Summer Weight Loss Tips for Kids

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

by Michael Hinck

Is your child at risk of gaining weight this summer?

We consider summer to be a time when kids run around, go swimming and generally remain active. With all this physical activity, it is a common belief that children keep weight off or maybe even lose a few pounds in the summer, but that is not the case. There are many reasons why parents are now noticing that their children are actually gaining weight during the summer.

The rate of childhood obesity has tripled in America in recent decades. Now, one out of three children in this country is considered overweight or obese. When are children gaining the most weight? Recent studies have revealed that during the summer, the rate of weight gain in children is double that of the rest of the year. Why?

One of the biggest contributing factors is that children today live a more sedentary lifestyle. During the school year, children participate in fitness programs, both during recess and in physical education classes. Without a regimented exercise program, children opt to spend their free time playing video games or watching television.

Another factor in summer weight gain is the foods children have access to in their home. In an effort to fight obesity and promote healthy eating habits, many schools provide healthy alternatives for lunches and snacks during the year. During the summer, however, kids have access to whatever snacks are in the home. Kids will often choose unhealthy snacks, such as cookies, chips, and soda, if they are available to them.

In an effort to reverse this trend, Flushing Hospital offers the following summer healthy living tips for your kids:

• Stock your home with healthy food options like yogurt, carrots, or summer fruits like peaches, berries, or melons.

• Make water the beverage of choice. Juices and sodas are high in calories and low in nutrients. To make water more flavorful, consider adding fruit slices or berries.

• Limit TV and video game usage. It will force kids to become more physically active and prevent them from enticing junk food commercials..

• Walk more. Everyone can do it. Incorporate regular family walks to the park or around the neighborhood.

• Be inventive. Not every child is interested in formal team sports, but every kid loves to run around. Encourage activities like hopscotch, jump rope or a simple game of “tag.”

• Be a role mode. Children often take cues from their parent’s eating habits so if you want your kids to eat healthier, you should eat healthier.

For more health and lifestyle tips, follow us on Twitter @FlushingHospital and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital

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.

#TBT FHMC Doctor Discovers First Outbreak of West Nile Virus in NYC

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Dr. Deborah Asnis, Director of Infectious Disease at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, discovered the first outbreak of West Nile Virus in 1999. After noticing uncommon symptoms among five of her admitted patients, she played the role of detective and used her knowledge as a doctor to identify the cause of these more than flu-like symptoms in her patients.

Thanks to Dr. Asnis, the city of New York has taken precautions against the spread of the West Nile Virus by spraying neighborhoods to prevent increased activity of infested mosquitoes and the spread of their larvae.

To read the Queens Chronicle article, click here.

Does Aloe Vera Really Help Ease the Pain of Sunburn?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer season, and for some, their first sunburn.

After a long, cold winter everyone is excited to spend some time outside. Unfortunately, some people underestimate the power of the sun’s rays this early in the season and your skin can burn easily without proper protection from sunscreen and clothes. If you do get sunburn, will using aloe vera really help to soothe skin and ease discomfort?

A natural remedy and popular home treatment for all kinds of mild skin burns, studies show that using aloe vera can help moisturize the skin and aid healing. Aloe vera gel or juice is antibacterial and has soothing qualities that will help you avoid the peeling normally associated with sun damage.

Try a store bought aloe vera gel, or go directly to the source and use juice from the leaves of an aloe vera plant. Refrigerate the leaves, peel them open and directly place the gel or juicy part onto the burn. You can gently squeeze the leaves to get the juice out. While you can place the juice directly onto the sunburn, it may sting a little since aloe vera juice is an astringent. Try mixing the aloe vera juice with a little moisturizing Vitamin E and dab it onto the sunburn.

Aloe shouldn’t be used on severe burns, so check with your doctor if you’re worried your sunburn may be severe. Your best protection against sunburn is using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 or greater year-round for all skin types. If you are fair-skinned and sunburn easily, you may want to select a sunscreen with a higher SPF to provide additional protection.

For questions about your sunburn, or to learn how to better protect your skin from the sun, speak with a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Spice it up! Will Adding Cayenne Pepper to Your Diet Help With Weight Loss?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Heralded as a way to increase metabolism and maybe even help you lose weight, it seems like cayenne pepper is being added to everything , from juice drinks to over- the -counter supplements, but does it really work?

The red cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum related to bell peppers, jalapeños, and paprika. Recent studies suggest that red cayenne pepper, when combined with other weight loss efforts, may help burn calories and curb appetite, especially in people who aren’t used to eating it.

The study found that about half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper either mixed in food or swallowed in a capsule helped normal-weight young adults burn about 10 more calories over a four-hour period, compared to eating the same meal but without the red pepper.

Pepper was also found to decrease appetite, especially in people who said they didn’t already eat spicy foods. However, it seems that once a person gets used to the spicy foods, the effects start to wear off.

Incorporating red pepper into your diet works more toward moderation of energy intake and energy balance, but the real bottom line? If you like spicy food, try it, but it’s not going to make you a size 2.

For more health and lifestyle tips, follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/FlushingHospital

Three Foods That Help Heal Wounds

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Along with the proper wound dressings, immune function plays an important role in the body’s ability to heal. Foods containing protein, vitamins A and C, as well as zinc, keep your immune system functioning and help promote wound healing.

If you’ve been recently injured or are having trouble healing, try adding the following foods to your diet:

.Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A and C: Green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, and fruits like pineapple, cantaloupe, citrus fruits and juices, as well as tomato juice help heal.

.Yogurt: Especially Greek yogurt, is a good source of protein, which is essential to the development of healthy new tissue. If you are lactose intolerant, you can try soy and tofu based yogurts which will also add protein to your diet.

.Oats and barley: Grains like oats and barley contain protein and zinc, as well as beta-glucan, a fiber that has strong antioxidizing and antimicrobial properties.

If you have a wound that isn’t healing properly, please contact the Wound Care Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Call 718-670-4542 to make an appointment.

Do Fitness Trackers Really Work?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Fitness trackers are more popular than ever. With a variety of wristbands and clip-on sensors you can measure your steps throughout the day, like a high-tech pedometer, and input your exercise program information and synch your progress on your smartphone or computer. These gadgets allow you to set personal fitness and health goals by tracking health behaviors such as how many calories you consume or burn, how many miles you’ve walked or run, and even telling you how well and long you’ve slept. You can even set an alarm that will buzz or beep if you’ve been idle too long to remind you to get up and move. The fancier models can also tabulate other metrics, including heart rate, blood oxygen level, skin temperature, perspiration, body weight and body mass.

But how effective are they at tracking exercise? Most studies agree that if you wore all of the most popular trackers at once, you’d get different results from each one.

Fitness trackers are most effective as a motivational tool. They help to increase physical activity among wearers, and studies have shown that they are associated with significant decreases in BMI and blood pressure, as well as a consistent pattern of weight loss. Even a simple, low-cost, digital pedometer seems to be effective at just getting people to move, regardless of calories burned or other personal health measurements.

So while some trackers are more accurate than others, the point is to keep us aware of what we do or don’t do during the course of a day. If it helps you stay motivated toward healthy behaviors, that’s never a bad thing.

For more health and lifestyle tips follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/flushinghospital

The Potential Dangers of Tattoos

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Tattoos are more common than ever. It is now estimated that 21 percent of adults have tattoos, and approximately 36 percent of those ages 18-25 have them. Before getting a tattoo, one must consider many things, including the health risks.

Using unsterilized or used needles and equipment can cause serious health problems, such as HIV and hepatitis. Even if everything is sterile however, there are still risks associated with getting a tattoo.

Tattoo sites can easily become infected when contaminated or expired ink is used and enters the bloodstream. The first signs of an infection usually take place two to three weeks later. Red rashes, swelling, pain, and a pus-like discharge are all common early symptoms of an infection. Pain, fever, chills, and sweats can develop if the infection is not treated. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection.

An allergic reaction to the dyes used in tattoo ink is another cause for concern, specifically the red, blue, yellow, and green dyes. Some people are allergic, but don’t realize it until after they get a tattoo. An allergic reaction can result in an itchy rash or skin bumps at the tattoo site. Allergic reactions can occur immediately, or several months or years later.

Other potential problems associated with tattoos include keloid scarring and sensitivity to MRI exams.

If you do decide to get a tattoo, follow these simple steps to minimize the chances for complications:

Go to a registered tattoo parlor with licensed tattoo artists.
Your tattoo artist should have a clean work space and be wearing disposable gloves.
Medical grade disposable needles should be individually wrapped in a sealed package.
Inquire about the expiration date of the ink.
Make sure inks being used are approved for tattoos.
Carefully follow aftercare instructions.
See a doctor immediately if you think you have an infection.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Many forms of hepatitis are preventable and can be treated if detected early. Deciding to get a tattoo is an important decision and should not be taken lightly. You should be informed to make the best decision and do what is safe and best for you.

Are Headphones Bad for Your Hearing?

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Headphones are popular for a multitude of reasons, such as convenience and sound quality, but there is a downside to these devices. According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, the number of teens who have experienced hearing loss has increased by 33% since 1994. Do you catch yourself blasting music while listening to your headphones for long periods of time? If so, your hearing may be at risk.

Headphones come in a variety of styles, but the two most commonly used are earbuds and around-ear headphones. While around-ear headphones can have negative side effects, earbuds are the more dangerous because they are inserted directly into your ears, providing an uninterrupted route for the music to travel through your ear and straight to your eardrum. When sound enters the ear, the eardrum vibrates. These vibrations travel to the cochlea, where fluid carries them to fine hairs that trigger the auditory nerve fibers, which travel to the brain. When a sound is too loud, the hairs can become damaged, causing permanent hearing loss.

Noise is damaging at about 85 decibels, or the volume of a hair dryer. People who tend to play music up to 110-120 decibels over a long period of time while using earbuds, which increases the sound by 7-9 decibels, can experience a significant amount of hearing loss.

Want to avoid further hearing loss? Try some of these helpful tips:
• Listen to your music for no longer than an hour and no louder than 60% of volume.
• Purchase around-ear headphones with noise-cancelling technology so you can avoid blasting music and prevent music from having direct contact with your eardrum.
• Remove earwax. Earwax builds up every time you push earbuds into your ear canal, so make sure you gently clean it out to prevent hearing loss, discomfort and infection.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center to schedule an appointment with an ENT at 718-670-5486.

Obesity and Arthritis: What is the Relationship?

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Sage Robinson

When asked what health problems are directly attributed to obesity, the most common answers are hypertension, heart health, and diabetes, but obesity has a large affect on another condition – arthritis.

May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five Americans has been diagnosed with arthritis, but that number nearly doubles among those considered obese. Obesity not only raises the risk of getting a certain type of arthritis; but for those who already have arthritis, obesity makes the condition worse.

Here’s a look at what fat does to arthritis, as well as some tips to put you on the road to losing weight.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately 27 million Americans. It is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage – the flexible but tough connective tissue that covers the ends of bones at joints. Age, injury, heredity and lifestyle factors all affect the risk of OA.

OA has a logical link to obesity: The more weight that’s placed on a joint, the more stressed the joint becomes, and the more likely it will wear down and be damaged.
Every pound of excess weight exerts about 4 pounds of extra pressure on the knees. So a person who is 10 pounds overweight has 40 pounds of extra pressure on his knees. If a person is 100 pounds overweight, that is 400 pounds of extra pressure on the knees, causing those who are overweight to be at greater risk of developing arthritis in the first place. Once a person has arthritis, the additional weight causes even more problems on already damaged joints.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers nutritional clinics to help those looking to loose weight and avoid developing osteoarthritis, as well as full range of barriatric surgery options performed by doctors using the minimally invasive da Vinci robotic system. Barriatric surgery performed using the robot allows for faster healing time, less scarring, and shorter hospital stays. For more information call 718-670-8908.

For more health and lifestyle tips, please “like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/flushinghospital and follow us on twitter @FHMC_NYC

Protect Your Children. Get Them Vaccinated.

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Do You Vaccinate Your Children?

More and more parents are opting not to have their children immunized against serious medical diseases. Their decisions are largely based on unsubstantiated reports in the media that link vaccines to certain conditions.

April 18-25 is National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases.The fact is vaccines are safe and immunizing your children protects them from more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that were once responsible for thousands of childhood deaths each year have been completely eliminated and others are close to extinction. Unfortunately, because some parents have opted not to get their children vaccinated, there has been a resurgence of certain diseases, such as whopping cough and measles, which has led to an increase in hospitalizations and childhood death.

By vaccinating your child today, you are not only ensuring their protection against a wide variety of illness, but you are also helping to eradicate these diseases for future generations.