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.

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.

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.

Facts About AFib (Atrial Fibrillation)

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Atrial Fibrillation or AFib is a type of heart arrhythmia (an irregularity in the rhythm of the heart), which is caused by a disorder of the heart’s electrical system.

Normally, the heart’s electrical system rhythmically contracts the upper chambers (atria) of the heart in synergy with the lower chambers (ventricles). However, with AFib the heart’s two upper chambers contract rapidly and out of sync with the lower chambers.

Each person’s experience with AFib may differ; some people may have no symptoms, while others may have incidents of:

Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Chest discomfort
Fatigue
Shortness of breath

If you are frequently experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment to see your physician. Your doctor will run the following to diagnose atrial fibrillation: electrocardiogram, trans- telephonic monitor, holter monitor or portable event monitor testing.

If symptoms are ignored and AFib goes untreated it can develop into serious health complications such as:

Coronary artery disease
Heart failure
Pulmonary embolism
Cardiomyopathy
Hypertension
Stroke

There are many options available to treat or improve the symptoms of AFib. Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help in controlling the heart rate, reducing the risk of stroke and normalizing the rhythm of the heart. He or she may also recommend exercising and eating a healthy diet, as well as several lifestyle changes which can be incorporated into your daily routine.

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

Sun Tan Savvy

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Joann Ariola

Bronzed, or tanned skin comes from the sun activating a color pigment in the top layer of your skin, the color only lasts between six to 10 days. Due to the skins natural turnover of cells, prolonging you tan takes work.

Some tips to maintain your summer glow are:

Exfoliate – The night before your lying in the sun to ensure that your skin prepped for tanning. Dry skin can lead to peeling and, in some cases an uneven tan. Slough away dead skin cells with a gentle exfoliator. It is easy to create your own body scrubs by combining a few heaping spoonful’s of rock salt with essential oils or your regular olive oil from the kitchen.

Protect – Wearing sunscreen is vital when exposed to the sun, not only to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but also if you want a long-lasting tan. Wearing sunscreen will protect damaged skin from peeling off more easily. Make swure to opt for a sunscreen with a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) and re-apply throughout the day.

Hydrate – Water helps extend the life of your skin cells, so drink as much as possible. Melons, cucumbers and celery are also high in water content and make the perfect skin-friendly snack this summer.

Moisturize – In addition to drinking lots of water, it’s also important to keep the peeling at bay with a daily dose of moisturizer.

While tanning, keep in mind that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Exposure to the sun, without the benefit of sunscreen increases the risk of melanoma.

Homemade Ice Cream

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Andrew Rubin

Its summer time and who doesn’t enjoy ice cream, especially at this time of year. If you have some basic ingredients and a couple of hours to spare, you can enjoy making it at yourself. Here is a very simple recipe from Real Simple magazine. The recipe can found at Ice cream from Real Simple Magazine.

Hands-On Time
15 minutes
Total Time
2 hours and 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 3.5-ounce chocolate bar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy cream
Directions
1. Break the chocolate bar into chunks and place in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Microwave the chocolate, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Stir condensed milk into the chocolate. Set aside.
2. Place the heavy cream in a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer to whip it until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until completely incorporated. Scrape mixture into an airtight container and cover. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

Do You Have a Deviated Septum?

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Michael Hinck

If one side of your nose is often more congested than the other and if you have difficulty breathing, the problem might be a deviated septum.

What is a septum? It is the wall of bone and cartilage that separates your left and right nasal cavities. When this wall is crooked or displaced to one side, it can obstruct airflow and make breathing more difficult.

Some people are born with a deviated septum and others develop one as a result of an injury or a trauma to the nose. A deviated septum is not at all uncommon. In fact, four out of every five people have some degree of non-symmetry to their nasal septum. For most, the misalignment is not significant enough to cause any complications, but those with a more severe imbalance can suffer significant breathing problems and require treatment.

Common symptoms of a deviated septum are:
• Nasal congestion
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Recurrent sinus infections
• Frequent nose bleeds
• Sinus headaches and facial pain
• Post nasal drip
• Loud snoring or breathing while asleep

For some, a deviated septum can be treated with medications. If medications are unsuccessful in correcting the deviation, an otolaryngologist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can perform a surgical procedure called a septoplasty to repair a crooked septum and improve breathing.

The surgery is usually performed in an out-patient setting under either local or general anesthesia. The procedure is usually completed in one to two hours with the patient being able to go home within three to four hours after surgery. There is normally little or no swelling after the procedure.

Jamaica Hospital’s team of ENT specialists can diagnose and treat patients with deviated septum. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

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.