Pain While Breastfeeding

Posted on August 5, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

It is common to experience some discomfort while breastfeeding during the first few days after giving birth. You may feel pain, soreness, or tenderness in your breast or nipple, but these issues should improve over time with proper care and breastfeeding techniques.

Breastfeeding should be a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both mother and baby. Therefore, if you continue to experience pain or discomfort while breastfeeding, it may indicate a more serious problem that should not be ignored.

It’s crucial to investigate the cause or seek assistance from a lactation consultant. One of the most frequent causes of nipple pain is an incorrect latch. Signs of a poor latch include:

– Nipple pain
– Clicking or smacking noises from your baby
– Your baby sucking in their cheeks
– Your baby is showing signs of hunger after feeding

Other potential causes of breast or nipple pain during breastfeeding can include:

– Mastitis (inflammation in the breast)
– Breast abscess
– Clogged milk ducts
– Engorgement
– Thrush
– Cracked nipples
– Tongue-tie (when the baby has a short frenulum)

If you are experiencing breast or nipple pain, it is advisable to consult an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. A consultant can help address breastfeeding challenges such as low milk supply, latching issues, or other barriers to successful breastfeeding.

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.

Suicide Prevention- Pay Attention to The Signs

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Many individuals who died by suicide had mental health disorders that were treatable but went unnoticed..

Suicide may be prevented if the signs of mental health disorders are recognized and addressed immediately.

Here are a few warning signs of suicide we should not ignore:

Feelings of hopelessness
Self-loathing
Changes in sleep patterns, which can either be excessive sleep or a deprivation of sleep
Irritability or anger
Talking about harming themselves
Loss of interest in daily activities or things they were once passionate about
Reckless behavior
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
A preoccupation with death
Getting their affairs in order in preparation for death
Verbalizing thoughts such as “ Everyone will be better without me” or “I have nothing to live for.”
Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

If someone you know exhibits the following behaviors, do not dismiss them as a passing phase. These actions are a cry for help.

It is essential to let your loved one know that you have noticed changes in their behavior, they are not alone, and you are there to support them through this challenging time. Speak openly about what they are feeling and reassure them that they will not be judged because they feel suicidal. Seek the help of a mental health professional immediately. Insist on accompanying this person to their consultation or treatment. Continue to demonstrate your support during treatment by reminding them to take their prescribed medications, attending physician appointments, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or demonstrating suicidal behaviors, get help immediately. Call 911, or 988.

Crisis Fatigue

Posted on July 15, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

Crisis fatigue is not a formal diagnosis; it is a term used to describe your body’s emotional and physical response to stress caused by prolonged exposure to traumatic events or crises. These events can include natural disasters, wars, pandemics, political instability, economic depressions, or other challenging circumstances.

Chronic stress triggered in response to crisis events can have a significant impact on the body. The body’s response to stressful circumstances is to produce the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. When stressful circumstances persist for long periods, higher levels of these hormones can lead to depression, anxiety, weight gain, bone loss, or high blood pressure. In some cases, crisis fatigue can lead to substance abuse, alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts.

Other signs and symptoms of crisis fatigue include:

Increased irritability
Excessive emotional responses
Lack of sleep
Changes in normal routines
Changes in appetite
Mental detachment
Lack of motivation

Some of the ways a person can cope during uncertain times are to learn how to reduce the level of stress in their life by:

Reducing the amount of time spent on social media
Limiting exposure to news reports
Spending more time with family and friends
Practicing meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness practices
Finding activities that are calming, like reading, listening to music, and doing crafts

It isn’t always easy to cope with stressful situations without professional help. If you are experiencing any long-term effects, consulting a mental health professional may be beneficial.

You can schedule an appointment with a trained professional at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling (718) 670-5562.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Brittany Choe

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

Meet Dr. Brittany Choe. She is thrilled to join the MediSys team as Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Choe completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. She then went on to complete a Fellowship in Emergency Medicine and Hospital Administration coupled with an Executive MBA.

Throughout her career, Dr. Choe has been dedicated to developing processes that deliver safe and effective care to all patients. Her work has focused heavily on performance improvement initiatives that expand the scope of Emergency Medicine and provide increased access to care for patients in the Emergency Department. As a daughter of first-generation Korean immigrants, the opportunity to work in “The World’s Borough” of Queens is both an honor and a privilege.

Through this new role as Chair of Emergency Medicine, she aims to support the mission and vision of the MediSys Health Network, serving the community of Flushing and continuing the delivery of high-quality patient care.

National Nutrition Month

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

March has been designated National Nutrition Month – an annual nutrition, education, and information campaign focusing on making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. In honor of this special observance, Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to share with our community the vital role registered dietitians (RDs) play in helping our patients meet their nutritional goals.

A registered dietitian is a trained nutrition professional who has met the strict educational and experiential standards set forth by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

They can be employed in various practice areas, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, corporate wellness programs, food service operations, universities, research, or private practice.

RDs advise and counsel others on food and nutrition. They explain nutrition issues to their patients, develop meal plans for them, and measure the effects of those plans.

To become an RD, you must:

Complete a Bachelor’s degree with coursework approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Complete a 1200-hour dietetic internship, which is an accredited, supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community program, or a food service corporation
Pass a national registration exam
Complete continuing professional education credits.

At Flushing Hospital, dietitians are available for the following services: nutrition assessment, diet instruction, recommendations for enteral and parenteral support, staff in-service, food and drug interactions, and nutrition counseling in the outpatient setting.

Flushing Hospital would like to thank our registered dietitians for the essential job they do every day. Their hard work helps our patients and community live healthier lifestyles.

Treating A Sore Throat

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

One of the most common causes of a sore throat is a viral infection, such as a cold. However, a sore throat can also be caused by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, or irritation from allergies, dryness, or pollutants, such as smoke.

Once a diagnosis is made, the symptoms of a sore throat can be treated. Over-the-counter medication can be used to relieve some of the symptoms. When the cause of the sore throat is bacterial, a physician may have to prescribe an antibiotic. If the sore throat is being caused by exposure to an irritant, it is a good idea to stay away from the substance that is causing the problem.

Home remedies can offer some relief for a sore throat. They can include:

Rest
Drinking fluids
Drinking warm liquids
Adding honey to warm liquids
Gargling with warm salt water
Lozenges
Sucking on popsicles or ice chips
Using an air humidifier

A sore throat typically improves in two to seven days. If you are still experiencing symptoms, please contact your physician.

National Endometriosis Awareness Month

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a condition that affects the lining of the uterus (also known as the endometrium); it currently affects an estimated 176 million women around the globe. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include:

Painful sexual intercourse
Pain during pelvic examinations
Severe pain during menstruation
Pain during urination or a bowel movement
Excessive bleeding
Infertility

Symptoms of endometriosis tend to appear during reproductive years, between the ages of 12 and 60. The highest number of cases are diagnosed between the ages of 25 to 35; however, some women with endometriosis remain undiagnosed because they do not have symptoms. Additionally, this disorder can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions.

Endometriosis causes the inner lining of the uterus to grow outside of the uterus. This most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, and the areas between the rectum and the vagina. Rarely, endometriosis can also occur in the lungs, thighs, arms, and other parts of the body that are more distant from reproductive organs.

When endometrial tissue spreads, it develops into growths called implants. These clumps of tissue are affected by the menstrual cycle as though they were inside of the uterus, regardless of their actual location. Each month, they build up, break down, and shed. However, endometrial tissue cannot be discharged from the body if it is not inside the uterus; as a result, these implants cause inflammation, swelling, internal bleeding, and the formation of scar tissue.

Doctors do not yet know what causes endometriosis, but certain risk factors have been identified that may make you more likely to develop it. These include:

An immediate family member with endometriosis
An abnormal uterus
Menstruation that begins before the age of 11
Shorter menstrual periods, lasting less than 27 days on average
Heavy menstruation that lasts for more than one week

If you experience symptoms of endometriosis, your doctor can perform a variety of tests, such as pelvic examinations, laparoscopy, and imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately diagnose it. While there is no cure for endometriosis, your doctor can work with you to develop an effective treatment that may incorporate options such as medication, surgery, or alternative therapies.

You can schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center to receive high-quality treatment for endometriosis. To learn more, please call 718 670-5702.

Supplements And Drug Interactions

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

It is common for people to take dietary supplements while using prescribed medications. However, many do not disclose this information to their doctors.

Informing your doctor of prescription and supplement usage is important because some supplements when combined with certain medications can cause interactions that endanger your health.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), warns against combining the following medications and supplements as doing so can result in adverse reactions:

Drugs for HIV/AIDS, heart disease, depression, treatments for organ transplants, and birth control pills are less effective when taken with St. John’s wort, an herbal supplement.
Warfarin (a prescription blood thinner), ginkgo biloba (an herbal supplement), aspirin, and vitamin E (a supplement) can each thin the blood. Taking any of these products together may increase the potential for internal bleeding or stroke.

Other examples of dietary supplement and prescription medication interactions are:

Goldenseal – it is highly advised that goldenseal not be combined with most over-the-counter and prescription medicines. It may interact with blood thinners, chemotherapy, and HIV drugs.
Calcium- may interact with certain antibiotics, thyroid, or osteoporosis drugs.
Co-Q10- may interact with blood thinners and cancer drugs.
Valerian- may interact with anti-anxiety drugs.

It is important to keep in mind that while many supplements are labeled as natural, they may not always be safe, especially when taken with certain medicines. The FDA advises patients to always consult with their physicians before taking any dietary supplement and medication combinations. Patients can also ask their pharmacists about potentially harmful drug interactions.

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Flushing Hospital

Every year, millions of people in the United States are found to be living with a mental illness. To address this issue, in 1990, Congress designated the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week. The reason for this designation is to bring attention to the fact that mental illness not only affects the person who has it, but also their family, friends, and others that they interact with.

Mental illness affects one in twenty people in the United States each year and for one in five of these people, it is very serious. Less than half of the people with mental illness in the nation are receiving adequate treatment.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, the organization that has advocated for Mental Illness Awareness Week, hopes to bring attention to this serious issue. The organization’s objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues and resources by engaging communities and encouraging people to share their experiences.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center has implemented several initiatives to address mental health issues through raising awareness and providing quality mental health care and support to our community.

To learn more about the programs offered at Flushing Hospital, find out more about our outpatient mental health services, or schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or call (718) 670-5562 to reach our clinic.

Flushing Hospital Completes Final Phase of Renovation Project

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center recently completed the final phase of its project to modernize the entire fifth floor of the hospital which includes the Labor, Delivery and Recovery (LDR) suites, Mother/Baby Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Newborn Nursery.

The renovation project, named New Beginnings, provides a complete expansion and renovation with the latest amenities to provide the ultimate mother/baby birthing experience and accommodations for families in our community.

The Labor, Delivery, and Recovery unit at Flushing Hospital now offers 11 brand-new, spacious suites to deliver your baby. These specially designed units provide our patients and their families with the ultimate birthing experience, including sleeper beds to accommodate a support person or doula’s overnight stay. In addition, the LDR unit boasts a 4-bed labor evaluation center, 3 state-of-the-art operating rooms for those patients who require a cesarean section delivery, as well as a 4-bed post-anesthesia care unit.

The Mother/Baby Unit now offers 28 private rooms to patients. Each room is designed to provide a relaxing environment for mothers and babies to bond while receiving advanced postpartum care. New design enhancements and amenities include private ADA-compliant bathrooms with showers, an electronic information board, and a bedside tablet for mothers. The unit also emphasizes patient safety by including installing an enhanced air circulation system capable of providing negative pressure.

Lastly, Flushing Hospital also modernized its Level 3 Neonatal Care Unit (NICU) with new monitors and equipment to provide optimal care for low-birth-weight babies or those born with complications.

We invite you to take a virtual tour to witness all of the enhancements to our New Beginnings Unit by clicking on the following link: https://virte.ch/tours/1056flu/draft2/