Health Beat

Peer Pressure: Teen Smoking

Posted on October 25, 2016 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.

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.

Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) Awareness Month

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Joann Ariola

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.

Did you know that over 3500 infants (less than one year) dies from SIDS each year? These deaths are sudden, unexpected and have no immediate obvious cause.

For more information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at –

HPV Fast Facts

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Every year there are 14 million new HPV infections. HPV also known as human papillomavirus is a virus that can cause certain cancers and diseases in both men and women. Unfortunately, because HPV often has no signs or symptoms, many people who have the virus are unaware.

HPV is transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person.

In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. However HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems such as genital warts and cancer.

Genital warts- usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
Cervical cancer- usually does not have symptoms until it is quite advanced, very serious and hard to treat.

Some health effects caused by HPV can be prevented with vaccines. The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteen boys and girls at age 11 or 12 so they are protected before ever being exposed to the virus. Catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and for females through age 26, if they did not get vaccinated when they were younger.

If your teen hasn’t gotten the vaccine yet, talk to their doctor or nurse about getting it for them as soon as possible. For more information about preventing and treating HPV please visit: http://www.hpv.com/what-is-hpv/

History of Contact Lenses

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Contact lenses are so commonly worn today that people don’t give them a second thought. Did you know that the concept for contact lenses goes all the way back to Leonardo DaVinci who described them back in 1508. Many scientists experimented with different materials over the next few centuries with only a little success. It was in the late 1800’s that German scientists devised a prototype of a contact lens made from a thin piece of glass that covered the entire eye. In the early 1900’s it became possible to make a mold of the entire eye and this helped to make lenses that fit better. By the 1950’s plastics were being developed that could be made thinner and with a better fit for the eye and they were replacing glass as the material of choice for contact lenses. In 1960 the company Bausch and Lomb developed a technique to cast hydrogel, a plastic material that could be molded and shaped when wet, which allowed for the production of lenses that were able to be mass produced and of extremely high quality. Today lenses are much more comfortable than the lenses made 20 years ago. They can be worn for long periods of time and they allow the eye to breathe which earlier versions couldn’t do.
If you would like to make an appointment with our ophthalmology department please call 718-670-5486.

The Effects of Drinking Alcohol and Hypertension

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Flushing Hospital

Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Blood Pressure?

There is a definite correlation between drinking alcohol and a person’s blood pressure. Blood pressure is raised because of alcohol’s effect on the blood vessels causing them to dilate.

Most people who occasionally consume more than three alcoholic drinks at one sitting will experience a short term rise in blood pressure. Three drinks or more can lead to a rapid increase in blood pressure which could lead to a stroke, for those who already have hypertension. People who regularly have three or more drinks every day will experience a prolonged elevation in their blood pressure which will be harder to reduce.

Staying away from alcoholic drinks completely for two weeks usually allows the blood pressure to return to whatever is normal for that individual. Alcohol may also have an effect on blood pressure medications which could limit their effectiveness.

While drinking moderate amounts of alcohol occasionally won’t have a prolonged effect on a person’s blood pressure, drinking excessively certainly can.

Your Child and the Battle Against Junk Food

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Childhood obesity has become a common health concern for parents. It is estimated that one in every five children is overweight. A child is defined as obese when they are well above the normal weight for their age.

One of the contributing factors in obesity is unhealthy eating habits. It is recommended that parents introduce healthy eating to children as early as possible. For some, this may be easier said than done, because children are so easily attracted to the appeal of junk food.

What makes junk food enticing to children is sugar, high sodium, the taste of fat; commonly hydrogenated oils, in addition to bright, colorful packaging, fun shapes and unnatural food coloring. Parents can win the fight against junk food by making healthy food more appealing to children’s senses.

Here are a few tips on converting kid favorites into healthier choices:

Hot dogs- Instead of regular beef and pork hot dogs, purchase turkey franks with low sodium and without added nitrates. Decorate the hot dog with colorful vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, red and yellow peppers.
Salty cheese snacks- Make plain cheese fun by cutting it into quirky shapes or adding bright and sweet fruit. You can make cheese and fruit shish kebabs.
French fries- Opt for baked sweet potato fries and sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin C, B6, and D. They are a source of Iron, magnesium and potassium.
Ice cream- Frozen yogurt is just as tasty and contains less sugar and fat. Adding toppings such as fruit and granola is a plus.
Popsicles- Freeze real fruit juices with bits of fruit into bars.
Potato chips- Kale chips are rich in vitamin A and easy to make at home. Make them delicious by adding herbs and spices.
Candy- Healthy alternatives to candy include raisins or strawberries and bananas lightly drizzled with chocolate.
Milkshakes- Smoothies made with fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt are a healthier option.
Meat lasagna- Load lasagna with vegetables instead of meat, choose low-fat cheese and whole-grain pasta.
Macaroni and cheese-Use low-fat cheese, add Greek yogurt to make it creamy and spinach to make it nutritious.

The battle against junk food is not lost. Keep food exciting and nutritious for your family by sourcing healthy recipe websites or visiting FlushingHospital’s Facebook and Twitter pages for suggestions. In addition to healthy eating, keep your family physically active and also make an appointment with your family doctor to ensure that everyone is at their recommended weight. Feel free to share these tips with friend and family.

5 Reasons Why Dental Hygiene Matters

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Flushing Hospital wants you to think beyond your teeth and gums and learn how good oral care has some surprising benefits for your overall health.

Here are five surprising reasons why oral care matters for a healthy body.

Healthy gums for a healthier heart

One health concern may lead to another. Studies have linked oral inflammatory disease with elevated heart disease risk. Gum disease from extended bacterial exposure can lead to cardiovascular disease as it may increase the inflammation level throughout the body. Your dentist should ask about your heart health and family history of heart disease.

A healthy mouth could mean a healthier pregnancy

Regular checkups with a dentist and hygienist become even more important during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should take extra care to keep their teeth at their best, not just for themselves, but for their babies too. Pregnant women with poor oral health may be at higher risk of delivering pre-term, low birth weight babies than pregnant women with good oral health.

There’s a link between gum disease and diabetes

People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease. However, new studies suggest that serious gum disease may actually contribute to diabetes as it affects blood glucose control. This two-way link is a wake-up call to take care of your teeth, especially since the incidence of diabetes is rising.

Early screening for Oral Cancer

As part of regular examinations, dentists should check all soft tissues to ensure they are healthy. All dentists are trained to do a cancer screening as part of ongoing dental checkups, by inspecting the gums, tongue, lips and cheeks for anything suspicious or any unusual changes. A precancerous lesion can begin as a small white or dark red patch that may not be causing you any noticeable symptoms. Keep in mind that only about one-half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years, so detecting early signs of the disease is crucial.

Trying to lose weight? Brush your teeth!

Brushing your teeth signals you have finished eating and may help with portion control. Use this trick to your advantage – have a healthy meal and then, before you are tempted to overeat or indulge in sweet desserts, go and brush your teeth. This will tell your brain that mealtime is over. While brushing cleans your teeth and freshens your breath.

Is There A Need to Fear the Beard?

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Michael Hinck

They have appeared on faces throughout history and they are once again a hip trend for many men. We’re talking about beards.

Before growing a beard, many factors have to be considered, but should your health be one of them? Before we answer that question, here are a few facts about this popular facial hair trend.

• On average, a man’s beard will grow 5.5 inches per year. If the average man stopped shaving forever, his beard would grow to almost 30 feet over the course of his lifetime.
• There are around 30,000 whiskers encompassing your face and most men spend over 3,000 hours of his life shaving.
• The record for the world’s longest beard belongs to Hans Langseth. His beard stretched to 17 ½’in 1927.
• According to a recent study of women, beards increase three things: a- they make men look older, b-they connote a higher social status, and c- give off an impression of aggression.

Now, to answer the question about how beards can affect your health.

• Facial hair can block up to 95% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Which means beards can go a long way in reducing your risk of developing some forms of skin cancer.
• Beards may also aid allergy sufferers as they can work like a filter to prevent pollen or dust from settling, similar to the hairs inside your nose.
• By not shaving, you can prevent the spread of acne-causing bacteria on your face, resulting in clearer and cleaner skin.

There is also an idea that beards are dirty and harbor germs. Studies that support this claim have been inconclusive. Further research has found that the number of germs found in men’s beards were similar in number to those found on the face of their unshaven male counterparts.

So, while it is certainly recommended to follow proper beard hygiene, there is no health risks associated with growing a beard.

Obesity and the Risk for Cancer

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Woman measuring waist of overweight man with tape measure, middle section

Obesity is defined as a condition where a person has an abnormally high proportion of body fat. People who are obese because of the higher concentration of fat tissue; tend to be at higher risk of developing certain types of cancers including:
• Esophageal
• Pancreatic
• Colon and Rectum
• Breast (post menopause)
• Endometrial
• Kidney
• Thyroid
• Gallbladder
There are many reasons that obesity may raise the risk of developing cancer. These include:
• People who are obese have high levels of body fat which triggers an increase in estrogen production. Higher than normal levels of estrogen is associated with an increased risk of developing breast, endometrial and other types of cancer.
• Obese people are often found to have increased levels of insulin in their blood which can promote the growth of certain tumors
• Fat cells produce hormones called adipokines that can stimulate tumor growth
• People who are obese have chronic low level inflammation that can increase the risk for certain cancers.
While the evidence is not conclusive, it is believed that losing weight, and more importantly body fat, can help prevent the risk of cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial to your overall health and can be accomplished by eating well and exercising.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss weight loss, and to learn more about Bariatric Surgery as an option, please call 718-670-5486.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

October 13 is observed as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The purpose of this observance is to spread awareness about the disease and the need for developing new and targeted treatments that will improve the rate of survival.

Metastatic breast cancer also called stage four or advanced breast cancer is cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body (most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain). Although metastatic breast cancer has spread to another part of the body, it is considered and treated as breast cancer. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the bones is still breast cancer (not bone cancer) and is treated with breast cancer drugs, rather than treatments for a cancer that began in the bones.

Currently there is no cure for MBC; however, individuals are able to live longer due to treatment that focuses on length and quality of life. While living with the disease is not easy you can face its many challenges with proper knowledge, tips, and support, you can be well equipped to face the challenges of MBC. Although today MBC cannot be cured, this does not mean it cannot be treated. Treatment focuses on length and quality of life. Together with your doctor, you can find the balance of treatment and quality of life that is right for you. Your treatment plan is guided by many factors, including:

Characteristics of the cancer cells
Where the cancer has spread
Your current symptoms
Age and health
Past cancer treatments

The types of treatments available for MBC are chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapies through drugs that target genes spreading cancerous cells. Clinical trials also offer the exploration of new treatment options that may be beneficial to you. Talk to your doctor about treatment options they suggest in order to find what works best for you.

Survival for metastatic breast cancer varies greatly from person to person but modern treatments for both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer have improved survival for women diagnosed today.