The Facts About Ear Infections

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Michael Hinck

An ear infection is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum. Children are most likely to develop ear infections, but adults can get them too.

Ear infections are commonly associated with colds or the flu because the middle ear is connected to the upper respiratory tract by a tiny channel known as the Eustachian tube. Germs that are growing in the nose or sinus cavities can climb up the Eustachian tube and enter the middle ear to start growing.

The most common symptoms associated with ear infections in children include:

Ear pain, especially when lying down
Tugging or pulling at an ear
Trouble sleeping
Crying more than usual
Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
Loss of balance
Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher
Drainage of fluid from the ear

Ear pain, difficulty hearing and drainage of fluid from the ear are the most common symptoms in adults.

While anyone can develop an ear infection, there are multiple factors that can increase your chances of developing one, including:

Age – Children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years are more susceptible to ear infections because of the size and shape of their Eustachian tubes and because their immune systems are still developing.
Group child care – Children cared for in group settings are more likely to get colds and ear infections than are children who stay home.
Bottle feeding – Babies who drink from a bottle, especially while lying down, tend to have more ear infections than do babies who are breast-fed.
Seasonal factors. Ear infections are most common during the fall and winter. People with seasonal allergies may have a greater risk of ear infections when pollen counts are high.
Poor air quality. Exposure to tobacco smoke or high levels of air pollution can increase the risk of ear infections.

Because ear infections often clear up on their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring symptoms. When they don’t however, antibiotics can be used to clear the infection. Some people are prone to having multiple ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications.

It is important to see your doctor when:

The patient is less than six months old
Symptoms last more than a day
Pain is severe
There is a discharge of fluid

Most ear infections don’t cause long-term complications, but if someone develops them repeatedly, they can lead to complications including impaired hearing, speech or development delays and spread of infection to nearby tissue.

The best ways to reduce the risk of developing an ear infection include practicing good hand hygiene and social distancing to avoid contracting the common cold, the flu or other viruses and bacterial infections that can lead to them. Other tips include breast-feeding your baby and avoiding secondhand smoke.

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.

Anorexia

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Anorexia nervosa-often used interchangeably with anorexia, is an eating disorder and psychological condition characterized by having a distorted body image (believing one is much heavier than they are), and the intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese.

The exact cause for anorexia nervosa is unknown; however, there are several environmental, biological and psychological factors believed to contribute to its development.

Individuals with anorexia nervosa aim to maintain a low body weight that is abnormal for their height and age. This is typically achieved by practicing unhealthy weight loss habits such as:

Exercising excessively
Severely restricting the amount of food consumed
Vomiting after eating
Misusing, diuretics, laxatives or diet aides

The symptoms of anorexia nervosa can be physical, emotional or behavioral, and may vary from person to person.

Physical symptoms can include:

Extreme weight loss
Severe loss of muscle mass
Fatigue
Thinning hair or hair that breaks easily
Fainting or dizziness
Infertility
Lanugo- soft, downy hair that covers the body

Emotional and behavioral symptoms may include:

An unhealthy preoccupation with food
Excessive concern about being overweight
Adopting eating rituals such as chewing food and spitting it out
Lying about food intake
Avoiding eating in public
Repeated weighing or measuring of the body
Social withdrawal

Most individuals with anorexia nervosa hesitate to seek help because their desire to stay thin often outweighs their concerns for being healthy. However, anorexia nervosa can be life-threatening, so it is important that they receive the immediate care of physicians and mental health experts to help with overcoming this condition.

The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa generally includes physical exams, lab tests and psychological evaluations. Treatment is often administered by a team of healthcare professionals who are experienced in dealing with eating disorders such as a primary care doctor, dietitian and psychologist. A care plan may include medication, psychotherapy and nutrition education.

We Shine Our Employee Spotlight on Lynn Velazquez Soto, MAPT

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are pleased to shine our Employee Spotlight on Lynn Velazquez Soto, MAPT, Physical Therapist Supervisor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Lynn has been a physical therapist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for 24 years. She grew up in New York, and attended Saint Michaels for elementary, and junior high school: Brooklyn Tech High School, and then completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at CUNY and Touro College.

Her family life is very important to her and she enjoys spending free time with her two sons and daughter. She grew up in a home with many kinds of pets. At the present time, she has a Husky, a Chihuaha and a pet snake. Lynn likes to eat different types of food but her favorites are Italian, Spanish and Asian. She enjoys travelling especially to islands in the Caribbean and to other states but right now she is staying local due to travel restrictions. Her favorite types of music are Latin, classic and pop.

Lynn enjoys keeping busy with her many hobbies that include refinishing vintage furniture, fashion design and art projects. She also keeps active by running, swimming and biking. Lynn has also competed in several marathons.

Lynn’s priorities in life are her family, friends and patients. She is very proud to be part of Jamaica Hospital as it serves the community so well. She feels that our patients are like family in the sense that many have been coming to us for care for years. Lynn tells us that they see a wide variety of therapy diagnoses in her department and her team always strives to improve our patient’s well-being.

We are very pleased to have Lynn as a member of our team and look forward to her working with us for many more years.

JHMC’s Family Medicine Department Recognized as Health Literacy Heroes

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

The Department of Family Medicine understands that the health literacy of our patients is influenced by many factors such as personal experience with the healthcare system, cultural norms, and social determinants of health. We appreciate that health literacy is our responsibility and can best be achieved by partnering with our patients. It is up to the healthcare team to communicate medical information in a way that meets our patients’ needs.

One of the ways we achieve this is by having patient navigators on our team who are trained in education for various chronic conditions and assist patients in navigating the healthcare system. Another fun initiative has been the social media video series “What Do You Mean?” which features our doctors breaking down medical jargon into patient-centered language making health-related concepts easier to understand.

Family Medicine is committed to Health Literacy! We are honored to be recognized as this year’s Health Literacy Heroes during Health Literacy Month.

Important Information About Hypertension

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Michael Hinck

According to the American Heart Association, hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is defined an adult as blood pressure that is greater than or equal to 140 mm systolic and 90 mm diastolic. Hypertension directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

When the heart beats, it generates a force exerted against artery walls, known as blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured by testing the force needed to stop blood from flowing through the arteries, away from the heart. When a blood pressure test is performed, a test result will yield two numbers. The first number is known as the systolic number. It measures the pressure when the heart beats. The second number, known as the diastolic number, measures the pressure between heart beats, when the heart is at rest. A normal blood pressure for a healthy adult is 120/80.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious condition that affects approximately one quarter of all Americans. Hypertension is commonly known as the “silent killer” because of the lack of any noticeable symptoms. If not treated, hypertension can lead to many more serious conditions that can ultimately prove fatal.

Diagnosing and treating hypertension is very important because it can lead to a number of other diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Everyone is susceptible to developing hypertension, but some groups are at greater risk than others. Those most at risk are:

• People with a history of hypertension in their family

Overweight people

• African Americans

• Elderly people

You are also at a higher risk to develop hypertension if you:

• Smoke

• Drink alcohol frequently

• Are pregnant or on birth control pills

• On a high-salt diet

• Are an inactive person

If you have hypertension, there are ways of controlling your condition. The following lifestyle changes can be added to reduce your risk:

Exercise Regularly – Aerobic exercise for 15 to 45 minutes, three to four times a week, every week is recommended by doctors. Swimming, walking, jogging, riding a bike, and dancing are all excellent forms of aerobic exercise.
Eat healthy – Avoid foods with high salt and high fat content. Doctors suggest eating more fruit, vegetables, chicken, fish, pasta, and low-fat dairy products.
Control Alcohol – Limit alcohol consumption.
Stop Smoking – If you are serious about controlling hypertension, you must stop smoking.

In some more serious cases, doctors will prescribe medication to help control hypertension. The best prevention is to see a doctor and have a blood pressure check-up at least once a year.

Before beginning a diet or exercise program, consult your physician.

Meet Dr. George Ferzli

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital would like to introduce you to Otolaryngologist (ENT Specialist), Dr. George Ferzli.

Otolaryngologists treat conditions associated with the ear, nose, and throat and related structures of the head and neck. These are some of the most complex areas of the body as they affect your ability to breathe, eat, speak, and hear.

Dr. Ferzli is highly trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology/head and neck surgery.

Dr. Ferzli completed his residency at S.U.N.Y Downstate Medical Center and continued his training in the highly coveted Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at the prestigious Lenox Hill Hospital. He is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology.

He provides a wide variety of services for patients that include but are not limited to:

Nose and breathing procedures such as rhinoplasty
Adenoid surgery
Head and neck reconstruction
Tonsillectomy

One of the ways Dr. Ferzli helps his patients is by utilizing the latest technologies. He is aware of many new advances and has incorporated them into his patients’ treatment plans.

He is extremely happy to join the ENT Division at Jamaica Hospital, and work with a strong and diverse team of doctors. Dr. Ferzli feels that together they are building a much-needed service that can greatly benefit patients.

Dr. Ferzli treats patients at the following location:

TJH Surgical Services
89-05 135^th Street
Jamaica, NY 11418
718-206-7110

Learn The Facts About Diabetes

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Diabetes is a treatable, but not curable, disease in which the body either develops a resistance to insulin or cannot successfully use all the foods it takes in because of a defect in the production of insulin. Insulin is a hormone created in the pancreas, an organ found near the stomach. It acts as a key to allowing glucose into our cells. Glucose is created during digestion and is needed as a fuel for the body to perform many activities.

Scientists are not certain why diabetes affects some people and not others, but there is strong evidence that heredity, diet, activity level, and ethnicity play an important role.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, and non-traumatic amputations, and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is essential to be under the regular care of a physician when diagnosed with the disease, as diabetics have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke and are also prone to infection and slow-healing wounds.

What Are The Risk Factors For Diabetes?

You are at risk of developing diabetes if you:
Are overweight
Are over the age of 45
Have poor dietary habits
Do not exercise regularly
Are a woman who has experienced gestational diabetes
Are a woman who has delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth
Are of African American decent
Are of Hispanic decent
Have a family history of diabetes

What Are The Types Of Diabetes?

Type I
Type I is also called insulin dependent diabetes because the body does not produce insulin in sufficient quantities, if at all. In this form of diabetes, people are required to take insulin every day by injection. It is seen mostly in children and young adults, though not exclusively. It affects 10% of the diabetic population.

Type II
This more common form of the disease affects the greatest number of people. Almost 90% of people with diabetes have this type. Type II has also been called the non-insulin dependent form of the disease because it can often, though not always, be managed without taking insulin. Many people do well with oral medications, strict diets, exercise, and close monitoring by a physician.

Gestational Diabetes
This form of the disease can develop during pregnancy. It will often go away after the pregnancy is completed. It is believed to be caused by the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy. It is a risk factor for developing the disease later in life.

Some common symptoms of diabetes include:

Frequent urination
Constant thirst
Dramatic weight loss
Constant hunger
Tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
Blurred vision
Frequent feeling of fatigue

It is important to discuss any symptoms with your physician as soon as they are noticed. The above lists some warning signs and they all need not be present. Further testing is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

Diabetes isn’t necessarily painful, and that is why it is often not diagnosed until major symptoms develop.

Depending on the type of diabetes and its severity, treatment plans will vary and must be tailored to the individual’s specific needs. Medications include daily injections of insulin and/or oral agents, strict diet, regular glucose monitoring, an exercise plan, and regular medical examinations.

Learn More About Cholesterol

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Cholesterol is a necessary component of the cells in the body. It is found in large quantities in nerve tissue, the brain, skin, adrenal glands, and liver. Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in the bloodstream along with the circulating fats called lipids. Cholesterol is not able to dissolve in blood and in order to be transported it must be united with a type of

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol when found in large quantities. It contains more cholesterol than protein and helps transport cholesterol to the cells. When the LDL level is high, excess cholesterol will accumulate in the blood vessels and lead to complications.

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is known as good cholesterol because it contains more protein than other cholesterol. This form of lipoprotein helps transport excess cholesterol away from the cells, therefore, it is better to have more HDL’s and fewer LDL’s in the bloodstream.

When there is too much cholesterol circulating in the blood, it leads to a disease called hypercholesterolemia. This elevated level of cholesterol in the blood will eventually lead to the formation of fatty deposits of plaque on the lining of blood vessels. When this happens, blood vessels become narrowed and hardened by these deposits. This condition is called atherosclerosis and it can lead to the formation of blood clots in these now narrowed blood vessels. When blood vessels become narrowed, it makes it difficult for blood to reach parts of the body and can eventually cause serious damage. It is believed that atherosclerosis causes more deaths due to heart attacks than any other disease.

A diet high in cholesterol can lead to stroke, heart disease, atherosclerosis, and possibly death. Many of the great tasting foods that we eat every day contain high amounts of cholesterol. Foods that are high in cholesterol include red meat, egg yolks, whole milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, fried foods, cake, and cookies. Foods that are prepared with high amounts of saturated fats such as palm or coconut oil also lead to high cholesterol levels.

Foods that are low in cholesterol and high in fiber are a smarter choice. These include fresh leafy vegetables, peas, dried beans, and whole grains. A healthy diet is one that contains less red meat and more fish and poultry. Taking the skin off poultry makes it even healthier to eat.

Other factors that can lead to high cholesterol include smoking, obesity, and a family history of heart disease.

The American Heart Association says that when the level of cholesterol rises above 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood, there is a significant increase in the risk of having a heart attack. High cholesterol can vary from person to person but is generally defined as above 240 mg/dl.

The body has the ability to produce approximately 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol daily from the carbohydrates and fats that we eat. Therefore, it is not necessary to eat foods that are high in cholesterol in order to meet the body’s needs. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that you limit your daily intake of cholesterol to no more than 300 milligrams per day. The daily diet should contain no more than 30% fat and only a third of this fat should be saturated.

Exercise and a healthy diet are two ways that you can lower your cholesterol. It is important to always consult a physician before starting any diet or exercise plan. Stress management is also very helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. In many cases where cholesterol levels are not being controlled, it may be necessary for a physician to prescribe medication to help lower it.

Information About Breast Cancer

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Michael Hinck

All cancers gets their name from the part of the body where the abnormal cells begin to develop. Breast cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and divide without order in the breast tissue of women, and in rare cases, men.

While it is not known what causes breast cancer, certain risk factors have been linked to the disease. A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of getting a particular type of cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled (e.g., smoking) and others (e.g.,age, family history) cannot be changed. Being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer however, other factors such as environmental exposure and diet can also play a part.

The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump in the breast that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges.

Some other signs or symptoms of breast cancer include:

• swelling of a part of the breast

• skin irritation or dimpling of the skin on the breast

• nipple pain or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin

• a nipple discharge that is other than breast milk

• a lump in the underarm area

At this time, there is no known way to prevent breast cancer. However, some preventative measures such as reducing controllable risk factors and implementing early detection methods can increase your survival rate in the event of a cancer diagnoses. Reducing your incidence of risk where possible and following guidelines for self-examination and early detection are the best course of preventative action. Early detection improves the likelihood of successful treatment and saves thousands of lives each year. Each month, it is advised that women perform breast self-exams. Early detection screening exams often find cancers before they start to cause symptoms, while they are small and still confined to the breast. Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast exam every year if they are in a high-risk group or every three years if they are not. From the age of 40, women should have a mammogram screening every year.

If breast cancer is suspected in a patient, a biopsy of the cells from the breast is performed, removing cells so that they can be examined. Cancer treatment includes surgical procedures such as lumpectomy, mastectomy, and non-surgical therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. If you have been given a cancer diagnosis, don’t be afraid to seek the second opinion of a breast cancer specialist for more information and treatment options.

What is Arthritis?

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Arthritis is a chronic disease that most often affects areas of the body that are in or around joints. A joint is the area where bones meet: an example of this would be the knee. Bones are covered at their ends by a substance known as cartilage, and it is this cartilage that keeps the bones from rubbing directly against one another. The entire joint is enclosed by the synovium, a tissue that produces the synovial fluid that keeps the joint lubricated. Muscles and tendons act to support the joint and also to make it move. When a part of the joint is not working correctly it can cause the joint to change shape or alignment, which can be very painful.

Arthritis is a disease that affects one in every seven people and can occur at any age. . It is a disease that can severely limit the ability to move. It can have a slow onset, or come on quickly. Once it starts, it usually lasts your entire life. There are many ways that its symptoms can be reduced so that people who have it can remain active.

Arthritis is often characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and problems with movement in one or more joints. Any of these symptoms that persist for 10 days or more should be discussed with your doctor. It is important to remember that symptoms may be constant or they may come and go. Symptoms can occur during physical activity or they can occur while at rest.

Because there are so many different types of arthritis, it is important for your doctor to perform a complete history and physical in order to make a correct diagnosis. Often the exam will include a blood test, a urine analysis, a joint fluid specimen, and an x-ray of the involved joints. To help your doctor, you should be able to tell him or her when you first noticed the pain, how long you have had it, when it hurts, where the pain is located, whether you have noticed any swelling, if you had any trauma to the area, and whether there is a family history of this type of problem.

The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis This is the most common form of arthritis. It is also called degenerative arthritis. It usually affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and back, but it can affect almost any joint. It causes pain and stiffness and is due to degeneration of the bone and cartilage. Men and women are usually affected at the same rate of occurrence.

Rheumatoid Arthritis This is an inflammatory form of arthritis that is caused by the body’s own immune system acting on the joints. The joint lining is affected first and then spreads to the cartilage and bone. It occurs in women more often than in men, and it affects the same joints on both sides of the body.

Depending on the type of arthritis and its severity, treatment plans will vary and must be customized to the individual’s specific needs. Medications that act on the pain and the swelling include those sold over the counter as well as prescriptions. Exercise programs and physical therapy have helped many people relieve symptoms and increase joint mobility. The use of ice or heat over the joint may help as well. Excess weight can also cause a person’s arthritis to worsen. In all instances it is important to discuss symptoms and all treatment plans with your doctor.