August 2016 - Health Beat

Kidney Stones Causes and Treatment

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are lumps of crystal made from substances found in urine. They typically build up along the inner surfaces of the kidney. The size of a kidney stone can range from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. It is estimated, one in every twenty people will develop them at some point in their life.

Stones form when there is a decrease in the amount of urine produced, causing it to become highly concentrated and therefore allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. There are four major types of stones, they include:

Calcium stones
Uric acid stones
Struvite stones
Cystine stones

While dehydration is a major contributor to the formation of kidney stones, some people are more prone to developing them than others. People with certain medical conditions such as gout or digestive diseases, those with a family history of kidney stones, as well as people who are obese or consume a diet rich in protein, sodium and sugar are more susceptible.

Kidney stones often go undetected until they become loose and travel along the urinary tract. When they move around the kidney or pass through the ureter, the following symptoms may occur:

Pain during urination
Pain along your side or back, below the ribs
Urine that is pink, red or brown in color
Pain in the lower abdomen or groin
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination or urge to urinate
Nausea or vomiting
Cloudy or abnormal smelling urine
Fever and chills

If these symptoms present themselves and persist it is advised that you see a doctor immediately. Your doctor may perform a series of tests that may include blood or urine tests, analysis of passed stones or abdominal x-rays to assess your condition. Depending on severity, treatment may include increasing your intake of water, pain medication or surgery.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is equipped with the latest technology to fully evaluate and treat patients suffering from kidney stones. Our Emergency Department physicians have extensive experience diagnosing kidney stones and can provide rapid relief of the symptoms often associated with this disease. To schedule an appointment, please call 718 670 5486.

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.

Are Sugar-Free Drinks Helping Your Waistline But Harming Your Teeth?

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Seeing ‘sugar-free’ on drink labels is very attractive to health conscious shoppers but can be surprisingly bad for your teeth. Most people know that drinking sugary drinks can cause tooth decay, but another cause of cavities is the dental erosion that occurs when teeth are exposed to acid. Phosphoric acid, citric acid and tartaric acid are some of the ingredients in diet sodas and fruit juices that damage teeth, but you can reduce the effects of acidic drinks by taking these precautions.

Brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste as well as brushing after meals and sugar-free beverages helps limit the effects of acids on your teeth. Based on research it takes up to an hour for saliva to return to the mouth at a neutral pH balance after eating or drinking. It is recommended that you wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth, doing so will prevent spreading the acids. Also, drink through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth, and chase the drink with plain milk or water.

Sticking to beverages that are low in acid keep your teeth from wearing, ultimately protecting them from becoming sensitive. Researchers have discovered that black tea, coffee, tap water and root beer are some of the beverages that have the least effect on teeth.

While drinking sugar-free drinks can be helpful to your waistline and moderating sugar consumption, it is always good to remember they may contain ingredients that are acidic and harmful to teeth. Wising up about the effects of sugar free drinks can end up saving your smile.

The Dental Department at Flushing Hospital offers every discipline of quality dentistry. The department’s highly skilled and expert staff provides preventive dentistry programs to school children as well as adults and seniors. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5521.

How Does Hot Weather Affect Asthma

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Exhausted female runner suffering angina pectoris

It is a fact that breathing difficulties associated with asthma are affected by hot weather. Anyone who has walked a few blocks when it is hot and humid outside will know that breathing seems to be more difficult. This is especially true for anyone who suffers from asthma. One possible cause of this is due to the hot, humid air irritating the airways causing inflammation which will lead to symptoms of an asthma attack. Another reason is that hot and humid air is heavier and therefore a person may have to struggle to breathe..
In hot weather months there is an increase in the amount of ozone in the air and also a higher concentration of dust and fine particles which can cause existing respiratory conditions to worsen especially in the very young and the elderly.
Some of the environmental factors that affect the respiratory system are:
• Higher levels of carbon dioxide and higher temperature can lead to more spores and mold in the air.

• Higher temperatures can lead to more greenhouse gases being produced.

• Environmental production of pollutants from vehicles and factories become trapped in the atmosphere.

These environmental conditions can cause chest pain, wheezing, and coughing, and reduced lung function for those who suffer with asthma.
Irritants that affect breathing function have definitely worsened over the years due to climate changes. People are being treated more frequently in the emergency rooms across the country due to lack of clean air to breathe.
To help avoid asthma attacks in hot weather it is recommended to:
• Stay indoors as much as possible in an air conditioned environment
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Keep hydrated
• Try to limit being outdoors during the hottest time of day
To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital who can help treat breathing difficulties, please call 718-206-7001.

Midlife Crisis or Depression?

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The idea of a “midlife crisis” in popular culture is when you do outrageous, impractical things such as straying from your marriage, buying sports cars or impulsively quitting you job.

A midlife crisis is better known as a midlife transition to mental health experts, who say this time in a person’s life is sometimes accompanied by depression.

The key is to realize when your transition is developing into depression.

Some signs that your midlife transition may be rooted in depression are:

Extreme change in eating habits
Consistently fatigued and exhausted
Change in sleeping patterns
A feeling of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
Irritable, restless or unexpected bouts of anger
Thoughts or attempts of suicide
Decrease or increase in desire and ambition
Compulsion for alcohol or drugs
Desire for a sexual affair
Feeling overwhelmingly trapped by responsibilities, such as
financial, family and job
Consistent desire to run away from responsibilities
Doing things out of character that could lead to trouble

Studies have shown that 88% of Americans who are experiencing depression during their midlife transition have reported difficulty at work, home or with otherwise simple social activities. Unfortunately, only 35% of them had seen a mental health professional for support or treatment.

A midlife transition can be one of the most stress-filled phases in your life’s journey. Seeking the assistance from a mental health professional during this time can save relationships, finances and other aspects of your life.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a midlife transitional depression, call for an appointment at the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Mental Health Center. For more information or to make an appointment, call 718-670-5486.

Low-Sodium = Lower Risk

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Joann Ariola

A low-sodium diet can reduce the risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and kidney damage.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium should be consumed per day

Here are the approximate amounts of sodium in a given amount of table salt:

1/4 teaspoon salt = 575 mg sodium
1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,150 mg sodium
3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,725 mg sodium
1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg sodium

If you are interested in lowering your sodium, this recipe for baked salmon is a good place to start. For this and other low sodium recipes you can go to –

What to Expect During Your First Trimester Screening

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

In addition to your routine prenatal tests, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment for a first-trimester screening. These tests are highly important as they can help your doctor to gather information about the baby’s risk of developing certain chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome, trisomy 13 or trisomy 18.

First trimester screenings are typically conducted between the eleventh and fourteenth week of pregnancy. The process is non-invasive and safe; there are no known physical risks associated with having these tests.

During your appointment, your doctor will draw blood to measure levels of plasma protein-A and human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. An ultrasound will also be performed to measure the nuchal translucency, which is the fluid beneath the skin of the baby’s neck. Increased thickness can be an early indicator of Down syndrome.

It is important to keep in mind that these tests are not diagnostic. The results, along with factors such as your age, family history and ethnicity are used to help determine the risks of your baby developing chromosomal abnormalities. The results may also indicate a need for further testing that may include CVS (chorionic villus sampling) or amniocentesis.

The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center has the most up-to-date equipment for the evaluation of mother and fetus. The division is staffed by full-time Board Certified Perinatologists and highly trained nurses. Genetic counseling, amniocentesis, diabetic counseling, as well as maternal-fetal evaluation are offered during the course of pregnancy.

For more information about the many services offered by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-8994.

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

August is National Immunization Month. The importance of this designation is to make people aware about the different types of vaccines they should get throughout their lifetime. Vaccines are important to keep the body healthy by building up an immunity to serious diseases. If you would like to make an appointment with a physician at Flushing

Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Pokemon Go Safety Tips

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Joann Ariola

The mobile game, Pokemon Go has become a craze with millions of Americans addicted to playing. Because of the widespread play, the NYPD has issued a list of safety tips for. They are as follows:

By following these rules, you will have a better, safer experience when playing the game.

The Importance Of Early Detection

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Did you know breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in women in the United States? Every year there are an estimated 230,000 new cases of breast cancer. About 40,000 women are expected to die annually from this disease. However, more women are surviving breast cancer due to improvements in treatment and early detection.

Cancer deaths can be decreased by as much as one-third with early detection and treatment.

Early detection can start from home. Doctors suggest that women perform monthly breast self-exams. In addition to yearly screenings and mammograms, self-exams can help women to monitor changes or abnormalities that may occur in her breasts. It is important to remember that breast self-exams are never a substitute for clinical breast exams or mammograms.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women should begin receiving clinical breast exams in their twenties. Women below the age of forty are advised to receive them every three years. Those over 40 should schedule yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Mammograms are one of the most effective breast screening and diagnostic tools; however, other tools such as MRI’s or ultrasounds may also be used to further evaluate abnormalities or help diagnose breast cancer.

Early and immediate treatment is one of the benefits women will gain from early detection of cancer. If you are age forty and older schedule an appointment for a mammogram as soon as possible. The American College of Radiology is a great resource to find accredited facilities and breast imaging centers.

The Benefits of taking a Vacation

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

We live in a stressful society that is full of situation. It is very important for people to take a break in order to stay healthy. Studies have shown not taking a vacation for a few years can increase the risk of heart disease and the potential for a heart attack. People who take vacations have an easier time to breaking bad habits such as nail biting, smoking, and eating poorly because stress the triggers for these bad habits aren’t present.
There are many benefits to taking a vacation:
• Betters outlook on life
• Allows the body to unwind
• Increases happiness
To really benefit from a vacation a person has to leave their work environment at home.
Today, with electronic devices so prevalent, it is important to not check them more than
once or twice a day.