How To Make Your New Year Resolutions Stick

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Joann Ariola

New Year Resolutions are great to make and even better to keep. Here are some tips on how to make your New Year Resolutions stick.

Be realistic
Plan ahead
Outline your plan
Make a “pros” and “cons” list
Talk about it
Reward yourself
Track your progress
Don’t beat yourself up
Stick to it
Keep trying

Keep in mind that each day is a new day to either continue your journey to your goal or to start again

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.

What Are Hiccups?

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Michael Hinck

A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary spasm of our diaphragm muscle. When our diaphragm abruptly contracts, our vocal cords close, resulting in the very familiar “hic” sound. Although there is no conclusive reason why we get hiccups, but eating or drinking too quickly are believed to be contributing factors.

There are many theories on how to stop an episode of hiccups. They include:
• Holding your breath
• Drinking a glass of water quickly
• Pulling hard on your tongue
• Biting on a lemon
• Gargling with water
• Drinking from the far side of the glass
• Getting scared

In most cases hiccups are just a temporary, minor annoyance, although there was one reported case of someone having the hiccups for six decades. If hiccups last more than three hours, or if they disturb eating or sleeping, call your doctor immediately as it may signal another medical problem.

Laryngitis

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Many have experienced the two most common symptoms of laryngitis- hoarseness or voice loss.

These symptoms occur as a result of an inflammation of the larynx which contains our vocal cords. When our vocals cords are inflamed they become swollen, distorting the sounds made by the air passing through them.

Additional signs and symptoms of laryngitis can include a dry cough, sore throat, low-grade fever, itchy throat or swollen glands.

Most cases of laryngitis are temporary or acute and are caused by overusing our voices, viral infections such as the cold or bacterial infections such as diphtheria. Symptoms typically last for a few days.

The best treatments for acute laryngitis involve self-care. It is recommended that you rest your voice, drink plenty of fluids, use humidifiers or menthol inhalers and gargle with warm, salt water. You should avoid whispering, dry or smoky rooms, decongestants, spicy foods, alcoholic beverages and caffeine.

Laryngitis can be also become chronic or long-term. Symptoms lasts more than three weeks and can be brought on by bulimia, smoking, alcohol abuse, GERD (acid reflux), constant exposure to polluted air or second-hand smoke, excessive coughing, sinus disease, injury to the throat or cancer.

Treatments for chronic laryngitis are aimed at treating underlying issues. For instance, doctors may recommend a change in diet in cases in which chronic laryngitis is caused by GERD. If caused by exposure to polluted air, doctors may recommend wearing protective gear. Medications such as antihistamines, antibiotics, pain relievers or glucocorticosteroids may also be prescribed based on the cause of symptoms.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of laryngitis for more than three weeks, you should see a doctor. Medical attention must be sought immediately if you are having difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, have increased pain or a fever that will not subside. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001

Why is it important to know what Cushing syndrome is?

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

When the body is exposed to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol for extended periods of time this leads to a condition known as hypercortisolism, or Cushing syndrome.

High levels of cortisol in the body can occur as a result of ingesting oral corticosteroids or the body producing too much of the hormone in the adrenal glands.

Why would the body produce too much cortisol? It may be due to a tumor on the pituitary gland which leads to an over production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) that stimulates the adrenal glands. This is more common in women than in men. It can also be due to a noncancerous tumor of the adrenal gland which causes an excess production of cortisol.

The medications that contain steroids are used to treat asthma, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus. patients who have had organ transplants are also given steroids to reduce the risk of complications.

Signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome include:

Weight gain
Buffalo hump ( fatty tissue deposits between the shoulders)
Moon face ( fatty tissue deposits in the face)
Thinning of the skin
Slow healing of wounds
Severe fatigue
Depression
Headache
Bone loss
Weakness
Acne
High blood sugar levels

Diagnosing Cushing syndrome is done by several methods. A 24 hour urine test may be performed to test levels of cortisol, a dexamethasone suppression test which involves taking a low dose steroid pill at night and then checking the blood levels for it in the morning, and a salivary cortisol level test which measures the level of cortisol in the saliva at night.

Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. If a person is taking in too much cortisol, it may have to be reduced. If a person is producing too much cortisol, ruling out a tumor is important. It is possible to cure Cushing syndrome, and if a complete cure isn’t possible, there are ways to at least control it. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

National Winter Skin Relief Day

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Joann Ariola

January 8, 2020, is designated as National Winter Skin Relief Day. This observation helps remind us that our skin is susceptible dryness and cracking due to the severe weather winter season can bring.

Winter can be a particularly harsh season for our skin. During this time of year, temperatures are cold and we spend more time indoors where heating systems tend to deplete the water content in the air. Low humidity in our environment contributes to dry skin.

Dry skin commonly appears as being rough and flaky patches, which can show up anywhere on the body but mostly on the arms and legs. In severe cases, your skin can develop creases and cracks when it is extremely dry.

Drying of the skin typically occurs when the outer layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum, becomes compromised. The stratum corneum which is composed of dead skin cells and natural oils; acts as a protective layer that prevents water from evaporating from the surface. When water evaporates, outer skin cells become flaky and will cause cracks and fissures.

There are steps you can take to retain moisture and prevent dry skin. Here are a few:
• Bathe in warm water, never hot
• Use mild soaps that contain moisturizing creams
• Pat the skin dry with soft towels
• Use a moisturizer several times a day on exposed areas of the body.
• Drink a lot of water
• Apply sunscreen to prevent drying out from the sun’s rays
• Wear gloves
• Avoid wearing wet articles of clothes outdoors.
• Have a humidifier in the home

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center to discuss dry skin and how best to treat it, please call 718-206-7001.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Earns Age-Friendly Health System Status

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to announce that we have earned an “Age-Friendly Health System” status; a designation that less than 20 percent of the health care facilities across the country have yet to receive.

Receiving an Age-Friendly status demonstrates that Jamaica Hospital and the Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home are committed to this rapidly growing movement to improve the health care for older adults.

This initiative was a collaborative effort founded in 2017 by the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) with the intention of helping hospitals and other care settings implement a set of evidence-based interventions specifically designed to improve care for older adults.

The initiative is guided by a framework of essential elements known as the “4Ms”, which include:

What Matters – Communicating with our patients to better understand their personal and healthcare goals. This is achieved by asking a series of questions to the patient as well as family members or caregivers. Factors in what matters most to our patients could include end-of-life care, placement issues, or financial concerns.
Medication – Prescribing age-friendly medications that do not interfere with the goals of our older patients. This includes not prescribing certain medications that can affect a patient’s mobility and using our electronic medical record system to identify potentially inappropriate medications.
Mentation – Preventing, identifying, treating and managing mental health issues such as depression and dementia in our older patients. This involves conducting a mental health status examination.
Mobility – Ensuring that our older adult patients move safely and maintain function. This is done by getting our patients to ambulate more while in our care and by conducting a Fall Risk Assessment and providing mobility devices if necessary.

Receiving this designation was a collaborative effort led by Dr. Angelo Canedo and Dr. Alan Roth and included a leadership committee comprised of physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators. After a rigorous nine-month process that included educating all of our providers and submitting data that demonstrated the 4Ms have been incorporated into our practices.

The 4M initiative for treating older adults is currently being practiced throughout our network, by providers in our Emergency Departments, Ambulatory Care Centers, Inpatient Units, and in our long-term care facility

“Older adults deserve safe, high-quality healthcare. The Age-Friendly Health System initiative is an important part of our vision to provide it to them,” stated Dr. Alan Roth. “We worked very hard to achieve this goal and are extremely appreciative of those who contributed to helping us attain it.”

Is Having An Annual Physical Exam Important ?

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

It’s the beginning of a new year which is a perfect time to make a promise to take better care of yourself. What better way to do this than by scheduling an appointment for a regular medical check-up. Even if you feel fine, it is a good idea to see your medical doctor to ensure that you don’t have any underlying health issues. The American Medical Association is now recommending that physical exams be performed once every five years for people between 18 and 40 years of age and every three years after the age of 40, as long as there are no chronic illnesses that require more frequent check-ups. After the age of 55, an annual exam is probably a good idea.

There are many reasons that having a physical exam is something that everyone should make time to do. These include:

Prevention of illnesses
Monitoring the risk of chronic disease
Identify illnesses that don’t have symptoms
Monitoring your weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and basic body chemistry
Adjusting your lifestyle to best suit your rage
Keeping an ongoing relationship with your physician

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Fever Facts

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Winter is the most common time of year for someone to develop a fever. With that in mind, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants to provide you with the following fever facts.

A fever is a temporary increase in your body’s normal temperature range, (36–37° Centigrade or 98–100° Fahrenheit).

Symptoms associated with a fever may include:

Sweating
Chills and shivering
Headaches
Muscle aches
Loss of appetite
Dehydration
General weakness and lethargy
Increased sensitivity to pain

While the reason most often associated with developing a fever is an infection
(viral or bacterial), there are other potential causes, including:

Heat exhaustion
Dehydration
Certain inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
Side effect resulting from certain medications
Reaction to certain immunizations
Alcohol or drug withdrawal
A malignant tumor
Sunburn

There are many different types of thermometers that can be used to determine if a fever is present, including an oral (mouth), tympanic (ear) or temporal artery (forehead) type of thermometer. However, when taking an infant’s temperature, it is best to use a rectal thermometer.

It is important to take your temperature when you are at rest as physical activity can raise your temperature.

Taking fever-reducing over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen is one of the simplest and most effective ways to bring down a fever. Other things you can do to reduce fever include drinking more fluids and taking a bath in comfortable-temperature water. Applying cool compresses can also relieve fever symptoms.

Fevers by themselves may not be a cause for alar or a reason to call a doctor. Yet there are some circumstances when you should seek medical advice.

Infants – Contact your doctor if your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher if your baby is between three-six months old and has a temperature of over 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable or lethargic.
Children – Call your doctor if your child is listless, unresponsive or irritable, vomits repeatedly, has a severe headache or stomachache, or has any other symptoms causing significant discomfort or has a fever lasting longer than three days
Adults – contact your doctor if your temperature is 103 F (39.4 C) or higher or if your fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, skin rash, sensitivity to light, mental confusion, excessive vomiting, convulsions or seizures, or difficulty breathing.

If you are experiencing symptoms of fever and would like to see a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Holiday Safe Driving Tips

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

The holiday season is upon us and that means many people will be hitting the road to visit family and friends, taking shopping trips to the mall, or just celebrating the joyous season.

During the holidays schools are usually closed for vacation, many people get time off from work and everyone wants to have a good time.

By taking a few precautions you can get to your destination safely and have a wonderful time. Safe driving is a key component of having a happy holiday season. To make sure that everything goes well, here are some safety tips to follow:
• Do not speed
• Do not text while driving
• Do not drink and drive
• Plan your route in advance
• Make sure your car is operating properly – check fluids, brakes and lights
• Make sure that you are well rested before getting behind the wheel
• Make sure that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up

Following these safe driving tips will make sure your holiday will be a lot merrier.

Dr. Anna Kuzel Shares Holiday Health Tips

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Anna Kuzel

December is a time of joy and celebration for many, but can also be stressful. When your routine is disrupted and you are surrounded by indulgent food, it is more difficult to make healthy choices. Here are some ideas to stay well this holiday season.

Depriving yourself of holiday treats can backfire and lead to over-eating. Instead, have a small portion of your favorite dish or dessert without seconds. Try substituting starchy and fattening side-dishes with a vegetable dish such as green beans. In between large meals continue to have regular, small meals with fruits, vegetables and protein.

Making time for exercise will increase your energy, improve your mood and help with digestion. Taking a short walk or practicing yoga for a few minutes has the added benefit of clearing your mind from holiday stress.

If you like to enjoy alcoholic beverages at parties, the US Department of Health recommends limiting alcoholic beverages to 1-2 drinks per day. Choose wine or light beer which are lower in sugar and calories than cocktails. Also, try alternating a glass of water with each alcoholic drink to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

The holidays are a chance to connect with family and friends for some but can feel lonely for others. If you don’t usually celebrate with family, consider reaching out to friends or neighbors. Volunteering can also make you feel connected to your community while improving your own sense of gratitude and well-being. On the other hand, if you find yourself spread too thin with obligations, it is okay to say no to certain events. It’s important to take time for self-care such as reading, taking a bath or meditating.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can interrupt your medication routine. It is important, especially for those with chronic conditions to remember to take their medication as this can lead to serious complications. You may find it helpful to set a daily alarm as a reminder or set medication bottles next to something used daily, such as your toothbrush, water glass or your nightstand.

This time of year is also the peak of the cold and flu season; therefore, it’s important to take steps to prevent the spread of infection. Remember to wash your hands frequently, and remind every family member over the age of 6 months to have their flu shot.

Consider these ideas to keep your holiday celebrations a little bit healthier and enjoy the season!