Perils of the Pregnant Partner – Couvade Syndrome

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Joann Ariola

During pregnancy the focus is often on the changes that the expectant mother is experiencing and ignores the emotional changes of the other parent to be, who may be experiencing emotional and physical changes that are valid and deserving of the proper attention and support.

Impending parenthood can bring a rush of feelings and fears. Whether the pregnancy is planned or unexpected, the news may cause you to become introspective about many things including your relationship with your partner, the fear of newly acquired responsibilities, financial implications, feelings of inadequacy and, in some cases, sympathy pains or a condition known as, Couvade Syndrome.

Partners who have Couvade Syndrome experience symptoms that mimic pregnancy such as, constipation, gas, bloating, irritability, weight gain, cravings and nausea right along with the expectant mom.

Fortunately, the symptoms are almost always temporary and are not treated with medication. They, usually, resolve once the baby is born.

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.

Has your New Year Resolution been postponed to next year?

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Joann Ariola

New Year Resolutions are great to make and even better to keep. Here are some tips on how to make your NYR stick.

Be realistic
Plan ahead
Outline your plan
Make a “pros” and “cons” list
Talk about it
Reward yourself
Track your progress
Don’t beat yourself up
Stick to it
Keep trying

Signs of a Heart Attack and What You Should Do

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Heart attack is the number one cause of death in women and men in the United States. It is estimated that one in every four deaths are caused by a heart attack. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, that only 27% of people know the warning signs of a heart attack and when to call 9-1-1. Knowing the signs of a heart attack and following the suggested guidelines can reduce the probability of death.

Warning signs differ with each individual; they may be mild or severe. For some the attack can be immediate while for others symptoms can begin days or weeks in advance. Heart attacks have several key symptoms and warning signs to be aware of, some of which include:

Chest pains or discomfort (This is the most common symptom)
A squeezing, aching or pressure sensation in the chest or arms, this may spread to the back, neck, jaw or stomach
Shortness of breath
Breaking out into a cold sweat
Nausea and (or) vomiting
Dizziness

If someone is experiencing these symptoms, act immediately and call 9-1-1. While waiting for emergency response, if nitroglycerin is prescribed by a doctor it should be given as instructed. Aspirin can also help during a heart attack by reducing damage to the heart and preventing the blood from clotting. However aspirin should be administered only if recommended by a physician, as aspirin can have adverse effects if taken with certain medications.

Complications due to heart disease can be prevented by exercising, quitting smoking, eating heart- healthy foods such as salmon, getting regular health screenings, taking medication, reducing alcohol consumption and maintaining a healthy weight.

To make an appointment to discuss, improve or maintain your heart health call Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718- 206- 7001.

Why Do We Yawn?

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Michael Hinck

The next time you are with a group of friends, try this little experiment: Take a big yawn and watch and see how many people follow suit. There’s a good chance you’ll set off a chain reaction of deep breaths and wide-open mouths.

Yawning is an involuntary action that causes us to open our mouths wide and breathe in deeply. We know it’s involuntary because we do it even before we’re born. Yawns typically last about six seconds and often occur in clusters. Researchers are starting to unravel the mystery surrounding the yawn. Yawning, they have discovered, is much more complicated than previously thought and although all yawns look the same, they appear to have many different causes and serve a variety of functions.

There are several theories about why we yawn. Here are the four most common:
The physiological theory: Our bodies induce yawning to draw in more oxygen or remove a buildup of carbon dioxide. This theory helps explain why we yawn in groups
The evolution theory: Some think that yawning began with our ancestors, who used yawning to show their teeth and intimidate others.

The boredom theory: Although we do tend to yawn when bored or tired, this theory doesn’t explain why Olympic athletes yawn right before they compete in their event or why dogs tend to yawn just before they attack.

The brain-cooling theory: A more recent theory proposed by researchers is that people yawn more in situations where their brains are likely to be warmer. Cool brains can think more clearly; hence, yawning might have developed to keep us alert.

But why does seeing someone else yawn might make us yawn too?
Interestingly, while all vertebrates (including fish) yawn – only humans, chimps and possibly dogs find yawns contagious. Recent studies show contagious yawning may be linked to one’s capacity for empathy. That is why humans don’t find them contagious until they’re about 4 years old; about the age when we develop a sense of empathy.

What we do know for sure is if you yawn at work or at a gathering, you’ll probably notice a few other people will start yawning, too. Even thinking about yawning can get you yawning. How many times have you yawned while reading this article? We hope not many.

Healthy Food for Healthy Skin

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Healthy Food for Healthy Skin

Foods that have antioxidant properties are important because they help repair damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. Foods and their antioxidant chemicals that will help keep the skin looking good include :

Olive oil – (monounsaturated fatty acids)

Tomatoes – (lycopene)

Dark chocolate – (cocoa flavanoids)

Kelp – (lutein and zeaxanthin)

Orange peels – (limonene)

Red wine – (reservatol)

Cold water fish such as tuna, swordfish sardines and salmon (omega 3 – fatty acids)

Sunflower seeds – (vitamin E)

Other types of foods help the skin maintain its elasticity by promoting production of collagen. These include: soy (isoflavanoids), pumpkin and yogurt (vitamin A), oysters (zinc), and lean meats for their protein content. Water is always very important because it keeps the body hydrated.

It is important to avoid foods that are made from refined carbohydrates and also those containing unhealthy fats. Besides being unhealthy for the entire body, these can lead to premature aging of the skin. .Fried foods or foods that contain a large amount .of sugar can cause acne to develop in adolescents.

While a healthy diet is important for the whole body but there are some foods that can really help you to have nice looking skin. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, please call 718-206-7001.

Can You Overdose on Vitamins?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Surely you have heard the saying, “too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.” The same applies to vitamin supplements, as taking an excess of vitamins can be harmful to your health. This may seem contradictory because vitamins are often encouraged to supplement nutrients that may be lacking in our diets. Physicians or nutritionists may suggest vitamins once it is confirmed that you have a nutrient deficiency and highly advise that the daily recommended doses are followed.

The Institute of Medicine has established guidelines such as the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) and DV (Daily Value) to help people understand the daily suggested dose of vitamins.

Vitamin overdose occurs when a person ingests far more than the daily recommendation, for an extended period of time. Although the body can excrete excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, it can retain fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, which can be toxic.

Here are a few vitamins that are proven to be toxic if taken in excess, as well as their symptoms of overdose:

Iron- Nausea, bloody stools, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, fluid build-up in the lungs and fever.
Vitamin A-Hair loss, liver damage, severe headaches, bone pain, blurred vision, dry skin and vomiting
Vitamin D- Abnormal heart rhythm, constipation, frequent urination, muscle weakness and confusion.
Vitamin E- Interferes with the body’s ability to clot blood, which can be harmful for those on blood thinning medication
B Vitamins-B6 in excess can cause nerve damage; while B3 can cause jaundice, elevated liver enzyme levels and nausea.

If you have decided to purchase vitamins, always follow the daily recommended dose to avoid excessive intake. Before purchasing it is recommended that you consult a physician or nutritionist to receive an assessment.

Why Is Glaucoma Called The “Silent Thief of Sight?”

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Glaucoma is a condition which increases pressure within the eyeball and causes damage to the optic nerve. Currently almost 3 million people in the United States over the age of 40 have Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight,” because there are usually no symptoms until the disease has progressed and there is some form of vision loss. Warning signs to look for are blurred vision, gradual loss of peripheral vision, tunnel vision and halos around lights.

The NERVE of Diabetes

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Joann Ariola

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes. Typically, 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some sort of nerve problems, know as neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a shorter term for peripheral neuropathy, meaning nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathy from diabetes can damage the nerves in your hands, arms, feet and legs. This condition can cause pain, numbness and weakness. Depending on the degree of neuropathy, and how long you have been a diabetic, nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart and reproductive organs.

The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathy also appears to be more common in people who have issues with controlling their blood glucose, have high blood pressure and are overweight.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary depending on the nerves affected and develop gradually over the years. Symptoms may include:

Trouble with balance
Numbness and tingling of extremities
Abnormal sensation to a body part (Dysesthesia)
Diarrhea
Erectile dysfunction
Urinary incontinence
Vision changes
Burning or electric pain in extremities

When treating diabetic neuropathy, a nutritionist may recommend healthier food choices and exercise to help lower your glucose and glycohemoglobin levels. Additionally, analgesics and low doses of antidepressants can be prescribed for pain relief, burning and tingling.

If you are a diabetic and have been experiencing symptoms of neuropathy, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center and Department of Nutrition can help. Call 718-206-7001 to get the process started.

What is Binge Eating?

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Most of us have overeaten at some point in our lives and felt guilty immediately afterward. It usually happens at a holiday gathering or at one of your favorite restaurants, but what if it happens regularly? Consistently eating large amounts of food at once, and feeling upset after doing so can be considered a binge eating disorder (BED).

A binge is when you consume a large portion of food in a short amount of time – as much as 20,000 calories at once. BED is not the same as bulimia, another eating disorder that involves eating a great deal of food in a short period of time. People with bulimia are very concerned with their body image and attempt various methods to avoid gaining weight, including vomiting, taking diet pills or laxatives, or exercising too much. Those with BED, however, are not concerned with excess weight and therefore do not participate in these compensatory behaviors. For this reason, people with BED are often overweight or obese.

Characteristics of BED include: eating until uncomfortably full, eating when not physically hungry, eating alone, or waking up at night to eat. Binge eaters are usually excited while planning a binge and are frightened of being caught. After a binge, they feel a range of emotions including guilt, shame, disgust, self-loathing, or general numbness.

Binge eating may arise out of stress and an inability to deal with emotions, boredom, depression, or outbursts of hostility. It is very important to recognize binge eating disorder in its early stages and seek treatment before it leads to other health problems, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease. Therapy sessions can help the individual deal with these psychological aspects of binge eating disorder.

If you exhibit binge eating behavior, it’s important that you seek professional help. This kind of eating will lead to increased weight gain, low self-image and other related health issues. To make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Mental Health Clinic, please call 718-206-5575.

This Year’s Flu Season May Be Deadly For Children- Learn ways to protect your little ones

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

It is being reported in the media that this year’s strain of the flu virus can potentially be life threatening for children. Since the beginning of the flu season 21 children have died. This strain of the virus can create severe respiratory problems, bacterial infections and very high fevers.

About 90% of flu cases so far have been caused by the H3N2 sub-type. H3 sub-types tend to cause the largest numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in young children-because their immune systems are still developing. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are also at risk.

What can you do to protect your children?

Watch out for symptoms which include: high fevers, chills and shakes, headaches and body aches, fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, vomiting and stomach aches.
Keep children away from people who have flu symptoms.
Teach them to cover their noses or mouths, when they cough or sneeze.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, these are prime areas for germs to spread.
Speak with your physician about antiviral drugs.

The CDC recommends that children ages six months and older should receive flu vaccinations. Although this year’s vaccine is not a match for the H3N2 virus, it will lessen the severity of the symptoms and reduce the chances of hospitalization.