January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that mainly affects people who are middle aged or older, but it can affect anyone at any age. There are more than three million people in the United States and 60 million people worldwide who suffer from glaucoma. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Typically the disease starts to develop suddenly, often without symptoms, and once vision is lost, it is permanent. As much as 40 percent of vision can be lost before some people even notice a problem. It usually starts with loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve so that the brain isn’t able to receive images from the eyes. There are two types of Glaucoma, Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma where pressure inside the eye increases on its own and damages the optic nerve and Secondary Glaucoma where another disease causes the pressure in the eye to increase and that results in optic nerve damage. Both types will eventually lead to blindness. Early detection of Glaucoma can help to slow down the progression of the disease. Regular eye exams are very important. To schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718- 206-5900.

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.

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Enjoy the holiday season with this delicious recipe from the Food Network for Yorkshire Pudding. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/yorkshire-pudding-recipe-1943597

Tips to Maintain Dental Health During the Holidays

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year. While it is easy to get caught up in the merriment, we need be to be mindful of the effects all of the holiday festivities can have on our dental health. With sweet treats all around us, one particular cause of concern is how our teeth can be impacted.

Here are a few tips to help make sure we maintain good oral health into the new year:

Don’t forget your dental routine – No matter how busy you get this holiday season, don’t forget to practice good oral hygiene.
Eat healthy – Cookies and sweets are nice holiday treats, but instead of reaching for another candy cane, take a cue from the reindeer and fill your plate with vegetables, such as carrots.
Drink healthy – Avoid drinking sodas, sports drinks and juices with lots of sugar. Instead, drink water with fluoride in it to keep your teeth strong and healthy. If you want something bubbly, try carbonated water. If you must drink soda, use a straw to keep most of the acid off your teeth.
Be responsible while drinking alcohol – Aside from all the obvious reasons to be responsible when consuming alcohol, also know that it can affect your teeth. Red wine can stain your teeth and the acid in most alcoholic beverages can also be damaging.
Don’t skip your dental visit – We all know how hectic the holidays are, but whether it is a regular check-up or a visit to deal with an existing issue, it is important to make the time to honor your regular dental visit and not out it off until after the holidays.
Don’t use your teeth as a tool – Avoid using your teeth to tear open packages, tear tape or ribbons, or cracking nuts. These types of cations can lead to chips or breaks.
Stuff your stocking wisely – Sugary treats such as candy canes are a holiday staple, but try to limit the number of sweets in Christmas stockings that can lead to cavities. Use the holidays as an opportunity to replace everyone in the family’s toothbrush by dropping one in each stocking.

By following these simple dental tips, you can avoid being placed on Santa’s naughty list this year.

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

For many people, the holiday season can be a stressful time. Whether you’re experiencing financial difficulties, relationship issues with loved ones, or health problems that interfere with your ability to enjoy the holidays, it’s important to have effective ways to manage these causes of stress to prevent them from disrupting your holiday season. Some steps you may consider taking include:

Setting reasonable expectations for yourself: Circumstances such as cost or availability may sometimes make it difficult to accomplish certain things during the holiday season, such as getting an expensive gift for someone or hosting a big family dinner. To avoid stress, don’t over-extend yourself; instead, recognize what you can reasonably accomplish with the time and resources you have. Set realistic expectations for any gift-giving, hosting, or other responsibilities you have for the holidays.

Learning to de-escalate (or avoid) conflicts: Some holiday gatherings may bring family members together who don’t get along well. Conflict at these gatherings can create negative experiences for everyone involved, so it’s helpful to consider ways in which you can de-escalate them. If you’re hosting, try to steer the conversation into a more friendly direction; if the conflict escalates, remove the involved members from the gathering. Alternatively, it can also help to remove yourself from the situation, particularly if you’re one of the people directly involved in the conflict.

Keeping up with therapy: If you regularly attend therapy sessions for your mental health, try to maintain this schedule during the holiday season. While this part of the year can become extremely busy for many people, therapy can be an important outlet for stress, as well as a tool to help you learn coping mechanisms throughout the holidays.

If you need a psychiatrist to help you manage mental health problems, such as severe stress, that worsen during the holiday season, you can schedule a therapy appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry by calling (718) 206-5575.

A Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe – Sauteed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Thanksgiving dinner can be accompanied by healthy side dishes this year. Here is a recipe from Good Housekeeping for sauteed spinach with garlic and lemon that is easy to prepare, delicious and most importantly, very healthy. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a34349776/glazed-green-beans-recipe/

The Great American Smokeout

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Today is the Great American Smokeout, an annual event when the American Cancer Society encourages everyone to quit smoking. This event helps to make people aware of the dangers of using tobacco products as well as the tools that are available to help them quit smoking.

The Great American Smokeout started in 1970 in a small town in Massachusetts. People were asked to give up smoking for one day and to take the money that they would have spent on cigarettes and donate it to a local high school scholarship fund. The event spread to other cities both large and small and eventually led to legislation that bans smoking in workplaces, restaurants, and other public spaces both indoors and outdoors.

Smoking is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States today. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Smoking is also the cause of cancer of the larynx, mouth, sinuses, throat, esophagus, and the bladder. The number of people who smoke has dramatically decreased in the United States since the anti-smoking campaigns began. In 1965 it was estimated that over 40 percent of the population were smokers and today that number is around 18 percent.

Smokers have the best chances of quitting if they use at least two of the following methods:

Smoking Cessation Groups
• Nicotine substitute products
• Support from family and friends
• Telephone quit lines
• Counseling
• Prescription medications that help to reduce the urge to smoke

If you would like more information about quitting smoking please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital to discuss smoking cessation, please call 718-206-8494.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, affects approximately 15 million Americans. It is characterized by an intense fear of being rejected or thought of negatively in a social situation. It can cause extreme anxiety, feeling self-conscious and a sense of being embarrassed in daily social interactions.

Social anxiety most commonly starts in the teenage years and continues into adulthood. Less than five percent of people who experience social anxiety seek treatment within the first year after onset, and over a third of the people with this condition seek treatment after 10 years of experiencing it.

Some signs and symptoms of social anxiety include:

Fear of interacting with strangers
Avoidance of speaking in public
Anxiety of being in unfamiliar places
Blushing
Dizziness
Trembling
Upset stomach
Avoidance of eye contact
Avoidance of school
Inability to us a public restroom
Inability to eat in public

Some of the factors that can cause social anxiety include:

Having family members with this disorder
Having had negative experiences such as childhood abuse, bullying, or public humiliation
Being shy or timid
Meeting new people
Having a physical appearance that draws unwanted attention

Social anxiety, if not identified and treated early, can lead to low self-esteem, substance abuse, depression, a lack of social skills, isolation from others, and even thoughts of suicide.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has social anxiety disorder, it is suggested that speaking with a physician or a therapist can be helpful. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The month of November has been designated Diabetes Awareness Month by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the United States which is ten percent of the total population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 1 in 3 adults in the United States has prediabetes. This is the equivalent of 88 million people who are at risk of developing type II diabetes during their lifetime. The ADA states that 1 in 5 people in the United States who has diabetes isn’t aware that they even have it.

There is no cure for diabetes but there are many ways for people who have been diagnosed with the disease to live long, healthy lives if it is controlled properly. Learning to live with diabetes is one of the most important components for managing the disease. Proper nutrition, regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar daily and taking medication to control diabetes are some of the ways complications can be prevented.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many complications. It is the leading cause of blindness, non-traumatic amputations, kidney disease and also increases the risk for heart attacks.

It is also important to have regular medical exams to manage diabetes successfully. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center please call 718-670-5486.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Bad Cold, Bronchitis, and Pneumonia

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

That dreaded time of year is here, it is cold season. In the United States, this season starts around September and typically lasts until March or April.

Chances are like many, you may catch a cold. If you do, you may display symptoms that include sneezing, scratchy or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, congestion or a low-grade fever. These symptoms are normal but can worsen when left untreated and may cause serious illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia to develop.

It is important to know when your condition is worsening. There are several signs that can help you to recognize when your common cold has become something more.

Here are some symptoms of bronchitis to look out for:

A cold that persists for two weeks or more
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Coughs that produce thick clear, white, green or yellow mucous or blood
Rapid breathing
Soreness of the chest

Pneumonia can develop after having a serious cold or flu. Symptoms can be mild or severe depending on factors such as age and your state of health. The symptoms of pneumonia can include:

Violent coughing spasms that produce very little mucous
Coughs with bloody or yellow or greenish mucous
Fever
Sharp or stabbing chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Clammy skin or excessive sweating
Chills
Muscle aches

If your cold persists longer than two weeks and you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important that you contact your doctor as soon as possible. In severe cases, pneumonia can be life threatening.

To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Jia Llon Yee

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center would like to introduce one of the newest members of our clinical team, Dr. Jia Llon Yee to our community.

Dr. Yee went to medical school at SUNY Downstate. He completed his residency at Temple University and returned to complete his fellowship at SUNY Downstate.

Dr.Yee joins Jamaica Hospital and the MediSys Health Network as a hematologist/oncologist for our rapidly expanding cancer care program.

“I’m very excited to be the newest member of the MediSys Health Network’s cancer care team. We are serving a community that faces many obstacles when accessing quality healthcare. Helping provide these services to a community that needs them brings me great pride and joy, ” shared Dr. Yee.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Dr. Yee was thrilled at the opportunity to practice at Jamaica Hospital. He explained, “I feel as if I am returning home. This is a great opportunity to reconnect to my roots.”

Dr. Yee added, “When I decided to pursue a career in medicine, I knew that I wanted to help those with cancer because I believe the relationship between an oncologist and their patients is a very special one. There are great advances in cancer care taking place and I look forward to utilizing them to help our patients and community.”

Dr.Yee treats a wide range of cancers ranging from head and neck, lung, gynecological, and those affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Dr. Yee treats patients every Tuesday through Friday in Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center.

For more information about Dr Yee or to make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.