Learning More About Transverse Myelitis

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Transverse myelitis has received a great deal of attention recently as it has been mentioned in connection with the COVID-19 vaccine trials. To help our community better understand this condition, Jamaica Hospital is providing you with the following facts.

Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological condition that occurs when both sides of the same section of the spinal cord becomes inflamed, causing damage to the myelin, the fatty substance that covers the nerves. Loss of myelin often leads to spinal cord scarring that blocks nerve impulses and results in physical problems. Transverse myelitis can affect people of any age, but it is most common in children ages 10 to 19 and in adults ages 30 to 39.

The exact cause of transverse myelitis is unknown, but many believe it can develop as a side effect of a number of other conditions, including:

Lyme disease
Measles
Syphilis
Viral or bacterial infections

Other potential causes could be the result of spinal injuries, spinal malformations, or vascular diseases like atherosclerosis, all of which can reduce the amount of oxygen in spinal cord tissue. Transverse myelitis can also be a warning sign of multiple sclerosis.

Some of the symptoms of transverse myelitis include:

Back or neck pain
Weakness in arms or legs
Abnormal feelings in the legs, such as burning, tingling, or pricking
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Heightened sensitivity to touch

Symptoms can develop over several hours or days, or over a longer period of one to two weeks.

There is no cure for transverse myelitis. Treatment focuses on relieving the inflammation that causes the symptoms. High doses of steroids, which suppress the activity of the immune system, are the most common treatments. Your doctor may also recommend pain-relieving drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and plenty of bed rest.

Recovery from transverse myelitis usually begins from two to 12 weeks after first experiencing symptoms and can take up to two years. Approximately one-third of those with transverse myelitis have full or near-full recovery. Another third have fair recovery, retaining some of their symptoms. The last third recover poorly and experience significant physical disabilities.

Your doctor will likely review your medical history and perform a complete physical examination to confirm a diagnosis. If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with transverse myelitis and would like to make an appointment with a neurologist 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.

Understanding Over- The- Counter Sleep Aids

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Experiencing either of these issues may happen on occasion or can become chronic -occurring more than three times a week, for at least three months.

Whether problems getting adequate sleep occurs occasionally or is a nightly struggle, it can lead to complications such as fatigue or problems concentrating which prompts many to seek relief.

There are a number of ways to get relief from the effects of insomnia, one of which includes taking over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids.

Over-the-counter sleep aids are widely available but should be used as a temporary solution (no longer than two weeks). Sleep experts advise against regular use because most OTC sleep aids rely on antihistamines to promote drowsiness. Others may also combine the pain reliever Acetaminophen or alcohol along with antihistamine as their primary active ingredients.

Long-term use of sleep aids containing these ingredients can lead to:

Dry mouth and throat
Daytime drowsiness
Feeling off balance
Constipation or urinary retention
Blurred vision
Dependency

It is important to keep in mind that OTC sleep aids are often not recommended for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe liver disease, sleep apnea or close-angle glaucoma.

Sleep aids may be used to provide temporary relief for insomnia; however, they should not be used as a replacement for creating healthy sleeping habits or seeking proper treatment.

Healthy sleep habits include:

Avoiding excessive blue light from electronics or cellphones before going to sleep
Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day if possible
Keeping naps short ( 30 minutes or less)
Avoiding caffeine or nicotine
Eating a healthy diet
Exercising regularly

If you are suffering from the effects of insomnia, speak with your doctor before taking a sleep aid. Your doctor can inform you of possible drug interactions or medications that can affect underlying health conditions. They may also recommend making an appointment with a sleep specialist who can properly diagnose your condition and offer treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or prescribed sleep-inducing medications. To schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001

National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

October 8^th has been designated as National Depression Screening day, an annual event held during Mental Illness Awareness Week. This event was started 27 years ago as an effort to provide people with mental health education materials and give them resources for support services. National Depression Screening Day was also created with the hope of removing the stigma from mental illness.

The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The organization states that early recognition and treatment of the disease offer the best opportunity for successful outcomes. If depression is left untreated it can lead to destructive behaviors and possibly suicide.

Depression screenings help to distinguish between short term feelings of sadness and stress due to transient life episodes, and more severe cases that can go on for months and years. The tests usually last between two to five minutes and the scores will indicate whether a further evaluation by a mental health professional is needed. It is important for people to know that help is available.

To schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Department of Jamaica Hospital
Medical Center, please call 718-206-7160.

Understanding Menopause

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

The life stages of women’s reproductive health begin with puberty (menstruation) and end with menopause. Menopause marks the time when a woman stops having her period and is no longer able to reproduce. While this stage is a normal part of life it has its challenges as women may experience several, physical and emotional changes. Here are six simple facts to educate and help prepare you for potential changes ahead.

What is menopause?

Menopause is medically defined as the time in a woman’s life when she has not had her period for 12 months after her last menstrual cycle. Her ovaries will cease to further produce eggs.

When does it happen?

The average age for women living in the United States to experience menopause is 51 years old. However, in some cases, it can occur as early as a woman’s 30’s or as late has her 60’s. Symptoms can begin to present a few years earlier before the actual onset of menopause. This stage of your reproductive health is referred to as perimenopause.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of menopause may vary from person to person; they may include:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
A slowed metabolism and weight gain
Vaginal dryness
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Thinning hair
Incontinence

How to treat or cope with symptoms?

There are several treatments and lifestyle changes you can apply to help relieve symptoms, some of which are:

Hormone replacement therapy
Getting enough sleep
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles by doing Kegel exercises
Eating a balanced diet
Taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements, as recommended
Exercising regularly
Taking low-dose anti-depressants as prescribed

Can menopause lead to further complications?

Your risk for developing certain health conditions may increase after menopause. Examples of these include osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease

When should I speak to my doctor about menopause?

If you are experiencing unusual pain, other extreme physical or emotional symptoms which affect your quality of life, it is advised that you speak with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may explore treatment options or suggest lifestyle changes. It is also recommended that you begin the conversation about menopause during perimenopause (early menopause symptoms). Your doctor can offer guidance on what to expect.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Joann Ariola

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Did you know that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women in the United States? It estimated that each year, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.

Over 40,000 women are expected to lose their fight to disease. However, more women are surviving breast cancer due to improvements in treatment and early detection.

Cancer deaths can be decreased by as much as one-third with early detection and treatment.

Early detection can start from home. Doctors suggest that women perform monthly breast self-exams. In addition to yearly screenings and mammograms, self-exams can help women to monitor changes or abnormalities that may occur in her breasts. It is important to remember that breast self-exams are never a substitute for clinical breast exams or mammograms.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women should begin receiving clinical breast exams in their twenties. Women below the age of forty are advised to receive them every three years. Those over 40 should schedule yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Mammograms are one of the most effective breast screening and diagnostic tools; however, other tools such as MRI’s or ultrasounds may also be used to further evaluate abnormalities or help diagnose breast cancer.

Early and immediate treatment is one of the benefits women will gain from early detection of cancer. If you are age forty and older schedule an appointment for a mammogram as soon as possible. The American College of Radiology is a great resource to find accredited facilities and breast imaging centers.

Getting Help for Mental Health Issues is Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Mental illness affects millions of Americans, yet not surprisingly, many of those who need help do not receive it. There are many reasons why – it could be due to limited availability of services, or a strong distrust of others, or those who are mentally ill might have such a sense of hopelessness that they do not seek care.

While all of these are factors as to why someone doesn’t seek support, perhaps the biggest single reason is a sense of fear and shame associated with admitting help is needed. This sense of shame is very common and it is only reinforced by society, which has attached stigmas to mental illness. The beliefs the public has about mental illness leads those who need help to avoid it so they are not labeled as “crazy” and have their condition negatively affect their personal relationships and career goals.

Getting society to overcome the stigmas associated with mental illness is the key to having more individuals come forward, but unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. These stigmas can lead to obvious and direct discrimination, such as someone making a negative remark about mental illness or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding an individual because they assume they could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to mental illness.

Those with mental illness should never be ashamed of their condition and here are some reasons why:

According to the World Health Organization, one out of four people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Shame is pretty much guaranteed to make things worse. Feelings of shame are proven to have detrimental effects on our mental and physical health
Mental illness is no one’s fault. No one asks to have a mental illness and it is definitely not a choice we make.
We’re not ashamed when our bodies get sick, so why should we be ashamed when our minds aren’t in top form.
There is no normal – our minds are complex things and no single brain is the same
Our mental health doesn’t define us. Don’t let your mental illness become who you are, it is just one aspect of you.

It’s time to speak out against the stigmas associated with mental illness and reframe the way we see it. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center advises anyone who feels they need help to get it. Don’t let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief and help you in life.

To make an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Outpatient Mental Health Center, please call 718-206-5575

Is it Allergies, the Flu, or COVID?

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Michael Hinck

The fall season presents a convergence of health concerns for many of us. This time of year marks the beginning of cold and flu season, but for many it is also the time of year when they experience seasonal allergies.

Determining if you have the flu or are suffering from fall allergies could be a difficult task during most years, but this year to further complicate matters we are living with the very really threat of COVID-19.

While there are some similarities between the flu, COVID and seasonal allergies, it is important to know that each possess distinct differences as well.

Jamaica Hospital is providing our community with the following information on how to distinguish the differences between the coronavirus, the flu and allergies.

Allergies are characterized by coughing and sneezing. Allergy sufferers also experience facial pain, nasal drip and itchy eyes, mouth and skin. Those who have allergies and also have asthma may experience wheezing as well. Those with seasonal allergies generally do not exhibit fatigue, body aches or fever.

The flu shares some of the symptoms associated with allergies, such as coughing and sneezing, but unlike allergies, the flu is also accompanied by head and body aches, fatigue and fever. Unlike allergies, which present more chronic symptoms that can last for weeks or months, those with the flu typically exhibit symptoms for five to seven days.
COVID-19 symptoms can be very similar to that of the flu. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of COVID include: fever and chills, cough, fatigue and muscle or body aches. The most significant difference between COVID and allergies or the flu is shortness of breath, which is a common symptom of the disease. Other symptoms associated with COVID that are different from allergies or the flu are loss of taste or smell as well as gastrointestinal issues.

Both COVID and the flu are both viruses and mild cases are generally treated similarly with pain and fever medication, such as acetaminophen. Allergies on the other hand are often treated with antihistamines.

If you are a known allergy sufferer you should be aware of when your seasonal allergies typically begin. Additionally, to help minimize the risk of contracting the flu, it is highly recommended that you receive your annual flu shot. If you are experiencing any severe symptoms associated with COVID-19, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Resting Heart Rate

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

The normal resting heart rate range is from 60 to 100 beats per minute. When a healthy person has a heart rate closer to the lower number, it signifies a heart that pumps blood more efficiently.

A resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute is called bradycardia and a heart rate above 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia. If the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, a person may experience fatigue or being dizzy. A heart rate above 80 beats per minute can indicate circulatory problems and a rate above 90 for an extended period of time can be linked to premature death if not better controlled.

Factors that can affect a resting heart rate include:

Body dimensions
Age
Air temperature
Medications
Body position
Chronic disease ( ex: diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension)
Smoking
Emotions
Stress level

You can measure a person’s heart rate by taking the index and middle finger and placing it either on the side of the neck, top of the foot, inside of the elbow or on the wrist. Count the number of beats you feel in 30 seconds and then double that number to get the number of beats per minute. A resting heart rate should not be taken within an hour of exercising, drinking a caffeinated beverage, or a stressful event. The American Heart Association recommends taking your heart rate upon waking up in the morning and before getting out of bed.

It is recommended that you check your heart rate a few times a week. If you notice any abnormalities schedule an appointment with your physician for a complete check-up. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical center, please call 718-206-7001.

Our Post-COVID Care Center Is Now Open

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, most health authorities were operating under the belief that the virus, while extremely dangerous for some, was a short-term illness. Most young, healthy individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus were told to expect to sustain a variety of symptoms that could last anywhere from two to six weeks.

Now, however, doctors are seeing a growing number of patients who are enduring lingering symptoms for an extended period of time. These patients are now being referred to as “Long Haulers.”

For long haulers, symptoms of the virus can drag on for multiple months. Some of the most common lingering symptoms include fatigue, muscle and body pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches. In addition to these physical symptoms, many long haulers are also reporting a variety of cognitive deficits, such as difficulty concentrating or focusing (commonly referred to as mental fog). Other patients may also experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

With nearly a quarter of a million reported cases of COVID-19 in New York City over the past six months, many of the City’s residents are still experiencing the long-term effects of the virus. To help these patients, the MediSys Health Network (comprised of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, the Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and a network of community-based MediSys ambulatory care centers) has opened a Post-COVID Care Center in Hollis Tudors, Queens.

At this center, long haulers, as well as others experiencing post-COVID symptoms can receive specialized care from a multi-disciplinary group of qualified physicians. “We were compelled to help those in our community who are still dealing with the effects of the virus” stated Dr. Alan Roth, Chairman of Ambulatory Care and Family Medicine, who added “Queens was considered the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in March and April. During that time we treated thousands of patients. While the situation in our community has greatly improved recently, we know that there is still work to be done, including continuing to treat patients living with long-term symptoms.”

The MediSys Health Network’s Post-COVID Care Center provides patients with personalized, comprehensive care, coordinated by a primary care physician, who will work with other on-site specialists, including pulmonologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists, all dedicated to helping our patients better manage their condition.

For more information about our services, or to make an appointment at our Post-COVID Care center, please call 718-736-8204.

Ruptured Eardrum

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

The tympanic membrane or eardrum is a very important part of our ear. This thin layer of tissue which divides the outer ear canal and middle ear helps to transmit sound vibrations. It also helps to protect the middle ear from foreign objects such as water or bacteria.

A rupture or tear of the eardrum can lead to serious complications such as hearing loss or infections of the middle ear.

There are a number of things that can cause our eardrums to rupture. They include:

Ear infections -When the middle ear is infected, this can result in fluid accumulating behind the eardrum. Pressure from this buildup can cause the tympanic membrane to break.
Barotrauma- This occurs when there is a change in pressure. If the pressure inside the ear is drastically different from that outside the ear, this can lead to perforation. An example of this is when an airplane changes altitude causing air pressure in the cabin to rise or fall.
Direct trauma to the ear or side of the head- These injuries can be sustained from an ear slap or falling on the ear.
Acoustic trauma – A sudden, loud noise or blast such as an explosion can produce sound waves that are powerful enough to cause injury.
Foreign objects- Inserting objects such as a cotton swab or hairpin into the ear canal can puncture the eardrum.

Pain is the most common symptom of an eardrum rupture; however, you may also experience:

Ringing or buzzing in the ear
Dizziness or vertigo
Drainage of pus or fluid from the ear
Hearing loss

It is important that you see a doctor if any of these symptoms occur. An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor can determine if you have a ruptured eardrum by using an otoscope to conduct an inspection. Additional testing can include, audiology exams, a tuning fork evaluation or tympanometry which measures the response of the eardrum to slight changes in air pressure.

According to Jamaica Hospital ENT specialist Dr. Sandra Ho, a ruptured eardrum can usually heal on its own. Depending on the reason for the perforation, painkillers and/or antibiotics may help during the healing process. However, if it does not heal in a few weeks, your ENT may recommend an eardrum patch. This procedure involves a doctor placing a medicated paper patch over the hole. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the perforated eardrum. This procedure is known as a tympanoplasty which involves taking tissue from another part of the body and grafting it onto the hole in the eardrum.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sandra Ho or other ENT specialists at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7110