MEDICINE PROFILES IN
AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL • MAY 18 - 24, 2022
Food Allergies Mental Health Hepatitis Outbreak
Dr. Marlene L. Levy PhD, LCSW, DAAPM CONTACT: 516.944.3885 CLINICAL HYPNOSIS /PSYCHOTHERAPY ANXIETY • STRESS MANAGEMENT • RELATIONSHIP THERAPY • INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY ISSUES
Call: 516-944-3885 *Certified: Telehealth Certification Institute New York State Licensed Social Worker for over 30 years
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Payment: ZELLE, Cash or Check
PRESIDENT/FACULTY • “The New York Society of Clinical Hypnosis” [NYSCH.ORG] DIPLOMATE/FACULTY “American Academy of Pain Management”
2A MAY 18 - 24, 2022 • PROFILES IN MEDICINE
C O M PA S S I O N I S W H AT I N S P I R E S O UR A DVA NCED MEDICINE
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Learn more at chsli.org/cancer or call us at (844) 86-CANCER. 231676 S
PROFILES IN MEDICINE • MAY 18 - 24, 2022 3A
COVER STORY
Have Food Allergies? Read The Label
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ood labels can help consumers with food allergies avoid foods or ingredients that they or their families are allergic to. This is because a federal law, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, requires that the labels of most packaged foods marketed in the U.S. disclose—in simple-to-understand terms—when they are made with a “major food allergen.” Eight foods and ingredients containing their proteins are defined as major food allergens. These foods account for the large majority of severe food allergic reactions: • milk • egg • fish, such as bass, flounder or cod • crustacean shellfish, such as crab, lobster or shrimp • tree nuts, such as almonds, pecans or walnuts • wheat • peanuts • soybeans The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food. This requirement is met if the common or usual name of an ingredient already identifies that allergen’s food source name (for example, buttermilk). Otherwise, the allergen’s food source must be declared at least once on the food label in one of two ways. The name of the food source of a major allergen must appear: • In parentheses following the name of the ingredient. Examples: “lecithin (soy),” “flour (wheat),” and “whey (milk)” • Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a “contains” statement. Example: “Contains wheat, milk and soy.” “So first look for a ‘Contains’ statement and if your allergen is listed, put the product back on the shelf,” said Carol D’Lima, food technologist with the Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “If there is no ‘Contains’ statement, it’s very important to read the entire ingredient list to see if your allergen is present. If you see its name even once, it’s back to the shelf for that food too.”
Food labels can help consumers with allergies avoid foods or ingredients. There are many different ingredients that contain the same major food allergen, but sometimes the ingredients’ names do not indicate their specific food sources. For example, casein, sodium caseinate and whey are all milk proteins. Although the same allergen can be present in multiple ingredients, its “food source name” (for example, milk) must appear in the ingredient list just once to comply with labeling requirements. Sesame is not a major food allergen under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, but the FDA recently issued a draft guidance document to encourage manufacturers to clearly declare sesame in the ingredient list. In most cases, sesame does have to appear in
the ingredient statement; an exception is when sesame is part of a flavoring or spice or if a
term is used for a food like tahini that is, or contains, sesame. In those cases, it may be declared as simply “spice” or “flavor” on
the label, so consumers may not know sesame is present.
“Contains” and “May Contain” Have Different Meanings
If a “Contains” statement appears on a food label, it must include the food source names of all major food allergens used as ingredients. For example, if “whey,” “egg yolks,” and a “natural flavor” that contained peanut proteins are listed as ingredients, the “Contains” statement must identify the words “milk,” “egg” and “peanuts.” Some manufacturers voluntarily include a separate advisory statement, such as “may contain” or “produced in a facility,” on their labels when there is a chance that a food allergen could be present. A manufacturer might use the same equipment to make
different products. Even after cleaning this equipment, a small amount of an allergen (such as peanuts) that was used to make one product (such as cookies) may become part of another product (such as crackers). In this case, the cracker label might state “may contain peanuts.” Be aware that the “may contain” statement is voluntary, said D’Lima. “Not all manufacturers use it.”
When in Doubt, Leave It Out
Manufacturers can change their products’ ingredients at any time, so D’Lima said it’s a good idea to check the ingredient list every time you buy the product—even if you have eaten it before and didn’t have an allergic reaction. “If you’re unsure about whether a food contains any ingredient to which you are sensitive, don’t buy the product, or check with the manufacturer first to ask what it contains,” said D’Lima. “We all want convenience, but it’s not worth playing Russian roulette with your life or that of someone under your care.” —U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
4A MAY 18 - 24, 2022 • PROFILES IN MEDICINE
Unexplained Hepatitis Outbreak Reported A recent unexplained outbreak of acute, severe hepatitis in children has made the recognition of acute hepatitis in all age groups important for the benefit of individual and societal health. Acute hepatitis or inflammation of the liver is usually caused by either a virus, alcohol, an autoimmune condition or a prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Symptoms of acute hepatitis include fever, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-colored stools and joint pains. Most cases of acute viral hepatitis are self-limiting and do not require hospitalizations or specialized treatment. Common viruses which cause acute hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, hepatitis E, Epstein Barr and cytomegalovirus. All these viruses can affect both children and adults. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted fecal-orally. Hepatitis B and D are primarily transmitted through sexual contact or the use of injection drugs such as heroin. Hepatitis C comes from infected blood products or any contact with blood such as needles, tattooing,
THE SPECIALIST
David Bernstein, MD
manicures, etc. Epstein Barr virus is transmitted mostly through saliva contact either through kissing or the sharing of the same cutlery or toothbrush. Cytomegalovirus is typically transmitted through direct contact with body fluids such as urine, saliva, semen and breast milk. Recently, more than 160 cases of acute hepatitis in children ages one month to 16 years have been reported in 12 countries, including the United States. One child has died and 17 of these infected children required a lifesaving,
emergency liver transplant. The severity of disease in children is highly unusual and prompted the Centers for Disease Control to alert physicians around the country to be on the lookout for cases of acute hepatitis in children. The most common cause of acute hepatitis in children is hepatitis A. None of these cases were caused by hepatitis A or any of the other common viral causes of acute hepatitis including COVID-19. These severe cases in children were caused by an adenovirus which has not previously been reported to cause such severe disease. Adenoviruses spread from person to person and typically are associated with the “common cold”. These viruses usually cause respiratory symptoms but they can cause gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis or pink eye and bladder infections. There are no specific treatments for the acute hepatitis caused by adenovirus. Treatment is given for symptoms. It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis. Children should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and parents and caregivers should also consider hepatitis A vaccination.
How can someone prevent getting acute hepatitis? Simple common sense actions such as frequent handwashing, avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth and wearing a mask if you have symptoms, may lessen the
likelihood of either getting sick or passing your infection to someone else. These simple behavioral modifications can help keep you and your children safe from acute viral infections which cause hepatitis. —David Bernstein, MD, MACG, FAASLD, AGAF, FACP
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PROFILES IN MEDICINE • MAY 18 - 24, 2022 5A
PARKER CARE. THE BEST. FOR THE BEST.
THEY GAVE YOU THE BEST
NOW IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO GIVE THEM THE BEST
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6A MAY 18 - 24, 2022 • PROFILES IN MEDICINE
Jeffrey Ciccone Joins HSS Long Island
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Dr. Jeffrey Ciccone in The Omni professional building off Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale. After receiving his medical training and working in New York City for more than 15 years, he is now pleased to dedicate his practice to treating patients on Long Island. “It has been a dream come true to be able to practice at HSS, a world-renowned institution with full capabilities and
Yes,
Our local North Shore board certified team is on call for Covid, Flu and Strep tests, as well as virtual triage and evaluation.
- Rapid & PCR Covid Tests for you and your family - In the comfort of your home - From Infants to Adults available 24/7 Yes, we have Virtual visits as well
Consult a pediatrician and even have prescriptions sent directly to your pharmacy 24/7
Call the Doctor at 347-423-2527 DON’T WAIT ON A LINE
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Contact us for online professionally led bilingual counseling, support and wellness groups.
GET ADEQUATE SLEEP.
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Call us and speak with a breast cancer survivor for peer support.
SCHEDULE MAMMOGRAPHY & HEALTH SCREENINGS.
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Join us online for educational workshops and learn about free or low-cost mammography screening.
STAY ACTIVE.
PRACTICE SELF CARE. EAT MORE PLANT-BASED FOODS. ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF.
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Book a visit at www.comfypeds.com Tell us your concerns. We visit you. Now at home well visits and vaccines
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facilities on Long Island and close to home,” he said. Having lived in Manhasset for the past eight years, Ciccone has offered his medical expertise to serve his community. With three sons, ages 12, 9, and 6, he coaches baseball and soccer and is a member of the board of trustees and medical consultant for the Manhasset Soccer Club.
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Twice yearly, he provides a presentation to club members, parents and coaches on concussion protocols and return to play based on U.S. Soccer Federation national guidelines. He reviews medical information and evaluations for club players as needed, and advises them on returning to the game after an injury. Pain medicine is a subspecialty of anesthesiology. Ciccone attended New YorkPresbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center for his four-year residency in anesthesiology, followed by a tri-institute fellowship in pain medicine at Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which he completed in 2010. Ciccone received subspecialty board certification in pain medicine from the American Board of Anesthesiology in 2011. Before joining HSS Long Island, Ciccone served in the department of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, where he helped build the outpatient and inpatient pain management practice. During his 10-year tenure, he trained more than 70 fellows in interventional pain management. Ciccone’s wife, Madeleine, is also a physician. She is an attending psychiatrist for Memorial Sloan Kettering at the Uniondale and Commack locations. —HSS Long Island
LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCTS.
Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline
800.877.8077
breastcancerhotline@adelphi.edu breast-cancer.adelphi.edu AdelphiBC_QP
effrey Ciccone, MD, an active resident in his Manhasset community, has joined HSS Long Island, the Uniondale location of Hospital for Special Surgery. A board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in pain management, Ciccone provides nonsurgical treatments for a wide range of conditions, including chronic back pain, neck pain, arthritis, headaches and migraine, chronic pain after surgery, complex regional pain syndrome, nerve pain, sciatica and pain from sports injuries. Ciccone characterizes his approach to pain management as evidence-based, patient-centered and restorative, tailoring treatment to each individual patient. He specializes in interventional procedures such as spinal injections and nerve blocks, often using imaging guidance for precise placement of pain medication. He has a particular interest in advancing the field of neuromodulation, which involves nerve stimulation to relieve pain. Recognizing the benefits of a multifaceted approach to pain management, Ciccone often uses medical treatments and technological advances in conjunction with physical therapy, lifestyle modification and rehabilitation techniques. Ciccone, who grew up on Long Island, joins 31 physicians in various orthopedic subspecialties at HSS Long Island, located
PROFILES IN MEDICINE • MAY 18 - 24, 2022 7A
May Is Mental Health Awareness Month Since the start of the pandemic, more and more people are talking about mental health. An increasing number of folks are starting to see it for what it is: one important component of your overall health and well-being, just like your physical health. But mental health conditions, resources and conversations can still feel complicated and out of reach. Are there common warning signs for mental health conditions or crises? Specific factors that can lead to mental health conditions or even crises? What resources are out there—and how do I know if they’re right for me? Many people are learning about mental health topics for the first time. Having a widespread understanding of the topic can help you be more informed if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health condition or crisis. Around half of people in the U.S. will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their life, so everyone should know what to look out for. Everyone should have the support needed to thrive. Communities that have been historically and presently oppressed face a deeper mental health burden because of the added impact of
trauma, oppression and harm. There’s often no one single cause for a mental health condition. Instead, there are many possible risk factors that can influence how likely a person is to experience a mental health condition or how serious the symptoms may be. Some risk factors for mental health conditions include: trauma, which can be a one-time event or ongoing; your environment and how it impacts your health and quality of life (also known as social determinants of health like financial stability and health care access); genetics; brain chemistry; and your habits and lifestyle such as a lack of sleep. Of course, understanding the risk factors for a mental health condition can be more difficult when it’s your own mental health. Take time to ask yourself about your thoughts, feelings and behaviors to see if this is part of a pattern that may be caused by a mental health condition. Here are some questions to get you started: • Have things that used to feel easy started feeling difficult? • Does the idea of doing daily tasks like making your bed now feel really, really hard? • Have you lost interest in activities and
hobbies you used to enjoy? • Do you feel irritated, possibly to the point of lashing out at people you care about? Our society focuses much more on physical health than mental health, but both are equally important. If you are concerned about your mental health, there are several options available. You are not alone—help is out there and recovery is possible. It may be hard to talk about your concerns, but simply acknowledging to yourself that you’re struggling is a really big step.
Taking a screening at www.mhascreening.org can help you to better understand what you are experiencing and get helpful resources. After that, consider talking to someone you trust about your results and seek out a professional to find the support you need. While you may not need this information today, knowing the basics about mental health will mean you’re prepared if you ever need it. Go to www.mhanational.org/may to learn more. —Mental Health America
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Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care
ohn L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent, private practice providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services. He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. All tests are conveniently done on the premises and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.
He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns. Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University. He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City. Call 516-222-8883 or visit online at DrGomes.com
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By John L. Gomes, MD
8A MAY 18 - 24, 2022 • PROFILES IN MEDICINE
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