History of Contact Lenses

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Contact lenses are so commonly worn today that people don’t give them a second thought. Did you know that the concept for contact lenses goes all the way back to Leonardo DaVinci who described them back in 1508. Many scientists experimented with different materials over the next few centuries with only a little success. It was in the late 1800’s that German scientists devised a prototype of a contact lens made from a thin piece of glass that covered the entire eye. In the early 1900’s it became possible to make a mold of the entire eye and this helped to make lenses that fit better. By the 1950’s plastics were being developed that could be made thinner and with a better fit for the eye and they were replacing glass as the material of choice for contact lenses. In 1960 the company Bausch and Lomb developed a technique to cast hydrogel, a plastic material that could be molded and shaped when wet, which allowed for the production of lenses that were able to be mass produced and of extremely high quality. Today lenses are much more comfortable than the lenses made 20 years ago. They can be worn for long periods of time and they allow the eye to breathe which earlier versions couldn’t do.
If you would like to make an appointment with our ophthalmology department please call 718-670-5486.

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.

Obesity and the Risk for Cancer

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Woman measuring waist of overweight man with tape measure, middle section

Obesity is defined as a condition where a person has an abnormally high proportion of body fat. People who are obese because of the higher concentration of fat tissue; tend to be at higher risk of developing certain types of cancers including:
• Esophageal
• Pancreatic
• Colon and Rectum
• Breast (post menopause)
• Endometrial
• Kidney
• Thyroid
• Gallbladder
There are many reasons that obesity may raise the risk of developing cancer. These include:
• People who are obese have high levels of body fat which triggers an increase in estrogen production. Higher than normal levels of estrogen is associated with an increased risk of developing breast, endometrial and other types of cancer.
• Obese people are often found to have increased levels of insulin in their blood which can promote the growth of certain tumors
• Fat cells produce hormones called adipokines that can stimulate tumor growth
• People who are obese have chronic low level inflammation that can increase the risk for certain cancers.
While the evidence is not conclusive, it is believed that losing weight, and more importantly body fat, can help prevent the risk of cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial to your overall health and can be accomplished by eating well and exercising.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss weight loss, and to learn more about Bariatric Surgery as an option, please call 718-670-5486.

National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Thursday October 6^th has been designated as National Depression Screening day, an annual event held during Mental Illness Awareness Week. This event was started 26 years ago as an effort to provide people with mental health education materials and give them resources for support services. National Depression Screening Day was also created with the hope of removing the stigma from mental illness.

The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The organization states that early recognition and treatment of the disease offer the best opportunity for successful outcomes. If depression is left untreated it can lead to destructive behaviors and possibly suicide.

In an effort to raise awareness,Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry observed National Depression Screening Day by providing free depression screenings to the community. The community outreach initiative took place in the hospital’s main lobby, where members of the department educated guests about symptoms of depression and when to seek help. The group reminded everyone that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and they should not delay getting help for that reason.

Depression screenings help to distinguish between short-term feelings of sadness and stress due to transient life episodes and more severe cases that can go on for months and years. The tests usually last between two to five minutes and the scores will indicate whether a further evaluation by a mental health professional is needed. It is important for people to know that help is available.

To schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Department of Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

September 22nd is designated as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. This observance serves to increase awareness and to educate the public about the risks of falls and how to prevent them from happening. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
A fall, with or without serious injury, can impact a person’s quality of life. Older people have a significant fear of falling and will often limit their activities because of it. This can lead to physical decline, depression, social isolation and feeling helpless. However, if they exercise caution and follow these steps, they can reduce the risk of an accident and continue on with routine activities:
• Speak to a doctor about performing a risk of falling assessment
• Build up balance, strength and flexibility
• Have vision and hearing checked
• Remove tripping hazards in the home and make sure that there is adequate lighting
• Install grab bars in the bathroom
• Make sure that there are secure rails on all stairs
• Review medications to make sure they don’t affect balance
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center to discuss fall risk prevention, please call 718-670-5486.

How Does Hot Weather Affect Asthma

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Exhausted female runner suffering angina pectoris

It is a fact that breathing difficulties associated with asthma are affected by hot weather. Anyone who has walked a few blocks when it is hot and humid outside will know that breathing seems to be more difficult. This is especially true for anyone who suffers from asthma. One possible cause of this is due to the hot, humid air irritating the airways causing inflammation which will lead to symptoms of an asthma attack. Another reason is that hot and humid air is heavier and therefore a person may have to struggle to breathe..
In hot weather months there is an increase in the amount of ozone in the air and also a higher concentration of dust and fine particles which can cause existing respiratory conditions to worsen especially in the very young and the elderly.
Some of the environmental factors that affect the respiratory system are:
• Higher levels of carbon dioxide and higher temperature can lead to more spores and mold in the air.

• Higher temperatures can lead to more greenhouse gases being produced.

• Environmental production of pollutants from vehicles and factories become trapped in the atmosphere.

These environmental conditions can cause chest pain, wheezing, and coughing, and reduced lung function for those who suffer with asthma.
Irritants that affect breathing function have definitely worsened over the years due to climate changes. People are being treated more frequently in the emergency rooms across the country due to lack of clean air to breathe.
To help avoid asthma attacks in hot weather it is recommended to:
• Stay indoors as much as possible in an air conditioned environment
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Keep hydrated
• Try to limit being outdoors during the hottest time of day
To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital who can help treat breathing difficulties, please call 718-206-7001.

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

August is National Immunization Month. The importance of this designation is to make people aware about the different types of vaccines they should get throughout their lifetime. Vaccines are important to keep the body healthy by building up an immunity to serious diseases. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Flushing

Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

The Benefits of taking a Vacation

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

We live in a stressful society that is full of situation. It is very important for people to take a break in order to stay healthy. Studies have shown not taking a vacation for a few years can increase the risk of heart disease and the potential for a heart attack. People who take vacations have an easier time to breaking bad habits such as nail biting, smoking, and eating poorly because stress the triggers for these bad habits aren’t present.
There are many benefits to taking a vacation:
• Betters outlook on life
• Allows the body to unwind
• Increases happiness
To really benefit from a vacation a person has to leave their work environment at home.
Today, with electronic devices so prevalent, it is important to not check them more than
once or twice a day.

Bariatric Surgery – Lap Band Procedure

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Diagram of an adjustable gastric band

Losing weight is not easy, whether it be just a few pounds for a special occasion or to look good at the beach or considerably more weight in order to make a dramatic change in your health. Bariatric surgery is a popular weight loss choice for those people who would like to make a dramatic change in their life.
Bariatric surgery is performed on the stomach or intestines to induce weight loss. The basic principle of the procedure is to restrict food intake and reduce absorption of food by the stomach and intestines.
The criteria for bariatric surgery are:
• Body mass index (BMI) over 40
• Disabling pain in weight bearing joints
• Over 100 pounds or more above ideal weight
• Previous attempts at weight loss through diet and exercise have failed
• Obesity related disorders such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, degenerative joint disease
One procedure that people speak about frequently is Lap Band surgery. This is one of the simplest forms of bariatric surgery. It is a minimally invasive technique and is performed laparoscopically. The surgeon places an inflatable silicone band on the upper part of the stomach; this is secured by sutures. The band will be adjusted by injecting a small amount of saline solution into a port. A small pouch will be created which will restrict the amount of food that a person who has this procedure is able to eat. The procedure usually takes one to two hours to perform.
Advantages of Lap Band surgery:
• Reduction in the amount of food that the stomach can hold
• Weight loss is usually 40 – 50 percent
• Short hospital stay
• No cutting or stapling of the stomach or intestines
• It is reversible
• Low rate of post-op complications
• Low risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss if bariatric surgery is right for you, please call 718-670-8908

Today is World Hepatitis Awareness Day

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Liver Protected Against Hepatitis Virus

In 2010 the World Health Organization ( W.H.O. ) designated July 28th as World Hepatitis Day. This serves to increase awareness about viral hepatitis and to influence change in disease prevention, testing and treatment. The goal for 2016 is to adopt a plan that will eliminate hepatitis as a public threat by 2030.
Hepatitis is a virus that causes an inflammation of the liver. The liver is an organ in the body that processes nutrients, filters the blood and fights infections. The most common forms of hepatitis are A, B, and C. Hepatitis B and C kill close to 1.4 million people each year and cause almost 80 percent of all liver cancer cases. Many people have the hepatitis virus and are unaware of it.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B include:
• Fever
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
Hepatitis is spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids. It is possible that people remain without symptoms for many years but during this time the disease is slowly destroying the liver. It can take many years for the symptoms to appear. Blood tests are available that can detect the virus at an early stage.
Ways to reduce infection:
• Use only sterile equipment for injections
• Test all donated blood for hepatitis
• Practice safe sex
• Encourage people to get hepatitis B vaccine
Medication exists that can cure hepatitis C and can control hepatitis B infection. When given properly, people are less likely to die from liver cancer and cirrhosis and also are less likely to transmit the disease to others. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses over a 6 month period and it is recommended that it be initiated right after birth if possible.
To make an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss the vaccine, please call 718-670-5486.

The Benefits of Taking a Vacation

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Family on beach