Employee Spotlight Shines on Frances DaSilva

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Frances DaSilva, Admitting Department Manager. Frances has been working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for 13 years.

Frances is originally from the beautiful county of Buckinghamshire, town of High Wycombe in England. She attended elementary school through college in England and moved to the United States in 1983 and settled in Brooklyn where she still resides.

Frances has two daughters who she is very proud of. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, attending church, and giving back to the community. Those things bring her great joy.

Frances delights in eating different types of food from around the world. She is always open to trying new types of delicious food. She enjoys any form of music that gets her feet moving. Her favorite genres of music are jazz, classical, gospel and modern dance. Frances enjoys travelling and feels fortunate to have visited many beautiful places. She particularly likes the Delaware area and Massachusetts. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, and crafts. Frances likes a variety of sports especially track and field, basketball, football and tennis.

Frances enjoys working at Flushing Hospital because of the amazing people on her team who help to ensure that their department runs well. She also likes the daily interactions with administrators, the clinical team, and people from every department at the hospital. She feels that her job has given her the opportunity to continually learn. We are happy to have Frances as a member of our team and we look forward to having her continue with us for many more years in 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.

Cancers Linked to HPV

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 types of viruses, some of which are sexually transmitted. It can affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. In the United States, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection.

HPV can be categorized as non-cancer causing and cancer causing. Two variants of human papillomavirus, HPV16, and HPV18 are the ones most commonly associated with cancer. HPV is responsible for 3% of all cancers in women and 2% of all cancers in men according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can take many years after becoming infected with cancer causing HPV, for cancer to potentially develop. People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, the cancers that are most commonly associated with HPV and their incidence, include:

Cervical cancer – almost all are caused by HPV
Oropharyngeal cancer – approximately 70 % caused by HPV
Anal cancer – approximately 90 % are caused by HPV
Penile cancer – approximately 60% are caused by HPV
Vaginal cancer – approximately 75% are caused by HPV
Vulvar cancer – approximately 70% are caused by HPV

The HPV vaccine offers protection from most cancers related to HPV. It is recommended for children of both genders between the ages of 11 and 12. Speak to your physician if you would like to get tested for HPV, or to discuss getting the HPV vaccine. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Springtime Recipe of Spaghetti with Shrimp and Lemon

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

A beautiful, spring evening calls for a light, easy to prepare, lemon spaghetti and shrimp dish to enjoy. Here is a recipe from the Food Network that we recommend. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lemon-spaghetti-with-shrimp-3612569

Hair Loss

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The loss of hair (known scientifically as alopecia) can occur on any part of the body. It can be permanent or temporary. It may be a normal part of the aging process or due to a medical condition.

A person typically loses 50 – 100 hairs a day. Under normal circumstances this isn’t noticeable because these hairs are replaced at the same rate as they are lost.

The most common form of hair loss involves thinning of hair on the scalp. This is due to heredity. Men experience male-pattern baldness which is characterized by a receding hairline. While women who experience female-pattern baldness notice the loss of hair on top of the head.

Medical conditions that can cause hair loss include diabetes, thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, ringworm, immune system disorders (lupus), significant weight loss, pregnancy, menopause, trauma, stress and poor nutrition. Some medications that treat cancer, arthritis, depression, gout, and high blood pressure can also cause hair loss.

Hair loss duration depends on what is causing it. Other than hair loss due to heredity, hair loss usually resolves once the medical condition is resolved or chemical factor is removed. Hair loss due to excessive brushing, pulling hair tightly as in certain hairstyles, and using some hair dressing chemicals should resolve once those factors are reduced or eliminated as well.

Speak to your physician if you are experiencing any unexpected hair loss. If you would like to speak to a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center to discuss your hair loss call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member Jessica Macean, RN

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Jessica Macean, RN has been a Labor & Delivery Nurse at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for six years. She is known on the New Beginnings Unit for her big smile and ability to make people laugh.

Her coworkers on the unit are like family to her. They work well together and according to her they are the true definition of teamwork, making sure that every day their patients are well taken care of. One of Jessica’s true joys is to make the birthing experience memorable for soon to be parents. It is her favorite part of bedside nursing.

Jessica feels that working at Flushing Hospital is a real pleasure. She has learned so much through the years and enjoys teaching new nurses lessons she has attained through experience.

Springtime Allergies

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Spring is a beautiful time of year. The weather starts to improve, there are more hours of daylight, and people spend more time outdoors. It is also the time of year when flowers, grasses, weeds, and trees start to bloom and release pollen into the air.

Pollen triggers an immune reaction by releasing histamine into the blood. The immunologic or allergic reaction can manifest as sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, itchy skin, wheezing, head congestion, and watery eyes.

Diagnosing allergies can be done by either a blood test or by a skin test. The skin test involves pricking the skin with different allergens and seeing which ones cause a reaction.

Once an allergy is identified it can be treated with:

Oral antihistamines
Oral decongestants
Nasal sprays
Eye drops
Allergy shots
Nasal saline irrigation

Some suggestions for minimizing the effects of springtime allergies include:

Avoiding freshly cut grasses
Staying indoors on windy days
Keeping windows closed
Wearing a face mask outdoors
Washing your hands, hair, and clothing frequently after being outdoors
Using an air conditioner and changing the filters frequently
Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter
Keeping pets clean

If you suffer from springtime allergies, speak to your physician about getting tested and ways to treat them. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

April is National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

In 2008, April was designated National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month by the United States Congress. This designation aims to bring awareness to this disease and encourage research efforts to learn more about it.

Sarcoidosis is an auto-immune disease. It is rare, affecting approximately 2 million people worldwide. Only 250,000 people have been known to have it in the United States. sarcoidosis is often a long-term illness and is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 20-40 and more often seen in African-Americans.

Sarcoidosis can primarily affect the lungs, the lymph nodes, as well as the skin, the eyes, and other organs in the body. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, nausea, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and weight loss.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Employee Spotlight Shines On Choi Au-Yeung, RRT

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are pleased to shine our Employee Spotlight on Choi Au-Yeung, Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Choi has been a respiratory therapist 24 years, 20 of those years at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. She grew up in Queens and attended Grover Cleveland High School, then went on to study at SUNY Stony Brook where she graduated with a BS degree in Respiratory Care.

Choi currently resides on Long Island with her husband and four children, ages 13, 14, 15, and 17. In her spare time, she volunteers at the concession stand at her children’s school during home sporting events to raise money for the athletic department. She also helps her husband coach the volleyball team and score games for their daughters’ Catholic Youth Organization team.

When she has time off, she enjoys vacationing with her family. Some of the places she frequents are Mexico, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Outer Banks North Carolina, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. She loves to eat all different types of food, especially Italian and Indian. Choi’s favorite music is from the 80’s and 90’s. She considers herself fairly athletic and has completed three New York City Marathons. She is a firm believer in participating in all kinds of sports, in which she says helps to clear her head and make her feel good.

Family and a handful of close friends is what she considers the most important. She emphasizes to her children the value and importance of family.

Choi enjoys working at Flushing Hospital very much because of the great people she works with. She truly considers her colleagues as her work family. Most of them have met her family and vice versa. She feels very fortunate that her department is very supportive of one another and considerers the department leadership the best. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years.

Lower Back Pain

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Lower back pain is recognized as one of the most common problems that people experience at some time in their lives. It is the most common reason people miss work and is its most frequent cause of disability. It may be described as a constant dull ache to a sudden sharp pain.

Common causes of lower back pain include:

Muscle sprains or strains
Herniated discs
Spinal stenosis
Arthritis of the spine
Spondylitis
Sciatica
Kidney problems
Ovarian cysts
Spinal infections
Pregnancy
Uterine fibroids
Misalignment of the spinal cord

Diagnosing lower back pain typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical exam. This exam may include checking reflexes, evaluating lower extremity strength and ability to move. Further testing may require an x-ray, CT scan or an MRI to evaluate if there are bone problems,

Seek medical care for lower back pain when:

It lasts more than a few weeks
It doesn’t improve with rest
It is accompanied by weight loss
It travels down one or both legs
It shows symptoms of numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs

Treatment options depend on the cause of the lower back pain and where it is located. Treatment options include: home remedies such as heat, ice, rest, compression, stretching exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. Physical therapy may be prescribed by a physician if they feel it will help. A physician may also prescribe some medications for pain relief, These would include muscle relaxers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, a physician may feel a surgical procedure may be necessary.

There are a few things a person can do to prevent lower back pain. This would include regular exercise and stretching, watching one’s weight, bending at the knees when lifting heavy objects, quit smoking, sleep on a firm surface, and keeping proper posture.

Speak to your physician if you are having lower back pain and it doesn’t seem to be improving, If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

What is Reverse Dieting ?

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Reverse dieting is an eating plan that helps the body adjust gradually to an increase in calorie intake after weight loss through restrictive or low calorie dieting. It has been referred to as the “diet after the diet”. Bodybuilders often use this technique after a competition to prevent rapid weight gain as it helps to prevent fat buildup after weight loss.

One of the key reasons people regain weight after ending a diet is that they feel they can eat all of the foods avoided while on their diet. They also may exercise less and fall back into bad habits once the diet is over.

When a person is on a calorie restricted diet, eventually metabolism will decrease as well. Once a diet ends, and more calories are added back into the daily diet, metabolism is still operating at a reduced level. This causes the body to transform the extra calories into weight gain.

Reverse dieting can take weeks or months to achieve optimal results. The mechanism behind reverse dieting involves the gradual increase in calorie intake with the gradual increase in metabolism.

Reverse dieting typically involves adding 50 -150 calories a week for four to ten weeks until reaching the pre-diet calorie intake. A reverse diet will look different for everyone because it is dependent on starting amount calories, goal amount calories, and how you chose to approach the reverse diet.

As with any diet, it is important to consult with your physician to make sure that your new way of eating will be compatible with your nutritional needs. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5918.