January 2021 - Health Beat

Broken Heart Syndrome

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

Can someone be diagnosed with a “broken heart”? The answer is yes.

Broken heart syndrome is caused by the heart’s reaction to a surge of stress hormones, which causes an irregular heartbeat and can be accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. When someone experiences a broken heart, (not to be confused with a heart attack) the blood flow in the arteries is reduced. Also known as a takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, it can be brought on by various stressful situations.

Some triggers of broken heart syndrome include:
• A break-up, divorce or death of a loved one
• Experiencing or recovering from a natural disaster
• Job loss

Some medications can contribute to broken heart syndrome such as epinephrine- taken for allergic reactions, as well as certain prescriptions that treat anxiety, depression, or thyroid issues.

Broken heart syndrome can be treated once your physician medically rules out any other possible cardiac issues. Treatment will most likely focus on reducing the workload of your heart.

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.

Employee Spotlight – Anthony Di Preta

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Joann Ariola

January’s Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) Employee Spotlight shines Security Officer Anthony Di Preta. Anthony has been a security officer for the past 12 years and is tasked with securing the hospital premises, directing visitor traffic, observing and reporting suspicious activity, checking for property damage, monitoring the hospitals closed circuit TV (CCTV), and checking that the proper hospital identification is being displayed on each employee.

When not at work, Anthony enjoys watching movies, playing pool and fixing model cars. He is active in his local chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

“The most rewarding part of my job is making people happy and helping people. The most challenging part of my job is diffusing possible volatile situations.

Congratulations Anthony Di Preta on being featured on FHMC’S Employee Spotlight!

This Month’s Home Exercise Tips

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

This month’s home work out tip is very simple. All exercise routines, whether performed at home or in a gym should include the following elements:

Warm-up
Cardiovascular workout
Strength building
Movement to help flexibility
Cooling off period

It is always important to get the body ready for exercise by warming up. It is just as important to help the body recover by cooling down. Cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercises help us to target all the major muscle groups in our bodies, and improve our overall level fitness.

What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of irresponsible, impulsive or often criminal behaviors.

A person with ASPD is typically deceitful, manipulative or reckless. They consistently show no regard for the law, what is right or wrong, or the rights or feelings of others. Someone with ASPD generally has no guilt or remorse for the harm they have caused others.

Individuals with this disorder can also be very charming or charismatic, traits they often use to manipulate people.

Additional signs and symptoms of ASPD can include having a history of:

Lying persistently
Having poor or abusive relationships
Having difficulty sustaining long-term relationships
Not caring for the safety of others or oneself
Never accepting responsibility and blaming others for one’s problems
Failing to fulfill money, work or social duties
Repeatedly breaking the law
Abusing drugs or alcohol
Being irritable or aggressive

It is not known why some people develop antisocial personality disorder and others do not. Genetic factors and traumatic childhood experiences such as child abuse are believed to play a role. Men are more likely to develop the disorder than women.

Antisocial personality disorder is diagnosed by a mental health provider who conducts a psychological evaluation that explores behavior patterns, family history, relationship patterns, medical history as well as symptoms listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of ASPD, do not hesitate to get help. You can schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, by calling (718) 670-5562.

What Is Brain Fog?

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Brain fog is characterized as a mental fuzziness or lack of clarity. Some of the characteristics of brain fog can include:

Difficultly grasping thoughts
Problems finding the right words to say
Problems concentrating or remembering what you are doing
Mental exhaustion

The term “brain fog” has been associated with many medical conditions including lupus, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease and menopause. Patients receiving chemotherapy have also reported experiencing brain fog. Most recently, the term has been mentioned as a long-term side effect of COVID-19 patients. Many of these patients, referred to as “long haulers” are currently living with this condition.

Regardless of the cause for your brain fog, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is offering the following tips to help you manage this condition:

Get more sleep – Sleep deprivation can make it difficult for you to think clearly during the day. It is recommended that you receive 8-9 hours of sleep every night.
Exercise your body– Physical activity doesn’t only offer benefits for your body, it can also help improve memory and reaction time.
Exercise your brain – Regularly challenge your brain power by participating in puzzles and other activities. Also seek other enjoyable activities that will keep your brain engaged.
Decrease stress – Identify coping skills such as removing stressful elements in your life and saying no to requests that can cause stress. Meditation and journaling are also good techniques to help you manage
Monitor your diet – A diet lacking in vitamins (such as B12) and minerals can lead to poor brain function. Some suggested foods to incorporate into your diet include walnuts, fatty fishes, blueberries and turmeric.
Check your medications – Certain migraine and anti-seizure prescriptions as well as over-the-counter sleep aid and allergy medications can have potential side-effects linked to brain fog.

If you are currently living with conditions associated with brain fog as a result of COVID-19, Flushing Hospital has opened a Post-COVID Care Center to help you manage your long-hauler symptoms. We incorporate a holistic approach to care for our patients, combining the best of conventional medicine and alternative therapies.

To make an appointment, please call 718-736-8204.

National Healthy Weight Week

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Joann Ariola

The third week in January is designated as National Healthy Weight Week. In an effort to promote a healthy nutritional lifestyle, Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to offer the following tips to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Set a Goal – You can’t set out on a mission to lose weight without knowing how you are going to do it. Create a detailed weight-loss plan and set a goal that is specific, measurable and realistic.
Be Patient – In most cases if you make modest adjustments in your lifestyle, you can lose the weight gradually, but steadily. Dietary changes are typically easier to follow when you take slow, small steps.
Drink Plenty of Water – Water is free of calories, inexpensive and provides your body with a quenching boost. Recommendations are to drink eights cups of water every day, but if that is unrealistic, try slowly increasing your intake by drinking a few ounces more than you did the previous day.
Avoid temptations to snack– It is very easy to lose track of how much we eat when we are constantly nibbling on snacks. To avoid constant grazing, try chewing gum or drinking water. If you must snack, try choosing healthy alternatives.
Make a Deal to Indulge – Definitely remove your dietary weakness from your home, but totally banning your favorite foods is bound to backfire. Instead of totally eliminating temptations from your life, allow yourself to modestly indulge once a week.
Begin a Manageable Workout Program – Forking over money on an annual gym membership can be helpful, but simply signing up isn’t enough. Instead of setting unrealistic workout goals, create a convenient and realistic workout routine at home.
Have a Friend Help You – Starting healthy nutritional lifestyle can be more effective if you have someone to hold you accountable. Teaming up with a weight-loss companion can assist you reach your goal by helping you stick to your diet and accompany you with your workout routine.
Weigh yourself – Regular weight check-ins can help you maintain your desired weight. Keep track of your progress and, if you see a trend toward gaining weight, you can revert back to the steps you took to begin your weight loss.

Hopefully, these tips will help you reach and maintain your weight loss goals in 2021. If however, you need professional assistance, Flushing Hospital’s Bariatric Center can help. They offer a variety of non-invasive, medically managed surgical weight loss options for those who qualify.

To make an appointment, please call 718-670-8908.

Cold Weather and Asthma

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

People who suffer from asthma definitely know the effects that cold air can have on their ability to breathe. When very cold and dry air enters the body, and subsequently the lungs it can cause a tightening of the airways. Cold air can cause wheezing, tightness of the chest muscles, shortness of breath, coughing, a sense of dizziness and sometimes difficulty speaking.

Taking some precautions before going outside in very cold weather can help ease the symptoms. It is important to keep asthma under control at all times. It can be helpful to take a dose of an asthma inhalant ten minutes before going outdoors. This will aid in keeping the airways open. People with asthma should carry their medication with them if they know they are going to be outdoors for any period of time. Another good idea is to keep your mouth and nose covered with a scarf when you are outside in cold weather. This will help to warm the air you are breathing. Anyone who has asthma should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Sometimes the act of just walking on a windy day can bring on symptoms of an asthma attack. Try breathing through your nose more and through your mouth less. This will help to warm the air that enters your lungs.

People with asthma know the effects it can have during the cold days of winter. Taking a few precautions can help minimize the effects of the cold air on the body.

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

How To Handle A Relapse

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Overcoming addiction can be a difficult journey, as one may be faced with several challenges. One of those challenges is figuring out what to do after a relapse.

It is not uncommon for a person to relapse after getting clean. In fact, relapsing is often considered by many experts to be a part of lifelong recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40 to 60 percent of people who participate in addiction treatment programs relapse at least once. And approximately 90% of alcoholics will relapse within four years.

A person’s addiction can be triggered by various emotional, social or environmental factors, all of which can lead to feeling the need to begin using drugs or drinking alcohol again.

There are often signs that point to a potential relapse. Recognizing the following signs can help someone avoid making the wrong decision, and jeopardizing their sobriety:

Feeling emotions that led to an addiction such as sadness, anger or even extreme happiness
Showing symptoms of depression or anxiety
Exhibiting changes in behavior
No longer attending or losing interest in therapy sessions or addiction recovery meetings
Reconnecting with people who encouraged substance abuse
Romanticizing past substance abuse
Believing that it is possible to abuse substances again without becoming addicted

In the event a person has relapsed there are several things they can do to get back on the road to recovery. They are:

Acknowledging relapse and learning from their mistakes
Avoiding triggers and setting healthy boundaries
Seeking support from those who can help them cope with their relapse
Going back to treatment
Attending self-help groups
Practicing self-care
Creating a relapse prevention plan

If you have a loved one who is battling substance abuse, you may understandably feel confused and helpless. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk the path to recovery and healing alone.

At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, our Psychiatry Department features a Division of Addiction Services where those battling addiction can receive comprehensive assessments and treatment for alcohol and chemical dependency.

To schedule an appointment or speak with a mental health professional, please call 718- 670-5078.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Michael Hinck

The thyroid gland serves many functions. It regulates our rate of metabolism, growth and development, and our body temperature. So when it isn’t working properly it can have a major impact on our health.

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), thyroid disease is a more common disorder than diabetes or heart disease. It affects as many as 30 million Americans, more than half of whom remain undiagnosed. To raise awareness about the thyroid gland and symptoms of thyroid disease, January has been designated Thyroid Awareness Month.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck.. Although small in size, the gland plays a large role by producing thyroid hormone which influences the function of many of the body’s most important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. When the thyroid gland is not producing the right amount of hormone (either too much or too little), problems can start to arise.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. This can result in a range of symptoms that include unexplained fatigue, weight gain, depression, forgetfulness, feeling cold, hair loss, or low sex drive. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is a condition when the body produces an abundance of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heart rate, heat intolerance and unexplained weight loss and anxiety. For both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, medication can be prescribed to regulate hormone levels.

A more serious concern involving the thyroid gland is thyroid cancer, which can develop independent of the above thyroid disease. According to the AACE, about 60,000 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. In most cases, thyroid cancer has a good prognosis and high survival rates—especially when diagnosed in its early stages.

Through attention raised by Thyroid Awareness Month, more and more primary care physicians are screening for thyroid disease, which has greatly helped those who would have otherwise had their condition go undiagnosed.

Flushing Hospital is proud to help raise awareness for thyroid disease and encourages everyone experiencing symptoms to ask their doctor to do an evaluation. If you do not have a doctor, call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center to make an appointment at 718-670-5486.

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Joann Ariola

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. It is a time for raising awareness of how frequently birth defects can occur and what can be done to help prevent them.

Birth defects are defined as conditions that are present when a baby is born and can affect nearly every part of the body. Conditions such as cleft lip can be easily diagnosed. Other conditions such as deafness or heart defects may only be discovered after diagnostic testing.

The largest number of birth defects occurs during the first three months of gestation. In the U.S. approximately 120,000 babies are born with birth defects each year.

The 10 most common birth defects in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are:

Down syndrome
Cleft lip (with or without cleft palate)
Atrioventricular septal defect (hole in the heart)
Absence of malformation of the rectum and/or large intestine
Gastroschisis (hole in the abdominal wall)
Tetralogy of Fallot (a combination of heart defects)
Spina bifida without anencephaly
Reduction deformity, upper limbs
Reversal of the heart’s two main arteries

Although birth defects can’t always be prevented, there are plenty of steps pregnant women can take to help reduce the risk.

The womenshealth.gov website offers these suggestions:

Make regular visits to your doctor throughout pregnancy
Get 400mcg of folic acid each day through diet or supplements
Don’t smoke, use illegal drugs or drink alcohol while you are pregnant
Always check with your doctor before taking any medication
Get all vaccinations recommended by your doctor
If you have diabetes, keep it under control
Stick to a healthy weight

You may also request a pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy screening test in order to spot potential or real birth defects. The types of tests include a carrier test to see if you or your partner carries potentially harmful genes, as well as screening and diagnostic tests that can determine risks for and detect genetic disorders.

If you are pregnant, or planning to be, and want to discuss your options with one of our doctors, the Women’s Health Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center is centrally located and has convenient hours; to make an appointment call 718-670-8992.