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Dwint Family Health Care NP,  PLLC

1665 Bedford Avenue, STE 2                         111-56 76th Dr. STE, STE UL1

Broo​klyn, NY 11225                                        Forest Hills, NY 11375



Concierge Health & Wellness Provider

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May is Mental Health Month 2015. Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health.

Posted on 24 May, 2015 at 22:11 Comments comments ()
Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.  A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your daily life, such as at work or in relationships.

There are some biological causes of mental disorders including genetic factors which contribute to imbalances in chemicals in the brain. Poor mental health is also associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, risks of violence, physical ill-health and human rights violations. 

Millions of persons  live with various types of mental illness and mental health problems, such as:
  •  social anxiety, 
  • obsessive compulsive disorder, 
  • drug addiction, and 
  • personality disorders. 

Everyone requires a social network to satisfy the human need to be cared for, accepted, and emotionally supported, particularly in times of stress. Mental health can be regarded as a vital concern of individuals, communities and societies throughout the world. 

If you think you are suffering from a mental disorder , visit your doctor, Tell him how you feel also let him about your medical history; family history; information about allergies; other medications, supplements or herbal remedies you take; and other details about your overall health.

Remember, mental health conditions are not only common, they are treatable. There is a wide variety of treatment options for mental illnesses ranging from talk therapy to medication to peer support, and it may take some time for you to find the right treatment or combination of treatments that works best for you. But when you  do, the results can be truly amazing and life changing.






April 2015 is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. According to the Women’s Eye Health Task Force, risk factors for premature death due to heart disease or cancer are the same as those for blindness and vision impairment. These factors include

Posted on 12 April, 2015 at 1:04 Comments comments ()
Every woman, especially those who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or diabetic, should make it a priority to get a comprehensive, dilated eye exam.  
There are a number of health factors and differences between men and women that put women at greater risk of serious vision loss; two-thirds of Americans with vision impairment are women. However, through early detection and treatment vision loss can be lessened.

Regular dilated exams are essential to prevention, early detection of eye disease — and to keeping you and your eyes healthy. So in honor of Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, schedule a routine eye exam, if it’s been more than a year and encourage the women in your life to do the same also.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a very common condition in which nearby objects are visible but faraway objects are out of focus and difficult to see.

Farsightedness, or hyperopia,is a common vision impairment in which you are able to see things that are far away, but have trouble seeing things that are up close.

Risk factors for vision problems in women include:
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Age
  • Poor nutrition

The main Eye-related Health Risks Faced by Women include:

  • Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma refers to a number of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. It is usually caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can damage your vision so gradually you may not notice any loss of vision until the disease is at an advanced stage.

  • Cataracts-  A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye that can impair vision.

  • Dry Eye Syndrome. With this condition, the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears are poor quality and evaporate quickly. When this happens, the eyes sting or burn, feel scratchy, become irritated or tear excessively.

If you are  experiencing any of the following symptoms, an appointment with an eye care professional should be made immediately:


  • Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms.



  • Eye pain /or severe headache



  •  a blank spot or haziness in your central vision and color perception.



  • Swelling (edema) of the eyelids and tissue around the eye



  • A constant stare



  • Eyelid retraction



  • Dry eyes or a sensation of grit or irritation to the eye



  • Watering and redness of the eyes



  • Sensitivity to light



  • A feeling of pressure in the eye sockets



  • Double vision



  • Loss of vision

An eye emergency is when chemicals or a foreign object gets in the eye, or an injury affects the eye area. Emergencies require immediate medical attention to help prevent permanent vision damage.


Eye injuries can be prevented by the use of protective eyewear at work, at home, at school and in sports. You should have your eye health evaluated annually. Recognizing vision problems early may prevent long-term complications and blindness.








Abdominal pain may be minor and of no great significance, or it can reflect a major problem involving one of the organs in the abdomen.The characteristics of the pain -- location, timing, duration, etc. are important in diagnosing its cause. Persisting ab

Posted on 27 March, 2015 at 12:46 Comments comments ()
Abdominal pain (Pain in the belly) can be associated with a variety of conditions both within and outside of the abdomen. Abdominal pain can be acute and sudden in onset, or the pain can be chronic and longstanding. 

The cause of abdominal problems can be hard to pinpoint. Sometimes minor and serious abdominal problems start with the same symptoms.  Pain that increases with movement or coughing and does not appear to be caused by strained muscles is more likely to be a symptom of a serious problem.  

Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. If it starts suddenly and unexpectedly, it should be regarded as a medical emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area. 

Whether it's a mild stomach ache, sharp pain, or stomach cramps, abdominal pain can have numerous causes. Fortunately, most abdominal problems are minor, and home treatment is all that is needed. Some serious causes of sudden severe abdominal pain include:

  •  Appendicitis – the swelling of the appendix (a finger-like pouch connected to the large intestine), which causes agonizing pain in the lower right-hand side of your abdomen, and means your appendix will need to be removed.

  • a bleeding or perforated stomach Ulcer – a bleeding, open sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)

  • Acute Cholecystitis – inflammation of the gallbladder, which is often caused by gallstones; in many cases, your gallbladder will need to be removed

  • Kidney stones – small stones may be passed out in your urine, but larger stones may block the kidney tubes, and you'll need to go to hospital to have them broken up

  • Diverticulitis – inflammation of the small pouches in the bowel that sometimes requires treatment with antibiotics in hospital

Some of the more common causes include:
  • Indigestion after eating
  •  Pregnancy, gas,
  • Bladder infections
  • Appendicitis, ulcers, gastritis,
  • parasite infection, 
  • Abdominal muscle injury, 
  • Abdominal hernia, 
  • lactose intolerance, 
  • Food poisoning,
  •  Menstrual cramps,
  •  abdominal organ injury from trauma, and constipation.
  • Abdominal pain can also be a common side effect of medication. When you use certain drugs chronically, it can cause abdominal pain. In some cases this can be solved by switching the medication for similar other drugs

In order for your health care provider to assist you in managing your pain, it is helpful for you to be able to adequately describe your pain. If your abdominal pain lasts longer than 24 hours, or gets worse as time passes, call your doctor right away.

Children's Mental Health:Parents: You know your child best. Talk to your child's health care professional if you have concerns about the way your child behaves at home, in school, or with friends.

Posted on 26 November, 2014 at 12:14 Comments comments ()
Mental health is important to overall health. Because of the impact on children, families, and communities, children's mental disorders are an important public health issue in the United States.

Childhood disorders, often labeled as developmental disorders or learning disorders, most often occur and are diagnosed when the child is of school-age. Although some adults may also relate to some of the symptoms of these disorders, typically the disorder’s symptoms need to have first appeared at some point in the person’s childhood.

Childhood mental disorders can be treated and managed. There are many evidence-based treatment options, so parents and doctors should work closely with everyone involved in the child's treatment — teachers, coaches, therapists, and other family members. Taking advantage of all the resources available will help parents, health professionals and educators guide the child towards success.

Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders.Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their Communities. 

Recognizing symptoms is key! Family awareness and early identification are often the first steps to effective treatment for children and youth with mental health disorders.

Children and youth with the most serious mental health disorders (e.g., severe psychosis or schizophrenia) may exhibit:
  • distorted thinking
  • excessive anxiety
  • odd body movements
  • abnormal mood swings
  • acting overly suspicious of others
  • seeing or hearing things that others don’t see or hear

Let your children be aware that it is just as important to take care of their mental health as it is their physical health. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and reach out to a trusted friend or adult If angry, worried or sad.




Chronic Venous Insufficiency(CVI) is a long-term (chronic) condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart'

Posted on 17 November, 2014 at 8:34 Comments comments ()
Chronic Venous Insufficiency(CVI): When your leg veins cannot pump enough blood back to your heart, you have chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). It is also sometimes called chronic venous disease, or CVD.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the leg veins do not allow blood to travel back to the heart. (Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood to the heart). Problems with valves in the veins can cause the blood to flow both directions, not just toward the heart. These valves that are not working properly can cause blood in the legs to pool. If chronic venous insufficiency is left untreated, pain, swelling, and leg ulcers may result.

The diagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin. Your doctor may order tests to examine the blood flow in your legs.

Chronic venous insufficiency does not pose a serious health threat, but the condition can be disabling and cause pain.

  • If you have CVI, your ankles may swell and your calves may feel tight. Your legs may also feel heavy, tired, restless, or achy. You may feel pain while walking or shortly after stopping.

  • CVI may be associated with varicose veins. Varicose veins are swollen veins that you can see through the skin. They often look blue, bulging, and twisted. Large varicose veins can lead to skin changes like rashes, redness, and sores.

  • CVI can also cause problems with leg swelling because of the pressure of the blood pooling in the veins. Your lymphatic system may also produce fluid, called lymph, to compensate for CVI. Your leg tissues may then absorb some of this fluid, which can increase the tendency for your legs to swell.

  • In severe cases, CVI and the leg swelling can cause ulcers to form on the lower parts of the leg.

  • Chronic venous insufficiency can result from obesity, history of varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, sedentary lifestyle, long periods of sitting or standing, being over the age of 50, female, or pregnant.

  • Other cause of Chronic Venos  Insufficiency includes: High blood pressure in the leg veins over a long time, due to sitting or standing for prolonged periods, Lack of exercise, Smoking,  Phlebitis (swelling and inflammation of a superficial vein, usually in the legs).

Treatment is aimed at maintaining blood flow and preventing it from pooling. Treatment  may involves the following:

  • Improving Blood Flow : Your doctor may have you wear special elastic stockings that squeeze the veins in the legs. They will help keep the blood from pooling. You may also be advised to raise your feet and legs above the level of your heart while resting or sleeping. You may need to do this several times a day.

  • Movement: Your doctor may encourage you to walk and do specific exercises for your legs and feet. You should also avoid long periods of sitting and standing. If you go on an extended trip, get up and walk, or flex your leg muscles every 30 minutes.

  • Skin Care: Mineral bath therapy may help to improve skin redness. You also may be advised to use bandages or apply an antibiotic cream to help prevent skin infection. Wearing compression stockings may also promote healing.

  • Sclerotherapy or Ablation : Your doctor may recommend sclerotherapy. This treatment involves injecting a caustic material into the affected veins. Scar tissue fills the veins. The blood is rerouted through functioning veins. Ablation is another procedure used to treat the veins. A tiny electrode is inserted into the affected vein. Electricity scars the vein and blocks it off.

Ways to prevent/ manage chronic venous insufficiency include:

  • Avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting.
  • Participate in regular exercise.
  • Wear compression stockings.
  • Maintain a healthful weight
  • If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit
  • Avoid wearing restrictive clothing such as girdles or belts

Some skin care treatments can make the problem worse. Talk with your health care provider before using any lotions, creams, or antibiotic ointments.


Dyslexia Awareness Month: Prognosis often is good if the dyslexia is diagnosed early.

Posted on 15 October, 2014 at 18:28 Comments comments ()
 Dyslexia?Dyslexia is a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. As with other learning disabilities, dyslexia is a lifelong challenge that people are born with. This language processing disorder can hinder reading, writing, spelling and sometimes even speaking.

Dyslexia is not a sign of poor intelligence or laziness. It is also not the result of impaired vision. Children and adults with dyslexia simply have a neurological disorder that causes their brains to process and interpret information differently. The human brain is resilient, but there is no question that early intervention and treatment bring about more positive change at a faster pace than an intervention provided to an older child. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the quicker your child can get help, and the more likely you are to prevent secondary blows to her/his self-esteem.

Of course, no one wants to be an “alarmist” and put her child through an evaluation for trivial or transient bumps along the road to reading. However, If your preschool child struggles with language, particularly with rhymes and pronouncing words, and especially if there is a family history of reading problems, you should not keep your worries to yourself.  You need to seek help.

Trained professionals can identify dyslexia using a formal evaluation.

  • This looks at a person's ability to understand and use spoken and written language
  • It looks at areas of strength and weakness in the skills that are needed for reading. 
  • It also takes into account many other factors. These include family history, intellect, educational background, and social environment. 

Adults with unidentified dyslexia often work in jobs below their intellectual capacity.But with help from a tutor, teacher, or other trained professional, almost all people with dyslexia can become good readers and writers. 

You can use the following strategies to help to make progress with dyslexia.

  • Expose your child to early oral reading, writing, drawing, and practice to encourage development of print knowledge, basic letter formation, recognition skills and linguistic awareness (the relationship between sound and meaning).
  • Have your child practice reading different kinds of texts. This includes books, magazines, ads and comics.
  • Include multi-sensory, structured language instruction. Practice using sight, sound and touch when introducing new ideas.
  • Seek modifications in the classroom. This might include extra time to complete assignments, help with note taking, oral testing and other means of assessment.
  • Use books on tape and assistive technology. Examples are screen readers and voice recognition computer software.
  • Get help with the emotional issues that arise from struggling to overcome academic difficulties.

Anyone who is suspected to have dyslexia should have a comprehensive evaluation, including hearing, vision, and intelligence testing. The test should include all areas of learning and learning processes, not just reading. A trained reading specialist, school psychologist, private child neuropsychologist, or educational specialist may do the evaluation.



September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Posted on 15 September, 2014 at 12:29 Comments comments ()
Did you know,  that, among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren't seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. 

There are also psychological effects: Obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image and depression. And excess weight at young ages has been linked to higher and earlier death rates in adulthood.

Help your child stay at a healthy weight by balancing what your child eats with physical activity. Healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling.Two of the best ways to prevent your child from becoming overweight or obese are to:
  • Help your child eat healthier foods
  • Be more active as a family

Being overweight or obese as a child can lead to serious problems, like:
  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Sleep problems
  • Low self-esteem
  • Getting bullied

Children grow at different rates, so it’s not always easy to tell if your child is at a healthy weight. Healthy weight is defined differently for children and teens than it is for adults.Ask your Healthcare provider whether your child is at a healthy weight.




Your Life Matters! A New Suicide Prevention Campaign for Faith Communities

Posted on 12 September, 2014 at 19:07 Comments comments ()

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) recently launched the "Your Life Matters!" campaign. During the campaign, the Action Alliance encourages every faith tradition to dedicate one day of worship each year to celebrate life, hope, and reasons to live. Faith traditions can consider observing this celebration near September 10, which is World Suicide Prevention Day. However, the message that each congregant's life matters could be promoted anytime during the year, whenever it fits the needs of the local faith community.

Faith communities are in a unique position to reach a large portion of the millions of Americans who struggle with serious thoughts of suicide each year. Many people feel hopeless or trapped, or are in such emotional pain or despair that they struggle to face another day.

"Research shows that many people in these kinds of crises will accept help and support from faith leaders and faith community members, before they will seek care from mental health professionals," according to Dr. Anne Mathews-Younes, Co-Lead of the Faith Communities Task Force and Division Director at SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services at HHS. Dr. Mathews-Younes suggests that "Faith communities can help their members by supporting those who face mental health challenges and/or problems with misuse of alcohol and other drugs, as they seek effective treatment."

If you are having suicidal thoughts there are people out there who can be with you in this horrible time, and will not judge you, but will simply care for you. Find one of them. Now. Use your 24 hours, or your week, and tell someone what's going on with you. It is okay to ask for help.

Omega-3 Reduces Behavior Problems in Children and Caregivers Alike

Posted on 11 September, 2014 at 2:24 Comments comments ()

It has been suggested in previous research that omega-3 supplementation can reduce antisocial behavior in children, but short treatment duration and a lack of post-treatment follow-up have been significant study limitations.

Published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, a new double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomly assigned 200 children ages 8–16 to a daily 200mL beverage containing 1000mg of omega-3 or the beverage sans omega-3 supplementation for six months. 

Children taking the omega-3-supplemented beverage had a reported 41.6% reduction in parent-rated child externalizing behavior and 68.4% reduction in internalizing behavior after six months. 

The parents of children in the omega-3 group also had significant observed reductions in parental psychopathy and reactive aggression, which accounted for 60.9% of the improvement in child antisocial behavior. 

No previous omega-3 studies have tested this reciprocal effect, whereby improving child behavior, improved parent behavior, which further improved child behavior.The exact mechanism by which omega-3 improves behavior in children is unknown however the long-chain fatty acid does play a critical role in brain structure and function

These findings support longer-term post-treatment efficacy of omega-3 in reducing child and adolescent externalizing and internalizing behavior, as well as reducing antisocial behavior in caregivers.

While limited evidence suggests that omega-3 supplementation may reduce antisocial behavior in children, studies have not reported on post-treatment follow-up and most treatment periods have been of short duration.This study tests the hypothesis that omega-3 supplementation over 6 months will reduce behavior problems in children both at the end of treatment and at 6 months post- treatment.

September 10th 2014 is World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day. Know the Warning Signs and Get Help

Posted on 9 September, 2014 at 11:58 Comments comments ()
At some point in our lives each one of us does get sad or depressed. What is important though is how react to these thingsLife can be tough and even unfair at times. I don’t really have an answer as to why certain things happen but I do know that these are usually the moments in life where the potential for personal growth is the greatest.

Most people are uncomfortable with the topic of suicide. Too often, victims are blamed and their families and friends are left stigmatized. As a result, people do not communicate openly about suicide Several factors can put a person at risk for suicide. However, having these risk factors does not always mean that suicide will occur.

 Some of the risk factors researchers identified include:

  • History of previous suicide attempts
  • Family history of suicide
  • History of depression or other mental illness
  • History of alcohol or drug abuse
  • Stressful life event or loss
  • Easy access to lethal methods
  • Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others

 A common suicide warning sign is the change in personality and behavior. Often suicidal individuals have problems concentrating on what we may think are the simple things. They become sad and withdrawn, anxious, tired, or just don't seem to care about things. They are indecisive and often irritable. The person may even develop drug habits. Agitation and hyperactivity are also warning signs, as is acting recklessly.

 Warning signs  of suicide include

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
  • Talking about being a burden to others.
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
  • Sleeping too little or too much.
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
  • Displaying extreme mood swings.

If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, seek help as soon as possible. Since suicidal behaviors are often quite impulsive, removing guns, medications, knives, and other instruments people often use to kill themselves from the immediate environment can allow the individual time to think more clearly and perhaps choose a more rational way of coping with their pain

 There are biological and psychological treatments that can help address the underlying health issues that put people at risk for suicide.Those who treat people who attempt suicide tend to adapt immediate treatment to the person's individual needs.