May 2015 - Health Beat

No-Cook Mango Almond Refrigerator Oatmeal

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Love oatmeal, but think it’s only for cold winter days? Try this healthy and delicious no-cook “summer porridge,” recipe courtesy of The Yummy Life.

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.

#TBT FHMC Doctor Discovers First Outbreak of West Nile Virus in NYC

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Dr. Deborah Asnis, Director of Infectious Disease at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, discovered the first outbreak of West Nile Virus in 1999. After noticing uncommon symptoms among five of her admitted patients, she played the role of detective and used her knowledge as a doctor to identify the cause of these more than flu-like symptoms in her patients.

Thanks to Dr. Asnis, the city of New York has taken precautions against the spread of the West Nile Virus by spraying neighborhoods to prevent increased activity of infested mosquitoes and the spread of their larvae.

To read the Queens Chronicle article, click here.

Diabetes: Using a Blood Glucose Meter

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Sage Robinson

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes you know the importance of controlling your blood glucose levels or “sugar.”

Using a glucose meter to check your blood sugar levels after eating, exercising or taking your diabetes medication, can help determine how your lifestyle affects your diabetes. It may even help you to better plan and implement changes that will assist you in managing your diabetes, helping to reduce the risk of complications related to kidneys, eyes, skin, feet and the nervous system.

The blood glucose meter is an electronic device that uses a disposable test strip with a small drop of blood and reads your level of blood glucose on a digital display. A blood glucose test is performed by pricking the skin (typically, on the finger) to draw blood, then applying the blood to the test-strip. The test is usually referred to as capillary blood glucose.

Healthcare professionals advise patients on how often they should monitor their levels based on their diagnosis. Most people with Type 2 diabetes test at least once per day. Diabetics who use insulin (everyone with Type 1 diabetes and some with Type 2) usually test their blood sugar more often (3 to 10 times per day), both to assess the effectiveness of their prior insulin dose and to help determine their next insulin dose.

Glucose meters are available at a variety of price points. Though the cost of monitoring may be expensive or time consuming, the benefits are worth it if you can avoid the medical costs of diabetes complications.

Breastfeeding after Augmentation

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Joann Ariola

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), breast augmentation has become the #1 cosmetic procedure for the last decade.Since the best age for breast augmentation is anywhere from 18 to 50 years old, a woman’s desire to look younger may overlap with the tick of her biological clock.

One of the most popular questions women ask before having surgery is, “Will I be able to breastfeed?”

The answer is, yes. Breastfeeding after breast augmentation is absolutely possible.

Although the prior condition of the breasts, position of the implant and incision could have a direct bearing on milk production, it is very likely that you will have a positive experience when nursing your child.

If you have any questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center for an appointment with a lactation consultant at 718-670-5486.

Dental Spotlight: What is Oil Pulling?

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Oil pulling, also known as “kavala” or “gundusha,” is a growing trend, but what exactly is it? Based on an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique, it involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for 20 minutes, then spitting it out.

Enthusiasts claim that toxins in the body build up in the mouth and that swishing oil will draw out these impurities or wash them from the mouth. A recent study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine shows that oil pulling may improve your oral health, as well as help against gingivitis, plaque, and even remove the microorganisms that cause bad breath by adhering to the oil.

Oil pulling is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. Start with five minutes a day and slowly work your way up to 20. You can use sesame, sunflower or coconut oil, but the anti-microbial agents in coconut oil may help prevent tooth decay. Gently swish, push and suck the oil through your teeth and make sure you don’t swallow. Just discard the used oil into the nearest trash and continue with your usual brushing and flossing routine. Tell us, would you try or have you tried oil pulling?

Electronic Cigarettes – are they safe ?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Electronic cigarettes, or as they are more popularly called, e-cigarettes, are designed to look like traditional tobacco cigarettes. Though the e-cigarettes contain no tobacco, they can be harmful because they contain nicotine which is a cancer causing chemical. Their manufacturers would like the public to believe that they are a safer alternative to cigarettes, but this may not be the case.

How they work – The user inhales through a mouthpiece similar to traditional cigarettes. This flow of air triggers a sensor that turns on a small battery operated heater. The heater warms up a capsule that contains nicotine and propylene glycol. The vapor that is created gives the user the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette. The vapor from these e-cigarettes also contains formaldehyde and acetaldehyde which can also cause cancer.

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has done a preliminary analysis of these devices and concluded that the vapors that they emit contain other carcinogens, such as nitrosamines and diethylene glycol. It is presumed that the effects of smoking these e-cigarettes would have similar second hand effects as regular tobacco products and their use should be regulated in a similar manner.

Though they have been marketed as an aid to stop smoking for those trying to quit, there is no evidence that proves that these e-cigarettes accomplish that goal. If you smoke, or know someone who does, and are interested in quitting we recommend speaking with your physician or joining a smoking cessation program such as Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Freedom from Smoking Program. A representative can be reached at 718 206 8494. Additional resources can also be found at www.nysmokefree.com.

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Does Aloe Vera Really Help Ease the Pain of Sunburn?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer season, and for some, their first sunburn.

After a long, cold winter everyone is excited to spend some time outside. Unfortunately, some people underestimate the power of the sun’s rays this early in the season and your skin can burn easily without proper protection from sunscreen and clothes. If you do get sunburn, will using aloe vera really help to soothe skin and ease discomfort?

A natural remedy and popular home treatment for all kinds of mild skin burns, studies show that using aloe vera can help moisturize the skin and aid healing. Aloe vera gel or juice is antibacterial and has soothing qualities that will help you avoid the peeling normally associated with sun damage.

Try a store bought aloe vera gel, or go directly to the source and use juice from the leaves of an aloe vera plant. Refrigerate the leaves, peel them open and directly place the gel or juicy part onto the burn. You can gently squeeze the leaves to get the juice out. While you can place the juice directly onto the sunburn, it may sting a little since aloe vera juice is an astringent. Try mixing the aloe vera juice with a little moisturizing Vitamin E and dab it onto the sunburn.

Aloe shouldn’t be used on severe burns, so check with your doctor if you’re worried your sunburn may be severe. Your best protection against sunburn is using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 or greater year-round for all skin types. If you are fair-skinned and sunburn easily, you may want to select a sunscreen with a higher SPF to provide additional protection.

For questions about your sunburn, or to learn how to better protect your skin from the sun, speak with a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Spice it up! Will Adding Cayenne Pepper to Your Diet Help With Weight Loss?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Heralded as a way to increase metabolism and maybe even help you lose weight, it seems like cayenne pepper is being added to everything , from juice drinks to over- the -counter supplements, but does it really work?

The red cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum related to bell peppers, jalapeños, and paprika. Recent studies suggest that red cayenne pepper, when combined with other weight loss efforts, may help burn calories and curb appetite, especially in people who aren’t used to eating it.

The study found that about half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper either mixed in food or swallowed in a capsule helped normal-weight young adults burn about 10 more calories over a four-hour period, compared to eating the same meal but without the red pepper.

Pepper was also found to decrease appetite, especially in people who said they didn’t already eat spicy foods. However, it seems that once a person gets used to the spicy foods, the effects start to wear off.

Incorporating red pepper into your diet works more toward moderation of energy intake and energy balance, but the real bottom line? If you like spicy food, try it, but it’s not going to make you a size 2.

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Is Prenatal Yoga Right For You?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Keeping active while pregnant is good for you and for your baby. Research suggests that practicing prenatal yoga offers many benefits, including helping you relax and prepare for labor.

Many childbirth-preparation classes encourage stretching, mental centering and focused breathing. Taking prenatal yoga classes in a yoga studio or using an exercise DVD can:

.Improve sleep and balance

.Reduce stress and anxiety by calming the nervous system

.Increase strength, stamina, flexibility and endurance needed for childbirth

.Ease lower back pain, nausea, headaches and shortness of breath

.Decrease the risk of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction

. Helps with breathwork in preparation for labor

. Increase circulation

Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you. Prenatal yoga can be a great way to prepare for childbirth. Namaste!

For more health and lifestyle tips, follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital

The Natural Solution to Spring Cleaning

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Spring is finally here, and springtime means spring cleaning! If you’re looking for an alternative to store bought cleaners, check out these low-cost, non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning solutions for a fresh smelling home:

.Baking Soda – cleans, softens water, and scours. You can also use baking soda to deodorize food storage containers and sprinkle on your carpet to absorb smells before vacuuming.

.White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. Use equal parts white vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of your fridge.

.Lemons – effective against most household bacteria. Use lemon peels in your garbage disposal to help deodorize it.

You can also try these combinations:

.All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, and bathroom mirrors.

.Mold and Mildew cleaner: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.

.Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Only use the black and white newspapers, not the colored ones. Don’t clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying.

.Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft, slightly damp, cotton cloth. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.

One more tip: Whenever you clean your home, save the floor or carpet for last. Clean window blinds and shelves first and then work downwards. This allows time for the dust to settle before vacuuming.

For more lifestyle and health tips, follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flushinghospital