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Know Before You Go: Summer Travel Tips

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Summer is here and you’re thinking about this year’s family vacation. Depending on the destination, you may need to think about recommended vaccines for you and your kids. Here are a few pre-travel tips you should keep in mind to ensure that vaccine-preventable diseases do not stand in the way of your summer fun.

Research your destination. Know background information about food safety and road safety. With the recent outbreak of the ZIKA virus in Central America and some parts of the Caribbean it’s important to stay educated on affected areas.
See your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider is the best source of information on which vaccines you may need. The best time to visit your healthcare provider is at least six to eight weeks before you travel, especially for older travelers, since it takes longer for vaccines to be effective as the immune system starts to weaken.
Visit a travel clinic. Visit the CDC Traveler’s Health website to find out if you need additional vaccines before your trip. It has handy information listed by country. You may want to consider a visit to a specialized travel clinic, as many primary care physicians don’t stock all required travel vaccines.
Use precautions during travel. Protect yourself by eating and drinking safely, washing hands frequently, preventing bug bites, and keeping a first-aid kit with you at all times.

Following these CDC recommended tips are a guaranteed good start to your summer vacation preparedness. However, the return is just as important as the departure. If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to revisit your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel history, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

For more travel vaccination information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention visit: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

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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.

Trypanophobia- A Fear of Needles

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Studies show that a remarkable 20 percent of the population has some degree of fear of needles or injections and 10 percent within that number suffer from what is known as Trypanophobia. This is an excessive or irrational fear of injections or needles which can be learned or inherited. Many with Trypanophobia avoid getting medical treatment that involves the use of needles, which can prove dangerous for those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes.

The fear of needles can manifest in one of three ways:

1: A vasovagal reflex reaction-where a person may faint or go into convulsions during or after a needle procedure.

2: Classic phobia- which results from traumatic events with symptoms involving feeling anxious, experiencing nausea or difficulty breathing when needles are present.

3: Hypersensitivity to the pain caused by a needle- the skin’s surface becomes extremely sensitive making procedures that involve needles uncomfortable.

There are a few things that can be done to minimize the symptoms of Trypanophobia. They are, using topical anesthetics to numb the skin or avoiding the sight of needles by using covered caps. Diabetics can ask their doctor for products such as inhalable insulin or jet injectors.

Learning to Swim

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

It is summertime and many of us will be spending days off from work or school at the beach, the lake or at a pool getting away from the hot weather. While everyone is having a good time getting wet, are you the person standing by the edge afraid to go in beyond your ankles? If you don’t know how to swim maybe now is the time to learn.
Here are some tips for beginners:
• Don’t swim alone
• Learning in a pool is easier than the ocean
• Only go in up to where you can stand comfortably
• Practice floating by holding on to the sides of a pool
• Always stay calm
• Walk around in the shallow end to get comfortable being in the water
• Put you face in the water and try to blow bubbles
• Swim only where there is a lifeguard on duty
• Once you feel comfortable floating, get a kick board and try moving your feet away from the bottom of the pool
• The key to swimming is all about feeling comfortable in the water. It is great exercise,
Like riding a bicycle, once you learn how to do it, you never forget. All it takes is some confidence, a good teacher to show you proper technique, and time to practice. The local YMCA or high school may even offer classes that you can join.

Flushing Hospital Recognizes World Sickle Cell Day

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Michael Hinck

June 19 has been designated World Sickle Cell Day to help bring attention to this genetic disease that affects an estimated 100,000 Americans.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited form of anemia – a condition in which red blood cells are unable to carry oxygen throughout the body. For most, red blood cells are round and can move easily through blood vessels, but the red blood cells in people with sickle cell disease are crescent, or half-moon shaped. These irregular shaped cells can get stuck in blood vessels, which can slow or block the flow of oxygen to certain parts of the body.

In addition to being irregular in shape, sickle cells are fragile and break apart easily. Normal red blood cells live an average of four months before they die and need to be replaced. Sickle-shaped cells however only live an average of 20 days. The result of this shortage of blood cells is a loss of energy and general sense of fatigue.
Other symptoms of sickle cell disease include:

• Hand-Foot Syndrome – Often the first sign of sickle cell disease. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the hands and feet

• Episodes of Pain – Referred to as a “crisis”, these episodes of pain occur when blood flow is blocked to the chest, abdomen, and joints. The frequency and duration of the episodes vary from person to person, but in severe cases, they can result in hospitalization.

• Frequent Infections and Fever– Sickle Cell can cause damage to the spleen, an organ that fights infection, making those with sickle cell at greater risk of developing an infection and an accompanying fever.

• Changes in Skin – People with sickle cell disease can develop a yellow tint to their skin or the whites of their eyes. Skin and nail beds can often become pale.

• Delayed growth – By not receiving enough oxygen rich red blood cells, those with sickle cell disease may also not get the necessary nutrients essential for growth.

The risk of inheriting sickle cell disease is a genetic one. For a baby to be born with it, both parents must carry the sickle cell gene. Doctors can diagnose sickle cell disease before a child is born. Couples who are at risk for passing on this disease to their children may want to talk with a genetic counselor about prenatal testing. The sickle cell gene is more common in families that come from Africa, India, Carribbean islands, and Central and South America.

To determine if you have sickle cell disease, your doctor can order a test to check for hemoglobin S, the defective form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia. Further tests can confirm the existence of one gene (carrying the sickle cell trait) or two genes (sickle cell anemia). For those who have sickle cell anemia, treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms and avoiding crisis. Regular check-ups to monitor your red blood cell count are important. Medications are available to reduce pain and prevent complications can be prescribed, and blood transfusions, supplemental oxygen and even bone marrow transplants may also be necessary.

Flushing Hospital serves a culturally rich and diverse population. Many members of our community are from the parts of the world most often affected by sickle cell disease. In recognition of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Jamaica Hospital’s encourages anyone living with sickle cell disease to carefully manage their condition. The hospital also recommends all potential parents to be tested for the sickle cell trait.

Men’s Health Month

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

The month of June has been recognized as Men’s Health Month. The reason for this designation is to bring awareness of preventable health issues and to encourage early detection and treatment of diseases prevalent in men.
The leading causes of death among men are:
• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Lung Disease
• Injuries
• Stroke
• HIV/AIDS
Some of the reasons that men tend to have more serious chronic illnesses is because more men than women don’t have health insurance, men tend to have more physically demanding jobs with greater safety risks. Additionally more men smoke than women and they also tend to take greater risks with unsafe behavior.
Women tend to live five years longer than men and one of the reasons for this is that women usually take better care of their health. Men are often guilty of waiting until a disease has progressed to a more serious level before they seek help. There is an old adage that if a man is in a doctor’s waiting room, most likely a woman brought him there for an exam.
During the month of June, organizations across the country hold health awareness campaigns to educate men about various health issues that they may be at risk for and to encourage them to see a doctor regularly. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Tips for Keeping the Weight You Lost-Off

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Losing weight is a great achievement but is only half the battle. The new challenge that lies ahead is keeping the pounds you have lost from returning.

The key to keeping the weight off is to make long-term lifestyle changes that will not only keep you looking good but improve your overall health. Following these tips can help you along your journey of maintaining a healthy weight:

Stick to a low-calorie diet- It has been shown that eating a diet that is low-fat and low-calorie can help maintain weight loss.
Remain physically active- Do not abandon your exercise routine once you have shed pounds. Find a regimen that you can incorporate into your schedule.
Get enough sleep- Studies show that people who are sleep-deprived are more likely to crave unhealthy food.
Do not skip meals- Skipping meals may make you hungrier than normal and cause you to overeat.
Self-monitoring- Routinely weigh yourself and track your food intake to ensure you are maintaining a healthy weight.
Plan meals ahead and stock your kitchen- Planning healthy meals ahead and stocking your kitchen with healthy food can lessen the chances of you diverting back to unhealthy eating habits.

For information about the Bariatric(Weight Loss) Surgery Services at Flushing Hospital or procedures performed by our doctors, please call 718-670-8908

How Smoking Effects Your Oral Health

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

It is no secret that smoking can have a great number of adverse effects on the health of the smoker. It is only natural that oral health would be one of the areas most negatively affected by oral smoke inhalation. The most ideal option to reverse the damage to your teeth caused by smoking is to quit smoking but, in most cases it is easier said than done.

Smoking can cause many serious problems for teeth and oral structures. Gum disease is among the most common oral problems, putting smokers at an increased risk. Smokers are four times more likely to develop this problem than non-smokers. Gum disease occurs when plaque build-up is present. As a result tooth loss can occur. Due to the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, smokers are twice aslikely to suffer tooth loss than non-smokers.

Smokers are at a higher risk for developing leukoplakia, leading to throat, lung, and oral cancers. It can cause the salivary glands to become swollen and contribute to the break-down of bone structure. In addition smokers also have a harder time recovering from dental procedures such as plaque removal treatments, dental implants, and tooth removal.

Due to an increased and steady buildup of plaque and tarter, the teeth of a smoker are less attractive in appearance. Smoking also stains the teeth and can cause bad breath. In some smokers, the tongue can develop a condition known as black hairy tongue, due to a growth that may grow as a result of tobacco use. Smokers may also lose the sensation of taste and smell.

While quitting smoking is the most effective way to ensure better oral health, regular dental visits are a must. Given all of the risks and complications of smoking on oral health it is very important that smokers do not skip regular checkups with their dentists. During these visits, dentists can watch for signs of developing gum disease and oral cancers. Everyone should visit their dentist twice a year, but those who smoke should consider more frequent visits.

The Dental Department at Flushing Hospital Medical Center specializes in a wide selection of dental services. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5521. The journey to quit smoking can be difficult, but you do not have to do it alone. Flushing Hospital’s smoking cessation team wants to help you develop a plan leading to your “quit day”. For more information please call 718-206-8494.

Don’t Let Fireworks BURN Your Summer

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks displays. However, along with these activities are increased visits to the hospital emergency room, especially over the July 4^th holiday.

Fireworks are ILLEGAL in New York State, including the five boroughs and are extremely dangerous when they are not being used by a professional. Fireworks burn at extremely high temperatures and can rapidly burn through clothing and skin. Items such as sparklers are mistakenly thought to be safe when they are actually quite dangerous.

If fireworks ARE LEGAL to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:

Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Older children should use them only under the close supervision of an adult
Never light fireworks indoors
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks in case of fire

This year, have a safe Fourth of July and leave the firework displays to the trained professionals. If you have questions about fireworks displays and safety, you can visit The National Council on Firework Safety webpage at http://www.fireworksafety.org. Take the test and learn just how much you know about fireworks safety.

Breastfeeding While On-The-Go This Summer

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Michael Hinck

For mothers who breastfeed, the warmer weather can mean more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with their baby, however breastfeeding on the go can present some challenges. No need to worry though, follow these simple tips and you and your baby can enjoy all the outdoor fun that summer brings.

• Stay Hydrated – One of the most important things to remember is to drink enough water, especially when the temperature rises. Be sure to carry water with you when you are out. As long as you stay hydrated and breastfeed often, your baby will get the fluids he or she needs.

• Take a Dip – Relaxing poolside with your baby can be beneficial since breastfeeding works best when the both of you are relaxed. Taking a quick dip with your baby before breastfeeding will relax and cool off both of you and provide better results. The cuddle time you experience in the pool is also a great bonding experience.

• Dress Accordingly – Summer weather provides more opportunities to breastfeed discreetly, even while in public. In the summer, we tend to wear less layers and our clothing is lighter, which is optimal for breastfeeding. Since we are not confined to crowded indoor areas, mothers can find a shady tree in a park to breastfeed as a more private experience.

• Travel Prepared – Be sure to pack the necessary safeguards while traveling with your baby this summer. To protect your baby from the heat and the sun, use a stroller with a canopy. If your stroller does not have one, try to protect your baby with an umbrella or brimmed hat. Also be sure to apply sunscreen regularly, even when the sun does not seem strong.

By following these summer breastfeeding tips, both you and your baby can enjoy all the fun that summer has to offer.

Are You at Risk for Developing Cataracts?

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally. They are very common in older adults- in fact; it is estimated that more than 75% of people over the age of 65 will develop cataracts. Although less common, people can develop this medical condition in their forties and fifties as well.

As you age, proteins in the eye begin to break down, causing clouding in the lens and the formation of cataracts. Many who are affected are unaware that this process is occurring because cataracts grow very slowly and does not impede vision during its early stages. There are symptoms that can indicate the development of cataracts. Here are some that you can look out for:

Colors appear faded
Clarity in vision decreases and cannot be corrected with eyeglasses
An increase in sensitivity to light and glare
Halos appearing around lights
Poor night vision
Frequent changes in prescription eyewear
Double vision

Some people are more at risk of developing cataracts than others. These factors increase your risks:

Diabetes
Exposure to prolonged durations of sunlight
Heavy drinking
Smoking
Obesity
Family history
Advanced age
High blood pressure
Previous eye injury or surgery

June is Cataract Awareness Month. During this time, Flushing Hospital Medical Center wants you to know, there are several things you can do to be proactive and slow the progression of cataracts. Eating healthy is a good start. A balanced diet rich in vitamin C has shown to be effective. Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from the Sun’s UV rays. If you are a smoker- stop smoking and drink in moderation. Early detection can save your eyesight therefore, scheduling routine eye exams is very important.