July 2023 - Health Beat

The Shingles Vaccine: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Shingles is an infection that can cause painful rashes and blisters anywhere on the body. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox at any point in the past, the virus is still present in your body and can re-activate later in life as shingles.

Although shingles isn’t life-threatening, it can be very painful. Additionally, it can lead to postherpetic neuralgia, a complication that causes shingles pain to occur long after rashes and blisters are no longer present.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the only protection available against shingles is vaccination. Two doses of the shingles vaccine, also known as Shingrix, are recommended for all adults over the age of 50, as well as adults over the age of 19 who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medical treatment. You should also get the vaccine if you’ve already had shingles, as it can prevent future occurrences of the condition.

The shingles vaccine is safe, with side-effects generally going away no more than three days after receiving a dose. Side-effects are also more common in young people. They typically include:

Soreness in the injected arm
Redness and swelling around the vaccination site
Fatigue
Headaches
Muscle pain
Fever
Stomach pain
Nausea

There is also a very small risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a serious nervous system disorder, associated with the shingles vaccine; this risk, however, is also associated with the shingles itself.

While most people should get the shingles vaccine at some point, it may not be right for everyone based on certain factors. You should not receive the vaccine while you currently have shingles, are pregnant, or if you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine.

You can receive the shingles vaccine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, 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.

What is Self-Harm?

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Self-harm is when a person intentionally hurts themselves. Generally, people who self-harm do not intend for their actions to kill them. They may act in this way for a wide variety of reasons, such as to help them cope emotionally with distressing thoughts or feelings or to communicate to others non-verbally that they are in distress and need support.

People self-harm in many different ways, including:

Cutting or scratching to break skin
Burning themselves with objects such as lit cigarettes, heated sharp objects, or chemicals
Physical trauma, such as hitting themselves with an object or hitting objects in ways that cause harm to themselves (for example, punching a wall)

These forms of self-harm can leave different kinds of marks on the body, such as bruises, burns, and scars. A person may try to cover these marks up with long-sleeve clothing, even in hot weather, and may explain the presence of any visible marks as the results of accidents. New marks may appear with some degree of frequency.

Certain factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing self-harming behaviors. Some of these factors include:

Abuse or traumatic childhood experiences
Age (self-harm most often begins between the ages of 12 and 14, potentially continuing for many years)
Being non-cisgender (people who identify with a gender other than the sex assigned to them at birth face a higher likelihood of facing bullying, abuse, and trauma)
Being non-heterosexual (people belonging to sexual minority groups self-harm at a higher-than-average rate due to an increased likelihood of abuse and trauma)
Social isolation

Self-harm can lead to potentially serious and permanent medical complications, including infection, nerve damage, scarring, severe injury, and death. It can also negatively impact social relationships, feed into a negative self-image, and increase a person’s risk of suicide, particularly if their self-harming behaviors become worse over time.

If you or someone you know engages in self-harm, it can help to have someone to talk to about what you’re thinking or feeling in a non-judgmental setting. Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic provides individual psychotherapy services to people of all ages who are experiencing mental health problems. You can reach the clinic to schedule an appointment by calling (718) 670-5562. Additionally, you can dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

If a medical emergency occurs due to self-harm, please dial 911 immediately.

A Tasty Summer Recipe for Sweet and Spicy Grilled Salmon

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Warm summer evenings call for an easy to prepare, sweet and spicy grilled salmon recipe to enjoy. Here is a recipe from the Food Network that we recommend.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sweet-and-spicy-grilled-salmon-recipe-2112185

Can A Thunderstorm Trigger An Asthma Attack?

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

It has been found that a thunderstorm can trigger or worsen an asthma attack, under the right conditions. The term used to describe this phenomenon is “thunderstorm asthma”.

Although thunderstorm asthma can happen to anyone diagnosed with asthma, symptoms are most likely to develop in individuals who also suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis.

According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, the phenomenon of thunderstorm asthma is caused by several factors including:

The combination of rainfall, cold air, and high humidity that occur in thunderstorms. (These weather conditions aid in breaking down pollen and spores into much smaller fragments, which can pass through the nose and sinuses, and into the airways of our lungs).
Electrical activity (lightning) that contributes to pollen fragmentation.
Strong gusts of wind that spread pollen.

Incidents of thunderstorm asthma are rare and have mostly occurred in Australia, England, and Italy. Although there haven’t been any widespread cases in the United States, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports, “many with asthma, especially allergic asthma, complain about their symptoms getting worse during thunderstorms.”

Though thunderstorm asthma is a rarity, there are growing concerns for those at risk for developing weather-related asthma attacks. Changing climate patterns are contributing to longer pollen seasons and more potent pollen. Additionally, storms are becoming more intense and frequent.

If you are at risk for developing weather-related asthma attacks, the AAFA has the following recommendations to help manage your health:

See a board-certified allergist to help you determine your triggers. They can help you create an asthma management plan.
Follow your doctor’s plan to keep your symptoms under control.
If you have allergic asthma and pollen is one of your triggers, watch the weather, especially when humidity and pollen are high.
Get support from others who have asthma. Asthma is easier to deal with if you have support from others after you leave the doctor’s office. AAFA has asthma and allergy online support groups you can join to talk to others with the same conditions.

To schedule an appointment with an asthma and allergy specialist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

What Should You Eat While Pregnant?

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s New Beginnings unit provides the women in our community and their families with the ultimate birthing experience in Queens. Each month, we cover a new topic exploring an important aspect of health and well-being for expectant mothers. This month, we’ll discuss the nutritional needs of new mothers during pregnancy.

Certain nutrients are important for supporting your baby’s physical development and preventing deficiency-related medical problems. While pregnant, you should make a point of incorporating the following nutrients into your diet:

Folate and folic acid
Calcium
Vitamin D
Protein
Iron

Foods such as salmon, eggs, pasteurized milk, cheese, and leafy vegetables are excellent components of a diet that provides adequate amounts of these recommended nutrients during pregnancy.

It is also important to avoid certain substances that could have harmful effects on both your own health and that of your baby. All forms of alcohol, for example, are potentially harmful to your baby during pregnancy. Other foods that are best avoided while pregnant include:

Raw or undercooked seafood, meat, or eggs
Refrigerated meat spreads and smoked meats
Deli meats
Dairy products containing unpasteurized milk

When you become pregnant, be sure to discuss the nutritional needs of yourself and your baby (as well as any medication you’re considering taking) with your doctor to ensure those needs are adequately met.

Flushing Hospital’s New Beginnings unit offers spacious, modern suites as well as advanced postpartum care, providing you with a safe environment for giving birth and comprehensive follow-up medical support for you and your baby. To learn more about the unit, including accommodations and services provided, please call us at (718) 670-5702.

Three Helpful Exercises for Managing Arthritis

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Physical exercise is an essential part of managing symptoms of arthritis. It can help by strengthening the muscles around the affected joints, decreasing bone loss, and reducing joint stiffness and pain. Another benefit of regular exercise is keeping your weight at a healthy level, which also helps to reduce stress placed on your joints.

The best forms of physical activity for managing arthritis are low-impact, meaning that they place little stress on your body and alleviate symptoms. Three of these types of exercises include:

Walking: Walking each day for up to one hour can reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation in your joints caused by arthritis. If needed, you can break up this hour of walking into several ten-minute walks, resting between each one. It’s best to try to cover up to three miles in an hour of walking, but you can work up to this intensity level; any amount of regular walking is beneficial.

Cycling: Another great form of exercise for managing your arthritis symptoms is cycling, which can be done in either an indoor (with a stationary bike) or outdoor (with a bicycle, tricycle, or e-bike) setting. Cycling allows your joints, particularly your knees, to move through their full range of motion, producing synovial fluid that lubricates the joints and allows them to move more easily throughout the day.

Swimming: Swimming and other forms of aquatic exercise can help your arthritis symptoms by stimulating blood circulation, building your strength and cardiovascular conditioning, and increasing the flexibility of your joints. Water’s buoyancy reduces the stress placed on your body by exercise, causing less of an impact on your joints.

If you experience pain from arthritis, talk to a doctor about what you should do to manage your symptoms. You can visit a specialist and discuss treatment options at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Why Should You Breastfeed Your Baby?

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s New Beginnings unit provides women and their families with the ultimate birthing experience. Each month, we cover a new topic exploring an important aspect of health and well-being for expectant mothers. This month, we’ll cover the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both mothers and their babies.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, exclusive breastfeeding involves only feeding breast milk to your baby and no other foods or liquids. It is the best source of nutrition for your infant’s first six months of life. Some of the benefits to babies and mothers include:

• Providing all necessary nutrients for the baby’s healthy physical development, including vitamin D, iron, and zinc
• Preventing infections and serious health conditions, both during infancy and later in life
• Reducing a mother’s risk of conditions such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure

Breastfeeding may become less frequent as your baby starts eating solid foods around six to 12 months of age. For guidance on how you should breastfeed your baby, talk to a lactation consultant or your baby’s doctor or nurse.

Flushing Hospital’s New Beginnings unit offers spacious, modern delivery suites and advanced postpartum care, providing you with a safe environment to give birth and comprehensive follow-up medical support for you and your baby. To learn more about the unit, including accommodations and services provided, please call us at (718) 670-5702.

Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

People can live for weeks, months, or potentially years without realizing that medical problems they’re experiencing are symptoms of untreated Lyme disease. This condition can produce a wide range of symptoms that are often associated with other diseases; as a result, it may not always be easy to identify their most likely cause.

Lyme disease is most often transmitted through tick bites. Early signs and symptoms can begin up to a month after being bitten, but can also start to occur in as little as three days. These may include:

Fever
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
Chills
Fatigue
Rash or swollen lymph nodes at the site of the tick bite

More serious symptoms of Lyme disease may begin to occur days or months after the first signs appear. Some of these more advanced signs include:

Severe headache
Neck stiffness
Rashes that have spread to other parts of the body
Drooping in the face
Arthritis and pain in the muscles, bones, joints, and tendons
Heart arrhythmia
Episodes of dizziness and shortness of breath
Nerve pain or shooting pains/numbness and tingling in the hands or feet
Brain or spinal cord inflammation

The erythema migrans (EM) rash that occurs in the early stage of Lyme disease can appear in a few ways for different people. The “classic” Lyme disease rash looks similar to a target, with a red ring that surrounds a central red spot. It can also appear as:

An expanding rash that may have a central spot of crusted skin
Multiple rashes in the same area with dark or discolored centers
A red, oval-shaped plaque
A ring-like rash
A blue-hued rash
An expanding red-blue rash with a clear spot of skin in the center

If you are experiencing potential symptoms of Lyme disease, please schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 immediately.

What Is Anemia?

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Anemia is the most common blood condition in the United States and affects over two billion people globally. More women suffer from iron deficiency anemia than men. Anemia reduces the number of healthy red blood cells available to carry oxygen throughout your body, leaving you feeling tired and weak.

The symptoms of anemia can range from mild and temporary to chronic and severe, potentially causing life-threatening complications such as heart failure. Severe symptoms may be more likely for people over the age of 65.

The severity of anemia mainly depends on its cause, which can include factors such as:

Deficiency of iron, folate, or vitamin B-12
Acute or chronic inflammatory diseases
Radiation and chemotherapy
Infections and autoimmune diseases
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Bone marrow disease
Blood disease
Genetics

Not all forms of anemia are preventable, particularly if it’s inherited genetically or the result of a condition with unclear causes. Increasing your intake of foods rich in iron, folate, and vitamins B-12 and C can help prevent certain forms of anemia or manage anemic symptoms.

Additionally, you may be able to prevent anemia associated with other conditions by managing the risk factors of those conditions. This may include reducing your intake of alcohol or avoiding exposure to toxic substances as much as possible.

A hematologist can provide treatment to help relieve anemia symptoms through intravenous infusions, red blood cell transfusions, bone marrow transplants, erythropoietin injections, or surgery to stop internal bleeding that may cause the condition.

Anxiety Triggers

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Anxiety is defined by the National Library of Medicine as, “a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness.” Having these feelings occasionally is normal; however, they become a health concern when they are excessive and interfere with the ability to live a normal life.

The exact cause of anxiety is still not fully understood, but it is believed that the following factors play a role:

Genetics
Environmental stress
Brain chemistry
Certain medical conditions

Although the exact cause of anxiety is unknown, certain triggers such as life events, lifestyle changes, or daily habits can lead to or worsen this response. These include:

Financial insecurity
Traumatic experiences
Caffeine consumption
Alcohol consumption
Meeting new people
Stress
Relationship problems
Exposure to violence
Taking certain medications
Substance misuse
Loneliness or isolation

Anxiety triggers are unique to each individual. However, the most important steps anyone affected by anxiety can take is identifying what their triggers are and learning how to cope with them. Here are a few tips for coping with anxiety:

Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption
Exercise
Use stress management or relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing
Maintain good sleep health
Try to minimize negative thoughts and think positively
Journal or write down your thoughts
Speak to someone about how your feeling
Adhere to your treatment plan

Anxiety affects many people, and no one should feel ashamed if they struggle with the disorder or other mental health disorders. If you or someone you know is affected by anxiety, consult a mental health professional to explore possible causes and treatments. Your mental health provider may recommend lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, or medication.

To find out more about our outpatient mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or call (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.