“You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them,” “eating disorders are caused by a diet gone too far,” and “only young women are affected”   are some of the popular misconceptions associated with eating disorders.

Studies show that despite growing awareness and education about eating disorders, many people still continue to view myths such as these as factual.  This is dangerous as misinformation can result in the denial of symptoms and the validation of harmful behaviors.

In an effort to stop the spread of harmful information, we are providing the following myths and facts about eating disorders:

Myth –You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.

Fact- Many individuals with eating disorders seem healthy in appearance. In several circumstances, weight loss or weight gain may not be obvious during the onset of eating disorders.  It is also common for sufferers to learn how to hide symptoms of their illness by doing things such as wearing baggy clothing.

Myth- Eating disorders are lifestyle choices or result from diets taken too far.

Fact – Going on a diet is a choice and having an eating disorder is not.  Eating disorders are life-threatening illnesses that are associated with psychological, social, or emotional distress.

Myth- Only adolescent women are affected by eating disorders.

Fact- Eating disorders do not discriminate by gender or age.  In fact, it is estimated that 10 million men living in the United States have an eating disorder.  More and more people are seeking treatment for these disorders in their twenties and up.  There are three main groups of people that fit into this category:

• Those who secretly struggle with eating disorders for years without seeking treatment.
• Those who received treatment earlier in life and are experiencing recurring symptoms
• Those who have developed eating disorders as adults

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.

This month we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Melida Nieves, Lead Registrar in the Ambulatory Care Center – OB/GYN Department.

Melida has been with Flushing Hospital Medical Center for 14 years. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, and still resides there. Family is the most important aspect of her life. To her it is important that both her family and friends are feeling well, are comfortable, and that their needs are met. She is very proud of her two beautiful daughters who she enjoys spending as much time as possible with. She also has a poodle named Lola that she adores. In her free time, Melida enjoys going shopping and going out to eat with her daughters and often with her two sisters. She is very active with the Real Life Church in Brooklyn where she is involved in many activities that benefit the people in the community including the food bank, clothing and toy drives. Melida enjoys many types of cuisine, especially, Spanish, Italian, and Caribbean. Her favorite type of music is gospel.

Melida likes working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center because she enjoys interacting with the patients, as well as her colleagues, many of whom have become like family.

We are very pleased to have Melida working with us and we look forward to her continuing to be a part of the Flushing Hospital team for many more years.

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.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. During this time, Flushing Hospital Medical Center encourages everyone to adopt healthy lifestyle practices to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.

Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing cancer:

• Don’t use tobacco – Toxins found in tobacco products have been known to cause lung, colorectal, breast, throat cervical, bladder, mouth, and esophageal cancer. If you are a smoker or use tobacco products the best thing to do for your health is to quit.
• Eat a healthy diet – Preparing meals focused based on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans will help fortify your body against cancer. Limiting red meat and avoiding processed food are also great defenses.
• Protect your skin from the sun – Skin cancer is very common and one of the most preventable types of cancer. Wear adequate sun protection when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
• Obesity is linked to breast and colorectal cancer. You can avoid excessive weight gain by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Thirty minutes a day of regular exercise have been shown to help your general health. There is a link to obesity and breast and colorectal cancer.
• Know your family history – Many cancers are known to run in families. Let your physician know if anyone in your family has or had cancer.
• Get regular cancer screenings – Early detection can be helpful in some cases because it can lead to early diagnosis and treatment.

Discuss with your physician your medical history and your risk for cancer. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, 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.

How long does it take for symptoms of COVID to appear ?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of time that passes between exposure to the virus and when the symptoms appear can range from two to fourteen days.

One of the important facts to remember is that a person can spread the virus before they develop symptoms, very commonly, two days prior to showing any signs of being infected.

Symptoms of COVID include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Loss of smell or taste

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your physician. The only way to confirm having Covid is by testing for it. If your symptoms worsen, you should go to the closest Emergency Room.

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.