Health Beat

Protecting Our Skin’s Barrier

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

Our skin is the largest and one of our most important organs. It helps to prevent several external threats such as bacteria from entering the body and excessive amounts of water from leaving the body.

There are three layers of protection that make up our skin. The first or outermost layer is called the epidermis, the second layer is called the dermis, and the third is the hypodermis.

The epidermis acts as our protective barrier —our first line of defense. Without its protection, harmful toxins, irritants, and other substances could penetrate our skin. This layer of skin also helps to retain moisture and keep us hydrated.

Damage to the skin’s barrier could lead to several health problems including infections, inflammation, dryness, sensitivity, redness, acne, or premature aging.

Given the importance of the skin’s barrier to our health, it is important that we take good care of it. Here are 10 ways we can achieve this:

Apply sunscreen daily
Remove impurities by gently cleansing the skin (avoid using cleansers that contain sulfates)
Avoid using harsh chemicals on the skin such as retinoids for extended periods
Use plant oils such as coconut oil or almond oil to replenish the skin barrier
Use products that include ceramides and humectants
Use moisturizers that include hyaluronic acid
Avoid long hot baths or showers
Avoid over-washing and over-scrubbing skin
Drink daily recommended amounts of water
Eat healthy foods

To maintain the health of our skin’s barrier, most dermatologists recommend a simple care routine that involves gently cleansing the skin morning and night and using moisturizers that are rich in active ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid.

If you are experiencing skin damage for a prolonged time, it is best to see a dermatologist to assess the root of the problem and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Your doctor may recommend removing certain products from your skin routine, using simple but effective products, or making lifestyle changes.

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.

Halloween 2022 Safety Tips

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Halloween is a family-favorite holiday full of spooky fun and lots of candy. However, it can also present many opportunities for injury as kids take to the streets in pursuit of trick-or-treat goodies.

Statistics show that roughly four times as many children between the ages of five and 14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared to other evenings of the year. Injuries due to falls and other accidents are also common among children on Halloween.

Parents can help minimize the risk of children getting injured on this holiday by following these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council.

On Halloween, children should:

Go only to well-lit houses.
Remain on porches without actually entering a house.
Travel in small groups accompanied by an adult.
Use flexible, non-sharp plastic props for costume pieces such as knives and swords.
When walking through neighborhoods trick-or-treating, use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
Cross at appropriately-designated crosswalks and do not cross between parked cars.
Be sure to stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
Wear clothing or costumes that are bright, reflective, and flame-retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of masks that can obstruct a child’s vision.
Avoid wearing hats that will slide over children’s eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes that may cause kids to trip.
Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.

On Halloween, parents and adults should:

Supervise trick-or-treating for children under the age of 12.
Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
Ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters.
Make sure children under the age of 10 are supervised as they cross the street.
Drive slowly.
Watch for children in the street and on medians.
Exit driveways and alleyways slowly and carefully.
Have children get out of cars on the side of the sidewalk, not the street.

Follow these tips to keep both your children and yourself safe this year. Have a happy and fun Halloween!

What Are Doctors Checking for During a Physical Exam ?

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Flushing Hospital

During a physical examination, doctors inspect different parts of our bodies to check for symptoms or potential health problems. They may peer inside our ears, shine a light in our eyes, and look inside our mouths for tell-tale signs, here are some of the medical reasons why they do so:

Shining a light in your eyes- Our eyes can reveal a great deal about our health. Doctors shine a light in our eyes to evaluate how well our pupils respond. In healthy eyes, the pupils will shrink and maintain their round shape. Doctors may also look at the color of your eyes during an examination. Red eyes mays signal irritation and yellow eyes can serve as a warning sign for liver problems.
Peering into your ears – By using an otoscope, doctors can check for signs of infection. Some otoscopes can send a puff of air into the ear canal, this helps doctors to see your eardrum and how it moves when there is pressure in your ear canal.
Pressing your stomach-Doing so can help doctors determine if the size of your internal organs is normal. Additionally, your doctor may check for pain, tenderness, or firmness. Doctors may also listen to your stomach with a stethoscope to check for bowel problems.
Looking into your mouth- Our mouths can also tell us a lot about our health. Doctors look at the back of our throats to see if there are any infections. They also look at the color and texture of our tongues which can be indicative of infections or other underlying medical conditions.
Listening to your heart or lungs – By using a stethoscope, your doctor may listen to your heart to check for heart murmurs, irregular rhythms, or signs of congestive heart failure. Doctors listen to your lungs to check for wheezing, fluid build-up, or infections.

Getting an annual physical is very important for your health. A physical examination can help your doctor to detect problems that can pose a serious threat to your overall wellness.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

What is Chorionic Villus Sampling?

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Approximately 120,000 babies are born each year with a genetic defect, leading to one in five children dying within their first year of life. This is why genetic testing is an essential component of effective pre-natal care and a valuable means of identifying potential health issues for your child early. One such diagnostic method is chorionic villus sampling.

This test takes a tissue sample from the placenta to determine whether your baby may have chromosomal abnormalities or other genetic problems. It’s typically performed between the 10^th and 12^th weeks of pregnancy and is followed by a blood test between weeks 16 and 18 to check for neural tube defects.

Chorionic villus sampling may be conducted in two ways. The first, referred to as transcervical chorionic villus sampling, obtains a tissue sample from the placenta through a catheter inserted in your cervix. The second method, transabdominal sampling, obtains this sample through a needle inserted through your abdomen and uterus.

If you have a family history of genetic disorders, you may be recommended to undergo this procedure. It may also be recommended if your other genetic and diagnostic tests have shown abnormal results or if you will be 35 years of age or older by your pregnancy due date.

If your doctor does not make a recommendation for you to receive this test, you may still choose to do so. However, this procedure is invasive and comes with some risks, such as cramping, bleeding, infection, preterm labor, and rarely, more serious problems such as infant limb defects or miscarriage.

You should discuss the benefits and risks of chorionic villus sampling with a doctor. You can schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Department by calling (718) 670-5702.

Hyperglycemia

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

The American Diabetes Association defines hyperglycemia as the technical term for having high blood glucose or high blood sugar.

High blood sugar can occur in people with diabetes as a result of eating certain foods, skipping, or not taking the correct dosage of insulin. Other causes are taking certain medications, infections, or severe illnesses.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia do not present immediately in most cases. They typically develop slowly, over several days or weeks. According to the Mayo Clinic, hyperglycemia usually doesn’t cause symptoms until blood sugar (glucose) levels are high — above 180 to 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 10 to 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Symptoms of hyperglycemia can include:

Increased thirst
Dry mouth
Fruity-smelling breath
Frequent urination
Blurred vision

It is important to pay attention to symptoms because hyperglycemia can become a serious health problem if left untreated. Ongoing high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage as well as damage to blood vessels and organs. Potentially life-threatening complications such as ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) could also occur.

If you are experiencing symptoms of hyperglycemia, consult your physician right away. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

What is a Liver Hemangioma?

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Approximately 5% of the general population will develop a liver hemangioma at some point during their lives. Liver hemangiomas are the most common type of benign liver lesion, meaning that they generally are not a cause for concern if you’re diagnosed with one. Occasionally, however, they can lead to certain unpleasant symptoms and potentially serious complications.

Liver hemangiomas are more likely to cause symptoms when they’re larger than average. Typically, they’re only about three centimeters, but can be as much as ten centimeters in size. Abnormally large liver hemangiomas can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. Rarely, they can also compress blood vessels, cause bleeding in the abdominal cavity, lead to blood clotting, scarring, or calcium deposits, or potentially cause serious internal bleeding due to a rupture in the tumor.

It isn’t clear what causes liver hemangiomas to develop, but they’re more common in middle-aged people assigned female at birth. This may be due to a connection between liver hemangiomas and high estrogen levels.

These lesions may be mistaken for cancer when they lack typical identifiable features, though this is rare and diagnostic imaging can usually help to distinguish the two. Liver hemangiomas typically remain stable rather than changing shape or spreading from another part of the body, as cancer typically does.

Most liver hemangiomas won’t require treatment unless they seem to be growing. In this case, your doctor may want to prevent further growth by blocking the lesion’s blood supply. Surgical removal of the lesion may be recommended in severe cases.

If you’re experiencing symptoms that may indicate the presence of a liver hemangioma, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

Three Tips for Encouraging Exercise in Kids

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Over one-fifth of children throughout the United States experience obesity, putting them at risk for serious chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, joint and breathing problems, and type two diabetes. This is partially due to the fact that less than a quarter of children between the ages of six and 17 engage in at least an hour of physical activity each day.

Regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools for preventing childhood obesity. It also offers additional benefits such as improved cognitive performance and classroom behavior.

There are many recreational options for children to choose from. Unfortunately, non-physical activities such as video games and social media compete for their attention and are more easily accessible than physical activities. Therefore, it’s important that parents make physical activities as equally appealing and engaging as possible. Here are a few effective ways this can be achieved:

Focus on fun: Kids are much more likely to stick with something that they find enjoyable. The desire to become more skilled, play with friends, or feel a greater sense of self-confidence may all factor into this enjoyment. If they’d like to explore an activity that they believe may be fun or are already enjoying something they’re starting to participate in, encourage them to keep it up and do what you can to facilitate it.

Try different activities with your child: Kids may not have much interest in sports or other activities that have no previous positive connotations in their minds. Trying out a few different activities with them yourself not only provides a reference point, but allows for bonding opportunities with you and all who participate.

Make exercise rewarding: Even if you succeed in getting your child interested in a particular activity, they may devote too much time to it at the expense of other obligations such as academics. Emphasize that recreational activity, while important, is a reward for keeping up with prioritized obligations.

If your child is experiencing medical problems preventing them from participating in physical activities, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-3007.

Spiced Applesauce Bread

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

Fall has arrived and we would like to share a recipe from allrecipes using applesauce as one of the ingredients. It is easy to make and everyone will enjoy it. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17683/spiced-applesauce-bread/

National Bullying Prevention Month

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

As much as 20% of children aged 12 to 18 experiencing bullying throughout the United States. It is a prevalent issue that can happen at school, home, online, or in any other place where children regularly spend time.

Bullying is a problem that holds consequences for both victims and perpetrators. Kids who get bullied are at higher risk for mental and emotional issues such as depression and anxiety, health issues, and decreased academic performance. Bullies themselves are at higher risk for substance abuse, criminal behavior, and dropping out of school. Even kids who witness bullying may face a higher risk of substance abuse, mental health problems, and absenteeism.

Deadly consequences can occur as a result of bullying. It can contribute to a victim’s risk of committing suicide or, in rare cases, to extremely violent retaliatory measures such as a mass shooting.

Preventing bullying effectively involves helping children understand bullying, teaching them how to respond to it, and providing positive examples for them to follow. You can achieve these objectives by:

Providing a clear explanation of what bullying is and how it affects others.
Helping children to identify bullying and encouraging them to report it to an adult.
Teaching children to treat people with respect, kindness, and empathy.

If you believe that your child is experiencing mental health or developmental problems that are causing them to bully other children or are a result of their experiences as a victim of bullying, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department by calling (718) 670-5213 now.

What is Lipedema?

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Nearly 11% of adult women worldwide suffer from lipedema, a chronic condition that causes an abnormal buildup of fat in the lower body.

Lipedema occurs almost exclusively in people assigned female at birth and typically begins or worsens during periods of significant hormonal change in the body such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. No specific cause other than genetics has been identified for lipedema.

Although more than half of all patients with this condition are obese, the fat buildup that occurs in patients with lipedema is not necessarily linked directly with the same factors that cause obesity, since calorie restrictions in these patients can cause them to lose weight in their upper body without losing fat in the lower body.

The link between lipedema and obesity also extends to comorbidities that commonly occur alongside this condition. Many people who suffer from this disease may also experience hypothyroidism, venous insufficiency, arthritis, and other chronic conditions for which obesity is a known risk factor.

Aside from fat accumulation, lipedema also causes tenderness and swelling in the affected areas. People with this condition may bruise more easily in these areas and feel a consistent level of pain. Additionally, the accumulated fat can block the body’s lymphatic pathway, causing another condition called lymphedema that involves a buildup of lymph fluid.

Several treatments are available for people with lipedema. Manual lymphatic drainage therapy, which is performed through gentle stretching and massaging of the skin, can help remove waste and break up fibrosis in limbs affected by this condition. Complex decongestive therapy, another noninvasive treatment that prevents lymph fluid buildup, also reduces inflammation and swelling in affected areas.

In severe cases, invasive surgery may be required to effectively treat lipedema. Wet-jet assisted liposuction can remove fat while minimizing the risk of damage to lymph vessels, while bariatric surgery may be helpful for patients with both lipedema and obesity.

You can find a physician to help you create a lipedema treatment plan at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.