Men's Health Archives - Page 5 of 7

Donate Life Month

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

April is National Donate Life Month, a month dedicated to celebrating the lives of people saved by organ donation and the donors who made a difference. In 2015, over 30,000 lives in the United States were saved thanks to the men and women who decided to give the gift of life.

During National Donate Life Month, organizations such as LiveOnNY carry out missions or campaigns to educate communities about the importance of organ donation. These initiatives are very important because they address many concerns people may have about becoming a donor, such as:

Religion- Most major religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others are in support of organ donation.
Age – If you have been given approval by your doctor to be a donor, you are never too old. The oldest person in the U.S. on record to be a donor was 93 years old.
Health conditions- It is important that you do not rule yourself out as donor due to medical conditions. Each case is different.
Premature death- The primary goal of doctors is to save your life. Donation is only considered when all efforts to save a patient’s life have failed.

Flushing Hospital is encouraging people to help play a role in saving or improving lives by registering as organ donors. Research shows that 90 percent of New Yorkers support organ donation but only 25 percent are registered. By registering, you can make a difference and help save up to eight lives.

For more information please visit www.LiveOnNy.org

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.

CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS SLOW-COOKER RECIPE

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

If you love using your slow- cooker, try this chicken, potatoes, carrots, and celery in a creamy sauce recipe topped with tender dumplings. It’s easy to make and delicious.

Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 8 hrs

INGREDIENTS

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
2 cups whole baby carrots
2 stalks celery, sliced (about 1 cup)
2 10 3/4 ounce can Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup milk

DIRECTIONS

Place the chicken, potatoes, carrots and celery into a 6-quart slow cooker.
Stir the soup, water, thyme and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours* or until the chicken is cooked through.
Stir the baking mix and milk in a medium bowl. Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto the chicken mixture. Increase the heat to HIGH. Tilt the lid to vent and cook for 30 minutes or until the dumplings are cooked in the center. *Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

SERVING SUGGESTION TIP

Serve with spinach salad; baby spinach leaves topped with orange sections, dried cranberries and raspberry-pecan vinaigrette. For dessert serve wedges of mixed berry pie with whipped topping.

For this and more easy to make recipe’s visit-

Ahhhhhchew! Cold, Flu or Seasonal Allergies?

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

We have sprung into spring! Flowers and trees are beginning to bud and we should be feeling great, but some of us aren’t. If you are one of these folks, you may be experiencing seasonal allergies, or are you?

Allergies, colds and the flu are often hard to tell apart because they share many similar symptoms. It is knowing the differences in the symptoms that will help you when seeking treatment.

Colds and the flu are caused by different viruses and the symptoms associated with the flu are often more severe. Allergies are different because they are not caused by a virus. It is your body’s immune system reacting to an allergen that you are allergic to such as pollen or pet dander.

This chart can help you determine whether you have seasonal allergies, a cold or the flu:

	Common Cold	Influenza	Seasonal Allergies
Stuffy or runny nose	Yes	Sometimes	Runny, itchy nose
Fever	Sometimes; mild if present	Usually, often 100 degrees F (38.8 degrees C) or higher.	No
Body Aches	Mild	Mild to severe	No
Chills	Sometimes	Yes, sometimes intense	No
Sore Throat	Often	Sometimes	Itchy or tickling throat
Fatigue, Weakness	Sometimes	Usually, can last a couple of weeks after recovery	Rarely
Feeling extremely exhausted	No	Yes	No
Headache	Sometimes	Usually, sometimes severe	Sinus pressure or stuffiness
Sinus drainage	Usually	Rarely	Often
Diarrhea, Vomiting	No	Sometimes	No
Cough	Mild to moderate	Usually, can become severe	Dry or with minimal mucus
Watering eyes	Sometimes	Sometimes, with fever	Itchy swollen, burning, and/or watery eyes
Ears	Ear congestion	No	Ear congestion or popping
Sneezing	Usually	Sometimes	Yes
Timing	Anytime throughout the year	Most cases occur between October and May.	Anytime, but symptoms are often more intense in the fall and spring seasons.

If you are experiencing some or all of the symptoms listed above and would like to make an appointment to see a physician, you can call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.

How Important is Eating Breakfast?

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Joann Ariola

How important is eating a healthy breakfast to you? Please share your daily morning routine with us. Do you make the time for a healthy breakfast every morning?

Here’s what we know, breakfast is STILL the most important meal of the day. It provides you with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration whether in the classroom or at work.

Some benefits of eating a healthy breakfast are:

Reduces the chance of developing diabetes
Reduces the incidence of heart disease
Improves cognitive functions related to memory

Additionally, studies have shown that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight.

Translation – Eating breakfast is a smart move!

Natural Ways To Defy Aging

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Joann Ariola

As far back as 1513, when Ponce de Leon traveled to Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth, people have been obsessed with retaining their youthful appearance. In modern times, whether young, middle-aged or older, individuals are still in search of ways to look younger.

Could the “fountain of youth” and the ability to maintain a youthful appearance have been within our grasp all along?

It is proven that people who have maintained a fit, healthy weight throughout their life will often have a younger looking physique, as well as less sagging in their skin.

Additional ways to maintain a younger appearance are:

Taking care of your teeth – A full set of teeth avoids the bone loss in the mouth and jaw structures, which can give the face a sunken appearance.
Color your greys away – Vibrant hair color, with a glossy texture and lots of volume can also make someone look younger.
Dump the frumpy frocks – Modern, stylish clothing, eyeglasses, jewelry and accessories can go a long way toward appearing younger.
Posture – How you stand, sit and carry yourself will not only affect how other people see you, but it also has an impact on how you look and feel as you get older.
Adjust your mindset – Research has found that our lifestyle habits such as exercise, nutrition, stress management and sleep will enhance the body’s ability to repair cellular damage that is inevitable as we get older.
Get your beauty sleep – Bags under the eyes and pallor to your skin can definitely make you look old and tired. A solid seven to eight hours of sleep per night is recommended.

If maintaining healthy skin is your concern, foods containing vitamins A, C, and E, polyphenols (antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties that protect and benefit the skin should be part of your daily diet)

Here are some examples of foods that provide these key nutrients:

Vitamin A – Sweet potatoes, broccoli, leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), red, yellow and orange produce (such as cantaloupe, carrots, bell peppers), and asparagus
Vitamin C – Red bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, pineapple, kiwifruit, oranges and cantaloupe
Vitamin E – Nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, tomato products, and spinach
Polyphenols – Green tea, cocoa and dark chocolate

By maximizing your intake of the items listed above, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and drinking plenty of purified water while minimizing your intake of sugars and highly processed foods, you will be doing your best to keep your body functioning well as you age.

Department Spotlight – Urology

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

The Department of Urology at Flushing Hospital is staffed by fully trained, board certified urologists, specially trained physician assistants, registered nurses and medical assistants. The department utilizes state-of-the art diagnostic equipment and minimally invasive techniques to provide comprehensive care to our patients. The department treats both men and women with an understanding of the sensitive nature of urologic illnesses, and with special emphasis for women on bladder control and urinary tract infections, and for men enlarged prostate, urinary vasectomies, male sexual health and prostate cancer.
One of the commonly treated urologic conditions in both women and men is kidney stones. The department of urology has a kidney stone treatment center that can diagnose and treat this condition quickly. A Spiral CT scanner is used to locate the stone(s )which eliminates the need to use contrast dyes. Non-surgical modalities in the form of shock wave lithotripsy break up smaller stones into fine particles. For larger stones, a Holium laser and miniscope are used.
For patients with prostate cancer radioactive seed implantation can be performed by ultrasound guidance with pinpoint accuracy.
The Department of Urology also offers the da Vinci Robotic Surgical platform for prostate surgery. This new technology allows our surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures that benefit our patients through faster recovery time, less blood loss, less pain, and shorter hospitalizations.
To schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Urology suite, please call 718-670-5699.

Is There a Link Between Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease?

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Joann Ariola

It is not unusual for people with Type 1 diabetes to also have celiac disease. Type 1diabetes and celiac disease share several common traits. Both diseases are triggered by genetic and environmental factors and they increase the risk of developing associated autoimmune diseases.

Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes causes the body to produce insufficient amounts of insulin needed to break down glucose

Celiac disease, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a disease in which the body launches an immune reaction when a person consumes gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

Most patients with both diseases tend to develop asymptomatic celiac disease, but are unaware they are experiencing its symptoms. This is because they are confusing symptoms with diabetes with those of asymptomatic celiac disease.

Symptoms may include, but are not limited to: Bloating

Bloating
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Fatigue
Anemia
Irritability
Depression

As a diabetic with celiac disease, you may think that your world has come to an end and you will not be able to eat anything since both diseases require adherence to a strict diet, but that’s not the case. There are tips you can follow that will help you self-manage both diseases and maintain overall health:

Gluten-free foods – Health food stores and most main stream grocery stores now carry gluten-free products. Rice pasta can be used as a substitute for pasta.
Follow a whole-food meal plan – A gluten free dinner consisting of a serving of protein (broiled or baked), steamed vegetables, a small serving of brown rice, and a small piece of fruit for dessert can small piece of fruit for dessert.
Watch your blood sugar levels – A diagnosis of celiac disease necessitates what may be a dramatic change in your daily sources of carbohydrates. You may experience variations in your usual blood-sugar patterns, so you will want to be vigilant in testing.
Track your calories and carbs – Some gluten-free foods may be calorie and carbohydrate dense. You cannot assume that a sandwich made with gluten-free bread has the same amount of carbohydrates as one made with regular bread.
Check nutrition labels of processed foods – All food labels are required to state if the food contains wheat, but keep in mind that wheat-free doesn’t mean gluten-free.
Meet with a registered dietician – It can be complicated having two serious diseases that come with different dietary restrictions.

If you or someone you know has celiac disease and type 1 diabetes and would like to speak with a registered dietitian to help self-manage your disease, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-7001 for an appointment.

Take a Break

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Studies have shown that taking regular breaks during the work day can improve productivity and mental acuity, reduce fatigue, relieve joint or muscle pain, and increase overall alertness.

Chronic stress from over working can put a strain on your body and put you at risk for poor health. Taking a break can give your body the chance to turn off the stress so that you can recuperate and repair.

Research has shown that people on a break feel healthier, have less physical complaints and could have a reduction in cholesterol levels on their return.

Some other benefits of taking a break or vacation are:

Vitamin D – The Sun is rich in Vitamin D which is essential for maintaining healthy bones and keeping the immune systems and nervous system functioning normally.

Relaxing – Taking time to relax on a break from working has powerful benefits for adults. It can be as important as sleep.

Break time shrinks stress – Time away from work helps shrink stress and anxiety while boosting mental and physical health.

Keep in mind that regularly scheduled breaks should be approved by your supervisor.

Benefit of the Annual Physical

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The greatest benefit of an annual physical is knowledge for both you and your physician. An annual visit establishes a baseline for your personal health. Armed with this information, your doctor can detect unhealthy trends before they become risk factors.

Nearly one third of the population with a chronic disease is unaware that they have the disease. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, as many as 100,000 lives could be saved each year by increasing preventive care services.

Health screenings, such as blood glucose and blood pressure tests can easily detect the two most chronic conditions, diabetes and hypertension before they cause serious health issues. The Centers for Disease Control cites that seven out of every 10 deaths are caused by chronic disease. Proper management of these conditions can prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

In order to get the most out of your annual physical, take a moment to prepare:

Make a list of your health concerns
Make a list of all the medications you are taking
Get a copy of your medical records and your family medical history

Dozens of Patient Care Specialists, on staff at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, are ready to provide you with your annual check-up.

Flushing Hospital is a certified Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) in its Ambulatory Care Center. The Center offers more than 50 outpatient general and specialty services for children adolescents and adults.

Flushing Hospital’s ambulatory care services accepts most major insurances, is centrally located and has convenient patient hours. Call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Are You Experiencing The Holiday Blues?

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

The holiday season may be a time of happiness for many but for others it can also be the time of year that they are likely to feel depressed.

Financial stress, increased alcohol or food consumption, Seasonal Affective Disorder and loneliness are common contributors to depression during the holidays.

While the source of depression may vary from person to person, there are chronic behaviors and health problems that are widely recognized as symptoms of the disorder. Some of these include:

Fatigue
Insomnia
Sleeping excessively
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
Loss of appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

People who experience bouts of depression during the holidays can reduce these symptoms by:

Asking for help when holiday stressors become overwhelming
Moderating alcohol consumption
Spending time with loved ones
Exercising
Eating a healthy and balanced diet
Getting enough sleep
Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation

If symptoms of depression persist or progress into self-harming thoughts, please seek the help of a mental health professional immediately. It is important to remember there is no shame in receiving assistance from mental health professionals; they will help you to identify the source of your depression and offer several options for treatment.

To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5316 or 718-670-5562