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History of Instrument Sterilization

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Instruments that come in contact with the body during all surgical procedures and many non-surgical procedures must be free of all microbial elements. This is to ensure that the risk of infection is kept to a minimum.
Throughout history different methods were adopted using materials that were available at that time. In 3000 BC the Egyptians used pitch and tar as antiseptics. In later years the fumes from burning sulfur were found to cleanse objects of infectious material.
In 1680 a French physicist, Denis Papin invented a pressure cooker that would trap boiling water, convert it into steam, and was found to cleanse objects by cooking them. This device was further improved upon during the next two hundred years and it became possible to additionally sterilize linens, dressings, gowns using steam. Two major contributions to the art of sterilization came in the 1860’s when the French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur wrote extensively on how germs cause disease and the English physician, Joseph Lister, developed a technique that used carbolic acid as a spray to disinfect instruments. During the late 1800’s steam sterilization became much more widespread. Surgical instruments were also being made out of materials that were better able to withstand high levels of heat. This allowed them to be processed at higher temperatures and were being made with smooth surfaces which allowed for more thorough cleaning.
During the 1900’s various improvements were introduced. This included sterilization with steam, irradiation, with glutaraldehyde. More recently, sterilization of instruments can be achieved using high temperature / high pressure, ultraviolet light, and the most commonly used chemical for sterilization is ethylene oxide. It can be used on almost all instruments, both metal and non-metal.
The importance of cleanliness when it involves objects that come in contact with the body cannot be stressed enough. It was recognized in ancient times and improvements are still evolving today for the safety of patients.

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 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.

Stress and Mental Health: Know Your Limits

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Stress—even the word alone can make you tense up a bit or set off a chain reaction of things that constantly keep your mind going. Some people may handle their stress more effectively or recover from stressful events quicker than others. We hear a lot of sayings about not worrying about the things we cannot control and not sweating the small stuff but, the fact remains, everyone feels stressed from time to time.

How often have you daydreamed of being an adult as a kid? When we’re younger we envy the freedom to do what we want as adults but, once we become adults we begin to miss the freedom of being a kid and not having to do too much. As an adult we have to cater to responsibilities, work to pay bills, meet deadlines, sometimes raise children and provide for our families. All of these things if not managed properly can lead to stress.

Prolonged exposure to stress can result in a decline in mental health. There at least three different types of stress, all of which carry physical and mental health risks:

Routine stress related to the pressures of work, family and other routine responsibilities
Stress caused by a sudden negative change such as, losing a job, past due bills, or illness
Traumatic stress from an event like a major accident, war, or assault

Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress — a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases. The effects of stress usually build up over time. Taking practical measures to maintain your health and outlook can reduce or prevent these effects.

Managing your time is an important part of keeping your stress levels low. The following are some tips that may help you to cope with stress:

Talk about your problems to friends, family for emotional support or write them down in a journal. Sometimes releasing our problems helps us to deal with them.
Recognize signs of your body’s response to stress, such as trouble sleeping, increased alcohol intake or substance abuse, feeling depressed, having low energy, and being short-tempered.
Exercise regularly. A short walk can help boost your mood and reduce stress.
Set your priorities in order of importance and know when to say no when your tasks begin piling up.
Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing activities.
Explore stress coping techniques like yoga, meditation or other gentle exercises.
Avoid dwelling on problems. Take note of all that you have accomplished without focusing on what you haven’t been able to complete yet.
Breathing exercises when you feel yourself becoming tense

The Link Between Asthma and Sinus Infections

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Living with asthma is difficult. Part of that difficulty is the increased chances of developing sinusitis – or a sinus infection. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as half of all people with moderate to severe asthma, also have chronic sinusitis.

Sinus infections can make you feel miserable. Without good treatment, they can last for months or even years. The existence of asthma can only make chronic sinusitis feel worse – and having sinusitis can make your asthma harder to control.

But there’s good news! There are lots of treatments available for both sinus infections and asthma. And studies have shown that by treating one condition often helps relieve the symptoms of the other. The key is to treat both conditions aggressively.

Treatment is important in preventing sinusitis from worsening. Again, since the conditions are linked, treating sinusitis may have the added benefit of improving your asthma symptoms.

If you have sinusitis and asthma, your doctor might recommend the following:

• Steroid nasal sprays areused to reduce the swelling and ease the inflammation of the sinuses, allowing them to drain normally.

• Decongestant and antihistamine medicines can be helpful, but overuse can lead to more congestion. Try spraying warm salt water into the nose, or breathing in steam as an option.

• If the infection is bacterial and not viral, antibiotics can help, but the full dosage of the medication should be taken even if symptoms improve immediately

• Controlling exposure to allergens is key. It can minimize your asthma symptoms and reduce your risk of sinus infections.

If you have asthma, it is important to treat a sinus infection immediately. It will help you better manage your asthma. To make an appointment to see a doctor to manage your asthma or to treat a sinus infection, please call 718-670-5486.

February is American Heart Month

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Over 50 years ago President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the month of February to be American Heart Month in order to bring attention to one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This tradition has been carried on by every President since.
Each year over 800,000 lives are taken as a result of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Every 84 seconds someone in the United States dies from the disease and each year approximately 750,000 people experience a heart attack and of those, about 115,000 will not survive.
The American Heart Association recommends the following behavioral modifications to prevent heart disease:
• Avoid smoking
• Engage in some form of daily physical activity
• Follow a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Control cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels
The death rate from heart disease has been improving slowly over the last decade due to advances in medications, better diagnostic capabilities, and better access to health care, but the statistics are still pretty alarming. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Does Your Child Have a Vision Problem?

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Joann Ariola

When a child can’t see well, you might expect them to verbalize their inability to see clearly or complain of headaches, but a child may not say that they are having trouble with their vision because they don’t realize that the world isn’t supposed to be blurry.

Surprisingly, as many as one out of four children in school have vision problems and a large number of children with vision problems go undetected. When vision impairment goes undiagnosed, their behavior can be misdiagnosed as a learning disability.

Some common signs of vision problems are:

Omitting letters, words or phrases
Writing that is difficult to read, crowded or inconsistent in size
Mistaking words with similar beginnings
Miscalling or omitting “small” words
Losing place while reading
Misaligning digits in columns of numbers
Writing uphill or downhill
Reversing letters (d for b) or words (saw for was)
Rereads or skips words while reading
Lip reading or whisper reading to reinforce comprehension

Parents and educators may assume that when a child passes a school vision screening, there is no vision problem. However, school vision screenings often only test for visual sharpness. A child who can see 20/20 can still have a vision problem.

If your child exhibits any of the signs and symptoms listed above, you may want to make an appointment for an eye exam with an Ophthalmologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center. For an appointment, call 718-206-5900.

What is the most common blood type of people living in the U.S.?

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

What is the most common blood type of people living in the United States?

1. Type O positive

2. Type A negative

3. Type B positive

The answer is 3- Type O positive.

There are eight different common kinds of blood types: O +, O -, A +, A -, B +, B -, AB + and AB. Blood types are inherited and determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens, which are markers used by the body to identify red blood cells as belonging to your system. These antigens communicate with your body to either accept or reject any foreign substances. During blood transfusions, medical professionals have to take the utmost care in matching blood types. Incompatible blood will be signaled as a foreign entity and can be rejected by the body, causing an adverse reaction.

The chart below indicates compatible blood types:

Cavity Prevention for Children

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Dental cavities can be prevented for most children. To keep those pearly whites pearly it takes being mindful about eating, drinking and brushing habits along with being knowledgeable about your child’s water supply. Remember, every time we eat or drink something that contains sugar or starches, bacteria in our mouth uses the sugar and starch to produce acids. These acids begin to eat away at the tooth’s enamel. Our saliva can help fight off this acid attack unless there are a lot of foods high in starch and sugar in your diet. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on how often your children eat as well as what they eat.

A key source in strengthening teeth against cavities is fluoride. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste is important for preventing cavities. Most bottled water does not contain enough fluoride to prevent tooth decay. If your child drinks only bottled water, speak with a dentist about whether your child needs additional fluoride in the form of a vitamin, varnish, or gel.

Young children cannot get their teeth clean by themselves. For children aged two to six, it is recommended that an adult puts the toothpaste on the brush. Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.Try brushing your child’s teeth first, then let him/her finish. Until they are seven or eight years old, you will need to help your child brush.

Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it. Children under six years old tend to swallow much of the toothpaste on their brush. If children regularly consume higher-than-recommended amounts of fluoride during the teeth-forming years (age eight and younger), their permanent teeth may develop white lines or flecks called dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is usually mild; in many cases, only a dental professional would notice it. (In children under age two, dental experts recommend that you do not use fluoride toothpaste unless directed by a dentist.)

It is recommended that children see their dentist every six months for regular check-ups and cavity prevention. To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital Dental Center, please call 718-670-5521.

Avoid the “Double Dip” at Your Next Party

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Michael Hinck

You may have seen the infamous episode of the popular sitcom, Seinfeld where George “double dips” at a social gathering – basically scooping dip onto his chip, taking a bite, and then placing that same chip back in the bowl for another serving. Someone sees this and tells him that double dipping is like “putting your whole mouth in the dip”. The scene is often referenced and has become part of pop-culture lure, but is there any truth to this notion? Are “double dippers” really spreading germs by committing this offense?

The topic was so intriguing, that it prompted students at Clemson University to conduct an investigation about the potential dangers of double dipping. By comparing how much bacteria is transferred into dip from unbitten versus bitten crackers, the students were able to draw some interesting conclusions. First the dip was tested after the unbitten cracker was used. The results found no detectable bacteria present in the dip after that cracker was used. Next the dip was tested after the bitten, or double dipped cracker was submerged. Here the results were much different. Once subjected to double dipping, as many as 1,000 bacteria were detected in the dip.

What does this mean? There are thousands of different types of bacteria living in our mouths, and some of them transmit viruses like the flu. While Seinfeld made the term double dipping popular, perhaps the most infamous double dipper of all time was cook 19th century cook Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary. She was thought to have spread typhoid to many New England families as she tasted the food she was preparing for them.

Keeping that in mind, there is still a concern over transmitting bacteria via the double dip. So the next time you are at a party and you notice someone double dipping, you might want to avoid partaking in the dip and chips.

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.