3 Diet Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

Posted on December 19, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

The holidays can be a challenging time, especially when you’re trying to lose weight or have a condition such as diabetes that requires you to stick to specific dietary guidelines.

Many celebrations with family and friends include plenty of indulgent meals and treats that can potentially set your weight loss goals back, or otherwise negatively impact your health.

Although holiday gatherings may present certain challenges, there is no need to stress yourself out about sticking to your diet. A few key guidelines that emphasize moderation and patience can help you navigate your way through this part of the year in a way that preserves your health and allows you to focus on enjoying your time with your loved ones. These include:

Arriving with (and sticking to) a plan: Before your holiday gathering begins, determine ahead of time how much food you intend to eat. This may vary depending on your individual dietary restrictions and weight goals; if possible, find out what kind of food is being prepared ahead of time. If a particular option would be ideal for you, make it known to the hosts of the gathering ahead of time or prepare it yourself. Once you’ve determined the types and amounts of food you plan to eat, stick to that plan throughout the day.

Drink plenty of water: You will find your food to be much more filling when you drink lots of water. Try to drink roughly one glass of water each hour; you may find this easier by drinking one cup of water before your meal, one cup during the meal, and one cup afterward.

Talk to your loved ones: Remember that the main point of your holiday gathering is to spend time with the people you love and enjoy their company. Instead of absent-mindedly picking at hors d’oeuvres, focus on having conversations with the people around you and participating in the moment.

If you struggle to manage your diet during the holidays or any other part of the year, a nutritionist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center may be able to help. To schedule an appointment, 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.

Jamaica Hospital Opens New, State-Of-The-Art Pediatric Eye Center

Posted on December 15, 2022 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Earlier today, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new pediatric ophthalmology center. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility and the purchase of equipment was made possible thanks to a generous donation of $1 million from Maspeth Federal Savings, one of New York City’s strongest community banks.

Maspeth Federal Savings has been working with Jamaica Hospital throughout the pandemic and has provided mission-critical equipment and supporting donations. Today, the organization is the sole donor to the pediatric ophthalmology center, which addresses an urgent need in the local area.

“As a community bank, it’s incredibly important to us that the people and facilities in our community have the resources they need to do what they do best; in this case, providing care that our children desperately need,” said Thomas Rudzewick, President and CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings.

Jamaica Hospital provides quality healthcare to an underserved community, including much-needed vision services to children who have limited access to comprehensive ophthalmologic care. By creating a dedicated ophthalmology center for children, the hospital aims to address the lack of access to care and other healthcare disparities that impact its community.

The need for a comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology service is reflected in current statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in four preschool-aged children and approximately 6.8% of children younger than 18 years of age in the United States has undiagnosed or untreated vision problems. These numbers are amplified in communities that encounter disparities in receiving optimal healthcare. Children who reside in underserved communities are found to be at nearly twice the risk for developing eye disorders compared to children living in neighborhoods that are supplied with sufficient health services.

The Maspeth Federal Savings Pediatric Ophthalmology Center at Jamaica Hospital will be the only one of its kind to service Queens. “We are bringing a world-class, state-of-the-art center to Queens. Residents who live in our community no longer have to travel outside their local area to receive high-quality pediatric eye care. Our center is staffed by physicians who are among the best in their specialty and are highly skilled in performing a wide range of services to diagnose and treat pediatric ocular conditions,” said Bruce J. Flanz, Jamaica Hospital’s President and CEO.

“We are thrilled to have a center of excellence in pediatric ophthalmology in Queens County. This center will allow us to provide cutting-edge technology and treatment to our youngest patients,” shared Dr. Julia Shulman, Chairperson of Ophthalmology at Jamaica Hospital. The newly constructed 2900 square foot center consists of a modernly designed area waiting area, four spacious examination rooms, two testing rooms, three consultation offices, and two charting workstations. Each room is equipped with amenities to provide a comfortable environment for children.

“Our community needed a facility like this in Queens for a very long time. When our board member Dr. Cono Grasso came to us and explained the importance of the center, we immediately made it a priority,” stated Mr. Rudzewick of Maspeth Federal Savings.

“Jamaica Hospital is grateful to Maspeth Federal Savings for their generous donation to our pediatric ophthalmology center. Their philanthrophy and commitment to helping our communities thrive has helped our hospital make critical advancements that will greatly benefit our growing patient population,” said Mr. Flanz.

3 Tips for Managing Holiday Stress

Posted on December 14, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

The holiday season is a stressful time for many people for a variety of reasons. For some it might be the pressure of buying gifts or the burden of hosting, while others might have concerns about the financial strain associated with the holidays.

No matter your situation, it’s important not to let the natural stressors that accompany the holidays ruin the season for you. Most factors that lead to stress during the holidays are manageable through the application of mindfulness techniques and an active effort to remember the things that matter most: showing love and appreciation to the people around you and making happy memories with those people.

Some tips for maintaining this perspective and preserving the positive energy of the holiday season for yourself and your family include:

Reminding yourself that your efforts are good enough: Strict expectations to find the perfect gift, make your home look perfect before guests arrive, or to cook the perfect holiday dinner may prevent you from enjoying any of these activities (or their results). Remind yourself that there is no need for perfection in any of these areas and that what matters most is doing the best you can to ensure that your loved ones have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday season with you.

Releasing yourself from the expectations and opinions of other people: For many people, the thoughts and expectations of others may cause as much pressure (or more) as their own. However, you cannot control how the people around you view you or your efforts. Instead, resolve to be kind to those around you, regardless of their stated opinions, and make a conscious choice to only hold yourself to your own expectations.

Planning goals instead of making resolutions: As the New Year approaches, people often set “New Year’s resolutions” for themselves that, while indicative of goals they may truly care about, often die out within weeks. An approach that is more likely to succeed involves making a detailed, step-by-step plan for achieving the goal you have in mind, starting small and making incremental progress forward on a set timeline.

If your holiday stress is causing (or stems from) mental health problems, you can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Mental Health Clinic by calling (718) 206-5575.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency such as suicidal contemplation, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s confidential, 24/7 National Help Line at 1-800-662-4357.

Avoiding the Flu During the Holiday Season

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Throughout the holiday season, flu cases tend to reach their peak; many respiratory viruses have an easier time surviving in the cold than in the warm weather of other seasons. Holiday gatherings also often provide ideal circumstances for these viruses to spread.

Fortunately, there are a few ways for you and your family members to protect yourselves against the flu and prevent as few people from getting sick as possible, allowing everyone to enjoy holiday celebrations in good health. Some preventative steps you can take include:

Getting vaccinated: The simplest, most effective step you can take toward preventing the spread of the flu is to make sure you’re up to date on your influenza vaccinations. Anyone over the age of six months should get vaccinated annually.

Wash your hands regularly: Another simple method of protecting against the flu is to practice effective hand hygiene through regular, consistent handwashing. You should generally wash your hands after using the bathroom, after touching surfaces used by other people or animals, before and after preparing food, and before and after coming into direct contact with another person or animal. If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Practice healthy lifestyle habits: Regular exercise and a balanced, nutritious diet are effective for keeping your body at a well-protected baseline level against many diseases and conditions, including the flu. Include regular aerobic exercise in your routine several times per week and make sure you’re getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

You should also make sure to visit a doctor as soon as you begin to feel symptoms of a respiratory infection, including a sore throat, difficulty breathing or wheezing, congestion, or coughing. You can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

What is a Blood Clot ?

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

A blood clot is the body’s way of preventing excess bleeding when a blood vessel is damaged. Clots are made up of cells in the blood called platelets combined with proteins found in the plasma. However, under normal circumstances the clot will dissolve naturally after the blood vessel heals. A blood clot can become dangerous when it forms without an injury to a blood vessel, and if it fails to dissolve naturally.

Blood clots can form in either the arteries or veins. When they form in veins, blood flow back to the heart is restricted. This can cause swelling and pain in the area where the clot has formed. When a blood clot forms in an artery, it will deprive vital organs of oxygen needed to function properly. In some cases this can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Risk factors for developing a clot include:

Smoking
Taking oral contraceptives
Trauma
Obesity
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Prolonged inactivity
Pregnancy
Family history
History of cancer
Age 65 or older
Bone fracture

The symptoms of a blood clot vary depending on the part of the body that is affected. Symptoms can include weakness in arms, legs, face, dizziness, shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, sweating, nausea, blurry vison and coughing up blood.

Treatment of a blood clot is dependent on where the clot is located. Some clots can be treated with blood thinners while others may require surgical intervention.

If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of a blood clot, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. You should call your physician or call 9-1-1 and go to the nearest emergency room to be evaluated.

National Handwashing Awareness Week

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

A wide variety of viral illnesses, including respiratory, diarrheal, and gastrointestinal diseases, frequently spread through direct contact via the hands. People use their hands to touch a multitude of surfaces countless times throughout each day, allowing germs to spread easily.

Regular handwashing offers the simplest solution to reducing your risk of illness and restricting the spread of germs among your friends, family, and community. Handwashing with soap removes germs effectively, preventing a substantial percentage of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses when done correctly. Less people getting sick also reduces the need for antibiotics in many cases, reducing viruses’ resistance to these medications.

Washing your hands is typically most effective at key moments, such as after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, or immediately after you’ve touched a point of infection such as food (cooked or raw), garbage, physical wounds, mucus, or a sick person. You should never touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or food without washing your hands with soap first.

Handwashing is most effective as a preventative measure against disease when it’s performed correctly. You should lather the front and back of your hands, as well as between the fingers and under the nails, using soap and water, scrubbing them for 20 seconds before rinsing and drying them with a towel or air dryer.

Although hand sanitizer can also effectively remove many germs and is acceptable when handwashing is not possible, it does not remove as many germs or chemicals from your hands as washing with soap and water, and is therefore not ideal. When you use sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol.

If you’re sick with a viral infection, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Managing Stress with SMART Goals

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Stress is a common part of life for most Americans. It can often be traced back to the workplace, with approximately 83% of workers experiencing work-related stress, but major world events and aspects of daily life such as the COVID-19 pandemic have also had a widespread mental health impact.

While stress is unpleasant to experience in itself, it can also lead to various other problems when it comes to interpersonal relationships, productivity at work, and overall mental and physical health.

Effective stress management is essential for living a healthy life. It’s important for you to set realistic expectations for yourself, identify controllable factors in your life that are causing you stress, and tackle them directly. One effective way to do this is to set SMART goals.

SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. They allow you to understand the process required for achieving a goal and accurately track your progress. For example, you might be facing stress related to a job opportunity you’re applying for. You can set a SMART goal of pursuing that opportunity by:

Outlining the specific factors that are most important for getting the job
Making those factors measurable
Setting an attainable goal for improving the factors you’ve outlined
Identifying the relevance of those factors to your overall desirability as a candidate
Making the goal time-bound by setting a date by which you’ve improved the factors you identified

If you need help setting SMART goals or managing your stress, you can schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Mental Health Clinic by calling (718) 206-5575.

GERD Awareness Week

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to start thinking about how your dinner may lead to symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Approximately 20% of Americans suffer from GERD, making it one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions in the United States. GERD is not the same thing as acid reflux or heartburn, though these terms are often used interchangeably.

Acid reflux, which also occurs as a symptom of GERD, involves stomach acid flowing up from your stomach into your esophagus, leading to a burning sensation in your chest. Heartburn causes a similar burning sensation in the same area. Chocolate, tomato sauce, coffee, alcohol, dried foods, and spicy foods, as well as large meals in general, can cause these symptoms to flare up.

If you have GERD or often suffer from acid reflux or heartburn after a meal, there are a variety of prescription and nonprescription medications you can rely on to help manage your symptoms this Thanksgiving. These medications, including antacids, H-2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, reduce or negate the effects of stomach acid on your esophageal tissue by neutralizing it or reducing its production.

If medication fails to help manage your symptoms, there are surgical treatments available for GERD, including fundoplication (a minimally-invasive procedure that prevents reflux) or a LINX device implant (which blocks reflux while allowing food to pass through the junction of the stomach and esophagus).

As a long-term condition, GERD can contribute to your risk of developing other medical problems. Repeated contact with stomach acid can cause your esophageal tissue to become inflamed, develop ulcers, and even experience precancerous changes.

Don’t let GERD stop you from enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with your family. You can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center to get started on your treatment by calling (718) 206-7001.

National Bladder Health Month

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Millions of Americans suffer from a variety of bladder problems each year, increasing risks to their overall health. Bladder function is an important part of the body’s urinary system, which filters fluid and waste from the body, regulates hormones, stabilizes electrolyte levels, maintains bone strength, and even assists in the production of red blood cells.

Many problems that affect the bladder may indicate or lead to problems with other parts of the urinary system, such as the kidneys, and eventually affect the entire body in severe cases. Some of these issues include:

Incontinence: When it comes to bladder function, incontinence refers to an inability to voluntarily control urination. The most common form of incontinence is urge incontinence (also known as overactive bladder). Other forms include stress incontinence, functional incontinence, and overflow incontinence.

Bladder cancer: Approximately 75,000 Americans develop bladder cancer each year. It occurs more frequently in men. This condition may develop as transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma. Bladder cancer may be caused by smoking, genetics, exposure to certain chemicals, arsenic, chronic urinary tract infections, certain chemotherapy drugs, and the herb Aristolochia fangchi.

Interstitial cystitis: This condition causes bladder pressure and pelvic pain, as well as a more frequent urge to urinate in smaller volumes.

Urinary tract infection: These infections can occur anywhere in the urinary system, including the bladder, causing a variety of symptoms that includes frequent urination, pain while urinating, dark or cloudy urine, and lower back and abdominal pain.

Nocturia: This disorder causes more frequent urination during the night and may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as diabetes, heart conditions, or insomnia.

You can prevent these conditions and promote good bladder health in many different ways. A healthy diet is limited in alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that aggravate your bladder problems, but high in water can help. Additionally, regular exercise, particularly routines that incorporate pelvic floor exercises, can improve your bladder strength and reduce urination frequency.

Good hygienic habits can also help to protect your bladder health. You should:

Use the bathroom when needed and fully empty your bladder.
Urinate after sex.
Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom.
Wear loose-fitting underwear and clothing.

Finally, you should visit a urologist annually over the age of 40 and as soon as possible if you’re suffering from symptoms of a medical issue with your urinary system. You can schedule an appointment with a urologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Ovarian Cysts

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office Of Women’s Health defines ovarian cysts as fluid-filled sacs in the ovary. Ovarian cysts are common and usually form during ovulation. Most women will develop cysts at least once in their lifetime.

The two most common types of ovarian cysts are follicle and corpus luteum cysts. Other cysts that are less common include endometriomas, dermoids, and cystadenomas.

Anyone born female is at risk for developing ovarian cysts; however, the risk factor is higher with

Previous ovarian cysts
Hormonal problems
Pregnancy
Severe pelvic infections
Endometriosis

In most cases, ovarian cysts are symptomless and do not lead to further complications. They typically disappear within a few months without treatment. However, if cysts continue to grow and become enlarged, twisted, or ruptured, symptoms such as pelvic pain, bloating, painful intercourse, and pain in the lower back or thighs can occur. Cysts can also lead to complications such as infertility.

If you are experiencing symptoms, speak with your doctor. If cysts are discovered after a thorough examination and testing, your doctor will determine the course of treatment based on the type of cyst and severity. Medication or surgery may be recommended.