October 2024 - Health Beat

Employee Spotlight Shines on Brenda Rodriguez

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Brenda Rodriguez, manager of the Emergency Department Registration. Brenda began working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center 23 years ago. She started her career as a dietary worker, and then began working in the ACC registration area, which eventually led to her position as a manager in ER registration. While Brenda has been a part of the Flushing Hospital team for several years, her story at the hospital began years before that. Her mom was employed by the hospital for 32 years and often Brenda would come to visit her as a young child.

Brenda grew up in Queens. She attended P.S. 154, Parsons Junior High School, and Queens Vocational High School. She currently lives on Long Island. Brenda has a 26 year old daughter and a dog named King. In her free time she likes to unwind by watching tv with her dog. Her favorite tv shows are old sitcoms, documentaries, sports and reality shows. Brenda enjoys going to see movies, mostly romance films and she is also a big Disney fan. Brenda also likes going to concerts to see old R&B and Freestyle groups. Recently, she started going to see Broadway shows with her daughter. Together they have seen Alladin, The Wiz and Wicked which was her favorite.

Brenda enjoys travelling and has visited Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Aruba. Being of Puerto Rican descent, she has a fondness for that type of cuisine. In particular she likes rice and beans with pork chops and pernil. She enjoys playing softball and is a member of an all women’s softball league. Her favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees. The best way she can spend her free time is with her daughter, niece, family and friends. Spending time with her loved ones is very important to her.

The people at Flushing Hospital have become like a family to Brenda. She is thankful for the opportunities the hospital has given to her to advance her career. Working with the staff, the patients and the friends that she has made makes this an incredible experience. We are fortunate to have Brenda as a member of our team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years into the future.

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.

Halloween Safety Tips

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Halloween is a time for dressing up, eating candy, and having fun. Unfortunately, there can be several risks when trick or treating. Here are some tips to keep you and your children safe this Halloween:

Wear costumes that say “flame resistant” on the label. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics like polyester or nylon.
Wear bright, reflective costumes, or add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible.
Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure your vision.
Always accompany young children when trick or treating.
Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again when crossing.
Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left.
Put electronic devices down, and keep your head up while you walk.
Caution kids never enter a home or a car for a treat.
Wait until children are home to sort and check treats before eating them.
Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home.
If a child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept or eat anything that isn’t wrapped correctly.
Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from their Halloween bags.

Follow these important tips to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe this Halloween. If you experience any problems, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. If there is an emergency, please call 911.

Effective Exercises You Can Do At Work

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Fitting a long workout into your already packed work schedule can be difficult. If you’re struggling to find time to stay active, you may want to try doing short workouts throughout the day instead. Even spending five to 10 minutes exercising at your desk can stimulate midday blood flow and help push through your mid-afternoon slump. Here are some effective exercises you can do at work:

Desk pushups
Chair dips
Oblique twists
Calf raises
Seated back extensions
Triceps stretches
Overhead reaches
Shoulder shrugs
Neck stretches
Squats
Desk planks
Static lunges
Side lunges
Wall sits
Jumping jacks
Marching
Seated bicycles
Leg lifts
Seated leg extensions
Seated knee-to-chest
Seated flutter kicks

All of these exercises are productive. The goal is to move to a new position throughout the day to avoid repetitive stretch injuries. According to The Harvard School of Public Health, even short periods of physical activity can improve your mood. You may experience other benefits including:

Relief of body discomfort
Increased attention and productivity

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

Hashimoto’s Disease

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The immune system attacks the thyroid resulting in hypothyroidism.

Anyone can develop Hashimoto’s disease, but it is most common in middle-aged women.

Hashimoto’s disease progresses slowly over the years and you may not notice any signs or symptoms. The decline in thyroid hormone production can result in the following symptoms:

Fatigue and sluggishness
Increased sensitivity to cold
Increased sleepiness
Dry skin
Constipation
Muscle weakness
Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
Joint pain and stiffness
Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding
Depression
Problems with memory or concentration
Swelling of the thyroid
Puffy eyes and face
Brittle nails
Hair loss, dry, brittle hair, and slow hair growth
Enlargement of the tongue

The causes of Hashimoto’s disease are unclear, but the onset of the disease may be related to:

Genetic factors
Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress, or radiation exposure
Interactions between environmental and genetic factors

Many factors are associated with an increased risk of Hashimoto’s disease, including:

Sex
Age
Other autoimmune diseases
Genetics and family history
Pregnancy
Excessive iodine intake

Several conditions may lead to the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical exam, review your medical history, and ask questions about your symptoms. After this assessment, they will order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone test
Free T4 test
Anti-thyroid antibody test

In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a thyroid ultrasound to check the size of your thyroid and ensure no nodules are present.

Most people with Hashimoto’s disease take medication to treat hypothyroidism. If you have mild hypothyroidism, you may not receive treatment but will get regular TSH tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of any thyroid disease, you can receive treatment from an endocrinologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Enterovirus D68

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Enterovirus D68 is a virus that causes respiratory illness similar to the common cold. It can sometimes lead to severe breathing issues and outbreaks of neurological disease that cause paralysis. Enterovirus D68 mostly affects children and teens, but it also affects adults.

Symptoms of enterovirus D68 include:

Stuffy or runny nose
Cough
Fever
Muscle pain or body aches
Sore throat
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea

Enterovirus D68 is contagious and spreads when a person sick with the virus sneezes, coughs, or touches a surface without washing their hands.

If you have mild, cold-like symptoms, your healthcare provider likely won’t test you for enterovirus D68. However, if you have more severe symptoms, they might use a nasal swab to test for common viruses like the flu or COVID-19. If those results are negative, your provider may suspect the enterovirus if it is spreading in your area.

There isn’t a specific antiviral treatment to fight enterovirus D68. Mild symptoms usually improve in a week or two with minimal at-home care. Severe cases need to be treated in a hospital. If you have severe symptoms your healthcare provider may treat you with:

Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
Bronchodilators for severe respiratory symptoms
Intravenous immunoglobulin which is an antibody treatment that can help fight off infections

You can reduce your risk of getting sick and prevent infection of enterovirus D68 and spreading it to others by practicing good hygienic habits including:

Sneezing or coughing into the crook of your elbow
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces like toys, phones, countertops, and doorknobs
Don’t share eating utensils, cups, towels, or clothing
Keeping your kids home from school and away from gatherings when they’re sick
Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after going to the bathroom or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food

If your child is experiencing symptoms associated with enterovirus D68, 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.

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member Jimena Grimaldi

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

Jimena Grimaldi is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant on the New Beginnings Unit at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Her interest in this field came from having come to the realization that a woman can provide optimal nutrition for her baby after childbirth and it gives newborns a healthy start in life.

Flushing Hospital serves a very diverse community. With all the differences in cultures and beliefs, breastfeeding is still a priority for many of the new moms. It gives Jimena great satisfaction to be able to instruct the new moms on proper breast feeding techniques and to watch for the first time mother and baby bonding in this manner. Jimena enjoys meeting all of the new moms at Flushing Hospital and feels fortunate to work with the team on the New Beginnings unit who share the passion for breastfeeding.

The Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

It is the fall season and pumpkins are everywhere. Pumpkins are highly nutritious, containing proteins, carbohydrates, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some health benefits of pumpkin:

Highly nutritious and particularly rich in vitamin A
High antioxidant content may reduce your risk of chronic diseases
Packs vitamins that may boost immunity
High in nutrients that protect your eyesight
Nutrient density and low-calorie count may promote weight loss
Antioxidant content may lower your risk of cancer
Potassium, vitamin C, and fiber may benefit heart health
Contains compounds that promote healthy skin
High in vitamins and minerals that improve gut health

Pumpkin is a nutritious fruit to eat all year round, so don’t just save it for fall. Pumpkin is a healthy food ingredient that is versatile enough to be used in sweet and savory dishes and can improve recipes with its taste. You will benefit from its vitamins and minerals.

Wellness Wednesday: The Benefits of Writing In A Gratitude Journal

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The hustle of daily life sometimes overshadows the simple joys, but taking time to pause and reflect can highlight the small pleasures and improve your well-being.

A tool that can help you with reflection is writing in a gratitude journal. Writing in a gratitude journal could be beneficial as it can also help to:

Boost happiness
Reduce stress
Improve sleep
Enhance self-awareness
Cultivate optimism
Strengthen relationships
Improves physical health
Encourage resilience

A gratitude journal is a personal space to record and cherish the good things in your life, big or small. It is also a place to write down everything you feel thankful for. This can be as simple as a sunny day, a good meal, or a smile from a stranger. The key is to focus on the positives and things that bring you joy and comfort.

Taking the time to acknowledge the positives can help change your mindset, shifting your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have.

There is no wrong way to keep a gratitude journal. You can get started by writing down up to five things you feel grateful for. You can use a notebook, your phone’s notes app, your computer, or whatever works best for you.

Here are some important tips for you to consider as you start journaling:

Be as specific as possible- being clear is the key to fostering gratitude.
Go for depth over breadth- going into detail about a particular person or thing for which you’re grateful, carries more benefits than a surface-level list of many things.
Get personal- focusing on people you are grateful for has more of an impact than focusing on things you are grateful for.
Try subtraction, not just addition- Be grateful for the negative outcomes you avoided, escaped, prevented, or turned into something positive. Try not to take the good fortune for granted.
See the good things as gifts- thinking of the good things as gifts helps you avoid taking them for granted. Try to enjoy and savor the gifts you have received.
Savor surprises- try to record unexpected or surprising events, as they can bring up stronger feelings of gratitude.
Aim for variety- writing about some of the same people and things is fine, but try to expand on different details each time you write about them.
Write regularly- whether you write daily or every other day, commit to a regular time to journal.

Gratitude journaling can be an enjoyable path to a more appreciative and positive life. Take the steps to make it a regular part of your daily routine to soak up the benefits.

What Is A Stress Test?

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A stress or stress exercise test shows how the heart works during physical activity. Exercise makes the heart pump harder and faster. A stress test can determine how well your heart responds when working its hardest.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a stress test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an irregular heart rhythm.

A stress test typically involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike while hooked up to an EKG to monitor your heart’s activity. Healthcare providers assess your response to the increased workload by measuring:

Blood pressure
Heart rate
Oxygen levels
Electrical activity in your heart

A stress test can also be used to learn:

How well your heart pumps blood
Whether your heart is receiving an adequate supply of blood
How you perform during physical activity compared with other people your age and sex
If your symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling like your heart is racing, or dizziness) can be reproduced while performing physical activity

Having a stress test makes it easier to identify and evaluate certain heart issues, such as:

Issues with your heart muscle and valves
Electric stability of your heart at rest and during exercise

The stress test results help your healthcare provider plan or change your treatment. If the test shows that your heart is working well, you may not need more tests. If the test suggests you might have coronary artery disease, you may need a coronary angiogram, which helps see blockages in the heart arteries.

If the results are satisfactory, but your symptoms worsen, your healthcare provider might recommend more testing.

To schedule an appointment with a Flushing Hospital Medical Center healthcare provider, please call 718-670-5486.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Flushing Hospital

Every year, millions of people in the United States are found to be living with a mental illness. To address this issue, in 1990, Congress designated the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week. The reason for this designation is to bring attention to the fact that mental illness not only affects the person who has it, but also their family, friends, and others that they interact with.

Mental illness affects one in twenty people in the United States each year and for one in five of these people, it is very serious. Less than half of the people with mental illness in the nation are receiving adequate treatment.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, the organization that has advocated for Mental Illness Awareness Week, hopes to bring attention to this serious issue. The organization’s objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues and resources by engaging communities and encouraging people to share their experiences.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center has implemented several initiatives to address mental health issues through raising awareness and providing quality mental health care and support to our community.

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