March 2020 - Health Beat

Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Morning sickness is a common occurrence in pregnant women. It can cause mild nausea, a hyper sensitivity to smells, as well as weight loss during the first trimester.

While these are common symptoms of morning sickness, they should not be ignored especially, if they are persistent. Intense and consistent vomiting, weight loss and dehydration often present as symptoms of a more serious condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Symptoms typically develop around the 4^th week of pregnancy and can last until the 20^th week; in some cases longer.

It is very important for expecting mothers to pay attention to the symptoms associated with hyperemesis gravidarum as delayed or a lack of treatment can lead to complications for women and their unborn children.

Some complications are:

Kidney failure
Electrolyte imbalance
Malnutrition
Muscle weakness
Low birth weight
Premature birth

The treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum varies. At first, your doctor may suggest managing the symptoms with home remedies such as eating smaller and more frequent meals, drinking nutritional supplements to manage your electrolyte levels, vitamin replacement therapy or taking an antacid.

If these methods do not provide relief, your doctor may suggest a more aggressive treatment in a hospital setting.

If you are pregnant and experiencing symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum, you should seek the advice of a doctor. For more information or to make an appointment with an obstetrician or gynecologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5239.

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.

How Harmful is Occasional or Social Smoking?

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

“I am not really a smoker because I only smoke on occasion or socially.” These words are frequently spoken by those who consider themselves light or social smokers. It is quite common to find that people within this group are usually in denial of the frequency of their use of cigarettes and believe that they are not at risk of developing tobacco-related illnesses.

The truth is contrary as research has found that one-third of people who classify themselves as social smokers actually smoke more than six times per day. Additionally, whether someone smokes a lot or a little, they are at risk for developing diseases caused by tobacco. The damage that one puff of nicotine causes is instant. It takes 10 seconds for nicotine to be transported throughout the body and to the brain. Nicotine also slows down circulation and increases blood pressure and heart rate.

Furthermore, in a study conducted by the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, it was found that light smoking may result in several health complications such as:

Stroke
COPD
Peripheral artery disease
Lower respiratory tract infections
Weakened immune systems

Smoking occasionally or socially does not exclude you from developing the health complications associated with tobacco use. Over time smoking will take its toll on your body. The best thing you can do for your health is to quit smoking.

If you or someone you know needs help in quitting smoking please contact Flushing Hospital’s Freedom From Smoking program at 718 206 8494 for more information.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
In February 2000, President Clinton dedicated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States today. It is estimated that 140,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year and about 50,000 die from the disease.
The good news is that the disease is highly preventable by getting a regular screening. The reason that the screenings are so important is because if precancerous polyps are found early, they can be removed and treatment can be started early.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
• Family history
• Precancerous polyps
• Smoking
• People over the age of 50
People who have diets high in red meat and processed meat.
It is important to be checked regularly as people get older. For many people who don’t have a family history of colorectal cancer or experience symptoms of the disease, screenings can be started at age 50. If however there is a family history or symptoms exist, screenings should start by age 40 without symptoms or earlier if there are.
Screening for colorectal cancer can be done in several ways. Some of the more common methods include:
• Checking the stool for occult blood by either a high sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test
• CT colonoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy
If there is blood present in the stool, or you are experiencing unexplained abdominal pain or weight loss you should consult with your physician immediately. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

National Endometriosis Awareness Month

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Endometriosis Awareness takes the spotlight during the month of March with a mission to raise awareness about the disease which currently affects an estimated 176 million women around the globe.

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus- grows outside the uterus. This abnormal growth of tissue can commonly be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, as well as areas between the rectum and vagina. Areas where endometriosis is less commonly found are the lungs, thighs, arms and other areas beyond the reproductive organs or lower abdomen.

Endometrial tissue develops into growths or clumps called implants. These clusters of tissue respond to the menstrual cycle the same as they would inside the uterus. Meaning, each month the tissue builds up, breaks down then sheds. Unlike the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus; endometrial tissue cannot be discharged from the body through vaginal bleeding. This results in inflammation, swelling, the formation of scar tissue or internal bleeding.

The symptoms of endometriosis typically present themselves during reproductive years- on average between the ages of 12 to 60 years old. Symptoms include:

Painful sexual intercourse
Pain during pelvic examinations
Severe pain during menstruation
Pain during urination or a bowel movement
Excessive bleeding
Infertility

The cause of endometriosis is unknown but several factors such as genetics, retrograde period flow, immune system disorders and hormones are being researched.

Most cases are diagnosed in women between the ages of 25 to 35 years of age; however, some women with endometriosis remain undiagnosed because they do not have symptoms and the disorder is sometimes mistaken for other conditions.

Women who do experience symptoms should speak with their doctor about receiving tests such as pelvic examinations, laparoscopy and imaging tests, to find out if they have endometriosis.

Although there is no cure for endometriosis, effective treatments including medication, surgery and alternative therapies are available.

If you are experiencing the symptoms it is recommended that you make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. If you would like to make an appointment with a gynecologist, please call 718-670-8994.

Tips For Managing Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses to occur in children. Having a child that has been diagnosed with this disease can present several challenges. Younger children may not fully understand how diabetes affects their health; they may become frustrated with dietary restrictions or have anxieties about receiving treatment. Older children can often feel different or isolated from their peers and may neglect their self-care routines in order to fit in.

Creating a management plan can help families cope with some of these challenges. Here are some of the components that should be included in a plan:

Education- Education is one of the most important components of a diabetes management plan. Teaching children about the disease should start as early as possible and continue into their teenage years. Encourage them to ask questions and provide an environment in which they can speak openly. It is important to remember to provide answers that are appropriate and understandable for their age.
Meal plans- Meals should be planned based on a child’s age and level of physical activity. Diets should be well-balanced and exclude foods that can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Teens are more independent in choosing the foods they eat each day. Therefore, they should be reminded to stick to a schedule (To avoid missing meals) and be mindful of the foods they consume.
Medication adherence tools or approaches- Glucose testing and insulin injections can be scary for smaller children. However, parents can make receiving treatments easier by allowing children to choose the location for injections or their preferred finger for blood checks. These options provide children with a sense of control and can help to reduce their anxieties. Parents are also encouraged to perform diabetes care gently and quickly to ease discomfort. Medication adherence in older children can be achieved through the use of technology. Parents and children can utilize tools that help them to track diabetes care such as shareable digital calendars, reminder apps or auto-subscribing delivery services. As older children take on more responsibility for managing their medications, they should be reminded of the consequences of not sticking to their routine.
Support- It is important for parents to establish a network of support because having diabetes can take a toll on children’s emotional health. Children need to feel safe in sharing their challenges in managing the disease. This network can include parents, family, friends or a mental health counselor.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers numerous services that can help you to manage your child’s diabetes. Our physicians are highly trained in all aspects of pediatric health. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Flushing Hospital

ThinkstockPhotos-499259104 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic illness that is of unknown origin. It typically leaves the patient feeling extremely tired, it may get worse with mental or physical activity, and usually does not improve with rest.

There are a few theories as to what causes the condition but none have been proven. Some physicians believe it may be caused by a viral infection or possibly caused by stress.

There are eight signs and symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
• Fatigue
• Loss of memory or concentration
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain that is unexplained
• Enlarged lymph nodes in neck or armpits
• Joint pain without swelling or redness
• Headaches
• Sleep that does not refresh the body
• Extreme exhaustion that lasts more than 24 hours

Some factors that may contribute to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are:
• Age – Usually affects people in their 40’s and 50’s
• Gender – Affects women more often than men
• Stress – People under a lot of stress may develop the condition more frequently
• Depression
• Lifestyle restrictions – owing to physical disability or being homebound.

It is important to have a thorough check-up to make certain that there are no other chronic health issues that may be causing symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. There is no cure for the condition and treatment options are geared towards the improvement of the symptoms. In some cases, antidepressants may be used and sleeping pills which may aid in getting some rest.