August 2021 - Health Beat

COVID-19: Myth: Natural Immunity Protects Against the Delta Variant

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The Delta variant is spreading much more rapidly than previous strains of the COVID-19 virus. Current COVID vaccines are shown to be efficient in slowing the spread of this variation and lessening its effects on those who are infected. Vaccines work by producing antibodies that will fight infection.

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have proven that COVID vaccines will create a better immune response to the Delta variant than the natural immune response people would have if they previously had the virus.

Unvaccinated people are dependent on their natural immunity, and since they don’t have sufficient antibodies specific to this virus, will often have a more severe reaction than those people who have been vaccinated.

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.

Gout

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Gout is a common form of arthritis that is characterized by attacks of pain, swelling, stiffness, redness or tenderness in the joints. These attacks or flares typically affect one joint at a time. They can occur suddenly and return over time.

Gout is caused by an accumulation of urate crystals in the joint. Urate crystals form when there are high levels of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is produced when your body breaks down purines; substances that are found naturally in our bodies and in foods such as steak, seafood and organ meats. Alcoholic beverages and drinks sweetened with fructose (fruit sugar) are known to promote higher levels of uric acid in the body.

Some people are more likely to develop gout than others. Factors that increase your risk include:

Being obese; If you are overweight your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys may not be able to properly eliminate excessive amounts
Having a diet that is rich in purines, this includes seafood, red meat, organ meat, or beverages sweetened with fructose
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
Having certain health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart and kidney disease
Using certain medications such as diuretics or low-dose aspirin

Men are more at risk of developing gout than women; this is because women tend to produce lower levels of uric acid. Men are also more likely to develop gout at an earlier age than women. In men, symptoms may occur as early as the age of 30, and in women after menopause.

There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk for gout or prevent future attacks, they include:

Drinking plenty of water
Limiting your intake of seafood and meat
Limiting or avoiding alcohol
Maintaining a healthy weight

If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, or believe that you may be at risk, make an appointment to see a physician. Your doctor may order a series of test or assess your current state of health to receive a diagnosis or to determine if you are at risk. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, you may call 718-670-5486.

Adult ADHD

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.

Most people associate ADHD with children who have trouble focusing, are overly active or have difficulty controlling impulsive behaviors. While ADHD does commonly affect children, it can also occur in adults. In fact, it is estimated that 4% to 5% of adults living in the United States have the disorder.

ADHD begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood. However, many adults are unaware that they have ADHD. This is because the disorder was never recognized or diagnosed during childhood.

In adults, the symptoms of ADHD may present differently than they do in children and are unique to each person. They can include:

Anxiety
Trouble coping with stress
Poor listening skills
Getting easily distracted
Difficulty paying close attention to details
Struggling to complete tasks or multitask
Poor organizational skills
An inability to control impulses i.e., Interrupting others during conversations
Acting without consideration for others
Frequent mood swings
Forgetfulness
Often losing things i.e., keys, phones, wallets

These symptoms can interfere significantly with an individual’s relationships, career, finances and other aspects of daily life.

With an accurate diagnosis, symptoms of adult ADHD can be treated or managed appropriately to reduce the risk of developing social, emotional, or occupational problems.

To accurately diagnose ADHD in adults, the American Psychiatric Association recommends a comprehensive evaluation which typically includes a review of past and current symptoms, a medical exam and history, and use of adult rating scales or checklists.

Treatment for adult ADHD typically involves education ( learning more about ADHD), medication, therapy and other behavioral treatments, or a combination of methods.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with adult ADHD, you should speak with a doctor. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Tips to Heal a Sunburn

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

It is summertime and many of us will be spending time outdoors. For those who don’t take precautions to protect their skin from the strong rays of the sun, the results can be unpleasant. Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays may lead to sunburn.

Sunburn can cause irritation and pain to the affected areas. It is important to treat sunburns as soon as possible to help your skin heal and avoid further complications.

Here are a few tips on how to help heal sunburn:

Take a cold bath or shower
Drink plenty of water
Use gel or cream containing ingredients such as aloe vera or calamine lotion on the affected area
Take a pain reliever if necessary ( aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen )
Avoid further exposure to the sun
Never use creams that contain alcohol

If the sunburn is severe, especially in very young children, it may require medical attention. The signs of a severe sunburn are lethargy, high fever ( 101 degrees or higher ) and large blisters. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Cantaloupe Breakfast Bowl

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Joann Ariola

If you are a fruit lover, this simple breakfast bowl is This easy breakfast bowl is picture-perfect when you’re craving a cold and refreshing treat.

INGREDIENTS

1 cantaloupe, halved
1 1/2 c. almond milk
1 c. frozen raspberries, plus fresh raspberries, for garnish
1 banana, sliced into coins, divided
1/2 c. frozen pineapple or mango
1/2 c. Greek yogurt
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. granola

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DIRECTIONS

Using a spoon, remove and discard seeds from cantaloupe. Use a spoon to widen hole in the center, leaving a 1″ border at the edges. Reserve removed fruit to add to smoothie.
Combine almond milk, raspberries, half the banana, pineapple, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and extra cantaloupe. Blend until smooth.
Pour smoothie into cantaloupe “bowls” and garnish with raspberries, granola, and remaining banana slices. Serve.

For more breakfast bowl recipe ideas visit, https://www.delish.com/cooking/menus/g27664093/smoothie-bowl-recipes/?slide=2

Summer Wellness Tip – Swim Safety

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Joann Ariola

The warmer weather is upon us and people are looking for ways to keep cool. One way that has always been popular during the warm summer months is by swimming in a pool, whether it be at someone’s home, or a community pool in the neighborhood.

Every year there are countless accidents and also fatalities at or near swimming pools. Many could have been avoided had precautions been taken.

Safety Tips to follow:

Never leave children unattended near a pool
Only swim when there is a lifeguard present
Every pool should have proper drain covers
Pools should have alarms and proper fencing
Keep the pool clean
There should be no diving allowed in pools that are shallow
Never swim alone
There should be no horseplay in or near a pool
Do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Do not swim in a thunderstorm
It is a good idea to give children swimming lessons before the start of the summer
Children who don’t know how to swim should be given flotation devices to wear

There are many organizations around the country that offer swimming lessons for children and adults of all ages. If you don’t know how to swim, look into getting some lessons before heading out to the pool. You will have a good time and you will also be a lot safer this summer.

Poison Ivy Rash

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

Many people enjoy spending time outside during the summer. With more time spent outdoors, there is an increased risk of exposure to plants that can cause allergic reactions. The most common plants of this kind are poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac; all of which grow in wooded or vegetated areas and contain urushiol.

Urushiol is an oily resin found in the leaves, stems and roots of each plant. When this substance comes in contact with our skin, it can lead to a reaction we know as poison ivy rash. An allergic reaction typically occurs 24 to 48 hours after exposure and symptoms can last up to two or three weeks. Symptoms can be mild or severe and may include:

Redness
Blistering
Itching
Swelling

There are several ways to minimize our exposure and reaction to plants that can cause poison ivy rash. We can:

Learn to identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac
Steer clear of these plants by avoiding areas in which they grow
Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants
Immediately wash areas that have been exposed with soap and water
Bathe pets that have been exposed

Approximately 60 to 80% of people who are exposed to urushiol will have a reaction. For mild cases, taking cool showers and applying soothing topical treatments such as calamine lotion is recommended. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe pills or creams that contain steroids or antihistamines.

Is Your Asthma Due to Excessive Physical Activity ?

Posted on August 2, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Do your asthma attacks coincide with participation in physical activity such as exercise? As in all types of asthma, as the airways tighten, it becomes difficult to take a complete breath, and the airways produce extra mucous.

The symptoms of exertional asthma include:

Wheezing
Tightness of the chest
Coughing
Feeling tired
Inability to catch your breath

Some activities that can lead to heavier than normal breathing such as recreational sports including: running, basketball, football, soccer, and aerobic exercise. These can lead to exertional asthma. Additionally, when the air is cold and dry, activities such as shoveling snow or walking for long periods of time can also trigger an asthma attack.

Other contributing factors of exertional asthma can include:

Smoke or smog
High pollen counts

Having a cold or other respiratory infection
Chlorinated pools or other chemical irritants

Treatment of exertional asthma includes taking medications both on a regular basis and prior to doing strenuous exercise to limit symptoms and control breathing. Some activities and sports should be avoided if they bring on asthma attacks.

If you are experience difficulty breathing while participating in strenuous activities, you should consult with a pulmonary specialist for a complete respiratory evaluation. Please call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.