Emotional Eating

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Have you ever turned to food not because you were hungry but because you needed to relieve stress? Many of us have turned to food to get us through rough patches in our lives. When we turn to food for emotional comfort this is referred to as emotional eating. For most people this emotional eating can occur over a short duration of time, and for others, seeking emotional relief through food can last for years.
People indulge in emotional eating for many reasons, all in the hopes that it will get them through their relationship problems, financial issues, work conflicts, school problems, health crisis, or just being bored. Food also acts as a distraction from our problems because we will concentrate on what we are eating and not the source of the problem. Most of the time we will pick the kind of foods that are high in sugar for that burst of energy that it will provide.
Some suggested activities to help avoid emotional eating:
• Try taking a walk
• Spend time with a friend just chatting
• Clean your home
• Go to the library and read a book
• Listen to music
• Try meditation
There are ways to get relief from emotional eating issues. One of the best ways is to work on the issue causing you stress. This may require getting professional help if the problem persists. You would also want to avoid having unhealthy snacks that are easily accessible. Try to arrange to eat regular meals that are healthy for you so that you won’t crave snacks during the day. If you are still having difficulty managing your issues and the only thing that seems to help is eating, you might want to consult a physician who can help you. To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, 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.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month which serves to make people more familiar with the disease and ways to prevent it. Hepatitis is defined as an inflammation of the liver and can be caused by alcohol abuse, exposure to certain toxins, drug abuse, bacterial or viral infections. Many people aren’t even aware that they have hepatitis. The three main types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Each year approximately 15,000 people die in the United States die from either liver cancer or chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis.

Hepatitis A can be mild or severe and can last weeks to months. It is spread by contact with food, liquids and objects that are infected with fecal matter from a person who is infected. Hepatitis B can be a life long illness. It is transmitted by blood, semen, other bodily fluids and as a baby passes through the birth canal. Hepatitis C is spread through sharing needles and syringes with people who are infected. It also used to be spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants but better screening techniques have virtually eliminated this risk.

Hepatitis awareness is important in making prevention better understood. A vaccine exists for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B for populations that may be at risk. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss this illness please call 718-670-5486.

National Nurses Week

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

National Nurses Week is celebrated each year beginning on May 6th and ending on May 12th, Florence Nightingdale’s birthday. The first National Nurses Week was celebrated in 1954, but wasn’t officially recognized until many years later. In 1982 President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation making May 6th National Recognition Day for Nurses, and this was later expanded to a whole week by American Nurses Association in 1990
The purpose of this week long celebration is to educate the public on the important role nurses play in healthcare and in our lives. Every year a different theme is selected by the American Nurses Association that highlights a different aspect of what nursing does. The theme for the 2018 National Nurses Week is “Nurses: Inspire. Innovate, and Influence”.
This year, the Nursing Department at Flushing Hospital will hold various activities, including an international food festival. a poster presentation, educational workshops, and wellness and relaxation activities.

History of Eyeglasses

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.

Diverticulitis

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

If you are experiencing prolonged abdominal pain, it is probably a good idea to be checked out to see what is causing it. This type of pain could be something serious. Diverticulitis is a disease affecting the intestinal tract, usually the colon. When tiny pouches are formed in the lining of the intestine they are called diverticula and when they become inflamed it is called diverticulitis.
There are several risk factors that can cause diverticulitis to occur. Age and a diet that is high in fat and low in fiber factor since it affects people more frequently who are over the age of 40. Other risk factors include obesity, a history of smoking and not exercising.
Symptoms of diverticulitis include:
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Abdominal cramps
• Upset stomach
• Bloating
Diverticulitis can be diagnosed through a CT scan testing the blood and urine and examining the stool for blood.
Treating diverticulitis is dependent on its severity. In mild cases it may suffice to adopt a bland diet, drink lots of fluids, and to take an antibiotic. Once the condition has healed, adding fiber to the diet will be beneficial to keeping the intestines functioning properly. In more severe cases, surgery may have to be performed.
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of diverticulitis and would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Testicular Cancer

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Although testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer, it is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men between the ages of 15 and 35.
There are a few risk factors to be considered for testicular cancer but they aren’t definitive reasons men will be diagnosed with it. Caucasian males are at greater risk as are men with a family history of testicular cancer and also men who have abnormalities of testicular development.
Symptoms of testicular cancer
• Dull ache in the abdomen
• Pain in the groin
• Enlarged scrotum
• Pain in one or both testicles
• Back pain
The diagnosis of testicular cancer is made through an ultrasound exam and a blood test for cancer markers, or surgical intervention surgery if there is a lump. If the diagnosis is positive, it is important to identify the stage, which is determined through a CT scan, MRI, chest x-ray and a blood test, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. If caught in its early stages it can be treated successfully. Treatment may include total removal of the testicle and possibly the surrounding lymph nodes, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
If you notice any of the symptoms of the disease and would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Shin Splints

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

A shin splint is a condition characterized by tenderness running along the tibial bone which is the large bone in the lower leg, also referred to as the shin bone. They are the result of an increased amount of repetitive activity, such as running, dancing, walking, or working out that causes the overworking of the tendons, muscles or bone tissue in the lower leg.
Contributing factors of shin splints:
• Poorly fitting shoes
• Weak ankles or hips
• Flat feet
• Failure to warm up prior to exercising
• Lack of support in shoes
Treatment of shin splints requires some time to heal. It is important to give the leg time to rest. In the acute phase, putting ice on the shin for 20-30 minutes every three to four hours for the first few days will help. It may be helpful to take an anti-inflammatory medication to ease the swelling and to help with the discomfort. It is also sometimes helpful to use orthotics, either custom made or over the counter, to give the foot support. Physical therapy is also very helpful to build up muscle strength and also to help ease the discomfort.
Preventing shin splints is as important as treating them. Some of the things you can do to prevent them from occurring are stretching exercises, wearing good shoes, participating in activities that are low impact, add shock absorbing insoles to your footwear.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

The History of the EKG Machine

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

An EKG machine measures the electrical activity of the heart. It displays this activity by drawing waves on a piece of paper that is either displayed on a screen or drawn on a piece of paper that runs through a machine.
• Late 1700’s – The first step in the development of the modern electrocardiograph machine was the creation of a machine that could sense, but not measure, electric current. This machine was called a galvanometer.
• 1786 an Italian physician, Dr. Luigi Galvan, discovered that skeletal muscles worked by producing electric current. In
• 1842 Dr. Carlo Matteucci working at the University of Pisa discovered that there is an electrical current that comes with each heart beat in a frog.
• Mid 1800’s a machine called the “Rheotome” was invented that could now measure this electrical current.
• 1872 – further refinements to this Rheotome led to a machine devised by Gabrrile Lippman of the “capillary electrometer”.
During this time, a British physiologist, Augustus Waller, was able to record the first human electrocardiogram that using this technology with electrodes placed on the chest and back of a patient. This demonstrated electric activity taking place before ventricular contraction. In
• 1893 – Dr. Wilhelm Einthoven, a Dutch physiologist, refined the capillary electrometer to show five deflections in the electrical current passing through the heart. The five waves were initially called ABCDE, but were changed to PQRST after a mathematical correction was made to compensate for the inertia in the capillary tube. He used the phrase “electrocardiogram” for the first time at a meeting of Dutch physicians. In
• 1901 – Dr. Eintoven he developed a string galvanometer, a more sensitive machine. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for his invention of the electrocardiograph.
As time passed, the electrocardiograph machine became much smaller and much more accurate. In 1903 it weighed 600 pounds and by 1930 it weighed about 30 pounds. The importance of an electrocardiograph was recognized as being essential in diagnosing cardiac from non-cardiac pain and able to help diagnose a myocardial infarction or a heart attack. Today we use a 12 lead electrocardiogram as a major tool in diagnosing heart disease. The machine today weighs just a few pounds and is an essential tool in diagnosing diseases of the heart.

How Often Should You Have Your Vision Checked ?

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

March is Save Your Vision Month
How often should you have your vison checked?
A) Every year
B) Every two years
C) Every three years
D) Only when something is wrong
According to the American Optometric Association a healthy person should have a regular eye exam once a year. People who have any conditions that may affect their eyesight, for example diabetes, glaucoma, macula-degeneration, should be examined more frequently.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Bladder Stones

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Bladder stones are tiny accumulations of mineral crystals that can form stones over time when the bladder isn’t completely emptied. Sometimes these stones go unnoticed and are eventually passed out of the body, but at other times they may be too large or blocked from leaving the bladder and can cause symptoms.
Symptoms of bladder stones include:
• Painful urination
• Blood in the urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Incomplete urination
• Dark or cloudy urine
Bladder stones are diagnosed by taking a thorough history from the patient and performing a urine exam to check for blood and the presence of minerals. Additionally it may be necessary to perform a cystoscope which is the insertion of a tiny camera through the urethra to examine the bladder, and a CT scan or ultrasound exam which determine if stones if they are present in the bladder.
While some bladder stones may pass on their own, they usually require some sort of intervention to aid the process. One procedure is called a cystolitholapaxy which involves the use of a cystoscope inserted through the urethra into the bladder and then breaking the stones apart with ultrasound, laser, or by mechanical means. If the stones are very large, surgical intervention may be necessary.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a urologist at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.