What is Bruxism?

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Bruxism is a condition associated with teeth grinding, causing pain in your teeth, jaw muscles, and the joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. Over time, it can also cause teeth to become fractured, worn down, loosened, or lost. This condition is common, affecting approximately 10% of adults and 15% of children.

Aside from pain and damage to your teeth and jaw, other symptoms of bruxism include:

Sleep disruption
Headaches or facial pain
Ear aches
Pain while eating
Jaw locking

Bruxism can occur when you’re awake or asleep. Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw while awake is often tied to strong emotions, such as anxiety, anger, or stress. It can also occur if you’re concentrating on something. If you experience bruxism while sleeping, you may not be aware of it and may be grinding your teeth more strongly than if you were awake, making it a potentially more damaging and difficult to detect form of this condition.

In addition to your emotional state, bruxism is also linked to lifestyle habits such as the consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs, and excessive caffeine (equivalent to six or more cups of coffee per day). Taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also increase your likelihood of experiencing bruxism.

Treatment for bruxism may include the usage of a night guard while sleeping. This orthotic device protects your teeth and the muscles and joints of your jaw from grinding. Your dentist may also recommend lifestyle changes and therapies that target potential root causes of bruxism, as well as a review of any medications you’re taking to determine if they are contributing to the problem.

If you are experiencing bruxism or symptoms that may indicate teeth grinding while sleeping, you can receive specialized dental care at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Department. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5521.

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.

Psoriasis Awareness Month

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the formation of thick, scaly patches of discolored skin, also known as plaques. These rashes occur due to inflammation and can appear anywhere on the body, but typically develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, fingernails, toenails, palms, feet, lower back, genitals, face, and mouth. Over 3% of Americans have been diagnosed with psoriasis.

There are many types of psoriasis, including:

Plaque psoriasis (the most common form of psoriasis)
Inverse psoriasis (which causes plaques to form without a scaly texture)
Guttate psoriasis (which can appear after a case of strep throat)
Pustular psoriasis (characterized by pus-filled bumps that appear on plaques)
Erythrodermic psoriasis (covering over 90% of your skin)
Sebopsoriasis (appearing on your face and scalp with a yellow coloration and scaly texture)
Nail psoriasis (which causes discoloration and pitting in your fingernails and toenails)

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that it is caused by your immune system functioning abnormally and attacking healthy cells; this results in the inflammation that causes plaques on the skin. Psoriasis also significantly speeds up the production of new skin cells, causing scales and frequent shedding. Approximately one in three people diagnosed with this disorder may also be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune condition that causes swelling and pain in your joints.

Symptoms of psoriasis are not necessarily constant. They typically occur during periodic flare-ups, which may develop in response to certain factors or elements of the environment. Some common triggers for psoriasis include stress, infections such as strep throat, skin injuries, medications such as lithium and beta-blockers, and body temperature shifts in response to weather conditions.

Many cases of psoriasis may respond well to treatment options such as steroid creams, moisturizers, medical lotions or shampoos, vitamin D3 ointment, vitamin A or retinoid creams, and medications such as anthralin which slow down the production of new skin cells. If these options do not treat your symptoms effectively, your doctor may recommend light therapy, immunosuppressant drugs, and other, stronger medications.

If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, you can receive specialized treatment from a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

The Shingles Vaccine: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Shingles is an infection that can cause painful rashes and blisters anywhere on the body. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox at any point in the past, the virus is still present in your body and can re-activate later in life as shingles.

Although shingles isn’t life-threatening, it can be very painful. Additionally, it can lead to postherpetic neuralgia, a complication that causes shingles pain to occur long after rashes and blisters are no longer present.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the only protection available against shingles is vaccination. Two doses of the shingles vaccine, also known as Shingrix, are recommended for all adults over the age of 50, as well as adults over the age of 19 who have weakened immune systems due to disease or medical treatment. You should also get the vaccine if you’ve already had shingles, as it can prevent future occurrences of the condition.

The shingles vaccine is safe, with side-effects generally going away no more than three days after receiving a dose. Side-effects are also more common in young people. They typically include:

Soreness in the injected arm
Redness and swelling around the vaccination site
Fatigue
Headaches
Muscle pain
Fever
Stomach pain
Nausea

There is also a very small risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a serious nervous system disorder, associated with the shingles vaccine; this risk, however, is also associated with the shingles itself.

While most people should get the shingles vaccine at some point, it may not be right for everyone based on certain factors. You should not receive the vaccine while you currently have shingles, are pregnant, or if you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine.

You can receive the shingles vaccine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

What is Self-Harm?

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Self-harm is when a person intentionally hurts themselves. Generally, people who self-harm do not intend for their actions to kill them. They may act in this way for a wide variety of reasons, such as to help them cope emotionally with distressing thoughts or feelings or to communicate to others non-verbally that they are in distress and need support.

People self-harm in many different ways, including:

Cutting or scratching to break skin
Burning themselves with objects such as lit cigarettes, heated sharp objects, or chemicals
Physical trauma, such as hitting themselves with an object or hitting objects in ways that cause harm to themselves (for example, punching a wall)

These forms of self-harm can leave different kinds of marks on the body, such as bruises, burns, and scars. A person may try to cover these marks up with long-sleeve clothing, even in hot weather, and may explain the presence of any visible marks as the results of accidents. New marks may appear with some degree of frequency.

Certain factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing self-harming behaviors. Some of these factors include:

Abuse or traumatic childhood experiences
Age (self-harm most often begins between the ages of 12 and 14, potentially continuing for many years)
Being non-cisgender (people who identify with a gender other than the sex assigned to them at birth face a higher likelihood of facing bullying, abuse, and trauma)
Being non-heterosexual (people belonging to sexual minority groups self-harm at a higher-than-average rate due to an increased likelihood of abuse and trauma)
Social isolation

Self-harm can lead to potentially serious and permanent medical complications, including infection, nerve damage, scarring, severe injury, and death. It can also negatively impact social relationships, feed into a negative self-image, and increase a person’s risk of suicide, particularly if their self-harming behaviors become worse over time.

If you or someone you know engages in self-harm, it can help to have someone to talk to about what you’re thinking or feeling in a non-judgmental setting. Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic provides individual psychotherapy services to people of all ages who are experiencing mental health problems. You can reach the clinic to schedule an appointment by calling (718) 670-5562. Additionally, you can dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

If a medical emergency occurs due to self-harm, please dial 911 immediately.

Three Helpful Exercises for Managing Arthritis

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Physical exercise is an essential part of managing symptoms of arthritis. It can help by strengthening the muscles around the affected joints, decreasing bone loss, and reducing joint stiffness and pain. Another benefit of regular exercise is keeping your weight at a healthy level, which also helps to reduce stress placed on your joints.

The best forms of physical activity for managing arthritis are low-impact, meaning that they place little stress on your body and alleviate symptoms. Three of these types of exercises include:

Walking: Walking each day for up to one hour can reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation in your joints caused by arthritis. If needed, you can break up this hour of walking into several ten-minute walks, resting between each one. It’s best to try to cover up to three miles in an hour of walking, but you can work up to this intensity level; any amount of regular walking is beneficial.

Cycling: Another great form of exercise for managing your arthritis symptoms is cycling, which can be done in either an indoor (with a stationary bike) or outdoor (with a bicycle, tricycle, or e-bike) setting. Cycling allows your joints, particularly your knees, to move through their full range of motion, producing synovial fluid that lubricates the joints and allows them to move more easily throughout the day.

Swimming: Swimming and other forms of aquatic exercise can help your arthritis symptoms by stimulating blood circulation, building your strength and cardiovascular conditioning, and increasing the flexibility of your joints. Water’s buoyancy reduces the stress placed on your body by exercise, causing less of an impact on your joints.

If you experience pain from arthritis, talk to a doctor about what you should do to manage your symptoms. You can visit a specialist and discuss treatment options at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

People can live for weeks, months, or potentially years without realizing that medical problems they’re experiencing are symptoms of untreated Lyme disease. This condition can produce a wide range of symptoms that are often associated with other diseases; as a result, it may not always be easy to identify their most likely cause.

Lyme disease is most often transmitted through tick bites. Early signs and symptoms can begin up to a month after being bitten, but can also start to occur in as little as three days. These may include:

Fever
Headache
Muscle and joint pain
Chills
Fatigue
Rash or swollen lymph nodes at the site of the tick bite

More serious symptoms of Lyme disease may begin to occur days or months after the first signs appear. Some of these more advanced signs include:

Severe headache
Neck stiffness
Rashes that have spread to other parts of the body
Drooping in the face
Arthritis and pain in the muscles, bones, joints, and tendons
Heart arrhythmia
Episodes of dizziness and shortness of breath
Nerve pain or shooting pains/numbness and tingling in the hands or feet
Brain or spinal cord inflammation

The erythema migrans (EM) rash that occurs in the early stage of Lyme disease can appear in a few ways for different people. The “classic” Lyme disease rash looks similar to a target, with a red ring that surrounds a central red spot. It can also appear as:

An expanding rash that may have a central spot of crusted skin
Multiple rashes in the same area with dark or discolored centers
A red, oval-shaped plaque
A ring-like rash
A blue-hued rash
An expanding red-blue rash with a clear spot of skin in the center

If you are experiencing potential symptoms of Lyme disease, please schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 immediately.

Can Your Medication Make Your Skin Sensitive to the Sun?

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Certain medications may increase your risk of sunburns due to photosensitivity, a chemically-induced change in the skin that can cause sunburns. Photosensitivity can occur as an allergic reaction in the skin after several days (known as photoallergy) and as skin irritation that occurs within a few hours of sun exposure. Medications that can cause these reactions include:

Antibiotics
Antifungals
Antihistamines
Statins
Diuretics
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral contraceptives and estrogens
Phenothiazines
Psoralens
Retinoids
Sulfonamides
Sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes
Alpha-hydroxy acids (found in acne medication and cosmetics)

Although these medications can increase photosensitivity, they may not lead to a reaction in everyone who takes them. While there are no specific identifiable risk factors to indicate who may be more likely to experience a reaction, people with fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue eyes are more sensitive to sun exposure in general and may face a heightened risk.

The best way to reduce your risk of a heightened reaction to sunlight due to any medication is to limit sun exposure and follow recommended practices for protecting your skin. Some ways you can do this include:

Staying in the shade as much as possible while outdoors
Using 30+ sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen that protects against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light
Applying at least one ounce of sunscreen across your body at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapplying it every two hours
Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, sunglasses, hats, and other protective clothing that limits how much of your skin is exposed to the sun

If you experience a severe sunburn, or one that is accompanied by a fever, headache, nausea, chills, confusion, or dehydration, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. If your symptoms become severe and lead to a medical emergency, please dial 911 right away.

What are the Warning Signs of Heat-Related Illness?

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Thousands of people visit the emergency room due to heat-related health problems each year. As the summer begins, it’s important to stay aware of the signs and risk factors of heat-related illnesses.

There are five main categories of heat-related illness. These illnesses and their warning signs include:

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and can lead to permanent disability or death without emergency treatment. It occurs when the body’s heat rises uncontrollably and stops sweating. Warning signs of this condition include:

Body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit
Red, hot, and dry skin that does not sweat
Nausea, dizziness, confusion, or vomiting
Rapid and strong pulse
Unconsciousness

Heat exhaustion: This type of illness can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate fluid intake. It occurs most commonly in people over the age of 65 and people with high blood pressure. Without prompt treatment, this illness can develop into heat stroke. Some of the indicators of heat exhaustion include:

Pale, moist, cool skin
Muscle cramps
Weakness
Headache
Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, or fainting

Heat cramps: Heat cramps typically occur as muscle pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs, often in association with physical activity. Excessive sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture, leading to cramps. People with heart problems or who follow a low-sodium diet are most prone to this illness and should seek medical attention if it occurs. Warning signs include:

Heavy sweating
Fatigue
Thirst
Muscle pain or spasms

Heat rash: This illness occurs due to excessive sweating that causes skin irritation. It occurs most commonly in young children and generally appears as a red cluster of pimples or small blisters on the neck and upper chest. It can also occur in the groin, under breasts, and in elbow creases.

Sunburn: Sunburn is one of the most common forms of heat-related illness. It can affect anyone, but is more likely to occur in people with lighter skin tones. Skin affected by sunburn will often first appear red and feel warm and tender; this skin may later develop blisters.

If you are experiencing heat-related medical problems, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

What is Periodontitis?

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that affects the supporting structures around the teeth. It affects nearly half of all American adults over the age of 30 and is the leading cause of tooth loss.

There are a few telltale signs of gum disease. Some of the most common ones include:

Swelling and discoloration in the gums
Gums that are tender and bleed easily
Bad breath that will not go away
Loose teeth
Black, triangle-like spaces that form between the teeth
Receding gums
Pus between the teeth and gums

If it is left untreated for too long, gum disease damages the supporting bones of the teeth, resulting in eventual tooth loss.

Gum disease typically develops because of a buildup of plaque (a sticky film made up of bacteria). Plaque accumulates on the teeth and gums over time, eventually hardening into tartar and causing gum irritation. This irritation then leads to gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, and eventually evolves into periodontitis.

A few different risk factors may also contribute to your likelihood of developing periodontitis. Some of the most common factors include poor oral hygiene, tobacco usage, a weakened immune system, and diabetes. Others include:

Genetics
Obesity
Certain chronic conditions, such as leukemia and HIV/AIDS
Medications that cause dry mouth or gum changes

The best way to prevent gum disease is to practice a regular routine of good oral hygiene (particularly brushing your teeth and flossing twice per day), as well as avoiding habits that may increase your risk. You should consult your doctor and dentist to determine which medications may affect your risk of gum disease and how best to manage this risk.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, you can receive expert periodontal treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Department. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5521.

When Should You Worry About Your Infant Vomiting?

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

It’s common for infants to struggle with keeping food and liquids down as they eat, particularly during their first month of life. However, certain symptoms accompanying this vomiting may indicate a more serious underlying medical problem with your child, potentially requiring a visit to a pediatric specialist. Some of these conditions include:

Gastroenteritis: Symptoms that may indicate gastroenteritis include mild diarrhea, irritability, stomach pain, and a poor appetite. This condition typically goes away on its own within a week, but if your baby starts to display symptoms such as dry skin, mouth, or eyes, a lack of tears, no wet diapers for up to 12 hours, or an unusual level of sleepiness or fatigue, they may be dehydrated and require an immediate visit to a pediatrician.

Ear infection: If your baby has an ear infection, it could cause nausea and vomiting without a fever. Some other symptoms they may experience include pain or discomfort in one or both ears, muffled hearing, and diarrhea. While an ear infection will usually resolve on its own without treatment, you should still take them to a pediatrician in case antibiotics are needed; severe infections could potentially damage a baby’s hearing.

Overheating: Hot weather and warm environments could overheat your baby, causing them to vomit and become dehydrated. In more serious cases, this can even lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Make sure to get your baby into a cooler environment and hydrate them as soon as possible; if they continue to display symptoms such as pale skin, abnormal irritability, and fatigue, get them medical attention immediately.

Pyloric stenosis: This rare condition occurs when the pathway between the stomach and the intestines is too narrow, leading to excessive vomiting as well as dehydration, weight loss, constipation, and abnormally few wet diapers and bowel movements. Surgery is required to correct this condition; tell your pediatrician right away if you notice these symptoms.

Intussusception: This rare intestinal condition occurs when a baby’s intestine is damaged and slips into another part of the intestine. Aside from vomiting without a fever, a baby with intussusception may experience severe stomach cramps that cause them to curl their knees up to their chest, as well as fatigue, nausea, and blood or mucus in their bowel movements. Treatment for this condition involves pushing the intestine back into place.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of any of these conditions, they can receive specialized treatment at Forest Hills Pediatrics Specialists. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 704-5020.