August 2015 - Page 3 of 3

What is Swimmer’s Ear?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that affects the outermost portion of the ear canal. A common cause is the accumulation of water in this portion of the canal that leads to a bacterial infection. It can also be caused by the insertion of unclean foreign objects into the ear that irritate the lining of the ear canal.

Signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear are:
• Redness in the ear canal
• Itchiness in the ear
• Fluid discharge which may include pus
• Muffled hearing
• Sensation of fullness in the ear
• Fever if the infection is severe

A few factors that can make a person more susceptible to swimmer’s ear are:
• Swimming in water that isn’t clean
• Having a narrow ear canal
• Abrasion of the ear canal by improper use of a cotton swab
• Reduced production or improper removal of ear wax

It is important to treat swimmer’s ear as soon as possible in order to prevent serious complications such as hearing loss. Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment options are ear drops containing antibiotics, steroid, and a mild acidic solution. Have your physician evaluate the problem as soon as possible. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-700

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.

Does a larger waist size indicate a shorter life expectancy?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Weight and body mass index (BMI) are used to calculate whether a person is normal, overweight or obese. Recent studies conclude that waist measurements might also indicate health risks.

Data analyzed from 11 studies involving 650,386 adults, most in their early 60s over a nine year span concluded that people with the largest waist sizes were most likely to die at a younger age from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, or cancer than those with smaller waists.

Men whose waists measured 43 inches or more were 52 percent more likely to increase their risk of death than men with 35-inch waists; women with 37-inch or larger waists had an 80 percent higher mortality risk than those with waists of 28 inches or less. The chances of dying prematurely increased 9 percent for women and 7 percent for men for every two-inch increase in waist size. Compared with those who had the smallest waists, men with the largest waists had a life expectancy that was three years shorter; for women, five years shorter. The elevated likelihood of dying early applied across the board, affecting even people with normal BMIs.

According to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, this “obesity paradox” is because BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle it is a flawed measure of heart risk. Waist size provides a far more accurate way to predict a patient’s chances of dying at an early age from a heart attack or other causes. BMI measurements are still important, but other considerations such as body shape and fat distribution should also be factored in.

Do you know your waist circumference? Here’s how to measure it:

Locate your hip bone on your abdomen.

Wrap a measuring tape around your body at this level. It should be snug but not pressing into your bare skin.

The tape should be parallel to the floor. Relax, exhale and read the measurement.

Being physically active, eating well and watching portions can make a positive impact on your waist and overall health. Discuss your health risks and goals with your medical provider.

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Sage Robinson

In the United States, about 7.5 million people have psoriasis (pronounced sore-EYE-ah-sis), a chronic, inherited disease. It develops when a person’s immune system sends faulty signals that tell skin cells to grow too quickly. The skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing patches of psoriasis to appear.

Psoriasis can begin at any age. Most people get psoriasis between 15 and 30 years of age. By age 40, 75 percent of people who are prone to psoriasis will get develop it. Another common time for psoriasis to begin is between 50 and 60 years of age. Not everyone who carries the genes will get it. Research shows it takes the combination of many different genes and other possible “triggers” to cause an outbreak.

Some triggers include:

A stressful event.

Strep throat.

Taking certain medicines, such as lithium, or medicine to prevent malaria.

Cold, dry weather.

A cut, scratch, or bad sunburn.

Psoriasis can be a misery for many people, but the good news is that there are many treatments available. Oral and topical prescription medications, biologics and phototherapy are very useful in relieving itch and flaking. Diet, exercise, stress reduction and other complementary therapies like acupuncture are also useful in helping control an outbreak. If you have questions about your skin and would like to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, please contact Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.