Rare but True – Can You be Allergic to the Cold ?

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Every winter people complain that they need to be in a warm climate because they are “allergic” to the cold. While we think most are just trying to dramatize the effects of the cold weather in reality, there are some people who actually are allergic to the cold. The condition known as “Cold Urticaria” is brought on by exposure to the cold. It is caused by the body’s release of histamine i to the blood stream. the same chemical that gets released during an allergic reaction. This condition may be either an inherited trait or due to a virus.
Some of the signs and symptoms are:
• Reddish hives on skin that was exposed to the cold
• Hands that swell when they come in contact with cold objects
• Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat when touched by cold liquids
• Heart palpitations or fainting might occur in extreme cases.
• Headaches, fever and joint pain.
The effects of this allergic occurs when the temperature drops below 39 degrees but can also present at higher temperatures. The condition is usually limited to the part of the body that has been exposed but can have a full body effect if a person goes swimming in cold water or if they aren’t properly dressed in cold weather. One of the ways that it is diagnosed is by placing an ice cube on the skin for five minutes to see if there are any signs of a rash.
Treatment options include taking antihistamines, which will help ease the symptoms, avoiding extreme cold and making sure that you don’t leave areas of the body exposed in cold weather .
People who have cold urticaria should see a dermatologist to obtain prescription medications which may help to ease the symptoms. To schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

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.

How Your Body Makes Milk for Your Baby

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

breastfeeding-475378452 Your breasts give you the earliest clues that you are pregnant. When you become pregnant, they become swollen, tender and the skin on your nipples and areolas become darker. Within the first trimester you will continue to experience physical changes in your breasts-such as the bumps(Montgomery glands) surrounding your areolas increasing in size. Milk –producing cells (alveoli) and ducts in the mammary glands will also multiply in preparation for the distribution of milk.

Usually by your fourth to sixth month of pregnancy, hormones will be released which tell your mammary glands to begin producing milk. The alveoli draw fats, proteins and sugars from your blood to make breast milk. At this point of pregnancy, it is not unusual for your body to begin leaking milk. This form of milk is called colostrum and may be yellow or orange in color and sticky.

After the birth of your baby the body increases levels of the hormone prolactin. This hormone releases signals to produce more milk. It is also known as the hormone that makes mothers feel maternal.

You can attempt to feed your baby soon after delivering; however some mothers are not fully capable of feeding their newborn within 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Your “first milk” will be colostrum, which will have a creamy appearance. Colostrum is specially created for newborns; it is high in protein, low in fat and sugar and is easy to digest. It also helps your baby to make the first bowel movement and provides antibodies that strengthen the immune system.

As you can see, your body is designed to make the nutrients most essential to your baby’s health. Breastfeeding will provide many benefits for your bundle of joy and it will also provide you with countless health, emotional and financial benefits.

Rare but True – Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Michael Hinck

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a rare, but real condition, but it doesn’t involve the Mad Hatter or the Cheshire Cat.

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological condition where the sufferer has temporary episodes of a distorted perception of their own size and the size of things around them. People with this condition visualize themselves as big as giants or as small as insects. The objects around them also appear abnormally large or small. For instance, someone with AIWS will perceive a teacup either as big as a car or as small as a thimble.

This hallucination-like state typically lasts anywhere from five to 30 minutes. People with AIWS also may experience an impaired sense of space, with objects suddenly seeming very close or far away. In some cases, the sense of touch and sound may also be distorted.

The syndrome references the adventures from the famous novel by Lewis Carroll, where the title character Alice experiences strange events in Wonderland. Many believe that the Carroll himself suffered from this disease and was the inspiration for the story.
The cause of the condition is unknown, although the episodes have been closely associated with the onset of migraine headaches or epilepsy. AIWS can affect anyone, but it is most common in children and young adults. Episodes stop for most over time, but those who experience symptoms are recommended to see a doctor immediately.

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.

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.

Asthma and Climate Change

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

It is a fact that breathing difficulties associated with asthma are affected by climate changes. These changes in the environment bring about higher levels of ozone in the atmosphere. A higher concentration of dust and fine particles can cause existing respiratory conditions to worsen especially in the very young and the elderly.

Some of the environmental factors that affect the respiratory system are:

• Higher levels of carbon dioxide and higher temperature can lead to more spores and mold in the air.

• Climate change can lead to drought conditions which can lead to more dust in the air.

• Higher temperatures can lead to more greenhouse gases being produced.

• Environmental production of pollutants from vehicles and factories become trapped in the atmosphere.

These environmental conditions can cause chest pain, coughing, and reduced lung function for those who suffer with asthma.

Irritants that affect breathing function have definitely worsened over the years due to climate changes. People are being treated more frequently in the emergency rooms across the country due to lack of clean air to breathe.

If you would like to speak with a pulmonologist about a breathing problem, please call 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

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

Just for the Taste of it

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Michael Hinck

The next time you sit down to enjoy your favorite tasting food or beverage, remember to thank your taste buds.

Here are some fun facts about those tiny sensory organs that allow you to experience everything sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.

• See those tiny bumps on your tongue? Those are NOT your taste buds. They are called papillae and they contain taste buds inside them. You can’t actually see your taste buds.

• Taste buds are not the only part of your body responsible for detecting flavor. Olfactory receptors in your nose help you smell. They send messages to your brain and work together with your taste buds to create your sense of taste.

• Contrary to what you learned as a kid, different parts of your tongue aren’t responsible for detecting specific flavors. All regions of the tongue can detect all tastes, although some areas are more sensitive to certain flavors.

• Taste buds aren’t just on your tongue. They can also be found on the roof of your mouth and in your throat. We all have different amount of taste buds, but most people have 10,000 on average.

• Taste buds only live approximately 10 – 14 days. We constantly regenerate new taste buds, but fewer taste buds grow back as we get older.

History of Eyeglasses

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.