What is Schizophrenia

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain that is severe, chronic and disabling. Research has shown that there is a brain chemical imbalance that causes the disease. People with the illness do not interpret reality in a normal manner. It occurs in approximately one percent of the population, but if there is a family history of the illness the frequency is much higher. Men and women are affected equally but symptoms are usually seen earlier in men. Usually the illness is first noticed in the early 20’s for men and late 20’s for women. When teenagers develop the illness they tend to be withdrawn socially, perform poorly in school, become irritable and lack motivation. It is unlikely for most people to develop the illness after their mid forties.

Adult Symptoms of Schizophrenia:

• Hallucinations – People hear, see, smell or feel things that do not exist
• Delusions – false beliefs like imagining they are someone else
• Thought disorders – Having trouble organizing thoughts and speaking without making sense
• Movement disorders – A person may make agitated movements or not move at all
• Lack of caring about personal hygiene

The treatment goal is to be able to control symptoms Treatment for schizophrenia includes taking antipsychotic medications and receiving psychosocial treatments.. It is important that a treatment plan for the patient include counseling for their families as well. One important method of therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy which is where the patient is taught how to manage their symptoms.

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.

Benefits of Yoga

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

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

• Ease migraines

• Improve sexual performance

• Better sleep

• Improve eating habits

Yoga can help you to feel calmer and more relaxed. This is because some forms of yoga teach techniques that focus on breathing.

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

It usually takes a few weeks to start seeing the benefits of yoga. When looking for yoga classes, find an instructor who has proper training and who is certified to teach the class. It can be practiced by just about anyone, and it isn’t just for people who are in good physical condition.

Can Prenatal Massage Help During Pregnancy?

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Having a baby is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but the pregnancy itself isn’t always a pleasant experience. Can a prenatal massage help?

The goals of a prenatal massage are the same as a regular massage – to relax tense muscles, improve circulation, offer relaxation, and to re-energize the body and mind.

Many women experience joint pain, neck and back pain, leg cramping, and sciatica during pregnancy. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping release tension in nearby muscles.

A prenatal massage also improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy by stimulating soft tissue. This reduces fluid build-up around joints. Improved blood flow also helps the body’s lymphatic system work more efficiently by aiding in the removal of toxins and tissue waste.

By ridding the body of certain stress hormones, a prenatal massage can reduce anxiety and improve an expecting mother’s overall mood. Other benefits include the alleviation of headaches, reduced instances of insomnia, decreased levels of depression, and even improved labor outcomes.

When choosing a massage therapist, be sure to pick one who is certified in prenatal massage. Certified Prenatal Massage Therapists are trained to provide relief to known sore spots and also know to avoid applying pressure to very sensitive pressure points. They know the appropriate techniques to use and positions to recommend and may even have a specially designed massage table for pregnant women.

A prenatal massage may not be for everyone. Women with certain conditions, such as preeclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension or with a history of pre-term labor should not receive a prenatal massage. All women should consult with their prenatal care provider before scheduling a massage.

If you have questions about prenatal massage or would like to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at Flushing Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, please call 718 670-8994.

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Obesity: Lifestyle or Genetics?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

“How does she eat so much and not gain any weight?”

It’s a question that has left many puzzled and quite frustrated. The conversation about weight, however, is a longstanding one. Today, especially, weight gain and weight loss remain relevant discussions, as the United States faces an obesity epidemic.

Though several health initiatives to help fight obesity have been implemented over the past few years, it is important to first understand what factors contribute to obesity. According to a National Institutes of Health funded study conducted by UCLA, not only does behavior and environment affect obesity, but genetic factors can also play a significant role in causing obesity.

How our genes actually influence obesity varies. As explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genes give the body instruction for responding to changes in its environment. Some research has linked genes to metabolism, pointing out that genetics affects how one’s body responds to high-fat diets. Genes can either cause an increased tendency to store fat or a diminished capacity to use dietary fats as fuel. Other research has suggested that genes influence behaviors, such as overeating and being sedentary.

The conversation about obesity can now change since research has shown that body weight is hereditary and that genetic disposition affects weight. In all efforts to fight obesity, living environments where high calorie foods are prevalent and physical activity is limited should be looked at more closely.

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The Benefits of Drinking Bay Leaf Tea

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

There are many benefits of drinking bay leaf tea. Some of the most widely known benefits are:

1. Bay leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Also regular inclusion of bay leaves in meals promotes general health.

2. They have been proven to be useful in the treatment of migraines.

3. Bay Leaf contains enzymes that help to breakdown proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm indigestion.

Recipe for Bay Leaf Tea

16 oz water
3 bay leaves
Juice1 large or 2 smaller lemons

Place ingredients, together, in a pot and bring to a boil.
Drink, after it cools down

A hot cup of bay leaf tea can be very comforting. The aromatic fragrance that the leaves release is calming and the essence of the spiced tea makes bay leaf tea delicious.

How Smoking Affects Your Good Looks

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Smoking is harmful to your body; the toxins found in tobacco and cigarettes can damage your body from the inside out. The smoke from cigarettes contains 7,000 hazardous chemicals which may lead to lung cancer, asthma, complications with diabetes and damage to your heart. These chemicals are also known to wreak havoc on your physical appearance.

Here are some of the ways smoking can ruin your good looks:

.Bags under the eyes-Smokers are four times as likely to have bags under the eyes. Nicotine slows the circulation of blood throughout the body, which in turn affects the flow of circulation around the eyes.
.Dental health-Cigarette smoke can also interfere with the normal function of the cells in the gum, which leads to discoloration of your pearly whites, bad breath and other dental problems.
.Premature wrinkles- Smoking limits circulation and causes deprivation of blood to the tissues that keep the skin supple. Studies show that smokers tend to look older than their peers because the aging process has been accelerated.
.Sagging arms or breasts- Is often a tell-tale sign of a person who has smoked for an extended period of time. It has been discovered that the chemicals in cigarettes destroy collagen and elastin. With the loss of these fibers, the skin will begin to lose its elasticity and strength.
.Yellow nails and fingers- Nicotine can stain fingers and nails making them brown or yellow in color.
.Hair loss- Studies show that smoking can accelerate hair loss. The circulation of blood flowing to the hair follicles is hampered, this disrupts the normal growth cycle of hair.

The damages caused by smoking affect the body both internally and externally. Some of the effects are immediate and can be seen instantly or some may develop over time. However, several of these conditions can be reversed once a person stops smoking.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center encourages you to quit today. For help with smoking cessation visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco for a list of resources near you.

Why Do We Get Goosebumps?

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

goosebumps164109706 Answer: To raise the body’s temperature. When we are cold muscle fibers around the hair follicles contract- giving us goosebumps. This activity produces heat and raises the body temperature.

Is Your Child An Internet Addict?

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

It’s often difficult for parents to know how much time their children spend online.Often children play video games, view videos and browse social networking sites.

Spending too much time online can lead to the deterioration of your child’s school work and can cause problems with their relationships with family and friends.

Experts at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center warn that time spent online is at an all-time high, and rapidly increasing with children, tweens and teens.

“It’s easy to see why parents can be overwhelmed by their child’s excessive internet use,” said Dr. Fermin Gonzalez, Psychiatrist at JamaicaHospital Medical Center. “According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day consuming media for fun, including TV, music, video games and other content. About two-thirds of 8 to 18 year-olds had no rules on the amount of time spent watching TV, playing video games, or using a computer.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit their kids screen time for entertainment to less than two hours per day and children under 2 have no TV or internet exposure.

Research shows that academic failure correlates with addictive video game play, and to a higher incidence of attention problems. Conversely, academic achievers spend less time online. Research has also revealed that child and adolescent video game addiction correlates with functional impairment, emotional problems, poor conduct, hyperactivity and peer problems, as well as with depression and social phobia. In addition, several studies have proven a relationship between excessive video game play and obesity and poor diet among children in grades 4 through 6.

Parents should discuss with their children their expectations for responsible online usage and set limits on how much time can be spent online. Dr. Gonzalez suggests the following rules for internet use:

Regularly determine how much time your kids are online every day.
Don’t put a computer or game console in your child’s bedroom—rather put them in the living room.
Avoid online activity before bedtime.
Charge children’s cell or smart phone or other handheld devices overnight in your bedroom.
Be a role model. Set an example with your own internet usage.
Use an alarm clock or timer to limit your child’s time online.
Provide alternatives to online activity and video games: sports, reading, play dates, time with pets, etc.
Set a rule: no handheld devices at the table during meals.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for your child with one of Jamaica Hospital’s Child Psychiatrists, please call 718-206-5575.

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Quieting That Cough, Naturally

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Coughing is a common health problem. When there is a blockage or irritant in your throat, your brain thinks a foreign element is present and tells your body to cough to remove that element.

Some reasons you may cough are itchy throat and congestion. Instead of using over-the-counter cough suppressants, you may want to try a natural cough treatment using readily available ingredients in your kitchen.

Ginger tea is one of the most popular cures for a cough and is a proven home remedy.

Follow the recipe below for a simple and effective way to quiet a cough.

GINGER TEA

Cut fresh ginger into small slices and crush them slightly. Place them in a cup of water and bring to a boil. You can also use some lemon juice and honey to taste.

It is suggested to drink this herbal solution three to four times a day for relief from a soar throat, coughing and even chest congestion.

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The Health Benefits of Yoga

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

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