Pacifiers Effect on a Baby’s Teeth

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

There has been much debate on whether or not a baby should be given a pacifier and for how long. A baby starts sucking on his or her fingers before it is even born. Using a pacifier can have both positive and negative effects. The positives are that it helps to keep the baby calm, it has a relaxing effect, and it is believed to help reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The negative effects of a baby using a pacifier include:

Top teeth that slant outwards
Bottom teeth that slant inwards
Misalignment of the top and bottom jaws
Malformation of the roof of the mouth
Delay the falling out of the baby teeth

During the first two years of a child’s life, using a pacifier won’t really affect the growth of their permanent teeth. It is a good idea to have a baby’s teeth checked regularly by a dentist to make sure that they are developing correctly. To schedule an appointment with a dentist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-6980.

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.

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.

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Joann Ariola

When you are faced with the decision of choosing whether palliative care or hospice care better suites the needs of you, or your loved ones; it is best to know the definition and relationship between the two before deciding.

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms that are related to a chronic illness, such as cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s and other dementias, AIDS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological diseases. Palliative care can be used at any stage of illness –not just advanced stages.

Hospice care is palliative by nature, but is only offered when the patient has progress to a point where curative treatment is no longer desired. Hospice care supports the patient, and their families, on the journey to end of life focusing on relieving symptoms and offering comfort from pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and insomnia.

Although there are differences between palliative care and hospice care, there is a relationship between the two. Knowing the treatment differences and similarities may be helpful when making your decision, including:

Treatments are not limited with palliative care and can range from conservative to aggressive or curative.
Hospice care treatments are limited and focus on the palliation of symptoms. The goal is no longer to cure, but to promote comfort.
Palliative care can be considered at any time during the course of a chronic illness.
With hospice care, Medicare requires that a physician certify that a patient’s condition is terminal. The physician must certify that a patient’s life expectancy is six months or less.
Both palliative and hospice care can be delivered at any location.
Palliative care services are typically provided through regular physician and nursing visits.
Hospice care services are more inclusive than palliative care services. Hospice care includes physician services, nursing services, social worker, spiritual care, bereavement care and volunteers. In some cases physical, occupational, speech and dietary therapy services, as well as other counseling services are deemed necessary as part of the hospice holistic care plan to manage terminal symptoms and provide support for the individual and their family.

It is important to know that choosing palliative care or hospice care is about comfort, control, dignity and quality of life and not about giving up. If you, or a loved one should need information on palliative or hospice care, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Palliative Care and Hospice Care services can help. To schedule an appointment for an evaluation, or to just talk, call 718-206-6914.

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.

Is the Winter making You SAD

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Seasonal affect disorder, (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs during the same season every year. Most people experience seasonal affect disorder in the fall and winter months and it is therefore sometimes also called winter depression or seasonal depression. People usually start to experience symptoms in September or October and begin to feel better by April or May.

While the cause of seasonal affect disorder is unknown, most experts believe SAD is related to a lack of exposure to sunlight. Lack of exposure to daylight can upset an individual’s biological clock and cause a drop in serotonin levels, a chemical in the brain that affects mood. Another potential factor is that the change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, a natural hormone that regulates our sleep patterns.

If you have SAD, you may:
• Feel grumpy, moody, or anxious
• Lose interest in your usual activities
• Eat more and crave carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta
• Gain weight
• Sleep more but still feel tired
• Have trouble concentrating

Anyone can be diagnosed with SAD, but it’s more common in:
• Women
• People between the ages of 15 and 55
• People who live far from the equator, where winter daylight hours are very short
• People who have a close relative with SAD

It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between SAD and other types of depression because many of the symptoms are the same. Your doctor can do an assessment to determine if you have SAD. You may need to have blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as hypothyroidism.

For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or allowing more light into homes and workplaces may be helpful. For those whose symptoms are more severe, phototherapy or light therapy has been shown to be effective. During a light therapy session, patients are exposed to a device that emits bright light for an extended amount of time each day. If phototherapy isn’t effective, an antidepressant drug can be prescribed to help reduce or eliminate SAD symptoms.

Can you guess how far a sneeze travels?

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

The spray from a sneeze can travel distances of up to five feet and speeds of 100 miles per hour. This year’s cold and flu season is predicted to be intense-so exercise the proper precautions to prevent the spread of flu and cold viruses. To prevent the spread of germs, flu and cold viruses always cover your nose when you sneeze.

The First Ambulance at Jamaica Hospital

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

The first known ambulance at Jamaica Hospital was a horse drawn wagon that went in to service in 1902 and brought seriously ill patients to the hospital. As motorized vehicles became more widely available in the 1920’s, horse drawn wagons were eventually replaced, response times shortened and more lives could be saved. Jamaica Hospital now has a fleet of 8 ambulances that run 24/7 and that transport thousands of patients every year.

Protect Yourself From Getting Sick While Flying

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Thinking about escaping the germy, New York City winter season? This is a popular time of year to hop a flight to a tropical location, but did you know that air travelers are actually up to 100 times more likely to catch a cold or the flu while flying than during normal day-to-day activities.

The primary cause for an increased rate of infection is low cabin humidity on planes. Most airplanes fly in an elevation range of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where humidity is much lower. At very low levels of humidity, our natural defense system of mucus in our noses and throats dries up, creating an ideal environment for germs to infect us.

The best way to maintain these natural defenses is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will not only counter the overall dehydrating effects of air travel, but it can actually strengthen the body’s natural immune system.

It is recommended to sip water regularly throughout the flight rather than drink a large amount at once to protect against long dry spells in your defense system. Hot beverages are a good way to keep your protective mucous membranes working because they assist in keeping you generally hydrated and also provide moisture in the form of steam. Conversely, it is recommended that you avoid caffeine or alcoholic beverages as they can dehydrate you.

Using nasal sprays or saline mists have also been proven to be an effective means of keeping mucous membranes in your nose and throat moist. They can increase your resistance to infection while on a dry aircraft. Yet another way to defend against viruses while flying is to use a germ-killing mouthwash, which adds another layer of protection while simultaneously helping to keep your throat moist. Other experts recommend taking vitamins before flights to help boost immunity levels.

By following these tips and practicing proper hand washing behavior, you will greatly increase your chances of arriving at your destination healthy.

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Childproofing The Home

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Young children are by nature very curious and if not properly protected from harm in the home, can end up being seriously injured. Taking a few precautions in the home is one way to protect small children from getting seriously hurt.

These are a few tips on ways to make your home safe:

• Install latches on cabinets and draws.

• Keep all cleaning products on shelves that are out of reach of small children

• Keep medications in childproof containers.

• Post the Poison Center Hotline number next to your phone (1-800-222-1222).

• Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps.

• Put safety gates at the bottom and top of staircases.

• Do not use looped cords on window blinds.

• Prevent furniture from tipping over by securing it to a wall.

• Do not leave children unattended in a bath.

• Keep your doctor’s phone number handy.

• Put door knob covers on rooms that children shouldn’t have access to.

• Have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of the home.

• Do not place furniture that a child can climb on in front of a window.

• Use window gates on every window.

• Place corner and edge bumpers on furniture.

Childproofing a home isn’t only for babies. Unintentional home injuries are one of the leading causes of death in children under 14 years of age.