Are Allergy Shots an Option for You?

Do you suffer with seasonal allergies and over the counter medications have not helped? Allergy shots may be an option when all other treatment methods have failed.

The diagnosis allergy written on a clipboard

Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, are injections given at regular intervals to allergy sufferers over three to five years to stop or reduce the symptoms associated with an allergy attack. Each shot contains a tiny amount of the allergens that trigger an attack; just enough to spark the immune system, but not enough to cause a reaction. Over time, doctors will increase the amount of allergens as your system builds up a tolerance to them and becomes desensitized to their effects.

Allergy shots should be considered if medications to treat your allergies are ineffective, if allergy medications poorly interact with other medications you are taking, if allergy medications cause bothersome side effects, or if you want to reduce the long-term use of allergy medications.

Allergy shots can be used to treat reactions to:

• Seasonal allergens, such as pollens released by trees, grass, and weeds
• Indoor allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold
• Insect strings from bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets

Unfortunately, allergy shots cannot treat food allergies.

Before you can even consider receiving an allergy shot your doctor must perform a skin test to determine what you are allergic to. During a skin test, a small amount of multiple allergens are scratched into your skin and the area (usually the back) is observed for 15 minutes. Redness or swelling will occur on whatever substances you are allergic to.
Once identified, allergy shots are injected regularly during two different phases of treatment.

• The build-up phase –Typically shots are given one to three times a week over three to six months. During the buildup phase, the allergen dose is gradually increased with each shot.
• The maintenance – This phase generally continues for three to five years or longer with maintenance injections administered approximately once a month.

You will need to remain in the doctor’s office for 30 minutes after each shot, in case you have a reaction, which can include local redness or swelling, sneezing, or nasal congestion. In rare cases, allergy shots can result in low blood pressure or difficulty breathing.

Allergy symptoms won’t stop overnight. They usually improve during the first year of treatment, but the most noticeable improvement often happens during the second year. By the third year, most people are desensitized to the allergens contained in the shots — and no longer have significant allergic reactions to those substances. After a few years of successful treatment, some people don’t have significant allergy problems even after allergy shots are stopped. Other people need ongoing shots to keep symptoms under control.

Speak with your doctor to determine if allergy shots are an option for you. If you do not have a doctor, Flushing Hospital has an allergy clinic. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

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.

Are Allergies Controlling Your Life?

In some parts of the country, spring allergy season starts as early as February and can last through the summer months. Tree pollen is the first sign of allergy season’s arrival and continues to cause allergy symptoms throughout March and April. Tree pollen and grass pollen are one in the same, beginning in late spring and continuing into early summer.

Allergies are the result of an over-reactive immune system. When allergies occur, the immune system mistakenly identifies an allergen such as pollen, pet dander, mold, and dust mites as an “invader.” As a reaction, the body mounts an inappropriate immune response. To get rid of the “invader,” the immune response triggers a response that results in you experiencing typical allergy symptoms like, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

People are affected by all kinds of allergens. Some people need to avoid pollen and dust; others can’t be around dogs or cats. Regardless of what sets your allergies off, symptoms can interfere with daily activities and reduce your quality of life. Here are a few suggestions to lessen the severity of your allergies:

  1. Leave your shoes at the door

When you come home from the outside, taking your shoes off at the door lessens the amount of pollen you track into the house. Wipe down your dog’s coat before he comes into the house, too, because pollen clings to fur.

  1. Change your clothes when you get home

You can bring pollen into your home on your clothes and shoes even if you can’t see it. Toss soiled clothes in the hamper immediately; even better, take a shower.

  1. Clean or change the filters in your air conditioner

Change them at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, or more frequently if it seems to help.

  1. Keep open windows closed

Open windows can be refreshing, but they let in pollen. Close windows and outside doors, especially on high-pollen days, and turn on the heat or the air-conditioning.

  1. Take allergy medicine at night.

If your doctor suggests or prescribes allergy medicine try taking them at night. Typically, allergy symptoms tend to be at their worst in the morning.

There are many popular methods of treatment. They work in different ways, but some are more effective than others. Before making any changes in your allergy treatment options speak with your doctor first. Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has qualified doctors available to diagnose and treat your allergy symptoms. To make an appointment, please call 718 670-8994.

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.

Natural Remedies for Constipation

Supplement

Everyone knows that being constipated can be a very uncomfortable feeling and pharmaceutical companies offer us all kinds of products to alleviate the condition. Many of these contain chemicals that taken in large quantities or that are used to frequently can have harmful side effects. What many people don’t realize is that there are also simple natural home remedies that may work just as well and are generally well tolerated.
Constipation may be caused by stress, lack of fiber in the diet, being inactive physically, weak abdominal muscles, hemorrhoids, not enough fluid intake and certain foods can lead to difficulty going with bowel movements. It is a good idea to determine what the cause might be before beginning a home therapy treatment plan. If it happens only occasionally these remedies may work, if it is more frequent, a trip to the doctor is advised.
Some home remedies that you may want to try are:
• Lemon juice and warm water
• Fennel seeds – dry roasted fennel, ground up into a powder and taken with water
• Figs – soak in water for a few hours then peel the skin, grind them up and eat them
• Castor oil – one to two teaspoons
• Honey – A teaspoon taken daily
• Dandelion tea – one cup two or three times a day
• Flax seed – one tablespoon in a glass of water.  Wait two hours before drinking
It is very important that a person drink at least eight glasses of water every day. People who are constipated often have low fluid intake and this is an essential component of having regular bowel movements. If you suffer from frequent constipation, it is a good idea to speak to a doctor who may be able to identify the cause and offer a solution. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-6071.

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.

Rare but True: Sleeping Beauty or Kleine Levin Syndrome

sleeping -493503106Kleine Levin Syndrome (KLS) or Sleeping Beauty Syndrome is a rare neurological condition characterized by recurring periods of excess sleep.  It is estimated that 1000 people worldwide are diagnosed with the disorder.  Adolescent boys are primarily affected but a small percentage of adults and small children (male and female) are also known to suffer from this condition.

KLS symptoms occur in episodes that can last for days, weeks or months.  During each episode, an individual can sleep from 12 to 20 hours a day- only waking to eat and use the bathroom. A person can experience anywhere from two to 12 episodes per year.   Symptoms that occur during wakefulness include:

  • Mood changes
  • Hyper sexuality
  • Hallucinations
  • Disorientation
  • Child-like behavior
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Excessive eating
  • Hypersensitivity to noise and light

These symptoms prevent individuals from leading a normal life. Most are bed ridden and unable to attend work or school. The frequency of KLS episodes tend to decrease with age, there is a possibility that they can recur later in life.

The cause of KLS is unknown but it is believed that it may be the result of a malfunction of the hypothalamus and thalamus (the parts of the brain that regulates sleep, body temperature, sex drive and appetite).

There is no cure for KLS but treatment is available to alleviate symptoms.  Doctors may prescribe stimulants to reduce excessive sleepiness.

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.

Donate Life Month

Organ donor word cloudApril 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

 

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

  1. Place the chicken, potatoes, carrots and celery into a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Stir the soup, water, thyme and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours* or until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. 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-

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.

Ahhhhhchew! Cold, Flu or Seasonal Allergies?

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.

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.

Motivation Monday

Have you been getting fit for spring but want to add excitement to your exercise? Try out this custom exercise chart created just for you! Using the letters of the alphabet to spell your name you will have a fun workout to keep you fit. Please be advised that these workouts are only suggestions and can be catered to better suit your physical ability due to age, weight and health.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

50 Jumping Jacks

20 Crunches

30 Squats

15 Push-Ups

1 Minute Wall-Sit

15 Burpees

20 Arm Circles

20 Squats

50 Crunches

15 Sit-Ups

10 Push-Ups

2 Minute Wall-Sit

10 Burpees

20 Burpees

40 Jumping Jacks

15 Arm Circles

30 Crunches

15 Push-Ups

30 Burpees

25 Squats

30 Arm Circles

3 Minute Wall-Sit

60 Jumping Jacks

20 Push-Ups

30 Crunches

1 Minute Plank

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.

Poison Prevention Week Tips

poison prevention-154210048This week, March 20-26 is Poison Prevention Week. Did you know that every year more than 2 million poison-related injuries and deaths are reported in the United States and more than 90 percent of these cases occur in the home?

The majority of poison-related accidents occurs among children but can be prevented by taking the proper precautions to store, dispose or conceal items that contribute to these incidents.

The following safety tips are recommended by The American Association of Poison Control Centers and can help you reduce the risk of an accident your home:

  1. Place the Poison Help number in a place that is easily accessible or viewable. That number is 1 (800) 222-1222. Calls are free, confidential, and answered by experts at all times.
  2. Safely store these substances in cabinets with childproof locks or in child- resistant containers:
  • Medications
  • Vitamins
  • Tobacco products, especially liquid nicotine
  • Laundry and cleaning supplies
  • Alcohol
  • Pesticides or insect repellants
  • Hand sanitizers
  • Small batteries
  1. Read medication labels properly before administering.
  2. Never call medication “candy” to encourage children to take it.
  3. Avoid taking medications in front of young children.
  4. Do not use food storage containers to store harmful products such as detergents or pesticides.

While practicing these guidelines should be routine, we invite you to use Poison Prevention Awareness Week as a reminder to ensure that your home is poison safe.

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.

Is Juicing Heart Healthy?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people living in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. While no one juice or juice blend can prevent heart disease or repair damaged heart and blood vessel tissue, some juices contain heart-friendly nutrients. Some juicing proponents say that juicing is better for you than is eating whole fruits and vegetables because your body can absorb the nutrients better and it gives your digestive system a rest from working on fiber. Pomegranate, beet and red grape juices could give your cardiovascular system an overall health boost.

Pomegranate juice has shown the ability to lower blood pressure and is considered a heart-healthy fruit juice. Scientists found, as published in “Nutrition Journal,” that beet juice, combined with a low-nitrate diet, lowered blood pressure as soon as six hours after drinking the juice. Grape juice is naturally high in flavonoids, particularly in the case of red or purple grape juice. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants that can protect your cells from damage from aging and may help reduce your risk of developing cancer and heart disease. An article from “Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology” said studies have shown that red grape juice provided protection from “bad” or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which can cause hardened arteries. The scientists concluded that medical findings made it reasonable to suggest including purple grape juice in a daily diet as a way of reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

As with all premade juices, check to make sure there is little added sugar to derive the most benefits from the juice. Also, make only as much juice as you can drink in one sitting because fresh squeezed juice can quickly develop harmful bacteria. When juicing, try to keep some of the pulp. Not only does it have healthy fiber, but it can help fill you up.

Although these juicing ingredient suggestions have proven to prevent heart disease it is still important to check in with your doctor for heart health tests. The Department of Cardiology at Flushing Hospital Medical Center is available to assess and treat heart conditions and diseases. To make an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

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.