Seasonal Allergies Tips and Treatments

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

While spring signals the beginning of beautiful weather and warmer days for many; it also marks the beginning of allergy symptoms for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. If you are one of these people, symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and headaches can leave you feeling miserable.

Dr. Lisa Roth, allergist and immunologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center advises, “There are several things you can do to find relief. If symptoms are mild, try the following suggestions which may provide temporary relief:

Closing windows and doors at night or whenever pollen counts are high
Trying over the counter remedies such as decongestants or antihistamines
Rinsing your eyes with a saline solution
Trying nasal irrigation
Taking steamy showers
Wearing a mask while doing yard work
Washing clothes and linens frequently
Using air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters
Keeping indoor air dry by using a dehumidifier
Thoroughly washing your face and hair when you get home

If your symptoms are continuous and affect your ability to carry out routine activities- you should speak with an allergist. Your allergist will be able to help you identify what triggers your seasonal allergies and provide the best course of treatment to offer relief or stop symptoms.

Treatment options may include prescription medication to control symptoms or immunotherapy. “Allergy immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a form of long-term treatment for allergic disorders that decreases symptoms for many people by modulating the immune system in a beneficial way. Allergy shots decrease sensitivity to allergens providing lasting relief of allergy symptoms,” explains Dr. Roth. Allergy shots are highly effective and can help alleviate many symptoms.

The Division of Allergy and Immunology at Jamaica Hospital focuses on the diagnosis and long-term treatment of allergic and immunologic conditions. To schedule an appointment with an allergist such as Dr. Lisa Roth, please call 718-206-6742.

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.

Managing Your Stress

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Joann Ariola

For many, dealing with excessive stress has become a way of life. We often hear the words “just relax,” but sometimes we find it difficult to take that advice and de-stress due to every day hassles.

When you are stressed the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline- which causes the fight or flight reaction. This can speed up the normal function of several organs, including the heart. The fight or flight reaction is appropriate when we face immediate threats but can be damaging if prolonged; as our bodies are only designed to deal with the effects of stress for short intervals.

Extended periods of stress can take its toll on our health in many ways. Long-term stress is known to negatively affect several systems of the body, including:

The Nervous System– High levels of cortisol and adrenaline can impair the nervous system, which regulates heart rates, the excretion of waste, breathing rates and the dilation and constriction of blood vessels.
The Immune System– Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, which increases the risk of infections, infectious diseases, skin problems such as eczema and can slow down wound healing rates.
The Digestive System– Excessive levels of stress can stimulate the muscles of the intestines and cause diarrhea or constipation. It can also lead to indigestion or nausea and increase the risk of ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome.
The Endocrine System– Stress hormones can cause the liver to increase blood sugar levels. This is particularly dangerous for diabetics.

Some helpful techniques that can assist you in managing your daily stress are:

Meditation – is helpful to the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress
Breathing Deeply – triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, neutralizes stress and elicits a calming feeling
Exercise – all forms of exercise can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain releasing feel-good chemicals giving your body a chance to practice dealing with stress
Eating Healthy – choosing a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fiber may reduce the chance that stress can boost the body’s natural defense system

It is important to reduce excessive and prolonged periods of stress. A healthy lifestyle that helps manage stress often requires changing your mindset. But, if you are willing to make the changes that will improve your health, the impact can be far-reaching.

Q and A: Medication Expiration Dates

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Q: Do over -the-counter and prescription medications have expiration dates? Do they mean anything and is it safe to take them past the expiration date?

A: Over-the-counter and prescription medications are time stamped with expiration dates. Time stamps can be found on the labels or on the actual container. It is important that you pay attention to these dates. The expiration dates indicate a guarantee of full potency and safety within the recommended shelf life.

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – “Don’t be tempted to take expired medications.” The FDA states, using expired medical products is “risky and possibly harmful to your health.” This is because the efficiency of a medication may lessen over time due to changes in its chemical composition or a decrease in its potency.

Do You Know How to Dispose of your Expired Medications?

Read here to learn how:

Rapid Response Notification

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

To best serve our patients, Jamaica Hospital has implemented a patient safety initiative known as a Rapid Response Notification. A Rapid Response Notification is initiated whenever a staff member, a patient or a patient’s visitor believes that the patient is experiencing a medical crisis that requires urgent attention.

The criteria for a Rapid Response Notification include:

There is a patient emergency and no staff member is present
There is a change in the patient’s condition that the health care team is not aware of
There are concerns about the patient’s care that they feel are not being addressed.

The Rapid Response Team, comprised of a Third Year Medical Resident and / or Senior Surgical, a Primary Care Nurse, a Critical Care Nurse, a Respiratory Therapist and a Nursing Supervisor will respond to the notification. The Rapid Response Team is committed to providing critical care resources to patients who may be in crisis.

In the event that a health care provider is not present when a medical crisis occurs, Jamaica Hospital has empowered the patient’s bedside visitor to activate a Rapid Response Notification by dialing extension 1234 and providing the patient’s room and bed number.

Spinach Burrata Omelet with Avocado Salad

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Are you tired of the same old breakfast morning after morning? Do you need to kick start your day with something tasty, satisfying and healthy?

Try this 15 minute delicious dish. It will satisfy your desire for good food without breaking your commitment to heating healthy!

Spinach Burrata Omelet with Avocado Salad

2 servings -Cooking time – 20 Minutes

Ingredients:

5 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
pinch salt and pepper
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup baby spinach
4 ounces burrata cheese
3 cups torn butter lettuce
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions:

Place the eggs and water in a bowl and whisk until combined. Whisk in the salt and pepper. You want to really whisk to get some air into those eggs!

Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add the coconut oil. Make sure it melts all over the entire pan. Add the eggs and swirl the pan until the eggs cover the bottom. Let the eggs cook, untouched, for a few minutes until set – you may want to tilt the pan so the egg in the center runs around the outside edges and cooks, and or lift up the edges so the egg runs underneath. This allows the whole omelet to cook without flipping!

Once the eggs are almost set. Place a handful of spinach on top and then the burrata. Pull the burrata apart so it’s melty and delicious over the center. You are going to cut this omelet in half when serving. After a minute, fold the omelet in half gently. You can briefly cover it, or just continue to cook until the cheese is melty and the spinach is wilting inside.

Remove the omelet from the heat and let it sit for a minute before slicing it in half.

In a bowl, toss the butter lettuce with a pinch of salt and pepper, long with the olive oil and vinegar. Serve with the avocado sliced on top and alongside the omelet.

For this and more healthy, hearty recipes visit

Natural Ways to Maintain a Healthy Metabolism

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Metabolism is the process in which our bodies convert fuel from the food we eat into energy. The body will either use this fuel immediately or store it in the tissues of the liver or muscles as glycogen or other parts of the body as fat.

The metabolic process involves combining the calories in food with oxygen to produce the energy needed to help the body function optimally. The number of calories your body utilizes to carry out basic functions such as moving, growing and cell repair is known as your basal metabolic rate (BMR).

It is essential that you maintain a healthy BMR. Fluctuations or abnormalities of the basal metabolic rate can result in weight gain, fatigue, endocrine and immune dysfunction.

The first step in maintaining a healthy BMR is to find out what your numbers are. Basic metabolic rate is usually determined by using one of two formulas:

Men: BMR = 88.362 + (6.251 x weight in lbs) + (12.189 x height in inches) – (5.677 x age in years)

Women: BMR = 447.593 + (4.203 x weight in lbs) + (7.869 x height in inches) – (4.330 x age in years)

It is highly recommended that you obtain accurate numbers from a certified fitness professional, a registered dietitian or your physician.

According to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Registered Dietitian, Lindsay Chetelat, “Your next steps to maintaining a healthy BMR include applying long-term lifestyle changes.” Some of these changes are:

Eating a healthy breakfast every morning
Exercising – Cardio with strength training
Including sources of lean protein at all meals
Eating regularly- Chetelat advises eating small and nutritious meals every three to four hour
Eating enough- Eating less than 1200 calories per day can actually cause your metabolism to slow down.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Nutritional Services Department assists patients to grow their knowledge about nutrition, wellness and healthy eating. An appointment with a Registered Dietitian consists of a comprehensive nutrition assessment, nutrition education, behavior modification counseling and goal setting. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7056.

CAVITY PREVENTION TIPS

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Joann Ariola

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) parents should instill in their children the importance of good oral hygiene at an early age, ensuring that this ritual will continue when they become adults.

It is suggested that good oral hygiene be factored together when children are taught how to keep themselves healthy.

The ADA provides these age-by-age tips:

Babies, Toddlers and Pre-School –

After each feeding, clean the baby’s gums with a clean wet gauze pad or washcloth
When teeth start to appear, brush them with a child’s size toothbrush and plain water
Begin flossing when at least two teeth begin to touch
Start dental visits by the child’s first birthday and make visits regularly
Brush teeth of children over age two with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and be sure to floss daily
Supervise your children while they are brushing their teeth to prevent them from swallowing the toothpaste

School-Age Children and Adolescents –

Until they are six or seven years old, continue to brush your children’s teeth twice a day with a child size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
Continue to assist with flossing as needed
By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day but may require supervision until about age 10 or 11
Ask the dentist about dental sealants, protective plastic coating that can be applied to chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts
Remind your adolescent about practicing good oral hygiene

If your child has dental problems, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Center call 718-206-6980

Jamaica Hospital Supports American Heart Month

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

This month, many candy hearts will be exchanged in honor of Valentine’s Day, but Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants the community to give some thoughts to hearts that are not made of chocolate. That’s because February is also American Heart Month, a special designation intended to remind everyone the importance of heart health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States and the numbers are increasing. The good news is, by working with your doctor to monitor your condition and by making changes to your lifestyle, heart disease is preventable for most.

Here are some tips to improve your heart health

Schedule an appointment with your doctor, who can conduct a physical evaluation and test your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe certain medications to control both.
Maintain a healthy diet and control your weight. Obesity is one of the leading contributors to heart disease.
Increase your physical activity. By joining a gym or taking up walking, make exercise part of your daily routine
Monitor your alcohol intake and if you smoke, quit immediately. Cigarette smoke and alcohol are two factors that put individuals at an increased risk of heart disease.

Please make an appointment to see your doctor to have your heart checked immediately. If you do not have a doctor, you can make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001. If a heart condition is suspected, a referral can be to our Cardiology Department, where we can perform a variety of tests to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Join Jamaica Hospital as we recognize American Heart Month. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and your regularly scheduled appointments, you can enjoy this Valentine’s Day with a clean bill of heart health.

Smoking and Dental Care

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Joann Ariola

With smoking, we tend to focus on the effects it may have on the lungs or the heart. However, we don’t focus on the health effects it may have on other parts of the body including your oral health.

The American Cancer Society states that smokers are six times more likely than non-smokers to develop cancers of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. In addition, smoking can cause many serious problems for teeth and oral structures. It can interfere with the normal function of gum tissue cells; this can make smokers more susceptible to infections, gum disease, or even periodontal disease. The problem can be further exacerbated when proper dental health care is not followed. The excess of harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke makes smokers twice more likely to suffer tooth loss than non-smokers.

Keep your winning smile and kick the smoking habit. For help to quit smoking, please contact Jamaica Hospital’s smoking cessation support group at 718-206-8494.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

When disaster hits there is often very little time to prepare. By taking the time to gather a few items in advance for yourself and your loved ones, you will be able to get through the first few days until help arrives.
An Emergency Preparedness Kit should include:
• One gallon of water per person per day, a minimum of a three day supply
• Nonperishable food and easy to prepare items, three day supply per person
• Battery powered radio
• Battery powered flashlight
• Cell Phone and chargers
• Whistle to signal for help
• Moist towelettes
• Garbage bags
• Diapers and formula for people with babies
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Insurance documents
• List of important contact names and numbers
• Cash
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a water proof container
• Three day supply of pet food
• Personal hygiene items
• Paper and pencil
• Paper cups, plates, utensils, paper towels
• Towels, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows
• Rain gear
• Gloves
By keeping these items in a safe, easy to access place in your home, they will serve you well in case of an unforeseen emergency. For further information regarding Emergency Preparedness, there is information available on the following websites:
http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/90354
http://www.redcrossstore.org