary care providers have access to specific IgE testing. And testing to help rule in or rule out allergic sensitizations (and determining what your triggers are, if allergic) is key to coming up with a plan.

Test results are used by your healthcare provider, along with medical history and physical examination, to help manage your asthma.

That management plan includes being prepared for and even predicting attacks, responding to therapies, and developing personalized asthma action plans.

Your healthcare provider will create your asthma action plan with you. You should not create a plan on your own.

Schedule an appointment with your provider to see if specific IgE testing is appropriate for you and to develop an asthma action plan.

To schedule an appointment with a Family Medicine doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call (718) 206-6942.

What is Chronic Inflammation?

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Inflammation is one of the body’s ways of healing itself. It is the immune system’s response to an internal or external irritant.

Inflammation can be acute, meaning short-lived or it can be chronic (long lasting).

Chronic inflammation can last for weeks, months, or even years, leading to damage to healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Eventually, in some cases, this can result in internal connective tissue scarring, DNA damage, and even tissue death. Chronic inflammation is linked to the development of asthma, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of chronic inflammation include body pain, anxiety, weight loss or gain, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea or constipation), and general fatigue.

Factors that can contribute to chronic inflammation include:

Long-term stress
Alcohol abuse
Obesity
Smoking
Lack of sleep
Exposure to chemical irritants
Autoinflammatory disease
Acute inflammation that worsens

One way to diagnose chronic inflammation is through a blood test for C-reactive protein (CRP) which shows up when there is inflammation in the body or high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) which shows inflammation of the heart.

Treatment of chronic Inflammation can be achieved with:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Steroids
Dietary supplements (fish oil and lipoic acid)
Weight loss
Exercise
Stress reduction

Some foods can affect chronic inflammation. Tomatoes, salmon, sardines, olive oil, and nuts can help reduce chronic inflammation while fried foods, hot dogs, sausages, and highly processed foods like white bread and pastries can make it worse.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of chronic inflammation, consult with your physician to see what treatment options may be helpful to you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Things to Consider Before Doing a Colon Cleanse

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

A colon cleanse is the process of flushing out the large intestine. This can be done in one of two ways, one involves introducing large volumes of fluid into the colon, and the other involves taking powdered or liquid supplements such as laxatives, magnesium, or herbal tea by mouth. Both methods will stimulate the emptying of the colon of its contents.

History shows that colon cleanses date back thousands of years to ancient Greece. The theory of performing colon cleansing is to help remove toxins from the body which may be accumulating in the colon and can’t be expelled on their own.

Some of the conditions people believe are helped by doing a colon cleanse are fatigue, weight gain, low energy, and headaches.

Some of the potential risks of doing a colon cleanse include:

Dehydration
Mineral imbalance
Bowel perforation
Infection
Kidney failure
Nausea
Cramps
Bacterial imbalance

Some people should be extra cautious about having colon cleanses or might want to avoid them completely. These include people with the following conditions:

Diverticulitis
Crohn’s disease
Hemorrhoids
Rectal tumors
Heart disease
Ulcerative colitis
Tumors in the colon

Colon cleanses should only be done by a professional and only after consulting with a physician first. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center please call 718-206-7001.

Psoriasis Awareness Month

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the formation of thick, scaly patches of discolored skin, also known as plaques. These rashes occur due to inflammation and can appear anywhere on the body, but typically develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, fingernails, toenails, palms, feet, lower back, genitals, face, and mouth. Over 3% of Americans have been diagnosed with psoriasis.

There are many types of psoriasis, including:

Plaque psoriasis (the most common form of psoriasis)
Inverse psoriasis (which causes plaques to form without a scaly texture)
Guttate psoriasis (which can appear after a case of strep throat)
Pustular psoriasis (characterized by pus-filled bumps that appear on plaques)
Erythrodermic psoriasis (covering over 90% of your skin)
Sebopsoriasis (appearing on your face and scalp with a yellow coloration and scaly texture)
Nail psoriasis (which causes discoloration and pitting in your fingernails and toenails)

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that it is caused by your immune system functioning abnormally and attacking healthy cells; this results in inflammation that causes plaques on the skin. Psoriasis also significantly speeds up the production of new skin cells, causing scales and frequent shedding. Approximately one in three people diagnosed with this disorder may also be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune condition that causes swelling and pain in your joints.

Symptoms of psoriasis are not necessarily constant. They typically occur during periodic flare-ups, which may develop in response to certain factors or elements of the environment. Some common triggers for psoriasis include stress, infections such as strep throat, skin injuries, medications such as lithium and beta-blockers, and body temperature shifts in response to weather conditions.

Many cases of psoriasis may respond well to treatment options such as steroid creams, moisturizers, medical lotions or shampoos, vitamin D3 ointment, vitamin A or retinoid creams, and medications such as anthralin which slow down the production of new skin cells. If these options do not treat your symptoms effectively, your doctor may recommend light therapy, immunosuppressant drugs, and other, stronger medications.

If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, you can receive specialized treatment from a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

Lower Back Pain

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Lower back pain is recognized as one of the most common problems that people experience at some time in their lives. It may be described as a constant dull ache to a sudden sharp pain.

Common causes of lower back pain include:

Muscle sprains or strains
Herniated discs
Spinal stenosis
Arthritis of the spine
Spondylitis
Sciatica
Kidney problems
Ovarian cysts
Spinal infections
Pregnancy
Uterine fibroids
Misalignment of the spinal cord

Diagnosing lower back pain typically begins with a review of medical history and a thorough physical exam. This exam may include checking reflexes and evaluating lower extremity strength and ability to move. Further testing may require an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to evaluate if there are bone problems.

Seek medical care for lower back pain when:

It lasts more than a few weeks
It doesn’t improve with rest
It is accompanied by weight loss
It travels down one or both legs
It shows symptoms of numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs

Treatment options depend on the cause of the lower back pain and where it is located. Treatment options include home remedies such as heat, ice, rest, compression, stretching exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. Physical therapy may be prescribed by a physician if they feel it will help. A physician may also prescribe some medications for pain relief, These would include muscle relaxers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, a physician may feel a surgical procedure may be necessary.

There are a few things a person can do to prevent lower back pain. This would include regular exercise and stretching, watching one’s weight, bending at the knees when lifting heavy objects, quitting smoking, sleeping on a firm surface, and keeping proper posture.

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Have you noticed that some people get mosquito bites more often than others? There are several factors that may explain why they are more attractive to mosquitoes. They include:

Blood type – people who are Type O and Type B
Sweat – contains lactic acid, uric acid, and ammonia
Color of clothing – dark colors as well as red are more attractive
Pregnancy – because of the higher output of exhaled carbon dioxide and higher body temperature
Heavy breathing – mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide emitted in exhaled air
Skin bacteria – certain areas of the body have more dense bacteria such as the feet and ankles

There are some aspects that we cannot change. The ones that we can change are wearing long sleeve garments and long pants when going outdoors, wearing Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellants, and wearing light-colored clothing.

Jamaica Hospital Hosts ER Groundbreaking Ceremony with Governor Kathy Hochul

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Emergency Department (ED) on Friday, June 16th. This is the first major expansion of the hospital’s ED to occur in over three decades.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined the hospital in commemorating this momentous occasion as a special guest speaker. The Governor awarded Jamaica Hospital $150 million in funds for the expansion as part of the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program.

The new ED will double in size and have the capacity to treat over 150,000 patients annually. In addition to increased space, the ED, designed with efficiency and safety in mind, will incorporate a layout that allows for better patient privacy, experience, and safety.

The new Emergency Department design features more isolation rooms with negative air pressure to prevent the spread of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. State-of-the-art trauma rooms equipped with the latest technology will also be added to support the demands of the busiest trauma center in New York City.

Another component of the expansion includes the addition of 22 intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The need for an increase in ICU beds was made apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when Jamaica Hospital found itself at the epicenter of the outbreak treating a surge of critically ill patients.

Jamaica Hospital’s Emergency Department expansion project is expected to be completed by 2027. The expansion will greatly improve access to quality emergency care in Southeast Queens and neighboring communities. “We thank Governor Hochul for supporting and investing in New York Hospitals. Her commitment to building a strong and equitable healthcare system will undoubtedly help our organization and others to provide the highest quality care to the communities we serve,” said Jamaica Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz.

Patient Testimonial: Patient Yvette Sweeney Tells Jamaica Hospital Team, “You Are Amazing!”

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Yvette Sweeney has dealt with poor circulation and chronic cellulitis for much of her life, but her most recent experience was extremely serious. After being discharged from the hospital earlier this year, following the treatment of an infection, Ms. Sweeney attempted to go back to work at her job at JFK Airport too soon and her situation quickly worsened.

She was taken to Jamaica Hospital’s Emergency Department with a deep abscess in her left leg, which she was at risk of losing. The thought of having her leg amputated was extremely overwhelming. “I hit rock bottom and all I could do was cry,” stated Ms. Sweeney, who added, “Thankfully the team at Jamaica Hospital kept me uplifted. No matter how nervous I got, they always kept a smile on their faces and created an extremely comforting environment for me.”

Yvette needed not one, but two surgeries to save her leg, but she still had a long road to recovery; one that she feels she could not have made it through without her outstanding care team. According to Ms. Sweetney, “I’ve been to many hospitals dealing with my condition, and I can honestly say that I have never received this level of care before. Everyone was so kind, and they all knew me by name”. She went on to add, “Everyone from the OR team, to the dietary staff went above and beyond. Jamaica Hospital is by far the best.”

Now, Ms. Sweeney, grandmother of two is back at home and improving every day. She no longer feels any pain and is even walking again. She attributes her amazing recovery to Jamaica Hospital and tells everyone she knows about her experience.

Ms. Sweeney is very grateful for the level of care she received. “I would like to thank the kind doctors, nurses, and support team at Jamaica Hospital. You are amazing!” she said. “Don’t ever change and keep smiling.”

Jamaica Hospital First In Queens To Successfully Complete DVT Procedure Using Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is the first hospital in Queens to use Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™ for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

DVT occurs when blood clots develop within a vein located deep inside the body, usually in the legs, but can form in other places such as the pelvis and the arms. These clots block or slow the flow of blood to the rest of the body.

Deep vein thrombosis can happen as a result of injury to the veins, certain medical conditions that affect how blood clots, or being sedentary for an extended period (for example sitting for a long time on a flight without moving).

Symptoms of DVT include lower extremity swelling, red or discolored skin, pain, or a warm feeling in the affected area. In more severe cases, clots may detach and travel to the lungs resulting in a pulmonary embolism, which is potentially life-threatening.

There are several options available to treat DVT. The most common is anticoagulation or the use of blood thinners to prevent new clots from forming. However, anticoagulants do not break down existing clots. An effective treatment for this issue is the use of thrombolytics or “clot-busting” drugs to help dissolve clots in patients with moderate to severe DVT. Although thrombolytic therapy is effective, it is associated with a higher risk of major and fatal bleeding and requires a stay in the ICU.

The Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™ are important new options for the treatment of moderate or severe DVT. Both are FDA-cleared, clinically proven, and minimally invasive devices, specially designed for the removal of large volumes of clots from the deep vein. DVT removal is completed in a single-session treatment that avoids the use of thrombolytics and an ICU stay. The procedure also offers a lower risk of bleeding, immediate symptom improvement, and faster recovery times.

Jamaica Hospital utilizes cutting-edge surgical technology to treat a wide variety of conditions, including those that are prevalent in its community. As the closest hospital to John F. Kennedy International Airport, where many travelers flying long distances are at risk for DVT and one that serves a population with a high incidence of vascular conditions, having sophisticated tools such as the Protrieve™ and ClotTriever BOLD™ is advantageous in ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

Jamaica Hospital is recognized as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for surgery. The hospital is ranked number two in New York for surgical care by Healthgrades. It is also the top-ranked hospital in Queens, New York, and is among the top 5% in the nation for this area of expertise.