Potty Training Tips

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

Everyone who has ever experienced potty training a child knows that it can be challenging. One of the challenges people encounter is deciding when to begin potty training. The average age for commencing potty training is between 18 months and two years of age. However, each child is different, and it may take more time. Girls typically start potty training earlier than boys.

Before beginning training, it is important that children are able to:

Follow easy instructions
Walk to where a potty is located
Know what a potty is
Know how to communicate the need to go potty
Keep a diaper dry for two hours
Get on and off the potty easily
Take off their diaper or their clothes on their own

When training a child to go potty, establish a word or phrase that indicates that it is time to go potty. You can introduce the concept of using a potty by doing some practice first. That means with their clothes on so that they get accustomed to sitting on the potty. Giving a child some positive reinforcement when they use the potty is also helpful, even if they make an attempt and nothing happens. This can include verbal compliments and perhaps a sticker they can put on a piece of paper. Do not use words that have negative connotations about going to the potty. The potty should be kept in the same location in the home. It is important to set a routine for using it. Examples of this would be upon waking up in the morning, after a nap, 15 to 30 minutes after a meal, or 45 minutes after drinking fluids.

Potty training isn’t always easy, and there will be times when a child may have an accident, but the process will get better with time. You can speak to your pediatrician for suggestions if you feel that there are issues with your child using the potty. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

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 Does Anesthesia Work?

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Anesthesia is medicine used to manage pain during a wide range of medical procedures, including everything from tooth extractions and biopsies to appendectomies, cancer surgery, and childbirth. Anesthesia is an important part of these procedures; without it, many of them would be difficult or impossible to perform.

There are three main types of anesthesia: sedation, local, regional, and general. Sedation typically reduces pain throughout the body and makes you feel relaxed and drowsy. Local anesthesia affects a specific, small part of your body, such as a particular organ. Regional anesthesia affects a large part of your body, such as from the waist down. General anesthesia affects your entire body and renders you unconscious. Most types of anesthesia are injected or administered through an intravenous (IV) line, but general anesthesia may sometimes be administered through a breathing mask or tube.

The type of anesthesia you receive depends on the specific procedure you will be undergoing, as well as your medical history and circumstances. Certain people may face greater risks of medical complications than others from anesthesia, such as problems with brain function, malignant hyperthermia, breathing problems, and, in rare cases, death. Several factors can increase your risk of experiencing these complications, such as:

Heart disease
Diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Stroke
Lung conditions
Kidney conditions
Neurological disorders
Obesity
Allergies to anesthesia medication

The risks of anesthesia increase with the strength of its effects. Most of the severe side-effects associated with anesthesia occur in rare instances with general anesthesia. Sedation and local anesthesia, on the other hand, may rarely cause minor side-effects, such as itching at the site of injection. Regional anesthesia is also generally safe, but can sometimes cause headaches and may rarely cause nerve damage.

The best way to minimize any risks associated with anesthesia is to consult a licensed, board-certified anesthesiologist. If you’re receiving surgery, an anesthesiologist will typically meet with you ahead of time to discuss potential risks, and will also be present to monitor you throughout your procedure.

What is the Difference Between RSV and the Common Cold?

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

In the cold weather seasons, illnesses such as the common cold and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often run rampant, infecting millions of people each year. Both share similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to tell them apart.

Because RSV and the common cold are also extremely common, it is very likely that the average person will develop one or both of them at some point in a given year. Additionally, RSV and the common cold are more likely to develop in:

Infants and young children
Adults over the age of 70
People with weakened or compromised immune systems
People who are frequently in spaces with many other people, such as a college dorm, gym, shared workspace, or public transportation

While it can be difficult to differentiate between the two, one important distinction to keep in mind is that, unlike RSV, which refers to a single type of viral illness, the term “common cold” can refer to any one of hundreds of different viruses, all of which cause similar symptoms. These symptoms occur in three stages, in which they begin to appear, worsen to their peak intensity, and finally start to improve. They typically include:

A sore throat (usually the first symptom to appear)
A runny nose
Frequent coughing
Aches throughout your body
In some cases, a fever

A person with RSV will also usually experience these same symptoms. However, someone who develops RSV is more likely to have a fever and may experience more wheezing than someone with a cold. It is also more likely to cause someone to lose their appetite.

It is important to note symptoms of both the common cold and RSV, as they can develop into more serious illnesses for certain groups of people. In the case of a cold, this is more likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems or a respiratory condition, such as asthma. For RSV, this risk is greater for infants, older adults, and people with heart and neuromuscular conditions.

Both RSV and the common cold usually don’t require much treatment aside from rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications to help reduce symptoms. However, if your symptoms are severe or last longer than 10 days and do not improve, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Low Vision Awareness Month

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly three million Americans suffer from low vision, a visual impairment that cannot be corrected through medical treatments such as surgery, medication, or specialized eyewear. Low vision is most common among people aged 40 years and older.

One of the most common causes of low vision (and the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and older) is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which impairs a person’s central vision and interferes with tasks such as reading or driving. Your risk of developing this condition increases as you age, but this risk may be higher for people who have a family history of AMD, are Caucasian, or smoke.

This condition can occur as either “dry” (also known as “atrophic”) AMD or “wet” (also known as “advanced neovascular”) AMD. The majority of AMD cases involve dry AMD, which occurs in three stages: early, intermediate, and late.

Early dry AMD usually doesn’t involve any obvious symptoms, but during the intermediate stage, you may experience mild blurry vision or difficulties seeing in low lighting. Late AMD may cause symptoms such as straight lines appearing crooked, increased blurry vision, greater difficulty seeing in low lighting, colors appearing less bright, and visual blank spots.

There are no specific treatments available for the early stage of dry AMD, but during its intermediate and late stages, special dietary supplements may be able to slow or halt the progression of the disease. These supplements contain:

Vitamins C (500 milligrams)
Vitamin E (400 International Units)
Copper (2 milligrams)
Zinc (80 milligrams)
Beta-carotene
Lutein (10 milligrams)
Zeaxanthin (2 milligrams)

Wet AMD is a form of late-stage AMD that progresses quickly as abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye, damaging the macula. It always begins as dry AMD and can occur during any stage of the condition. Unlike late-stage dry AMD, however, it can be treated through anti–vascular endothelial growth factor drugs or through photodynamic therapy (PDT), which combines injectable medications with laser treatments.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry or wet AMD, schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center now by calling (718) 206-5900.

Jamaica Hospital Named One Of America’s 100 Best Hospitals

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has been named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for 2024, by Healthgrades.

The achievement places Jamaica Hospital in the top 2% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance and serves as a testament to the organization’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

This year, only seven hospitals in New York were recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals. Jamaica Hospital is proud to join the elite ranks of top providers and be counted as one of only two hospitals in Queens to receive the prestigious award. The hospital is also celebrating its advancement in the national rankings, having climbed up 150 spots on the list from its previous position as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals, an accolade it consecutively earned from 2020 through 2024.

Hospitals ranked as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals, by Healthgrades, a leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals, are nationally recognized for their high performance and quality achievements. To determine the top hospitals for 2024, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for more than 30 conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. Unlike other hospital studies, Healthgrades ratings are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes.

“Healthgrades commends Jamaica Hospital for their leadership and continued dedication to high quality care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “As one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals, Jamaica Hospital is elevating the standard for quality care nationwide and ensuring superior outcomes for the patients in their community.”

Jamaica Hospital’s pursuit of excellence and dedication to providing high-quality, equitable care has also yielded the following 2024 Healthgrades awards:

America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award
Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award
Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award

These awards have distinguished Jamaica Hospital as one of the leading healthcare organizations in the country, an achievement made possible through the tireless efforts of hospital employees to deliver the best care, and the vision of leadership to provide the community with world-class services close to home.

Wellness Wednesday: Tips for Supporting Your Physical Well-Being

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

With the first month of 2024 coming to an end, it’s a great time to check in on the progress you’ve made toward the goals you’ve set for the year. Whether you’re looking to get into better physical shape, reach a career milestone, or gain better control over any medical conditions you experience on a regular basis, wellness is an important part of moving toward your goals in a steady, efficient way. Make sure that you are:

Staying physically active (about 150 minutes of moderate exercise, including 2 days of strength training, each week)
Getting enough sleep (at least 7 hours per night)
Making some time each week for social connections with friends and loved ones
Eating enough food for your size
Avoiding smoking and limiting consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol
Making some time each week for leisurely activities that you enjoy
Practicing mindfulness and staying focused on the present moment
Keeping up with preventative medical screenings and addressing medical problems as they appear by visiting a doctor

For preventative visits and specialized treatment for medical problems, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Christa Deleon

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Christa Deleon, Executive Administrative Assistant in our Food and Nutrition Department.

Christa has been working at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for 10 years. She grew up in Island Trees on Long Island and currently resides in Levittown. Christa attended Island Trees Elementary School and Island Trees High School. She graduated from Berkley College where she received her bachelor’s degree.

She has two sons, Luca and Massimo who are seven and five years of age. Christa also has a one year old female American Bully who’s name is Raven. One of Christa’s favorite things to do is to spend time with her sons, her family and friends. She likes to try all types of new restaurants, but her favorite would be anything Italian.

Christa loves to travel. She has been to many different cities both domestically and internationally, including Paris, Washington D.C and her favorite place to go on vacation is to Aruba. One of the countries she would like to visit one day is Italy. Christa enjoys reading, especially psychological thrillers. She likes all different types of music. Her sons play football, soccer and lacrosse and she enjoys watching them when they are playing. Christa used to play softball and soccer and is an avid hockey fan. Her favorite hockey team is the New York Islanders.

Christa enjoys working at Jamaica Hospital because of the diversity of the staff and our patients. She feels as though she has learned a lot culturally and linguistically. Christa is proud to be part of a team that has a positive impact on people’s lives and their health. We look forward to her working with us for many more years into the future.

What To Do When Your Baby Suddenly Stops Breastfeeding

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

When most people hear the words “nursing strike” the most common assumption is that it has something to do with a work stoppage by hospital caregivers, but the term can also refer to when a baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed. This response can sometimes be mistaken for weaning, but unlike a nursing strike, weaning normally takes place gradually over weeks or months.

Nursing strikes can be frightening and upsetting to both you and your baby, but they are almost always temporary. Most nursing strikes end with your baby back to breastfeeding, within a few days. In some cases the cause is a mystery, but most of the time it is due to some external factor. Some of the most common triggers for a nursing strike include:

An illness affecting your baby such as an ear infection or stuffy nose
A change in deodorant, soap, lotion, or anything that would result in you smelling different to your baby
Your baby is teething or experiencing sore gums
A temporary reduction in the milk supply
A change in nursing patterns
Your baby was frightened during a previous nursing experience

Whatever the cause, getting the baby back to the breast can sometimes be challenging. Here are some tips that can help get your baby back to breastfeeding:

Be patient. Don’t try to force your baby to breastfeed as it can make the situation worse.
Rule out any physical problems such as an ear infection, stuffy nose, teething issues, or a bladder infection.
Spend more skin-to-skin time together.
Avoid giving your baby a pacifier.
Attempt to nurse when your baby is either falling asleep, sound asleep, or just waking up.
Movement helps so try putting your baby in a sling while you walk around or try relaxing in a rocking chair.
Take a bath together or cuddle in a quiet, dark room.

You should continue to pump or hand express milk while your baby is refusing to nurse to prevent plugged ducts and infections. It is also important to remain calm and understand that your baby isn’t rejecting you and while the situation can be upsetting it is only temporary and everything will go back to normal.

If your baby is experiencing a nursing strike and you have additional questions, you should speak with your doctor or a lactation consultant.

Tips To Help You Your New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

The beginning of every new year always seems to be a great time to make resolutions for changes to something in our lives. However, these New Year’s resolutions are often easier to make than to keep.

Here are some tips to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions:

Select one goal that you want to achieve instead of many
Plan in advance how you intend to achieve your goal
Don’t be too ambitious with your goal, it is best to keep it simple
Break up your goal into smaller, manageable parts
Pick a goal that involves a new activity
Try to learn from past challenges with achieving your goals
Don’t let yourself become discouraged if you have setbacks
Keep a daily log of your progress
Pick a goal where you can measure the results

Achieving a goal that you made as your New Year’s resolution is always easier when you have the support of friends and family. Let people know what you hope to achieve and enlist others who can be supportive. Additionally, give yourself some positive reinforcement when you are working towards a goal.

A Recipe for Healthy Chicken Soup

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

Not only does a bowl of chicken soup help keep us warm in the winter, its ingredients may also provide several benefits for our health. Here is a recipe from the National Foundation for Cancer Research for chicken soup that is both healthy and delicious. https://www.nfcr.org/blog/chicken-soup-helps-soothe-the-common-symptoms-of-cold-flu-and-mild-covid-19/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoKOfvpLEgwMV_mBHAR0u_wzQEAMYASAAEgKmf_D_BwE