CONSTIPATION

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Joann Ariola

According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic constipation is defined as, “Infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer.”

To most, occasional constipation is quite common. However, chronic constipation is a condition that may interfere with a person’s capacity to go about their day to day routine. Many chronic constipation sufferers have less than three bowel movements per week, hard, lumpy stools and difficulty passing their stool.

There are many health conditions that can lead to chronic constipation such as:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Pregnancy
Colon cancer
Parkinson’s Disease
Underactive thyroid
Eating disorders

Additional causes for chronic constipation are:

Changes to your diet
Lack of water or fiber in your diet
Consuming an overload of dairy products
Not exercising enough
Ignoring an urge to move your bowels
Stress
Overuse of laxatives
Medication (i.e. iron supplements)

There are several measures you can take to help with constipation such as, increasing the fiber and fluids in your diet. If you have prolonged constipation or experience unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel movements please make an appointment with a doctor. If you’d like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center 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.

Employee Spotlight – Nancy DeLano-Tomczyk

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Joann Ariola

This month the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) Employee Spotlight shines on Nancy DeLano-Tomczyk.

Nancy has been a Flushing Hospital Medical Center employee since 1988, and has held many titles including Out Patient Billing Clerk, Payroll Clerk, Payroll Supervisor and currently, Payroll Manager.

Nancy is tasked with keeping updated payroll records by reviewing and approving changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, as well as job titles and department transfers. She is directly responsible for overseeing the hospitals payroll, in other words, she’s the person who makes sure FHMC employees are paid!

Outside of her regular job duties, Nancy, is active in a number of hospital events. She is a Fit Bit Challenge team member and Co-Chair of the FHMC Celebration committee. On any given day, you will see Nancy collecting donations for Making Strides Pacesetter and fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness, as well as volunteering at the MediSys Annual Golf Outing and participating in the FHMC Halloween Costume Contest; a contest that she has won several times.

Nancy’s greatest loves are her two sons Joseph, 27 and Kevin 24, as well as her beautiful granddaughter, Julianna who she refers to as her “Partner in Crime.” She spends her free time listening to music, journaling and traveling. She loves to try new restaurants, go to the movies, Broadway plays, and sifting through garage sales.

Although her job is rewarding, there are challenges. One challenge is coordinating all the departments to make the deadline when submitting their payroll.

In closing, Nancy shared, “I can honestly say that I never wake up thinking I don’t want to go to work. I truly enjoy my job and the amazing people I work with. I consider everyone at Flushing Hospital Medical Center my family.”

Benefits of Grandparents Who Help Raise Grandchildren

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Studies have shown that raising grandchildren can be mutually beneficial. Grandparents provide a stable, safe, loving and fun environment for their grandchildren and the closeness between grandchildren and grandparents may keep older adults sharp, ward off depression, boost social connections, and solidify an important family relationship.

Some positive results of grandparents caring for their grandchildren are:

Peace of mind – Parents know that their children are with those who love them and are giving them the time an attention their parents can’t while at work.
Financial – Childcare is expensive. Parents may be able to save in lieu of paying the high cost of childcare.
Flexibility – If the parents are called in to work on an off day, grandparents are generally ready, willing and able to take on whatever was planned for that day.
Health – Many grandparents feel that their grandchildren keep them fit and to a grandchild no one can fix a cut or scrape better than a grandparent.
Wisdom – Grandparents can impart great wisdom to your child in a way that is much more absorbable than if a parent tries to impart that same wisdom.

Having grandparents help raise your children is a mostly “pro” scenario, but no situation is a perfect one. Always have a childcare plan “B” in place in case Grandma and Grandpa need a day off.

NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Joann Ariola

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and (FHMC) would like to bring awareness to a dental hygiene condition that affects most people, gum disease or gingivitis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately half of the American population has gum disease or symptoms of it. Affecting women and men alike, no one is excluded from this possible diagnosis- even child are susceptible.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a contagious bacterial infection that affects the gum tissues and bone that supports the teeth. Many factors can increase the chances of developing gum disease, such as tobacco use, stress, poor diet, or even genetics. Hardened plaque, called tartar or calculus, that builds up by the gum line can bring about gingivitis and spread into the underlying bone. It can start slowly without any pain and may go unnoticed until there is pain.

Some of the symptoms of gum disease can include:

Red, swollen or tender gums
Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
Receding gums
Tooth sensitivity
Metallic taste
Chronic bad breath
Deep pockets (the space between gums and the teeth)

While practicing good dental hygiene, such as regular flossing and brushing after meals, can help slow the progression of such a disease, it is important to schedule regular dental check-ups to prevent gum disease or its progression.

Unfortunately, many people go to the dentist only when they experience some sort of pain or symptom. Don’t let this happen to you. Keep on top of your oral health and make an appointment with your dentist every six months for a dental check- up and deep cleaning. If you would like to make an appointment with a Board Certified Dentist at, call to schedule an appointment.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Skip the pricey lattes and try this lower calorie, heart healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie recipe courtesy of the .

Ingredients

1/2 cup canned pumpkin, (not pie filling)
1/3 cup fat-free, plain yogurt
1/3 cup skim milk
2 Tbsp. rolled oats
2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3-4 ice cubes

Directions

Into a blender, add pumpkin, yogurt, milk, oats, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth and frothy, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve.

Additional Tips

Cooking Tip: Keeping the can of pumpkin in the fridge before using isn’t necessary, but helps make a colder smoothie.

Keep it Healthy: Make sure to buy 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling or mix, which looks similar but can have added sugar.

Tip: Plain nonfat Greek yogurt, which has more of a tangy taste as well as more protein, can be substituted for the light plain yogurt.

National School Backpack Safety Monthy

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

September is National School Backpack Safety Month and Flushing Hospital Medical Center is sharing information on how you can help your child avoid the pain and injury that is associated with carrying heavy backpacks. These simple tips can help protect your child from having chronic back pain throughout their lives.

Backpacks are essential back-to- school items for kids. They come in different colors, sizes and shapes and most importantly they help children to carry their belongings. Backpacks are preferred by many in comparison to shoulder bags because when worn correctly, they evenly distribute weight across the body. However, if worn incorrectly they can cause back pain or injuries and eventually lead to poor posture.

To prevent problems associated with improper backpack use, parents should first purchase a backpack that has the following features:

Lightweight
Wide and padded straps
Multiple compartments
Padded back
Waist belt
Correct size (A backpack should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso).

Practicing these safety tips will further reduce the chance of back pain or injuries caused by backpacks:

When packing, heavier items should be placed to the back and center of the backpack. Lighter items should be in front. Sharp objects such as scissors or pencils should be kept away from your child’s back. Utilizing different compartments can help in distributing weight.
Do not over pack. Doctors recommend that children should not carry backpacks that weigh more than 10-15% of their body weight.
Ensure that children use both straps. Using a single strap can cause muscle strain.
Adjust the straps so that the backpack fits closely to your child’s back and sits two inches above the waist. This ensures comfort and proper weight distribution.
Encourage children to use their lockers or desks throughout the day to drop off heavy books.

The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America recommends that parents should always look for warning signs that indicate backpacks may be too heavy. If your child struggles to put on and take off the backpack, they are complaining of numbness or tingling or if there are red strap marks on their shoulders -It may be time for you to lighten their load.

National Food Safety Education Month

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Joann Ariola

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Designating this observance provides an opportunity to raise awareness about steps you can take to prevent food poisoning.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food. Some people are more likely to get a foodborne illness (also called food poisoning) or to get seriously ill.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) would like to share information regarding food poisoning and prevention.

Some foods to avoid in an effort to prevent food poisoning are:

raw or undercooked meat and poultry
raw or undercooked fish and shellfish
canned fish and seafood
refrigerated smoked seafood in a cooked dish
unpasteurized dairy (milk and eggs)
raw or undercooked sprouts (alfalfa, bean, etc.)
unwashed fresh vegetables
soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk
processed cheeses

To learn more about ways to prevent food poisoning visit:

Are Air Fryers a Healthier Way to Prepare Your Food?

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Joann Ariola

In a world focused on calorie consumption and step counting, there has been a lot of hullabaloo about Air fryers and the benefit they may have when preparing food.

Air fryers claim to help lower the fat content in foods we would normally steer clear because of their high fat content such as french fries, chicken fingers and egg rolls.

So, how does an air fryer work?

According to Healthline.com, an air fryer is a kitchen appliance used to prepare food. It works by circulating hot air that contains fine oil droplets around the food to produce a crunchy, crispy exterior.

Air fryers are publicized as a healthy alternative to deep fried foods because it does not completely submerging the food in oil, it only utilizes one tablespoon of oil.

Some pros to air fryers are:

They significantly reduce overall calorie intake
They are time efficient in that they cook the item quicker
There is an easy clean up

The cons of air frying:

Consumers can be misled into thinking they can healthy and eat fried food everyday
Air frying produces high temperatures at a very fast rate making it more likely to burn your food
Air fryers are small and not conducive to feeding a large family

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is committed to bringing you healthy alternatives to your lifestyle. Although we are not endorsing air fryers, anything that lowers the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are worth having a healthy discussion about.

For more information on air fryers and their benefits, you can visit Healthline.com.

Employee Spotlight – Melissa Melgar

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Joann Ariola

This month the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Employee Spotlight shines on Melissa Melgar.

Melissa is a Flushing Hospital Medical Center employee for the past 12 years. She currently holds the title of Office Manager, Psychiatry Administration.

On any given day, Melissa assists with organizing on-call coverage for the Department of Psychiatry, credentialing newly assigned medical professionals and arranging Continuing Medical Education credits (CME).

Additionally, Melissa works with and prepares for the Joint Commission on HealthCare Organizations (JCAHO), Office of Mental Health (OMH), Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASAS) and Department of Health (DOH) prior to and during surveys.

Melissa’s greatest loves are her two children, Matthew age 4 and Maya, age 3. She spends her free time site seeing, biking, dancing, taking road trips and adventures with her family and friends.

She is also a champion of charities such as Breast Cancer Walk, raising funds for Breast Cancer Research, advocating for heightened awareness for Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome and Ronald McDonald House.

Although her job can, at times, be challenging; Melissa feels that helping others, making a difference in another person’s life and seeing the gratitude in patient’s faces is what makes it all worthwhile.

Melissa Melgar strongly believes that everyone should be made to feel important.

Are there Benefits If You Drink Kombucha Tea?

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

The internet is all a buzz about the benefits of Kombucha Tea, but what is kombucha?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. Although it’s sometimes referred to as kombucha mushroom tea, kombucha is not a mushroom — it’s a colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha tea is made by adding the colony to sugar and tea, and allowing the mix to ferment. The resulting liquid contains vinegar, B vitamins and a number of other chemical compounds.

Some of the professed benefits of Kombucha are:

Gut health – the pro-biotics released in the fermentation process are similar to healthy bacteria that are found in the gut. Probiotic bacteria have been linked to helping diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.
Cancer risk – Some studies show that drinking kombucha may help reduce the risk of cancer. It’s important to note that these studies were conducted on cells in a test tube.
Infection risk – Acetic acid found in vinegar is also found in kombucha after it ferments.
Mental Health – Since probiotics have been linked to treating depression and probiotics are evident in kombucha after fermentation, it may help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.
Heart disease – Some studies have found that kombucha helps reduce levels of cholesterol that may cause heart disease.

The Mayo Clinic further reports that there have been adverse effects while using kombucha. Some people complained of an upset stomach, infections and at times an allergic reaction. This may have been caused because contamination can occur if the tea is brewed in homes with a nonsterile preparation area.

They further state that since there isn’t enough evidence that kombucha tea delivers on its health claims, the safe approach may be to avoid kombucha tea until more definitive information is available.