Shining Our Spotlight on the Jamaica MediSys Family Care Center

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our spotlight on the MediSys Family Care Center located at 149-18 Jamaica Avenue. This site was originally located on Sutphin Boulevard and moved to the current location in 2015. The site is 3,600 square feet and has 11 modern exam rooms. The services offered are internal medicine, podiatry and pediatrics. Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM and Friday and Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. The center is easily accessible by public transportation (Buses Q6, 8, 9, 40, 60, 112 and the J, E, Z trains). This office sees 15,000 patient visits a year.

There are currently 17 staff members who work at this location. Many of them have been here for over 15 years. Dr. Piyali Sen began at the original location on Sutphin Boulevard 21 years ago and moved into the new location in 2015. She tells us “ I feel like I helped to build this medical office into what it is today. The patients and the staff are like family to me”. Debra Hariraj a Patient Care Representative started at the original office in Jamaica 17 years ago. She tells us that she enjoys working at this medical office because “ there is great satisfaction taking care of the patients who come in to be treated and giving them the care that they need”.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of the providers at this office, please call 718-523-5500.

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.

National Home Care and Hospice Month

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Association of Home Care and Hospice, during the month of November, the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC) is joining with the National Association of Home Care and Hospice to promote raising awareness about hospice and home care professionals.

When you are faced with the decision of choosing whether home 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.

Home care and hospice focus 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.

Since most Americans would like to age in place, home care professionals provide a much needed service that provides comfort and high quality healthcare to home bound patients who have chronic illnesses.

When home care is not an option, hospice care may be the choice for your loved one. Keep in mind, hospice care is only offered when the patient has progressed 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.

It is important to know that choosing home care or hospice care the focus should be about providing comfort, control, dignity and quality of life and not about giving up. If you, or a loved one should need information on home care or hospice care, please call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-6914 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation, or to just talk, call 718-206-6914.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The month of November has been designated American 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 Jamaica Hospital Medical Center please call 718-206-7001.

Health Benefits of Pumpkins and a Recipe to Enjoy

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Did you know that pumpkins are not only tasty, they are quite healthy?

Some health benefits of pumpkins are:

They are highly rich in Vitamin A
They contain antioxidants and immune boosters that may reduce your risk of chronic illnesses
They are high in nutrients and low in calories
They contain compounds that promote healthy skin.

Now that you know about some of the health benefits of pumpkin, why not try this tasty gluten free, vegan Creamy Pumpkin Soup recipe. It’s healthy, easy to prepare and delicious.

Serves: 3

Prep time – 5 minutes

Cook time – 25 minutes

Total time – 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ onion, diced
½ pumpkin, peeled and cubed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, diced
4-5 cups vegetable broth
½-1 cup coconut milk

Instructions

Heat oil in pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for a few minutes until translucent. Add pumpkin and garlic and continue to cook for a few more minutes.
Add rosemary and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until pumpkin is soft and cooked through. Add salt to taste.
Puree soup in a blender (in batches) and return to the pot.
Add coconut milk and simmer for another minute or two.

Give this recipe a try. It is simply delicious and healthy too.

ACL Tears

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Abraham Perl, M.D.

With school in full swing and more children participating in team sports, it is important to talk about injuries that can happen during physical activity. Some of these injuries involve damage to ligaments, which are pieces of connective tissue that connect two bones together.

The anterior cruciate ligament, known as the ACL, is the most injured knee ligament with approximately 100,000 – 200,000 ACL tears occurring each year in the United States.

ACL injuries happen most during sudden, cutting or pivoting movements which are common in sports such as soccer, basketball, and football.

Although anyone can injure their ACL, there are several factors that can place an individual at a greater risk. Risk factors include:

Participating in the aforementioned sports, as well as lacrosse, skiing, tennis and gymnastics
A previously torn ACL
Being female (Females are more likely to get injured than males due to differences in anatomy)
Poor conditioning
Wearing poor fitting footwear

Most patients who experience an ACL tear report hearing a pop at the time of injury. Other symptoms can include severe pain or tenderness, swelling and knee instability with walking or a loss of range of motion (Squatting and walking downstairs are particularly difficult movements after obtaining an ACL tear).

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms following an injury to the knee, it is important that you see a doctor immediately.

When you arrive at your doctor, they will ask you for details about how the injury occurred. They will then examine the injured knee by comparing it to the uninjured knee. During the exam, your doctor may perform tests such as the Lachman and Anterior Drawer test to help determine if the ACL was damaged. Several imaging studies such as an x-ray may be ordered to see if there are associated fractures of the surrounding bones. An MRI may also be required to assess damage to soft tissue and check the extent of the ACL tear.

As with many injuries, acute management begins with RICE therapy which stands for rest, ice compression, elevation. If the knee appears unstable, crutches may be provided. A specially fitted brace may be another option to help stabilize the knee. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen can help control the pain. Further treatment options may include physical therapy or surgery.

ACL tears can be prevented by performing stretching and strengthening exercises that focus on the lower body and core, warming up before playing sports, as well as participating in year-round training and conditioning.

If you suspect that you or your loved ones may have injured your ACL or have incurred any other type of injury, our physicians at the Family Medicine Clinic would be happy to evaluate you and discuss a treatment plan based on your goals.

To schedule an appointment with one of our incredible physicians please call our office at (718) 657 -7093.

Tremors

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

A tremor is defined as the unintentional or uncontrollable movement of a part of the body.

Tremors are sometimes the result of movement disorders, neurological conditions, or other health problems.

There are two types of tremors: resting and action. Resting tremors mostly affect the hands or fingers. They occur when a person is sitting still and tend to go away once an individual begins to move around. Action tremors occur when there is movement of the affected part of the body.

In addition to type, tremors can be further categorized by their appearance and cause. These categories include:

Essential tremor- results from a neurological disorder that causes the hands or other parts of the body to shake involuntarily and rhythmically. Shaking typically tends to worsen during movement than when at rest.
Dystonic tremor- occurs in individuals with dystonia, a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Dystonia causes repetitive or twisting movements.
Parkinsonian tremor- is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Tremors occur mostly at rest. Involuntary and rhythmic tremors often start in one side of the body and eventually progress to both sides.
Cerebellar tremor- is caused by lesions or damage to the cerebellum from a tumor, stroke, or diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Cerebellar tremors can also be caused by inherited degenerative disorders such as ataxia as well damage to the cerebellum resulting from chronic alcoholism.
Orthostatic tremor- is a movement disorder characterized by a rapid tremor in the legs that occur when standing.
Psychogenic tremor- is the most common psychogenic movement disorder. It occurs often in patients who have conversion disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Conversion disorder is a disorder in which a person experiences blindness, paralysis, or other symptoms affecting the nervous system that cannot be explained solely by a physical illness or injury. Symptoms usually begin suddenly after a period of emotional or physical distress or psychological conflict.” Many patients with psychogenic tremors have underlying psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.
Physiologic tremor- is barely visible to the naked eye and is typically reversible once the cause is corrected. It can become more pronounced when there is a reaction to certain drugs, alcohol withdrawal or medical conditions such as hypoglycemia or hyperthyroidism. These tremors may also present during periods of muscular fatigue, anxiety, or emotional stress.

Tremors can be diagnosed during a physical examination. Your doctor may order urine, blood or neurological tests to check for underlying medical conditions.

Tremors are treated based on the underlying cause and may include physical therapy, psychotherapy Botox injections, medications or surgery.

MediSys Family Care Center in Howard Beach

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we would like to shine our spotlight on the MediSys Family Care Center in Howard Beach.

This center moved into its current location at 156-10 Crossbay Blvd in 2011, after having been one block south on Crossbay Boulevard since 1995. This site currently offers seven state-of-the-art exam rooms and is staffed by 13 employees.

The MediSys Family Care Center in Howard Beach offers a wide range of services including:

Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Podiatry
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Neurology

The staff shares with us why they enjoy working at MediSys Howard Beach. Dr. Lawrence Marino enjoys working at this office and tells us “I have been privileged to be part of this community for the past 30 years and ever more privileged to work with such a dedicated team”. Nilsa Valentine a Patient Access Representative in this practice says, “I have been working for the past 21 years in MediSys Howard Beach. The patients have become more than just an appointment. We treat them like family which makes for a great relationship. My team in this office has given me the care and support that I appreciate so very much”. Keven Ogando, an Ambulatory Care Representative at this office states that, “throughout my year of working here I enjoyed how kind and helpful my coworkers have been”.

The current hours of operation are:

Monday – Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday and Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Free parking is available in the rear of the building. The site is also accessible by public transportation using the Q41, Q52, and Q53 buses.

To schedule an appointment at Medisys Family Care Center in Howard Beach please call 718-323-3589.

Causes of Watery Eyes

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Joann Ariola

There are a number of ailments that can cause your eyes to be watery. The three most common causes are a cold, allergies and Dry Eye Syndrome. The most common medical cause being, Dry Eye Syndrome.

According to healthline.com some other causes of watery eye could be:

weather conditions such as dusty weather, wind, cold, and sunshine
environmental factors such as bright light and smog
inflammation of the eyelid
eyelid turned outward or inward
ingrown eyelash
pink eye or other infections
injury, such as a cut or scrape on the eye
some prescription medications

(to see the entire list of common causes, visit healthline.com)

According to the American Optometric Association, some symptoms affiliated with watery eyes or Dry Eye Syndrome are:

Gritty, irritated, scratchy or burning eyes
The feeling of something in the eyes
Excess watering
Blurred vision

Watery eyes can develop for a number of reasons including medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease, aging, your gender or certain medications you are taking that can reduce tear production.

In mild cases, symptoms can often me managed using over the counter artificial tear solutions.

In either case, if symptoms persist you should seek medical attention. If you are experiencing prolonged symptoms and would like to make an appointment to see one of our doctors, please call the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

The Importance of Sleep in Children

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of children (4 months- 17 years) living in the United States, get less sleep than what is recommended for their ages.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends:

• Infants 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours

• Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours

• Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours

• Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours

• Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours

A lack of sleep can affect children in several ways. Children who do not receive adequate sleep are at a higher risk for developing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and obesity. Sleep deprivation can also contribute to the development of behavioral or academic problems.

There are several ways parents can help children achieve a good night’s sleep. This includes:

Turning off devices at least an hour before bedtime
Ensuring beds are comfortable
Creating a consistent bedtime routine (changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, etc.)
Establishing and keeping a consistent sleep schedule (This includes weekends and vacations)
Keeping children from going to bed hungry or too full
Avoiding scary movies, books or television shows before bed
Helping to alleviate bedtime fears or anxieties by talking about them and providing comfort

It is important that children receive adequate sleep as it is beneficial for their overall health and development. If your child is consistently having problems falling or staying asleep despite practicing healthy sleep hygiene, you should consult a doctor.

To schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5916.

Can you get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine ?

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

According to information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the answer is yes. The CDC tells us that you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time.

Even though both vaccines can be given at the same visit, people should follow the recommended schedule for either vaccine: If you haven’t gotten your currently recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and ideally get a flu vaccine by the end of October.

While limited data exist on giving COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, including flu vaccines, experience with giving other vaccines together has shown the way our bodies develop protection and possible side effects are generally similar whether vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines.

If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, you should speak with a health care provider.

For further information regarding the Covid vaccine you can visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html