July 2021 - Health Beat

World Hepatitis Day

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

In 2010 the World Health Organization ( W.H.O.) designated July 28th as World Hepatitis Day. This serves to increase awareness about viral hepatitis and to influence change in disease prevention, testing, and treatment.

Hepatitis is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The liver is an organ in the body that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections.

The most common forms of hepatitis are A, B, and C. Hepatitis B and C kill close to 1.4 million people each year and cause almost 80 percent of all liver cancer cases. Many people have the hepatitis virus and are unaware of it.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis B include:
• Fever
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Hepatitis is spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids. It is possible that people remain without symptoms for many years but during this time the disease is slowly destroying the liver. It can take many years for the symptoms to appear.

Blood tests are available that can detect the virus at an early stage.
Ways to reduce infection:
• Use only sterile equipment for injections
• Test all donated blood for hepatitis
• Practice safe sex
• Encourage people to get the hepatitis B vaccine

Medication exists that can cure hepatitis C and can control hepatitis B infection. When given properly, people are less likely to die from liver cancer and cirrhosis and also are less likely to transmit the disease to others. The hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses over a six-month period and it is recommended that it be initiated right after birth if possible.

To make an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss the vaccine, 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.

Flushing Hospital Launches BRAAVR Anti-Asian Hate Program

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

For Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, the difficulties and trauma associated with the COVID pandemic have been further intensified by instances of verbal and physical attacks fueled by anti-Asian racism. These acts can result in racial trauma, an effect caused by psychological and emotional injury.

Victims of racism may experience a variety of emotions, including:

Depression
Anxiety
Anger
Fear
Low self-esteem
Shame

To address this growing crisis in our community the MediSys Behavioral Health Network has created the Building Resilience Against Anti-Asian Violence & Racism (or BRAAVR) program. This community wellness program is designed to help the victims of anti-Asian racism receive counseling and support from culturally competent, multi-lingual mental health professionals. Services will be offered on-site, through the mobile crisis intervention program, or virtually through the telehealth program.

The service will also work with network and community-based providers to identify those in need of help and provide them with resources to better treat and provide referrals for appropriate care. The Behavioral Health team will also work with local organizations and elected officials to educate and raise awareness about this issue. Translated hand-outs are being distributed and educational content and links will be posted on Flushing Hospital’s website to help members of the community and local providers.

Patients wishing to make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Behavioral Health Center can call 718-206-7135.

Flushing Hospital Receives Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence Designation

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is proud to receive Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence (DICOE) designation from the American College of Radiology (ACR).

To receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in all modalities they provide, and in which the ACR offers an accreditation program. Another requirement is participation in the Dose Index Registry® and General Radiology Improvement Database, as well as Image Wisely® and Image Gently® pledges. All of which are initiatives promoted by the ACR to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, and effective imaging care to patients.

Furthermore, facilities must demonstrate excellence at multiple levels. Performance is measured by the successful completion of comprehensive assessments in the following areas:

Governance and personnel
Facility organization and management
Physical environment
Equipment and IT infrastructure
Radiation and general safety
Quality management
Policies and procedures
Patient rights and medical records

Flushing Hospital has exceeded the standard requirements of accreditation to achieve DICOE designation. Patients of the hospital can be assured they are receiving the highest levels of imaging quality, safety, and care.

The Health Benefits of Peaches

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Peaches are a fruit that are believed to have originated in China over 8000 years ago. They are in the same family as almonds, cherries, apricots and plums. Peaches are known for having flesh that surrounds a shell containing an edible seed. White peaches tend to be sweeter and yellow peaches are tart. One of the nice things about peaches is that they can be eaten raw, baked, broiled or grilled.

Here are some of the health benefits of peaches:

Excellent source of vitamins and minerals which helps to improve immunity
High levels of antioxidants can help in protecting skin
They are high in fiber which helps digestion
They contain very few calories, approximately 60 in a medium sized peach.
They are low in fats, cholesterol and sodium
They contain beta carotene which is beneficial to eye health
May help to reduce histamine levels which can lessen allergy symptoms

Peaches can be found year round in the fruit section of most supermarkets but summertime is when they are most commonly seen. If you are looking for a fruit that is both refreshing and nutritious, peaches are definitely a good choice.

Eric Fernandez – FHMC’s July Employee Spotlight

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Joann Ariola

July’s Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Employee Spotlight shines on Eric Fernandez, Assistant Head Nurse, in our 2 West/Addiction Services Unit.

Eric has been at FHMC for the past 14 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from NYU, as well as being a graduate of LaGuardia Community College of Nursing.

As a valued member of the FHMC Department of Nursing, Eric is known for always pitching in whenever and wherever he is needed. He was an integral part of the COVID-19 vaccination team, spending countless hours making sure all who wanted to be vaccinated were given the chance.

Eric stated, “It was gratifying to be part of the COVID vaccine team because I was witnessing people have tears of joy in their eyes because they would finally be able to visit family and friends that they hadn’t seen in over a year.

When he is not working, Eric loves to go to the movies, travel, exercise and spend time with his wife, Starr watching his son, Sawyer, play sports.

He has a love for history, especially U.S. and NYC History. He is an avid reader and a regular at the New York Blood Center donating much needed blood and platelets.

When asked what the best part and most challenging part of his job was, Eric stated, “The best part of working in the CDU is when former patients visit or call us to say they turned their life around. They thank our staff and attribute our care for being a big part of their recovery. That type of affirmation makes me work even much harder for the patient who is struggling with breaking the chain of relapse that can often happen with Addiction”

For these, and so many other reasons, Eric Fernandez is Flushing Hospital’s July Employee Spotlight. Congratulations!

What You Need To Know About The Delta Variant

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Michael Hinck

It is common for viruses to change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. These variants can affect the strength, symptoms, or transmission rate of the virus. There have been multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 identified in the United States and globally throughout this pandemic. One variant that you may be hearing more and more about is the delta variant.

The highly transmissible delta variant of the COVID-19 virus was first identified in India and has now been reported in at least 104 countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the delta variant is now the dominant strain of the virus, representing 51.7% of new COVID cases in the United States as of the week of July 3.

The delta variant is a cause of concern to health authorities because it is thought to be the most transmissible variant yet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the delta variant is estimated to be approximately 55% more transmissible than the alpha variant, which was first identified in Britain last year. Officials believe delta is more contagious because of its ability to partially evade the antibodies made by the immune system after a coronavirus infection or vaccination.

Many health experts fear the variant will cause a surge in new cases this fall, hitting the unvaccinated the hardest. Currently, only 48% of adult Americans are fully-vaccinated, well below the 70% most believe is needed to achieve herd immunity. In fact, areas in the U.S. with low vaccination rates are already beginning to see delta-driven outbreaks, and the number of COVID-19 cases has begun to climb again nationally.

The good news is that data suggests that several widely used shots, including those made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, appear to retain most of their effectiveness against the delta variant.

Flushing Hospital urges everyone eligible to get vaccinated if you have not already done so and encourage your family and friends to get vaccinated as well. Vaccination is the best way to stop the spread of all the variants and reduce the odds that new, even more dangerous variants emerge.

Summer Asthma

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Many people with asthma find that their symptoms worsen during the hot humid days of summer. This is fairly common and there are several reasons why this may occur:

The poor air quality during the warm and hot weather is due to a rise in air pollutants which can make breathing more difficult.
The high humidity which is often found during the warmer months can make it difficult to inhale air.
Warm weather typically leads to an increase in allergens such as pollen, mold and dust mites.
These can cause a release of histamines in the body which constrict the air passages.
Heat puts stress on the lungs’ ability to inhale and exhale because the breathing passages narrow.

Here are some tips to keep asthma under control during the summer months:

Try not to go outside during the hottest times of the day
Stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible
Keep allergies well controlled
Avoid heavily chlorinated swimming pools
Keep asthma medication handy

There are a few treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with asthma. These include inhaler corticosteroids which reduce the inflammation in the airways. Some inhalers also contain corticosteroids and beta blockers which help to keep the airways open. Always discuss with your physician which option is going to be best for you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486

Baby Poop: What’s Normal Or Not

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

There are many shades and textures of normal when it comes to the color and consistency of baby poop. Color and texture can result from several factors including the age of the baby as well as the type of milk or food that is being consumed.

After newborn babies are born, their poop is likely to be greenish-black or black and have a sticky consistency. This is called meconium which consists of amniotic fluid, skin cells, mucus, and other particles the baby may have ingested in utero.

Once an infant begins to exclusively breastfeed, the color of the poop may be yellow or slightly green. The texture is often described as being seedy. What resembles little seeds are undigested milk fat. This is normal.

Formula-fed babies’ poop can be tan, brown, yellowish-brown, or greenish-brown in color. The consistency is a little firmer than that of a breastfed infant and is likened to pasty peanut butter.

The poop of babies who are eating solid foods such as pureed fruits or infant cereal may contain a wide variety of colors. The poop is firmer and may contain bits of undigested food.

Keeping an eye on your baby’s poop is important as it can be indicative of changes in their health. If your little one’s poop remains black several days after birth or is red, gray or white in color, notify your doctor immediately. Also, contact a pediatrician if your baby’s bowel movements occur more or less frequently than usual or are unusually watery or dry.

To schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Lyme Disease

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Joann Ariola

With summer in full swing, we will be spending more time doing activities outdoors in areas such as parks, forests and hiking trails. While getting out and keeping physically fit is strongly encouraged it is important to keep in mind that being in these areas can put you at risk for Lyme disease.

Dr. Sherman Klein, MD, specializing in Internal Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center offers the following information on Lyme disease, how it is spread, its symptoms, and treatment.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-born infection in New York City and in the United States. On the east coast, Lyme disease is spread by the bite of a black-legged tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Not all black-legged ticks carry this bacterium and, even if they are infected, they must be attached for at least 36 – 48 hours after a person is bitten to transmit the disease.

Blacklegged ticks are rarely found in NYC, but if you have been traveling in more rural areas of New York such as Westchester and Long Island you are at greater risk of coming into contact with an infected tick.

The annual number of cases of Lyme disease reported continues to rise each year in non-rural communities.

Some of the early warning signs of Lyme disease are:

Muscle aches
Headache
Fatigue
Fever
Rash

These signs and symptoms may occur anywhere from three to 30 days after being bitten. After an infected tick bite, a widening red area may appear at the infected site that is clear in the center, forming a bull’s eye appearance.

Dr. Klein suggests that the best way to avoid contracting Lyme disease is to avoid direct contact with ticks. You can do this by avoiding wooded and brushy areas, and high grass. If you are hiking, try to walk in the center of the trails and wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. If in a wooded area you should use a strong repellent. Dr. Klein cautions that when using any repellent, you should avoid applying the solution to your hands, eyes and mouth.

Some of the tips to find and remove ticks from your body and clothing are:

Do a check of your entire body viewing under your arms, behind and in your ears, inside your navel, behind your knees, along your legs, waist and hair. Also, check your pet.
Take a shower soon after returning indoors. If you wash within two hours of returning indoors, the ticks are more easily found and washed off your body.
Once you are indoors, take your clothing and place them in the wash using hot water and then put them in the dryer on “high” for at least 10 minutes; if the clothes were washed in cold water, place them in the dryer on “high” for at least 90 minutes

If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body causing arthritis cardiac and nervous system problems. Dr. Sherman Klein is one of the many qualified doctors specializing in Internal Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment with him, or any of our other doctors, please call 718-670-5486

Covid-19 Vaccine Myth or Fact

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

There is a myth that COVID-19 vaccines contain metallic ingredients that cause a person to become “magnetic”. On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website it clearly states that “ All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth alloys, as well as manufactured products such as microelectronics, electrodes, carbon, carbon nanotubes, and nanowire semiconductors.” The main ingredient in two of the most commonly administered vaccines ( Pfizer and Moderna ) in the United States is messenger RNA ( mRNA ). This is a genetic molecule and non magnetic. The third most commonly administered vaccine ( Johnson and Johnson) also does not contain any ingredient that is metallic.