Breastfeeding and Augmentation

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), breast augmentation has become the #1 cosmetic procedure for the last decade.Since the best age for breast augmentation is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old, a woman’s desire to look younger may overlap with the tick of her biological clock.

One of the most popular questions women ask before having surgery is, “Will I be able to breastfeed?”

The answer is, yes. Breastfeeding after breast augmentation is absolutely possible.

Although the prior condition of the breasts, position of the implant and incision could have a direct bearing on milk production, it is very likely that you will have a positive experience when nursing your child.

If you have any questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, you can call Jamaica Hospital’s Lactation Consultant at 718-670-4200 for answers to FAQ’s.

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.

4 Tasty, Fun, Healthy Fourth of July Recipes

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Try these 4 tasty, fun & healthy recipes for the Fourth of July!
1. Siracha-glazed chicken with peaches & basil
http://bit.ly/29dKa1n
2.Grilled corn with chipotle butter
http://bit.ly/297mlqh
3. Patriotic parfait
http://bit.ly/1QRYe0G
4. Cheesecake stuffed strawberries
http://bit.ly/298O3CV

Fibroids- Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Uterine fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or just outside the uterus. They form when the smooth muscle cells of the uterus (myometrium) begin to grow rapidly and advance into tumors, which are typically non-cancerous. These tumors vary in size and can be as small as a pumpkin seed or as large as a grapefruit and in unusual cases, much larger.

Fibroids are very common. It is estimated that 70 to 80 % of women will develop tumors by the age of 50. Although the causes are unknown, there are factors that put some at a greater risk than others-they are:

Family history
Pregnancy
Being overweight
Having African American ancestry
Being over the age of 30

The symptoms of fibroids depend on the size, location and the number of tumors present. Symptoms include:

Pelvic pain
Heavy bleeding and blood clots between and during periods
Increased urination
Pain during intercourse
Enlargement of the lower abdomen
Increased time of menstruation
Pressure or a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen

Women who have very small tumors or are going through menopause may experience very little or no symptoms at all.

Fibroids are diagnosed by gynecologists by way of pelvic exams and ultrasound or MRI. Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on symptoms and the advancement of the growth. Treatment may consist of medication to regulate hormone levels, assist in shrinking the tumor or alleviate pain. Surgery may be performed laparoscopically to remove tumors, however, if your condition is extreme, your physician may recommend a hysterectomy.

Jamaica Hospital’s Gynecologic Division uses the latest techniques and equipment, such as ultrasonography, color Doppler, laser and laparoscopic surgery, in the diagnoses and treatment of female disorders. These disorders include sexually transmitted diseases, abnormal pap smears, benign tumors, and female urinary disorders, including urinary incontinence. To schedule an appointment, please contact our Women’s Health Center at 718-291-3276 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Tips for Dealing with a Whining Child

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Parents of a whining child often ask themselves and others, “Why does my child whine?” Children can whine for various reasons, but in most cases, it is because we let them.

Like adults, children have two basic emotional needs, attention and power. Children only continue behaviors that get results. When a child whines and the parent gives in, they realize that whining gets them what they want. If you do not address this behavior, it could continue into your child’s teenage years.

When a child whines, it may seem annoying and irritating to the parent, but the child is often just looking for attention.

Some quick tips to help parents cope with a whining child are :

Take control of the situation – Refuse to let it bother you to the point of giving in to the behavior.
Speak with your child – Pick a quiet time and tell your child that there’s a new rule – If he/she whines, you will not respond.
Revisit politeness – Remind your child that “asking nicely” will get them a much more positive response to their request.
Praise – Give your child positive reinforcement for not whining.

Most of all, remind yourself that there is no crisis when your child is whining. This will allow you to deal rationally with the matter at hand.

Don’t Let Fireworks BURN Your Summer

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks displays. However, along with these activities are increased visits to the hospital emergency room, especially over the July 4^th holiday.

Fireworks are ILLEGAL in New York State, including the five boroughs and are extremely dangerous when they are not being used by a professional. Fireworks burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin. Items such as sparklers are mistakenly thought to be safe when they are actually quite dangerous.

If fireworks ARE LEGAL to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Older children should use them only under the close supervision of an adult
Never light fireworks indoors
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks in case of fire

This year, have a safe Fourth of July and leave the firework displays to the trained professionals. If you have questions about fireworks displays and safety, you can visit The National Council on Firework Safety webpage at . Take the test and learn just how much you know about fireworks safety.

Is This Job Killing Me?

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Some workplace stress is normal, but excessive stress can interfere with productivity and impact your physical and emotional health. If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, you can lose confidence, and become irritable or withdrawn.

Health issues that can be caused by excessive stress are:

Heart disease
Asthma
Obesity
Diabetes
Headaches
Depression and anxiety
Gastrointestinal problems

How you manage your stress is one way of avoiding the negative health impacts of a stressful lifestyle. By realizing that not being able to control everything in your work environment does not mean you are powerless, you can find ways to manage your workplace stress without rethinking career ambitions.

Some quick, office stress relievers are:

Take a short walk
Drink water
Stretch
Make a plan or to-do list
Unplug from email and social media
Breathe
Act rather than react
Ask for help

One of the best ways of coping with stress is to identify what your stress triggers are. Once you have identified them, you can find ways to resolve them.

If using these steps to relieve your feelings of being stressed is not helping, you may want to consult a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry. Call 718-206-7160 for an appointment.

Bistro Roasted Chicken

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Looking to cook a healthy and filling meal for two? Take a look at the recipe below and Bon Appetit!

Bistro Roasted Chicken

Ingredients

2 chicken leg quarters (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 whole garlic heads

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Rinse chicken with cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Loosen skin from thigh and leg by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Combine basil and next 5 ingredients (basil through pepper). Rub herb mixture under loosened skin. Place chicken on a broiler pan. Insert meat thermometer into meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone.

Remove white papery skin from garlic heads (do not peel or separate the cloves). Wrap each head separately in foil; place on broiler pan with chicken. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450° (do not remove chicken from oven). Bake 30 minutes or until thermometer registers 180°. Cover chicken loosely with foil; let stand 10 minutes. Discard skin.

For this and other delicious healthy meals for two check out –

Mosquito Bites – More Than Just an Itch

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Summertime means most of us will spend more time outdoors, but this means we must share our space with mosquitoes. Of the 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, roughly 200 can be found in the USA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquitos have been labeled the most dangerous animal in the world since estimates hold mosquitos responsible for hundreds of millions of malaria cases each year, as well as transmitting West Nile virus, yellow fever and the more notable Zika virus.

We are told by health professionals and monitoring agencies that the Zika virus is primarily spread to people through the bite of an insect, the Aedes aegypti mosquito to be more specific. Additionally, there have been some cases where Zika has been spread through having sexual relations with an infected male. Men and women who have traveled to Zika hot spots should consider condom use during pregnancy if the man has been exposed.

The most common symptoms of the Zika virus disease are:

Fever
Rash
Joint pain
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

The CDC goes on to state that the Zika virus is usually mild with symptoms that last from several days to one week, but with Zika being linked to birth defects in women infected during pregnancy, the CDC recommends the following measures to protect you against being bitten:

Repellents – When used as directed, insect repellents are the best way to protect yourself and family from getting mosquito bites. The higher percentages of active ingredients provide longer lasting protection.
Cover up – When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Keep mosquitoes outside – Use air conditioning or make sure that you repair and use window/door screens
Protect yourself when traveling – learn about the country-specific travel advice, health risks and how to stay safe.

Since specific areas where Zika is spreading, and most prevalent, are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time, please visit the CDC Travelers’ Health Site for the most updated information at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information

Did You Know Vitamin C Helps Protect Your Vision From the Leading Cause of Blindness?

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Vitamin C benefits your health in several ways, one of which is helping to protect your vision from cataracts- the number one cause of blindness in the world.

Cataracts are caused by protein buildup and oxidation which cloud the lens of the eye. If left untreated, the condition can advance and eventually lead to a loss of vision.

The risk of developing cataracts increases with age. However, studies indicate that consuming a diet rich in vitamin C can cut the risk of cataract progression by as much as one-third. Vitamin C helps reduce this risk because of its strength as an antioxidant, which prevents the eye from oxidizing and becoming cloudy.

Vitamin C is not produced naturally by the body, so we have to obtain our daily dose by taking supplements or eating foods such as:

Red or green peppers
Broccoli
Strawberries
Oranges
Cabbage
Leafy greens

The daily recommended dose of vitamin C is 90 mg a day for men and 75 mg a day for women. However it is advised that you speak with a doctor to determine a healthy dose for you.

May is Healthy Vision Month; during this time Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is encouraging people to take National Eye Institute’s Five Steps for protecting their sight. The five steps include eating a healthy diet that promotes eye health, receiving a comprehensive eye exam, knowing your family’s health history, wearing protective eye wear while working or playing sports and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.

The Department of Ophthalmology at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center offers a wide range of comprehensive medical, diagnostic and surgical services for those with vision and eye conditions. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-5900.

National Donate Life Month

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

At this moment, more than 10,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ. Every 18 hours a New Yorker dies while waiting for an organ transplant. Every two and a half hours a person’s name is added to the New York State organ transplant waiting list. Each of these people is in desperate need of a chance to keep living. More than 6,500 people a year, about 21 a day, die before that organ ever becomes available. These statistics determine that it is time for a change, more than 90% of New Yorkers support organ donation, but only 25% are registered.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Thanks to organ donation, more than 2 million years of life have been saved. National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was instituted by Donate Life America in 2003, to be celebrated in April each year. NDLM features an entire month of local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

It can be hard to think about what’s going to happen to your body after you die, let alone donating your organs and tissue. However, being an organ donor is a generous and worthwhile decision that can be a lifesaver. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 50 through tissue donation. If you’ve never considered organ donation or delayed becoming a donor because of possibly inaccurate information, here are answers to some common organ donation myths and concerns.

There is not an age limit to organ donation. The oldest donor in the U.S. was 93 years old.
Each case is considered for medical suitability for donation after death has been declared. Saving the patient’s life is the health care provider’s main concern and doctors will do everything they can to save you.
Donation is only an option after all attempts to save the patient have failed.
It is also a common belief that organ donation contradicts many religions. Most major religions actively support organ donation including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism and more.

Please join Jamaica Hospital, LiveOnNY and special guest Queens Borough President Melinda Katz as we celebrate National Donate Life Month. Together we are raising awareness about the importance of organ donation. On Wednesday, April 20^th, inside of the Jamaica Hospital lobby at 12:30 pm you can register to save a life by becoming an organ donor. Representatives from LiveOnNY will be available at the event to provide information about organ donation and assist with enrollment in the New York State Donor Registry. Probably the greatest benefit of organ donation is knowing that you’re saving a life. For more information, please call 718-206-6020.