Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of vinegar in the natural health community today. It is claimed to provide several benefits, many of which are supported by science.

Some benefits include, but not limited to:

Weight loss
Reduced cholesterol
Lower blood sugar
Cooking

For these and other tips about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, visit healthline.com

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.

Memorial Day, the Unofficial Start of Summer

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer for many, and while summer brings with it a greater opportunity to spend more time outdoors, it also provides an increased risk for many health-related conditions.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center wants to provide the community with the facts about some health concerns commonly associated with the warm weather months and offer tips on how to avoid them.

Athlete’s Foot – This fungus results in an itchy, burning rash on the feet. Athlete’s foot is more prevalent during the summer months because it loves to spread in warm, wet surfaces, such as on poolside pavement and public showers. Doctors suggest wearing flip flops when in these environments to avoid becoming infected.

Heat Exhaustion – Temperatures during the summer months are higher than any other time of year. When our bodies are exposed to these hot conditions, we need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. When we don’t drink enough, we experience heat exhaustion, which is marked by weakness, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.

Food Poisoning – The increased heat and humidity in the summer are ideal breeding grounds for the growth of bacteria in our food. The next time, you are enjoying food at a picnic or outdoor barbeque, make sure that food is not left out in the heat too long. Also follow food temperature guidelines when grilling meat and poultry.

Skin Infections – Our skin is exposed more during the summer. This increases the risk of sustaining a cut that can develop into an infection. The most common place for this to occur is at the beach, when bacteria in the sand or water can enter a cut and lead to a potentially serious infection. If you get cut, be sure to wash it immediately with soap and water and monitor it for early signs of infection.

Ear Infection / Swimmer’s Ear – Naturally, we spend more time swimming in pools or in the ocean during the summer than any other time of year. The additional moisture in the ear from spending time in the water can help facilitate the growth of bacteria, which can lead to an infection. To prevent excess moisture build-up, dry your ears thoroughly after swimming.

Flushing Hospital wants those in our community to enjoy everything that the next few months has to offer. By taking these extra precautions, you can only increase your chances of having a healthy, fun-filled summer.

The Benefits of Essential Oil Diffusers

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Joann Ariola

It’s no secret that natural living can be beneficial to your health. If you are already living more naturally, you probably know the advantages of using an essential oil diffuser, but if you are just beginning to use essential oils, here are some of their many benefits.

An essential oil diffuser is also known as an aromatherapy diffuser. It disperses essential oils into the air and fills the area with a natural fragrance.

One of the best known uses for essential oils is their ability to assist you in unwinding after a tough day. Oils such as chamomile, lavender and clary sage in a diffuser can give you a much needed break from the stress of the day and help you sleep.

Many other essential oils, such as peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree, sage, rosemary, grapefruit, lemon and thyme are anti-microbial and when introduced into the air in vapor form, can be a great way to keep a cold or flu away.

These essential oils can also be used to boost your immune system and diffusers double as humidifiers to help keep your airways moist causing you to breathe easier and be less susceptible to germs.

There are even claims that diffused oils such as ginger, chamomile, lavender, eucalyptus, clary sage, rosemary, pine and bergamot can be helpful in soothing headaches, sore joints and overworked muscles, as well as being a way to super-charge your brain cells.

These are only some of the many benefits of using an essential oil diffuser. To any one of you individually, the benefits may vary, but since we always put safety first, using essential oil diffusers is a safer option than lit candles or burning incense.

How Can I Prepare For My OB/GYN Appointment?

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Joann Ariola

A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in a woman’s reproductive health. An obstetrician is a doctor who cares for a woman during her pregnancy and immediately after the baby is born. The majority of doctors that specialize in women’s health care specialize in both disciplines.

Since your ob/gyn will handle some of the most important health related issues in your life, it is important that you have a trusting rapport with them. There may be issues that you find embarrassing or sensitive to discuss and you want to know that you can trust the doctor that is treating you.

Most of the anxiety can be averted if you find a doctor you like, coordinate your appointment with friends and make it an annual event, research the examination method used by ob/gyn’s and prepare to be straight forward with tough issues you may be experiencing as well as being open about your bedroom behavior.

Some of the health issues your ob/gyn may address are:

Pregnancy
Reproductive health
Childbirth
Birth control
Menopause
Cancer screening
Infection treatment
Surgery for the pelvic organ
Treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI)

Since we’ve already established that preparing what you want to discuss ahead of time will relieve some of the pressure of the impending appointment; there may be some questions you may want to ask as well, such as:

Do you accept my health insurance?
At what hospital do you have privileges?
Do you have convenient office hours?
If you are not available, what is your covering physician plan?

If you are thinking of making an appointment with an ob/gyn and would like to speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center, please call 718-670-8989 for an appointment.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Joann Ariola

May has been designated National Arthritis Awareness Month and Flushing Hospital, along with the Arthritis Foundation want to raise awareness about conquering this disease.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. It is not a single disease, but a grouping of conditions that affect joint pain. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. While arthritis can affect both men and women, it is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go and can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for years but may progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain and inability to do daily activities. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. These changes may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-rays. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints.

To learn more about arthritis, visit

If you think you have arthritis and would like to schedule an appointment, please call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718- 670-5486.

Employee Spotlight – Robert Arbitello

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Joann Ariola

This month we shine our Employee Spotlight on Robert (Rob) Arbitello, Manager of Material Management at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC).

Rob has been an employee at FHMC for the past 21 years. He began his career in the Transportation Department, became a Materials Handler, Inventory Clerk and Assistant Manager in the department he now manages.

In his free time, Rob enjoys gardening, playing cards, and spending time with his wife, Shina, of 25 years and children Robert, Briana, and Joseph.

On any given day, you will find Rob visiting most departments within the hospital. He is responsible for ordering all of the hospitals inventory items and runs the day to day operations of the Store Room and Receiving Departments.

When asked what the most rewarding part of his job is, Rob was quick to say, “The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that our department contributes to helping patients get better quickly by providing the supplies and materials needed in a timely manner.”

Some of the challenges Rob faces when ordering large quantities of supplies is finding out they are back-ordered or have been discontinued, delivery trucks that may have broken down, having weather conditions prohibit delivery or receiving the wrong shipments.

“No matter what, it is my responsibility to get the items to the end users timely and efficiently.”

For these and so many more reasons, Robert Arbitello is a valued employee and the subject of our April Employee Spotlight.

Is Your Child Addicted to Video Games?

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

It’s often difficult for parents to know how much time their children spend online. Often children play video games, view videos and browse social networking sites. Spending too much time online can lead to the deterioration of your child’s school work and can cause problems with their relationships with family and friends.

Studies have shown that children ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day consuming media for fun, including TV, music, video games and other content. About two-thirds of 8 to 18 year olds had no rules on the amount of time spent watching TB, playing video games or using a computer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit their child’s screen time for entertainment to less than two hours per day and children under 2 have no TV or internet exposure.

Research shows that academic failure correlates with addictive video game play, and to a higher incidence of attention problems. Conversely, academic achievers spend less time online. Research has also revealed that child and adolescent video game addiction correlates with functional impairment, emotional problems, poor conduct, hyperactivity and peer problems, as well as with depression and social phobia. In addition, several studies have proven a relationship between excessive video game play and obesity and poor diet among children in grades 4 through 6.

Parents should discuss with their children their expectations for responsible online usage and set limits on how much time can be spent online. Dr. Gonzalez suggests the following rules for internet use:

Regularly determine how much time your kids are online every day.
Don’t put a computer or game console in your child’s bedroom—rather put them in the living room.
Avoid online activity before bedtime.
Charge children’s cell or smart phone or other handheld devices overnight in your bedroom.
Be a role model. Set an example with your own internet usage.
Use an alarm clock or timer to limit your child’s time online.
Provide alternatives to online activity and video games: sports, reading, play dates, time with pets, etc.
Set a rule: no handheld devices at the table during meals.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for your child with a Flushing Hospital Medical Center Child Psychiatrist, please call 718-670-5562

Low-Sodium Baked Salmon Recipe

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Joann Ariola

A low-sodium diet can reduce the risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and kidney damage.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium should be consumed per day

Here are the approximate amounts of sodium in a given amount of table salt:

1/4 teaspoon salt = 575 mg sodium
1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,150 mg sodium
3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,725 mg sodium
1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg sodium

If you are interested in lowering your sodium, this recipe for baked salmon is a good place to start. For this and other low sodium recipes you can go to –

Employee Spotlight – Alex Regoso

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) Employee Spotlight for March shines on Alex Regoso.

Alex is the Lead Operator for the hospital’s switchboard for the past 12 years, often times being the first voice our patients and visitors hear. He is responsible for maintaining the hospital’s phone system, pagers and pager systems but that isn’t all he does. It’s safe to say that Alex Regoso is the “go to techie” for anyone who needs help with their audio visual presentation

He and his wife Michelle have two children, Aiden (12) and Zoe (9). When asked what he likes to do when he isn’t at FHMC, Alex responded that he can be found “Cooking, (Alex has a BA in Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts) eating, traveling, being involved in this children’s lives and activities, as well as practicing Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). “

“Flushing Hospital has always been a part of my life. I was born here, my mom provided for her family by working here and now I provide for my family by working at FHMC. A bit of history that Alex shared is, his mom Rose worked in the NICU from 1970 – 2006. Flushing Hospital Medical Center is a big family and I am happy to help anyone who enters its doors.”

Admitting that some days can be more stressful than others, Alex stated, “I leave work stress behind at the exit doors and never take it home with me.

When you ask his co-workers what is most notable about Alex, they are quick to respond that he always has a positive attitude, is always willing to help and does so with a smile.

Spring Cleaning…Naturally

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Spring is finally here, and springtime means spring cleaning! If you’re looking for an alternative to store bought cleaners, check out these low-cost, non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning solutions for a fresh smelling home:

Baking Soda – cleans, softens water, and scours. You can also use baking soda to deodorize food storage containers and sprinkle on your carpet to absorb smells before vacuuming.

.White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. Use equal parts white vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of your fridge.

.Lemons – effective against most household bacteria. Use lemon peels in your garbage disposal to help deodorize it.

You can also try these combinations:

.All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, and bathroom mirrors.

.Mold and Mildew cleaner: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.

.Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Only use the black and white newspapers, not the colored ones. Don’t clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying.

.Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft, slightly damp, cotton cloth. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.

One more tip: Whenever you clean your home, save the floor or carpet for last. Clean window blinds and shelves first and then work downwards. This allows time for the dust to settle before vacuuming.