Do You Need Less or More Sleep As You Get Older?

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Research indicates that as you get older, you will need less sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following hours for each age group:

• Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours

• Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours

• Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours

• Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours

• School-age children (6-13): to 9-11 hours

• Teenagers (14-17): to 8-10 hours

• Younger adults (18-25): 7-9 hours

• Adults (26-64): 7-9 hours

• Older adults (65+): 7-8 hours

It was also found that adults tend to take longer to doze off, sleep more lightly and wake up more often during the night than children and adolescents.

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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.

How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Every 3 to 4 months as recommended by The American Dental Association.

Frayed toothbrush bristles will not clean teeth and gums properly. The ADA also recommends that toothbrushes should not be stored in closed containers as they are conducive to the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria. Store the brush in an upright position so that it can air-dry.

Best Exercises for Asthmatics

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Exercise -Induced Asthma (EIA) attacks can be triggered when participating in certain physical activities that are exertive or strenuous in nature. However, this should not discourage asthmatics from exercising. In fact exercise along with proper medical management is encouraged to help maintain a normal and healthy lifestyle. An added benefit of exercise is it can help in increasing lung capacity, which improves breathing.

If asthmatics choose to exercise, it is advised that they know their physical limitations and engage in activities that will not aggravate attacks. Activities that are lengthy, vigorous, conducted on freshly mowed fields and played in cold or dry air – such as ice hockey or skiing are usually not recommended.

Exercises that are asthma-friendly include: swimming, walking, lifting weights, golf, bicycling and yoga. These activities are often recommended because they allow control in breathing, they can be performed in an air-controlled environment or combine both short activities with long workouts.

There are several precautions asthmatics should follow or keep in mind before participating in any form of exercise. Some of which include:

Having an inhaler or prescribed medication on hand.
Warming up before exercising.
Doing breathing exercises before and after working out.
Taking into account pollen levels –if activity is performed outdoors.
Avoiding pools with too much chlorine. Pools that have a heavy chlorine smell tend to have excessive chlorine.
If you must exercise when it is cold outside use a scarf or wear a mask to cover up your nose and mouth.

Asthmatics can enjoy the benefits of exercise by following the recommendations of a physician, managing their medication and being aware of limitations. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing while participating in strenuous activities, you should consult a pulmonologist for a complete respiratory evaluation. Please call 718-206-6742 to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at Jamaica Hospital.

Six Natural Tips That Can Help Ease Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Do you tend to feel depressed each winter but feel much better during spring or summer? There is a possibility that you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD), also known as winter depression or seasonal depression.

Symptoms of SAD may include:

Craving foods rich in carbohydrates
Tiredness
Irritability
Oversleeping
Weight gain

Natural Tips that can help you combat these symptoms include:

Moderate your intake of carbohydrates- Excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates such as white rice or bread can raise your blood sugar, which can lead to mood swings and irritability.
Exercise- Fifteen to twenty minutes of exercise can improve your mood and increase endorphins; which is the hormone attributed to creating feelings of happiness.
Check your Vitamin D levels- Vitamin D levels may be low due to lack of sunlight during the winter months. Try to also get as much natural light as possible.
Include Omega 3 in your diet-It is suggested that incorporating foods rich in Omega-3 such as salmon can help improve your mood.
Socialize- Interacting with friends and family can help alleviate feelings of depression.
Brighten up your space-Open blinds and curtains to let in natural light. It also suggested that using bright colors and patterns in your space may improve your mood.

If symptoms of depression prolong it is recommended that you speak with a mental health professional.

How Does Being In Love Affect Your Body?

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Being in love evokes several emotions. Emotions that are associated with being in love include happiness, anxiety, attachment, desire and excitement. These emotions are linked to several chemicals and hormones produced by the body, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline.

When someone is in love, they may feel euphoric or addicted. This is a result of an increase in dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical that controls the brain’s pleasure and rewards centers. Hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine are also shown to increase. These hormones can make your palms sweat and cause restlessness or your heart to race.

A study using MRI indicated that when people are in love, blood flow increases to the brain’s pleasure center. An increase in cerebral blood flow can cause the experience of “feeling chills down the spine.”

People become attached when in love; this attachment can trigger the development of hormones such as vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones create feelings of security and comfort.

Science has shown that the emotions of love are universally shared and can be broken down into three stages of lust, attachment and attraction. The combination of chemicals can also explain why being in love can often feel like an emotional roller coaster.

Natural Remedies for Bad Breath

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis can be caused by a number of factors including health problems, smoking, certain foods and poor dental health habits. If the cause of bad breath is not the result of chronic conditions such as diabetes, sinus infections or kidney disease, then chances are there is a build-up of bacteria in the mouth that gives off gases or odors.

The best recommendation is to practice good oral hygiene. There are also a few natural remedies that can help combat bad breath, such as:

Drinking plenty of water.
Chewing a piece of lemon or orange rind.
Taking probiotics or eating foods that are rich in probiotics, such as yogurt.
Eating raw fruits and vegetables such as apples or celery.
Gargling with salt water.
Consulting a physician about colon cleansing.
Chewing a tablespoon of fennel seeds or making fennel tea.
Drinking cinnamon tea.
Chewing on fresh parsley.
Mixing apple cider vinegar with water and gargling.

Trying these natural remedies can help in keeping breath fresh; however, the best remedy is to practice good oral health by brushing and flossing teeth daily.

Does the Alcohol In Red Wine Dampen Its Benefits?

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

There have been many reports about how red wine can lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health. But don’t be so quick to open that bottle of Merlot at home. That’s because recent studies suggest that the antioxidants found in wine that may help prevent heart disease, are much more effective when the wine is non-alcoholic.

Wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols that can help prevent heart diseases. They increase the levels of HDLs, or “good cholesterol” in the blood, which protects against artery damage and can lower blood pressure. Another potential benefit is, polyphenols may help protect blood vessels in your heart and prevent blood clots.

Unfortunately, alcohol in red wine may dampen the blood pressure-lowering potential of its antioxidants. A study published in Circulation Research found that when men drank red wine containing alcohol, their blood pressure only went down slightly, but when they drank non-alcoholic red wine, their blood pressure went down enough to lower their risk of heart disease by 14%.

This is good news for those who want to receive the benefits of red wine, but don’t or can’t consume alcohol. In addition, while red wine has shown some benefits in moderation, consuming too much poses several health risks.

If you have high blood pressure and want to learn more about the potential benefits of red wine, please speak with your doctor. Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has many doctors who can help. To make an appointment, please call, 718-206-7001.

10 Unusual Phobias

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Many people are afflicted with unusual phobias such as Venustraphobia, which is the fear of beautiful women. A phobia is defined as an irrational fear or anxiety disorder. People with phobias tend to be extremely fearful of a specific situation, person, object or activity. There is still uncertainty of what actually causes phobias; however they can be linked to genetics, life experiences or environmental reasons.

A few unusual phobias include:

Bibliophobia- A fear of books.
Coulrophobia-A fear of clowns.
Aulophobia- A fear of flutes.
Porphyrophobia- A fear of the color purple.
Nyctohylophobia- A fear of the woods in the night.
Octophobia- A fear of the figure 8.
Selenophobia- A fear of the moon.
Lutraphobia- A fear of otters.
Heliophobia- A fear of sunlight.
Chionophobia- A fear of snow.

Although these phobias are unusual they should not be taken lightly. They can be harmful to people who have them and can potentially lead to depression, social isolation or substance abuse. It is advised that you seek help immediately if you or someone you know is suffering from the complications of a phobia.

How Smoking Affects Your Good Looks

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Smoking is harmful to your body; the toxins found in tobacco and cigarettes can damage your body from the inside out. The smoke from cigarettes contains 7,000 hazardous chemicals which may lead to lung cancer, asthma, complications with diabetes and damage to your heart. These chemicals are also known to wreak havoc on your physical appearance.

Here are some of the ways smoking can ruin your good looks:

Bags under the eyes-Smokers are four times as likely to have bags under the eyes. Nicotine slows the circulation of blood throughout the body, which in turn affects the flow of circulation around the eyes.
Dental health-Cigarette smoke can also interfere with the normal function of the cells in the gum, which leads to discoloration of your pearly whites, bad breath and other dental problems.
Premature wrinkles- Smoking limits circulation and causes deprivation of blood to the tissues that keep the skin supple. Studies show that smokers tend to look older than their peers because the aging process has been accelerated.
Sagging arms or breasts- Is often a tell-tale sign of a person who has smoked for an extended period of time. It has been discovered that the chemicals in cigarettes destroy collagen and elastin. With the loss of these fibers, the skin will begin to lose its elasticity and strength.
Yellow nails and fingers- Nicotine can stain fingers and nails making them brown or yellow in color.
Hair loss- Studies show that smoking can accelerate hair loss. The circulation of blood flowing to the hair follicles is hampered, this disrupts the normal growth cycle of hair.

The damages caused by smoking affect the body internally and externally. Some of the effects are immediate and can be seen instantly or some may develop over time. However, several of these conditions can be reversed once a person stops smoking. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center encourages you to quit today. For help with smoking cessation you can enroll in our free Freedom From Smoking Program by calling 718- 206 -8494 or visiting www.cdc.gov/tobacco for a list of resources near you.

10 Signs Your Teen May Be Using Drugs

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

If you have a suspicion that your teen may be using illegal drugs, there are several physical and behavioral patterns you can look for. Some of which include:
•Bloodshot eyes or pupils that appear larger or smaller than usual
•A change in appetite – this could be a decrease or increase in appetite
•Skipping classes or a decline in grades
•Frequent mood swings
•Neglect in personal appearance or grooming
•Incoherent or slurred speech
•Heavy use of air fresheners, incense or perfumes in rooms
•Frequent outbursts of anger or periods of hyperactivity
•Consistent disappearance of money, valuables or medication from the home
•An increase in secrecy or avoidance
Speak with your teen about these changes, approach them in a direct but calm manner. Ask them questions about changes that may be occurring in their lives, as well as questions that may uncover drug use. If your teen admits to using drugs, it is advised not to display anger but to rather show your support in finding them help and express your concern for their safety. The next step is to immediately seek treatment from a mental health professional, drug treatment program or a qualified therapist.