GERD Awareness Week

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Perhaps there is no other day of the year associated with eating more than Thanksgiving. With so much attention being paid to food consumption, it is fitting that this week we also raise awareness about a health condition that affects the digestive system.

November 21-27, 2021 has been designated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD) Awareness Week. GERD, is a very common disorder that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining.

After it is swallowed, food travels down the esophagus where it stimulates cells in the stomach to produce acid and pepsin (an enzyme), which aid the digestion process. A band of muscle at the lower part of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), acts as a barrier to prevent the back-flow. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow up into the esophagus.

Chronic heartburn is the most frequently reported symptom of GERD. Acid regurgitation (refluxed acid into the mouth) is another common symptom. Other symptoms can include belching, difficulty or pain when swallowing, or waterbrash (sudden excess of saliva). GERD may also lead to chronic sore throat, laryngitis, throat clearing, chronic cough, and other oral complaints such as inflammation of the gums and erosion of the enamel of the teeth.

Dietary and lifestyle choices can contribute to GERD. Certain foods and beverages, including chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee, or alcohol may trigger reflux. Studies show that smoking can relax the LES and contribute to this condition. People who are obese are more prone to developing GERD symptoms.

Doctors recommend lifestyle and dietary changes for most people needing treatment for GERD. Along with lifestyle and diet changes, your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter remedies, or, in serious cases, prescribe medications designed to reduce acid in the stomach.

To speak to a doctor about treating your GERD, please call Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 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.

E-Scooter Safety

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Jessica Dennehy

Recently, electric scooters (E- scooters) have been lawfully permitted on New York City roads, and with that, comes a rise in e-scooter accidents.

E-scooters are a fast, accessible, and environmentally friendly means of transportation, however, it is important to take safety precautions to keep yourself and others safe.

Safety precautions should take place prior to getting on the road. One of the ways you can do so is by making sure your e-scooter rides properly. Loss of balance accounts for a significant number of e-scooter injuries; therefore, if you are carrying a bag or a similar item ensure that it is balanced properly before riding to avoid accidents.

The law permits e-scooter riders to be in bicycle lanes and on roads where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less, so long as you are 16 years or older. E-scooters are not permitted to be ridden on the sidewalk, which can lead to crashes with pedestrians.

When riding an e-scooter, make sure to comply with NYC law and do not exceed 15 miles per hour. Keep in mind that the faster a rider is moving, that the longer it will take to brake and stop moving. This is important when approaching yellow or red lights, or when pedestrians or cyclists may be crossing the road.

Additionally, as an e-scooter rider, it is important to follow the rules of the road and obey traffic laws to keep yourself safe. This means not riding the wrong way down streets, ignoring red lights, including making a right on red where not permitted, and using an e-scooter under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A majority of accidents and fatalities take place during dawn and when it is dark out, therefore, increasing visibility is key, especially critical during the winter months. By wearing bright colored clothing, you greatly increase visibility, and by wearing reflective clothing, you triple your visibility as compared to if you wear black clothing.

If you ride an e-scooter, a great way to maintain visibility during early morning or evening hours is to utilize reflect tape on your e-scooter and your helmet.

Wearing a helmet is recommended for all e-scooter riders and is required by law for those who are 16 and 17 years old. A helmet is a vital piece of safety equipment. Wearing a helmet can greatly decrease your risk of injury, brain injury, and even death. According to a meta-analysis, wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, and traumatic brain injury by 53%.

In addition to wearing a helmet, proper footwear is vital for a safe e-scooter ride as well. Similar shoe guidelines apply to e-scooters as they do to bicycles, wearing closed toed shoes with a back to them that secure well to the foot.

Furthermore, just as a cell phone is distracting for car drivers, the same concept applies to e-scooter riders. Make sure not to use a cell phone will using an e-scooter, it is always safer to pull over if you need to check your phone. Listening to music is also distracting and will inhibit the rider’s ability to hear the sounds of oncoming traffic.

Overall, staying safe on an e-scooter is important for personal safety and for the safety of others, by following these guidelines you can prevent accidents and injury.

Jessica Dennehy, Trauma Injury Program Coordinator

Shining Our Spotlight on the Jamaica MediSys Family Care Center

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our spotlight on the MediSys Family Care Center located at 149-18 Jamaica Avenue. This site was originally located on Sutphin Boulevard and moved to the current location in 2015. The site is 3,600 square feet and has 11 modern exam rooms. The services offered are internal medicine, podiatry and pediatrics. Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM and Friday and Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. The center is easily accessible by public transportation (Buses Q6, 8, 9, 40, 60, 112 and the J, E, Z trains). This office sees 15,000 patient visits a year.

There are currently 17 staff members who work at this location. Many of them have been here for over 15 years. Dr. Piyali Sen began at the original location on Sutphin Boulevard 21 years ago and moved into the new location in 2015. She tells us “ I feel like I helped to build this medical office into what it is today. The patients and the staff are like family to me”. Debra Hariraj a Patient Care Representative started at the original office in Jamaica 17 years ago. She tells us that she enjoys working at this medical office because “ there is great satisfaction taking care of the patients who come in to be treated and giving them the care that they need”.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of the providers at this office, please call 718-523-5500.

What Are Doctors Checking for During Physical Exams?

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

During a physical examination, doctors inspect different parts of our bodies to check for symptoms or potential health problems. They may peer inside our ears, shine a light in our eyes, and look inside our mouths for tell-tale signs, here are some of the medical reasons why they do so:

Shining a light in your eyes- Our eyes can reveal a great deal about our health. Doctors shine a light in our eyes to evaluate how well our pupils respond. In healthy eyes, the pupils will shrink and maintain their round shape. Doctors may also look at the color of your eyes during an examination. Red eyes mays signal irritation and yellow eyes can serve as a warning sign for liver problems.
Peering into your ears – By using an otoscope, doctors can check for signs of infection. Some otoscopes can send a puff of air into the ear canal, this helps doctors to see your eardrum and how it moves when there is pressure in your ear canal.
Pressing your stomach-Doing so can help doctors determine if the size of your internal organs is normal. Additionally, your doctor may check for pain, tenderness, or firmness. Doctors may also listen to your stomach with a stethoscope to check for bowel problems.
Looking into your mouth- Our mouths can also tell us a lot about our health. Doctors look at the back of our throats to see if there are any infections. They also look at the color and texture of our tongues which can be indicative of infections or other underlying medical conditions.
Listening to your heart or lungs – By using a stethoscope, your doctor may listen to your heart to check for heart murmurs, irregular rhythms, or signs of congestive heart failure. Doctors listen to your lungs to check for wheezing, fluid build-up, or infections.

Getting an annual physical is very important for your health. A physical examination can help your doctor to detect problems that can pose a serious threat to your overall wellness.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

National Home Care and Hospice Month

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Association of Home Care and Hospice, during the month of November, the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC) is joining with the National Association of Home Care and Hospice to promote raising awareness about hospice and home care professionals.

When you are faced with the decision of choosing whether home care or hospice care better suites the needs of you, or your loved ones; it is best to know the definition and relationship between the two before deciding.

Home care and hospice focus on relieving symptoms that are related to a chronic illness, such as cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s and other dementias, AIDS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological diseases.

Since most Americans would like to age in place, home care professionals provide a much needed service that provides comfort and high quality healthcare to home bound patients who have chronic illnesses.

When home care is not an option, hospice care may be the choice for your loved one. Keep in mind, hospice care is only offered when the patient has progressed to a point where curative treatment is no longer desired. Hospice care supports the patient, and their families, on the journey to end of life focusing on relieving symptoms and offering comfort from pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and insomnia.

It is important to know that choosing home care or hospice care the focus should be about providing comfort, control, dignity and quality of life and not about giving up. If you, or a loved one should need information on home care or hospice care, please call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-6914 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation, or to just talk, call 718-206-6914.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The month of November has been designated American Diabetes Awareness Month by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the United States which is ten percent of the total population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 1 in 3 adults in the United States has prediabetes. This is the equivalent of 88 million people who are at risk of developing type II diabetes during their lifetime. The ADA states that 1 in 5 people in the United States who has diabetes isn’t aware that they even have it.

There is no cure for diabetes but there are many ways for people who have been diagnosed with the disease to live long, healthy lives if it is controlled properly. Learning to live with diabetes is one of the most important components for managing the disease. Proper nutrition, regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar daily and taking medication to control diabetes are some of the ways complications can be prevented.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many complications. It is the leading cause of blindness, non-traumatic amputations, kidney disease and also increases the risk for heart attacks.

It is also important to have regular medical exams to manage diabetes successfully. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center please call 718-206-7001.

Vaccine Booster Eligibility

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

COVID-19 vaccines are found to be effective in lowering the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However, the efficacy of the vaccine may decrease over time. To help strengthen and prolong protection from COVID, vaccine boosters or additional shots are recommended for individuals who are fully vaccinated but may be at an increased risk for infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) both recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for those who fit certain criteria.

According to the CDC, individuals who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, are eligible for a booster if they are:

65 years or older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live-in high-risk settings

Booster shots for the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine are recommended six months after receiving your second dose. You can get any of the vaccines authorized in the U.S.

If you received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, you are eligible for a booster if you are 18 years old or older. Getting any of the boosters authorized in the U.S. two months after vaccination is recommended.

Side effects to booster shots may vary, the CDC states, “Reactions reported after getting a booster shot were similar to that of the 2-shot or single-dose initial series. Fever, headache, fatigue and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the 2-shot or single-dose initial series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.”

Learning More About Keratosis Pilaris, A Skin Condition That Can Worsen In Cold Weather

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Weather associated with the Fall and Winter months can negatively impact your body in many ways, including how it affects your skin. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center would like to share information about one such skin condition, keratosis pilaris, that is normally associated with cold, dry weather.

Keratosis pilaris is a common, chronic skin condition that causes small, scaly bumps on the skin where there are hair follicles. These bumps are the result extra keratin, which is a type of protein that’s part of skin, hair, and nails. Keratin forms under the skin, blocking the opening of the hair follicle. When the hair follicle becomes plugged it leads to tiny rough, red patches on the skin that often resemble goose bumps. These bumps can appear on the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. They can also appear on the cheeks and on the sides of the torso.

It is unknown as to why keratin builds up, but you are considered more at risk of developing it if you have a parent or sibling who has it. Also, those who already have eczema or atopic dermatitis are believed to have an increased chance of having the condition.

While understanding what causes keratosis pilaris is still somewhat of a mystery, we do know one factor that can exacerbate the condition – the weather. Even though keratosis pilaris is not officially considered a seasonal condition, it usually becomes worse in dry or cold conditions, typically associated in the Fall and Winter months. This is because cold weather breeds dry skin, which in turn seems to irritate keratosis pilaris. For some, thankfully, the rash will disappear once warmer temperatures return.

Although there is no cure for keratosis pilaris, for some the condition can improve with age and without treatment. For others, symptoms can be managed through a few different treatment options, including the use of topical exfoliants or retinoids or, in severe cases, laser therapy. There are also many things you can do at home to reduce the symptoms of keratosis pilaris, including:

Using a moisturizer or a lubricating lotion
Not vigorously scrubbing the skin
Drying off gently after showering
Using a humidifier to eliminate dry air
Avoiding the use of harsh cleansers and soaps

It is important to note that treatment may improve the appearance of the bumps, but the condition often comes back if treatment is stopped. You should speak with your doctor or dermatologist to determine the correct course of treatment for your skin condition.

To make an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Health Benefits of Pumpkins and a Recipe to Enjoy

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Did you know that pumpkins are not only tasty, they are quite healthy?

Some health benefits of pumpkins are:

They are highly rich in Vitamin A
They contain antioxidants and immune boosters that may reduce your risk of chronic illnesses
They are high in nutrients and low in calories
They contain compounds that promote healthy skin.

Now that you know about some of the health benefits of pumpkin, why not try this tasty gluten free, vegan Creamy Pumpkin Soup recipe. It’s healthy, easy to prepare and delicious.

Serves: 3

Prep time – 5 minutes

Cook time – 25 minutes

Total time – 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ onion, diced
½ pumpkin, peeled and cubed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, diced
4-5 cups vegetable broth
½-1 cup coconut milk

Instructions

Heat oil in pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for a few minutes until translucent. Add pumpkin and garlic and continue to cook for a few more minutes.
Add rosemary and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer until pumpkin is soft and cooked through. Add salt to taste.
Puree soup in a blender (in batches) and return to the pot.
Add coconut milk and simmer for another minute or two.

Give this recipe a try. It is simply delicious and healthy too.

ACL Tears

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Abraham Perl, M.D.

With school in full swing and more children participating in team sports, it is important to talk about injuries that can happen during physical activity. Some of these injuries involve damage to ligaments, which are pieces of connective tissue that connect two bones together.

The anterior cruciate ligament, known as the ACL, is the most injured knee ligament with approximately 100,000 – 200,000 ACL tears occurring each year in the United States.

ACL injuries happen most during sudden, cutting or pivoting movements which are common in sports such as soccer, basketball, and football.

Although anyone can injure their ACL, there are several factors that can place an individual at a greater risk. Risk factors include:

Participating in the aforementioned sports, as well as lacrosse, skiing, tennis and gymnastics
A previously torn ACL
Being female (Females are more likely to get injured than males due to differences in anatomy)
Poor conditioning
Wearing poor fitting footwear

Most patients who experience an ACL tear report hearing a pop at the time of injury. Other symptoms can include severe pain or tenderness, swelling and knee instability with walking or a loss of range of motion (Squatting and walking downstairs are particularly difficult movements after obtaining an ACL tear).

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms following an injury to the knee, it is important that you see a doctor immediately.

When you arrive at your doctor, they will ask you for details about how the injury occurred. They will then examine the injured knee by comparing it to the uninjured knee. During the exam, your doctor may perform tests such as the Lachman and Anterior Drawer test to help determine if the ACL was damaged. Several imaging studies such as an x-ray may be ordered to see if there are associated fractures of the surrounding bones. An MRI may also be required to assess damage to soft tissue and check the extent of the ACL tear.

As with many injuries, acute management begins with RICE therapy which stands for rest, ice compression, elevation. If the knee appears unstable, crutches may be provided. A specially fitted brace may be another option to help stabilize the knee. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen can help control the pain. Further treatment options may include physical therapy or surgery.

ACL tears can be prevented by performing stretching and strengthening exercises that focus on the lower body and core, warming up before playing sports, as well as participating in year-round training and conditioning.

If you suspect that you or your loved ones may have injured your ACL or have incurred any other type of injury, our physicians at the Family Medicine Clinic would be happy to evaluate you and discuss a treatment plan based on your goals.

To schedule an appointment with one of our incredible physicians please call our office at (718) 657 -7093.