Cervical Health Awareness Month- The Importance of Regular Cervical Screenings

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

MD001276 January has been designated as Cervical Health Awareness Month by the National Cervical Cancer Coalition and the American Social Health Association. This initiative helps raise awareness and encourages women to receive regular screenings for cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer which is one of the most common cancers found in women. However early detection can lessen the severity of both diseases and prevent the development of abnormal or cancerous cells.

It is recommended that women receive regular screenings to check the health of their cervixes. The frequency of screenings varies by age and the following time period is as recommended by The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org):

All women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21.
Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every 3 years. They should not be tested for HPV unless it is needed after an abnormal Pap test result.
Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should have both a Pap test and an HPV test every 5 years. This is the preferred approach, but it is also OK to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
Women over age 65 who have had regular screenings with normal results should not be screened for cervical cancer. Women who have been diagnosed with cervical pre-cancer should continue to be screened.
Women who have had their uterus and cervix removed in a hysterectomy and have no history of cervical cancer or pre-cancer should not be screened.

In addition to receiving screenings it is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that women and men receive HPV vaccinations to stop the spread of the virus.

Please speak with your doctor as soon as possible about steps you can take to maintain your cervical health and remember, prevention is better than cure.

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.

Foods That Can Be Unsafe for Babies

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

asian baby eating 497032104 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the best age for babies to begin eating solid foods is around the age of six months. Before making the transition to solids, parents should learn the necessary safety measures needed to protect their baby’s health.

The first thing parents have to do before introducing solids to babies is making certain that the infant is able to sit up in a highchair and has good neck and head control. Additionally, there are certain foods that they should exclude from their child’s menu because their bodies may not be developed enough to digest them. Here is a list of some of these foods:

Honey (or foods made with honey): Honey can be harmful to children under the age of one. The spores of the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, are found in honey and can cause botulism. The symptoms of this illness include; paralysis, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
Cow’s milk: Babies younger than a year old should not consume cow’s milk because it is difficult for them to digest.
Smoked or cured meats: Smoked or cured meats such as bacon or bologna usually contain nitrates and other chemicals that can be harmful to babies’ health.
Fruit juices: The AAP suggests that fruit juices should be given to infants under the age of six months very minimally or not at all because these juices may contain added sugars. Added sugars are not beneficial for babies’ health and also contain acids that attack enamel in babies’ teeth.
Teas: Teas may contain substances such as tannin that can prevent infants from absorbing Iron from food.
Salt: Avoid giving infants under 12 months foods that contain too much salt because their kidneys are not fully developed enough to process salt.
Fish high in mercury: Some fish such as shark or swordfish are high in mercury and should not be given to babies because they can have a negative effect on their nervous systems.

By following these precautions, parents can safely introduce solid foods to their baby’s diet. Also, keep in mind that if you have a family history of food allergies to consult your pediatrician before giving foods that may cause allergic reactions such as nuts, shellfish or eggs to your child.

Are post-menopausal women at risk for developing hypertension?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Women expect their bodies to undergo several changes during menopause but it is also important for them to know about one of the major changes they may encounter post -menopause. This is a change in their cardiovascular health. As the production of the hormone estrogen decreases, their risk for developing diseases such as hypertension can increase.

Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining cardiovascular health. It helps with keeping blood vessels dilated, reducing sensitivity to sodium, producing collagen which keeps the walls of blood vessels flexible and reducing levels of endothelin (peptides that constrict blood vessels)- all of which are essential factors in normalizing blood pressure.

A declination in estrogen levels during menopause can also contribute to weight gain. Being overweight or obese increases the probability of developing hypertension.

There are preventative measures post-menopausal women can take to reduce their risk of getting hypertension. Living a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercising regularly and eating a balanced has been effective in controlling and lowering blood pressure in most women.

Tap V. Bottled Water: Which is Better?

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Xavia Malcolm

Remember sipping water from a fountain in the park or turning on the kitchen sink for a glass of H2O? Many people today do not have those same experiences because fewer and fewer are drinking tap water. In a recent study, it was revealed that one out of every five U.S. households uses bottled water as their primary or only source of water. Many Americans believe it is a healthier option, but is it really better for you?

Tap water and bottled water are regulated by two different agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency oversees tap water and the Food and Drug Administration regulates bottled water. Despite the different governing agencies, the standards of ensuring safety are very similar. Both have strict quality control measures in place to protect the water we drink from harmful bacteria and other contaminates.

Another similarity between tap and bottled water is often the source. There are over 500 bottled water plants in the United States and while some of the bottled water originates from sparkling springs, many others come from a municipal water supply. The water is treated, purified and sold to the public at an inflated cost. In fact, bottled water is estimated to cost up to 1,000 times more than tap water.

Distinguishing which is healthier is hard to do. The levels of certain important minerals in your water, such as calcium and magnesium, depend on what type of bottled water you purchase or the source of your tap water. Areas that use water sources that contain lower levels of these minerals have a higher rate of heart disease than areas with higher levels.
What about taste? Some people prefer the taste of bottled water, citing a funny taste in tap water. The taste that they are referring to is the trace amounts of chlorine used as a disinfectant to guard against the regrowth of microorganisms. Bottled water often utilizes ozone disinfection, which is tasteless and odorless.

The last factor to consider when choosing between tap and bottled water is the effect bottled water consumption has on the environment. It is estimated that Americans consume nearly ten billion gallons of bottled water every year. It is also estimated that less than 20% of water bottles are recycled.

What do you prefer to drink and why? Flushing Hospital wants to know.

Bridging the Gap Between Physical Health and Mental Health

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Xavia Malcolm

The way health care is being delivered is evolving as a result of the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act. One very important change is the transition to providing more integrated care. An excellent example of an integrated care model is Flushing Hospital’s efforts to provide patient-centered care that focuses on integrating mental and physical health in the Ambulatory and Behavioral Health Centers.

Traditionally, primary care and behavioral services have been treated separately, with minimal collaboration. With improved coordination and integration, behavioral health issues can be diagnosed and treated in medical clinics and physical health issues can be diagnosed and treated in behavioral health clinics to improve integrated treatment planning and clinical outcomes.

Flushing Hospital has been making strides in bridging the gap between behavioral and medical services for many years. In 2007 and 2011 the hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services was awarded more than $1.4 million dollars to integrate mental and physical health. The basic principles of the integration project are to help people age successfully through diet, exercise, the pursuit of mental challenges, self-efficacy, which is the “I can do it spirit,” and social support, which is “we can help each other age successfully” approach.

Additionally, Flushing Hospital is applying for NYS funds to further integrate behavioral and physical health across our network of services and throughout Queens. If awarded the funds, Flushing Hospital, and the MediSys Health Network, would look to integrate mental health and primary care by offering both services in convenient locations.

Another way Flushing Hospital continues to address building a link between improved physical and mental health is through its annual behavioral health conference. Every year, the hospital hosts a symposium to educate members of the medical and mental health community. This year’s conference is titled “Is Integrated Care a Solution to the Challenges Facing Health Care.” For more information about the conference, please see the attached brochure.Behavioral Health 2014

For more information about Flushing Hospital’s efforts to create a healthier community, both physically and mentally, please call 718-670-4416