June 2024 - Health Beat

The MediSys Health Network Launches New Healthcare App

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Flushing Hospital

The MediSys Health Network (Comprised of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center) is pleased to announce the launch of its new application and comprehensive patient platform, MediSys Connect.

The MediSys Connect app is an ideal companion for patient health. The app is integrated with an intuitive platform that gives patients a smooth and hassle-free experience, allowing them to manage their healthcare conveniently from their mobile devices.

With MediSys Connect, patients can seamlessly search for healthcare providers and schedule their appointments in just a few clicks. The platform’s Find-A-Doctor feature offers a wide selection of providers, with over 100 specialties to choose from. Patients can also utilize a messaging tool within the app to securely and directly communicate with their physicians.

Other key tools allow patients to:

View test results
View medication lists
Request medication refills
Stay informed about past and upcoming appointments
eCheck-in for upcoming appointments
Enroll for paperless statements
View billing account summaries and statements
View signed and scanned documents
Manage payments
Effortlessly retrieve medical records.

In addition to these user-friendly tools, MediSys Connect provides access to newsletters and podcasts. Here, patients can stay informed by reading articles or listening to trusted healthcare experts discuss various medical and lifestyle topics.

The MediSys Health Network encourages patients to download the MediSys Connect app and explore the state-of-the-art features.

Whether you’re a guest user, a Medisys Connect member, or have a MyChart account, the platform is easy to navigate. It is designed to provide a positive and personalized healthcare experience. Information provided on the platform is available in multiple languages to help members of the network’s culturally diverse patient population manage their health.

New users can download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. They can sign up by providing their name, birth date, and address. MyChart users can download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play and log in with their existing credentials from MyChart.

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.

Top Summer Health Concerns and How to Prevent Them

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Summer is in full swing, so most of our time will be spent outside doing various activities. However, there are many health concerns to consider.

Here are some summer health concerns and how to prevent them:

Dehydration

Up to 78% of the human body is made of water, when it doesn’t get enough of it, it can’t function properly. In high heat, dehydration can become severe and fatal.

To prevent dehydration, it is important to stay hydrated. You can do this by drinking water and eating water-rich foods. Staying properly hydrated can also prevent kidney stones.

Sunburns

A sunburn is when UV or ultraviolet rays from the sun cause a radiation burn on the skin. Sunburns can contribute to premature aging of skin and skin cancer. It can also lead to dehydration, sun poisoning, and infection from severe burns.

To prevent sunburn, wear sunscreen containing titanium oxide or zinc oxide every day, even on overcast days. Make sure to cover your entire body, including your ears, eyelids, lips, scalp, and if exposed, the top of your feet.

Heat illnesses

Spending time in the sun doesn’t only bring the risks of sunburn and dehydration. It also brings the risk of heat illnesses which include:

Heat rash- a red stinging rash that develops when sweat gets trapped in your glands.
Heat cramps- are painful muscle cramps that occur when you sweat so much that your body loses salts and fluids.
Heat exhaustion- is when your body can’t cool itself through sweating. If it’s not treated, it can quickly turn into heatstroke.
Heatstroke- or sunstroke, is when your body temperature climbs to dangerous levels. It’s the most severe heat-related illness and can be fatal.

To prevent heat illnesses, limit the time you spend outdoors. Also, take any symptoms you observe in yourself and others seriously.

Bee stings and insect bites

Since insects are more active during the summer, there’s a higher risk of encountering them. Especially for:

Bee stings
Mosquito bites
Tick bites
Ant bites

To prevent bugs from stinging or biting you, wear an insect repellent with the active ingredients DEET or picaridin. Other ways to prevent stings and bites include:

Avoid using scented products.
Drain any standing water.
Put on protective clothing.
Don’t leave any food uncovered outside.

Drowning

We want to spend more time near water to cool off as temperatures rise. However, it is important to follow proper safety precautions to avoid drowning risks.

Here are some ways to prevent drowning risks:

Learn CPR
Use drain covers on pool drains.
Wear life jackets
Sign up for swimming lessons.

Unsafe summer foods

Everybody loves a good summer barbecue or cookout, but sometimes the food we eat doesn’t always love us back.

The smoking process that gives smoked meats their flavor also creates harmful substances called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs and heterocyclic amines or HCAs. The National Cancer Institute warns that PAHs and HCAs are mutagenic, meaning they can cause changes to your DNA that put you at risk for certain types of cancer.

You can prevent ingesting these harmful substances by using liquid smoke as an alternative marinade for your meats.

Foodborne illness can be a concern for cookout food as well. This is the case for food left out or leftover sitting in the “temperature danger zone” of 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures allow bacteria to grow that can make you sick.

You can prevent foodborne illness by cooking meats to a safe temperature and throwing any food that has sat out too long in the trash.

Seasonal allergies

Pollen is a huge problem in the summer as the weather gets warmer and trees, grass, and flowers pollinate.

To prevent seasonal allergies, try taking allergy medications before the season starts so your body can build its defense.

These preventative measures can help you enjoy your summer and keep you safe.

If you or someone you are with are experiencing an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Flushing Hospital Completes Phase 1 Of ER Renovation Project

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center recently completed the construction of Phase 1 of its ER renovation and expansion project.

Once completed, the project will double the size of the hospital’s Emergency Department, which will feature state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a dedicated bariatric treatment space and enhanced infection control measures that include two negative pressure isolation rooms. The expanded area also includes two new triage rooms and comfortable, private treatment spaces for patients in a beautifully renovated, calming environment.

Flushing Hospital’s new ER will have separate walk-in and ambulance entrances. The walk-in side will quickly treat patients of lower acuity, while the ambulance entrance side will treat more critically ill patients and contain a trauma and behavioral health room.

In 2023, Flushing Hospital’s Emergency Department received 42,000 ER visits, that number will greatly increase once the ER expansion project is completed.

In addition to expanding its ER, Flushing Hospital completed a renovation and modernization project for its entire fifth floor, which includes the labor, delivery, and recovery suites, mother/baby unit, neonatal intensive care unit, and newborn nursery.

Flushing Hospital’s continuous growth and optimization of services reflects its commitment to meeting the needs of its community, a commitment that has been upheld since 1884 when the hospital first opened its doors.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Rekha Lall

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

This month, our employee spotlight shines on Rekha Lall, Head of Ultrasound in our Radiology Department. Rekha has been working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for the past 36 years. She was born in Delhi, India where she attended elementary school through college. She moved to New York at the age of 18, where she completed her graduate studies and remains today.

Rekha has two children and two grandchildren. She also has a dog whose name is Whiskey. In her free time she enjoys painting, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Her favorite food is pizza. Rekha enjoys music, especially Bollywood and Bhangra. One of the things that is most important to Rekha is her family at home. Her family gives her the encouragement that fuels her determination and enriches every aspect of her life.

Equally important to her is her work family. They are extremely compassionate and very dedicated to taking care of their patients. Rekha’s patients occupy a profound place in her heart and priorities. Her patients entrust her with their health and well-being and this is a responsibility she holds with great reverence.

Rekha has always wanted to work in healthcare. It is a passion that has guided her through the journey of life since she was a child. She feels incredibly fortunate to wake up each day and pursue what she loves most. Rekha feels truly blessed to have a career that fulfills her professionally and personally. It allows her to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others. We are fortunate to have Rekha working with us at Flushing Hospital for 36 years and we look forward to her continuing for many more years in the future.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred and damaged. The scarring of the lung tissue causes stiffness, making breathing difficult. The word “idiopathic” means it has no known cause, but there are many causes of pulmonary fibrosis.

Some causes of pulmonary fibrosis include:

Long-term exposure to certain toxins
Radiation therapy
Some medicines
Certain medical conditions

How fast pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time and how severe the symptoms are vary from person to person. These symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Extreme tiredness
Unintended weight loss
Aching muscles and joints
The widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes, called clubbing.

Pulmonary fibrosis has been found in children and infants, but this is not common. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is much more likely to affect middle-aged and older adults. Other types of pulmonary fibrosis caused by connective tissue disease, can occur in younger people.

Certain factors increase the risk of pulmonary fibrosis. They are:

Smoking
Certain types of work
Cancer treatments
Genetics

Pulmonary fibrosis can cause many complications including:

High blood pressure in the lungs
Right-sided heart failure
Respiratory failure
Lung cancer and other lung problems

Pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed when your doctor or other healthcare professional reviews your medical and family history and performs a physical exam.

Some other ways pulmonary fibrosis can be diagnosed include:

Imaging tests
Lung function tests
Biopsy/Tissue sample collection
Blood tests

The scarring and thickening of the lungs from pulmonary fibrosis cannot be repaired. And no current treatment has prevented pulmonary fibrosis from getting worse over time.

Treatments for pulmonary fibrosis are focused on:

Medicines
Oxygen therapy
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Lung transplant

Being actively involved in your treatment and staying as healthy as possible are essential to living with pulmonary fibrosis. It is important to:

Stop smoking and avoid other irritants to the lungs
Eat well
Exercise regularly
Take time to rest
Get vaccinated
Follow your treatment plan

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lifelong condition that worsens over time. It can cause fear, depression, and stress.

Here are some tips to help you cope with your diagnosis:

Learn about your condition.
Spend time with family and friends.
Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professionals.
Join a support group.
Learn about palliative care services.

If you need medical attention for symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis or other lung diseases, schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at our Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Gardening

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

It has been known for a long time that gardening offers many benefits both to a person’s physical and mental health. It has been used by hospitals as a form of therapy and by senior centers to help keep people engaged in physical and social activities. Schools have also used gardening as a way to involve students with nature.

Physical activities associated with gardening often includes: digging, bending, raking, mowing, and carrying items to be planted. Some of the benefits of these activities are strengthening muscles, keeping joints functioning properly, improving manual dexterity, burning of calories and increasing lung function. When a person works outdoors they tend to absorb more vitamin D from sunlight which is also beneficial to bone strength and to lowering blood pressure.

Gardening is also beneficial from a mental health perspective. Gardening has been shown to:

Improve relaxation
Improve self esteem
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve socialization
Decrease depression
Diminish PTSD
Improve thought processes

Gardening clearly offers many benefits to a person’s all around well-being. It doesn’t take much to get started and the results will provide endless opportunities to enjoy the effort that goes into it.

Extreme Heat Safety Tips

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

This week, we are expected to experience a highly dangerous heatwave across New York City and the rest of the Northeast and Midwest due to the presence of a heat dome. Starting Wednesday and into the weekend, temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s and could get as high as the mid to high-90s.

A heatwave is when temperatures rise above 90 degrees for at least three days. A heat dome is when a ridge of high pressure builds over an area and doesn’t move for up to a week or more.

Extreme heat causes two heat-related illnesses in that your body can’t control its temperature: heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

Heavy sweating
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Fatigue
Dizziness and fainting

Here are some ways to prevent symptoms of heat exhaustion: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, use cold compresses, and sip cool (not cold) water.

Heatstroke or Sunstroke symptoms can include:

A fever of 104 degrees or more
Severe headache
Behavioral changes
Confusion
Hot, red skin
No sweating
Rapid heartbeat and loss of consciousness

Here are some ways to prevent heatstroke: Quickly move yourself or the individual to a cooler place, use cold compresses, and do not give them anything to drink.

Some overall tips for staying safe in extreme heat include:

Stay hydrated- Drink extra fluids and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
Wear sunscreen- Apply properly and as recommended to prevent sunburn which can make you dehydrated and affect your ability to cool down.
Limit your time outside- Shorten your exercise time and rest often in shady areas. Try to exercise in the early morning or evening when it is cooler.
Monitor high-risk loved ones- Pay attention to the warning signs of certain illnesses or medical conditions. Extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, especially for those with a history of:

Heart disease
Asthma
High blood pressure
Stroke
Obesity
Diabetes

Others at risk due to extreme heat include the elderly, young children, those who work outdoors, people with disabilities, those who live alone, those without access to air conditioning, people who take certain medications, and pets.

Check the car- Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.

Usually, we would look to a cool summer night for relief from a hot summer day. Unfortunately, night temperatures aren’t dropping as they should.

Here are some things you can do before going to bed during the heatwave:

Stay hydrated
Eat light
Dress lightly
Look for chances to cool the bedroom
Avoid alcohol
Set time aside to relax
Shower in lukewarm or cool water
Find the coolest place to sleep
Keep a regular sleep schedule

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, so it is important to understand the risks of extreme heat and to make a heat emergency plan that works for you and your family.

If you are experiencing any heat-related symptoms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

Stages of Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Multiple sclerosis or MS, is a chronic and disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord, which make up the body’s central nervous system.

It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the protective coating of nerve fibers called the myelin sheath, throughout the central nervous system. When the myelin is damaged, scar tissue or lesions form at the site of the damage. When this happens, the nerve impulses that travel to and from the brain and spinal cord are disrupted.

There are four stages of multiple sclerosis that a person may experience. They are:

Clinically Isolated Syndrome

It is described as when you first experience an episode or attack of a neurological symptom or symptoms.

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

This is the most common form of MS. It is described as intermittent attacks of symptoms or relapses, followed by a short or long period of no clinical attacks or remissions.

Secondary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

It is described as when the symptoms of an MS patient who has had relapse-remitting MS for 10 to 20 years continue to worsen and the patient’s mobility gradually diminishes.

Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

It is described as when a patient who is 40 years or older at the time of their diagnosis, gradually loses functionality, becoming increasingly less able.

The symptoms of MS vary and progress differently in all patients who suffer from it. These symptoms may include:

Numbness, weakness, stiffness, or tingling in limbs.
Vertigo, lack of coordination, an unsteady gait, or trouble walking.
Blurry vision, double vision, or partial or complete vision loss.
Fatigue
Problems with sexual, bladder, and bowel function.
Slurred speech and cognitive problems
Mood disturbances

There are no specific tests for MS. However, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis often relies on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar signs and symptoms. This is known as a differential diagnosis.

Here are ways a doctor may help diagnose MS:

Medical history and neurological exam
Blood tests
Spinal tap or lumbar puncture
MRI
Evoked potential tests

Many risk factors can increase your chances of developing MS, here are a few:

Age
Sex
Family history
Certain infections
Race
Geography and climate
Low Vitamin D levels
Your genes
Obesity
Certain autoimmune diseases
Smoking

Although there is no cure for MS, there are many ways to manage its symptoms. Here are some ways to manage the symptoms of MS:

Physical or occupational therapy
Muscle relaxants
Medications to reduce fatigue and increase walking speed.
Medications for depression, pain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and bladder and bowel control problems.
Getting plenty of rest
Exercise
Eating a balanced diet
Relieving stress

MS attacks and progressions can be treated through oral and injectable medications and plasma exchange if symptoms aren’t responding to steroids.

If you or someone you love are experiencing any symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call at 718-670-5486.

Tips To Prevent Summer Injuries and Illnesses In Children

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

During the summer, children spend more time outside participating in physical activities which can increase their risk of injury and developing certain illnesses.

Here are a few of the most common summer illnesses and injuries, and ways to prevent them:

Water-related injuries and drownings are among the leading causes of injury and death in young children. Serious injuries resulting from falls often occur around swimming pools or diving areas, and children can drown quickly in any body of water. Accidents can be prevented by:

Teaching children to ask permission before going into the water
Teaching children how to swim
Paying attention to children when they are in or around water
Wearing life jackets
Fencing off pools with fences made with self-latching devices
Installing pool covers
Adding a pool alarm
Learning how to perform CPR and knowing first-aid

Fall-related injuries are among the most common in children and tend to happen more during the warmer months. However, the risk of falls, and sustaining injuries from these accidents can be reduced by:

Removing fall hazards or supervising children near fall hazards
Installing safety gates near staircases and keeping stairs clutter-free
Wearing appropriate footwear that is slip-resistant and fits properly
Using playgrounds that have soft surfaces under equipment
Wearing helmets when using scooters, tricycles, or bicycles

Heat-related injuries can include several health complications such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. These illnesses can be life-threatening, but thankfully can be avoided by:

Drinking plenty of fluids
Wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing
Spending as much time possible indoors during very hot and humid days
Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and responding appropriately

Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease or babesiosis peak during the warmer months when we are more likely to participate in activities in wooded or grassy areas. To prevent tick-borne illnesses, we can:

Use repellants that contain 20 to 30% DEET
Wear protective clothing, and tuck our pants into our socks
Check the body for ticks and remove them as soon as they are discovered
Bathe or shower as soon as possible after spending time outdoors

Enteroviruses can cause illnesses such as the summer flu, pink eye, and coxsackie. These illnesses are highly transmissible, and outbreaks peak in the summer. However, you can control the spread of enteroviruses by practicing hand hygiene and cleaning surfaces that children touch most often.

If your child is experiencing symptoms associated with these summer illnesses or has sustained injuries from an accident, it’s important to visit a pediatrician as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020.

A Refreshing Summer Lemonade Recipe To Cool You Off

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Do you need to cool off? Here’s a refreshing sparkling lemonade recipe to keep you cool this summer.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sparkling-summer-lemonade-7252246