April 2024 - Health Beat

Seasonal Allergies

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

As the spring season progresses, you or someone you know may experience a sore throat, runny nose, or irritated eyes. These symptoms are common during this part of the year due to seasonal allergies.

It may not always be clear when your symptoms are the result of allergies or an illness such as a viral infection. For many people, seasonal allergies can present in a similar way as the common cold. The difference is that allergy symptoms are caused by allergens (substances that you’re allergic to).

When you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system treats it as a harmful intruder and releases histamines, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins. These chemicals are what cause symptoms such as nasal congestion and irritation to occur. In severe cases where these allergens become trapped in the nasal passage or throat, you may experience an asthma attack and have difficulty breathing.

Certain allergens are more common during different parts of the year. During the spring and early summer seasons, pollen from trees and grass is most prevalent. Mold is more common during the fall as it grows on plants, trees, and other dead or decaying matter, but it can also develop during other parts of the year in moist environments (including buildings that have experienced flooding).

You may not realize when you’ve been exposed to an allergen, particularly airborne substances such as pollen. Allergy tests (which may involve drawing your blood and sending it to a laboratory) can help to identify these allergens; this is a particularly important step to take if your allergic reactions are severe or frequent. This also helps you determine what kind of medication is needed to control your symptoms.

If you believe you may have a seasonal allergy and are experiencing unpleasant, disruptive 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.

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.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Samantha Gibson

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Samantha Gibson, Office Manager for the Case Management & Social Work (CM / SW) Department.

In an era where dedication and commitment are often undervalued, Samantha began her career at Flushing Hospital Medical Center 17 years ago this month. Celebrating 17 years of service at a hospital is a testament to unwavering dedication and passion. Samantha, a valued member of our hospital family, has reached this incredible milestone, marking a journey filled with compassion, and excellence. Starting out as an administrative assistant, she has since grown into the role of office manager – part of the CM/SW leadership team at Flushing Hospital.

Outside of work, Samantha is a native of Brooklyn, New York and attended Fort Hamilton High School as well as Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus. She enjoys all genres of music, especially R&B and Reggae. Samantha is a proud mom of one son – Seth, and enjoys spending quality time with family, watching movies and sports as well as cooking and going out to eat; her favorite foods are Caribbean and Italian dishes. Traveling is also one of her favorite pastimes, she enjoys going on cruises, traveling often to California and abroad to different countries – especially Barbados. She finds joy in the arts, with a passion for writing and photography; her creative spirit shines through her poster designs that you may have seen hanging in the main lobby celebrating her department during National Case Management and Social Work months.

As she celebrates 17 years of service, she reflects on the impact she has made and the lives she has touched. One of the main reasons she enjoys working at Flushing Hospital is being able to interact with people from all walks of life – this has proven to be very rewarding and enriching to her. The things that are most important to her are family and good health. She strives for personal growth, peace of mind and well-being. Looking ahead, as Samantha continues her journey with us, we look forward to many more years of collaboration, growth and success. Her unwavering dedication and passion for excellence continue to inspire us all, shaping the future of healthcare and our hospital community. We are proud to have her on our team.

Migraine in Children

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Migraines are well-known for their ability to cause a severe, throbbing headache, but they also often cause nausea, light sensitivity, neck stiffness, and difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms.

Migraines affect approximately 12% of people throughout the United States, many of whom are adults; however, approximately 10% of children also experience migraine headaches. Migraines do not necessarily occur the same way for children as they do for adults. To name a few of the differences, adult migraines are more likely to:

Affect one side of the head
Last for up to several days
Lead to irritability or depression
Begin with aura (visual disturbances, speech difficulties, and/or numbness) before the actual headache

On the other hand, when a child experiences migraines, they are more likely to affect both sides of the head. This often lasts for a shorter period of time than an adult migraine. They also rarely begin with aura or lead to behavioral symptoms such as irritability or depression.

One of the primary risk factors for migraines in children is genetics; if one or both parents have experienced migraines, there is a high likelihood (up to 75%) that a child will also experience them. It’s also more likely to affect girls than boys; attacks often start to occur after a girl’s first period. Other contributing factors include:

Stress
Skipping meals
Too much or too little sleep
Changes in weather
Hormonal changes
Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
Certain foods

There is no specific test to diagnose migraines in children. However, a doctor may be able to determine whether this could be the cause of a child’s head pain by getting more information about:

The child’s specific symptoms
How those symptoms have responded to treatment so far
How the child’s symptoms are affecting their ability to function in school or other daily activities
Whether migraine or other conditions that cause head pain run in the child’s family

If you believe your child may be experiencing migraines, you can get them the expert care they need at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-3007.

Medication Adherence

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

The definition of medication adherence is taking medications as prescribed by a physician. This involves taking the correct dosage for the duration directed by your healthcare provider.

Failure to adhere to your prescription can result in health complications and potentially death. Each year, nonadherence results in numerous emergency department visits and hospital admissions, and approximately 125,000 preventable deaths. There are a few common reasons for non-adherence, they include:

Forgetting to take medications
Misunderstanding the instructions
Difficulty taking medications. (Medications delivered by injections or inhalers may present challenges for some people)
Medication costs
Fear of side effects
Concerns about dependency
Doubt or mistrust of the medication benefits
Failure to complete the entire course of treatment due to feeling better or not feeling better

Staying on track with your medications is important to your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high adherence is associated with improved clinical outcomes for chronic disease management. Additionally, adherence can enhance a patient’s quality of life. Medication adherence can be improved by following these tips:

Communicating challenges, questions, or concerns with your healthcare provider or pharmacist
Ensuring that the instructions are understood
Creating a routine
Utilizing tools such as reminders or pill organizers
Communicating changes in your health to your healthcare provider

Medication adherence can be challenging but is crucial for preventing disease progression and maintaining good health.

Gluten Intolerance

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Gluten intolerance or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a disorder characterized by the body reacting negatively to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley.

The symptoms of gluten intolerance are often similar to those of celiac disease; however, unlike celiac disease, the body’s response to gluten does not result in permanent damage to the small intestine. Here are some of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating or gas
Fatigue
Brain fog
Depression and anxiety
Stomach pain
Nausea and vomiting
Itchy skin
Joint pain
Anemia

The causes of gluten intolerance are unknown and there is no known cure. However, some people may find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet.

Your healthcare provider can diagnose non-celiac gluten sensitivity by conducting tests to rule out celiac disease or wheat allergy, evaluating your medical history, or guiding you through an elimination diet. Treatment for gluten intolerance typically consists of following a gluten-free diet.

Going gluten-free can be challenging, but it doesn’t mean cutting out some of your favorite foods; many gluten-free alternatives are available. A registered dietitian can help you choose the right foods for your new lifestyle.

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

The Do’s and Don’ts for Monday’s Solar Eclipse

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

On Monday, April 8^th, a total solar eclipse will be visible across North America. During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely obscures the sun as it orbits the Earth, causing it to appear like a dark circle surrounded by a ring of light. The moon will pass the sun from about 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM; in New York, the total eclipse should be visible between 3:00 and 3:30. This type of eclipse is not rare, taking place approximately every 1.5 years. However, they often occur in more remote parts of the world; this eclipse will be the first one to be visible in the United States since 2017.

While this event will make for a rare and interesting sight, it’s important to take safety precautions to protect your eyesight if you plan to view it. Any amount of time spent looking at the sun can permanently damage your retina and potentially cause blindness. Make sure to follow these tips to protect your eye health while watching the eclipse:

Do: View the eclipse with glasses that contain solar filters or hand-held solar viewers. Ordinary sunglasses do not sufficiently protect you against the harmful effects of looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse.

Do: Make sure any eclipse glasses or viewers you purchase come from a reputable vendor that verifiably includes solar filters into their products.

Do: Read any instructions that come with your eclipse viewer or glasses. If you plan to look at the eclipse with your child, make sure to help them understand how to use these tools to view the sun safely.

Don’t: Look at the sun through cameras, telescopes, or binoculars that do not contain a solar filter, even if you are wearing glasses or using a viewer that contains a solar filter at the same time. These devices can concentrate the sun’s rays in a way that damages the solar filter.

Don’t: Use your eclipse glasses or viewer if they have visible damage or scratches on them, as these can reduce their protective effects.

If you’ve experience eye damage due to the effects of the sun, you can visit an ophthalmologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Enjoy A Healthy Springtime Recipe

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

Spring has arrived and what better way to celebrate than with a tasty, easy to prepare meal made with creamy mushrooms, peas and chicken. Here is a delicious recipe from the Food Network for chicken, mushrooms and peas. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-with-creamy-mushrooms-and-snap-peas-recipe-1972982.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, healthcare organizations work to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, including symptoms, warning signs, and all current resources available to improve the quality of life experienced by people living with this condition.

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease of the nervous system that causes tremors and muscular rigidity; this, in turn, leads to slow and imprecise body movements. The disease is caused by the degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which controls many of the body’s movements. Parkinson’s mostly affects people who are middle-aged or elderly.

Not all symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear immediately; some people can live with the disease for years or decades before non-motor symptoms begin to appear. Some specific signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s include:

Tremor: A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers.
Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease may reduce your ability to move, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming.
Rigid muscles: Muscle stiffness can occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can limit your range of motion and cause pain.
Impaired posture and balance: Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems.
Loss of automatic movements: Parkinson’s disease can lead to a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling, or swinging your arms when you walk.
Speech changes: You may speak softly or quickly, slur, or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more monotone, rather than having normal inflections.
Writing changes: It may become hard to write and/or your writing may appear small.

Some symptoms, such as tremors, can be managed through certain medications. These medications can act as a substitute for dopamine, sending signals to your brain that function similarly to this neurotransmitter. Although these medications can become less effective over time, some patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms as a result of treatment.

Parkinson’s disease can be frightening and challenging to live with, but there are treatment options available to help you engage in your normal daily activities more easily. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a neurologist, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at (718) 670-5486.

Smoking And Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Smoking tobacco products can lead to adverse effects on our cardiovascular health; it is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The chemicals inhaled when smoking cigarettes can affect the way our cardiovascular systems function in several ways. This includes:

Damaging blood vessels
Causing the thickening and narrowing of blood vessels
Causing a rise in blood pressure
Causing an increase in heart rate
Increasing the risk of blood clots
Creating a buildup of plaque in the arteries
Reducing the supply of oxygen used by the body
Reducing the HDL or good cholesterol in the body

Furthermore, smoking tobacco can lead to the development of life-threatening cardiovascular complications such as:

Stroke
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Heart Attack

Smoking is the most preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and complications caused by CVD. You can protect and improve your heart health by quitting smoking. Studies show that smokers can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease immediately after quitting. Additionally, the risk for heart attack greatly decreases one year after quitting smoking, and within five years of quitting, a smoker can reduce the risk for stroke.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s smoking cessation team wants to help you develop a plan leading to your “quit day”. Flushing Hospital has partnered with the American Lung Association to bring you Freedom from Smoking, a comprehensive and successful group-based smoking cessation program.

For more information about smoking cessation programs or to register for our program, call: 718 206 8494