Gout

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Gout is a common, painful form of inflammatory arthritis. It is caused when the body’s natural production of uric acid breaks down chemicals called purines found in certain foods and drinks. This causes sharp crystals to form in your joints, usually the big toe. Gout can also affect other joints, including the knees, ankles, feet, hands, wrists, and elbows.

Gout symptoms can come and go in episodes called flare-ups or gout attacks. They can be very painful and can happen suddenly. During a gout attack, symptoms in the affected joints may include:

Intense joint pain
Inflammation and redness
Stiffness
Swelling
Tenderness

Healthcare providers usually diagnose gout based on the results of a physical exam, your symptoms, and the appearance of the affected joint. Tests to help diagnose gout may include:

A joint fluid test
Blood tests
X-ray imaging
An ultrasound
An MRI
Dual-energy computerized tomography (DECT)

Gout medications are available in two types and focus on two different problems. The first type helps reduce the inflammation and pain associated with gout attacks. The second type works to prevent gout complications by lowering the amount of uric acid in the blood.

Which medication is right for you depends on the frequency and severity of your symptoms, and any other health problems you may have.

Medications used to treat gout flare-ups and prevent future attacks include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Colchicine
Corticosteroids

If you experience several gout attacks each year, or if your gout attacks are less frequent but particularly painful, a healthcare provider may recommend medication to reduce your risk of gout-related complications. If you already have evidence of damage from gout on joint X-rays, or you have tophi, chronic kidney disease, or kidney stones, medications to lower the body’s level of uric acid may be recommended.

Medications are often the most effective way to treat gout attacks and prevent recurrent symptom flare-ups. However, lifestyle changes are also important. Lifestyle changes to help prevent gout include:

Choosing healthier beverages
Avoiding food high in purines
Exercising regularly and losing weight

If you are experiencing gout-related symptoms, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. If there is an emergency, please call 911.

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.

Older Americans Month

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is Older Americans Month, a month that recognizes older Americans’ contributions, highlights aging trends, and reaffirms the commitment to serving older adults in the community.

At the time Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65^th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty, and there were few programs that met their needs. Because of this, interest in older Americans and their concerns grew.

After an April meeting between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens, May was designated as “Senior Citizens Month”, the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”

Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, especially those who have served our country.

Here are some ways you can participate in Older Americans Month:

Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being
Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities
Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships
Encourage partners to host a connection-centric event or program focused on older adult mentors to youth, peer-to-peer support, or similar efforts
Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits
Inspire older adults to “flip the script on aging” and focus on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. Encourage individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions.

During this Older Americans Month, join in by honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.

Sinus Infections

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

A sinus infection, also known as acute sinusitis, is the inflammation of the tissues in your sinuses.

A sinus infection can make breathing through the nose difficult and swell the area around the eyes and face. It may also cause a headache or a throbbing pain in the face.

The common cold is the usual cause of a sinus infection. However, other viruses, bacteria, fungi, and allergies can cause it.

The symptoms of a sinus infection include:

A runny nose with thick yellow or greenish mucus
Post-nasal drip
A stuffy nose
Pain, tenderness, swelling, and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead that gets worse when bending over
Ear pressure or pain
Pain or pressure in your teeth
Fever
Cough
Bad breath
Headache
Tiredness
A changed sense of smell

Some people are more likely to get a sinus infection than others. Risk factors include:

Nasal allergies
Asthma
Nasal polyps
A deviated septum
A weakened immune system
Smoking

When diagnosing a sinus infection, a healthcare provider may ask about your symptoms and do an exam. The exam might include feeling for tenderness in the nose and face, and looking inside the nose.

Other ways to diagnose a sinus infection and rule out other conditions include:

A nasal endoscopy
Imaging studies
Nasal and sinus swab samples
Allergy testing

Most sinus infection cases get better on their own. Self-care is usually all that is needed to ease its symptoms.

Treatments to ease sinus infection symptoms can include:

Saline nasal spray
Nasal corticosteroids
Decongestants
Allergy medicines
Over-the-counter pain relievers

Several home remedies can help relieve symptoms of a sinus infection, including:

Resting
Drinking plenty of fluids
Using a warm compress
Keeping the sinuses moist
Rinsing the inside of the nose

If you are experiencing any problems due to a sinus infection, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

National Stroke Awareness Month

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. It is observed to raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of strokes, supporting stroke survivors, and educating the public on the impact of this serious medical condition.

Strokes happen when a blood clot or broken blood vessel prevents blood from getting to your brain. The lack of blood flow deprives brain cells of the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive, causing them to die in minutes.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time, so it is important to know the warning signs. The warning signs of a stroke can be found using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym, which emphasizes the urgency of seeking immediate medical attention:

B- Balance- is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination, or dizziness
E- Eyes- is the person experiencing sudden vision problems, like blurred or double vision, or vision loss in one or both eyes.
F- Face drooping- by asking the person to smile, you can tell immediately if one side of the face droops
A- Arm weakness- ask the person to raise both arms. Observe to see if one arm drifts lower than the other
S- Speech difficulty- slurred speech is a symptom of stroke. Ask the person to repeat a single sentence
T- Time to call 911- time may be the difference between life and death, or even partial and full recovery

There are several ways to get involved with National Stroke Awareness Month, including:

Educating yourself about the signs of stroke and sharing it with others
Participating in stroke awareness events
Advocating for legislation that improves stroke care, funds research, or enhances patient care recovery from strokes
Supporting survivors
Wearing purple

If you are experiencing any symptoms of a stroke, call 911 immediately. If you need assistance managing your health to prevent a stroke or maintaining your overall wellness, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services Chemical Dependence Unit Offers Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Opioid overdose deaths are a major public health problem in America. More than 107,000 people lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023, with 70% of those deaths attributed to opioids such as fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more deadly than heroin. One gram of fentanyl, which is equivalent to the size of a sugar packet, has the potential to kill up to five hundred people.

There was a 14.5% decrease in opioid overdose deaths in 2024 due to public health measures.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services provides care and support to help people recover from opioid addiction. The department has the only medically managed detoxification unit in Queens County.

The unit, called the Chemical Dependence Unit, is a 30-bed medically managed detoxification unit that helps people safely withdraw from opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines. Under the direction of the Medical Director for Addiction Services and Unit Chief, staff includes physicians board-certified in addiction medicine, physician assistants, nurses, addiction counselors, psychotherapists, and creative arts therapists.

In addition to medical treatment such as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, the unit provides nursing care, individual and group counseling, creative arts therapy, self-help groups, and, very importantly, discharge and aftercare planning to help people continue their Recovery Journey, with follow-up calls after discharge.

For additional admission information, please call the Addiction Treatment Unit at 718-670-4524.

Bariatric Surgery- What is Revision Surgery?

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Bariatric or gastric bypass surgery involves making changes to the digestive system to help lose weight. It is done when diet and exercise haven’t worked or when you are at risk of serious health problems due to your weight.

Bariatric revision surgery is a broad term used to describe follow-up procedures required for all patients who previously had weight-loss surgery. These procedures are intended to make a patient’s initial weight-loss procedure more effective, to minimize unpleasant side effects, or to reverse the original surgery.

A patient may be a candidate for bariatric revision surgery for one or more of the following reasons:

Insufficient weight loss
Complications
Side effects
Weight regain
Malnutrition

Surgeons can revise an initial bariatric surgery in several ways, depending on the problems that stem from the initial surgery. The surgeons then repair, convert, or reverse that procedure.

The bariatric revision surgical procedure options that are used for the three most common types of bariatric surgery include:

Sleeve gastronomy
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric band surgery

Bariatric revision surgery is performed to improve a patient’s health or quality of life. The procedure may encourage greater weight loss in patients whose previous surgeries didn’t lead to the expected loss of excess body weight. It may also address complications from the prior bariatric procedure, such as an ulcer or stricture, and reduce or eliminate unwanted side effects, such as swallowing difficulties or GERD.

For more information about the Bariatric Surgery Services at Flushing Hospital or procedures performed by our doctors, please call 718-408-6977 or 718-670-8908.

Mental Health Awareness Month-10 Common Signs of Mental Health Issues

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a month observed to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

The signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances, and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect a person’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior.

10 common signs of mental health issues include:

Feeling very sad, withdrawn, or unmotivated for more than two weeks
Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors
Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain
Making plans or trying to harm or kill oneself
Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing
Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
Excess use of drugs or alcohol
Drastic changes in behavior, personality, or sleeping habits
Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still

Founded by Mental Health America in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the importance of mental wellbeing, educating the public, reducing the stigma, and promoting support for those affected by mental health conditions.

You can help do your part by helping raise awareness and advocating for better mental health care and resources.

Hepatitis Awareness Month

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. It is a month that raises awareness of viral hepatitis in the United States.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that damages it, affecting how well it functions.

Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat, and unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States don’t know they are infected.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are vaccine-preventable, and hepatitis C can be cured.

A hepatitis A infection usually causes a mild, short-term illness. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection.

Many people with the hepatitis B virus won’t experience symptoms, and similarly, many people with hepatitis C don’t look or feel sick. Left untreated, both infections can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, treatments are available that can delay or reduce the risk of developing liver cancer. There currently isn’t a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, but curative treatments are available. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C can be cured with just eight to 12 weeks of well-tolerated oral-only treatment. Testing is the first step.

Getting tested is the only way to know you have either virus. May 19th is observed as Hepatitis Testing Day, so it is imperative to get tested to know whether or not you are infected.

Hepatitis Awareness Month educates healthcare practitioners and the public about the importance of vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, as well as the importance of testing and treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Outdoor Exercise Tips

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The weather is warming up, and we can spend more time outdoors at the park or dining at a restaurant.

Many people exercise outdoors rather than at the gym or in their homes. Outdoor exercise is a great way to work out. It offers many benefits to our physical and mental health, such as:

Reducing stress and anxiety
Improving sleep
Boosting vitamin D levels
Boosting self-esteem
Improving memory
Lowering chronic disease risk

Here are tips that can keep you safe when exercising outdoors:

Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Wear clothes that let the air circulate and moisture evaporate
Stay sun safe by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
Know the signs of heat-related illnesses
Wear proper footwear for the activity you are engaging in

If you experience medical problems while exercising, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Kava Robinson

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Kava Robinson, the newest member of the rheumatology team.

Dr. Kava Robinson has a special interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound in clinical Rheumatology. Dr. Robinson attended medical school at St. George’s University. After medical school, she completed her Internal Medicine residency at Broward Health Medical Center. After residency, she completed a hospice and palliative fellowship at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and then a fellowship in Rheumatology at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Robinson is committed to serving our community and being a health advocate for her patients. She provides compassionate, collaborative care and is driven by the bond with patients.

We are proud to welcome Dr. Robinson to our team and look forward to the work he and the rest of the Rheumatology Department will do to provide high-quality care to our community.