September 2015 - Health Beat

Backpack Comfort and Safety Tips for Parents

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Backpacks are essential back-to-school items for kids. Available in all different colors, sizes and shapes, they are the preferred way for most children to carry their belongings.

Backpacks are preferred by many in comparison to shoulder bags because when worn correctly, they evenly distribute weight across the body. However, if worn incorrectly they can cause back pain or injuries and eventually lead to poor posture.

To prevent problems associated with improper backpack use, parents should first purchase a backpack that is lightweight and has the following features:

Wide and padded straps
Multiple compartments
Padded back
Waist belt

A backpack should also be the correct size for your child, it should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso. Practicing these safety tips will further reduce the chance of back pain or injuries caused by backpacks:

When packing, heavier items should be placed to the back and center of the backpack. Lighter items should be in front. Sharp objects such as scissors or pencils should be kept away from your child’s back. Utilizing different compartments can help in distributing weight.
Do not over pack. Doctors recommend that children should not carry backpacks that weigh more than 10-15% of their body weight.
Ensure that children use both straps. Using a single strap can cause muscle strain.
Adjust the straps so that the backpack fits closely to your child’s back and sits two inches above the waist. This ensures comfort and proper weight distribution.
Encourage children to use their lockers or desks throughout the day to drop off heavy books.

The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America recommends that parents should always look for warning signs that indicate backpacks may be too heavy. If your child struggles to put on and take off the backpack, they are complaining of numbness or tingling or if there are red strap marks on their shoulders -It may be time for you to lighten their load.

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.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making it the most common genetic condition. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters fetal development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome like low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.

The cause of the extra full or partial chromosome is unknown, but maternal age is linked to an increased chance of having a baby with Down syndrome. A 35 year old woman has about a one in 350 chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome, and this chance increases gradually to 1 in 100 by age 40. At age 45 the incidence becomes approximately 1 in 30. However, due to higher birth rates in younger women, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

Genetic counseling, prenatal screenings and diagnostic testing for parents is becoming increasingly important and can provide a definitive diagnosis with almost 100% accuracy.

Most screening tests involve a blood test and an ultrasound (sonogram), and are used to estimate the chance of having a child with Down syndrome. New advanced prenatal screens are able to detect chromosomal material from the fetus and provide a high accuracy rate. Other diagnostic tests include chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. These procedures, which carry up to a 1% risk of causing a spontaneous termination (miscarriage), are nearly 100% accurate in diagnosing Down syndrome. Amniocentesis is usually performed in the second trimester between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation, CVS in the first trimester between 9 and 14 weeks.

You can find more information on Down Syndrome, as well as support here.

Do You Suffer From an Eating Disorder?

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Almost four million Americans suffer from an eating disorder, due to a variety of different causes and reasons.

Eating disorders, like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating, are illnesses in which people experience severe disturbances in their eating behaviors, thoughts and emotions. People with eating disorders typically become obsessed with food and their body weight.

There is no single cause of an eating disorder, as genetics and environment both play a large role. Onset often occurs in adolescence when pressure to diet or lose weight can be a trigger.

Some signs of an eating disorder can include:

. Talking excessively about being fat, weight and calories.

. Changes in eating patterns, such as limiting choices to low-calorie foods or occasional binge eating of calorie-dense foods.

. Excessively exercising.

. Inducing vomiting after meals, or abusing laxatives, diuretics and diet pills.

. Being self-conscious about eating behaviors.

. Eating alone.

Identifying signs can be challenging, and those affected may sometimes deny they have a problem or feel ashamed. Treatment and recovery takes the combined efforts of family and friends, as well as medical and mental health professionals. Treatment helps the affected individuals to change what they do, normalize their eating and reframe the thoughts that sustain eating disordered behaviors.

Support your friend or relative by accompanying them to their appointment with a provider can be helpful. Food is central to many social activities and the practice of eating meals with supportive friends and family is an important step in recovery.

Does Breastfeeding Help Lower the Risk of Breast Cancer?

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and studies suggest that breastfeeding for at least a year can help lower breast cancer risk. In addition to providing your child with antibodies that protect him/her from bacterial and viral infections, breastfeeding protects breast health because:

. Making milk 24/7 keeps breast cells healthier.

. Breastfeeding triggers fewer menstrual cycles resulting in lower estrogen levels.

. Women eat more nutritious foods and follow a healthier lifestyle.

Whether or not you breastfeed, other lifestyle choices play an important part in keeping your risk for breast cancer as low as possible. Try to:

. Maintain a healthy weight.

. Exercise regularly.

. Limit alcohol.

. Eat a nutritious diet.

. Quit smoking, if you haven’t already.

Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has a variety of services including a dedicated breast clinic. Our clinic can help you take your first steps to prevention and provide peace of mind. For more information or to schedule and appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

FACT FRIDAY: Asian American Women Live Longer

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Did you know that Asian American women have the longest life expectancy of any other ethnic group? The average Asian woman will live an average of 85.8 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heart Healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Recipe

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Ingredients

Directions

Into a blender, add pumpkin, yogurt, milk, oats, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth and frothy, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve.

Additional Tips

Cooking Tip: Keeping the can of pumpkin in the fridge before using isn’t necessary, but helps make a colder smoothie.

Keep it Healthy: Make sure to buy 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling or mix, which looks similar but can have added sugar.

Tip: Plain nonfat Greek yogurt, which has more of a tangy taste as well as more protein, can be substituted for the light plain yogurt.

Nutritional Info

Nutritional Analysis: Per serving
Calories Per Serving: 199
Total Fat: 1.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
Trans Fat: 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 3.3 mg
Sodium: 106 mg
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 6 g
Sugars: 26 g
Protein: 11 g

Dietary Exchanges
1 fat-free milk, 1 vegetable, 1 other carbohydrate

Price Per Serving
$1.63

MYTH or FACT FRIDAY: Can hair turn white from fright overnight?

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Sage Robinson

For centuries, people have believed that a sudden fright, scare or traumatic experience could turn your hair white overnight.

It is in fact medically impossible. Hair that has grown out of your scalp is dead and there is no way any physiological or psychological experience can change its color overnight.

The Benefits of Yoga

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Sage Robinson

September 30 is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day. If you’re looking for a new exercise with many health benefits, why not try yoga?

Developed in India thousands of years ago, yoga is a form of exercise that has gained popularity tremendously over the past 50 years.

Yoga teaches increased flexibility by learning how to stretch your muscles. This can help a person improve mobility, feel less tired and improve their posture.

Some of the other benefits of yoga are:

• Improved immunity

• Lessen severity of migraines

• Improved sexual performance

• Better sleep

• Improved eating habits

Yoga can help you to feel calmer and more relaxed due to techniques that focus on breathing.

Yoga has also been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate. This can help people who have been diagnosed with heart disease and who either have had a stroke or are at risk of having a stroke.

Yoga can be practiced by just about anyone, anywhere, not just people who are in good physical condition. When looking for yoga classes, find an instructor who has proper training and who is certified to teach the class. It usually takes a few weeks to start seeing the benefits, but you will be surprised at how effective yoga can be.

#MondayMotivation — 10 Minute Heart Health Workout

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Sage Robinson

According to the American Heart Association, 2200 Americans die of heart disease every single day. Help your heart get a boost and prevent becoming a part of this growing statistic- Check out this quick 10 minute workout for a healthy heart.

#TBT — The History of Eyeglasses

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.