Motivational Monday

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day here is a reminder to stay encouraged in your goals!

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 Birth Defects Prevention Month

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Joann Ariola

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. It is a time for raising awareness of how frequently birth defects can occur and what can be done to help prevent them.

Birth defects are defined as conditions that are present when a baby is born and can affect nearly every part of the body. Conditions such as cleft lip can be easily diagnosed. Other conditions such as deafness or heart defects may only be discovered after diagnostic testing.

The largest number of birth defects occurs during the first three months of gestation. In the U.S. approximately 120,000 babies are born with birth defects each year.

The 10 most common birth defects in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are:

Down syndrome
Cleft lip (with or without cleft palate)
Atrioventricular septal defect (hole in the heart)
Absence of malformation of the rectum and/or large intestine
Gastroschisis (hole in the abdominal wall)
Tetralogy of Fallot (a combination of heart defects)
Spina bifida without anencephaly
Reduction deformity, upper limbs
Reversal of the heart’s two main arteries

Although birth defects can’t always be prevented, there are plenty of steps pregnant women can take to help reduce the risk.

The womenshealth.gov website offers these suggestions:

Make regular visits to your doctor throughout pregnancy
Get 400mcg of folic acid each day through diet or supplements
Don’t smoke, use illegal drugs or drink alcohol while you are pregnant
Always check with your doctor before taking any medication
Get all vaccinations recommended by your doctor
If you have diabetes, keep it under control
Stick to a healthy weight

You may also request a pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy screening test in order to spot potential or real birth defects. The types of tests include a carrier test to see if you or your partner carries potentially harmful genes, as well as screening and diagnostic tests that can determine risks for and detect genetic disorders.

If you are pregnant, or planning to be, and want to discuss your options with one of our doctors, the Women’s Health Center at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is centrally located and has convenient hours; to make an appointment call 718-291-3276.

Healthy and Pregnant Over 35

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Joann Ariola

January is Birth Defects Awareness Month and with more and more women waiting to have families well into their late 30’s and beyond we felt this is a topic worth revisiting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five women now wait until they’re 35 or older to have their first child. There may be some risks involved with a pregnancy conceived later in life, but a healthy lifestyle, along with regular visits to your Ob-Gyn can create a healthy pregnancy.

Oftentimes, women worry more about the risks of pregnancy at a later age than conception itself. While a woman’s fertility does decrease after the age of 30, certain risk factors associated with pregnancy do increase including:
• Higher risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
• Greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome
• Miscarriages and still birth
• Low birth weight

A pregnancy should be happy and welcomed news and planning should be no different. Increased risk factors and statistics should not be discouraging news. Often, statistics do not account for life style choices or pre-existing conditions. Here are a few tips to help you take the necessary steps toward a healthy pregnancy later in life:
• Schedule an appointment with your Ob-Gyn for a visit. Be very honest with your practitioner about any existing health conditions.
• Your Doctor may recommend additional testing such as genetic testing and counseling or sonograms.
• Begin taking pre-natal vitamin. Since folic-acid is important for prevention of birth defects, taking folic acid can add an important level of protection for older women.
• Exercise regularly; eat a well-balanced diet to maintain your weight. Gaining the appropriate amount of weight lessens the chance of your baby growing slowly and reduces the risk of preterm birth.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.

If you are interested in pre-pregnancy and fertility counseling, contact Jamaica Hospital Women’s Health Center at 718-291-3276 to make an appointment.

How smoking affects nutrition

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Smoking plays a large role in the body’s ability to absorb and process nutrients. The nicotine in cigarettes is a potent chemical that negatively affects the systems of the body and how they function. One of the functions that nicotine affects is the body’s ability to maintain the proper level of nutrients.
Vitamin and mineral absorption is also diminished by nicotine, and is more likely to be drained from stores within the body. Vitamin C which the body needs to prevent organ damage is depleted when nicotine is present. People who smoke also tend to have a higher incidence of osteoporosis because less vitamin D absorption leads to less calcium available to strengthen bones.
Nicotine suppresses a person’s appetite by interacting with the brain and central nervous system. One of the ways it occurs is by altering the way we detect flavor.
Quitting smoking will help to restore the body to a better nutritional status. Until a person is able to stop smoking completely, it is a good idea to add fruits and vegetables to the diet. This will help the body by making more minerals and vitamins available to be absorbed. Jamaica Hospital offers a program to help people who are interested in quitting. To learn more, please call 718-206-8494.

Meditation Does A Body Good

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by Webmd.com as an excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for worry.

An estimated 6.8 million people in the United States are afflicted with GAD. They cannot stop worrying about issues such as health, money, family, work or school. Their degree of worry is typically out of proportion for the situation and daily life may become a constant state of worry, fear or dread.

There are various prescription medications designed to help people with GAD manage their anxiety, but some holistic and traditional experts say that practice of meditation can also help those with the disorder. Being in a meditative state is said to quiet an overactive mind, one of the traits of anxiety.

Meditation is a state of deep physical relaxation combined with acute mental alertness. It is likened to taking a nap, but you don’t fall asleep. Meditative practices can include silent, repetitive praying or chanting. Other techniques involve sitting and focusing on something that will hold your attention for five to 30 minutes. By progressively relaxing your body’s muscles with a word, calming music or an image, you will naturally cause your breathing to become slower and deeper as you relax.

People with anxiety may shy away from meditation feeling that they are too restless to sit still. The good news is being able to center yourself through meditation is a skill that anyone can learn, once they have the intention and the experience of what it feels like.

Besides reducing anxiety, meditation is known to also help:

Decrease respiratory rate, heart rate and elevated blood pressure
Relieve muscle tension
Causes stress hormones in the blood to drop
Boost immunity
Offer a more restful sleep

If you have a family history of anxiety, prolonged bouts with anxiety or have acute anxiety (panic attacks); you will likely need to see a physician for suggested treatment. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Mental Health Center is centrally located and has convenient hours. To schedule an appointment, call 718-206-7071.

Baby Not Latching? Maybe Baby is Tongue-Tied

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Joann Ariola

One of the most intimate moments shared between mother and baby is during breastfeeding. If the infant does not latch on to the mother’s breast she may feel rejected, bewildered and frustrated. Before becoming distressed a mother should look into reasons why the baby is refusing to breastfeed; one of which could be a condition called ankyloglossia, otherwise known as tongue-tie.

Tongue-Tie is a congenital condition which restricts the tongue’s range of motion. It is caused by an abnormally thick and short lingual frenulum. The frenulum is the membrane which connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The degree of severity in tongue-tie varies from mild cases, where the lingual frenulum loosens over time or severe cases of complete ankyloglossia where the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth. This can affect feeding.

Breastfeeding requires the baby to place the tongue over the lower gum while sucking. If the infant‘s range of motion is limited and is unable to place the tongue in the right position, this will interfere with the ability to get milk. Poor breastfeeding can lead to poor nutrition.

A consultation with a lactation specialist or physician to explore all causes for breast-feeding refusal is usually the first step in evaluating the baby. If it is determined that the infant does have severe tongue-tie and the ability to feed is compromised, a simple and quick surgery may be suggested.

The surgical procedure most commonly recommended is called a frenotomy; which can be done with or without anesthesia. During the procedure a physician will examine the frenulum, then use sterile scissors to snip it free. A frenotomy can also be done by laser. The physician may also recommend a frenectomy which is a surgical revision of the frenulum.

After surgery the infant’s tongue movement should improve greatly and in most cases breastfeeding can commence immediately.

To obtain more information about breastfeeding or to schedule a consultation with a lactation specialist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-291-3276.

We’re Spilling The Beans!

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Kidney, lima, soy and cannelloni are just a few of the different kinds of beans that are celebrated on National Bean Day.

January 6^th, of every year, recognizes the bean vegetable in all sizes, shapes and colors.

To honor of these miniature marvels, try this delicious three bean dip courtesy of…http://allrecipes.com/recipe/45134/three-bean-dip/

Three Bean Dip Ingredients:

1 Can refried beans

1 packet taco seasoning

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

2 small tomatoes chopped

3 bunches green onions chopped

1 cubanella pepper chaopped

1 (15 ounce) can black beans rinsed and drained

1 (15.5. ounce) can navy beans rinsed and drained

Directions:

Spread the refried beans in a layer in the bottom of a 9 inch square baking dish. In a small bowl, stir together the taco seasoning mix and cream cheese. Spread the mixture over the refried beans. In a separate bowl, toss together the tomatoes, green onions, cubanella pepper, black beans and navy beans. Spread over the layer of cream cheese. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving to blend the flavors.

New Year’s Eve – Going Out or Staying In ?

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Everyone knows that New Year’s Eve is the most popular night of the year to party. It is a night to go out with family and friends to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. Some people prefer to spend a quiet night at home though. The reasons are varied but commonly people don’t want to spend the money, don’t like the crowds, and think that the night is much a-do about nothing.

Which do you prefer?

Choosing Safe Toys for Toddlers

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

toys toddlers -156930341 The holiday season is the best time of the year to buy toys for children. However, parents are often overwhelmed by a larger selection and choosing the best toy can become challenging. The most important thing to remember when choosing toys for toddlers is picking toys that are safe and appropriate for their age.

Each year hospital E.R.’s are visited by over 200,000 young children, typically under the age of three, who have incurred toy-related injuries. These injuries can be avoided if parents keep these guidelines in mind when buying toys:

Carefully read warning labels
Do not buy toys with small and removable parts
Check to see if toys are on a recall list by visiting sites such as recalls.gov or cpsc.gov.
Avoid buying toys with parts that launches or projects
Do not purchase toys with sharp edges or points
Make certain that cords or strings are shorter that seven inches
Avoid buying toys that make extremely loud noises
Check to see if toys have been tested for lead based paint by visiting websites such as www.ecocenter.org

Most toys come with warning labels that advise parents of potential choking hazards and compatibility by age group. Parents should pay close attention to these labels and also do due diligence by researching toys and inspecting them for further dangers.

Concussion: A brain-bang

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Concussion: A topic that is receiving a great deal of attention recently, but what is it? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that rattles the brain inside the skull. When the body is jolted, causing a whiplash reaction of the neck and head, this can cause the brain to become disoriented within the skull. A concussion can be caused by a number of things such as: sports-related injuries, fights, falls, mobile accidents, and playground injuries.

Motor vehicle precautions can be exercised by children and adults by wearing a seatbelt at all times and keeping your child in a car or booster seat based on age, height and weight requirements. Safety measures to be practiced at home include the installation of window guards to ensure your child does not fall out of an open window and safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around.

Children and adults should practice helmet safety when riding bicycles, motorcycles, hover-boards, scooters, or all-terrain vehicles. If you are playing a contact sport it is encouraged that you wear a helmet as well. For those contact sports that do not require protective head gear, like soccer, it is important to be vigilant and know the symptoms.

Here are some clues to identify if you have a concussion:

Headache
Difficulty concentrating
Delayed reaction times
Nausea
Sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds
Irritability
Changes in sleep patterns, either insomnia or sleeping more often than usual

A lot of people may experience headaches and dizziness for a day then recover fully, but about five percent of people sustain injuries causing life threatening bleeding if not properly diagnosed. The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is open 24/7 to diagnose and treat concussions. So, how do you know if you should seek medical attention or wait and see? The best answer to this is, when in doubt, check it out!