October 2021 - Health Beat

Coping With The Five Stages Of Grief

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Most people will experience some form of grief during their lifetime. It may be due to the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, the loss of your home, the end of a relationship or the loss of a job.

It is important to keep in mind that everyone grieves differently. Some people grieve very intensely and some not at all. Most people fit into a category that lays between these two extremes. There is no timeline for how long a person will grieve for.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross a Swiss American psychiatrist devised a model based on her theory that there are five stages of grief. This was published in her book “On Death and Dying” in 1969.

There is no specific order to the five stages of grief, and not everyone will experience these five stages which are:

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

One of the first steps to coping with grief is to acknowledge that it exists. Talking with others and sharing with them your feelings will help you to cope. You can speak to people you’re comfortable expressing yourself to. You can also rely on clergy, grief support groups, and trained professionals who can listen and support you. Many religions also have rituals that can assist with the mourning process after the loss of a loved one.

Some suggestions for coping with grief are:

Take your time to grieve as you need to
Talk to people who are supportive
Don’t judge your grieving process based on how others have handled their situations
Avoid alcohol and other substances that can alter your responses
Seek professional help if you feel you need it
Allow yourself to cry
Take care of your body by exercising and eating properly

If you would like to speak to a professional grief counselor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, you can call 718-670-5562.

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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lung Disease

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that primarily attacks joints.

Although RA mostly causes damage to joints, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the lungs.

Lung problems that can occur as a result of RA include:

Bronchiectasis (Damage to the airways)
Interstitial lung disease (Inflammation and scarring of lung tissue)
Pleural disease (Buildup of fluid in the chest cavity)
Lung nodules (Small growths or lumps in the lungs)
Pulmonary hypertension (High blood pressure in the lungs)

The symptoms of rheumatoid lung disease vary but may include:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Fatigue
Weakness
Fever

According to the Arthritis Foundation, “The risk of developing lung disease is eight times higher in people with RA than in the general population.” Other risk factors for rheumatoid lung disease are:

Smoking
Age (People diagnosed with RA after the age of 60 are at greater risk)
Sex (Men are more likely to develop rheumatoid lung disease than women)
High RA disease activity
Undertreated RA

The cause of lung disease associated with RA is unknown; however, there are several things you can do to protect lung health. Here are a few:

Receive early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke
Exercise regularly
Avoid toxic fumes
Get the flu and pneumonia vaccine

If you are experiencing breathing problems or symptoms associated with rheumatoid lung disease, contact your doctor.

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

Calcium Rich Dairy Free Foods

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in our bodies. It is found in our teeth and bones and is also essential for the proper functioning of our heart, nervous system and muscles.

The daily recommended intake of calcium for adults is 1000mg. Most of this can be obtained by eating dairy foods such as milk and cheese that are rich in calcium.

While dairy products are good sources of calcium, it is possible to obtain this very important mineral from other foods.

Good non-dairy sources of calcium include:

Seeds ( poppy, sesame, celery, sunflower and chia )
Sardines
Soy milk
Almonds
Peanuts
White beans
Canned salmon
Beans and lentils
Dark leafy greens ( spinach, collard greens, broccoli rabe, kale)
Rhubarb
Tofu
Edamame
Figs
Sweet potatoes
Oranges and orange juice
Arugula

If you are going to consume non-dairy products, it is recommended to eat two to three servings of plant based calcium per day.

It is important to speak with your physician before starting any type of diet to make sure you are doing it properly. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips During COVID-19

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Halloween is known as a kid-favorite holiday full of spooky fun and lots of candy. However, it can also present many opportunities for injury, as children take to the streets in pursuit of trick-or-treat goodies.

Although the restrictions regarding COVID-19 have somewhat relaxed, it is still suggested that you and your child where a mask, wash or sanitize hands regularly and try not to be part of large crowds while trick-or-treating.

Additionally, statistics show that roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year. Also, injuries such as falls are a leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween.

Parents can help minimize the risk of children getting injured at Halloween by following these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Safety Council.

On Halloween children should:

Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches than entering houses.
Travel in small groups accompanied by an adult.
Use costume plastic knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking through neighborhoods trick or treating, use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
Cross at the corner, use crosswalks and do not cross between parked cars.
Be sure to stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
Wear clothing or costumes that are bright, reflective and flame retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of masks which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Avoid wearing hats that will slide over children’s eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes to prevent tripping.
Be reminded to look left, right and left again before crossing a street.

On Halloween parents and adults should:

Supervise the trick or treat outing for children under age 12.
Avoid giving choking hazards such a gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
Parents and adults should ensure the safety of pedestrian trick or treaters.
Make sure children under age 10 are supervised as they cross the street.
Drive slowly.
Watch for children in the street and on medians.
Exit driveways and alleyways slowly and carefully.
Have children get out of cars on the curbs side, not on the traffic side.

By following these simple tips, you and your children can have a safe and fun Halloween!

Learning More About Visceral Fat

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Michael Hinck

We all have some percentage of body fat on our bodies. In fact, it is healthy to have some body fat, but it’s also important to understand that not all fat is created equal. Visceral fat, or “active” fat is a type of fat that can be very harmful to your health.

Visceral fat is a type of body fat that’s stored within the abdominal cavity and is therefore stored around multiple important internal organs, including the:

liver
stomach
intestines

Visceral fat is sometimes referred to as ‘active fat’ because research has shown that this type of fat plays a distinctive and potentially dangerous role affecting how our hormones function.

The higher the amount of visceral fat a person stores, the more at risk they are for certain health complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also lead to an increased likelihood of developing breast or colorectal cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or stroke.

While imaging tests such as an MRI and CT scan can determine how much visceral fat someone is carrying, often a doctor can conclude if someone has too much visceral fat through learning more about their patient’s diet and lifestyle, calculate their overall body fat or simply measuring their waist, (a woman whose waist measures 35 inches or more is likely to have excess visceral fat. The same is true of a man whose waist measures 40 inches or more). A person’s visceral fat could range from anywhere between 1 and 59, but ideally it should be under 13.

The dangers of storing excess visceral fat can be extreme and immediate, so it is essential to make diet and lifestyle changes as soon as possible as losing weight can help a person reduce their levels of visceral fat.

Ways to decrease visceral fat includes incorporating a combination of cardiovascular exercise, such as running, cycling, swimming and strength training, which can include pushups or squats. In addition, you should follow a healthy diet that is high in lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Limiting stress levels can also reduce visceral fat.

If you believe you may have a high amount of visceral fat, make an appointment to speak with your doctor immediately so they can help you develop a plan to reduce it.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospitals’ Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Diabetic Guideline for Cold and Flu Care

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

People who are diabetic must be very cautious when taking any medications when they have a cold or the flu. Some medications may have a negative effect on their health.

What medications are considered safe for a person with diabetes to take if they should get a cold or the flu? Most times taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication when taken as prescribed is safe. All medications, cough syrups and decongestants must be sugar-free. Often the pill form of a cold or flu medication might be a better choice to take because they may not contain any carbohydrates. If you are a diabetic, you should always consult with your physician before taking any over-the-counter medications.

In addition to taking medication as prescribed or recommended by a doctor, the most important thing for a diabetic patient to do is to keep their blood sugar well controlled. This will help their immune system fight off colds and the flu.

It is also recommended that people with diabetes check their blood sugar more frequently, every four hours, should they get a cold or the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for “Sick Day Guidelines for People with Diabetes” a person should call their doctor or go to an emergency room if they experience vomiting, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit for over 24 hours, glucose level over 250mg/dl or lower than 70 mg/dl on two separate checks or cannot eat for more than 6 hours.

The American Diabetes Association recommendations for cold and flu care can be found here:

American Diabetes Association Guidelines for Colds and Flu

Most importantly, people with diabetes should get the annual flu vaccine to prevent or lessen the effects of the flu.

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

Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Our bodies need an adequate amount of sodium to help control how much water is in and around our cells. Therefore, extremely high or low levels of sodium in our blood can be harmful to our health.

Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in our blood is abnormally low or when there is too much water in our blood.

Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) can cause water levels in the body to rise and cells to swell, potentially leading to serious health problems.

Hyponatremia can be caused by several factors including:

Taking certain medications
Drinking too much water
Heart failure
Kidney or liver disease
Hormonal changes
Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
Chronic or severe vomiting or diarrhea
Taking the illicit drug Ecstasy

Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia may include:

Muscle cramps or weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion
Irritability and restlessness
Headache
Fatigue
Seizures
Coma

Some individuals are more at risk than others for developing hyponatremia. Individuals at higher risk are:

Those who drink too much water while participating in intensive physical activities such as marathons
Older adults
Those who are taking certain diuretics, pain medications or anti-depressants
Those who have medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure or other conditions that can contribute to hyponatremia

Hyponatremia may be prevented by:

Drinking water in moderation
Paying attention to the signs and symptoms of low sodium in the body
Receiving timely treatment for medical conditions that may contribute to low sodium levels
Avoiding the consumption of the illicit drug Ecstasy

Anyone who develops symptoms of hyponatremia should seek medical attention right away. Treatment for mild cases may include your doctor recommending a change in medication or reducing water intake. In moderate to severe cases, medications may be used to correct blood sodium levels or sodium may be replaced intravenously.

Mental Health Effects of Social Media on Teenagers

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Social media often plays a large role in the lives of many teens. It has replaced television, radio, magazines, and newspapers as the number one way that most young adults get their news, socialize, and form their opinions.

Studies show that teens spend as much as nine hours a day on social media. Research also indicate that the more time teens spend on social media, the more likely they are to be exposed to harmful content which can affect their mental health.

Over exposure to content that promotes or encourages cyber bullying, rumor spreading, or negative self-image can lead to:

Anxiety
Depression
Negative effects on body image
Increased loneliness
Low self esteem
Feeling ignored

Protecting teenagers from some of the negative aspects of social media would require parents to monitor their child’s usage. This would include setting limits on the amount of time spent on social media platforms, and knowing the people they are communicating with. It is also important to have your teenager’s passwords to monitor their activities.

If you would like to speak to a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center about your child’s mental well-being, please call 718-670-5486