July 2015 - Page 2 of 2

Parents: How much bacteria is on your baby’s “binky”?

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

The pacifier is the saving grace for many new parents to soothe their crying baby. However, what parents may not know are the germs harbored on the pacifier could be causing more harm than good to their baby’s health. If you have noticed your child is more prone to being diagnosed with strep throat and ear infections, the pacifier maybe the culprit.

Germs are not just on the surface of the pacifier. The porous rubber top of the pacifier is likely to grow bacteria from the inside out. Research conducted at the Tulsa Wellness Care Center found standard lab cultures produced strep bacteria, various strains of staph and the bacteria that cause pneumonia. The pacifier samples also produced the yeast that causes thrush. Thinking you can clean or disinfect the pacifier for continual use? Not necessarily. Even after washing and boiling a pacifier, these bacterias build a resistance under a complex structure called ‘biofilm’ and continue to harbor and grow. Surprisingly, the life expectancy of a pacifier, even after continual cleaning and “disinfecting”, is only two weeks.

So after this information, what should a parent do? Quit cold turkey? Cry it out? Here are a few helpful tips to ease the distress for both parent and baby:

Take it away early- newborns have a sucking reflex due to hunger, but by three months of age, it’s non-nutritive. Instead, try soothing your baby rocking or holding them.
Make it taste bad- Once they are older, they have developed their taste buds and are biased to certain tastes. Parents have tried vinegar or lemon to make it taste bad, but once it becomes unappealing, your child may be pacifier-free.
Take it away gradually- using it only for naps can be helpful and then gradually letting go the need for it.
Cut the tops off of the pacifier- an unconventional method, but possibly helpful. Place them strategically where he or she may find them and they will realize they are no longer able to use.

A healthy, happy baby will appreciate your caution in the long run.

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.

10 Tips for Dining Out With High Blood Pressure

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Posted by Xavia Malcolm

Dining out is a treat we look forward to because we get to try new foods or indulge in our favorite cuisines. However, it is recommended that if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure to be mindful of the foods you pick from the menu. It is suggested that you stick to a diet that is low in saturated fats, does not contain MSG and has very little sodium or no added salt.

Nutritionists also advise that practicing the following tips when dining out will help in controlling blood pressure levels.

Choose appetizers with fruits or vegetables, instead of salty treats.
Ask for your food to be prepared without added salt or MSG.
Stay away from the saltshaker.
Select foods that are prepared using healthy cooking techniques such as grilling or steaming.
Avoid foods that are pickled, smoked or cured.
Cut away excess and visible fat from meats.
Avoid using butter or foods prepared with butter.
Limit sodium intake from condiments by using them sparingly or by asking that they be served on the side.
Steer clear of items that include cheese.
Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

If you have high blood pressure you can still enjoy restaurant meals and make healthy food choices by sticking to the preceding tips. In addition to eating healthy it is also important to remember to incorporate exercise into your daily routine and take medications as prescribed to help control your blood pressure.

July 28 is World Hepatitis Day: Get Hep on Hepatitis B

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Posted by Joann Ariola

Hepatitis B is a viral disease that has a distinct effect on the liver. Each has different symptoms and treatments. Some causes of Hepatitis B can be misuse of recreational drugs and prescription medications or by sexual transmission. The only way to determine if you have Hepatitis B is by submitting to a laboratory test.

Persons with Hepatitis B may not realize they have it at first. Often times, the disease does not present with any symptoms or you might not get the right diagnosis since the disease shares some of the same signs as the flu, such as:

Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Mild fever
Muscle or joint aches
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach pain

People with hepatitis may notice darkness to their urine, light-colored stools, a yellowing of their skin (jaundice) or an itchy feeling all over your body. In more advanced cases, there can be bleeding inside your body or the mental feeling of being in a daze or stupor.

It is always smart to check with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms, or are in an at risk atmosphere.

Not seeking treatment for Hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis, a serious scarring of your liver.

If you would like to make an appointment with the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Diabetes Friendly Dessert: Berry Pie With Creamy Filling

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Take advantage of fresh summer berries and enjoy this healthy, delicious and, best of all, diabetes friendly, Berry Pie! Recipe courtesy of Diabetic Living.

Ingredients

2 cups plain fat-free Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/3 cups finely crushed rusk (10 to 12 slices) or zwieback (about 17 slices)
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 egg white, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup low-calorie cranberry-raspberry drink
1 tablespoon cornstarch
6 cups fresh raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and/or halved strawberries
Fresh mint sprigs and/or Lemon Cream** (optional)

** Lemon Cream:

1 1/2 cups frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed
3/4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

Directions

For yogurt cheese: In a small bowl, combine yogurt powdered sugar, and vanilla. Cover and chill until ready to use.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine finely crushed rusk and brown sugar. Add egg white and melted butter; stir until well mixed. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and up side of prepared pie plate. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edge is browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, for glaze: In a small saucepan, stir together cranberry-raspberry drink and cornstarch. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Transfer to a small bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap; let stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or until cooled.
Spread yogurt mixture into crust-lined pie plate. In a large bowl, gently toss berries and cooled glaze. Spoon over yogurt mixture. Cover; chill for 3 to 6 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh mint and/or serve with Lemon Cream. Makes 10 slices.
**Lemon Cream: In a small bowl, combine whipped dessert topping and lemon peel.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

Servings Per Recipe: 10
PER SERVING: 153 cal., 3 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 8 mg chol., 79 mg sodium, 25 g carb. (3 g fiber, 14 g sugars), 7 g pro.

Diabetic Exchanges: Lean Meat (d.e): 1; Starch (d.e): 0.5; Fruit (d.e): 0.5; Fat (d.e): 0.5; Mark as Free Exchange (d.e): 0; Other Carb (d.e): 0.5

How safe is the water in your public swimming pool?

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Last week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warned the public about a parasite that can live up to ten days in chlorinated pool water and possibly cause severe gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. One of the main causes of outbreaks in treated water, including hot tubs and swimming pools, is a resistant parasite called Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is spread through contaminated food or feces. Experts suggest you try not to swallow water in recreational waters, including lakes and water parks, and refrain from swimming for at least a week if you have recently had any gastrointestinal problems to avoid passing an infection to others. There is no treatment for infection except to just stay hydrated and let it run its course.

The CDC recommends that swimmers shower before getting in the pool to prevent them from carrying infectious bacteria into the water. Young children, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to infection.

For more information, check out the CDC fact sheet about Cryptosporidium and swimming pools.

Hoop It Up!

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Looking for an inexpensive way to tone up your abs this summer? Try hula hooping! It’s not just for elementary school recess anymore with everyone from celebrities to First Lady Michelle Obama giving the hula hoop a spin.

A low impact and high energy workout, if you can hula hoop for at least 10 minutes you can increase your heart rate, burn calories and help tone your thighs, glutes and arms.

There’s no hard fast rule on what to do during a hula hoop work out, but experts suggest mixing a side to side hooping motion with a front to back hooping motion. Any combination of moves will burn 150 to 250 calories each half hour. If you hula hoop for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks you can lose three to six inches all over. If you are an expert hooper, try a weighted hoop for an additional challenge.

Check with your doctor before using any kind of hula hoop, especially if you have a history of back problems, or before starting any new exercise regiment.

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

Peer Pressure: Teen Smoking

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Adolescents feel social pressure in various ways, from wearing the latest clothing trends and styles to current music choices. Your child’s friends are one of the strongest influences during this time in their lives, especially when it comes to risky behaviors like tobacco use.

During the pre-teen and teenage years, your child is asserting their independence and exploring their identity. Yet they still crave the approval of their peers and often worry about being rejected. Peer pressure makes them feel they are being pulled in two directions. When it comes to smoking cigarettes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted the rate among teens that have three or more friends who smoke is 10 times higher than those that reported none of their friends smoke.

However, based on behavior recent research, teenagers who don’t smoke say one of the main reasons is their parents. Your influence is real and as a parent, you can help your child as he struggles with peer pressure, examines their options, and becomes a mature independent thinker.

Some helpful tips for your teen to avoid caving into peer pressure are:
• Set boundaries: Place smoking on the list of things they shouldn’t do. Make sure they understand smoking’s health risks, know the consequences for breaking the rules and enforce them.
• Know your child’s friends: Pay attention to how your teen interacts and observe. Are the relationships equal and respectful? If not, make time to about them.
• Manage stress: Be on the look-out for signs of stress. Empathize with their feelings, and help them prioritize their activities.
• Encourage independent thinking: The more they trust themselves, the less vulnerable they will be to peer pressure.
• Show and teach empathy: By showing empathy for your child’s feelings, you teach them how you value their thoughts and in turn will teach them to trust themselves.
• Get them involved: Try having them become involved in groups or clubs that fit their interest and reduce the chances of boredom while gaining a new set of strengths.

Your influence can bring a world of difference. If you are a smoker and are interested in quitting, call our Freedom from Smoking Program at 718 206 8494.

For more health and fitness tips, Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

True of False: Smoking Cigars is Safer Than Cigarettes?

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Cigarette sales are beginning to see a decline while cigar use has been rising steadily. This is partly attributed to the growing belief that cigars are a safer alternative to cigarettes. Many smokers perceive cigars as having fewer health risks because the smoke is not inhaled into the lungs, but is instead sucked and kept in the mouth for the taste. However, the most concerning misconception among smokers is the belief that cigars are safer because they do not have a Surgeon General’s health warning as cigarettes do.

Research has proven all of these beliefs to be untrue. Cigars do not require health labels because they are not as regulated as cigarettes. Furthermore, they contain some of the same hazardous chemicals such as arsenic and can have the same negative health effects.

Cigars contain high levels of the addictive substance nicotine. Nicotine can enter the body by being inhaled into the lungs and can also be absorbed through the lining in the mouth. Cigars are also known to contain more tar than cigarettes. Tar contains the carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) benzo(a)pyrene. Cigar smokers are at a high risk for developing cancers of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.

Cigar smoke has been linked to other health conditions such as oral, lung and cardiovascular disease. Chronic cigar smokers may be twice as likely to be at risk for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They may also face a higher risk of premature death caused by aortic aneurysms and damage to the heart. Cigars can also wreak havoc on dental health by causing tooth loss, bad breath and stained teeth.

The National Cancer Institute has determined that cigars are no safer than cigarettes and there are no safe tobacco products. There is also no safe level of tobacco smoke exposure. For this reason and others previously discussed, the best option for smokers to improve their health and prevent the risk of developing chronic diseases is to stop smoking.

Try a Grilled Romaine Salad This 4th of July Weekend!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

The 4th of July usually means dining al fresco and chowing down on grilled burgers, hot dogs and sausages. Why not lighten it up and add a grilled salad to your weekend meal? Remember to keep the cheese to a minimum to reduce your fat intake.

Recipe courtesy of the Food Network.

Ingredients

Dressing:
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon capers
1 teaspoon kosher salt
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
6 anchovy fillets and 1/2 teaspoon of their oil
1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil
Romaine:
3 romaine hearts, halved lengthwise, washed and dried
Olive oil, for tossing
Kosher salt
1 lemon, juiced
20 fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
1 cup crumbled blue cheese, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the grill to medium.

For the dressing: In a blender, combine the lemon juice, vinegar, capers, salt and garlic. Blend until smooth. Add the Worcestershire, hot sauce, anchovies and 1/2 cup of the olive oil and blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning. Add the remaining olive oil if needed. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss 4 of the romaine halves in a little olive oil and season them with salt. Put them in a single layer on the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side for 3 additional minutes; the romaine should feel slightly warm and tender. Transfer the halves to a large platter. Spoon a little dressing on each.

On a flat surface, finely chop the rest of the romaine and add it to a medium bowl. Add the remaining vinaigrette, a touch of lemon juice and the basil leaves. Toss to coat the romaine.

Top the grilled romaine with some of the chopped, dressed romaine. Garnish with crumbled blue cheese and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Alex Guarnaschelli

Your Fourth of July can be Safe and DYNAMITE!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Joann Ariola

With the Fourth of July celebrations arriving soon, how much do you know about firework safety? Take a quick quiz provided by The National Council on Firework Safety to test your knowledge –http://www.fireworkssafety.org/

Keep in mind that, while the Fourth of July is fun celebrating with family and friends, they are still illegal in New York State (including the five boroughs). Fireworks burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin. Items, such as sparklers, are mistakenly thought to be safe, when they can be very dangerous. This year, have a safe Fourth of July and leave the Fireworks displays to the trained professionals.