Why It’s Important For Your Child To Get The Flu Shot This Year

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Flu season is coming and once again, many parents wonder if they should get their children vaccinated. Below is some information about the flu vaccine that parents should know.

The flu is more serious than the common cold for kids. Young children often require medical care after getting the flu. In fact, each year, an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized due to complications from the flu, and for some, the illness can even result in death.

The best way to protect your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children six months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. Ideally, the best time to get the flu vaccine is as soon as it becomes available as it usually takes up to two weeks before your child is fully protected.

Flu shots can be administered either by injection or by a nasal spray. The nasal spray flu vaccine can be given to children between two and eight years old. Side effects can include runny nose, cough, fever, wheezing, and head or muscle aches. The flu shot can be given to children ages six months and over. Side effects of the flu shot include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site or a low-grade fever.

Children under six months old are too young to be vaccinated. The best defense for them is to make sure those around them are vaccinated.

Some children who get the flu shot may require two doses. If your child is under nine years old and has never gotten the shot before, two separate doses will be necessary. These doses must be administered at least four weeks apart. If your child has gotten the seasonal flu vaccine before or is over nine years old, only one dose is required.

Please speak with your pediatrician before getting your child vaccinated if:

If your child isn’t feeling well
If your child recently had other vaccines
If your child has any medical conditions
If your child is allergic to eggs
If your child had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine

Please call your pediatrician now to schedule you child’s flu shot. If you do not have a pediatrician, please call Jamaica Hospital’s Pediatric Clinic at 718-206-7001 to make an appointment with one of our qualified pediatric specialists.

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.

National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

October 6^th has been designated as National Depression Screening day, an annual event held during Mental Illness Awareness Week. This event was started 26 years ago as an effort to provide people with mental health education materials and give them resources for support services. National Depression Screening Day was also created with the hope of removing the stigma from mental illness.

The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The organization states that early recognition and treatment of the disease offer the best opportunity for successful outcomes. If depression is left untreated it can lead to destructive behaviors and possibly suicide.

In an effort to raise awareness, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry observed National Depression Screening Day by providing free depression screenings to the community. The community outreach initiative took place in the hospital’s Ambulatory Care building where members of the department educated guests about symptoms of depression and when to seek help. The group reminded everyone that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and they should not delay getting help for that reason.

Depression screenings help to distinguish between short term feelings of sadness and stress due to transient life episodes, and more severe cases that can go on for months and years. The tests usually last between two to five minutes and the scores will indicate whether a further evaluation by a mental health professional is needed. It is important for people to know that help is available.

To schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Department of Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7160.

OBESITY OR GENETICS

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Joann Ariola

“How does she eat so much and not gain any weight?”

It’s a question that has left many puzzled and quite frustrated. The conversation about weight, however, is a longstanding one. Today, especially, weight gain and weight loss remain relevant discussions, as the United States faces an obesity epidemic.

Though several health initiatives to help fight obesity have been implemented over the past few years, it is important to first understand what factors contribute to obesity. According to a National Institutes of Health funded study conducted by UCLA, not only does behavior and environment affect obesity, but genetic factors can also play a significant role in causing obesity.

How our genes actually influence obesity varies. As explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genes give the body instruction for responding to changes in its environment. Some research has linked genes to metabolism, pointing out that genetics affects how one’s body responds to high-fat diets. Genes can either cause an increased tendency to store fat or a diminished capacity to use dietary fats as fuel. Other research has suggested that genes influence behaviors, such as overeating and being sedentary.

The conversation about obesity can now change since research has shown that body weight is hereditary and that genetic disposition affects weight. In all efforts to fight obesity, living environments where high calorie foods are prevalent and physical activity is limited should be looked at more closely.

We understand that the road to healthier choices isn’t easy to travel, especially alone. Here at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center our outpatient registered Dietitians assist patients to grow their knowledge about nutrition, wellness and healthy eating. To schedule an appointment the outpatient nutrition services department can be reached directly at.

Facts About Lung Cancer

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the lungs. It is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. More people die each year from lung cancer than from colon, prostate ovarian, and breast cancer combined.

In the early stages there may not be any signs or symptoms. A history of smoking definitely contributes to a higher risk of being diagnosed with the disease, though non-smokers also can develop lung cancer. Smoking causes cancer by irritating the lining of the lungs. This causes changes in the lung tissue. It is believed that the effects of smoking may be reversible in the very early phases but repeated exposure to the chemicals found in smoke will eventually be irreversible.

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer include:
• A cough that doesn’t get better
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Headache
• Weight loss that isn’t intentional

If lung cancer is suspected, a few tests to make the diagnosis definitive will be ordered. A chest x-ray will be performed and if there are any lesions found on the lung a CT scan will to get a better view of the lungs. An exam of the sputum can sometimes reveal lung cancer cells and to complete the diagnosis a lung biopsy will be done to examine the cells to see if they are cancerous.

Depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment options vary and can include chemotherapy, radiation and / or surgery. A common surgical option is called a lobectomy, removal one of the lobes of the lung.

There is no way to prevent lung cancer, but the best way to reduce your risk is to not smoke. If you do smoke, quit immediately. Also avoid second hand smoke, radon, and harmful carcinogens.

World Heart Day

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

September 29th has been designated as “World Heart Day”. This observance serves to bring international attention to the dangers of cardiovascular disease. According to the World Heart Federation, over 17.3 million deaths occur each year due to cardiovascular disease. By the year 2030 it is expected that this number will rise to 23 million. This makes it the leading cause of death in the world. The most common cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attack) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke).
Ways to control heart disease and protect the heart:
• Keep active – a minimum of 30 minutes a day of physical activity or exercise
• Do not smoke – if you do smoke, quit and if you don’t smoke, don’t start
• Healthy eating – A healthy diet includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish
• Maintain a healthy weight – keep away from food that is high in sodium and sugar or contains unsaturated fat
• Keep blood pressure under control
• Take medication as prescribed to control cholesterol, pressure, and diabetes if present
It is very important to know the warning signs of heart disease. For instance, a person who is experiencing a heart attack will often experience chest pain (fullness, squeezing, pressure), discomfort in areas of the upper body ( neck, jaw, arms, back), shortness of breath, and may also experience nausea, lightheadedness, and cold sweats. A person who is experiencing a stroke may have sudden trouble seeing, sudden confusion, a severe headache, loss of balance, trouble speaking, and sudden numbness and weakness of the face, arms and legs that is often just one sided.
It is very important to receive a medical check – up at least once a year to ensure that your heart is healthy. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-7001.

#Wellness Wednesday

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Leonardo da Vinci, although best known as a painter, happend to be fascinated by science. Like any modern day scientist, he used observations, common-sense reasoning and research to find answers to satisfy the many questions he had regarding the health of the human body, mind and soul.

He cataloged his findings in his “Notebooks.” We are sharing one of his thoughts here and wish you a great #wellnesswednesday

“Vitality and beauty are gifts of Nature for those who live according to its laws.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Sleep Paralysis

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Have you ever woken up and found that you were unable to move or speak? Believe it or not, over the centuries some have attributed this symptom to evil or supernatural presences especially when accompanied by hallucinations or a chest-crushing sensation. However, there is a medical explanation and name for this phenomenon. This frightening but perfectly natural occurrence is called sleep paralysis. It is estimated that up four out of every ten people have experienced symptoms associated with the disorder. Studies suggest that as many as fifty percent will experience sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime.

Sleep paralysis is a term used to describe a variety of symptoms which occur when your body is not moving smoothly through the stages of sleep. It has been found that sleep paralysis most often happens during the REM (rapid eye movement), the phase where your brain is active and vivid dreams occur but your muscles are relaxed or turned off. The state of paralysis happens when a person wakes up before REM is completed. The brain is still actively dreaming but as a response to keep the body from acting out dreams and harming ourselves or others; our voluntary muscles become paralyzed.

According to medicinenet.com, “Sleep paralysis usually occurs at one of two times. If it occurs while you are falling asleep, it’s called hypnagogic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, it’s called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis.”

Symptoms of sleep paralysis may differ from person to person and may include:

The inability to move or speak immediately after waking up.
Hallucinations- which occur because the brain is still in a state of dreaming.
Chest pressure- which can occur as a result of panicking

Causes of sleep paralysis can be attributed to:

Lack of sleep
Sleep position- It is believed that people who sleep on their backs are more inclined to have symptoms
Extreme fatigue
Use of certain medication
Narcolepsy
Stress
Mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder

Although sleep paralysis is a relatively harmless health condition it is recommended that you consult your physician or a sleep specialist if symptoms are prevalent and disrupting daily activities or the ability to function normally. To schedule an appointment with the Sleep Center at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5916.

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

September 22nd is designated as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. This observance serves to increase awareness and to educate the public about the risks of falls and how to prevent them from happening. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
A fall, with or without serious injury, can impact a person’s quality of life. Older people have a significant fear of falling and will often limit their activities because of it. This can lead to physical decline, depression, social isolation and feeling helpless. However, if they exercise caution and follow these steps, they can reduce the risk of an accident and continue on with routine activities:
• Speak to a doctor about performing a risk of falling assessment
• Build up balance, strength and flexibility
• Have vision and hearing checked
• Remove tripping hazards in the home and make sure that there is adequate lighting
• Install grab bars in the bathroom
• Make sure that there are secure rails on all stairs
• Review medications to make sure they don’t affect balance
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center to discuss fall risk prevention, please call 718-206-7001.

BACKPACK SAFETY TIPS

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Joann Ariola

With school in full swing, you may have noticed that your children are carrying, in some cases, more than their body weight in books and supplies affiliated with their school work. Below are some tips on how to save your childs back from their heavy backpack-

What is Sepsis? Jamaica Hospital Educates the Community During Sepsis Awareness Month

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Michael Hinck

September is Sepsis Awareness Month and Jamaica Hospital wants to educate the community about this very serious condition.

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication that stems from an infection. Sepsis occurs when chemicals released into the bloodstream meant to fight an infection trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body. This inflammation can damage multiple organ systems, causing them to fail. If not identified and treated early, sepsis can progress to a condition known as septic shock, characterized by a dramatic drop in blood pressure, which may lead to death.

Sepsis is viewed by most doctors to be a three-stage syndrome, starting with sepsis, progressing through severe sepsis, and eventually into septic shock. The goal for healthcare providers is to look for the early symptoms of sepsis and administer antibiotics and IV fluids immediately before the condition becomes more dangerous.

Early symptoms include having a suspected or confirmed infection, plus a:

• Body temperature above 101.4 F
• Heart rate higher than 90 beats a minute
• Respiratory rate higher than 20 breaths a minute

Sepsis can affect anyone, but it is most common in older adults or those with a weakened immune system. The number of cases of sepsis in the United States appears be increasing. Some of the factors attributed to this rise include:

• A growing population of people over 65 years old. This group tends to have a weaker immune system.
• An increase in the amount of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When these drugs used to treat infections do not work, it can lead to sepsis.
• More Americans are living with weakened immune systems, caused by HIV, cancer treatments or transplant drugs.

Since hospitals and nursing homes typically treat people who are either older or who’s immunity levels are compromised, sepsis can often occur in these settings.

Understanding the need to address the situation, Jamaica Hospital has taken a very proactive approach to combating sepsis. The hospital has initiated comprehensive protocols to both identify and treat sepsis. These efforts have led to steadily improving outcomes for our patients.