Xavia Malcolm, Author at Health Beat

Breast Pain While Breastfeeding

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

It is common to experience discomfort while breastfeeding within the first few days after giving birth. You may experience some pain, soreness, or tenderness of the breast or nipple. These problems should ease over time with proper care and breastfeeding techniques.

Continued pain or discomfort while breastfeeding is often indicative of a serious problem and should not be ignored. Pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding; therefore, you should try to investigate the cause or seek help from a lactation consultant.

One of the most common causes of nipple pain is an incorrect latch. Check your baby’s latch to see if it is the cause of the problem. Signs of a good latch include the following:

The baby is positioned well against your body (The American Pregnancy Association recommends that babies be positioned tummy-to-tummy with you at all times. Babies’ heads should be tilted slightly back and their ears, shoulders, and hips in alignment)
The baby’s chin and nose are touching your breast
The baby has a large part of the lower portion of the areola in the mouth
The baby’s lips are turned out, like fish lips, and flat against the breast

Signs of a poor latch are:

Nipple pain
The baby is making clicking or smacking noises
The baby is sucking in their cheeks
The baby is showing signs of hunger after feeding

Additional causes for breast or nipple pain during breastfeeding are:

Mastitis or inflammation in the breast
Breast abscess
Clogged milk ducts
Engorgement
Thrush
Cracked nipples
Tongue-tie or the baby having a short frenulum

Breastfeeding should be enjoyable for mom and baby, and both should be comfortable. If you are experiencing breast or nipple pain, speak with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. A lactation consultant can help parents and babies with breastfeeding challenges such as low milk supply, latching on, or other barriers to breastfeeding.

Making sure that you and your baby have the best start is one of our highest priorities. Breastfeeding your baby will help to provide a strong foundation for their health. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center provides free breastfeeding/chestfeeding education classes. To learn more about or sign up for our classes, please email breastfeedingclasses@jhmc.org

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.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Benjamin Hartley

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to introduce the newest member of its neurosurgical team, neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Hartley.

Dr. Hartley was raised in Redmond, Oregon, and comes from a family of surgeons. “My father and grandfather were both surgeons,” he shared. “Although they’ve inspired me to become a physician, my greatest motivation was being able to care for patients and communities who needed it most.”

Dr. Hartley brings extensive knowledge and expertise to complement a team of highly trained neurosurgeons at Jamaica Hospital. He received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and completed his residency at Weill-Cornell Medical College and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Dr. Hartley later went on to complete a fellowship in neurosurgical oncology at Northwell Health. “I chose neuroscience because it is the last great frontier of the life sciences, and I enjoy solving problems by using my hands,” he explained.

Years of intensive training and clinical experience have earned Dr. Hartley recognition as a top specialist. He specializes in treating brain tumors, skull base tumors, brain hemorrhages, hydrocephalus, and other conditions that affect the nervous system. Dr. Hartley utilizes advanced surgical techniques to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

According to Dr. Hartley, the best part of his job is working with an esteemed group of colleagues, and helping patients and families navigate challenging medical diagnoses.

Dr. Hartley’s dedication to medicine extends well beyond the walls of the hospital. He also commits his time to creating and supporting community initiatives that promote diversity in medicine. His proudest achievement is founding the PrIMES Mentorship program. The program supports undergraduate students from under-represented demographics interested in medicine by pairing them with physicians who serve as mentors.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to have a highly skilled and community-centric physician such as Dr. Hartley on its team. He aims to offer the highest quality surgical treatments, compassionate care in and out of the operating room, and open lines of communication with patients and families at all times.

To schedule an appointment with a neurosurgeon at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Q&A: What Should You Do If Your Medicine Is Recalled?

Posted on June 27, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

A drug recall is one of the most effective ways to protect the public from potentially harmful drugs.

Drug recalls are mostly voluntary and occur when a manufacturer decides to remove a drug from the market when there is reason to believe the product is mislabeled, contaminated, defective, or hazardous to a person’s health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can also request a recall if multiple reports of adverse effects or problems have been received.

If your medicine has been recalled, the FDA recommends that you speak with your doctor right away to determine the best course of action for your health. If your doctor advises that you stop taking the medication, you may be able to take it back to the store of purchase and request a refund. Manufacturers may also provide contact information for product returns.

To keep up-to-date or find out more about drug recalls, you can visit the FDA’s website https://www.fda.gov/ and sign up for alerts.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Amir Barkhodari

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to introduce you to board-certified rheumatologist, Dr. Amir Barkhodari.

Rheumatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal, autoimmune, and inflammatory (rheumatic) conditions. Some of the most common diseases and conditions treated by rheumatologists are:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Gout

Dr. Barkhodari is highly trained in his field. He attended medical school at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and completed a prestigious research fellowship at Stanford University. His extensive medical training is further defined by a residency at Jamaica Hospital and a fellowship at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Dr. Barkhodari is known among his peers for his sense of community. His desire to help others began at an early age and led him to medicine. He recalls, “As a kid growing up in Iran, I saw many people living with chronic and debilitating diseases, and I wanted to help them. I decided pursuing a career in medicine would help me to achieve this goal.”

As a rheumatologist, Dr. Barkhodari takes immense pride in providing high-quality care to his patients. He also believes it is equally as important to educate patients and communities about the need for early detection of rheumatic diseases such as lupus.

Early detection and treatment can minimize the risk of complications and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with autoimmune conditions. “It is important to diagnose these conditions early and create a personalized treatment plan, unique to each patient’s needs. This approach can help greatly with reducing chronic pain and avoiding complications such as organ failure,” he explained.

Jamaica Hospital serves a patient population in which autoimmune and rheumatic conditions are prevalent. Dr. Barkhodari hopes that his knowledge and experience as a rheumatologist will greatly benefit his patients and our community.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Barkhodari, please call 718-206-7001.

Rumination

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

We have all had negative thoughts, and in most cases, that’s normal. However, when negative thoughts become excessive and repetitive, this pattern of thinking may be cause for concern.

Rumination is a thought processing disorder that is characterized by obsessional thinking that involves repetitive, negative thinking, or dwelling on negative feelings that interfere with normal functioning.

Rumination is often described as a loop of negative thoughts. This cycle of negative thinking can contribute to the development of depression and anxiety or worsen already existing mental health disorders. Rumination can also affect a person’s sleep and physical health, as a result of stress.

People ruminate for several reasons. The American Psychological Association listed the following as common reasons why people may have ruminating thoughts. They:

Believe they are gaining insight into a problem.
Perceive they face constant, uncontrollable stressors.
Had traumatic experiences.
Possess personality characteristics such as perfectionism or neuroticism.
Have low self-esteem.

The first step to addressing rumination is recognizing that there is a problem. If you realize that you are ruminating, you can try these tips to help break the cycle of negative thinking:

Distract yourself by doing activities that can disrupt negative thinking.
Identify triggers that you can or can’t change.
Learn how to set realistic expectations.
Work on improving self-esteem.
Practice mindfulness
Practice positive affirmations

Lastly, if ruminating thoughts persist and are interfering with your life, try seeking assistance from a mental health professional.

The most common therapy used to address rumination is rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on redirecting a person’s thought process and improving coping skills.

To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575.

Tips To Encourage Family Fitness

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Making fitness a priority in your family can provide several health benefits for your loved ones. Exercising regularly as a group can help family members maintain a healthy weight, improve concentration and focus, strengthen bones and muscles, improve coordination and flexibility, and most importantly allow for quality time spent together.

Exercise is an activity that the entire family can enjoy. Workouts do not need to be intense to reap the benefits. Here are some ideas for activities that could be enjoyable for everyone:

Hiking
Riding bicycles
Playing a game of tag
Gardening
Walking
Dancing
Playing volleyball
Skating/Rollerblading
Swimming
Building a snow fort or snowman

One of the ways you can keep your family motivated to participate in these activities is by creating challenges during which you can track progress and offer incentives. You may also participate in activities that support causes, such as charity walks; exercising for a good cause can be very rewarding.

Making fitness a part of your family’s routine is very important. Experts recommend setting aside at least 30 minutes, three times a week for physical activities. Don’t forget to keep it simple. The goal is to have fun and stay healthy together.

National Minority Health Month

Posted on April 18, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health celebrates National Minority Health Month every year, in April.

The observation was established to highlight the importance of improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities by reducing health disparities.

Health disparities are preventable differences in the quality of healthcare and health outcomes experienced by groups of people due to social inequities.

Communities of color or those of lower socioeconomic status are often disproportionately exposed to factors that lead to health disparities. Common disparities that occur among these groups are:

A lack of access to healthcare
Being uninsured or underinsured
Higher rates of premature death, infant mortality, cancer, and chronic diseases such as diabetes
Lower rates of life expectancy

Disparities in underserved populations develop as a result of the unequal distribution of resources needed to achieve optimal health or live a healthy life. However, they can be reduced by addressing social determinants of health such as food insecurity, access to health services, the conditions in which people live, and language and literacy skills.

Many of these challenges exist in urban areas such as Queens, New York – the most ethnically and racially diverse county in the United States. The richness in diversity of the borough gives much to celebrate such as the most languages spoken in one region; however, health disparities continue to prevail in some neighborhoods due to social inequities. Some of the health disparities that persist include:

Higher rates of tobacco addiction
Higher rates of breast, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancers
Higher infant mortality rates
Prevalence in chronic diseases such as diabetes
Prevalence in mental health disorders
Prevalence in unintentional injuries, such as those incurred by falling

Jamaica Hospital aims to reduce or eliminate health disparities that affect its community by increasing access to high-quality, patient-centered healthcare. The hospital has launched several initiatives and offers various programs and services to meet the unique needs of its patient population. This includes:

Food assistance programs such as WIC
A smoking cessation program
A diabetes prevention program
A care management program
A CenteringPregnancy program
Inpatient and outpatient mental health services
The promotion of culturally and linguistically competent care, supported by a diverse group of bilingual patient navigators and language assistance
The promotion of health literacy through social media campaigns
The provision of world-class cancer care and services
The provision of integrated healthcare
Community outreach and education provided by the Trauma Department

To learn more about Jamaica Hospital’s initiatives to increase access to quality healthcare and the wide range of services provided by the hospital, please visit www.JamaicaHospital.org

Coping With Mental Health Challenges After A Heart Attack

Posted on April 11, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Having a heart attack can be frightening; therefore, it is common for people to experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression after surviving this life-changing event. In fact, the risk of depression is three times higher in heart attack survivors when compared to the general population; more than 25% of survivors experience anxiety after a heart attack, and 1 in 8 heart attack survivors experience symptoms of PTSD.

Mental health challenges often develop after a cardiac event because there is an uncertainty of things to come or a fear that it can happen again.

Feeling afraid, sad, confused, worried, stressed, or angry is expected in the days or weeks of having survived a heart attack. However, it is important that these emotions are addressed with urgency and managed because they can affect recovery. Untreated stress, anxiety, or depression can lead to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate or blood pressure that put a strain on the heart.

Being aware of these negative emotions and learning how to cope can improve mental health. This can be achieved by identifying triggers and practicing stress or anxiety-reducing exercises such as:

Speaking to someone about how you feel
Socializing
Practicing mindfulness
Challenging negative thoughts and thinking positively
Practicing deep breathing
Practicing gratitude
Spending time in nature
Exercising
Eating well
Getting enough sleep

In addition to practicing stress management exercises or other coping techniques, it is important to seek the assistance of a mental health provider to create a treatment plan to manage the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression.

To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575.

Low FODMAP Diet

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

The low FODMAP diet is a short-term, elimination diet designed to help people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Research shows that following a low FODMAP diet as recommended by a doctor or nutritionist can reduce symptoms in up to 86% of people diagnosed with IBS or SIBO.

The acronym FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. They can trigger symptoms such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea in some people.

High FODMAP foods that are notorious for causing digestive symptoms include:

Onions
Garlic
Products containing lactose such as milk, cheese, or ice cream
Dairy alternatives such as coconut milk (in the carton) or soy milk
Foods containing fructose such as apples, pears, watermelon, agave nectar, or honey
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Snow peas
Ingredients found in calorie sweeteners such as isomalt and xylitol

Excluding these foods temporarily from a diet for about two to six weeks, or as recommended by a physician; then slowly reintroducing them, can help identify which foods are causing symptoms to occur. Once it is determined which foods are causing symptoms, they will be limited or avoided.

The FODMAP diet is very restrictive; therefore, it is beneficial to plan your meals. Your nutritionist or physician may recommend that you base your meals around low FODMAP foods such as:

Almond milk
Vegetables such as eggplant, spinach tomatoes, zucchini, and potatoes
Fruits such as grapes, pineapples, or strawberries
Proteins such as chicken, lamb, or fish

A low FODMAP diet is not for everyone. It can do more harm than good to those who have not been diagnosed with IBS or SIBO. Low FODMAP diets can also be challenging; however, working with a physician or dietitian can help you to stick to the guidelines and maintain proper nutrition.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor or dietitian at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

How Does Blue Light Affect Sleep?

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Devices such as smartphones, laptops, and smart televisions emit blue light, which is a color on the light spectrum that’s visible to the human eye. Blue light also contains the highest level of energy on the light spectrum.

While blue light may offer benefits when utilized during the day, such as helping to boost attention and mood, it can cause several problems when used at night. The most common is interfering with our sleep cycles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to blue light emitted from devices used at night can make it difficult for us to fall asleep or can wake us up too early.

Blue light has this effect because light plays an essential role in aligning circadian rhythms, which is the body’s internal clock that helps to regulate sleep and wake cycles. The CDC explains that the “body’s circadian clock responds to light, as a signal to be awake, and dark, as a signal to fall asleep.”

Blue light stimulates the part of our brain that makes us alert and it suppresses the body’s secretion of melatonin; the hormone that makes us feel sleepy. Exposure can trick our brains into thinking it’s daytime even when using devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops at night.

To prevent this problem, and reduce the risk of blue light exposure, the Sleep Foundation recommends:
• Turning off electronics two to three hours before bedtime
• Dimming the lights on electronics or using night mode
• Using smartphone or computer applications designed to reduce the emission of blue light
• Using an eye mask to sleep if you are unable to turn off or dim certain light sources

Creating a healthy sleep environment can help us to achieve the rest our bodies need to reenergize and heal. This involves making sure that lights do not interfere with our sleep.

To learn more about creating a healthy sleep environment, or to speak with a specialist about sleep-related health problems you may be experiencing, please schedule an appointment with Jamaica Hospital’s Sleep Center by calling 718-206-7001.