August 2019 - Health Beat

Flushing Hospital’s Nurse of The Month

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Our nurses are the pillars of our community. In addition to meeting the demands of being a caregiver, they wear several hats including that of an educator, nurturer, and comforter.

Not only do nurses care for patients; they provide support to families and loved ones during difficult times.

Our nurses pour their hearts into all aspects of their job, and this is one of the many reasons why we celebrate their accomplishments.

Join us in congratulating Helen Santos, RN for receiving Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Nurse of the Month.

Meet Helen:

Q&A:

Q: How long have you been working for FHMC?
A: I have been working at Flushing Hospital since 1993.

Q: On which unit do you currently work?
A: Currently, I work in the Emergency Department but I used to work in ICU.

Q: Why did you want to become a nurse?
A: Being a nurse is a family tradition. It is an occupation in which I take great pride.

Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: I love my job! What I enjoy most is interacting with my patients and helping them through what can be a frightening time. I work hard to make them feel comfortable. I want them to know they are well cared for. I am grateful that I am part of a team that feels the same way I do.

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.

What is Athlete’s Foot ?

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

Athlete’s Foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the foot. This It is a type of fungus that thrives in an environment that is warm, dark, and moist, similar to the inside of a shoe. It is commonly seen in athletes who walk barefoot in locker rooms but it can affect anyone. Even though it isn’t a serious disease, it can be quite uncomfortable and can be difficult to cure.

Athlete’s foot is spread by coming into direct contact with someone who already has it (wearing shoes or socks of an infected person), or indirectly (by walking on surfaces in a locker room, around a pool, or in a shower where someone with the infection has been).

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

Blisters on the feet that itch
Burning, itching, and stinging in the areas between the toes or on the soles of the feet
Discolored toe nails
Raw skin on the bottom of the feet
Peeling skin on the bottom of the feet
Having bad foot odor

Prevention of athlete’s foot is very important, especially if using public locker rooms or showers. Some of the methods of prevention include:

Wearing water slippers in public showers and locker rooms
Never walking barefoot
Never wearing someone else’s shoes, socks, or towels
Changing socks frequently especially if you sweat a lot
Using antifungal powder every day
Washing your feet with soap and water every day and drying them well, especially between the toes
Disinfecting the inside of your shoes with disinfectant wipes
Never wearing shoes that are damp on the inside

Athlete’s foot is diagnosed by taking a skin scraping form the infected area and placing it in a solution of potassium hydroxide. It is then examined under a microscope. If the sample is positive the normal cells will have dissolved and the infected cells will remain.

Treatment of athlete’s foot requires medication which can either be a topical over the counter medication or a stronger topical agent that will be prescribed by a physician. Sometimes an oral medication may be necessary if the infection is very serious.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of athlete’s foot you should seek medical care right away. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a foot doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call .

August Employee Spotlight – Michael Saavedra

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Joann Ariola

August’s Employee Spotlight shines on Michael A. Saavedra, Lead Material Handler at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC).

Michael has been a valued employee at FHMC for the past 32 years. First, as a Material Handler and currently as Lead Material Handler, Michael supervises the day to day operations of the store room and receiving.

Michael Saavedra attended New York University, is a motor cycle enthusiast, and through the motorcycle community, raises money for various charitable organizations.

“Working with my great team and supply chain makes my job so much easier.” stated Michael. “I make it my duty to ensure that all departments are accommodated with the items to help them better serve the patients and the hospital.”

He prides himself on making sure that the inventories are at optimal stock, continually checks expiration dates and cycles out any expired items from being brought to the departments he serves.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center congratulates Michael A. Saavedra for receiving August’s Employee Spotlight!

Do You Have A cough That You Just Can’t Shake? You Might Have A Chronic Cough

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Michael Hinck

Having a cough is not only annoying, but it can also affect your daily routine, disrupt your sleep and even contribute to other issues, such as vomiting and lightheadedness. For most, coughing will only last a few days to a week, but if you have a cough that just won’t go away, you may have what is considered a chronic cough.

A chronic cough is a medical problem where a person will have a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer (four weeks or longer in children). While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that’s triggering a chronic cough, it is most commonly due to one or a combination of the following:

Postnasal drip
Tobacco use
Asthma
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD
Infections such as whopping cough or TB
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Taking blood pressure medications

Fortunately, a chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.

See your doctor if you have a cough that lingers for weeks, especially one that brings up sputum or blood, disturbs your sleep, or affects school or work.

To make an appointment to see a doctor about your chronic cough, please call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486.

Learn More About Scarlet Fever And How To Protect Your Children

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Michael Hinck

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. As the name implies, the condition is signified by a bright red rash that covers most of the body.

Scarlet fever is most common in children five to 15 years of age. Although it was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made scarlet fever much more treatable. Still, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in serious conditions that can affect the heart, kidneys, lungs and other parts of the body.

Common symptoms of scarlet fever include:

Red rash.The rash looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper. It typically begins on the face or neck and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. If pressure is applied to the reddened skin, it will turn pale.
Red lines.The folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck usually become a deeper red than the surrounding rash.
Flushed face.The face may appear flushed with a pale ring around the mouth.
Strawberry tongue.The tongue generally looks red and bumpy, and it’s often covered with a white coating early in the disease.

The rash and the redness in the face and tongue usually last about a week. After these signs and symptoms have subsided, the skin affected by the rash often peels. Other signs and symptoms associated with scarlet fever include fever, sore throat, enlarged glands, nausea, vomiting and headache.

Scarlet fever typically spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person will usually develop symptoms between two and four days after being exposed.

There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever. The best prevention strategies for scarlet fever is to practice proper hand washing hygiene, avoid sharing utensils or drinking glasses, wipe down all contaminated objects and surfaces and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

Call your doctor immediately if your child develops any symptoms associated with scarlet fever.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s pediatric clinic, please call 718-670-5486.

How Is Water Good For Your Health?

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Drinking water is often touted as a way to clear the body’s system of unnecessary waste, but it actually has many more benefits.

Studies show that water can:

Lubricate the joints of the body
Help form saliva and mucous
Deliver oxygen throughout the body
Boost skin health and beauty
Cushion the brain, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues
Regulate body temperature
Aid the digestive track
Help maintain blood pressure
Help keep airways open
Makes minerals and nutrients accessible throughout the body
Prevent kidney damage
Boost performance during exercise
Promote weight loss
Helps prevent hangover

According to the Mayo Clinic, an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids for women.

Tips for Traveling With Medication

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Xavia Malcolm

Preparing for a flight often requires careful planning and packing. When traveling with medication, knowing airport rules ahead of time can help you to pack correctly and minimize setbacks on your trip.

It is important that you follow these tips provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to avoid delays in your travel time or confiscation of your medication:

Confirm that your prescription is legal at your destination; some medications that are allowed in the United States are prohibited in other countries.
Learn state requirements for the labeling of prescription medication. States have individual laws of which travelers must comply.
You can bring unlimited amounts of your medication in pill or solid form, as long as it is screened. Medications are typically screened by X-ray; however, if you do want them X-rayed you may ask to have them inspected instead. This request must be made before your medication enters the X-ray tunnel.
You are allowed to bring liquid medication in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities.
If traveling with liquid medication, you must inform the inspecting officer at the start of the screening checkpoint process. Additional screening will be required and you may be asked to open the container.
Supplies associated with medication such as syringes, pumps, IV bags or needles must undergo screening.

Packing appropriately for your trip can make traveling with medication less complicated. It is highly recommended that you check the TSA’s website, www.tsa.gov, for updates as the current rules can change.

Do You Ever Have Sweaty Palms ?

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

Having your palms sweat as a nervous response to a stressful situation is something that most people have experienced at some point in their lives, but for some, sweaty palms (or palmar hyperhidrosis), is a chronic condition that can cause great embarrassment and interfere with their day to day existence.

Palmer hyperhidrosis affects approximately 1 and 3 percent of Americans, but researchers believe that this number is low because many are unaware that it is a medical condition and never report it to their doctor.

This condition is part of a family of disorders called primary focal hyperhidrosis, which can affect other parts of the body including the armpits, scalp and feet. These conditions are usually not caused by an underlying medical issue and are unlike secondary hyperhidrosis, which is characterized by excessive sweating that isn’t isolated to one area of the body and is usually the result of another medical problem.

While the exact cause of palmer hyperhidrosis is still unknown, many believe there is a genetic predisposition as many who have it also report a family history of the condition.

There are many treatment options for palmer hyperhidrosis, including:

Topical aluminum chloride – One of the most common treatments for palmer hyperhidrosis. This solution is applied to the palms nightly until the condition improves and then used as needed.
Botox injections – This has proven to be an effective treatment for many forms of localized sweating, including the palms. The treatment is FDA approved, but it can result in temporary weakness in the hands.
Iontophoresis – A treatment that involves placing your hands in a shallow bath of water that contains a mild electrical current. This medical device can cost over $500 and may not be covered by all insurers.
Medications – Oral prescriptions called anticholinergics are sometimes prescribed if other treatment options aren’t successful, but these medications sometimes cause uncomfortable side effects.
Surgery – If all other measures fail, there are procedures where a surgeon can go into the chest and clip the nerves that are responsible for producing sweat. This can be a permanent solution, but only used in extreme cases.

Speak to your doctor about what type of treatment option is best for you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call .

August is National Immunization Month

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Joann Ariola

As the end of summer approaches, parents are preparing to send their children back to school during unprecedented times. With so much attention being paid to controlling the spread of COVID-19, it is important to remember that there are other viruses and diseases that can potentially spread from child to child. Thankfully, many of them can be controlled through vaccines.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and today’s vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools for preventing disease and death.

This annual observance is a reminder to all parents to keep a record of what vaccines your child has received and when. Check with your physician to make sure your child’s immunization schedule is current.

By vaccinating your child today, you are not only ensuring their protection against a wide variety of illness, but you are also helping to eradicate these diseases for future generations.

Department Spotlight – Flushing Hospital Gift Shop

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Anne Marie Dinicola, Manager, Flushing Hospital Gift Shop

When you enter the at you will be met by the ever smiling, ever accomodating Anne Marie Denicola, Manager. The plays an important function by providing a variety of gifts, greeting cards, floral arrangements and toiletries. They also provide carry gift bags, balloons, candy, newspapers, magazines, books, seasonal items, toys and much more.

We thank Anne Marie Denicola for being such a wonderful “Ambassador of Cheer” to our patients, visitors and employees.