Peer Pressure: Teen Smoking

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Adolescents feel social pressure in various ways, from wearing the latest clothing trends and styles to current music choices. Your child’s friends are one of the strongest influences during this time in their lives, especially when it comes to risky behaviors like tobacco use.

During the pre-teen and teenage years, your child is asserting their independence and exploring their identity. Yet they still crave the approval of their peers and often worry about being rejected. Peer pressure makes them feel they are being pulled in two directions. When it comes to smoking cigarettes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted the rate among teens that have three or more friends who smoke is 10 times higher than those that reported none of their friends smoke.

However, based on behavior recent research, teenagers who don’t smoke say one of the main reasons is their parents. Your influence is real and as a parent, you can help your child as he struggles with peer pressure, examines their options, and becomes a mature independent thinker.

Some helpful tips for your teen to avoid caving into peer pressure are:
• Set boundaries: Place smoking on the list of things they shouldn’t do. Make sure they understand smoking’s health risks, know the consequences for breaking the rules and enforce them.
• Know your child’s friends: Pay attention to how your teen interacts and observe. Are the relationships equal and respectful? If not, make time to about them.
• Manage stress: Be on the look-out for signs of stress. Empathize with their feelings, and help them prioritize their activities.
• Encourage independent thinking: The more they trust themselves, the less vulnerable they will be to peer pressure.
• Show and teach empathy: By showing empathy for your child’s feelings, you teach them how you value their thoughts and in turn will teach them to trust themselves.
• Get them involved: Try having them become involved in groups or clubs that fit their interest and reduce the chances of boredom while gaining a new set of strengths.

Your influence can bring a world of difference. If you are a smoker and are interested in quitting, call our Freedom from Smoking Program at 718 206 8494.

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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.

True of False: Smoking Cigars is Safer Than Cigarettes?

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Cigarette sales are beginning to see a decline while cigar use has been rising steadily. This is partly attributed to the growing belief that cigars are a safer alternative to cigarettes. Many smokers perceive cigars as having fewer health risks because the smoke is not inhaled into the lungs, but is instead sucked and kept in the mouth for the taste. However, the most concerning misconception among smokers is the belief that cigars are safer because they do not have a Surgeon General’s health warning as cigarettes do.

Research has proven all of these beliefs to be untrue. Cigars do not require health labels because they are not as regulated as cigarettes. Furthermore, they contain some of the same hazardous chemicals such as arsenic and can have the same negative health effects.

Cigars contain high levels of the addictive substance nicotine. Nicotine can enter the body by being inhaled into the lungs and can also be absorbed through the lining in the mouth. Cigars are also known to contain more tar than cigarettes. Tar contains the carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) benzo(a)pyrene. Cigar smokers are at a high risk for developing cancers of the mouth, larynx and esophagus.

Cigar smoke has been linked to other health conditions such as oral, lung and cardiovascular disease. Chronic cigar smokers may be twice as likely to be at risk for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They may also face a higher risk of premature death caused by aortic aneurysms and damage to the heart. Cigars can also wreak havoc on dental health by causing tooth loss, bad breath and stained teeth.

The National Cancer Institute has determined that cigars are no safer than cigarettes and there are no safe tobacco products. There is also no safe level of tobacco smoke exposure. For this reason and others previously discussed, the best option for smokers to improve their health and prevent the risk of developing chronic diseases is to stop smoking.

Try a Grilled Romaine Salad This 4th of July Weekend!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

The 4th of July usually means dining al fresco and chowing down on grilled burgers, hot dogs and sausages. Why not lighten it up and add a grilled salad to your weekend meal? Remember to keep the cheese to a minimum to reduce your fat intake.

Recipe courtesy of the Food Network.

Ingredients

Dressing:
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon capers
1 teaspoon kosher salt
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
6 anchovy fillets and 1/2 teaspoon of their oil
1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil
Romaine:
3 romaine hearts, halved lengthwise, washed and dried
Olive oil, for tossing
Kosher salt
1 lemon, juiced
20 fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
1 cup crumbled blue cheese, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the grill to medium.

For the dressing: In a blender, combine the lemon juice, vinegar, capers, salt and garlic. Blend until smooth. Add the Worcestershire, hot sauce, anchovies and 1/2 cup of the olive oil and blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning. Add the remaining olive oil if needed. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss 4 of the romaine halves in a little olive oil and season them with salt. Put them in a single layer on the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side for 3 additional minutes; the romaine should feel slightly warm and tender. Transfer the halves to a large platter. Spoon a little dressing on each.

On a flat surface, finely chop the rest of the romaine and add it to a medium bowl. Add the remaining vinaigrette, a touch of lemon juice and the basil leaves. Toss to coat the romaine.

Top the grilled romaine with some of the chopped, dressed romaine. Garnish with crumbled blue cheese and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Alex Guarnaschelli

Your Fourth of July can be Safe and DYNAMITE!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Joann Ariola

With the Fourth of July celebrations arriving soon, how much do you know about firework safety? Take a quick quiz provided by The National Council on Firework Safety to test your knowledge –http://www.fireworkssafety.org/

Keep in mind that, while the Fourth of July is fun celebrating with family and friends, they are still illegal in New York State (including the five boroughs). Fireworks burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin. Items, such as sparklers, are mistakenly thought to be safe, when they can be very dangerous. This year, have a safe Fourth of July and leave the Fireworks displays to the trained professionals.

What is Hypersalivation?

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Have you ever found yourself drooling or swallowing excessively? You might suffer from hypersalivation. Saliva is produced by salivary glands located in the mouth and throat. Saliva helps to keep the mouth moist and assists in comfortable swallowing. It plays a protective role because of its’ anti-fungal properties and components that destroy viruses and attack bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay and produce plaque. Saliva also contains phosphorus and calcium which help to rebuild tooth enamel.

Most people produce between two and four pints of saliva every day. Chewing and swallowing food increases the flow of saliva and you swallow most of it. However, if you find yourself drooling at times other than sleep, which is normal, it can be an indicator of other problems.

Hypersalivation can be caused by everything from difficulty swallowing to problems with muscle control to an infection like tonsillitis or strep throat. Certain medications cause excess saliva production as a side effect, and chronic diseases like Parkinson’s disease can also cause an increase in salivary activity. Some of the medical conditions that affect muscle control over the lips and tongue may cause drooling including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

Other conditions that can lead to drooling are allergies, acid reflux or heartburn and pregnancy.

If you feel like you are producing excessive amounts of saliva and don’t know why, contact your doctor or dentist or make an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.

Summer Bummers: West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Summer is when we usually spend more time outside either exercising or just enjoying the weather. Unfortunately, it is also the time when mosquitoes and ticks are at their most active and the possibility of exposure to West Nile virus and Lyme disease increases.

According to the CDC, West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness with young children and seniors being the most susceptible. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. Severe symptoms may include stiff neck, sleepiness, disorientation and tremors. Using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing to prevent bites, and limiting your time outside during key mosquito times like dusk, can help reduce your risk of infection.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks and is difficult to diagnose. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, aches and pains, fatigue, the possibility of exposure to infected ticks, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, which resembles a bull’s-eye. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides, and reducing tick habitats by frequently mowing the lawn, removing leaf litter, old furniture, mattresses, and trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Juvenile arthritis, arthritis in children under 18, has been diagnosed in almost 300,000 kids in the United States.

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is usually an autoimmune disorder, meaning that it affects the immune system and the body’s ability to fight off bacteria and viruses. It targets children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, and is most often found in the knees, hands, and feet. There are various types of JA and doctors aren’t completely sure what causes this disease, but the most common symptoms are:

. Swelling of the joints

. Pain and stiffness that doesn’t go away

. Limping in the morning because of a stiff knee

. Excessive clumsiness

. High fever and skin rash

. Swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body

Arthritis in children can cause a number of issues including eye inflammation and growth problems, like uneven bones and joints.

Talk to your pediatrician or a rheumatologist if you suspect your child might have arthritis. He or she will take a family history and perform a variety of tests including a physical exam, blood work and x rays. To make an appointment with a rheumatologist, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.

FACT FRIDAY: Should you really wait an hour after eating before swimming?

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Your mom probably warned you that swimming right after eating could cause muscle cramping or spasming, possibly leading to drowning, but this is one case where mom doesn’t know best. There’s no evidence to suggest that exercising after eating will give you cramps. Vigorous exercise directs blood flow away from the digestive area and to the muscles in your arms, legs and skin. If your food is still half-digested this might make you feel nauseated, but it’s unlikely to cause cramping. If you still want to follow mom’s advice, wait 20-30 minutes for the digestion process to stop.

POLL QUESTION: Can you catch germs from a toilet seat?

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Answer: Highly unlikely.

According to WebMD, many disease-causing organisms can survive for only a short time on the surface of the seat. For an infection to occur, the germs would have to be transferred from the toilet seat to your urethral or genital tract, or through a cut or sore on the buttocks or thighs, which is possible but very unlikely. If you’re still suspicious, use a paper toilet seat cover or cover the seating area with toilet paper before sitting down.

Senior Spotlight: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Sage Robinson

As we age, the amount of Vitamin D we need to support muscle movement, strong bones and a healthy nervous and immune system increases. The risk of osteoporosis, where bones become fragile and may fracture if one falls, is one consequence of not getting enough calcium and vitamin D over the long term. The amount of vitamin D you need each day depends on your age. Supplements of both vitamin D3 (at 700–800 IU/day) and calcium (500–1,200 mg/day) have been shown to reduce the risk of bone loss and fractures in elderly people aged 62–85 years.

Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Beef liver, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel provide small amounts. Fortified foods, including many breakfast cereals and some brands of orange juice, provide most of the vitamin D in American diets. Almost all of the milk in the United States is fortified with vitamin D, but foods like cheese and ice cream, are usually not.

Sun exposure causes the body to create vitamin D, however this isn’t true in older adults because their kidneys have a harder time converting it. It is also recommended to limit exposure to sunlight to lower the risk for skin cancer.

A simple blood test can be performed to determine your vitamin D levels and your doctor can suggest the best supplement dose for you. Some Americans are vitamin D deficient and almost no one has levels that are too high. Men and women should talk with their health care providers about their needs for vitamin D, and calcium.

Like most dietary supplements, vitamin D may interact or interfere with other medicines or supplements. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care providers about any dietary supplements and medicines you are taking.

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