The “Eyes” Have It! Treating Pinkeye

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Sage Robinson

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and Pinkeye, also known as conjunctivitis, affects children of all ages and at any time of the year. Symptoms include redness and swelling of the mucous membrane that line the lid and surface of the eye and discharge. Pinkeye can be caused by many things including, but not limited to, an infection, dry eyes from lack of tears or over exposure to wind and sun, chemicals, allergies and smoke.

Pinkeye is very common, is usually not serious, can be viral or bacterial, is highly contagious and can spread very easily. Therefore, preventing its spread is important.

There are home remedies for Pinkeye that will help reduce your pain and keep your eye free of drainage prior to seeing your doctor.

Some home remedies that have proven effective are – removing your contacts from infected eyes, applying cold or warm compresses to your eye (whichever feels best) to soothe any discomfort and reduce redness.

When treating your Pinkeye at home, remember to wipe your eye from the inside toward the outside and do not rub drainage back and forth between eyes. After wiping your eye, be sure to wash your hands to prevent pinkeye from spreading.

Symptoms usually last 5 to 7 days, but some cases can last for up to 3 weeks.

If symptoms persist and you would like to make an appointment to see one of our doctors, please call the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486 for an appointment.

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.

Ear Infections and Your Child

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Ear infections are among the most common health conditions in young children and babies. However, some children are too young to tell you that they have ear pain. How can you tell if your child has an ear infection?

Look for the following symptoms, which are all signs of ear infections:

ear drainage
fever
trouble hearing
tugging on the ear, fussiness, or excessive crying
difficulty sleeping
difficulty eating or chewing

While ear infections are not always preventable, you can help minimize your child’s risk of developing them by keeping him or her away from second hand smoke and people with colds whenever possible. Frequent hand washing also helps. If your child has frequent ear infections it is advisable to see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist for a complete evaluation.

Originating from germs found in the nose or throat, ear infections are easily treated. Over-the-counter pain medications can be given as needed for temporary relief. Ear infections may resolve by themselves, however depending on the severity, antibiotics may be needed. It is best to speak to your physician to determine the proper treatment.

If you suspect your child has an ear infection, please call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician.

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What is Swimmer’s Ear?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Swimmer’s ear is a bacterial infection that affects the outermost portion of the ear canal. A common cause is the accumulation of water in this portion of the canal that leads to a bacterial infection. It can also be caused by the insertion of unclean foreign objects into the ear that irritate the lining of the ear canal.

Signs and symptoms of swimmer’s ear are:
• Redness in the ear canal
• Itchiness in the ear
• Fluid discharge which may include pus
• Muffled hearing
• Sensation of fullness in the ear
• Fever if the infection is severe

A few factors that can make a person more susceptible to swimmer’s ear are:
• Swimming in water that isn’t clean
• Having a narrow ear canal
• Abrasion of the ear canal by improper use of a cotton swab
• Reduced production or improper removal of ear wax

It is important to treat swimmer’s ear as soon as possible in order to prevent serious complications such as hearing loss. Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment options are ear drops containing antibiotics, steroid, and a mild acidic solution. Have your physician evaluate the problem as soon as possible. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-700

High Blood Pressure? Make sure you read the labels on OTC Meds

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Over the counter (OTC) remedies often seem like the way to alleviate allergy symptoms, headaches or common cold symptoms. However, it is always important to read the labels of any OTC medicines, especially if you are taking medications to treat high blood pressure.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), are often used to relieve pain or reduce inflammation. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, are OTC medicines, which are considered NSAIDs, and cause you to retain fluid and decrease kidney function, placing a greater stress on your heart or kidneys.

Believe it or not, many cough and cold medications contain NSAIDs to relieve decongestion and pain. Decongestants can make your blood pressure and heart rate rise and may prevent high blood pressure medications from working properly. Avoid using them and seek alternative ways to ease the symptoms of cold, flu, or sinus problems.

Do you suffer from migraines? Some migraine headache medications work by constricting blood vessels in your head, but the medication also constricts blood vessels throughout your body. This can raise blood pressure, perhaps to dangerous levels. If you have high blood pressure or any other type of heart disease, speak with your doctor before taking medication for migraines or severe headaches.

Trying to lose weight? Appetite suppressants tend to speed-up the body and can make your blood pressure rise, placing more stress on your heart. Before using any weight loss drug, whether prescription or over-the-counter, be sure to check with your doctor. These medications may do you more harm than good.

Read medication labels before buying over-the-counter preparations. Talk to your doctor before using any over-the-counter medication, herbal preparation, vitamins, or other nutritional supplements. Ask for alternatives to potentially harmful medicines. Give a list of all the medications you use, both prescription and over-the-counter, to every doctor you visit, including dosages. If you do not have a physician and would like set up an appointment to meet with one, please contact Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Center at 718-670-5440.

The Facts About Dem Bones

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Most of our understanding of the human skeleton is limited to what we see around Halloween, but there are many interesting facts about our bones. Here are a few:

• Adults have 206 bones in their bodies, but the same is not true for infants. The skeleton of a newborn has approximately 300 bones. Over time, the “extra” bones in infants fuse to form larger bones, reducing the overall number of bones to 206 by adulthood.

• Each hand has 27 bones, and each foot has 26, which means that together the body’s two hands and two feet have 106 bones. The hands and feet contain more than half of the bones in your entire body.
• The largest, and by most accounts, the strongest bone is the thigh bone, or femur. It is roughly over 25% of our total height. The smallest bone in the human body is the staples (or stirrup) bone, found in the middle ear. It is only 2.8 millimeters long.

• Most adults have 24 ribs (12 pairs), but about one in every 500 people has an extra rib, called a cervical rib. This extra rib can cause health issues for some if it squashes nearby blood vessels or nerves. Symptoms are marked by pain in the shoulder or neck, loss of limb feeling, blood clots and other problems.

• Every bone is connected to another bone — with one exception. The hyoid is a horseshoe –shaped bone found in the throat, located between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. It’s the only bone in the human body not connected to another bone. The hyoid is important for speech because of it works with the larynx (voice box) and tongue to produce the range of human vocalizations.

• Bones are strong and rigid – In fact, they are stronger than steel, but they are not the hardest substance in the body. That title goes to another part of the skeletal system; tooth enamel. This substance protects the crown of teeth and owes its strength to its high concentration of minerals.

Facts About AFib (Atrial Fibrillation)

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Sage Robinson

by Xavia Malcolm

Afib- Heart-177545642 Atrial Fibrillation or AFib is a type of heart arrhythmia (an irregularity in the rhythm of the heart), which is caused by a disorder of the heart’s electrical system.

Normally, the heart’s electrical system rhythmically contracts the upper chambers (atria) of the heart in synergy with the lower chambers (ventricles). However, with AFib the heart’s two upper chambers contract rapidly and out of sync with the lower chambers.

Each person’s experience with AFib may differ; some people may have no symptoms, while others may have incidents of:

Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Chest discomfort
Fatigue
Shortness of breath

If you are frequently experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment to see your physician. Your doctor will run the following to diagnose atrial fibrillation: electrocardiogram, trans- telephonic monitor, holter monitor or portable event monitor testing.

If symptoms are ignored and AFib goes untreated it can develop into serious health complications such as:

Coronary artery disease
Heart failure
Pulmonary embolism
Cardiomyopathy
Hypertension
Stroke

There are many options available to treat or improve the symptoms of AFib. Your doctor may prescribe medications that can help in controlling the heart rate, reducing the risk of stroke and normalizing the rhythm of the heart. He or she may also recommend exercising and eating a healthy diet, as well as several lifestyle changes which can be incorporated into your daily routine.

Recipe: Easy Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Its summer time and who doesn’t enjoy ice cream, especially at this time of year. Here’s a great recipe that doesn’t even require an ice cream maker courtesy of Real Simple magazine.

Hands-On Time
15 minutes
Total Time
2 hours and 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 3.5-ounce chocolate bar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy cream
Directions
1. Break the chocolate bar into chunks and place in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Microwave the chocolate, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Stir condensed milk into the chocolate. Set aside.
2. Place the heavy cream in a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer to whip it until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until completely incorporated. Scrape mixture into an airtight container and cover. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

The Potential Dangers of Tattoos

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

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.
• 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.

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.

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FACT FRIDAY: Do you know what day heart attacks are most common?

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Sage Robinson

FACT FRIDAY: Did you know that heart attacks are more common on Monday mornings?

Several long-term studies have shown that deaths from heart attacks are 20 percent higher on Mondays for adult men and 15 percent greater for adult women.

Though it would be easy to blame the stress of returning to work after two days of rest, when heart attack rates are lowest, researchers suggest that additional factors like heavier drinking and eating over the weekend, might be partly to blame. However, other studies have found that the Monday heart attack risk for retirees is also the same despite not having to worry about work.

The best thing you can do is to take care of yourself all week long by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program and getting regular check-ups from your doctor. If you’d like to schedule an appointment to speak with a cardiologist about your heart health, please contact the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.

What Does Gluten-Free Really Mean?

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Sage Robinson

It seems everyone is talking about gluten these days, but what is gluten and should you be following a gluten-free diet?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including semolina and durum), barley, rye, triticale, spelt, farro, and kamut. People with Celiac disease, and some with non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, are allergic to gluten. A gluten-free diet helps control their symptoms which include inflammation in the small intestines. Only a doctor can diagnose you with Celiac disease or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, so make sure you have been correctly assessed before embarking on a gluten-free diet. If you’re not gluten intolerant, avoiding it will deprive you of necessary nutrients found in whole grains like fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals such as iron, folate, thiamine, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin B12. Gluten-free products are often made with refined grains which are low in nutrients.

If your doctor confirms a gluten allergy, switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change so it’s a good idea to consult a dietician who can answer your questions and offer advice on how to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Be sure to mention other products you may be ingesting that could contain gluten like certain food additives such as malt flavoring and food starch, as well as any medications and vitamins that may use gluten as a binding agent.