Southwestern Turkey Soup

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Re-purpose your leftover turkey with this delicious Southwestern Turkey Soup courtesy of allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups shredded cooked turkey

4 cups vegetable broth

1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

1 (4ounce) can chopped green chile peppers

2 roma (plum tomatoes), chopped

1 onion chopped

2 cloves, garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon lime juice

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teasp9oon ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced

½ teaspoon cilantro

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot over medium heat, combine turkey, broth, canned tomatoes, green chiles, fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and lime juice. Season with cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.

Stir in avocado and cilantro, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until slightly thickened. Spoon into serving bowls, and top with shredded cheese

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.

Pain Management

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Pain is described as a distressful, uncomfortable feeling that tells your body something is wrong. It is physical suffering that is the result of an injury or illness. While we have all experienced sensations that we may describe as shooting pains, sharp pains, passing or steady pains; pain and pain tolerance is unique to each individual. Pain can be temporary and a nuisance for some, it can also be long term and debilitating for others.

When pain becomes long term and interferes with normal, daily physical activities, it is recommended that you seek the help of a physician for pain management. Pain management specialists use an interdisciplinary approach to diagnose the source of your pain and offer treatment options to bring you relief. They will assess your symptoms to determine the type of pain you may be experiencing.

Pain can be categorized into two main categories: acute pain or chronic pain. Acute pain occurs for a short duration of time. It typically lasts less than three to six months. Chronic pain lasts longer and signals that there is an ongoing cause for your pain.

Treating chronic pain can be challenging and your doctor may need to explore several methods of treatment. Treatment options that your pain management specialist may apply include:

Medications
Surgery
Acupuncture
Psychotherapy
Chiropractic therapy

The TJH Interventional Pain Management Practice, conveniently located on the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center campus offers an interdisciplinary approach to pain management while providing comprehensive evaluations and treatment options to patients with chronic pain in relaxing and private setting.

The goal of the practice is to provide comfort and improve the quality of life patients by reducing or eliminating their pain. Patients who receive pain management services generally are able to return to their normal lifestyle, quicker and without the use of addictive medications. To schedule an appointment with a pain management specialist, please call 718-206-PAIN.

Taking Medication While Breastfeeding

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Breastfeeding mothers are often cautioned to be mindful of the things they eat or drink because whatever they ingest will make its way into their breast milk. The same advice is given for taking medication while breastfeeding.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most medications are transferred in low doses in breast milk and are safe to take. However, it is always recommended that your physician is consulted before doing so because there are exceptions. Some medicines can remain concentrated in breast milk.

Another reason to speak with your doctor is he or she can advise if your baby runs the risk of being affected by medications due to age or health condition. Babies who are premature, newborn or diagnosed with certain chronic health conditions run a high risk of having adverse reactions.

If the medicine you are taking is determined to be unsafe while breastfeeding, your physician may recommend that you stop nursing temporarily or permanently.

It is always good to know if substances you ingest may harm your nursing baby. Always remember to speak with your doctor before taking any medications, dietary supplements or herbal remedies.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

The month of November has been designated American Diabetes Awareness Month by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the United States which is ten percent of the total population. There are 86 million more people who have pre-diabetes and are at risk of developing type II diabetes during their lifetime.

There is no cure for diabetes but there are many ways for people who have been diagnosed with the disease to live long, healthy lives if it is controlled properly. Learning to live with diabetes is one of the most important components for managing the disease. Proper nutrition, regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar daily and taking medication to control diabetes are some of the ways that complications can be prevented. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many complications. It is the leading cause of blindness, non traumatic amputations, kidney disease and also increases the risk for heart attacks.

During the month of November the ADA sponsors events around the country that serve to make people aware of the risk factors and the warning signs of diabetes. For more information on events taking place, please see the American Diabetes Association’s website at . It is important to have regular medical exams to manage diabetes successfully. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-6742.

Ways to Control Asthma During a Cold

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Colds make us feel miserable and coughing fits tend to bring attention to us at times when we want it least. For most catching a cold is a nuisance but for others with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, colds can be very serious. Colds are one of the most common causes for flare ups in asthmatics. The mildest of cold symptoms can easily lead to wheezing, shortness of breath or trigger asthma attacks.

Taking preventative measures to avoid catching a cold is one of the best recommendations that asthmatics can follow. Some of these precautions include: frequently washing or sanitizing hands, staying away from individuals who have colds and avoiding contact to the eyes and nose.

Even though prevention is highly recommended, during the cold season avoiding a cold is sometimes easier said than done. If you do contract the cold virus there are several things you can do to help control your asthma:

If you are sick stay home and take care of yourself. Staying home can help you avoid environmental factors that could worsen your condition.
Monitor your air flow by frequently using a peak flow meter. If there is a drop in peak flow rates contact your physician to discuss adjustments to medication.
Keep track of changes in your condition and developing asthma symptoms such as wheezing, tightness of the chest or coughing.
Take medication as advised by your doctor.

Following these recommendations can help you manage symptoms and reduce the risk of a serious attack. If your condition continues to get worse after several days, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Baby’s First Year

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Joann Ariola

If you are a new mom or dad, you may wonder what to expect and how to know if your baby’s development is on target.

In the first 12 months, your baby will undergo an incredible transformation with every month bringing new and exciting developmental strides.

There is a wide “window” for when it is normal for a baby to reach a particular developmental stage. If your baby reaches one milestone sooner and another later, he or she may be focused on perfecting another skill.

Keeping in mind that babies will progress at their own pace, here’s a list of what your baby may be doing during each three-month stage of the first year:

Zero to Three months

Early on, it will be just to him/her, but within three months, baby will be smiling in response to your smiles and trying to get you to smile back
Raising head and chest when placed on the tummy
Track objects with eyes and gradually decrease eye crossing
Open and shut hands and bring hands to mouth
Grip objects in hands
Take swipes at or reach for dangling objects

Four to Six Months

Roll over from front to back or back to front. Front to back usually comes first
Babble, making sounds that can sound like real language
Laugh
Reach out for and grab objects
Manipulate toys with their hands
Sit up with support and have great head control

Seven to Nine Months

Start to crawl
Sit without support
Respond to familiar words such as name
Babble becomes “Mama” and “Dada”
Clap and play games such as peekaboo
Learn to pull up to a standing position

Ten to 12 Months

Self-feeding and holding small objects such as O-shaped cereal between thumb and forefinger
Cruising or moving around the room
“Mama and “Dada” become more specific as a name for parents. The average is about three spoken words by the first birthday
Take first steps

If you are concerned that your baby may not be marking the strides expected each month after birth and would like to speak with a pediatrician, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center for an appointment at 718-206-7001.

5 Reasons Why Oral Health Matters

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Jamaica Hospital wants you to think beyond your teeth and gums and learn how good oral care has some surprising benefits for your overall health.

Here are five surprising reasons why oral care matters for a healthy body.

Healthy gums for a healthier heart

One health concern may lead to another. Studies have linked oral inflammatory disease with elevated heart disease risk. Gum disease from extended bacterial exposure can lead to cardiovascular disease as it may increase the inflammation level throughout the body. Your dentist should ask about your heart health and family history of heart disease.

A healthy mouth could mean a healthier pregnancy

Regular checkups with a dentist and hygienist become even more important during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should take extra care to keep their teeth at their best, not just for themselves, but for their babies too. Pregnant women with poor oral health may be at higher risk of delivering pre-term, low birth weight babies than pregnant women with good oral health.

There’s a link between gum disease and diabetes

People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease. However, new studies suggest that serious gum disease may actually contribute to diabetes as it affects blood glucose control. This two-way link is a wake-up call to take care of your teeth, especially since the incidence of diabetes is rising.

Early screening for Oral Cancer

As part of regular examinations, dentists should check all soft tissues to ensure they are healthy. All dentists are trained to do a cancer screening as part of ongoing dental checkups, by inspecting the gums, tongue, lips and cheeks for anything suspicious or any unusual changes. A precancerous lesion can begin as a small white or dark red patch that may not be causing you any noticeable symptoms. Keep in mind that only about one-half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years, so detecting early signs of the disease is crucial.

Trying to lose weight? Brush your teeth!

Brushing your teeth signals you have finished eating and may help with portion control. Use this trick to your advantage – have a healthy meal and then, before you are tempted to overeat or indulge in sweet desserts, go and brush your teeth. This will tell your brain that mealtime is over. While brushing cleans your teeth and freshens your breath.

World Psoriasis Day – October 29 2015

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

October 29th has been designated World Psoriasis Day by the International Federation of Psoriasis Association to raise awareness about this disease. It is estimated that worldwide there are 125 million people worldwide who have psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, reoccurring, immune related inflammatory disorder of the skin. It is believed to have a genetic component which means it can run in families. The disease usually starts to appear in the younger years and continues into adulthood, and it affects men and women equally. There is no known cause other than it is triggered by a malfunctioning of the immune system. Psoriasis is unsightly but is not contagious.

Psoriasis presents as reddish plaques on the skin with silvery scales. These lesions can be very painful and itchy. It can also affect the joints (psoriatic arthritis) which can cause physical and functional deformity. There is no cure for the disease, but treatments do exist that make the skin lesions less painful and less visible.
To make an appointment a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital’s ambulatory care center please call 718-206-7001.

Pulmonary Rehab For COPD

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a general term that describes progressive respiratory diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is characterized by decreased airflow over time and increased inflammation of the lungs.

A decrease in airflow often results in shortness of breath, which at times makes performing minimal physical activities difficult. One of the most recommended forms of treatments used to improve this issue is pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD. A respiratory therapist can assess the severity of a patient’s condition before enrollment into a program by administering tests such as a pulmonary function test.

This form of treatment involves a series of exercises that teaches people breathing techniques that help them build physical fitness and lung strength.

Most pulmonary rehab programs include:

Exercise-This is one of the key components in pulmonary rehab. Patients are required to do a series of physical activities such as:

Exercises to strengthen and improve breathing muscles
Upper body exercises
Lower body exercises
Strength training

Smoking cessation- In order to improve quality of life and lung function, smoking cessation is often a goal or prerequisite in pulmonary rehab. Quitting is the most important thing a smoker can do to slow the progression of COPD.
Education-Programs offer education in either a group setting or on an individual basis. Education sessions are designed to teach people ways to manage their COPD or include lessons on understanding medication as well as using oxygen therapy.

Patients who participate in pulmonary rehab programs gain several benefits. Most see significant improvement in their breathing. It is suggested that participants continue the exercises even after completing a program by incorporating them into their daily life. Those who do not may experience a decline in its benefits.

History of Hearing Aids

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

For hundreds of years devices have been used to help the hearing impaired. As early as the 1600s devices were made from sea shells, animal horns and then, in later years, from brass and copper. These early hearing instruments that were wide at one end to gather the sound and narrow at the other end to direct sound into the ear canal. They were described as ear trumpets because of the way they looked.
In the 1700s it was discovered that sound could be sensed as vibrations on bony surfaces of the skull so devices were placed behind the ear to help transmit these sounds.
In the 1800s devices were created that resembled tubes into which a person spoke at one end and the other end was placed in the ear of the person who was listening.
In the early part of the 20th century devices were developed that began to use electricity. This helped tremendously with the development of hearing devices that could amplify sounds and direct them into people’s ears. Some of the technology used by Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone was also used for these hearing aids. Sounds were amplified by using a carbon microphone and powered by batteries.
Over the years, batteries became smaller and transistors were developed that helped to miniaturize the devices, which improved helped sound quality.
The digital era has improved hearing aids even further both in quality of the sound and the size of the device. Hearing aids are now being used that fit in the ear canal and aren’t easily visible, making people less hesitant to wear them. While years ago hearing aids were used mainly by people who were hard of hearing, now they can be used for people who just need a little help to hear more clearly.
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty hearing, it is recommended that you speak with a physician who will make a referral to our audiology evaluation department. Please call 718-206-7001 for an appointment.