Getting Help for Mental Health Issues is Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Mental illness affects millions of Americans, yet not surprisingly, many of those who need help do not receive it. There are many reasons why – it could be due to limited availability of services, or a strong distrust of others, or those who are mentally ill might have such a sense of hopelessness that they do not seek care.

While all of these are factors as to why someone doesn’t seek support, perhaps the biggest single reason is a sense of fear and shame associated with admitting help is needed. This sense of shame is very common and it is only reinforced by society, which has attached stigmas to mental illness. The beliefs the public has about mental illness leads those who need help to avoid it so they are not labeled as “crazy” and have their condition negatively affect their personal relationships and career goals.

Getting society to overcome the stigmas associated with mental illness is the key to having more individuals come forward, but unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. These stigmas can lead to obvious and direct discrimination, such as someone making a negative remark about mental illness or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding an individual because they assume they could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to mental illness.

Those with mental illness should never be ashamed of their condition and here are some reasons why:

According to the World Health Organization, one out of four people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Shame is pretty much guaranteed to make things worse. Feelings of shame are proven to have detrimental effects on our mental and physical health
Mental illness is no one’s fault. No one asks to have a mental illness and it is definitely not a choice we make.
We’re not ashamed when our bodies get sick, so why should we be ashamed when our minds aren’t in top form.
There is no normal – our minds are complex things and no single brain is the same
Our mental health doesn’t define us. Don’t let your mental illness become who you are, it is just one aspect of you.

It’s time to speak out against the stigmas associated with mental illness and reframe the way we see it. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center advises anyone who feels they need help to get it. Don’t let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief and help you in life.

To make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Outpatient Mental Health Center, please call 718-206-5575

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.

Resting Heart Rate

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

The normal resting heart rate range is from 60 to 100 beats per minute. When a healthy person has a heart rate closer to the lower number, it signifies a heart that pumps blood more efficiently.

A resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute is called bradycardia and a heart rate above 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia. If the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, a person may experience fatigue or being dizzy. A heart rate above 80 beats per minute can indicate circulatory problems and a rate above 90 for an extended period of time can be linked to premature death if not better controlled.

Factors that can affect a resting heart rate include:

Body dimensions
Age
Air temperature
Medications
Body position
Chronic disease ( ex: diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension)
Smoking
Emotions
Stress level

You can measure a person’s heart rate by taking the index and middle finger and placing it either on the side of the neck, top of the foot, inside of the elbow or on the wrist. Count the number of beats you feel in 30 seconds and then double that number to get the number of beats per minute. A resting heart rate should not be taken within an hour of exercising, drinking a caffeinated beverage, or a stressful event. The American Heart Association recommends taking your heart rate upon waking up in the morning and before getting out of bed.

It is recommended that you check your heart rate a few times a week. If you notice any abnormalities schedule an appointment with your physician for a complete check-up. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical center, please call 718-206-7001.

Ruptured Eardrum

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

The tympanic membrane or eardrum is a very important part of our ear. This thin layer of tissue which divides the outer ear canal and middle ear helps to transmit sound vibrations. It also helps to protect the middle ear from foreign objects such as water or bacteria.

A rupture or tear of the eardrum can lead to serious complications such as hearing loss or infections of the middle ear.

There are a number of things that can cause our eardrums to rupture. They include:

Ear infections -When the middle ear is infected, this can result in fluid accumulating behind the eardrum. Pressure from this buildup can cause the tympanic membrane to break.
Barotrauma- This occurs when there is a change in pressure. If the pressure inside the ear is drastically different from that outside the ear, this can lead to perforation. An example of this is when an airplane changes altitude causing air pressure in the cabin to rise or fall.
Direct trauma to the ear or side of the head- These injuries can be sustained from an ear slap or falling on the ear.
Acoustic trauma – A sudden, loud noise or blast such as an explosion can produce sound waves that are powerful enough to cause injury.
Foreign objects- Inserting objects such as a cotton swab or hairpin into the ear canal can puncture the eardrum.

Pain is the most common symptom of an eardrum rupture; however, you may also experience:

Ringing or buzzing in the ear
Dizziness or vertigo
Drainage of pus or fluid from the ear
Hearing loss

It is important that you see a doctor if any of these symptoms occur. An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor can determine if you have a ruptured eardrum by using an otoscope to conduct an inspection. Additional testing can include, audiology exams, a tuning fork evaluation or tympanometry which measures the response of the eardrum to slight changes in air pressure.

According to Jamaica Hospital ENT specialist Dr. Sandra Ho, a ruptured eardrum can usually heal on its own. Depending on the reason for the perforation, painkillers and/or antibiotics may help during the healing process. However, if it does not heal in a few weeks, your ENT may recommend an eardrum patch. This procedure involves a doctor placing a medicated paper patch over the hole. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the perforated eardrum. This procedure is known as a tympanoplasty which involves taking tissue from another part of the body and grafting it onto the hole in the eardrum.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sandra Ho or other ENT specialists at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7110

The Difference Between the Flu and Covid-19

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

Flu season has arrived in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for many it will be difficult to differentiate characteristics of the flu from those of COVID because they are very similar. Both can cause fever, body aches, a dry cough or fatigue.

While there are similarities shared between the two illnesses, there are a few key differences people should be aware of. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19, different from flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell.
If a person has COVID-19, it could take them longer to develop symptoms than if they had flu. Typically, a person with the flu develops symptoms anywhere from 1 to 4 days after infection. Symptoms of COVID usually develop 5 days after being infected, but symptoms can appear as early as 2 days after infection or as late as 14 days after infection, and the time range can vary.
If a person has COVID-19, they may be contagious for a longer period of time than if they had flu. Most people with flu are contagious for about 1 day before they show symptoms.

Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the initial 3-4 days of their illness but many remain contagious for about 7 days. For those with COVID, it is possible that they can spread the virus for about 2 days before experiencing signs or symptoms and remain contagious for at least 10 days after signs or symptoms first appeared.

Protecting your health from the flu and COVID is crucial because symptoms resulting from these viruses can lead to life-threatening complications. This can be achieved by getting a flu shot and following safety precautions such as practicing proper hand hygiene, wearing a mask and sanitizing frequently used surfaces.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with the flu or COVID-19, please consult your doctor about being tested for the coronavirus. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-7001.

This Month We Shine Our Employee Spotlight on Joel Louis

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

This month we shine our Employee Spotlight on Joel Louis a security officer at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Joel Louis has been a security officer at Jamaica Hospital for five years. He was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. After graduating in the early 1990’s with a Master’s Degree in fashion from the Mercy Jaquez School in the Dominican Republic he decided he wanted to come to the United States to pursue career opportunities.

Joel comes from a very tight knit family. He enjoys spending time with them, especially his son who he considers to be a miracle child because of how difficult it was for his wife to conceive. In his free time he enjoys drawing and sewing. He enjoys dining out, going to see movies that are comedies and when possible, going to fashion events. He also hopes to complete the book he is writing which he entitled “Reason to Live”.

Joel currently resides in Richmond Hill which he likes because it feels like a nice community. Working at Jamaica Hospital also feels like a community to him and he takes pride in contributing to its well-being by keeping everyone safe. As part of his goal to ensure the safety of others, Joel made over 2,000 masks which he donated to healthcare facilities including ours. He looks forward to many more years at the hospital and we are happy to shine the spotlight on him this month.

The History of Eye Glasses

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

The month of September has been designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to bring attention to this very common form of cancer that affects so many men. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men and is the second leading cancer related cause of death in men. Although it is not known exactly what causes prostate cancer some risk factors for developing it are:

Older age (more than 65% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65)
Race (African-American men are 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men)
Family history (having a father or brother with prostate cancer)
Obesity

The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system that produces a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. It sits just below the bladder and is normally about the side of a walnut.

Prostate cancer, especially in its early stages, may not have any symptoms. When symptoms are present they may include difficulty starting urination, less force to the stream of urine, dribbling at the end of urination, needing to urinate frequently, urinating frequently at night, pain while urinating, blood in the urine or semen, difficulty starting or maintaining an erection, pain with ejaculation, pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis and upper thighs, or unintended weight loss.

When screening is done there are two tests that are available. The available tests are a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. To perform a digital rectal exam your doctor uses a gloved finger, inserted a few inches into your rectum, to check your prostate gland. A prostate-specific antigen test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. Many men who have prostate cancer have elevated levels of PSA, however PSA can also be elevated for less serious causes such as prostate enlargement or infection.

Further testing is needed to diagnose cancer. Additional tests that your doctor may recommend to diagnose cancer include an ultrasound of the prostate and a biopsy of the prostate. A biopsy is when a small piece of the prostate is removed to look for abnormal cells.

Treatment of prostate cancer depends on many factors including your age, your overall health and the growth and spread of the cancer when it is diagnosed. Some men who have slow growing tumors may not need treatment right away and some may never need treatment. Other types of prostate cancer are aggressive and can quickly spread to other parts of the body making treatment difficult. Common treatment options include watchful waiting or expectant management (regular testing and checkups to assess for new signs or symptoms), radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays used to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy, surgery (having the prostate gland removed) and hormone therapy.

To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital to discuss a prostate cancer screening, please call 718-206-7001.

Suicide Prevention- Pay Attention to The Signs

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Suicide prevention-467918329 Over 1 million Americans attempt suicide each year. It is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States.

Most people who died by suicide had treatable mental health disorders that went unnoticed.

Suicide may be prevented if the signs of mental health disorders are recognized and addressed immediately.

Here are a few warning signs of suicide we should not ignore:

Feelings of hopelessness
Self-loathing
Changes in sleep patterns, which can either be excessive sleep or a deprivation of sleep
Irritability or anger
Talking about harming themselves
Loss of interest in daily activities or things they were once passionate about
Reckless behavior
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
A preoccupation with death
Getting their affairs in order in preparation for death
Verbalizing thoughts such as “ Everyone will be better without me” or “I have nothing to live for.”
Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

If someone you know exhibits the following behaviors, do not dismiss them as a passing phase. These actions are a cry for help.

It is essential to let your loved one know that you have noticed changes in their behavior, they are not alone, and you are there to support them through this challenging time. Speak openly about what they are feeling and reassure them that they will not be judged because they feel suicidal. Seek the help of a mental health professional immediately. Insist on accompanying this person to their consultation or treatment. Continue to demonstrate your support during treatment by reminding them to take their prescribed medications, attending physician appointments, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or demonstrating suicidal behaviors, get help immediately. Call 911, 1-800-SUICIDE, or 1-800-273-TALK

Bed Wetting

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Most children are completely potty trained by the age of 5 , but since we cannot determine a date when the bladder will completely develop, the statistical normal age range should be between 5 and 7 years old. However, if your child is between the ages of 5 and 7 years old and continues to have bed wetting “accidents” it may be typical or it may be an indication of other issues.

Some common medical issues that may cause bed-wetting may be that your child’s bladder is under developed or small, a hormone imbalance, a urinary tract infection, diabetes, sleep apnea or chronic constipation.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a parent or guardian should become concerned about their childs bed wetting when:

Your child still wets the bed after age 7
Your child starts to wet the bed after a few months of being dry at night
The bed-wetting is accompanied by painful urination, unusual thirst, pink or red urine, hard stools, or snoring

Although your childs bed-wetting can be frustrating, there could be a great deal of embarassment and low self esteem associated with the condition. If the condition persists, visit to you doctor would be indicated.

If you’d like to make an appointment for your child to be examined at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Could Stress Be Causing You Crisis Fatigue ?

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

Crisis fatigue can be defined as how a person reacts to long term stress with feelings of being very tired or numbness to the world around them.

The events of the past few months have caused many of us overwhelming emotions which include depression, sadness, anxiety, and fear. The body’s response to stressful circumstances is to produce the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. When stressful circumstances persist for long periods of time, these higher level of these hormones can lead to depression, anxiety, weight gain, bone loss or high blood pressure. In some cases crisis fatigue can lead to substance abuse, alcoholism and suicidal thoughts.

The signs and symptoms of crisis fatigue include:

Increased irritability
Excessive emotional responses
Lack of sleep
Changes in normal routines
Changes in appetite

Some of the ways a person can cope during these uncertain times is to learn how to reduce the level of stress in their life by:

Reducing the amount of time spent on social media
Limiting exposure to news reports
Spending more time with family and friends
Practicing meditation and yoga
Finding activities that are calming like reading, listening to music, and crafts

It isn’t always easy to cope with stressful situations without professional help. If you are experiencing any long term effects, you may benefit by speaking to a mental health professional. You can schedule an appointment with a trained professional at Jamaica Hospital by calling 718-206-7160.