Peripheral Vascular Disease and Hypertension

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Peripheral Vascular Disease or PVD as it’s more commonly known, is a condition that is often associated with Hypertension.

PVD is a slow and progressive circulation disorder involving diseases in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart, the lymph vessels – arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. Organs supplied by these vessels, such as the brain, heart and legs may not receive adequate blood flow for ordinary function.

However, the legs and feet are the most commonly affected.

Up to half of the people diagnosed with PVD are symptom free. For those experiencing symptoms, most common and first symptom is intermittent leg discomfort described as cramping that occurs with exercise and is relieved by rest. During rest, the muscles need less blood flow, so the pain disappears. It may occur in one or both legs depending on the location of the blocked or narrowed artery.

Other symptoms of PVD may include:

Decreased skin temperature
Diminished pulses in the legs and feet
Hair loss on the legs
Impotence
Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles
Reddish coloring of the extremities

Some risk factors for peripheral vascular disease include factors that can be changed or treated with lifestyle changes, such as controlling your blood pressure or increasing physical activity. Unfortunately, risk factors like age and family history of heart disease and hypertension cannot be changed.

It is important to take steps to prevent PVD. A prevention plan may also be used to prevent or lessen the progress of PVD once you are diagnosed. If you would like to consult a physician, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s 718-206-7001 for diagnosis and treatment.

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 Unusual Phobias

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Many people are afflicted with unusual phobias such as Venustraphobia, which is the fear of beautiful women. A phobia is defined as an irrational fear or anxiety disorder. People with phobias tend to be extremely fearful of a specific situation, person, object or activity. There is still uncertainty of what actually causes phobias; however they can be linked to genetics, life experiences or environmental reasons.

A few unusual phobias include:

Bibliophobia- A fear of books.
Coulrophobia-A fear of clowns.
Aulophobia- A fear of flutes.
Porphyrophobia- A fear of the color purple.
Nyctohylophobia- A fear of the woods in the night.
Octophobia- A fear of the figure 8.
Selenophobia- A fear of the moon.
Lutraphobia- A fear of otters.
Heliophobia- A fear of sunlight.
Chionophobia- A fear of snow.

Although these phobias are unusual they should not be taken lightly. They can be harmful to people who have them and can potentially lead to depression, social isolation or substance abuse. It is advised that you seek help immediately if you or someone you know is suffering from the complications of a phobia.

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Joann Ariola

When you are faced with the decision of choosing whether palliative care or hospice care better suites the needs of you, or your loved ones; it is best to know the definition and relationship between the two before deciding.

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms that are related to a chronic illness, such as cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s and other dementias, AIDS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological diseases. Palliative care can be used at any stage of illness –not just advanced stages.

Hospice care is palliative by nature, but is only offered when the patient has progress to a point where curative treatment is no longer desired. Hospice care supports the patient, and their families, on the journey to end of life focusing on relieving symptoms and offering comfort from pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and insomnia.

Although there are differences between palliative care and hospice care, there is a relationship between the two. Knowing the treatment differences and similarities may be helpful when making your decision, including:

Treatments are not limited with palliative care and can range from conservative to aggressive or curative.
Hospice care treatments are limited and focus on the palliation of symptoms. The goal is no longer to cure, but to promote comfort.
Palliative care can be considered at any time during the course of a chronic illness.
With hospice care, Medicare requires that a physician certify that a patient’s condition is terminal. The physician must certify that a patient’s life expectancy is six months or less.
Both palliative and hospice care can be delivered at any location.
Palliative care services are typically provided through regular physician and nursing visits.
Hospice care services are more inclusive than palliative care services. Hospice care includes physician services, nursing services, social worker, spiritual care, bereavement care and volunteers. In some cases physical, occupational, speech and dietary therapy services, as well as other counseling services are deemed necessary as part of the hospice holistic care plan to manage terminal symptoms and provide support for the individual and their family.

It is important to know that choosing palliative care or hospice care is about comfort, control, dignity and quality of life and not about giving up. If you, or a loved one should need information on palliative or hospice care, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Palliative Care and Hospice Care services can help. To schedule an appointment for an evaluation, or to just talk, call 718-206-6914.

Perils of the Pregnant Partner – Couvade Syndrome

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Joann Ariola

During pregnancy the focus is often on the changes that the expectant mother is experiencing and ignores the emotional changes of the other parent to be, who may be experiencing emotional and physical changes that are valid and deserving of the proper attention and support.

Impending parenthood can bring a rush of feelings and fears. Whether the pregnancy is planned or unexpected, the news may cause you to become introspective about many things including your relationship with your partner, the fear of newly acquired responsibilities, financial implications, feelings of inadequacy and, in some cases, sympathy pains or a condition known as, Couvade Syndrome.

Partners who have Couvade Syndrome experience symptoms that mimic pregnancy such as, constipation, gas, bloating, irritability, weight gain, cravings and nausea right along with the expectant mom.

Fortunately, the symptoms are almost always temporary and are not treated with medication. They, usually, resolve once the baby is born.

The NERVE of Diabetes

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Joann Ariola

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes. Typically, 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some sort of nerve problems, know as neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a shorter term for peripheral neuropathy, meaning nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. Neuropathy from diabetes can damage the nerves in your hands, arms, feet and legs. This condition can cause pain, numbness and weakness. Depending on the degree of neuropathy, and how long you have been a diabetic, nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart and reproductive organs.

The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathy also appears to be more common in people who have issues with controlling their blood glucose, have high blood pressure and are overweight.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary depending on the nerves affected and develop gradually over the years. Symptoms may include:

Trouble with balance
Numbness and tingling of extremities
Abnormal sensation to a body part (Dysesthesia)
Diarrhea
Erectile dysfunction
Urinary incontinence
Vision changes
Burning or electric pain in extremities

When treating diabetic neuropathy, a nutritionist may recommend healthier food choices and exercise to help lower your glucose and glycohemoglobin levels. Additionally, analgesics and low doses of antidepressants can be prescribed for pain relief, burning and tingling.

If you are a diabetic and have been experiencing symptoms of neuropathy, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center and Department of Nutrition can help. Call 718-206-7001 to get the process started.

Erectile Dysfunction: More Common than You Think

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Natifia Mullings

It is reported that nearly 30 million American males suffer from erectile dysfunction. Defined by the National Library of Medicine, erectile dysfunction is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse, accompanied by a reduced sexual desire. While some men will experience erection difficulties every now and then, an ongoing erection problem indicates a larger problem.

What Happens During an Erection?
In order for an erection to occur, a male must first be sexually aroused. Next, the brain must “communicate” this sexual arousal to the body’s nervous system, which activates blood flow to the genital area. Lastly, relaxed blood vessels must supply blood to the penis. This results in an erection. If anything affects these three steps—arousal, the nervous system, or the vascular system— erectile dysfunction can occur.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Since male sexual arousal is a process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels, erectile dysfunction can be caused by any of these, as well as stress, fatigue, anxiety, and mental health diseases. Erectile dysfunction effects men as they age, but it can also be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as heart disease, blocked blood vessels, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, making it extremely important to speak with a physician.

“For most men, talking to their doctor about erectile dysfunction is awkward and embarrassing, and therefore a conversation that is often avoided,” said Dr. Riccardo Ricciardi, a Urologist at Jamaica Hospital. “Men have to speak up, especially since there are tests and procedures that can be performed to address their impotence.”

Millions of men have tried medications, such as Viagara, in an attempt to improve their erectile function and regain intimacy in their lives. While this option has proven successful for many, for approximately 30-40% of men this method of therapy is not effective. For these men, a variety of options are available, including penis pumps, penile implants, or surgery.

Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Urology currently offers an advanced surgical device for impotence. The Coloplast Titan and Titan One Touch Release inflatable penile implants are self-contained, fluid-filled systems made from Bioflex and silicone. The treatment features:

a 3-piece design for a more natural-appearing erection, providing greater flaccidity than with two-piece implants. Each part is connected by silicone tubing. The Titan implant is MRI conditional and latex free.
an ease-of-use pump, which means fewer squeezes to achieve a full erection and smooth, simplistic deflation.
a lock-out valve for less chance of unintentional inflation and smooth, simplistic deflation.
a hydrophilic coating that attracts water contained in solutions used to prepare the device.

The Coloplast Titan One Touch Release features an innovative “One Touch Release,” making deflation of the implant possible with only one hand.

For more information about erectile dysfunction or to schedule an appointment to see a Urologist for other men’s health issues, please call 718-206-7110.