Reading or Prescription Eyeglasses

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Joann Ariola

If your vision is blurred or you are having issues with your sight, an eye doctor will conduct a regular exam, assessing your overall eye health. At the end of the exam, it may be suggested that you are in need of glasses. If you do not have a serious eye condition, the doctor may suggest magnifiers or over the counter (OTC) “readers.”

When making the decision to get glasses, many people wonder if there is difference between prescription lenses and OTC glasses. The answer is, yes.

Some differences between OTC and prescription glasses are:

Over the counter (OTC) readers are best used for age-related presbyopia. Presbyopia is an age-related issue where your eyes become less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects.
OTC readers have the same prescription in each lens. Having the same eyesight in both eyes is extremely rare. Therefore, your vision will not be properly corrected and you may still experience difficulty focusing even when wearing OTC readers.
Prescriptions glasses offer more options and benefits, such as quality in materials, accurate vision correction, lens clarity, as well as scratch and glare resistance. Additionally, unlike OTC readers, prescription glasses can help with astigmatism, myopia or glaucoma.

If you are having difficulty with your vision, you should schedule an appointment to have your eyes examined. To schedule an appointment with the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center 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.

Summer Migraines

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

For many people who are prone to migraine headaches, summer can be the season when they are most affected. This doesn’t mean having to stay indoors to avoid symptoms, but instead learning the causes of migraines and taking precautions they should be taking to prevent them.

Migraine headaches are caused by changes in the brain that are brought on by several factors which include stress, hormonal changes, lack of sleep and food allergies. Factors that occur most commonly in summer include:

Changes in the weather
Sensitivity to bright light
Excessive heat and humidity
Changes in barometric pressure
Dehydration

In order to help prevent some of the causes of summer migraines, one can follow these helpful tips:

Make sure that you are drinking water adequately and frequently
Avoid beverages containing caffeine and alcohol
Wear a hat to keep the sun’s strong rays from your head and eyes
Protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses
Minimize the amount of time spent outdoors during the hottest part of the day
Do your errands during the cooler times of the day, if this is not possible, try to take breaks when you can and move into a cooler place.

People who experience frequent summer migraines don’t have to spend the summer indoors. If they take adequate precautions, they too can enjoy their time outdoors.

Speak to your physician if you experience frequent migraines at any time of the year and would like recommendations on how to manage them. To make an appointment to see a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Signs of Poor Circulation You Should Not Ignore

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

The circulatory system consists of our heart, lungs and blood vessels; all of which are responsible for transporting blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout our bodies.

When our circulatory system is not functioning well, and blood flow has decreased, we may experience symptoms that include:

Muscle cramps
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
Cold hands and feet
Problems getting or keeping an erection
Memory loss or difficulty concentrating
Slow healing of wounds
Varicose veins
Fatigue
Edema (the accumulation of fluid in certain parts of the body)

The symptoms of poor circulation should not be ignored as they are sometimes indicative of serious health problems such as:

Diabetes
Blood clots
Atherosclerosis
Peripheral artery disease
Hypertension

Ignoring symptoms and delaying care can be detrimental to your health. If you are experiencing symptoms that are associated with poor circulation, notify your healthcare provider immediately. Your doctor can conduct a physical examination or order tests to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Psoriasis

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that is characterized by raised, red scaly patches. It is often found on the scalp, knees and elbows, but can show up on other parts of the body as well of people who have the disease. The exact cause is not known but there is a correlation between genetics and also the body’s immune system. Psoriasis is a condition where the skin cells multiply at a faster rate than normal cells. This causes a buildup up skin lesions and the area of the body also feels warmer because it contains more blood vessels.

Psoriasis is not contagious so it does not get passed by coming in to contact with a person who has it. It is a condition that affects men and women equally and it can develop at any age, most commonly between the ages of 15 and 35.

Common signs of psoriasis include:

red patches of skin with thick silvery scales
cracked and dry skin that may bleed
stiff joints that may be swollen
itching, burning and soreness
nails that are pitted, thick and ridged

There are certain risk factors for developing psoriasis. This includes stress, smoking, obesity, alcoholism, skin infections, a vitamin D deficiency, and a family history. Psoriasis is diagnosed by examining the skin and making a diagnosis. A dermatologist will be able to determine if it is psoriasis by the amount of thickness and redness it has. There are different types of psoriasis and they are classified by how they show up on the skin.

There are three ways that treatment for psoriasis can be approached. They can be used by themselves or together, depending on the severity. Topical creams and ointments that contain corticosteroids are usually the most commonly prescribed medications for mild to moderate conditions. Light therapy that is either natural or artificial ultraviolet light can be used and it is directed at the area of the body that is affected. In severe cases, medications that are either injected or taken orally may be required. There are also alternative treatments that are being used and this includes Aloe vera which comes from a plant and omega-3 fatty acids that comes from fish oils.

Depending on the severity of the disease, it may have an impact on a person’s quality of life. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital for any type of skin condition, please call 718-206-7001.

Tips For The Hurricane Season

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

While we typically associate the summer with delightful temperatures, this time of year can also bring dangerous weather conditions, namely hurricanes.

With a long history of providing relief to places previously devastated by hurricanes, including sending personnel to assist the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Maria, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is experienced and knowledgeable about how to properly prepare for such an event. Our hospital would like to share the following safety tips with our community:

In case of a need to evacuate, know where the nearest evacuation route is located
Keep a supply of non-perishable food that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking
In an easy to locate area of your home keep flashlights, extra batteries, extra cash, a first aid kit, basic tools, charged cell phones and chargers, and a battery operated radio
Make sure you have a seven day supply of prescription medications
Have a three day supply of drinking water, one gallon per day per person.
Fill a bathtub with water to use to flush toilets
Make sure that all of your important documents are kept in a place that is high above ground level. Always keep a copy of these documents with you if there is a need to evacuate
Give everyone in your household a list of people they should contact in case of an emergency
Have a plan to protect your pets and have extra food for them
Prepare to put outdoor furniture away or at least firmly secured

By being prepared and following these tips, you can help keep your home and your loved ones safe from disaster.

For more information, please visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes and www.fema.gov

FAQ’S ABOUT INSULIN

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Insulin is a proven treatment to control blood glucose levels for people living with type 2 diabetes.

Below is some frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) regarding insulin:

Q. What is insulin?

A. Insulin is hormone that would typically be produced by the pancreas.

Q. Why would I need to take insulin?

A. When blood glucose levels can no longer be controlled by diet, exercise or oral medication, your doctor may prescribe insulin as a prescription to lower your blood sugar levels.

Q. Why is it important to keep my glucose levels as close to normal limits as possible?

A. High blood sugar levels can obstruct organ function which can lead to kidney failure, heart disease and may eventually cause blindness.

Q. Does insulin have any side effects?

A. One of the more common side effects of insulin is low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. This condition happens when too much insulin is taken causing you to experience anxiety, sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion and lack of coordination. Hypoglycemia is remedied by eating or drinking a substance that contains sugar.

Q. How is insulin administered?

A. Insulin should be injected into the body’s fatty tissue. Be sure to rotate the injection sites since continual use in the same spot

Q. How long will I have to take insulin?

A. If you have type 2 diabetes, caused by a condition such as pregnancy, you may have to take insulin for a short period of time. If your type 2 diabetes is caused by your pancreas not making enough insulin, you may need to take insulin more regularly in order to remain healthy.

I hope you have found these questions and answers helpful and informative.

If you have additional questions or concerns regarding your blood sugar levels, diabetes or nutrition, please call the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

Keeping Kids Busy During These Challenging Times

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

During these last few months, with schools closed and social distancing rules in place, it has proven to be very challenging to keep children occupied.

Here are some suggestions that you may find helpful for keeping children occupied based on their age.

Younger children:

Go on scavenger hunts around your neighborhood
Put painters tape on the floor and make a maze for toy trucks to follow
Take a whiteboard or pieces of paper and let your child write a story
Make hand puppets with socks and tell stories
Plant seeds in paper cups and watch them grow
Build a fort with a sheet

Older children :

Go on virtual tours of interesting places around the world.
Bake cookies
Use the internet to learn new skills or to learn how to play an instrument
Write letters to people in nursing homes
Play board games

While trying new and innovative ways to occupy their time can be difficult at times, there are many benefits. These activities can stimulate them mentally and physically and help them to avoid boredom and depression. There are also many resources on the internet that will help you to find activities that suit everyone’s interests.

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Swim Safety Tips

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Joann Ariola

The weather is warming up and people will be looking for ways to keep cool. One way that has always been popular during the warm summer months is swimming in a pool. Every year there are countless accidents and also fatalities at or near swimming pools. Many of which could have been avoided had precautions been taken.

Safety Tips to follow:
• Never leave children unattended near a pool
• Only swim when there is a lifeguard present
• Every pool should have proper drain covers
• Pools should have alarms and proper fencing
• Keep the pool clean
• There should be no diving allowed in pools that are shallow
• Never swim alone
• There should be no horseplay in or near a pool
• Do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Do not swim in a thunderstorm
• It is a good idea to give children swimming lessons before the start of the summer
• Children who don’t know how to swim should be given flotation devices to wear

There are many organizations around the country that offer swimming lessons for children and adults of all ages. If you don’t know how to swim, look into getting some lessons before heading out to the pool. You will have a good time and you will also be a lot safer this summer.

The Importance of Getting a Bone Density Screening

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

A bone density test is a type of x-ray that measures the concentration of calcium and other minerals in the bones. This test is most commonly performed to evaluate a patient for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to lose density and become easy to break or fracture.

Some people are more at risk for developing osteoporosis than others. Risk factors include:

Age – Older people tend to have a greater incidence of osteoporosis
Race – Caucasians and Asians are typically more prone to bone density issues
Gender – Women experience bone loss more frequently than men
Dietary factors – People who have a low intake of calcium are at greater risk
Medications – People with a long term use of injectable steroids have bone loss issues
Smoking – People who smoke tend to lose bone mass at a faster rate than non-smokers
Family history – There is a correlation of osteoporosis and hereditary factors

Symptoms of the disease are:

Loss of height over a period of time
Back pain
Bones that break more easily than expected
A stooped posture

For those who are presenting symptoms or have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis, a doctor may recommend testing to assess the density of their bones.

Bone density screenings are non-invasive, painless, and use low amounts of x-rays. The results of the test will indicate whether or not you need to take medication that will help to maintain your bone density or make changes in your lifestyle and diet to prevent bone loss.

If you would like to schedule a bone density screening at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, ask your physician for a referral to have it performed. You can schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital by calling 718-206-7001.

Tips To Prevent Summer Dehydration

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

As summer temperatures heat up, our bodies may sweat more, and exposure to the dangers of the sun can increase. These factors can lead to dehydration, and put some at risk for developing serious health complications such as kidney stones, seizures, or heat stroke.

One of the best ways to avoid dehydration is drinking enough water.

In addition to drinking your daily recommended amount of water, there are a few tips you can follow to prevent dehydration. These include:

Staying out of the sun as much as possible, especially during peak hours of sunlight (typically, between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
Eating fruits and vegetables with a high concentration of water such as celery, cucumbers, and watermelon
Drinking liquids before you begin to feel thirsty
Avoiding or minimizing drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea
Avoiding or minimizing alcohol consumption

Dehydration should not be taken lightly, because not only is your body losing water, it is also losing electrolytes and minerals that help organs to function well. Therefore, it is important that you stay hydrated during the summer and avoid complications to your health.