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World Autism Acceptance Month

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

April is World Autism Acceptance Month, an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood, and empowered.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation.

The Autism experience is different for everyone. Defined by a specific set of behaviors, it is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees.

There is no known single cause for Autism, however, it is generally accepted that differences in brain structure or genetic factors cause it. Early diagnosis and intervention can support an Autistic individual with the resources needed to live fully.

There are many ways to participate in Autism Acceptance Month, including:

Listen to and amplify autistic voices
Create inclusive spaces
Advocate for policy change
Educate yourself and others
Support the autism community

Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance. We all need to do our part to help create a society that actively supports and includes autistic individuals.

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.

Risk Factors for Gallstones

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. They can range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.

People who experience symptoms from their gallstones usually require gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones that don’t cause any signs or symptoms typically don’t need treatment.

Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, the resulting signs and symptoms may include:

Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of the abdomen, just below the breastbone
Back pain between your shoulder blades
Pain in your right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting

Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.

It isn’t clear what causes gallstones to form. Doctors think gallstones may occur when:

Your bile contains too much cholesterol
Your bile contains too much bilirubin
Your gallbladder doesn’t empty correctly

The types of gallstones that can form in the gallbladder include:

Cholesterol gallstones
Pigment gallstones

Factors that may increase your risk of gallstones include:

Being female
Being 40 years old or older
Being Native American
Being Hispanic of Mexican origin
Being overweight or obese
Being sedentary
Being pregnant
Eating a high-fat diet
Eating a high-cholesterol diet
Eating a low-fiber diet
Having a family history of gallstones
Having diabetes
Having certain blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
Losing weight very quickly
Taking medications that contain estrogen such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
Having liver disease

There are several complications of gallstones, including:

Inflammation of the gallbladder
Blockage of the common bile duct
Blockage of the pancreatic duct
Gallbladder cancer

You can reduce your risk of gallstones by:

Not skipping meals
Losing weight slowly
Eating more high-fiber foods
Maintaining a healthy weight

There are several tests and procedures used to diagnose gallstones and complications of gallstones, including:

Abdominal ultrasound
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Other imaging tests
Blood tests

A healthcare provider will determine if treatment for gallstones is indicated based on your symptoms and the results of diagnostic testing. Treatment options for gallstones include:

Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy)
Medications to dissolve gallstones

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers multiple options for gallbladder removal surgery, this includes robotic surgery. To schedule an appointment with a specialist, please call (718) 670-5000.

Alcohol Awareness Month

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse, and its impact on health.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) started the Alcohol Awareness Month program in 1987. The program targets teenagers and college-aged youth, aiming to educate them on the dangers of heavy drinking and other harmful behaviors that can be common during these years.

Binge drinking and heavy drinking are two patterns of excessive alcohol use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines binge drinking as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more for men on a single occasion. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.

There are several ways to support Alcohol Awareness Month, including:

Wear a red ribbon
Participate in an alcohol-free 72 hours
Host dry parties
Talk with kids and teens about alcohol
Talk with friends and family about alcohol
Reflect on your relationship with alcohol

Alcohol Awareness Month’s primary goal is to increase public awareness and education about alcohol and alcohol use disorder (AUD), formerly known as “alcoholism”.

Preparing for Allergy Season

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Spring has arrived, and with it comes longer days, warmer weather, and the blooming of trees and flowers. However, as trees and flowers bloom they release pollen, causing those who suffer from seasonal allergies to experience allergy symptoms. Spring allergy symptoms can include:

Runny nose
Watery eyes
Sneezing
Itchy eyes and nose
Dark circles under your eyes.

Some ways you can reduce your exposure to allergy triggers include:

Staying indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
Avoiding garden chores like mowing the lawn and pulling weeds that stir up allergens.
Removing clothes worn outside and showering to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
Avoid hanging laundry outside because pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
Wearing a face mask when doing chores outside.
Checking your local TV or the internet for pollen forecasts and the current pollen levels.
Taking allergy medication before symptoms start or if high pollen counts are forecasted.
Closing doors and windows at night when there are high pollen counts.
Avoiding outdoor activity when pollen counts are highest.

There isn’t a miracle product that can get rid of all allergens from the air in your home, but ways to keep indoor air clean include:

Using air conditioning in your house.
Using high-efficiency filters if you have a forced air conditioning or heating system, and following regular maintenance schedules.
Keeping indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
Using a portable HEPA filter in your bedroom.
Cleaning floors with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter regularly.

Here are some over-the-counter medications that can help ease allergy symptoms:

Oral antihistamines
Corticosteroid nasal sprays
Cromolyn sodium nasal spray
Oral decongestants

If you are experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms, you can get an allergy test and treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Brittany Choe

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

Meet Dr. Brittany Choe. She is thrilled to join the MediSys team as Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Choe completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. She then went on to complete a Fellowship in Emergency Medicine and Hospital Administration coupled with an Executive MBA.

Throughout her career, Dr. Choe has been dedicated to developing processes that deliver safe and effective care to all patients. Her work has focused heavily on performance improvement initiatives that expand the scope of Emergency Medicine and provide increased access to care for patients in the Emergency Department. As a daughter of first-generation Korean immigrants, the opportunity to work in “The World’s Borough” of Queens is both an honor and a privilege.

Through this new role as Chair of Emergency Medicine, she aims to support the mission and vision of the MediSys Health Network, serving the community of Flushing and continuing the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As we age, our metabolism slows down, causing us to require fewer calories than we did in our younger years. Our body also needs more of certain nutrients. Eating a healthy diet can support healthy aging.

Here are some tips to help get the most nutrition out of your meals:

Know what a healthy plate looks like
Eat more whole foods and limit processed foods
Look for essential nutrients
Read the “Nutrition Facts” label
Use recommended servings
Stay hydrated by drinking water with your meals and eating water-rich foods
Focus on getting enough protein to prevent muscle loss
Eat fiber-rich foods
Watch your sodium intake
Subscribe to a grocery or meal delivery service

Making these simple adjustments to your eating habits can go a long way toward building healthier eating habits. Getting the most out of foods and beverages can help you meet your nutrition needs and reduce the risk of disease. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about creating a dietary plan that works best for you before making changes to your diet.

STI Awareness Month

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

April is STI Awareness Month, a month observed to educate people on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

S.T.I.s are infectious diseases spread through sexual contact. S.T.I.s are common medical issues, however, many people don’t know they’re infected because they have mild symptoms that are easily overlooked or have no symptoms at all.

STI Awareness Month is important because it

It teaches others to be more responsible
It encourages regular S.T.I testing
It corrects the stigma and misinformation

Ways to observe STI Awareness Month:

Get involved in youth sex education
Educate yourself on S.T.I.s
Contribute to an S.T.I organization
Practice or promote safe sex

STI Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections and how they impact our lives. Getting involved can help remove the stigma from S.T.I.s.

Vertigo

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Vertigo is a sensation that makes the environment around you spin in circles. It can make you feel dizzy and off-balance. Vertigo is a symptom of several health conditions rather than a disease itself, however, it can occur along with other symptoms.

Other symptoms that might be experienced when you have vertigo include:

Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Balance issues
Hearing loss in one or both ears
Tinnitus
Headaches
Motion sickness
A feeling of fullness in your ear
Nystagmus

There are two main types of vertigo: peripheral and central. Peripheral vertigo is the most common type. It occurs when there is an issue with the inner ear or vestibular nerve.

Subtypes of peripheral vertigo include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Labyrinthitis
Vestibular neuritis
Ménière’s disease.

Central vertigo is less common. It occurs when a condition affects the brain, such as an infection, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. People with central vertigo usually have more severe symptoms like severe instability or difficulty walking.

The causes of vertigo vary from person to person. Causes can include:

Migraine headaches
Certain medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and cardiovascular drugs
Stroke
Arrhythmia
Diabetes
Head injuries
Prolonged bed rest
Shingles in or near your ear
Ear surgery
Perilymphatic fistula
Hyperventilation
Low blood pressure
Ataxia
Syphilis
Otosclerosis
Brain diseases
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Acoustic neuroma

Vertigo can cause falls resulting in bone fractures or other injuries. It can also interfere with your quality of life and hinder your ability to drive or go to work.

To diagnose vertigo, a healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. They may also recommend one or more tests to confirm your diagnosis. Healthcare providers can also perform tests to diagnose vertigo, including:

Fukuda-Unterberger test
Romberg’s test
Head impulse test
Vestibular test battery
Imaging tests

Treatments for vertigo depend on the underlying cause. Healthcare providers use a variety of treatments, including:

Repositioning maneuvers
Vertigo medication
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (vertigo exercises)
Surgery

If you are experiencing vertigo symptoms, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Bloating

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Bloating describes a feeling of fullness or tightness in the abdomen. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended or swollen abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. It usually goes away after a while, but it can be a recurring problem for some people.

The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. Another cause may be a digestive issue after eating. It could be as simple as eating too much too fast, a food intolerance, or another condition that can cause gas and digestive contents to build up. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. Menstrual cycles are another common cause of temporary bloating.

Between 10% and 25% of otherwise healthy people complain of occasional abdominal bloating. As many as 75% describe their symptoms as moderate to severe. About 10% say they experience it regularly. Among those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it may be as much as 90%. Up to 75% of women experience bloating before and during their period. Only 50% of people who experience bloating also report a distended abdomen.

If your bloating is due to something you ate or drank, or hormone fluctuations, it should begin to ease within a few hours or days. If you are constipated, bloat won’t go down until you start pooping. Water, exercise, and herbal teas may help. If bloating doesn’t go away or gets worse, seek medical attention.

If bloating is caused by diet or alcohol consumption, it can be prevented by making certain lifestyle choices such as:

Eating enough fiber
Drinking enough water
Getting exercise
Avoiding processed foods
Practicing mindful eating
Notice stomach sensitivities

What can help relieve bloating depends on the cause. A professional diagnosis may be needed to get to the bottom of it. However, if you are looking to combat bloating in the interim, some home remedies can include:

Peppermint oil capsules
Antacids
Magnesium supplements
Probiotics
Fiber supplements
Regular exercise

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

Epilepsy Awareness

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

March 26^th is observed as World Epilepsy Day or Purple Day, a global initiative to raise epilepsy awareness and support the millions of people living with epilepsy worldwide.

Purple Day launched internationally in 2009 thanks to global sponsors The Anita Kaufmann Foundation and The Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes.

Approximately 65 million people are living with epilepsy across the world, and one in 26 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime.

Purple Day was created in 2008 by Cassidy Megan who was inspired by her own experience living with epilepsy at just 9 years old. Cassidy often felt isolated because of her seizures, but she envisioned a day when everyone with epilepsy could feel connected and understood.

There are many ways to get involved on Purple Day, including:

Wearing purple
Share on social media
Sharing your story
Donate for Purple Day
Taking seizure first aid training

By wearing purple, sharing stories, and supporting each other, the voices of those with epilepsy can be amplified. Every conversation started, post that is shared, and every person educated brings us one step closer to breaking the stigma and creating a world where no one faces epilepsy alone.