Healthy Cookout Tips for this Summer

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Michael Hinck

One of the best things about the summer is spending time with family and friends at cookouts and barbeques. While we look forward to these outings, the foods found can cause us to pack on the pounds. Whether attending or hosting your next summer gathering, try some of these calorie conscious techniques:

• Skip the chips and dip. Instead, try healthier alternatives, like fresh vegetables. If you want to make a dip, use non-fat yogurt instead of sour cream or mayonnaise.

• Try kabobs. They offer the same opportunity to enjoy grilled chicken, beef, or pork, but minus the bread. Plus, the grilled vegetables on them will help you fill up.

• If you insist on having a burger or hot dog, choose healthier options, such as chicken or turkey instead of beef. Also, avoid whit flout buns and breads and opt for whole grains instead.

• Instead of heavy macaroni or potato salads loaded with mayonnaise, look for salads with a vinaigrette base as a lighter alternative.

• Don’t limit yourself to just grilling meat. There are many types of fish that are not only healthier, but also taste great on the grill. Vegetables, lightly coated in olive oil are also tasty and filling.

• For dessert, serve some refreshing summer fruit, such as cherries, peaches, plums or melons.
By following these tips, you can still enjoy your summer, but not pay for it in the fall.

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.

7 Amazing Facts About Your Lips

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

1. The color of your lips is caused by visible blood capillaries under your skin. They are visible because the lips have one of the thinnest layers of skin on the body.
2. They are the most sensitive part on your body-they have over 1 million nerve endings.
3.Lips never sweat- because they do not have sweat glands.
4. They get thinner as you get older.
5.They are unique- like finger prints.
6.They are the only parts of the body where the inside extends to the outside. The membrane that makes up the inner lips also makes the outer lips.
7.The dip above your upper lip is called the Philtrum

Swimmer’s Ear

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that affects the outermost portion of the ear canal. A common cause is the accumulation of water in this portion of the canal that leads to a bacterial infection. It can also be caused by the insertion of unclean foreign objects into the ear that irritate the lining of the ear canal.
Signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear are:
• Redness in the ear canal
• Itchiness in the ear
• Fluid discharge which may include pus
• Muffled hearing
• Sensation of fullness in the ear
• Fever if the infection is severe
A few factors that can make a person more susceptible to swimmer’s ear are:
• Swimming in water that isn’t clean
• Having a narrow ear canal
• Abrasion of the ear canal by improper use of a cotton swab
• Reduced production or improper removal of ear wax
It is important to treat swimmer’s ear as soon as possible in order to prevent serious complications such as hearing loss. Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment options are ear drops containing antibiotics, steroid, and a mild acidic solution. Have your physician evaluate the problem as soon as possible. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7001.

Should You Give Your Toe Nails a Break from Polish this Summer?

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Ladies, how often do you get a pedicure in the summer?

While many women love to have their toenails painted their favorite color during open-toe season, the truth is, your toe nails could benefit from a break from polish.

Doctors suggest giving your toenails some time off between nail polish applications. Leaving nail polish on too long can be dangerous because the pigment in it can seep into the top layers of your nails and dry them out. When this happens, bacteria, mold, and mildew can develop under the nail plate, which can lead to long-term problems. By removing the polish from your nails and exposing them to the air, you are allowing them to breathe and remain healthy.

This summer, remember to give your toe nails an occasional break. While it may be difficult to give up wearing your favorite polish throughout the season, avoiding problems associated with unhealthy nails are far more beneficial.

A “Honey” of a Home Remedy

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Honey and cinnamon have become indispensable ingredients in so many ways, not only because of their delicious flavor, but also because of their numerous benefits.

The tasty combo has been used for thousands of years to add extra flavor to food, but if you have caught a summer cold and are coughing intensely, honey and cinnamon is a delicious, nutritious and effective all-natural cough syrup.

Ingredients:

One cup of honey

Three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

One teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 cup of lukewarm water.

Slowly mix the lemon juice with the honey and then gradually add the warm water and then take one or two teaspoons of this homemade cough syrup before going to bed, to relieve the symptoms of cough without experiencing any side effects.

Delicious Picnic Side Dish

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Joann Ariola

As the temperature outside rises, we look for cooler things to eat. Try this delicious Italian Zesty Salad on a picnic, at a BBQ or if you are in the mood for something chilled. BON APPETITE!

Ingredients

8 oz can black olives sliced
1 c. artichokes, chopped
19 oz frozen tortellini
2 c. pasta
1/2 c. mini pepperonis
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
1 c. Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing Fat Free

Instructions

Prepare tortellini and pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse in cold water. Put into large bowl.
Mix pasta with black olives, artichokes, pepperoni and Parmesan cheese. Pour dressing over pasta mixture and mix well. Store in refrigerator. If the pasta soaks up the dressing before serving just add a little more.

Prep Time – 10 Minutes

Cook Time – 10 Minutes

Servings – 12

Car Accidents Still A Leading Cause of Death in Children

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Despite growing public service advertising campaigns and state enforced child restraint laws, information collected from agencies such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports the notion that parents still need to do more to protect their children while driving. According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are still a leading cause of death and injury among children in the United States.

Further investigation has shown that one in every three children involved in a fatal car accident was not buckled up or incorrectly restrained. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the proper use of car safety restraints such as car seats, booster seats or seat belts.

It is estimated that proper usage of car seats reduces the risk of death for babies by 54%. In children between the ages of four to eight years old the use of booster seats decreases the risk of premature death by 45%. In older children the proper use of seat belts reduces fatalities by approximately 50%.

Safety precautions vary with children’s ages. Parents need to practice and enforce appropriate seat belt, car and booster seat use. By following these tips they can reduce the risk of injuries if involved in a car accident.

Children under the age of one: Children should always be secured in a rear-facing car seat.
Ages one to three: Your child should continue using a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the recommended height requirement suggested by the car seat manufacturer.
Ages four to seven: If your child has outgrown the recommended height requirement for a rear-facing car seat, they can graduate to a forward-facing car seat that is secured with a harness and seat belt.
Ages seven to twelve: Once your child has outgrown the car seat it’s time to use a booster seat. Continue to use the booster seat until they fit properly in a seatbelt. To ensure that the seat belt is a proper fit, make certain that the shoulder belt lies snugly across the shoulder and chest and the lap belt lies across the upper thighs.

To learn more about child car safety please use resources provided by organizations such as the NHTSA (www.nhtsa.gov), the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ www.healthychildren.org.

Teaching Your Kids How to Swim & Be Safe in the Water

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Summer is here and with it comes fun in the water. Whether it’s the beach, pool, or a water park, kids love splashing around under the hot summer sun. However, sometimes playing in the water can lead to tragedy. Getting your children properly acquainted with the water and teaching them age-appropriate swimming skills and techniques as well as learning proper safety precautions will lead to many years of fun in the water for you and your kids.
Here are some introductory swimming and safety tips for all age groups.

CHILDREN UNDER 1
Swim Tips – It is a good idea to introduce your baby to water at six months old. The goal at this age is not to teach them to swim, but get them comfortable in this environment. Encourage your baby to have fun by playing games with them, showing them how to splash and bobbing them up and down, all while in your arms.

Safety Tips – You should never submerge your baby’s head under water as they could ingest a large amount of water. Also never leave your baby unattended in or around a pool of any size, including small inflatable pools. An infant can drown in less than an inch of water in under 30 seconds.

CHILDREN 2-3 YEARS OLD
Swim Tips – At this age, your child will develop a curiosity about the water and become more active in it. It is recommended to play games that require your toddler to move their arms, kick their legs, and float on their stomach and back while you support them. Also teach them how to blow bubbles in the water so they learn how to get their face wet without swallowing water.

Safety Tips – Even though your toddler may feel more comfortable in the water, you should never leave them alone for a second. Do not rely on any air filled flotation devices, including water wings. They provide a false sense of security and can deflate, resulting in drowning. This is the age to begin to stress proper pool safety to your child. Discuss such rule as no running along the side of the pool and only going into the water with an adult.

CHILDREN 4-5 YEARS OLD
Swim Tips – Your child is now beginning to develop the proper coordination necessary to swim by themselves. This is the age to begin swimming lessons. Lessons, whether through an instructor or by a parent, should include teaching the child how to float independently, submerge their face underwater for five-ten seconds, and use coordinated kicking and arm movements.

Safety Tips – Even though you don’t need to hold your child at this age, you should practice what is called “reach supervision” or being in the water, within reaching distance of your child.

CHILDREN 6 YEARS & UP
Swim Tips – At this age, your child should be able to hold their breath for longer periods of time, swim underwater and be able to jump into water and resurface on their own. This is a good time to learn the various types of swim strokes as well. Learning these strokes will increase their strength and endurance.

Safety Tips – Your child can swim in the water without you at this age, but they still need to be supervised. Make sure diving is done only at the deep end of the pool. Also, be mindful that your child’s swimming skills in a pool don’t always translate to swimming in the ocean or lake so be extra careful.

Health and Beauty Benefits of Coconut Oil

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

coconut oil -176906001 The use of coconut oil has grown in popularity over the years. It has been discovered that ingesting the oil or using it topically has countless benefits. The benefits are often attributed to its healthy saturated fats such as lauric, caprylic and capric acid. Coconut oil is also composed of linoleic acid, poly-phenols, oleic acid, several essential minerals such as iron, as well as vitamins such as E and K. It is also known to have many anti-fungal, anti- bacterial, anti-parasitic and anti- oxidant properties.

Studies have shown that coconut oil can improve thyroid and heart function, insulin levels and several skin conditions. Whether you choose to ingest coconut oil or use it topically it can provide these additional benefits to your health:

Promotes weight loss– The medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) contained in coconut oil boosts the metabolism and increases energy.
Lowers cholesterol– It has been shown that the lauric acid increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
Improves digestion– It supports the absorption of nutrients during the digestive process.
Improves hair and scalp condition– Coconut oil provides the hair and scalp with optimal hydration. It is often used as a conditioner to repair damaged hair and maintain lustrous locks. It also serves as an effective anti-dandruff agent because of anti –fungal properties.
Promotes healthy skin– This essential oil can moisturize, treat and soothe dry skin. It is rich in vitamin E which prevents premature aging and wrinkling. Coconut oil is sometimes used in the treatment of eczema, acne and psoriasis.
Improves Immunity- Lauric and caprylic acid contains anti-viral properties and anti- bacterial properties which can help in strengthening the immune system.

There are several forms of coconut oil available for purchase; however, experts highly recommend the use of fresh-pressed virgin coconut oil because it is the least refined, is extracted from fresh coconuts and is of a higher quality. It is also easy to digest.

Be sure to talk to your physician about adding coconut oil to your daily diet or applying it on your body.

The Facts About ‘Dem Bones

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Most of our understanding of the human skeleton is limited to what we see around Halloween, but there are many interesting facts about our bones. Here are a few:

• Adults have 206 bones in their bodies, but the same is not true for infants. The skeleton of a newborn has approximately 300 bones. Over time, the “extra” bones in infants fuse to form larger bones, reducing the overall number of bones to 206 by adulthood.

• Each hand has 27 bones, and each foot has 26, which means that together the body’s two hands and two feet have 106 bones. The hands and feet contain more than half of the bones in your entire body.
• The largest, and by most accounts, the strongest bone is the thigh bone, or femur. It is roughly over 25% of our total height. The smallest bone in the human body is the staples (or stirrup) bone, found in the middle ear. It is only 2.8 millimeters long.

• Most adults have 24 ribs (12 pairs), but about one in every 500 people has an extra rib, called a cervical rib. This extra rib can cause health issues for some if it squashes nearby blood vessels or nerves. Symptoms are marked by pain in the shoulder or neck, loss of limb feeling, blood clots and other problems.

• Every bone is connected to another bone — with one exception. The hyoid is a horseshoe –shaped bone found in the throat, located between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. It’s the only bone in the human body not connected to another bone. The hyoid is important for speech because of it works with the larynx (voice box) and tongue to produce the range of human vocalizations.

• Bones are strong and rigid – In fact, they are stronger than steel, but they are not the hardest substance in the body. That title goes to another part of the skeletal system; tooth enamel. This substance protects the crown of teeth and owes its strength to its high concentration of minerals.