Quick and Easy Appetizers for Labor Day…

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Refreshing dip, spreads and appetizer’s that will make it easy for you to dip in and chill out this Labor Day!

–Homemade is the best made.
– A grill, bacon and some bamboo skewers are all you need.
– Produce delicious skins using this recipe.
– Add some spice to your menu with this fun recipe.

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.

10 Things You Should Know When Caring For Someone with Lupus

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

A diagno Purple ribbone 85501057 sis of lupus can be difficult news for a patient to receive; however, it can be as equally devastating to their loved ones. Caregivers will often face many mental and physical challenges after a diagnosis due to the unpredictability of the disease. Lupus is described as “unpredictable” because symptoms may present themselves differently in each person.

Experts suggest that one of the best pieces of advice a caregiver could use to overcome challenges is to develop an understanding of the disease. Through education they can become better prepared for difficulties that are likely to occur. Knowing the basics is a good start.

Here are 10 things a caregiver should know about lupus:

What is lupus? – Lupus is a chronic disorder of the immune system. It affects over 1.5 million people in the United States. The disease causes the body to attack healthy cells and tissues. Lupus can incur damage to the joints, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, skin, brain and lungs.
Who is most likely to get lupus?-The disease is most prevalent in women of color.
What causes the disease? – Currently, the cause of lupus is unknown.
What are some of the symptoms? – Symptoms vary by the individual. In some cases your loved one may experience: muscle or joint pain, fatigue, hair loss, fevers, rashes around the face, headaches, seizures or chest pain. The symptoms are sometimes referred to as lupus flares.
How do I handle lupus flares? – Be aware of tell-tale signs such as tiredness, rashes or other symptoms. Contact your doctor right away, so that he can recommend the appropriate treatment. If flares are stress related, try suggested methods for stress reduction.
Will lupus affect my loved one’s ability to remain active? – Lupus can impair your loved ones ability to move around, especially if there is a flare up around the joints.
How can I help my loved one to stay on top of their health? – Encouraging healthy eating, exercise, taking nutritional supplements and maintaining regular checkups are vital.
How can I be emotionally supportive? – The best advice is to let your loved one know that you are there for them and there to listen. A diagnosis or symptoms of lupus can sometimes lead to depression; be on the alert for signs such as a loss in interests, long term sadness or helplessness. If your loved one appears to be depressed, seek the help of a mental health professional as soon as possible.
How can I maintain my own mental health? It is not uncommon for caregivers to experience bouts of depression as well. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is recommended that you see a mental health professional. However, if you are just experiencing mental tiredness or frustration you can try activities such as exercise or joining a support group.
How do I maintain proper care for my loved one? Maintaining a continuous and communicative relationship with their physician is best. Because the disease is unpredictable you should communicate changes to the doctor. Based on information you provide, the doctor can develop a care plan for your loved one.

For more information about lupus, please contact The Lupus Center at Jamaica Hospital. The facility is staffed by expert rheumatologists from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and hosts various educational community outreach programs throughout the year. To schedule an appointment, call 718-206-9888 or the Lupus Hotline at 1-877-33 LUPUS.

Is Your Last Child Flying the Coop?

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Joann Ariola

If your last child is all grown up and about to leave home, or he or she has already moved out, you may experience some mixed emotions or what’s commonly called, empty next syndrome.

Empty nest syndrome is not a clinical diagnosis. It is a phenomenon in which parents may experience feelings of sadness and loss when their last child leaves home. You may worry how well your child will function in the world without your parental supervision and question their ability to take care of themselves. If you are the parent of an only child, you may have a particularly difficult time adjusting to an empty nest.

Many parents experiencing empty nest syndrome are confused by these feelings since they actively encouraged their child to become independent. Still, letting go can be painful. The feeling of not being needed by your child anymore, missing being a part of your child’s daily lives, as well as missing the constant companionship of your child can cause some parents to have mild bouts of depression, identity crisis, alcoholism and marital conflicts.

Some tips to help you overcome empty nest syndrome are:

Prepare for the departure – Take time to check that your child is aware of how to do the basic essentials for themselves such as, how to wash their clothes, cook for themselves, balance a checkbook and appreciate the value of money.
Shift aside the terrifying thoughts – Both you and your child will be better off if you treat this as a big adventure. Try not to transfer your fears onto your child. Help them to understand that once they’re into their new routine, it will be familiar, fun and successful.
Explore the ways that you intend to keep in touch with your child – Keeping in constant communication is vital for maintaining a sense of family togetherness and to keep of with the news. Schedule a weekly call-in time, utilize e-mail, texting, social media, Skype, or Face Time as a way of touching base while being sensitive to their need to grow and become their own adult person.
Start looking toward your own needs – Once you are satisfied that you child is settled on the right bath, you will start noticing a big change in your life. This is a great time to revive some of your own interests and pursuits.
Rediscover the love of your life – Unless you are a single parent, you will be left with your spouse or partner. Re-kindling the relationship you shared, pre-children, can be an exciting adventure of your own to take.
Focus on some of the positive points of your kids moving out – You may notice that the refrigerator does not need as frequent refilling, there are less trips to the grocery store and the laundry has decreased. Seeing the brighter side will help you while you are transitioning.

As the time for your child to fly the next approaches, try to reflect on each stage in your child’s life. Each ending was a new beginning. Stay positive, the fact that your child has confidently left home means you’ve done a great job as a parent. After leaving the nest, you can forge a new and even better relationship with your child as independent adults. Enjoy the friendship without having the pressure of hands-on parenting

Food That Diabetics Should Avoid

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Living with diabetes often requires a change in diet. Diabetics are encouraged to eat healthier and avoid food that will trigger spikes in blood sugar levels. Learning which food is good or bad for people with diabetes can be confusing. Lorena Ackerman, Certified Diabetes Educator at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center offered clarification and shared a list of some of the food diabetics should avoid.

It is highly recommended that diabetics steer clear of the following:

Highly processed food such as white rice or any products made with white flour can cause an elevation of blood sugar levels.
Fruit juices may sound harmless because they are made from fruit; however, most tend be high in added sugar. Opt for water as a beverage instead.
French fries are packed with carbohydrates and fats, which can be disastrous for blood sugar levels.
Canned fruits stored in syrup are not recommended because the syrup tends to have high levels of added sugar.
Candy is a no-no because it can cause dramatic increases in glucose levels.
Dried fruits such as raisins or prunes may sound like a healthy option, but they are not. Sugars in fruits become very concentrated during the dehydration process.
Whole milk is high in saturated fats, which can negatively affect insulin resistance.

Ms. Ackerman explained, “Eating the wrong food can be very dangerous for a person with diabetes.” She continued, “Food that is laden with fat, carbohydrates or added sugars, can cause diabetic symptoms such as dizziness, frequent urination or fatigue to occur.”

If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, it is recommended that you speak with a dietary professional to learn about food in relation to diabetes. Choosing the wrong food can be detrimental to your health.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is offering a free nutritional class “What Can I Eat?” for people with diabetes. The interactive program educates participants on daily nutrition and tips on preparing diabetic-friendly meals. Classes begin in the fall. To register, contact Elena Toumaras at 718-206-7056 or email, [email protected].

Vaccination Timeline

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

There has been much debate over the importance of having children vaccinated. There have even been legal battles in some municipalities over school policies that sought to prevent children who were not vaccinated from attending school. Many of the communicable diseases that were prevalent in the early part of the last century have now been almost completely eradicated in the United States due to the discovery of vaccines.

It would appear that the benefits of having your child vaccinated outweigh the risks. Now that we live in global society and we are exposed to people who may be coming from parts of the world where vaccinations may not be readily available, it is recommended that you follow a vaccination timeline for your children.

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommends that the following vaccines be given at the appropriate time in a child’s life.

The CDC has set guidelines for vaccinations

Discuss with your pediatrician having your child vaccinated against communicable diseases. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center also offers our patients access to a program called “My Chart” which allows you to access your child’s medical records and to keep track of all tests results and all scheduled vaccines.

Home Remedies for Summer Bug Bites

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

wasp bug bites-475238867 Warm weather is inviting and motivates us to spend more time outside, but it also serves as an invitation to insects that thrive outdoors during the summer. Your encounters with bugs that bite such as ants, bees, wasps, mosquitos and ticks, will become more difficult to avoid during these months. When they attack, the results can be irritating, itchy, painful or in severe cases, life threatening.

There are several home remedies that you can try to help bring relief, reduce swelling and prevent infection in minor cases. Before trying these home remedies, you should first try to identify what caused the bite. Look for tell- tale signs that are synonymous with the culprit. Here are a few signs that will help you to identify these bugs and their bites-followed by suggested home remedies.

1. Mosquitoes– Round, red bumps with an insatiable itch.

Remedies- Aloe vera gel, rubbing alcohol and witch hazel can help relieve the itching. Preparation H is also known to relieve the itch and reduce inflammation. Honey can be dabbed on the skin to prevent the bite from getting infected.

2.Ticks- Red welts; however, if a tick carrying Lyme disease bites you, it will usually leave a circular rash around the bite. This resembles a bull’s eye target.

Remedies-Remove the tick with a sterilized fine-tipped tweezer, if a tweezer is not available cover your fingers with tissue paper (you should never remove a tick with your bare hands). Wash the bitten area with warm water and soap. Apply ice to relieve pain, itching or swelling. An application of antibiotic ointment and a bandage will help with irritation. For the next few days continue to inspect the area for signs of a bite from a tick that carries Lyme disease.

3.Bees or wasps- In most cases, the area where you have been stung will become red and swollen with white surrounding the site of the sting. The area may also feel hot to the touch and have a lingering dull pain.

Remedies- Remove the stinger as soon as possible. Apply ice or a wet cloth to the site to help relieve pain and swelling. Over the counter medications such as antihistamines and pain killers work well for pain relief.

4.Ants- A sharp pain and burning sensation at the site, followed by painful and itchy red bumps or blisters.

Remedies- Applying ice can reduce the swelling. Diluted tea tree oil, rubbing alcohol and calamine lotion can help with the maddening itch. To prevent infection of the site, baking soda and water made into a paste or apple cider vinegar is recommended.

Trying these home remedies can help you treat bites from these unwelcomed summer pests but prevention is always best. Keep in mind; these remedies are for minor reactions only-more serious reactions require immediate medical attention.

Is Your Child New to School?

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Joann Ariola

It is summertime but before you know it , it will be the end of August and a good time to start preparing your young child for their first experience at school. It is normal for young children, as well as their parents, to have some anxiety about starting something new.

Here are some tips on how to make the first day of school go well:

Visit the school and get familiar with the layout.
Become familiar with the school schedule.
Try to meet the teacher before school begins.
Reassure the child that everyone gets nervous and that it is okay.
Tell the child about all the new friends they are going to make.
Try to find someone who may be going to the same school in the same grade.
Parent should be calm and confident so your child will be more at ease.
If the school will permit it, see if you can bring a child’s stuffed animal to keep in their cubby
Always say good bye to your child when dropping them off or putting them on the bus. Reassure them that you will pick them up at the end of the day

It is natural for a child to have separation anxiety, especially if this is going to be their first time away from a parent. With a little bit of pre-planning, a child will adapt to the new routine and be just fine. Speak to your pediatrician to see if they have any other suggestions about getting your child off to school for the first time.

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Schizophrenia is a serious disorder which affects how a person thinks, feels and acts. A person with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary. They also may be unresponsive or withdrawn and have difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations.

People often confuse schizophrenia with dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder). Unlike dissociative identity disorder, which is thought to be an effect of severe trauma during early childhood, schizophrenia is not caused by childhood experiences, negative parental relationships, or sexual/emotional abuse.

What causes schizophrenia is not completely understood; although, it has long been believed that schizophrenia runs in families. Doctors usually make a diagnosis through interviews with the patient, as well as friends and family members.

A schizophrenia diagnosis can be made when all of the following are true about a patient:

Schizophrenia symptoms have been present for at least six months
Patient is significantly impaired by the symptoms (compared to the period prior to symptoms manifesting)
Symptoms can’t be explained by another diagnosis, such as drug abuse or other mental illnesses

A diagnosis of schizophrenia is not a life-sentence of ever-worsening symptoms and hospitalizations. Despite the widespread misconception that people with schizophrenia have no chance of recovery or improvement, the reality is much more hopeful.

Studies have shown that for every five people who develop schizophrenia:

1 in 5 will get better within five years of their first episode
3 in 5 will get better, but will still have some symptoms
1 in 5 will continue to have trouble managing their symptoms

Schizophrenia isn’t very different from other chronic medical conditions, for which there isn’t a cure, it can be treated and managed with medication and supportive therapies.

As with any disease, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and improve the chances of recovery.

If you are concerned about the possibility you or a loved one having schizophrenia, you can make an appointment at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry for an evaluation at 718-206-5587.

Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

One of the reasons that people don’t want to stop smoking is because they are worried about gaining weight. Smoking increases the rate of metabolism so when a person quits, their metabolism slows and they tend to eat a little bit more than they did when they were still smoking. As a result, people will typically gain four to 10 pounds when they quit. When you snack between meals, over the course of time, you can slowly be adding on the pounds. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, so it reduces these cravings. Smoking also makes people feel good, so that is another reason that people will eat sweet foods such as cookies and cake to replace cigarettes.
If you find yourself craving something sweet to eat, there are healthy alternatives:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Fat free or low fat snacks
• Sugar free candies
Drinking plenty of water and brushing your teeth frequently throughout the day will keep your breath fresh and will take away the urge to smoke.
Try finding alternate activities that will keep you busy so that you won’t have the desire to reach for a cigarette. It might be helpful to go to a movie theater, take a long walk, use the stairs instead of an elevator when possible, read a book and spend time with people who are supportive and who don’t smoke.
Smoking is a leading factor in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and many other illnesses. Speak to your physician to learn about ways to quit and how to manage the changes your body will experience. If you would like to speak with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.