BeatBeatHEALTHA Publication of MediSys Health Network | Winter 2010

WALK OFF WINTER

JOINTPAIN

Page 4

Diagnosing Congenital

Heart DefectsPage 5

A New Homefor Rehabilitative

ServicesPage 6

NO BUTTS

About ItAs the New Year approaches,

Winter-Proof the Skin You’re InMost people notice

2 | Winter 2010

now is the time to make a resolution worth keeping. This holiday season, make a commitment to stop smoking.

One of the single most important steps toward living a healthier life is quitting smoking. The health impacts of cigarette smoking are tremendous, and the habit can eventually cause cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and stroke. Ultimately, smoking accounts for nearly one of every five deaths in the United States.

Quitting smoking might seem like an impossible task; however, by finding a treatment plan that suits your needs,

you can break your nicotine addiction. Several treatment options are available, including nicotine replacement medicine or products such as patches and gum, stop-smoking programs, support groups, and counseling from a physician, nurse, or therapist. Using one of these approaches or a combination of them may greatly increase the chance that your next attempt to quit will be successful.

To speak with a physician to decide which method is best for you, please call 718-206-6742.

their skin becomes uncomfortably dry during the winter, but for those with existing skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, the season can be unbearable. People with either dermatological condition may notice flare-ups during the fall and winter months because the cold temperature and low humidity outside, combined with dry indoor heat, can increase skin irritation.

Follow these tips to winterize your skin care routine:• Limit exposure. Bundle up to shield your

skin from winter weather and try to stay out of the elements as much as possible on especially cold and windy days.

• Reduce tub time. Take shorter baths and showers with lukewarm water instead of hot water.

• Shop carefully. Look for milder soap and skin-care products without fragrances or dyes. Avoid antibacterial soap and harsh detergents, which can dry and irritate the skin.

• Moisturize daily. If your face and hands are extremely dry, your summer moisturizer may not be strong enough during the winter. Look for an oil-based, noncomedogenic (not pore-clogging) product that will create a protective layer on the skin.

• Hydrate and protect. Drink plenty of water each day and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to your face and hands before heading outside.

Psoriasis symptoms may also increase due to lack of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, which curbs the rapid skin cell growth characteristic of this condition. As a result, psoriasis-sufferers may want to consider trying UV light therapy in addition to the tips listed.

To make an appointment with a dermatologist, please call 718-206-6742.

Dodging Winter Depression

The winter months come with cold weather, shorter days, and limited outdoor activities. For many, this brings out feelings of fatigue, irritability, and anxiousness.

It is estimated as many

SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

You can take several steps to stave off winter-

onset seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or alleviate its symptoms, including: » Exercise regularly to relieve stress and tension, which can increase symptoms of winter-onset SAD. » Get together with family and friends to keep from becoming isolated. » Let more sunlight into your home by opening blinds and trimming outdoor plants that block windows. » Spend time outdoors, as even daylight on cloudy days can benefit your mood.

MOOD SWINGERS

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as half a million people in the United States

experience winter-onset depression, a type of depression associated with cold-weather months. With a physician’s help, however, winter-onset depression is a treatable condition.

Winter-onset depression is the most common form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression associated with changing seasons. The cause of the condition is unclear, but it may be related to changes in an individual’s circadian rhythm (biological clock) that result from reduced exposure to sunlight in winter.

Winter-onset SAD typically lasts from late fall or early winter to the beginning of summer. SAD usually appears in people age 20 or older, with women experiencing more cases of the disorder than men. SAD is more likely to occur as a person ages, and individuals living in northern regions are more vulnerable to winter-onset SAD.

Every person’s experience with winter-onset SAD is different, but common symptoms include:• changes in appetite• weight gain• low energy level and fatigue• difficulty concentrating• irritability and anxiety

• avoidance of social situations• lack of interest in favorite activitiesWinter-onset SAD is fairly predictable,

as symptoms tend to occur at the same time each year.

“Many people with winter-onset SAD may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, who can assess a patient’s symptoms and formulate a treatment plan,” says Seeth Vivek, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. “Possible treatments include medication, behavior therapy, and light therapy.”

Light therapy acts as a substitute for the limited sunlight available during the winter months. Patients receiving this treatment sit in front of a light box or wear a light visor for 30 minutes per day, and if the therapy proves effective, they continue it until spring. Light therapy has few side effects, though it can cause eyestrain and headache.

When it comes to preventing winter-onset SAD, your best bet is to stay active. Search for activities to do around the house and guard against isolation by scheduling get-togethers with friends.

For more information about winter depression or to make an appointment to speak with a member of the Psychiatry Department, please call 718-206-7135.

The Centers for Disease Control

Ease the PainThe winter months have settled in—and so have we. With colder temperatures, fewer hours of daylight, and wintry conditions, the weather keeps many people indoors, especially those with arthritis.

Beyond improving your overall health and sense of well-being, adding exercise to your daily routine has far-reaching effects, especially for people with arthritis. These include: » keeping joints affected by arthritis in motion » maintaining healthy, strong bones » making daily tasks more manageable » strengthening muscles around the joints

COLD CONDITIONS

Despite colder temperatures, walking outdoors has more health benefits than you may initially realize. With the appropriate outerwear, including gloves, a hat, and a scarf, winter walking can provide you with these health boosts: » stronger bones—By walking during daylight hours, your body manufactures vitamin D after being exposed to sunlight. This essential vitamin aids in absorbing calcium, which strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Getting 15 minutes of sunshine two or three times a week should provide enough vitamin D to help protect your bones. » sunnier outlook—Sunshine also can boost your mood, especially during the months when we tend to stay indoors and socialize less frequently. Try walking with a friend or co-worker during the day to add positive interaction and decrease pain.

WALKING FOR HEALTH

4 | Winter 2010

and Prevention estimates that nearly one in five Americans has some form of arthritis, making it the most common cause of disability in the United States. The two most common conditions are: • osteoarthritis—The most

common form of arthritis, this degenerative joint disease results in swelling, stiffness, and pain.

• rheumatoid arthritis—This autoimmune disorder is a chronic condition that affects multiple joints.

The results of several studies support anecdotal evidence that cold weather is a contributing factor in increasing joint pain for people with arthritis. The good news is researchers have also found a positive correlation between regular exercise and decreased arthritis pain.

“It’s especially important for arthritis sufferers to stay active during the winter months. Through exercise, people can relieve symptoms of arthritis and improve their overall health,” says Katerina Teller, MD,

Rheumatologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. “Our specialists and physical therapists work with patients to develop individualized exercise regimens that help alleviate their pain.”

To make an appointment about your arthritis with a rheumatologist, please call 718-206-6742.

HelpingScreening for heart problems

is most effective at 16 to 20 weeks of a baby’s gestation. A fetal echocardiogram provides detailed images of the heart as well as specifics about its function.

“With the fetal anatomical scan, we can see whether the heart looks abnormal or enlarged and detect fetal arrhythmia,” says Jayendra Sharma, MD, Director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. “Diagnosis at this stage allows us to better counsel parents on surgical management of the defect and give them a road map of care once the baby is born. We like to deliver babies in this high-risk group in a controlled environment where the diagnosis can be

confirmed and appropriate medical care can be administered immediately.”

POSTNATAL DIAGNOSISFetal echocardiograms help

diagnose more than half of children with congenital heart defects. An infant with a congenital heart defect may display symptoms such as difficulty feeding, breathing, or gaining weight; turning blue when feeding or crying; and recurrent pneumonia or bacterial infections.

“Postnatal diagnosis begins with a complete physical examination, X-rays of the heart and lungs, an

electrocardiogram, and an echocardiogram,” says

Dr. Sharma. “The Pediatric Cardiology Department at Jamaica Hospital has the technology and medical staff to

diagnosis your child’s heart condition—before

or after he or she is

born—and provide timely treatment to help your child live a healthy life.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sharma for fetal monitoring, call 718-206-7100. For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Sharma for infants and older children, call 718-206-7591.

The early weeks of pregnancy are a critical time of development and when most congenital birth defects occur. Not all heart conditions can be prevented, but women can take the following steps before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy to reduce their child’s risk of having a heart defect: » Stay away from people with fevers caused by the flu and other illnesses. » Avoid contact with organic solvents found in de-greasing/cleaning agents, paints, and varnishes. » Discuss all medications, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications, with a physician to learn of possible dangers to a developing fetus. » Schedule checkups with a physician prior to conception. Ask to be tested for rubella immunity and, if not immune, get vaccinated. Women who have diabetes, phenylketonuria, or other chronic health conditions should receive instructions on adjustments to diet or medications for a healthy pregnancy. » Take a multivitamin that contains 400 micrograms of folic acid for healthy brain and spinal cord development and possible heart development benefits.

For every 1,000 births, eight children have congenital heart defects ranging from mild to severe. The causes of most defects are unknown, but they may be diagnosed with prenatal testing before the child is born.

HEART-HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Tiny Hearts

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General Information 718-206-6000

Admitting 718-206-6075

Ambulatory Care Center718-206-7001

Billing Department 718-206-6869

Cardiology Department718-206-6742

Dental Department718-206-6980

Emergency Department718-206-6066

Family Medicine Center718-657-7093

Medicine Department718-206-6668

Nursing Department718-206-6640

Obstetrics/Gynecology Department 718-206-6808

Orthopedics Department718-206-6923

PCAP Program718-206-8585

Pediatrics Department 718-206-6938

Pharmacy–Outpatient718-206-8515

Psychiatry–Outpatient718-206-7071

Radiology718-206-6138

Surgery Department 718-206-6715

Trump Pavilion718-206-5000

W.I.C. Program 718-206-8600

Women’s Health Center 718-291-3276

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

If you would like to subscribe to Health Beat,

please call the Public Affairs Department at 718-206-6020.

This publication was made possible through funds provided by

NYC Council Member Thomas White, Jr., and NYC Council Member Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

6 | Winter 2010

The expanded Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation opened

in July 2009. The new 125,000-square-foot facility has 226 beds and provides long-term and short-term stays for patients in need of daily nursing care and rehabilitation. Among the new facility’s features are expanded dining areas, patient lounges with Internet access, a hair salon, a fully equipped gym, and more spacious patient rooms. The expansion has created a comfortable, homelike atmosphere for patients as they undergo rehabilitation.

“We will be able to increase our annual admissions to approximately 800 patients with the new facility,” says Greg Bradley, Executive Vice President of Trump Pavilion. “We’re happy to be able to provide more residents of the community with expert rehabilitative care.”

REHABILITATION SERVICESThe Trump Pavilion offers

comprehensive rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and postsurgical wound care services.

Short-term acute rehab is administered by licensed and highly trained therapists who work closely with each patient to provide individualized care for two to five weeks following admission. Therapists use cutting-edge technology and advanced therapeutic techniques to increase circulation, strengthen muscles, improve balance, and restore complete ambulation skills.

A staff of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, and unit service coordinators are available 24 hours a day for any care needs that may arise.

RECREATION THERAPYTo provide our residents with

the therapeutic benefits of social interaction and peer support, the Recreation Therapy Department schedules a range of fun and engaging social and educational activities, including discussion groups, arts and crafts, bowling, live entertainment, bingo, day trips, cooking classes, movies, and library services.

“We are committed to providing our patients with everything we can to make their stay here as comfortable as possible,” says Bradley. “The well-being of our patients is our number-one priority.”

For more information about services at Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation, call 718-206-5108.

More Than 30 Years of Quality Care