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.

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.

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!

How Harmful is Occasional or Social Smoking?

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

“I am not really a smoker because I only smoke on occasion or socially.” These words are frequently spoken by those who consider themselves light or social smokers. It is quite common to find that people within this group are usually in denial of the frequency of their use of cigarettes and believe that they are not at risk of developing tobacco-related illnesses.

The truth is contrary as research has found that one third of people who classify themselves as social smokers actually smoke more than six times per day. Additionally, whether someone smokes a lot or a little, they are at risk for developing diseases caused by tobacco. The damage that one puff of nicotine causes is instant. It takes 10 seconds for nicotine to be transported throughout the body and to the brain. It slows down circulation and increases blood pressure and heart rate.

Furthermore in a study conducted by the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education it was found that light smoking may result in several health complications such as:

Stroke
COPD
Peripheral artery disease
Lower respiratory tract infections
Weakened immune systems

Smoking occasionally or socially does not exclude you from developing the health complications associated with tobacco use. Over time smoking will take its toll on your body. The best thing you can do for your health is quit smoking.

If you or someone you know needs help in quitting smoking please contact Jamaica Hospital’s Freedom From Smoking program at 718 206 8494 or visit www.smokefree.gov for more information.

Department Spotlight – Radiology

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

The Department of Radiology at Jamaica Hospital processes over 150,000 images a year. Dr. Sabiha Raoof, Chairperson of the Department of Radiology and her staff is committed to offering to our patients the highest level of care. All of the physicians in the department are board certified and subspecialty trained. The department is accredited by the American College of Radiologists, meaning that the highest quality of care is provided to our patients when their radiology procedures are performed.
The department has the latest and most advanced equipment. The Department of Radiology offers a 128 slice Cat Scan and a 1.5 Tesla MRI and within the next three months 3-D mammography will be offered both at the Women’s Health Center and also on the main campus. This technology, in addition to our sonography and digital x-ray equipment offers our patients the highest level of diagnostic capabilities. To schedule an appointment please call 718-206-6138.

History of the Heimlich Maneuver

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

In 1972 the Heimlich maneuver was conceived of by Dr. Henry Heimlich, a thoracic surgeon, who noted that many people were dying each year from choking. He conceptualized using air that was compressed in the lungs to help expel whatever was blocking the windpipe. Dr. Heimlich first worked on anesthetized dogs in a laboratory in order to perfect his technique. He found that by compressing the abdomen with an upward thrust, he could successfully clear a blockage in the windpipe. Since the invention of this technique, the Heimlich maneuver has saved several million lives.

Link to demonstration of Heimlich Maneuver: http://ow.ly/VJ5vC

5 Flu prevention tips

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Flu-126438163 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu (influenza) season can begin as early as October and last until May. The peak season for flu activity within that period is estimated to be between December and March. During these months you should take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of spreading or contracting the virus.

Keep your hands clean – Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of germs and the flu; however, if you are unable to wash your hands using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also helpful.
Avoid contact – Avoiding contact with those who have the flu is an effective way to prevent transmission. It is also recommended that you stay away from others if you have the virus. Take special care not to spread germs to children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems as they are more susceptible to getting the flu.

3: Clean surfaces – Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs.

4: Avoid touching the eyes, mouth and nose – The eyes, nose and mouth all serve as points of entry for germs to get into your body.

5: Get the flu vaccine – The flu vaccine is highly effective in preventing the spread of the virus. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months should receive vaccination. The vaccine can reduce the probability of serious flu-related illnesses or hospitalizations.

In addition to following these given tips, be sure to take care of your body by eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep. Utilizing this flu-fighting combination will provide you with an effective strategy to help reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

The Winter Itch

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Seasonal itchiness is common when the cold, dry winter air takes moisture away from your skin. The top layer of skin is made up of dead skin cells embedded in a mix of natural oils. The oils in this skin layer help keep water inside the body and prevent irritants and germs from entering. The dead cells and skin oils lock some water into the top layer, which keeps the skin soft and smooth. Cold, dry air can damage the top skin layer, allowing water in the skin to escape and cause small cracks that expose underlying cells to irritants and germs. This irritation may cause nerves in the skin to send “itch” signals to the brain.

Weather-related itching may be accompanied by other dry skin symptoms, such as dullness, flakiness, roughness and more visible fine lines. Fortunately, weather-related dry skin isn’t usually serious and is easily treated.

Some products from your local stores can help, such as:

Moisturizers: In the winter, the best types of moisturizers to use are the ones that are oil-based rather than water-based. These are thicker and create a protective layer on the skin that will retain moisture in your skin for longer periods of time.
Sunscreen: Despite the cold temperatures, you can still get sunburned during the winter, which will make your skin even drier. When you plan to be outside, apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 about 30 minutes before going out. If you are out for longer periods of time reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours.
Gloves: Your hands are one part of your body that is exposed to the cold more often, so protect them whenever you can by wearing warm gloves.
Humidifier: Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can help counteract the effects of using heat in your home or office. Place the humidifier in rooms where you spend most of your time to get the best results.
Oatmeal: Take an oatmeal bath to soothe the itching. In addition to taking these soothing baths, refrain from taking very hot baths and showers in the winter. Instead use warm water and try not to stay in the bath or the shower for too long.

If the itchiness you are experiencing becomes severe or the skin begins to peel or crack significantly, you may have a skin disorder in addition to the typical dryness that occurs during colder months and should consult your physician.

If you itchy skin has become red and cracked, you may want to make an appointment with the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. It is centrally located and has convenient hours. Call 718-670-XXXXfor an appointment.

What Is The Best Bedtime for Children?

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Around what time do you put your children to bed at night?

7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm
No set time

A recent study conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Institute has concluded “that the ideal time for early school-age kids to go to sleep is 8:30.” The research indicated that children who went to bed around that time or earlier had a “better health-related quality of life,” when compared to those with later bedtimes. Children were not the only beneficiaries of an early bedtime; it was also found that the parents achieved improvement in their mental health. An earlier bedtime gave adults more time to decompress.

The National Sleep Foundation also performed a similar study and found that children who stayed up later than normal had “more academic problems and more attention problems.”