Lazy Eye

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Amblyopia or Lazy Eye as it’s commonly called is an eye condition that usually develops in children.

Lazy eye is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the muscles that position the eyes. The imbalance can cause the eyes to turn into the or away from the nose. This action prevents the eyes from working together and may be the reason for a difference in vision.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs and symptoms of lazy eye are:

An eye that wanders inward or outward
Eyes that appear to not work together
Poor depth perception
Squinting or shutting an eye
Head tilting
Abnormal results of vision screening tests

The Mayo Clinic also states that, “It’s important to start treatment for lazy eye as soon as possible in childhood, when the complicated connections between the eye and the brain are forming. The best results occur when treatment starts before age 7, although half of children between the ages of 7 and 17 respond to treatment”

To diagnose lazy eye, a standard eye exam such as a 20/20 eye chart screening is not a satisfactory. Diagnosis often times is made in younger children by using eye drops to dilate their eyes, using a lighted magnifying device to detect cataracts and assess their ability to stare at a moving object and follow it. In older children, tests using symbols or letters can access their vision.

Treatment options depend on the cause of lazy eye and on how much the condition is affecting your child’s vision. Your doctor might recommend:

Corrective eyewear – Glasses or contact lenses can correct problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism that result in lazy eye.
Eye patches -To stimulate and strengthen the weaker eye.
Bangerter filter -This special filter that is placed on the eyeglass lens of the stronger eye. Similar to the eye patch, the filter works to stimulate and strengthen the weaker eye.
Eye drops – A prescription eye drop the temporarily blurs vision in the stronger eye. This encourages the use of the weaker eye and offers an alternative to the patch.
Surgery – If the lazy eyes continue to cross or wander apart with the appropriate glasses, your doctor might recommend surgical repair to straighten the eyes, in addition to other lazy eye treatments.

Activities such as drawing, doing puzzles or computer games can also show positive results, however the effectiveness has not been proven.

The proper treatments for lazy eye, usually improves vision within weeks to months. Treatment can last from six months to two years.

It is recommended that the condition be monitored for recurrence of lazy eye. If lazy eye recurs, treatment will need to start again.

If you would like to have your eyes, or the eyes of a loved one, examined, please call theat at to schedule an appointment.

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.

Foods You Should Not Eat With Braces

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Braces are effective in correcting orthodontic problems such as under bites or wide gaps. However, to receive these benefits you have to make certain sacrifices to protect your braces.

It is important that you avoid several foods that can damage components such as wires or get stuck in braces and increase your risk of tooth decay.
Some foods you should avoid while wearing braces are:

Some foods you may want to avoid while wearing braces are:

Popcorn
Nuts
Hard taco shells
Sticky and hard candy
Gum
Ice
Corn chips
Pretzels
Hard cookies or crackers
Sticky or hard chocolate
Raw vegetables
Croutons
French/Italian bread
Hard fruit
Hard rolls
Thin crust pizza
Meat
Burgers
Corn on the cob

When in a situation where one or more of these foods may be your only food choice, it is suggested that you cut the item into small pieces that will fit directly into your mouth so that you won’t have to use your front teeth for tearing.

Some “braces friendly” food options are:

Hull-less popcorn
Yogurt
Bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits without pits
Light crackers or cookies
Cheese
Mashed potatoes, pasta, noodles
Peanut butter and jelly

Good nutrition while wearing braces is extremely important to having a healthy smile. Eating right will help your teeth remain strong enough to support your braces and avoid any impediments that could cause your braces to be removed before the designated time.

If you would like to have your teeth evaluated for braces or would like a dental check up, please contact the at at to schedule and appointment.

Employee Spotlight – Krizia Bodden

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Joann Ariola

October’s Employee Spotlight shines on Krizia Bodden, Coordinator for the daily operations of the mother/baby units which include Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatrics, Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) as well as the OB/GYN Clinic at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC).

Krizia has been an employee at FHMC for the past 12 years. Before becoming a Coordinator, she worked as a Billing Clerk and a Registrar.

Together with her husband and three sons, Krizia loves shopping , going to movies and enjoying the great outdoors. She is dedicated to her religious community and travels often.

As with anyone who works caring for patients, there are challenges. “Since I am a mom, it is extremely hard when a patient’s baby does not make it. That will never get easier.”

The most rewarding part of her job is, “Patient satisfaction. When I see the patients happy with the care given to them and their newborn child, the reward is great.” Krizia credits her departments positive outcome to the staff she if proud to work with.

For these and so many other reasons, Krizia is our October Employee Spotlight. Congratulations Krizia Bodden!

Healthy Fall Activities

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Joann Ariola

With temperatures dropping and crisp air abounding; the fall season is a great time to begin a fitness regime.

Some tips for how to start your fall fitness routine are:

Change it up – The fall season is a great season to spend time with family and friends while taking part in physical activities such as walking through apple and pumpkin patches, corn mazes or trails.

Appreciate fall foliage – The fall season brings with it lots of colored leaves. Local parks usually have trails to walk, run or ride a bike on.

Go to a farmer’s market – Fall brings lots of root vegetables into season. Take a bike ride and stop at local farmer’s markets to pick up some healthy, tasty fruits and veggies.

Rake the lawn – In the fall season, even chores can be a really good workout. Activities such as raking the leaves can provide great cardio exercise.

As you can see, fall offers several opportunities to stay active and create good habits that will last with you throughout the upcoming holiday season and winter months.

National Dental Health Hygiene Month

Posted on October 2, 2019 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.

Employee Spotlight – Diana Garcia

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Joann Ariola

September’s Employee Spotlight shines on Diana Garcia, Newborn Nursery RN, AHN, CLC at (FHMC).

Diana is tasked with overseeing the Newborn Nursery Unit, performing newborn assessments and educating mothers and families on how to care for their newborns.

Diana joined the FHMC team in November of 2010. She is a graduate of Long Island University Brooklyn and proud alum of St. Agnes Academic H.S.

When asked why she is so passionate about her work, Diana responded, “I was looking forward to breastfeeding my first child. No one taught me how to breastfeed. I thought I was breastfeeding properly, but I wasn’t.” It was that lack of information which caused her son to become jaundiced and placed under phototherapy. This incident caused Diana to be discharged from the hospital before her infant.

That unsettling experience gave birth to why Diana Garcia is so committed to teaching mothers about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

Throughout Diana’s day, she encounters a few challenges. One of her “personal” challenges is getting mothers who relied on formula to try to breastfeed. “So many mothers do not have the knowledge on how to breastfeed or the benefits that breastfeeding brings.” This was something Diana wanted to change and has dedicated her professional career to education and encouragement.

Although the breastfeeding journey begins in the hospital, Diana realizes that it is a challenge to maintain exclusivity in breastfeeding, especially when the mother is physically exhausted. That is why she spends time reinforcing education and reminding the mothers of the benefits

In closing, Diana stated that she is “Honored to work at Flushing Hospital Medical Center because it is a Baby Friendly Hospital.”

For these and so many other reasons, we congratulate Diana Garcia for being September’s Employee Spotlight!

Fatty Liver Disease

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Liver conditions are usually attributed to the excessive consumption of alcohol, viruses or morbid obesity. However, there is a condition that affects the liver that is caused by none of the aforementioned risk factors. It is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

NAFLD is diagnosed when the patient has too much fat stored in their liver cells. Typically, NAFLD causes no noticeable signs or symptoms other than, in some cases, fatigue, pain or tenderness in the upper right portion of the abdomen.

People at risk for NAFLD include those with:

High cholesterol
High levels of triglycerides in the blood
Metabolic syndrome
Obesity when it is concentrated in the abdomen
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Sleep apnea
Type 2 diabetes
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland)

If you have NAFLD, you are at greater risk of developing a more serious condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

NASH is a more aggressive form of fatty liver disease that may progress into cirrhosis (scaring of the liver) and ultimately liver failure.

The signs and symptoms of NASH are:

Abdominal swelling
Enlarged blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface
Enlarged spleen
Red palms
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Although experts do not know exactly what causes NFLD and NASH, for some it is believed the combination of the health issues listed above may cause excess fat to become toxic to the cells in the liver. The risk factors cause the liver to inflame and develop scar tissue or cirrhosis. The treatment for this condition varies.

The best way to reduce your risk of NAFLD is to implement a healthy plant based diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, maintain a healthy weight and, after conferring with your physician, choose an exercise plan that is right for you.

If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of NAFLD or NASH and the symptoms persist, it is important you seek the advice of a doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the , call CTA

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Joann Ariola

According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes thickened, damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath.

Some symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Aching muscles and joints
Widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes

Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by certain medical conditions, radiation therapy impurities and contaminants such as:

Silica dust
Asbestos fibers
Hard metal dusts
Coal dust
Grain dust
Bird and animal droppings

Unfortunately, pulmonary fibrosis cannot be cured. There are medications that can help ease symptoms. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be suggested.

If you have the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis and would like to schedule an appointment with a at, please call

For this and additional information regarding pulmonary fibrosis visit –

August Employee Spotlight – Michael Saavedra

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Joann Ariola

August’s Employee Spotlight shines on Michael A. Saavedra, Lead Material Handler at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC).

Michael has been a valued employee at FHMC for the past 32 years. First, as a Material Handler and currently as Lead Material Handler, Michael supervises the day to day operations of the store room and receiving.

Michael Saavedra attended New York University, is a motor cycle enthusiast, and through the motorcycle community, raises money for various charitable organizations.

“Working with my great team and supply chain makes my job so much easier.” stated Michael. “I make it my duty to ensure that all departments are accommodated with the items to help them better serve the patients and the hospital.”

He prides himself on making sure that the inventories are at optimal stock, continually checks expiration dates and cycles out any expired items from being brought to the departments he serves.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center congratulates Michael A. Saavedra for receiving August’s Employee Spotlight!

How Is Water Good For Your Health?

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Joann Ariola

Drinking water is often touted as a way to clear the body’s system of unnecessary waste, but it actually has many more benefits.

Studies show that water can:

Lubricate the joints of the body
Help form saliva and mucous
Deliver oxygen throughout the body
Boost skin health and beauty
Cushion the brain, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues
Regulate body temperature
Aid the digestive track
Help maintain blood pressure
Help keep airways open
Makes minerals and nutrients accessible throughout the body
Prevent kidney damage
Boost performance during exercise
Promote weight loss
Helps prevent hangover

According to the Mayo Clinic, an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids for women.