Health Beat

The Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

It is the fall season and pumpkins are everywhere. Pumpkins are highly nutritious, containing proteins, carbohydrates, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some health benefits of pumpkin:

Highly nutritious and particularly rich in vitamin A
High antioxidant content may reduce your risk of chronic diseases
Packs vitamins that may boost immunity
High in nutrients that protect your eyesight
Nutrient density and low-calorie count may promote weight loss
Antioxidant content may lower your risk of cancer
Potassium, vitamin C, and fiber may benefit heart health
Contains compounds that promote healthy skin
High in vitamins and minerals that improve gut health

Pumpkin is a nutritious fruit to eat all year round, so don’t just save it for fall. Pumpkin is a healthy food ingredient that is versatile enough to be used in sweet and savory dishes and can improve recipes with its taste. You will benefit from its vitamins and minerals.

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.

Wellness Wednesday: The Benefits of Writing In A Gratitude Journal

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The hustle of daily life sometimes overshadows the simple joys, but taking time to pause and reflect can highlight the small pleasures and improve your well-being.

A tool that can help you with reflection is writing in a gratitude journal. Writing in a gratitude journal could be beneficial as it can also help to:

Boost happiness
Reduce stress
Improve sleep
Enhance self-awareness
Cultivate optimism
Strengthen relationships
Improves physical health
Encourage resilience

A gratitude journal is a personal space to record and cherish the good things in your life, big or small. It is also a place to write down everything you feel thankful for. This can be as simple as a sunny day, a good meal, or a smile from a stranger. The key is to focus on the positives and things that bring you joy and comfort.

Taking the time to acknowledge the positives can help change your mindset, shifting your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have.

There is no wrong way to keep a gratitude journal. You can get started by writing down up to five things you feel grateful for. You can use a notebook, your phone’s notes app, your computer, or whatever works best for you.

Here are some important tips for you to consider as you start journaling:

Be as specific as possible- being clear is the key to fostering gratitude.
Go for depth over breadth- going into detail about a particular person or thing for which you’re grateful, carries more benefits than a surface-level list of many things.
Get personal- focusing on people you are grateful for has more of an impact than focusing on things you are grateful for.
Try subtraction, not just addition- Be grateful for the negative outcomes you avoided, escaped, prevented, or turned into something positive. Try not to take the good fortune for granted.
See the good things as gifts- thinking of the good things as gifts helps you avoid taking them for granted. Try to enjoy and savor the gifts you have received.
Savor surprises- try to record unexpected or surprising events, as they can bring up stronger feelings of gratitude.
Aim for variety- writing about some of the same people and things is fine, but try to expand on different details each time you write about them.
Write regularly- whether you write daily or every other day, commit to a regular time to journal.

Gratitude journaling can be an enjoyable path to a more appreciative and positive life. Take the steps to make it a regular part of your daily routine to soak up the benefits.

What Is A Stress Test?

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A stress or stress exercise test shows how the heart works during physical activity. Exercise makes the heart pump harder and faster. A stress test can determine how well your heart responds when working its hardest.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a stress test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an irregular heart rhythm.

A stress test typically involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike while hooked up to an EKG to monitor your heart’s activity. Healthcare providers assess your response to the increased workload by measuring:

Blood pressure
Heart rate
Oxygen levels
Electrical activity in your heart

A stress test can also be used to learn:

How well your heart pumps blood
Whether your heart is receiving an adequate supply of blood
How you perform during physical activity compared with other people your age and sex
If your symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling like your heart is racing, or dizziness) can be reproduced while performing physical activity

Having a stress test makes it easier to identify and evaluate certain heart issues, such as:

Issues with your heart muscle and valves
Electric stability of your heart at rest and during exercise

The stress test results help your healthcare provider plan or change your treatment. If the test shows that your heart is working well, you may not need more tests. If the test suggests you might have coronary artery disease, you may need a coronary angiogram, which helps see blockages in the heart arteries.

If the results are satisfactory, but your symptoms worsen, your healthcare provider might recommend more testing.

To schedule an appointment with a Flushing Hospital Medical Center healthcare provider, please call 718-670-5486.

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.

The MIND Diet

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The “MIND” diet or Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet combines the Mediterranean and the DASH diets to create a dietary pattern focusing specifically on brain health. It targets the health of the aging brain. The MIND diet aims at reducing dementia, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, by targeting the health of the aging brain and helping to prevent cognitive decline.

Many experts regard the Mediterranean and DASH diets as the healthiest. Research has shown they can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other diseases.

The Mediterranean and DASH diets recommend eating a lot of fruit as they have been linked with improved brain function, particularly berries.

Here are 10 other foods you are encouraged to eat on the MIND diet:

Green, leafy vegetables- aim to eat six or more servings per week. This includes kale, spinach, cooked greens, and salads.
All other vegetables- eat another non-starchy vegetable in addition to green leafy vegetables at least once per day because they provide a lot of nutrients for a low number of calories.
Nuts- try to eat five or more servings of nuts each week.
Olive oil- use olive oil as your main cooking oil.
Whole grains- aim for at least three daily servings of oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, or 100% whole wheat bread.
Fish- eat fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, or mackerel because they are high in omega-3 fatty acids at least once weekly.
Beans- include beans, lentils, and soybeans in at least four weekly meals.
Poultry- try to eat chicken or turkey at least twice weekly.
Wine- aim for no more than one glass daily. Both read and white wine may benefit your brain

The MIND diet recommends limiting the following five foods:

Butter and margarine
Cheese
Red meat
Fried food
Pastries and sweets

Researchers encourage limiting your consumption of these foods because they contain saturated and trans fats. Studies have found that trans fats are associated with various diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

If you are looking for a diet that focuses on maintaining brain health as you age, the MIND diet is one to consider, however, it is important to note that you should first speak with your doctor about making any changes to your diet. To consult a physician about whether the MIND diet is best for you, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Pancreatitis

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Pancreatitis is the inflammation or swelling of the pancreas. This may happen when digestive juices or enzymes attack the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland on the left side of your belly that lies behind your stomach. The pancreas’ two main functions are:

To make enzymes to send to your small intestines. These enzymes help break down food.
To make hormones insulin and glucagon, sending them into your bloodstream. These hormones control your body’s blood sugar level.

Pancreatitis can be either acute or chronic. Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

Pain in the upper belly
Pain in the upper belly that radiates to the back
Tenderness when touching the belly
Fever
Rapid pulse
Upset stomach
Vomiting

Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:

Pain in the upper belly
Belly pain that feels worse after eating
Losing weight without trying
Oily, smelly stools

Several conditions can lead to acute pancreatitis, including:

Blockage in the bile duct caused by gallstones
Heavy alcohol use
Certain medicines
High triglyceride levels in the blood
High calcium levels in the blood
Pancreatic cancer
Injuries from trauma or surgery

Conditions that can lead to chronic pancreatitis include:

Damage from repeated acute pancreatitis
Heavy alcohol use
Inherited genes linked to pancreatitis
High triglyceride levels in the blood
High calcium levels in the blood

Sometimes a cause for pancreatitis is never found. This is called idiopathic pancreatitis.

Many factors can increase your risk of pancreatitis, including:

Excessive alcohol use
Cigarette smoking
Obesity
Diabetes
Family history of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can cause several serious complications that include:

Kidney failure
Breathing problems
Infection
Pseudocyst
Malnutrition
Diabetes
Pancreatic cancer

When diagnosing pancreatitis, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your health history and symptoms, give you a general physical, and check for pain or tenderness in your belly. They may also administer tests and procedures including:

Blood tests
Ultrasounds
CT scans
MRIs
Endoscopic ultrasound
Stool tests

There is no specific medicine to treat pancreatitis. Treatment will begin with a hospital stay to manage any symptoms and complications. Treatment can include:

Pain medicines
Intravenous fluids
Nutrition plans

When the symptoms and complications are under control, other treatments are used to treat any underlying causes, including:

Procedures to open bile ducts
Gallbladder surgery
Pancreas procedures
Treatment for alcohol dependence
Changes in medicine

If you or anyone you know is experiencing signs or symptoms of pancreatitis, you can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, by calling 718-670-5486.

13 Essential Foods That Benefit Kidney Health

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located just below the rib cage, on each side of your spine. Kidneys play an important role in the body as they filter the blood and remove waste from the body through urine. As they filter the blood, they remove acid creating a healthy pH and balancing the amount of water and minerals (sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium) in it.

Because our kidneys are essential in keeping our bodies healthy, we must ensure they work correctly. One of the ways to do this is by eating foods that support the health of our kidneys. Eating certain kidney-friendly foods can be beneficial to helping the kidneys to function properly. Here is a list of foods that benefit kidney health:

Bell peppers
Red grapes
Cauliflower
Garlic
Onions
Apples
Berries
Egg whites
Omega 3 oil-rich, fatty fish
Whole grains
Leafy greens
Olive oil
Pineapples

A balanced diet can support kidney health. This means drinking sufficient amounts of water and eating whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and fish.

If you or someone you know are experiencing kidney problems, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Patient Testimonial: Michael Gringas Tells the Flushing Hospital Medical Center Staff, “Of All the Experiences, It Was the Best Experience.”

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

“Of all the experiences, it was the best experience”, is what Michael Gringas said after having a rare surgery performed on him at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in July. Mr. Gringas was exiting the shower in his home when he passed out, hitting his face on the bathroom wall. “I knew I was going to pass out”, he said. This was due to a combination of dehydration, not eating, and Crohn’s disease which he suffers from. Unfortunately for Mr. Gringas, he was home alone at the time. When he eventually came to, he immediately called his sister’s house. Thankfully, his nephew answered and rushed to take him to the emergency room, where he received amazing and attentive care from the staff at the hospital. “I was impressed by the ER response time from start to finish. Very happy. I was treated very well by everyone in the ER”, he said.

This isn’t the first time Mr. Gringas had to be admitted to Flushing Hospital Medical Center due to his Crohn’s disease. He’s previously had surgeries performed to treat complications associated with the illness. This time, the surgery was an open surgery which hasn’t been done in 15-20 years at the hospital because it has since been performed endoscopically. The operation although rare and complex, was successful. “The whole process was beyond great”, said Mr. Gringas.

Additionally, Mr. Gringas has been a patient of Flushing Hospital for 33 years, since he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1991. He is known as a “celebrity patient” at the hospital. Mr. Gringas, a native of Bayside, Queens, says he is a “very fortunate Crohn’s patient”. So he uses his experiences during his 33-year battle with the illness to counsel patients diagnosed with it. He wants to help others navigate their experience with Crohn’s. Reflecting on the last 33 years he says, “It’s been quite a ride over the years.” “There are a lot of great people at Flushing Hospital”, Mr. Gringas said and he would like to thank each doctor, nurse, and hospital staff member whom he has met over the past 33 years.

Wellness Wednesday: The Health Benefits of Napping

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

There are days when you suddenly get tired in the middle of the day and want to nap. But napping at the wrong time of day or for too long can backfire causing sleep inertia and insomnia.

If you are considering taking a nap, make sure that it is at a time when you:

Are experiencing new fatigue or unexpected sleepiness; are about to experience sleep loss like during a long work shift; are eight hours or more before bedtime.

Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your naptime:

Keep naps short- aim to nap for 10 to 20 minutes. The longer you nap the more likely you will feel groggy afterward.
Take naps in the early afternoon- napping after 3 pm can interfere with nighttime sleep. Individual factors such as your need for sleep, your sleeping schedule, your age, and your medication use can play a role in determining the best time of day to nap.
Create a restful environment- nap in a quiet, dark place with a comfortable room temperature and few distractions.

There are many benefits of napping, including:

Relaxation
Reduced fatigue
Increased alertness
Improved mood
Improved performance
Quicker reaction time
Better memory
An improved creative mindset

After napping, give yourself time to wake up before you resume activities, especially those requiring a quick or sharp response.

Measles

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It can affect anyone but is most common in children.

Some risk factors for measles include:

Being unvaccinated
Traveling internationally
Having a vitamin A deficiency

Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Signs and symptoms of measles appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, they include:

Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Inflamed eyes
Koplik’s spots (tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background, which form on the inner lining of the cheek)
A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

The infection occurs in stages that span over two to three weeks. These stages include:

Infection and incubation- the measles virus spreads in the body for 10 to 14 days after infection. During that time, there are no signs or symptoms.
Nonspecific signs and symptoms- measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, a persistent cough, a runny nose, inflamed eyes, and a sore throat. This mild illness can last two to three days.
Acute illness and rash- a rash consisting of small red spots, some may be slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face is usually the first place it appears. The rash spreads down the arms, chest, and back, then over the thighs, lower legs, and feet over the next few days. At the same time, the fever rises to temperatures as high as 104 to 105.8.
Recovery- the measles rash can last for about seven days. The rash fades gradually from the face and lastly the thighs and feet. As other symptoms go away, coughing and the darkening or peeling of the skin where the rash was, lasts about 10 days.

A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days. Starting four days before the rash appears and ends when the rash has been present for four days.

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, infectious droplets spray into the air where others can breathe them in. Infectious droplets can stay in the air for about an hour and on a surface for several hours.

Many complications can arise from measles, including:

Diarrhea and vomiting
Ear infection
Bronchitis, laryngitis, or croup
Pneumonia
Encephalitis
Pregnancy problems

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent infection.

Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash and the Koplik’s spot on the inner lining of the cheek. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you or your child received measles vaccines, whether you traveled outside of the U.S. recently, and if you had contact with anyone who has a rash or fever.

The rash can be confused with many other illnesses, however, a blood test can be done to confirm whether the rash is measles. A test using a throat swab or urine sample can also be used.

There is no specific treatment for a measles infection once it occurs. Treatment can include providing comfort measures to relieve symptoms such as rest and treating or preventing complications.

Some measures can be taken to protect individuals who don’t have immunity to measles after they have been exposed to the virus, they include:

Post-exposure vaccination
Immune serum globulin
Medications
- Fever reducers
- Antibiotics
- Vitamin A

If you become sick with severe symptoms, particularly after potential exposure to the measles virus, you must receive treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.