Preeclampsia Awareness Month

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Preeclampsia Awareness Month is a nationally recognized health observance that presents an opportunity to offer education to help increase awareness of this life-threatening disorder.

Preeclampsia occurs in eight percent of all pregnancies. Formerly called toxemia, preeclampsia is a condition that is marked by high blood pressure in pregnant women that have previously not experienced high blood pressure. Symptoms of preeclampsia include high levels of protein found in their urine and they may have swelling in the feet, legs and hands. Preeclampsia appears late in the pregnancy, generally after the 20 week mark, although, in some cases, it can appear earlier.

If left undiagnosed and untreated, preeclampsia can become a more serious condition called eclampsia, which can put the expectant mother and baby at risk.

There is no cure for preeclampsia, but when it is caught in its early stages, it is easier to manage.

If you are pregnant and would like to make an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center, call 718-291-3276, for an appointment.

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 Mental Health Awareness Month

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Joann Ariola

May is National Mental Health Month. During this month many mental health organizations across the country raise awareness to mental health by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings.

Good mental health is critical for a person’s well-being at every stage of their life. Mental illness is a real and disabling health condition that can have immense impact on individuals and families. Mental disorders vary in type and severity and according to Mental Health America, one in four adults in the United States have a diagnosable mental illness.

Depression is the leading diagnosable mental illness. Unfortunately, two-thirds of people do not seek medical treatment.

Mental disorders do not discriminate by race, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Risk factors include brain trauma, stressful events and financial concerns; families with a history of mental and addictive disorders are at an increased risk.

Treatment is individualized and may include counseling, psychotherapy, medication therapy, rehabilitation, and attention to other mental and psychosocial problems. If you or someone you know is showing signs of mental illness, you can call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Mental Health Center at, 718-206-5573, for an appointment.

Do You Know the Facts About Meningitis?

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid that covers the brain and spinal cord. It is an extremely serious condition that can result in death. Although anyone can develop meningitis, those most at risk are children under five and adolescents between 15-19 years old.

There are two main kinds of meningitis:

Bacterial meningitis is the more severe form of the disease and requires treatment in a hospital setting. Viral meningitis is more common, and most people with this form of the illness get better in a couple of weeks. With mild cases, you may only need home treatment, including taking medicine for fever and pain and drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated.

Meningitis isn’t as contagious as viruses, such as those that cause the common cold, but it can spread from person to person via coughing, sneezing, kissing, sexual contact, or contact with infected blood or stool. A mother can also pass the germs that cause meningitis to her baby during birth.

Meningitis can be hard to diagnose because many of the early symptoms match those of the flu. The most common symptoms are fever, vomiting, headaches, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, and muscle pain. Babies may also develop a rash, have a lack of appetite and seem more irritable.

The best way to protect your child from meningitis is to make sure he or she gets all the standard immunizations for children, including shots for measles, chickenpox, and pneumococcal infection. When children reach adolescence, it is recommended that they receive two doses of a meningococcal vaccine to prevent bacterial meningitis.

Jamaica Hospital encourages everyone to know the symptoms of meningitis and speak to their doctor about the meningitis vaccine.

Cancers besides Lung Cancer Linked to Smoking

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Studies have found that tobacco use is responsible for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States.

It is common knowledge that lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death among smokers; however, smoking tobacco is also linked to the development of other life-threatening forms of the disease. Besides lung cancer, tobacco smoke also increases the risk for cancers of the pancreas, esophagus, throat, kidney, mouth and cervix to develop.

It is more likely for cancer to spread throughout the body of a smoker than a non–smoker because:

The toxins found in cigarettes weaken the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight cancer cells and prevent them from growing.
These poisons can alter or damage the DNA of cells. When a cell’s DNA is damaged, it is not able to function properly and can begin to grow out of control.

A smoker can reduce their risk of developing cancer simply by quitting. Research indicates that within five years of quitting, a person can lower their risk of getting cancer of the bladder, esophagus, and throat by as much as 50 percent. After ten years of quitting the risk of dying from lung cancer can also be reduced by half.

The journey to quit smoking can be difficult, but you do not have to do it alone. Jamaica Hospital’s smoking cessation team wants to help you develop a plan leading to your “quit day”. Our hospital has partnered with the American Lung Association to bring you Freedom from Smoking, a comprehensive and successful group-based smoking cessation program, for more information call 718-206-8494.

National Donate Life Month

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

At this moment, more than 10,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ. Every 18 hours a New Yorker dies while waiting for an organ transplant. Every two and a half hours a person’s name is added to the New York State organ transplant waiting list. Each of these people is in desperate need of a chance to keep living. More than 6,500 people a year, about 21 a day, die before that organ ever becomes available. These statistics determine that it is time for a change, more than 90% of New Yorkers support organ donation, but only 25% are registered.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Thanks to organ donation, more than 2 million years of life have been saved. National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was instituted by Donate Life America in 2003, to be celebrated in April each year. NDLM features an entire month of local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

It can be hard to think about what’s going to happen to your body after you die, let alone donating your organs and tissue. However, being an organ donor is a generous and worthwhile decision that can be a lifesaver. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 50 through tissue donation. If you’ve never considered organ donation or delayed becoming a donor because of possibly inaccurate information, here are answers to some common organ donation myths and concerns.

There is not an age limit to organ donation. The oldest donor in the U.S. was 93 years old.
Each case is considered for medical suitability for donation after death has been declared. Saving the patient’s life is the health care provider’s main concern and doctors will do everything they can to save you.
Donation is only an option after all attempts to save the patient have failed.
It is also a common belief that organ donation contradicts many religions. Most major religions actively support organ donation including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism and more.

Please join Jamaica Hospital, LiveOnNY and special guest Queens Borough President Melinda Katz as we celebrate National Donate Life Month. Together we are raising awareness about the importance of organ donation. On Wednesday, April 20^th, inside of the Jamaica Hospital lobby at 12:30 pm you can register to save a life by becoming an organ donor. Representatives from LiveOnNY will be available at the event to provide information about organ donation and assist with enrollment in the New York State Donor Registry. Probably the greatest benefit of organ donation is knowing that you’re saving a life. For more information, please call 718-206-6020.

Donate Life Month

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

April is National Donate Life Month, a month dedicated to celebrating the lives of people saved by organ donation and the donors who made a difference. In 2015, over 30,000 lives in the United States were saved thanks to the men and women who decided to give the gift of life.

During National Donate Life Month, organizations such as LiveOnNY carry out missions or campaigns to educate communities about the importance of organ donation. These initiatives are very important because they address many concerns people may have about becoming a donor, such as:

Religion- Most major religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others are in support of organ donation.
Age – If you have been given approval by your doctor to be a donor, you are never too old. The oldest person in the U.S. on record to be a donor was 93 years old.
Health conditions- It is important that you do not rule yourself out as donor due to medical conditions. Each case is different.
Premature death- The primary goal of doctors is to save your life. Donation is only considered when all efforts to save a patient’s life have failed.

Jamaica Hospital is encouraging people to help play a role in saving or improving lives by registering as organ donors. Research shows that 90 percent of New Yorkers support organ donation but only 25 percent are registered. By registering, you can make a difference and help save up to eight lives.

For more information please visit www.LiveOnNY.org

World Immunization Week

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The last week in April is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World Immunization Week. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of how immunization saves lives. Many events are held to encourage people to vaccinate themselves or their children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have noted several important milestones which have already been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants worldwide.

It is easy to think of vaccine- preventable diseases as diseases of the past; or not happening in our country, but the truth is they can and do happen in the United States.

The World Health Organization encourages health partners to join the 2016 plan to help raise awareness about the importance of immunization.

Some key facts you need to know about the benefits of immunizations are:

Immunization prevents illness, disability and death from cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhea, rubella and tetanus.
Uptake of new and underused vaccines is increasing.
An estimated 18.7 million infants worldwide are still missing out on basic vaccines.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of immunizations, please contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

For more information about World Immunization Week 2016, please visit

Teaching a Baby to Walk

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Father teaching a baby to walk in bedroom

One of the major milestones in a child’s life is the day they take those first steps. Every child is different and though most children take their first steps around the time of their first birthday, it can occur as early as nine months or as late as 18 months. Babies are so busy learning all kinds of skills, and they develop at different times, but usually before their 18th month they show signs of being able to walk.
Some early signs of getting ready to walk are:
• Crawling
• Rolling around
• Standing
• Using arms and legs to move around
By placing a baby on their tummy regularly, they should begin to lift their heads and begin to strengthen their back muscles. This is also important for preparing the body to stand upright and to begin walking.
Teaching a baby to walk requires a lot of patience, and every child will learn at their own pace. Walking requires learning to balance, becoming coordinated, building confidence, and strengthening the muscles in the arms and legs. Every baby learns differently. One way to start is by holding the baby under their arms and allowing them to bounce either on your lap or against a hard surface. This will help to strengthen their leg muscles and also teach them how to bend their knees. You can arrange furniture in a way that they can hold on to something as they go across a room.
Once a baby is able to stand upright, let them hold on to a low table and move around on their own slowly. You can hold both of their hands and let them take steps, and after some practice, you can let go of one hand so they feel a little independence.
It is recommended that you not put the baby in a walker. Many people over the years have used them because they are relatively easy and their children turned out just fine but child development experts don’t recommend them. They have been banned in Canada and the American Academy of Pediatrics in the United States is trying to have them banned as well because of the high incidence of injuries that they are responsible for.
It is important to take safety precautions when there is a baby learning to walk in the house. These include:
• Remove tables and objects with sharp edges
• Cover electric outlets
• Remove objects from table tops that can be grabbed
• Child proof cabinets and doors
• Be careful of electric cords
• Remove rugs that they can slip on
Get a toddler toy that the child can push or pull that will make walking something fun to do. As they gain confidence, they will want to walk at every opportunity they can get.
Word to the wise, once a baby learns to walk, you will need to keep a close eye on their every movement because they tend to look at this new freedom as a game to keep you on your toes.
If your child doesn’t show any signs of trying to move themselves around by the first birthday, speak to your pediatrician about these important milestones. To schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-7001.

History of Sutures

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Sutures (also known as stitches) have been around for thousands of years and are used to hold wounds together until the healing process is complete. They were first described as far back 3000 BC in ancient Egyptian literature. For centuries they were made from plant materials like hemp, or cotton or animal material such as tendons, silk, and arteries. The material of choice for many centuries was catgut, a fine thread woven from sheep intestines.
In the 1800’s it became apparent that it was a good idea to sterilize the catgut before using it to suture wounds, In the 1860’s the physician Joseph Lister devised a technique for sterilizing catgut and it was perfected finally in 1906. Eventually, sterilization took place by exposing the suture material to radiation which was more effective than previous techniques. Each development helped to reduce the risk of infection.
Early in the 20th century synthetic materials were developed that could be used for suturing. These synthetic materials, still used today, were categorized as “absorbable” or ‘non-absorbable’ depending on their ability to be absorbed during the wound healing process.
Absorbable sutures usually dissolve anywhere from 10 days to eight weeks and are made from:
• Silk
• Catgut
• Polyglycolic acid
• Polylactic acid
• Monocryl
Non – absorbable sutures don’t dissolve naturally and are usually removed after the wound has closed. They are made from:
• Nylon
• Polyester
• Stainless steel
• PVDF
• Polypropelene
Additional new technology has added laser technology and surgical glue to the tools available to physicians for wound healing. These new materials help the process go quicker and also make the scars less visible. However, even with all the new modern techniques for suturing a wound, many of the basic concepts used today were first developed thousands of years ago.

April is Irritable Bowel Awareness Month

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

For many people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), finding out which foods agree with them and which foods cause them discomfort, is essential to living successfully with the disease.
IBS is a condition whereby certain foods will cause intestinal discomfort after being consumed. These symptoms can include:
• Bloating
• Gas
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea or Constipation
There is no general rule of what to eat and what to avoid in treating IBS. A physician will go through a patient’s daily diet and see if there are certain foods that are more likely to act as irritants. Foods that typically cause a problem for people with IBS have a high concentration of insoluble fiber which are found primarily in whole grains and vegetables and that do not dissolve in water. Insoluble fiber rich foods pass through the intestine almost intact and can act as a natural laxative. The foods that physicians who treat this disease recommend avoiding include:
• Nuts
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Beans
• Cabbage
• Raisins
• Broccoli
The act of eating and chewing stimulates the digestive tract. It has been suggested that instead of eating one or two full meals every day, eating five or six smaller portion meals may prevent the digestive tract from becoming over stimulated.
To make an appointment with a physician specializing in IBS at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-6742.