Women's Health Archives - Page 13 of 13

Diabetes and Skin Complications

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Believe it or not, skin complications are sometimes the first sign that you may have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), people with diabetes develop skin diseases more easily than those without the condition, making them more susceptible to general skin conditions such as bacterial infections, fungal infections, and localized itching. More specifically, styes, boils, jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm.

There are several skin conditions that mostly affect or only affect people with diabetes, such as diabetic dermopathy and diabetic blisters. Some of these conditions are painful, while others are found to be embarrassing.

Fortunately, most of these conditions can be prevented or easily treated, if caught early. To reduce the risk of developing skin-related complications of diabetes, it is recommended that individuals keep their glucose levels in a safe range by eating healthy, exercising and taking their medication. It is also important that proper skin care is practiced. Individuals with diabetes should consider the following tips for good skin care:

Keep skin clean and moisturized.
Avoid very hot baths and showers, and use moisturizing soap and mild shampoos.
Treat cuts right away. Wash minor cuts with soap and water.
During cold, dry months, keep your home more humid. Bathe less during this weather, if possible.

If not cared for properly, these conditions, in a person with diabetes, can turn into a serious problem with potentially severe consequences. If you have diabetes and have noticed changes to your skin, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist or dermatologist.

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.

The Benefits of Drinking Bay Leaf Tea

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

There are many benefits of drinking bay leaf tea. Some of the most widely known benefits are:

1. Bay leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Also regular inclusion of bay leaves in meals promotes general health.

2. They have been proven to be useful in the treatment of migraines.

3. Bay Leaf contains enzymes that help to breakdown proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm indigestion.

Recipe for Bay Leaf Tea

16 oz water
3 bay leaves
Juice1 large or 2 smaller lemons

Place ingredients, together, in a pot and bring to a boil.
Drink, after it cools down

A hot cup of bay leaf tea can be very comforting. The aromatic fragrance that the leaves release is calming and the essence of the spiced tea makes bay leaf tea delicious.

Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

If you’re breastfeeding your newborn and returning to work, you may be wondering how you are going to do both. With a little discipline and some planning, breastfeeding and working is a challenge you can overcome.

Here are some suggestions designed to make nursing your child and transitioning back to work easier:

1. Before going back to work, speak with your supervisor about your plans to breastfeed. Discuss different types of schedules, such as starting back part-time at first or taking split shifts.

2. Many Lactation Consultants recommend that breastfeeding moms join a breastfeeding support group to talk with other mothers about breastfeeding after your baby is born and how they transitioned back into the workplace.

3. Ask if your company provides a lactation support program for employees. If your company does not, ask about private areas where you can comfortably and safely express milk. The Affordable Care Act supports work-based efforts to assist nursing mothers.

4. Ask the lactation program director, your supervisor, wellness program director, employee human resources office, or other co-workers if they know of other women at your company who have breastfed after returning to work.

If you have any questions regarding breastfeeding your baby, please contact Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Pediatric Ambulatory Care department at 718-670-5486.

Do You Have Fibroids?

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Sage Robinson

About 20-80 percent of women develop uterine fibroids by the time they reach age 50. Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and are almost always benign (not cancerous). Fibroids can grow as a single tumor, or there can be many of them in the uterus ranging in size from as small as an apple seed to as big as a grapefruit.

Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Some have heavy bleeding (which may cause anemia), painful periods, pain during sex or lower back pain. Some experience a feeling of fullness in the pelvic area, rectal pressure or frequent urination due to fibroid pressure on the bladder. Large fibroids may cause the abdomen to swell, making a woman look pregnant.

No one knows what causes fibroids. Risk factors for developing fibroids include age, family history, ethnicity, and obesity. Researchers suspect a combination of hormones, like high levels of estrogen and progesterone, may cause them to grow or shrink. For example, they grow rapidly during pregnancy when hormone levels are high, and shrink when anti-hormone medication is used. They also stop growing or shrink once a woman reaches menopause.

Your gynecologist will check during your regular exams to see if you have fibroids. Talk with your doctor about the best way to treat your fibroids which may include medication or surgery. If you have fibroids, but don’t have any symptoms, you may not need treatment.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health uses the latest techniques and equipment, such as ultrasonography, color doppler, laser and laparoscopic surgery. We also offer minimally invasive robotic procedures using the da Vinci robotic system. Fibroid surgery performed using the robot allows for faster healing time, less scarring and shorter hospital stays.

For an appointment, please contact the Ambulatory Care Department at 718-670-5486.

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How Many Drinks Are Too Many?

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Sage Robinson

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Poll question: How many drinks per week are too many?

Answer: According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: men should not exceed four drinks per day or a total of 14 per week and women should not to exceed three drinks a day or a total of seven per week.

When following these guidelines here are some factors to consider:

.Portion size: Standard portions in the United States include 12-ounces of beer, 8-ounces of malt liquor, 5-ounces of wine and 1.5-ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor.

.Alcohol content: There are differences in alcohol percentages between red and white wines, as well as between light beers and lagers.

.Gender: Women have less body water than men and hence retain a higher blood-alcohol concentration than men from a single drink.

.Food: An empty stomach speeds up alcohol absorption. Food slows absorption rates in men and women.

Remember, everyone metabolizes alcohol differently and moderation is key. Make smart choices when enjoying dinner or a night out with friends and NEVER drink and drive.

If you think you have a problem with alcohol, please contact Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Addiction Treatment Division at 718- 670-5486.

Does One Part Alcohol + One Part Breast Milk = Bad For Baby?

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Women have been warned not to consume alcohol during pregnancy. There is sufficient research that confirms drinking alcohol, while pregnant, poses several, avoidable risk to an unborn baby. However, the risks of consuming alcohol while breastfeeding are not as well defined.

Breastfeeding mothers often receive conflicting advice about whether their alcohol consumption can have an adverse effect on their baby. This leaves mothers with more questions than answers. A good resource to start looking for answers is the La Leche League. Their article, The Womanly Art Of Breastfeedingsays: The effects of alcohol on the breastfeeding baby are directly related to the amount the mother ingests. When the breastfeeding mother drinks occasionally, or limits her consumption to one drink or less per day, the amount of alcohol her baby receives has not been proven to be harmful.

The League further published:

Alcohol passes freely into mother’s milk and has been found to peak about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, 60 to 90 minutes when taken with food. Alcohol also freely passes out of a mother’s milk and here system. It takes a 120 pound woman about two to three hours to eliminate from her body the alcohol in one serving of beer or wine. The more alcohol that is consumed, the longer it takes for it to be eliminated. It takes up to 13 hours for a 120 pound woman to eliminate alcohol from one high-alcoholic drink.

Opposing research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that breast-fed babies, whose mothers drank, as few as, one drink a day may present with impaired motor or development and that alcohol can cause changes in sleep patterns.

Also, to dispel any notion that encourages drinking alcohol to improve milk production. Facts show that the presence of alcohol in breast milk can cause the babies to drink about 20 % less.

Remember, research has shown that breast-feeding is an optimal way to feed your newborn and is recommended until a baby is at least age one.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Did you know that colon cancer is one of the most preventable, and if detected early, most treatable forms of cancer? March is Colon Cancer Awareness month and screening is the number one way you can increase your chances of survival. Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the US. In 2015, the American Cancer Society estimates 93,090 new cases of colon cancer and 39,610 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed.

On average, the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about one in 20 (5%), but this can vary according to individual risk factors. All men and women should be screened every five years beginning at age 50, or earlier if you have a personal or family history of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or are experiencing symptoms. African Americans should begin screening at the age of 45.

Some tests that detect cancer and polyps, growths that occur on the inner lining of the large intestine and protrude into the colon, include:

.Colonoscopy — The inside of the rectum and entire colon are examined using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope.

.Flexible Sigmoidoscopy — Examines your rectum and lower part of the colon with a lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope.

.Virtual Colonoscopy — Uses x-rays and computers to take 2- or 3-dimensional images of your colon and rectum.

.Double-Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) — Air and barium are pumped into your rectum. The solution will show polyps or tumors on x-rays.

Screenings for fecal occult blood tests or FOBT, may also be used to test the stool for signs that cancer may be present. They are less invasive and easier to have done but are less likely to detect polyps.

Please discuss all screening options, as well as when to be screened, with your healthcare professional.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center provides a modern, fully equipped endoscopy unit for patients with abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or any other gastrointestinal concerns. Using the newest high-technology video equipment, an expert team provides comprehensive patient care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Ambulatory Care at 718-670-5486.

For more health and fitness information, join us on Facebook.com/FlushingHospital or follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC

March is National Women’s History Month

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Sage Robinson

Did you know that Flushing Hospital Medical Center was founded in 1884 by a group of community women who set up a room with one bed in a rented house? Today the hospital is a 293-bed voluntary, not-for-profit teaching hospital. The medical center, located in the city’s most culturally diverse borough, has served the health care needs of the community for more than a century, and has, over the years, become a solid and vital part of the infrastructure of the city itself.

For more health and fitness information, join us on Facebook.com/FlushingHospital or follow us on Twitter @FHMC_NYC

Early photo of Flushing Hospital

A Healthy Pregnancy over 35

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

More and more women are waiting to have families well into their late 30’s and beyond. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five women now wait until they’re 35 or older to have their first child. There may be some risks involved with a pregnancy conceived later in life, but a healthy lifestyle, along with regular visits to your Ob-Gyn can create a healthy pregnancy.

Oftentimes, women worry more about the risks of pregnancy at a later age than conception itself. While a woman’s fertility does decrease after the age of 30, certain risk factors associated with pregnancy do increase including:
• Higher risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
• Greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome
• Miscarriages and still birth
• Low birth weight

A pregnancy should be happy and welcomed news and planning should be no different. Increased risk factors and statistics should not be discouraging news. Often, statistics do not account for life style choices or pre-existing conditions. Here are a few tips to help you take the necessary steps toward a healthy pregnancy later in life:
• Schedule an appointment with your Ob-Gyn for a visit. Be very honest with your practitioner about any existing health conditions.
• Your Doctor may recommend additional testing such as genetic testing and counseling or sonograms.
• Begin taking pre-natal vitamin. Since folic-acid is important for prevention of birth defects, taking folic acid can add an important level of protection for older women.
• Exercise regularly; eat a well-balanced diet to maintain your weight. Gaining the appropriate amount of weight lessens the chance of your baby growing slowly and reduces the risk of preterm birth.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.

If you are interested in pre-pregnancy and fertility counseling, contact Flushing Hospital Women’s Health Center at 718-670-8994 to make an appointment.

Can Your Diet Affect Your Sleep?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Flushing Hospital

Do you suffer from a sleep disorder? Your diet may be the key to giving you a better night’s sleep. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 50 to 70 million people in the United States suffer from a wide variety of sleep disorders.

Studies show that certain foods tend to produce a more restful night’s sleep. Foods that you can pick up at any local grocery store that are likely to give you a deeper sleep are:
• Milk
• Turkey
• Honey
• Nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, etc.)
• Kale
• Rice (or other forms of carbohydrates)

The secret to these foods are the vitamins they contain, as well as the hormones they help the brain produce. The old wives’ tale of drinking a warm glass of milk before bedtime is not all that inaccurate. Calcium is a natural sleep inducer, especially when consumed with magnesium, which can be found in bananas. Melatonin is a hormone the brain produces naturally that also greatly contributes to a good night’s sleep. Calcium and magnesium both naturally produce melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain that promotes sleepiness, so eating dairy products, wheat, and beans can all lead to a more restful sleep. Additionally, some proteins, such as lean meats, produce tryptophan, an amino acid that causes sleepiness. Carbohydrates, such as starches and fibers, can also cause fatigue because the body breaks them down into sugars that become glucose, which ultimately becomes blood sugar. Some healthy carbohydrates can be found in whole grain, cereal, and vegetables.

While some foods can help you get a better night’s sleep, other foods and eating habits can reduce your amount of sleep. Some of these include:
• Eating too much or too little
• Caffeine (after lunchtime)
• Fatty foods (fast food, junk food, etc.)
• Eating late at night
• Alcohol (in large doses)

Try to avoid these bad eating habits and replace them with healthy foods that are high in calcium, magnesium, healthy carbohydrates, and protein. If you think you are suffering from a sleep disorder that cannot be helped by your diet, consult a physician for an assessment or to discuss treatments for possible sleep disorders. To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.