Summertime is here and many of us will be spending much of our free time outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather. July was designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as UV Safety Awareness Month to bring attention to the harmful effects the sun can have on our bodies when it’s not properly protected.

The sun gives off two types of radiation:

• UV-A which has a longer wavelength and can damage the outer and middle layer of skin
• UV-B which has a shorter wavelength and primarily damages the outer layer of skin.

Too much exposure to the sun’s radiation can lead to serious health complications, such as:

• Vision problems
• Immune system suppression
• Premature aging of the skin
• Skin cancer

If you are spending time in the sun, following these guidelines can help to prevent any unwanted complications:

• Always cover up your body as best as possible when prolonged exposure to the sun is anticipated. Loose and cool clothing is recommended.
• Apply sunscreen with SPF if you are going to be outdoors. Wearing sunscreen is vital when exposed to the sun, as this helps to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Make sure to use a sunscreen with a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) and re-apply throughout the day.
• When possible, try to avoid being out in direct sunlight, especially when the sun is at its most intense which is usually between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Wear sunglasses to help protect the eyes from the sun’s rays.

Practicing these safety precautions will allow you to enjoy the beautiful summer weather while protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.

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.

A bone density test is a type of x-ray that measures the concentration of calcium and other minerals in the bones. This test is most commonly performed to evaluate a patient for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to lose density and become easy to break or fracture.

Some people are more at risk for developing osteoporosis than others. Risk factors include:

• Age – Older people tend to have a greater incidence of osteoporosis
• Race – Caucasians and Asians are typically more prone to bone density issues
• Gender – Women experience bone loss more frequently than men
• Dietary factors – People who have a low intake of calcium are at greater risk
• Medications – People with a long term use of injectable steroids have bone loss issues
• Smoking – People who smoke tend to lose bone mass at a faster rate than non-smokers
• Family history – There is a correlation of osteoporosis and hereditary factors

Symptoms of the disease are:

• Loss of height over a period of time
• Back pain
• Bones that break more easily than expected
• A stooped posture

For those who are presenting symptoms or have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis, a doctor may recommend testing to assess the density of their bones.

Bone density screenings are non-invasive, painless, and use low amounts of x-rays. The results of the test will indicate whether or not you need to take medication that will help to maintain your bone density or make changes in your lifestyle and diet to prevent bone loss.

If you would like to schedule a bone density screening at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, ask your physician for a referral to have it performed. You can schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital by calling 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.

We know that there are certain things that we do to cause us to gain weight. Habits such as overeating, late night snacking, and lack of exercise can all contribute to gaining weight. For some however, weight gain might be caused by any number of medical conditions including:

• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• Mood disorders (depression, stress and anxiety)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Menopause
• Cushing’s disease
• Ovarian tumor
• Insomnia
• Kidney disease
• Liver cirrhosis
• Pregnancy

Taking certain medications to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and psychiatric conditions can also lead to weight gain. In addition, when people stop smoking, this may lead to weight gain because the metabolism slows down. People who experience heart failure will retain greater than normal amounts of fluid in their lower extremities and abdomen which can also lead to  weight gain.

Some of the side effects of weight gain are noticeable and can include changes in vision, sweating, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.

Treatment for sudden weight gain has to include finding out what the cause is.

If a person is experiencing rapid weight gain and they can’t determine the reason why, it is important to see a physician who will recommend tests to determine the cause.

To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, 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.

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health. The skin is one area that smoking has a very noticeable effect and can be seen very easily.

There are thousands of chemicals in tobacco smoke. Some of these can affect the skin’s elasticity which will lead to wrinkles and skin that looks baggy. Smoke also affects oxygenation of the blood which can lead to a change in skin tone and pallor.

Some other effects smoking can have on skin include:

• Psoriasis
• Hair thinning
• Yellow fingers
• Slower wound healing
• Cancerous skin lesions

Quitting smoking can reverse some of the negative effects. This is due to better oxygenation of the blood and also removal of the toxic chemicals from the body.

If you smoke and would like to quit, you can speak to your doctor and see what method would be best for you. Flushing Hospital Medical Center provides extensive assistance for people willing to quit smoking.  More information is available at 718-206-8494.

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.

Cold sores are small fluid filled blisters, also known as fever blisters, that are develop on or near the mouth and the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Cold sores are highly contagious and are spread by coming in close contact with secretions from the blisters or sharing utensils or other personal hygiene items with an infected person. It is important to keep in mind that the virus can spread even when an infected person does not have a cold sore.

A cold sore usually develops in several stages during an outbreak. The stages of a cold sore are:

1 Tingling and itching near the mouth
2 Formation of a fluid filled blister
3 The blister breaks
4 Scab forms
5 Scab falls off and sore heals

Additional symptoms a person may experience during an outbreak include:

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

There are several factors that can cause a cold sore to develop or reoccur if a person has already had an outbreak in the past: These include:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Eating certain foods
• Having a cold
• Allergic reaction

The diagnosis of a cold sore can usually be made by visual inspection. It is also possible to do a blood test to see if the virus is present.

There are no cures for a cold sore but there are ways to treat the symptoms.  Antiviral medications are often prescribed and there re over the counter medications treatment available to purchase.

Speak to your physician if you think you have a cold sore and it doesn’t start to heal in two weeks. You can also schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling 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.

One of the most important organs of the body is the heart. It’s main function is to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body which is what keeps us alive.

The heart has four chambers, two on the right and two on the left. Blood enters the heart through the right atrium, it then passes to the right ventricle. From the right ventricle the heart pumps blood to the lungs where it receives oxygen and then returns blood into the left atrium.  From the left atrium blood then passes to the left ventricle. The heart then pumps blood to the rest of the body from the left ventricle through the aortic valve and into the aorta.   When this valve doesn’t function properly, it causes a condition called aortic valve disease.

Aortic valve disease can be due to a birth defect, an infection, the aging process, or an injury to the heart.

There are two main types of aortic valve disease:

Aortic valve stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve opening is narrowed due the valve flaps being either thickened, fused or too stiff. This leads to reduced blood flow from the heart to the aorta. This can be caused by a calcium buildup on the valve leaflets. A history of rheumatic fever can also lead to aortic valve stenosis.

Aortic valve regurgitation is a condition where blood flows back into the heart from the aorta due to the valve flaps being weakened and unable to keep the blood flowing in only one direction. This may be due to a birth defect that worsens over time.

Aortic valve disease can cause the following symptoms:

• Heart murmur
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen ankles
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness

Aortic valve disease can lead to heart related complications such as stroke, blood clots, heart failure, and death.

Diagnosing aortic valve disease is done by a physician who will take a full medical history and listen to the heart with a stethoscope to determine if there are signs of a murmur. Diagnostic tests will foloow and these include an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram and a chest x-ray to determine if the heart appears enlarged. Other tests that may be performed are a CT scan, a MRI, and a stress test.

Treatment options depend on the severity of the disease. They can range from lifestyle changes,  such as stress reduction, smoking cessation,  and diet modification, and possibly prescribing medications to control heart function. In more severe cases surgery to repair or replace the valve may be necessary.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center 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.

The level of humidity in the air during the winter months tends to be much lower, resulting in much drier air as compared to other times of the year.  In addition, the air in our homes is also drier due to home heating. These differences in air quality both inside and outside can increase our chances of becoming dehydrated.

Other factors that can lead to dehydration in the winter include:

• Cold-induced diuresis (frequent urination)
• Drinking less water because we tend to feel less thirsty
• Wearing heavier clothing which can cause us to perspire more
• Increased respiratory  rates which leads to greater water loss

It is important that we stay hydrated in winter because doing so helps keep our body temperature at a constant and normal level. When there isn’t enough fluid in the body, this can cause the core temperature to drop to dangerous levels. Hypothermia can set in quicker if the body is dehydrated. Staying hydrated is also helps our immune system fight off colds and the flu, which are more common in the winter.

Things to avoid in cold weather to prevent dehydration include caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages.  It is also recommended that you don’t drink cold beverages, but rather warm or room temperature beverages because this will lead to more frequent urination.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration to look out for include:

• Severe thirst
• Reduced urine output
• Dark urine for long periods of time
• Dizziness
• A rapid heart rate
• Muscle cramps

If you have any signs of dehydration during the winter months, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

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.