The Mental Health Benefits for Adults Using Coloring Books

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

The popularity of adult coloring books has grown rapidly over the past year and the idea that it’s just for kids is fading just as quickly.

Mental health professionals have long utilized art in treating patients because it has a profoundly positive effect on mental well-being. This form of therapy encourages self- exploration and helps in organizing emotions. Although art therapy received from a professional is more effective than coloring on your own; coloring does have several benefits. It has been found that coloring can help adults:

1: De-stress

2: Achieve a state of meditation

3: Reduce anxiety

4: Alleviate less severe symptoms of depression

5: Improve concentration

6: Boost creativity

While coloring can be beneficial; it is important for individuals to note that it is not art therapy and should not be used as a method of self-treatment for mental health disorders. Art therapy differs from coloring because it relies on a patient-therapist relationship. This dynamic is important in helping patients to express their problems to the therapist through art when they are not able to in words.

Creative arts therapy has been an integral part of the Department of Psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital for nearly 20 years. For more information about the program or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-5575.

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.

Exercises That Can Help You Push

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

pregnant woman -183938624 Giving birth is usually not an easy feat. Fortunately, there are several exercises you can do while pregnant that will help prepare your body for labor and delivery.

Doing exercises which place emphasis on strengthening the abdominal muscles and relaxing pelvic-floor muscles can help you in pushing more effectively. They can also contribute to shorter labor times and help position your baby into an optimal birthing position.

These exercises are simple to do but before trying any of the following, consult your doctor:

Squats –The American Pregnancy Association recommends squatting during labor to open up the pelvis. Squatting expands the pelvic outlet to as much as 10%, which allows more room for the baby to move down to the birth canal. This exercise also strengthens the thighs as well as the abdomen, which is crucial during pushing.
Kegels- Pelvic floor exercises such as kegels help in strengthening vaginal muscles and muscles that support the uterus. Kegels can help you to develop control of these areas during labor and delivery, which eases some of the discomforts of giving birth.
Pelvic tilts or angry cat- This exercise strengthens abdominal muscles and has been known to help ease back pain during labor. It also encourages optimal fetal positioning.
Walking- This is a great way to prepare your body for delivery. Many women who are near or pass their due date are advised to walk because its rhythm helps to move the baby further toward the cervix, which applies pressure and stimulates dilation. Walking has also been found to strengthen and help regulate contractions.

Every woman’s pregnancy is different, so speaking with your doctor (especially if you are high risk) about performing these exercises is very important. If these activities are done incorrectly you may run the risk of harming yourself and your baby.

Living Statue Syndrome-Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP)

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Living Statue Syndrome or Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) is an extremely rare medical condition. It is known to affect one in every two million people worldwide. The condition causes bones to form in areas such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and across the joints. Essentially FOP forms a second skeleton in the body, which makes movement restricted or impossible in severe cases. It progressively imprisons the body in bones.

The condition is inherited and is believed to be caused by a genetic mutation. Symptoms typically begin during early childhood and gets worse as individuals age. Common symptoms include:

Malformation of the big toe and thumbs
Abnormally short toes and fingers
Malformation of the upper spinal column
Short and broad femoral necks
Difficulty breathing ( Due to excess bone formation around the ribcage)
Inflammation and pain during flare ups.

Diagnosis is done by administering a series of genetic tests. Currently there are no cures and treatment is focused toward reducing the severity of symptoms.

5 Natural Sleep Aids

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults should receive between seven to eight hours of sleep each day. However, the National Sleep Council reports that a staggering 48% of people living in the United States do not get enough sleep. Additionally, one- third of our population states that they lay awake a few nights out of each week because they are unable to fall asleep.

These statistics clearly indicate that many of us are having problems falling asleep and getting adequate rest. Without enough sleep, our bodies will not function properly. Sleep is needed to restore parts of the body such as the blood vessels and the heart. It is also needed to promote proper brain function and maintain a healthy balance in hormones.

Trying these natural sleep aids can help you combat sleeplessness and get the rest needed to revitalize your body:

Tart cherries or cherry juice-Tart cherries such as Montmorency cherries contain the amino acid tryptophan, which is essential in producing the hormones serotonin and melatonin. Increased levels of these hormones in the body can create the urge to sleep.
Valerian– Is a natural supplement that is commonly used to ease insomnia. Some studies suggest that it helps people fall asleep faster and improves the quality of sleep.
Hops– Hops are not only known for making beer, this herb is also known for promoting relaxation. Hops are typically boiled and steeped to make a tea. Drinking this a few minutes before bed is said to help in achieving a restful night’s sleep.
Chamomile– This herb is usually ingested in the form of a tea. It contains several compounds such as apigenin and coumarin that are found to have a calming effect on the body.
Melatonin – Melatonin is naturally produced by the body but some people increase their levels by taking supplements. It can be used to help people with disruptive sleep cycles. Physicians recommend that you adhere to taking low dosages (speak to a doctor about which dose is right for you.) This is because taking too much melatonin can cause adverse reactions such as dizziness, headaches and hallucinations.

It is highly recommended that you consult a physician before trying these sleep aids. Although natural, there is the possibility that they can cause side effects. Be certain to inform the doctor of all medications that you are taking, as mixing medications with certain herbs can be hazardous to your health.

Rare But True:Hyperthymesia

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

This rare condition also known as highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) causes people to remember just about everything that has occurred in their life. This includes every conversation and emotion ever experienced as well as every person encountered, regardless of how insignificant or minute.

The cause of Hyperthymesia is still unknown but some researchers believe that it is genetic while others think it may be molecular.

There are only 61 people worldwide who have been identified as having hyperthymesia, one of which is actress Marilu Henner, best known for her work on the show Taxi. Watch this TV interview where she speaks about her experience living with the disorder and recalls everything she did on January 17^th 1974.

7 things should know about the Zika Virus

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Zika -480292112 Recently the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issued a travel warning for people visiting countries that have reported cases of the Zika virus. While the organization has issued a travel warning for all; they are stressing that pregnant women should take special precautions because the virus is suspected to cause birth defects. Here is a list of some of those precautions as well as general information about the virus:

1: The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus. It is transmitted to people through mosquito bites. It may also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child during birth- this mode of transmission is being researched.

2: The symptoms of the disease include:

Fever
Rashes
Headaches
Joint pain
Pain behind the eyes
Conjunctivitis

3: Symptoms typically appear after two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

4: Countries included in the list of destinations where the Zika virus is ongoing include:

Brazil
Colombia
El Salvador
Haiti
Honduras
Martinique
French Guiana
Guatemala
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Puerto Rico
Suriname
Venezuela

5: Using insect repellant is one of the ways you can protect yourself from contracting the virus while traveling to these countries. For other tips to prevent bug bites, please visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites

6: If you are in your third trimester of pregnancy, the CDC recommends that you should consider postponing your trip to countries where the virus is ongoing. If this is not possible please take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.

7: Currently there is no vaccination to prevent the virus.

For more information about the Zika Virus, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/

Poll Question- How Long Should A Cold Last?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Colds are a nuisance and we often wish we could get rid of them the moment they begin. People hope their colds will last only for a few days and will go away, but colds are expected to last longer than many think. How long do you think a cold should last?

A: 3 to 5 Days

B: 5 to 7 Days

C: 7 to 14 Days

The answer is C. A cold is expected to last between one to two weeks. It is recommended that you see your physician if your cold lasts any longer. This could be a sign of a more serious issue such as a sinus infection.

Cervical Health Awareness Month- The Importance of Regular Cervical Screenings

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

January has been designated as Cervical Health Awareness Month by the National Cervical Cancer Coalition and the American Social Health Association. This initiative helps raise awareness and encourages women to receive regular screenings for cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer which is one of the most common cancers found in women. However early detection can lessen the severity of both diseases and prevent the development of abnormal or cancerous cells.

It is recommended that women receive regular screenings to check the health of their cervixes. The frequency of screenings varies by age and the following guideline is recommended by The American Cancer Society:

All women should begin cervical cancer testing (screening) at age 21. Women aged 21 to 29, should have a Pap test every 3 years. HPV testing should not be used for screening in this age group (it may be used as a part of follow-up for an abnormal Pap test).
Beginning at age 30, the preferred way to screen is with a Pap test combined with an HPV test every 5 years. This is called co-testing and should continue until age 65.
Another reasonable option for women 30 to 65 is to get tested every 3 years with just the Pap test.
Women who are at high risk of cervical cancer because of a suppressed immune system (for example from HIV infection, organ transplant, or long-term steroid use) or because they were exposed to DES in utero may need to be screened more often. They should follow the recommendations of their health care team.
Women over 65 years of age who have had regular screening in the previous 10 years should stop cervical cancer screening as long as they haven’t had any serious pre-cancers.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) should stop screening (such as Pap tests and HPV tests), unless the hysterectomy was done as a treatment for cervical pre-cancer (or cancer). Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix (called a supra-cervical hysterectomy) should continue cervical cancer screening according to the guidelines above.
Women of any age should NOT be screened every year by any screening method.
Women who have been vaccinated against HPV should still follow these guidelines

In addition to receiving screenings, it is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that women and men receive HPV vaccinations to stop the spread of the virus.

Please speak with your doctor as soon as possible about steps you can take to maintain your cervical health and remember, prevention is better than cure.

Dealing With Holiday Depression

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Holiday depression 524928563 The holiday season may be a time of happiness for many but for others it can also be the time of year that they are likely to feel depressed.

Financial stress, increased alcohol or food consumption, Seasonal Affective Disorder and loneliness are common contributors to depression during the holidays.

While the source of depression may vary from person to person, there are chronic behaviors and health problems that are widely recognized as symptoms of the disorder. Some of these include:

Fatigue
Insomnia
Sleeping excessively
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
Loss of appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

People who experience bouts of depression during the holidays can reduce these symptoms by:

Asking for help when holiday stressors become overwhelming
Moderating alcohol consumption
Spending time with loved ones
Exercising
Eating a healthy and balanced diet
Getting enough sleep
Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation

If symptoms of depression persist or progress into self-harming thoughts, please seek the help of a mental health professional immediately. It is important to remember there is no shame in receiving assistance from mental health professionals; they will help you to identify the source of your depression and offer several options for treatment.

To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5587.

Choosing Safe Toys for Toddlers

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

toys toddlers -156930341 The holiday season is the best time of the year to buy toys for children. However, parents are often overwhelmed by a larger selection and choosing the best toy can become challenging. The most important thing to remember when choosing toys for toddlers is picking toys that are safe and appropriate for their age.

Each year hospital E.R.’s are visited by over 200,000 young children, typically under the age of three, who have incurred toy-related injuries. These injuries can be avoided if parents keep these guidelines in mind when buying toys:

Carefully read warning labels
Do not buy toys with small and removable parts
Check to see if toys are on a recall list by visiting sites such as recalls.gov or cpsc.gov.
Avoid buying toys with parts that launches or projects
Do not purchase toys with sharp edges or points
Make certain that cords or strings are shorter that seven inches
Avoid buying toys that make extremely loud noises
Check to see if toys have been tested for lead based paint by visiting websites such as www.ecocenter.org

Most toys come with warning labels that advise parents of potential choking hazards and compatibility by age group. Parents should pay close attention to these labels and also do due diligence by researching toys and inspecting them for further dangers.