The Health Benefits of Yoga

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years to promote flexibility and breathing exercises through simple meditation while holding simple to complex body poses. One of the most common reasons people practice yoga is for relaxation, but recently researchers have been discovering health benefits associated with yoga.

Most yoga practitioners have been noticing other benefits from yoga including boosting their immune system or just feeling more relaxed and at ease. Recently, Western science is beginning to provide some concrete facts on how yoga improves health, heals aches and pains, and keeps colds away. Once you understand them, you’ll have even more motivation to step onto your mat.

Each time you practice yoga, you take your joints through their full range of motion. This can help prevent cartilage and joint breakdown that leads to arthritis.
Yoga increases blood circulation especially in your hands and feet. Yoga also gets more oxygen to your cells, which helps them function better.
In people with diabetes, yoga has been found to lower blood sugar in several ways: by lowering cortisol and adrenaline levels, encouraging weight loss, and improving sensitivity to the effects of insulin.
Stimulation is good, but too much of it can be overwhelming. Yoga can provide relief from the energy demands of modern life.
Yoga also includes cleansing practices that keep allergies and viruses at bay. This element of yoga entails cleaning the nasal passages with salt water to remove pollen and viruses from the nose.

Yes, yoga increases flexibility and reduces stress, but the practice can do more than help you twist your body into pretzel shapes and find inner peace. It has existed for thousands of years and has become increasingly popular as a gym alternative to maintain healthy cardiovascular and circulatory health. It is not encouraged to use yoga in place of other medicine, especially without consulting with your physician first.

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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.

Healthy Eating On-The-Go

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Juggling home and work is a struggle and maintaining healthy eating habits while we are on-the-go can add to its level of difficulty. Or should it?

Here are some tips that may make your hectic lifestyle somewhat simpler by planning meals on-the-go:

Plan your menu – Planning meals well in advance will help make sure your meals are healthier and well-balanced.

Avoid fast food baked goods for breakfast – Instead of choosing a wholesome “looking” muffin, reach for a yogurt smoothie. It will provide you with vitamin C and potassium, high fiber and keep you full from breakfast to lunch.

Prepare Coffee or Tea at home – While waiting in line at your local coffee shop, you may be more apt to choose an unhealthy breakfast choice. Skip the impulse purchase and brew your coffee or tea at home.

Eat lunch – When you’re busy, it’s easy to lose track of time and skip lunch. No matter how heavy your workload, make time to leave the office and eat your brown bagged lunch. Starving through lunch will only lead to overeating later.

Dine-out – You are bound to grab a meal outside of home due to family activities and busy schedules. That doesn’t mean you have to leave your healthy choices behind. Eat moderately and divide your plate into two servings. Ask for a bag to take your leftovers home. Only eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed.

Eating on the run is never ideal, but it will inevitably happen to most of us. You need to prioritize time to eat healthy and although a home cooked meal isn’t always possible, that doesn’t mean you can’t make good choices on the go.

Are Sugar-Free Drinks Helping Your Waistline But Harming Your Teeth?

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Seeing ‘sugar-free’ on drink labels is very attractive to health conscious shoppers but can be surprisingly bad for your teeth. Most people know that drinking sugary drinks can cause tooth decay, but another cause of cavities is the dental erosion that occurs when teeth are exposed to acid. Phosphoric acid, citric acid and tartaric acid are some of the ingredients in diet sodas and fruit juices that damage teeth, but you can reduce the effects of acidic drinks by taking these precautions.

Brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste as well as brushing after meals and sugar-free beverages helps limit the effects of acids on your teeth. Based on research it takes up to an hour for saliva to return to the mouth at a neutral pH balance after eating or drinking. It is recommended that you wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth, doing so will prevent spreading the acids. Also, drink through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth, and chase the drink with plain milk or water.

Sticking to beverages that are low in acid keep your teeth from wearing, ultimately protecting them from becoming sensitive. Researchers have discovered that black tea, coffee, tap water and root beer are some of the beverages that have the least effect on teeth.

While drinking sugar-free drinks can be helpful to your waistline and moderating sugar consumption, it is always good to remember they may contain ingredients that are acidic and harmful to teeth. Wising up about the effects of sugar free drinks can end up saving your smile.

The Dental Department at Flushing Hospital offers every discipline of quality dentistry. The department’s highly skilled and expert staff provides preventive dentistry programs to school children as well as adults and seniors. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5521.

Midlife Crisis or Depression?

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The idea of a “midlife crisis” in popular culture is when you do outrageous, impractical things such as straying from your marriage, buying sports cars or impulsively quitting you job.

A midlife crisis is better known as a midlife transition to mental health experts, who say this time in a person’s life is sometimes accompanied by depression.

The key is to realize when your transition is developing into depression.

Some signs that your midlife transition may be rooted in depression are:

Extreme change in eating habits
Consistently fatigued and exhausted
Change in sleeping patterns
A feeling of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
Irritable, restless or unexpected bouts of anger
Thoughts or attempts of suicide
Decrease or increase in desire and ambition
Compulsion for alcohol or drugs
Desire for a sexual affair
Feeling overwhelmingly trapped by responsibilities, such as
financial, family and job
Consistent desire to run away from responsibilities
Doing things out of character that could lead to trouble

Studies have shown that 88% of Americans who are experiencing depression during their midlife transition have reported difficulty at work, home or with otherwise simple social activities. Unfortunately, only 35% of them had seen a mental health professional for support or treatment.

A midlife transition can be one of the most stress-filled phases in your life’s journey. Seeking the assistance from a mental health professional during this time can save relationships, finances and other aspects of your life.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a midlife transitional depression, call for an appointment at the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Mental Health Center. For more information or to make an appointment, call 718-670-5486.

Can Stress be Sweet?

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Stress can be disabling, but could it also affect your diabetes?

It is well known that stress can affect a person’s well-being and ability to function. But, for people with diabetes, a stressful life can make managing their condition more difficult.

There isn’t a medically known relationship between diabetes and stress; but, researchers have found that people who live a stressful existence are 20 percent more likely to have diabetes than those who have learned to control their stress.

Additionally, studies indicate stress may have an effect on blood glucose levels causing them to spike.

Some ways to combat spiking blood glucose levels during stressful times are:

Devote 10 minutes of your day to a workout routine
Meditate for a few minutes a day
Get a hobby such as puzzles, sewing or reading
Take a 10-minute walk to get your mind off your stress

Having a comprehensive team of doctors or healthcare professionals is important to your health and managing your diabetes. For an appointment, call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, FHMC has a diabetes support group. For more information call 718-5000, ext 8232.

Plastic Surgery Trends in 2016

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that 15.6 million people in the U.S. underwent some type of cosmetic procedure in 2014, up 3 percent from 2013. One of the fastest-growing trends was in procedures to lift and tighten up body parts after massive weight loss, an apparent result of more people undergoing weight-loss surgery. Body enhancements are not anything new but the social media age has made plastic surgery more common to see. Here is a short list of 2016’s most popular plastic surgery trends.

Using the patient’s own fat as a volumizer all over the body (face, breast, buttock) will continue to increase as patients increasingly desire the greatest impact with the least downtime. In the past plastic surgery has been attributed to silicon but today fat transfers are more popular, especially for people that aren’t fond of filling their bodies with plastic.
Millennials will increasingly become users of plastic surgery. The 20-somethings represent approximately 20% of the cosmetic surgery population, and this is only going to increase, (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). These days you can use social media and see that the waiting room patients are becoming younger and younger. Surgery is no longer just for the rich Beverly Hills wife who wants to relive her glory days.
There will be a continued increase in the number of women seeking vaginal rejuvenation procedures. These procedures will follow the current trends, namely, not only surgical rejuvenation but non-surgical (laser) vaginal rejuvenation as well.
Non-surgical fat removal will continue its meteoric rise in popularity offering a method to permanently and reliable remove fat without the need to undergo surgery and not of the traditional post-operative recovery.

Is Your Nest About To Empty?

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Joann Ariola

If your last child is all grown up and about to leave home, or he or she has already moved out, you may experience some mixed emotions or what’s commonly called, empty next syndrome.

Empty nest syndrome is not a clinical diagnosis. It is a phenomenon in which parents may experience feelings of sadness and loss when their last child leaves home. You may worry how well your child will function in the world without your parental supervision and question their ability to take care of themselves. If you are the parent of an only child, you may have a particularly difficult time adjusting to an empty nest.

Many parents experiencing empty nest syndrome are confused by these feelings since they actively encouraged their child to become independent. Still, letting go can be painful. The feeling of not being needed by your child anymore, missing being a part of your child’s daily lives, as well as missing the constant companionship of your child can cause some parents to have mild bouts of depression, identity crisis, alcoholism and marital conflicts.

Some tips to help you overcome empty nest syndrome are:

Prepare for the departure – Take time to check that your child is aware of how to do the basic essentials for themselves such as, how to wash their clothes, cook for themselves, balance a checkbook and appreciate the value of money.
Shift aside the terrifying thoughts – Both you and your child will be better off if you treat this as a big adventure. Try not to transfer your fears onto your child. Help them to understand that once they’re into their new routine, it will be familiar, fun and successful.
Explore the ways that you intend to keep in touch with your child – Keeping in constant communication is vital for maintaining a sense of family togetherness and to keep of with the news. Schedule a weekly call-in time, utilize e-mail, texting, social media, Skype, or Face Time as a way of touching base while being sensitive to their need to grow and become their own adult person.
Start looking toward your own needs – Once you are satisfied that you child is settled on the right bath, you will start noticing a big change in your life. This is a great time to revive some of your own interests and pursuits.
Rediscover the love of your life – Unless you are a single parent, you will be left with your spouse or partner. Re-kindling the relationship you shared, pre-children, can be an exciting adventure of your own to take.
Focus on some of the positive points of your kids moving out – You may notice that the refrigerator does not need as frequent refilling, there are less trips to the grocery store and the laundry has decreased. Seeing the brighter side will help you while you are transitioning.

As the time for your child to fly the next approaches, try to reflect on each stage in your child’s life. Each ending was a new beginning. Stay positive, the fact that your child has confidently left home means you’ve done a great job as a parent. After leaving the nest, you can forge a new and even better relationship with your child as independent adults. Enjoy the friendship without having the pressure of hands-on parenting

Healthy Cucumber and Dill Summer Salad

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Looking for a healthy, quick and easy recipe for Cucumber Salad, click the link below and enjoy!

Colorectal Screening When to Go and What To Expect

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Colorectal or colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, the disease is highly treatable when discovered early. According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the recommended age for colorectal screening for men and women is between the ages of 50 and 75.

There are several factors that increase the chances of a person developing colorectal cancer, they include:

Family history
A low-fiber and high-fat diet
Heavy use of alcohol
Age- 50 and older
Obesity
Diabetes
A history of inflammatory intestinal conditions
Race-African American ancestry

Your doctor may recommend a few screening options or perform the following procedures to detect abnormal growths or polyps:

High-sensitivity fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) – These tests are used by physicians to detect tiny amounts of blood that may be present in feces.
Sigmoidoscopy- A sigmoidoscope is used to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. During the procedure abnormal growths can be removed for further examination or biopsies.
Standard colonoscopy- During this procedure the rectum and intestine are examined using a colonoscope. Samples of abnormal growths are also removed for analysis. This tool is able to remove samples from the upper part of the colon-which doctors cannot reach using a sigmoidoscope.

Other screening techniques such as Colorguard, double-contrast barium enema or virtual colonoscopy may also be utilized by your physician.

Scheduling routine screenings is the best method for preventative care but if you are displaying the following symptoms, it is advised that you see a physician right away:

A change in bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation) that persists for more than four weeks
Unexplained weight loss
Rectal bleeding or bleeding in stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort such as cramps, gas or pain
Fatigue
A feeling that your bowel has not emptied completely

To schedule a colorectal screening appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486

Top Men’s Health Issues

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

It is no secret that men are less vigilant about receiving healthcare than women. In fact a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that men in the United States are 80% less likely than women to visit their doctor’s office regularly and schedule routine medical screenings.

There are several reasons given as to why men steer clear of the doctor’s office and delay treatment-some are, “there is probably nothing wrong” or “I’d rather tough it out.” This laid-back approach to health care can unfortunately result in shorter or less healthy lives for men, if medical conditions go untreated. The good news is that many of the leading threats to men’s health are preventable and treatable if detected early. Here are few chronic health conditions that affect men the most:

Cardiovascular disease also known as heart disease is one of the leading health risks facing men today. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), more than one in three adult men has heart disease. Although it may seem that something so serious should have warning signs, one may be developing heart disease without knowing it. Luckily, there are many lifestyle changes that can be made to ward off heart disease, such as not smoking, following a heart-smart diet, and being physically active.

Lung cancer is one of the few cancers that can often be prevented simply by not smoking. Men who are at high risk for developing lung cancer may want to talk to a health care provider about quitting smoking- if they are smokers and getting yearly low-dose CT scans to test for early lung cancer.

Prostate cancer is typically found in men over the age of 65. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as a man gets older. For reasons that are still unknown, African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than other races. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a high risk for developing the disease.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type of diabetes found in men. It affects approximately 95% of the 13 million men with the disease in the United States. Type 2 diabetes affects the body’s ability to use insulin properly. This can elevate sugar levels and cause damage to the body over time.

The first step to staying healthy is educating yourself, and then taking the necessary precautions to reduce your risk. It is equally as important to develop a relationship with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can create a health care plan to screen, diagnose and treat diseases that you may at be risk for developing.

To schedule an appointment with a primary care physician, please call the Ambulatory Care Center at Flushing Hospital at 718-670-5486.

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