Understanding Virus Mutation

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

A virus is a submicroscopic parasite that is made up of genetic code: RNA or DNA, surrounded by a protective protein coat known as a capsid.

A virus’ purpose is to create more copies of itself and spread to hosts. However, viruses lack the ability to thrive and reproduce outside of a host body. In other words, “A virus cannot replicate alone. Viruses must infect cells and use components of the host cell to make copies of themselves. Often, they kill the host cell in the process, and cause damage to the host organism,” according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.

When a virus replicates, its genes may undergo copying errors or genetic mutations. This is a natural and normal occurrence and is especially true of viruses that contain RNA such as the coronavirus.

Over time, alterations to the virus’ surface proteins or antigens can occur through mutation. This leads to the formation of new variants of a virus strain.

It has been reported that multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are circulating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Information about the characteristics of these variants is rapidly emerging. Scientists are working to learn more about how easily they spread, whether they could cause more severe illness, and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against them.”

The CDC is closely monitoring these variants of concern and advises people to continue to protect themselves from COVID-19 by practicing good hand hygiene, wearing a mask, social distancing and getting vaccinated.

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 Poison Prevention Week

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The National Poison Prevention Week was established by the U.S. Congress in 1961 to bring public attention to the dangers of poisoning and how to prevent it.

Each year, more than 2 million poisonings are reported to the nation’s poison control centers. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that 93 percent of poisonings occur in the home, 45 percent involve children under the age of six and the majority of fatal poisonings occur in older adults.

There are several ways that some poisonings can be prevented. These include keeping all chemicals out of reach from children, reading dosages and labels on all medications, and knowing how certain medications react when taken together. Here are a few basic steps to take if a poisoning takes place:

For inhaled poison get the person fresh air immediately

For skin poison take off the person’s clothes and rinse skin with fresh water for 15 – 20 minutes

For poison in the eyes, rinse the eyes out with fresh water for 15 – 20 minutes

For an overdose of medicine, call 9-1-1 immediately

In all cases of poisoning, contact the local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Treatment advice will depend on the type of poison, the person’s age, and medical history.

Easy Corned Beef And Cabbage Recipe

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Corned beef and cabbage is a dish enjoyed by many, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. Since today is St. Patrick’s Day, we thought we’d share an easy corned beef and cabbage recipe from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/corned-beef-and-cabbage-recipe.html

Enjoy!

World Kidney Day

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Today is recognized as World Kidney Day. This year the slogan is “Living Well with Kidney Disease” because the aim is to educate people who are affected to manage it successfully.

The kidneys are two, fist-sized organs in your lower back. They maintain overall health by serving following functions:

Filtering waste out of 200 liters of blood each day
Regulating of the body’s salt, potassium and acid content
Removing toxins from the body.
Balancing the body’s fluids
Releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure
Producing an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
Controlling the production of red blood cells

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control, some quick facts on Kidney Disease are:

Kidney disease is the 9^th leading cause of death in the country.
More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.
There are over 95,000 people waiting for kidney transplants.
Currently, more than 590,000 people have kidney failure in the U.S. today.

Often times, kidney failure can be prevented or delayed through early detection and proper treatment of underlying disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can slow additional damage to the kidneys.

If you are 18 years or older with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or a family history of kidney disease, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask that you be screened for kidney disease.

If you would like to make an appointment to have your Kidney’s checked, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

#WorkoutWednesday Exercises That Work The Entire Body

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Joann Ariola

It is recommended by the U.S. Department of Health that adults get 75 to 150 minutes of exercise each week; however, many do not have the luxury of time to work out frequently and some are confined to the office for eight hours or more each day. Despite the limitations of a busy schedule, there are ways to fit a full body exercise regimen into your daily routine.

Some examples of full body exercises are:

Push-ups
Squats
Burpees
Lunges

Exercise is essential to your health. Although your schedule may be hectic, try to find the time for a few minutes of physical activity into your daily routine.

If you would like to learn more about the how to safely implement the techniques listed above, visit https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324895#lunges

COVID-19 Myth or Fact

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

A very common myth is that Covid-19 affects older people more severely than younger people. The fact is that while older people tend to have more risk factors, people of any age can and do get the virus. A younger person may have a more robust immune system but it will not prevent them from getting the virus. Younger people can be affected just as severely as an older adult.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, you may do so by calling 718-206-7001.

#WorkoutWednesday – Low Intensity Running

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Joann Ariola

It is no secret that exercise does wonders for your health. Running, in particular, offers many benefits, and is known to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, it was found that” five to 10 minutes a day of low-intensity running is enough to extend life by several years.” Similar studies have also indicated that running can help reduce the risks associated with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and some cancers.

Given the benefits, your doctor may recommend that you include running as part of your exercise regimen. If you decide to run, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to prevent injury and optimize your workout. Here are some running dos and don’ts:

The Do’s:

Keep your head up -This will keep your body in alignment and prevent injuries
Stretch and warm up-This reduces muscle tightness and increases your range of motion
Start slowly -Starting off too fast can lead to overexertion which may result in side aches
Schedule rest days –Allow your body days to recover and reduce the risk of exhaustion
Remain hydrated- Drinking enough water will prevent dehydration

The Don’ts:

Do not run in shoes that are worn or not intended for running- Shoes that are worn or not designed for running may lack support and lead to injuries
If running outdoors, do not run with headphones – It is important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid hazards
Do not eat big meals before running-Eating too much can slow you down
Do not ignore injuries- It is important that you rest if you are injured, not doing so can lead to complications

The most important thing to consider before starting your running routine is to speak with your doctor. Experts recommend that you receive a full medical checkup if you are over the age of 40, have preexisting medical conditions, are obese or have a family history of heart disease. Your doctor will be able to assess your health and determine if running is best for you.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Karen Codd

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Karen Codd, Community Wellness Coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry.

Karen has been working at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center since 2015, first as a creative arts therapy extern and then for the past four years and eight months as a full-time creative arts therapist.

Karen is a native of Somerville, New Jersey, where she attended elementary through high school. She then graduated from The College of St. Rose where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Sculpture and minoring in Art History and Photography. She later received a Master of Professional Studies degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from the Pratt Institute and is now part of their Graduate Art Therapy faculty. Karen is currently working towards a Doctorate of Art Therapy from Mount Mary University.

Karen has been living in Brooklyn for almost 16 years and shares her home with two cats, Vicky and Trish. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, playing music, visiting museums and spending time with friends. Travelling the world is also one of her passions; her favorite places visited so far are Chile, Turkey, and India. She likes eating a variety of cuisines from different parts of the globe; however, Asian dishes are her favorite.

According to Karen, being of service to others is her true calling. She is grateful to have the support of her department’s administration which allows her to pursue her passions and research interests. Working at Jamaica Hospital has allowed her to utilize her knowledge of the arts and its therapeutic benefits to help mental health patients during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Ayshea Beswick-Bailey Shares Her “Jamaica Journey”

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Thousands of people work at Jamaica Hospital and each has their own unique story to tell about their career path. The following is one of them.

Ayshea Beswick-Bailey RN, MSN, PMHNP; Clinical Nurse Manager for Psych-3, began her career journey at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center 17 years ago.

Driven by a strong desire to care for others, Ayshea pursued a career in nursing “I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. As a child I enjoyed helping people and was intrigued by anything related to medicine,” she shared.

In 2003, she joined Jamaica Hospital as a Licensed Practical Nurse on 3-North. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lehman College, Ayshea honed her clinical expertise by working in various areas of the hospital as a Float Team RN. Her next career stop was the E.R., where she worked for almost 10 years. For Ayshea, working in the E.R. was one of her best experiences. She said there is no limit to what you can learn there.

Ayshea used the knowledge and experience she gained in the E.R. to transition to the Psychiatry department. While working as a Staff Nurse, Ayshea completed the Master of Science program at Hunter College and received her degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Throughout her journey at Jamaica Hospital, Ayshea has become known by many for her strong work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond. In fact, she was nominated for a G.E.M award which is given to employees who go the extra mile to help patients and colleagues.

In addition to her commitment to providing excellent care to patients, Ayshea credits her professional growth to the support of her mentors and colleagues. “My first mentor at Jamaica hospital was Linda Hayes, the Assistant Director of Nursing Administration. She always pushed me and believed in me,” she stated. “I am also very grateful that other leaders such as Marge Lilienthal, Liz Garcia, Dr. Daniel Chen, Dr. Martha Edelman and Dr. Meri Nisimova gave me a chance.”

When asked about her overall experience of working at Jamaica Hospital, Ayshea replied, “I know this may sound cliché, but it is the truth, working at Jamaica Hospital has truly been like working with family. My colleagues have been there during the difficult and best times in my life, including my dad’s cancer diagnosis and recovery, as well as the birth of my kids, two of which I had at this hospital.”

Should You Get a Flu Vaccine During the Pandemic?

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Many people have asked whether or not they should get the flu shot during this year’s pandemic. According to medical experts, the answer is yes. There are a few very good reasons why getting a flu shot is the correct approach to protecting yourself. These include:

Getting influenza can weaken the body’s defenses and make it more susceptible to other illnesses, including Covid-19.

Since many of the symptoms of influenza and Covid-19 are similar, helping the body to fight off influenza can potentially make Covid-19 less severe.

Wearing a mask and social distancing have the potential to lessen our risk of contracting influenza as well as Covid-19, however these measures aren’t foolproof. A vaccine that will help lower the risk of getting seriously ill offers an added layer of protection..

Getting a flu vaccine during the pandemic may also help to prevent the spread of influenza to others.

It is possible to have the flu and Covid-19 at the same time; however, getting vaccinated can help lessen the severity of certain complications.

If you have any questions about getting one or both of these vaccines, consult with your physician to see if it is appropriate in your individual case. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001