Interesting Facts About Tickling

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Michael Hinck

We have all done it to someone or had it done to us. Some of us are more sensitive to it than others. What are we talking about? – tickling.

What exactly happens when you’re tickled? In simple terms, nerve endings in your skin send messages to the cerebellum, the area of your brain that monitors movement and reacts to sensation. When someone tickles you, the cerebellum reacts to this unexpected touch.

Our brain is aware of our body’s movement however and can predict a response to any sensation and suppress a response. This failure to surprise our brain is why we cannot tickle ourselves.

A reaction to being tickled does have benefits. Many believe it to be a defense mechanism. Being tickled often draws attention to external stimuli. Like an itch, it can alert us to predators, such as insects crawling on our skin. In addition, some of the most ticklish parts of our body, such as under our arms and our ribs, are also some of our most vulnerable, reinforcing the theory that tickling is a way of warning our body to protect these areas.

Another potential benefit is that being tickled can be slimming. Tickling makes you laugh, which burns calories. A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that 10 to 15 minutes of laughing burns 10 to 40 extra calories a day — which could add up to one to four pounds in a year.

There are still many things we do not know about tickling, including why some people are more ticklish than others, but at least you now know that you cannot tickle yourself.

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.

What Are Keloid Scars?

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Keloid scars occur when the body responds aggressively to an injury to the skin. Damage to the skin can be the result of a cut, scrape, burn, piercing, or surgery.

Keloids are usually pink or red and are raised above the normal skin surface. They are different from other scars in that they have the ability to stretch beyond the original boundary of the wound. They develop most often on the chest, back, shoulders, and earlobes and can become painful, itchy, and in extreme cases, even affect muscle function.

Doctors do not know why certain individuals develop keloid scars and some do not, but research suggests that some people’s skin is unable to identify and correctly respond to the damage at the site of the wound. Keloid scars can be developed by anyone but they are much more common in those with darker colored skin. The tendency to form keloids sometimes seems to run in families.

Treatment options include surgery to remove the scar, steroid injections, or silicone sheets to flatten the scar. Smaller keloids can be treated using cryotherapy (freezing therapy using liquid nitrogen).

The best keloid cure is to prevent one before it starts. People who are prone to keloid scars should not undergo cosmetic surgery or get piercings because chances are another keloid will develop. There’s no guarantee that a keloid will not develop after an injury, but there are steps that can be taken to aid in the prevention.

At the initial period of injury firm pressure should immediately be placed on the wound. This will help to stop the bleeding so that your body can begin the healing process. The wound should be cleaned with cool running water and mild soap to rid the wound from any dirt or debris. Keep the wound covered with a bandage to keep out bacteria and other toxins. Silicone gels are very effective for this because they form a barrier on the skin locking in moisture while keeping out germs.

Diabetes and Surgery

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

A surgical procedure for any patient requires a certain amount of preparation, both for the pre-operative phase and the post-operative phase. A patient with diabetes however has to be monitored very closely because they are at greater risk of developing complications than non-diabetic patients.

Your physician will tell you when you should eat before surgery and when you should take your last dose of diabetes medication prior to any surgical procedure. During the surgical procedure your blood glucose levels will be monitored to make sure that it stays with normal range (80-150 mg/dL).

Diabetic patients post operatively may experience:

Poor wound healing
Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia
Infection at the wound site
Electrolyte imbalance
Diabetic ketoacidosis

After the surgical procedure is over, check your blood sugar level frequently because you may not be eating properly, may be less active, and are stressed. Diabetic patients may require a few days in the hospital post-op to have their glucose levels monitored carefully. If you are a diabetic patient and are scheduled for surgery, discuss pre and post-operative preparations with your surgeon.

Let The Grilling Begin!

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Joann Ariola

With summer a season away and the time to uncover our grills is getting closer, a simple and healthy way to grill is to incorporate vegetables. We have compiled some simple rules for successful grilling vegetables.

Start with a clean grill and well-oiled vegetables
Do not move your vegetables on the grates. Leave them on the grill until they are nicely seared and lift off easily
Use the hottest spots on the grill for the heartier vegetables, like onions and bell peppers. Keep the more delicate produce, such as tomatoes over places with less heat.
Group the food by cooking time so you remember to remove everything from one area all at once, since some foods take longer to grill than others.

These tips should provide foolproof results every time!

True or False? Your toe has two bones, while the other toes have three.

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

The answer is True.The big toe (Hallux) contains two phalanx bones, the proximal and distal. The other toes consists of three phalanx bones, the proximal, middle, and distal.

The Benefits of Vacations

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

We live in a stressful society that is full of situation. It is very important for people to take a break in order to stay healthy. Studies have shown not taking a vacation for a few years can increase the risk of heart disease and the potential for a heart attack. People who take vacations have an easier time to breaking bad habits such as nail biting, smoking, and eating poorly because stress the triggers for these bad habits aren’t present.
There are many benefits to taking a vacation:
• Betters outlook on life
• Allows the body to unwind
• Increases happiness
To really benefit from a vacation a person has to leave their work environment at home.
Today, with electronic devices so prevalent, it is important to not check them more than
once or twice a day.

What is the longest word in the English dictionary?

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

The longest word in the English dictionary is ‘pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis’ .It is quite a tongue twister .It is defined as a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust.

7 Tips That Can Help You Survive Teething

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

teething496311441 Around the age of four to seven months babies will begin teething. This process can be painful and frustrating for both baby and parents. Teething often results in crying or crankiness for infants and lack of sleep or irritability for parents. There are several ways in which parents can help soothe their baby’s gums, survive teething and possibly get some sleep.

Ways parents can help during teething include:

Lightly massaging the gums with a clean finger, wet washcloth or gauze relieves discomfort.
Chilling teething toys, spoons or pacifiers is soothing for sore gums. It is recommended that you do not place these items in the freezer as objects that are too cold may damage the baby’s gums.
Applying topical medications such as numbing gels can help in relieving pain.
Giving the infant a cold washcloth dipped in water, breast milk or chamomile tea to chew on, can be very comforting.
Adding chilled fruits such as bananas or strawberries to a mesh feeder can be delicious and provide relief.
Rubbing clove oil on gums can help ease pain.
Breastfeeding can provide comfort and pain relief.

While there is no definitive time when teething may end, the process is typically completed during the toddler years. Trying these methods could make this period in your baby’s development less painful and stressful. It is recommended that parents consult a pediatrician before applying these methods.

I Am So Stressed! Where Are My Cigarette’s?

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Is smoking a cigarette when you are stressed, depressed or irritable a proven way to relieve those emotions or improve your mood?

The answer is, no. The relief you get from smoking comes from the act of taking the “time out” necessary to smoke a cigarette. It does not have to do with the chemical actions of nicotine in your brain.

If you finish your cigarette and return to your stressful situation, the feeling of tension will come back. Therefore, the act of smoking is only a temporary solution for handling stress.

A proven way to control stress, tension or depression in your life is to identify what brings on those emotions and learning how to change the way you react to the events and situations in your life.

If you have been using smoking as a way to reduce stress, a great time to
“kick the habit” is to participate in The Great American Smoke out, Wednesday, November 18th, 2015.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center can help. Enroll, today, for our smoking cessation classes. For more information or to register, call: 718-206-8494.

Castor Oil

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Castor oil has always been portrayed in old movies and TV shows as something to be avoided at all costs because of its unpleasant taste and smell. However, it does have many beneficial properties when taken orally or when it is applied to the skin. The benefits of castor oil come from its high quantity of unsaturated fatty acids, which are derived from the castor seed.
Castor Oil is probably best known as a laxative. It also is used as an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and can be used to induce labor. It has been used to treat yeast infections, migraines, acne, menstrual cramps, and hair loss.
It is recommended that you speak with your physician first before using castor oil.