Do Teenagers Spend Too Much Time on Social Media ?

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Social media often plays a large role in the lives of many teens. It has replaced television, radio, magazines, and newspapers as the number one way that most young adults get their news, socialize, and form their opinions.

Studies show that teens spend as much as nine hours a day on social media. Research also indicate that the more time teens spend on social media, the more likely they are to be exposed to harmful content which can affect their mental health.

Over exposure to content that promotes or encourages cyber bullying, rumor spreading, or negative self-image can lead to:

Anxiety
Depression
Negative effects on body image
Increased loneliness
Low self esteem
Feeling ignored

Protecting teenagers from some of the negative aspects of social media would require parents to monitor their child’s usage. This would include setting limits on the amount of time spent on social media platforms, and knowing the people they are communicating with. It is also important to have your teenager’s passwords to monitor their activities.

If you would like to speak to a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center about your child’s mental well-being, 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.

How Summer Weather Affects Asthma

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Many people with asthma find that their symptoms worsen during the hot humid days of summer. This is fairly common and there are several reasons why this may occur:

The poor air quality during the warm and hot weather is due to a rise in air pollutants which can make breathing more difficult.
The high humidity which is often found during the warmer months can make it difficult to inhale air.
Warm weather typically leads to an increase in allergens such as pollen, mold and dust mites.
These can cause a release of histamines in the body which constrict the air passages.
Heat puts stress on the lungs’ ability to inhale and exhale because the breathing passages narrow.

Here are some tips to keep asthma under control during the summer months:

Try not to go outside during the hottest times of the day
Stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible
Keep allergies well controlled
Avoid heavily chlorinated swimming pools
Keep asthma medication handy

There are a few treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with asthma. These include inhaler corticosteroids which reduce the inflammation in the airways. Some inhalers also contain corticosteroids and beta blockers which help to keep the airways open. Always discuss with your physician which option is going to be best for you. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486

Enjoy a Summer Recipe – Rigatoni Bolognese with Summer Vegetables

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

A beautiful, summer evening calls for a light, easy to prepare, Rigatoni Bolognese with vegetables dish to enjoy. Here is a recipe from the Food Network that we recommend. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/rigatoni-with-summer-bolognese-7119146

A Tasty Summer Recipe for Sweet and Spicy Grilled Salmon

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Warm summer evenings call for an easy to prepare, sweet and spicy grilled salmon recipe to enjoy. Here is a recipe from the Food Network that we recommend.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sweet-and-spicy-grilled-salmon-recipe-2112185

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.

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.