February 2017 - Page 2 of 2

Now That You’ve Quit Smoking –How Do You Resist Temptation?

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Congratulations, you have quit smoking. You have accomplished a major milestone in your journey to achieving good health. A challenge you may face after your Quit Day is remaining tobacco free by resisting the temptation to smoke again. Coping with tobacco cravings can be difficult; however, by applying the following tips you can decrease the urge to smoke:

Remove yourself from situations that may trigger the urge to smoke
Spend free time in environments where smoking is not allowed
Reduce alcohol consumption
Create or join a support group
Think about how harmful tobacco is to your health
Think about the health benefits you will gain by remaining smoke free
Try nicotine replacements such as gum, patches or prescription medications
Do not have just one cigarette to satisfy a craving- one cigarette will make you want more
If you miss the feeling of having a cigarette in your mouth try a toothpick, a stick of gum, celery -anything besides a cigarette
Exercise
Practice relaxation techniques
Give yourself credit for each day you are tobacco free
Envision being tobacco free long-term

Quitting smoking and remaining smoke free can be difficult and requires a life-long commitment but the benefits to your health are immeasurable.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a Freedom from Smoking Tobacco Cessation Program to help you overcome your addiction to tobacco and enjoy the benefits of better health in a fun and interactive environment. Receive personalized attention as well as the support from group members who are experiencing this journey with you. For more information, please call 718-206-8494.

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.

History of Eyeglasses

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.

To schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, You Might Have A Stroke

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Stress is a well-recognized risk factor for heart attack, but a new discovery is linking stress to strokes as well. A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggests that people who are impatient, aggressive, or naturally hostile may be more likely to have a stroke, compared to their more laid-back counterparts.

Can stress cause a stroke? The short answer is yes, chronic, long-term stress can eventually lead to a stroke. Do you live with chronic, long-term stress? If so, your risk of stroke increases four-fold, according to WebMD. Now there is more incentive to heed the advice, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Researchers who conducted a study on the effects of stress and stroke measured chronic stress in 5 major areas:

Personal health problems
Health problems in others close to the patient
Job or ability to work
Relationships
Finances

Use this list to assess where your chronic stress is coming from.

Knowing the signs of a stroke is important and could prevent long-term effects if caught in time. Warning signs of a stroke can be remembered by the acronym “FAST”.

Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?

Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

Time – If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Almost 800,000 people have a stroke in the United States each year and it is responsible for approximately 130,000 deaths.

Flushing Hospital was recognized by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association for its Gold Plus level of participation in the “Get With The Guidelines Stroke and Target Stroke Program.”

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Flushing Hospital Supports “Go Red For Women”

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Michael Hinck

National Go Red Day was created in 2003 to raise awareness about the devastating affects cardiovascular disease has on women in the United States.

Before the “Go Red” initiative was founded, many Americans believed the myth that heart disease affects men more than women. The truth is that cardiovascular disease claims the lives of 500,000 women in the U.S. every year – that’s one woman every 80 seconds.

Through this national initiative, the Go Red For Women movement has generated a great deal of awareness as many more women are aware of the importance of heart health. Some of the many strides made since 2003 include:

More than one-third of women have lost weight.
More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.
6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.
More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.

The effort has proven to be effective. Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day and deaths in women have decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.

One of the keys to maintaining this success is through continued education. All women are encouraged to “Know Your Numbers” because it is knowledge that can save their life. The five numbers all women should know are their: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI). Knowing these numbers can help women and their healthcare provider determine their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.

Flushing Hospital supports Go Red For Women Day by hosting an information event in the hospital’s lobby. Flushing Hospital urges all women to visit your doctor to learn your numbers. If you do not have a doctor and would like to make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

When disaster hits there is often very little time to prepare. By taking the time to gather a few items in advance for yourself and your loved ones, you will be able to get through the first few days until help arrives.

An Emergency Preparedness Kit should include:

One gallon of water per person per day, a minimum of a three day supply
Nonperishable food and easy to prepare items, three day supply per person
Battery powered radio
Battery powered flashlight
Cell Phone and chargers
Whistle to signal for help
Moist towelettes
Garbage bags
Diapers and formula for people with babies
First aid kit
Prescription medications
Insurance documents
List of important contact names and numbers
Cash
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a water proof container
Three day supply of pet food
Personal hygiene items
Paper and pencil
Paper cups, plates, utensils, paper towels
Towels, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows
Rain gear
Gloves

By keeping these items in a safe, easy to access place in your home, they will serve you well in case of an unforeseen emergency. For further information regarding Emergency Preparedness, there is information available on the following websites: