Cervical Health Awareness Month

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Flushing Hospital

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness of cervical cancer’s causes and how screening and vaccination can help prevent the disease.

The National Cancer Institute estimated that over 108,000 women will be diagnosed with some form of gynecological cancer this year alone.

Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus. Most cervical cancer cases are caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common infection that is spread through sexual contact. The body’s immune system typically prevents the virus from causing harm. However, for a small percentage of people, the virus can survive for years. This delay can cause cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Gynecological cancer symptoms can vary, making them difficult to recognize and distinguish. Some general gynecological cancer symptoms include:

Pelvic pain
Abnormal bleeding
Abdominal bloating
Changes in your menstrual cycle
Pain during intercourse
Changes in vaginal appearance

Even if you don’t have symptoms, it is important to continue to have regular wellness exams and screenings to maintain good gynecological health.

Attending regular screenings with your primary care provider or gynecologist and receiving an HPV vaccination are two of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer. Regular Pap and HPV tests can detect early changes in cervical cells, which allows for intervention before cancer develops. It is recommended that women aged 21-29 have a Pap test every 3 years. Women 30 years old and up are advised to have a Pap test and an HPV test every five years. If you are 65 or older, the screenings will likely stop if you are considered low-risk.

The ideal age for vaccination is before a person is sexually active because once a person is infected with HPV, the vaccine may not be as effective.

All women face some risk of developing gynecologic cancer; however, certain factors can exacerbate the likelihood, including:

Age
Family history
Obesity
Smoking

Understanding individual risk factors is essential in reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer, but recognizing early warning signs is just as important.

At Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Department, we are passionate about meeting the various needs of women in our community. We proudly serve women from all walks of life and provide a warm, welcoming environment. To learn more about our OB/GYN services or to make an appointment, contact us at (718) 670-5562.

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 Dry January?

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

New Year’s has come and gone, and we are all trying to stick to the resolutions we made. For some, a common resolution is giving up alcohol.

Heavy social drinking can often be considered binge drinking. Binge drinking is when a man drinks five or more drinks and a woman drinks four or more drinks in one sitting.

This is why many people commit to Dry January, which is when a person gives up drinking alcohol for the entire month.

Dry January has become a very popular New Year’s resolution over the past few years. Recent research indicates that younger Americans are generally drinking less than previous generations. According to a poll released last summer, conducted by the analytics company Gallup, the percentage of Americans who said they drink fell to a record low of 54%. This is one percentage point lower than the previous record low in 1958.

There are several health benefits to participating in Dry January, including:

Increased energy levels

Lower blood pressure and heart rate

A decrease in liver inflammation

Clearer skin and decreased facial puffiness and bloating

A decrease in calorie consumption

It helps shift your perspective and understanding of your relationship with alcohol

There are many tips to help you succeed during Dry January, including:

Reduce your alcohol consumption by half before you start

Write down the goals you want to achieve and document your progress

Abstain from drinking alcohol longer if you can

Ease back into drinking alcohol if you choose to go back to drinking, and drink in moderation

Surround yourself with supportive friends and family

Be mindful of withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

- Abdominal cramping

- Anxiety

- Dizziness

- Headaches

- Nausea

- Shaking

- Sweating

- Vomiting

Avoid any situations that may tempt you to drink

Participate in hobbies and other interests that don’t involve drinking alcohol

Seek out extra help and resources if you need them

At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, our Psychiatry Department features a Division of Addiction Services where you or your loved one can receive comprehensive assessments and treatment for alcohol and chemical dependency. For more details about our unit, contact us at (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540, or for additional information about our Reflections treatment program, please get in touch with us at (718) 670-5078.

How to Set Healthy Weight Loss Goals

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Embarking on a weight loss journey can be a difficult and sometimes daunting experience. There are many factors that can affect a person’s weight management, such as medical conditions, certain medicines, stress, age, genes, hormones, and environment.

However, maintaining a lifestyle that consists of a good nutritional diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and proper sleep can support a healthy weight. Additionally, people who lose weight gradually, which is about one to two pounds a week, are more likely to keep the weight off than those who lose weight more quickly.

If a person is not at a healthy weight, moderate weight loss can help improve their cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Just a 5% to 10% reduction of their current weight may lower their risk for some chronic diseases, such as heart disease, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Other benefits of moderate weight loss include:

More energy

Better mobility

A boost in self-confidence

Improved fitness

Starting a weight loss journey can be challenging. However, having and following a plan can help make the journey easier. Here are five steps that can help guide you to a healthier weight:

Consider the reasons why you want to lose weight. Writing down your reasons and posting them where you can see them can help remind you why you are making this change and keep you focused on your weight loss goals

Keep track of where you are as you begin your weight loss journey. You can keep a journal of your nutrition to help you keep track of what you eat and drink in a day. Make note of your physical activity by including the time of day you exercised, what activities you did, and for how long. Maintain a chart of your sleep schedule, including what time you went to sleep and woke up, and the number of hours you slept. Monitor your stress levels and the healthy ways you are reducing your stress. You can also track how you felt during your meals, when you exercise, and any lifestyle challenges that have affected your progress

Set specific and realistic goals. Creating short-term goals with rewards can help prevent you from feeling frustrated when there is a setback. When setting short-term goals, focus on two or three goals at a time

Find a good support system. Surround yourself with family or friends who are supportive of your weight loss goals. If they have similar goals, they may share resources that have helped them on their weight loss journey

Stay up to date with your progress throughout your weight loss journey. Regularly evaluate your progress by revisiting the goals you set. Determine what has been working well and what hasn’t been, and use this information to make any changes to your goals and weight loss plan. If you are consistently meeting a particular goal, you can reward yourself for achieving your goals. It is important to recognize and be proud of your progress as you meet your goals. Rewarding yourself helps to keep you motivated and on the right path

Please note that before you start your weight loss journey, speak with your healthcare provider so you can decide whether or not it’s a good time to set a weight loss goal.

And if you do go on a weight loss journey, don’t get discouraged if you aren’t losing weight as quickly as you had hoped. Remember that sustainable weight loss takes time.

For more information about the Bariatric Surgery Services at Flushing Hospital or procedures performed by our doctors, please call 718-408-6977 or 718-670-8908.

The Importance of an Annual Dental Exam

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

It is a new year, and with it comes resolutions that we make to help improve our health and well-being. A great and important way to improve our health and well-being is to get a dental exam.

Dental exams are important because they help us maintain our oral health. Regular dental exams help detect problems early and prevent serious complications. However, not getting a dental exam can lead to serious oral health problems such as tartar buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Additionally, our oral health is connected to our overall health, as dental exams can detect signs of systemic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Getting regular dental exams has many benefits, including:

· Detecting cavities early, as they are one of the most common dental issues. Cavities often develop without any noticeable symptoms in their early stages. If left untreated, cavities can grow, which may lead to pain, infection, or the need for extensive treatments such as root canals or crowns. Early treatment is less invasive, less expensive, and helps preserve the tooth’s natural structure. During a dental exam, a dentist can detect and treat any cavities by filling them

· Dental exams can identify early signs of gum disease, which include redness, swelling, and bleeding gums. Gum disease starts as gingivitis, and if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which is a severe condition that affects the bone and tissues that support the teeth. Early intervention can reverse gingivitis and prevent it from leading to periodontitis

· Routine dental exams can help detect oral cancer, which can develop in the mouth, tongue, or throat. Symptoms of oral cancer can include red or white patches, sores that do not heal, or unusual lumps in the mouth. Early detection is important, as regular screenings during dental exams can catch oral cancer in its early stages when treatment is most effective

· Getting routine dental exams can help dentists detect signs of teeth grinding, which include worn enamel or flattened teeth. Teeth grinding can cause significant wear and tear on the teeth, which can lead to fractures, sensitivity, and jaw pain. Early detection allows interventions such as custom night guards that can help prevent further damage to the teeth

· Routine dental exams can help dentists assess alignment and bite issues such as crooked teeth or an improper bite, which can lead to uneven wear, jaw pain, and difficulty cleaning between teeth. After an exam, a dentist may recommend treatments such as Invisalign or braces to correct these dental issues

· Routine dental exams can help dentists detect dental issues that aren’t visible when they use an X-ray. X-rays can help dentists see what is happening beneath the surface, such as

hidden cavities between the teeth, impacted teeth that may need removal, or bone loss that is caused by gum disease

Getting regular and routine dental exams is preventive care that helps us maintain our oral health and avoid dental issues. It is important to remember that detecting dental health issues early is not only good for our oral health but also contributes to helping us maintain our overall health.

If you’re experiencing dental health problems, it is important to visit a dentist to ensure you’re receiving the most effective treatment possible. To schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Dental Medicine, please call (718) 670-5521.