Signs Your Stomach Pain Could Be Serious

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Stomachaches are a common, uncomfortable part of our lives. Usually, they go away on their own with a little rest or a home remedy. However, severe stomach pain can be a sign of a serious condition, especially if it is followed by symptoms such as:

Coughing up or vomiting blood

Bloody stool

Fever

Difficulty breathing

A very hard abdomen, which may indicate severe constipation or other digestive issues

Tenderness in the abdomen when touched

Neck, shoulder, or chest pain

Pain moving from the belly button to the right side

Inability to have a bowel movement along with vomiting

When a person experiences serious symptoms with stomach pain, it could be a sign of life-threatening conditions that include:

Appendicitis

Bowel obstruction

Bowel perforation

Frequent stomach pain or stomach pain that is uncomfortable but not severe can also indicate an underlying health issue, such as:

Colitis

Cystitis

Kidney stones

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Additionally, stomach pain can be caused by common temporary conditions that affect the lower belly, including:

Menstrual cramps

Trapped gas

Food poisoning

Stomach flu

Constipation

Food allergies

If your stomach pain isn’t severe or doesn’t last long, and if you aren’t having emergency symptoms, the pain may go away on its own. You can also try these steps to help relieve stomach pain:

Drinking water

Exercising

Taking gas-relieving medication, such as an over-the-counter (OTC) antacid

Following the banana, rice, apple sauce, and toast (BRAT) diet

Using a hot water bottle or heating pad

If you are experiencing severe stomach pain, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center today for comprehensive care. For more information, call us at 718-670-5486.

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.

National Childhood Obesity Month

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a month dedicated to raising awareness about preventing childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a critical public health challenge that affects one in three children in the United States. Children with obesity face an increased risk of chronic health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea, and bone and joint problems. Obesity can also impact children beyond physical issues. It affects their emotional and social well-being as well, which leads to challenges like bullying and lower self-esteem.

Many factors impact childhood obesity, including eating and physical activity behaviors, genetics, metabolism, family and home environment, and community and social factors. For some children and families, obesity can be influenced by the following:

Too much time spent being inactive

Lack of sleep

Lack of places to go in the community to be physically active

Easy access to inexpensive, high-calorie foods and sugary beverages

Lack of access to affordable healthier foods

Here are some tips on how parents can help prevent their child from experiencing obesity:

Monitor growth

Provide nutritious foods

Promote drinking water

Encourage physical activity

Model healthy behaviors

Create a healthy sleep environment

Childhood obesity can be prevented by working together to help children achieve and maintain a healthy weight, improve their overall well-being, and build a foundation for a healthier future.

If you would like to speak with a pediatrician and learn more about childhood obesity at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5440 to schedule an appointment.

Wellness Wednesday Tip: Improving Your Physical Health

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Physical health and wellness are key to our overall well-being. Physical health is the condition of your body and how well it functions, from the strength of your heart and lungs to your ability to fight infection and move without pain.

Physical wellness is a proactive approach that emphasizes lifestyle choices that sustain energy, resilience, and functional capacity over a lifetime.

The tenets of physical health and wellness are important for keeping your body functioning properly. They include:

Watching what you put into your body
How much physical activity you get
Maintaining a healthy weight

These tenets are positive health habits that can help you decrease your stress, lower your risk of disease, and increase your energy.

Here are some strategies to help you improve your physical health:

Increase your physical activity
- Set specific goals for your physical activity
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Take a walk on your lunch break
- Set an alarm to go off every hour as a reminder to move around for a minute or two
- Keep moving while watching TV
- Take an online exercise class
Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
- Eat a variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, lean meat, seafood, eggs, milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Limit foods that are low in vitamins and minerals
- Cut down on sugar by choosing foods with little or no added sugar
- Get more fiber
- Replace saturated fats in your diet with unsaturated fats, such as olive, canola, or other vegetable oils instead of butter, meat fats, or shortening
- Avoid foods high in salt, such as canned, smoked, or processed foods. Choose fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat instead
- Choose more complex carbs such as starches and fiber, which can be found in whole-grain breads, cereals, starchy vegetables, and legumes
Reach your weight loss goals and maintain a healthy weight
- Weigh yourself
- Calculate how many calories you need for your healthy goals
- Record your daily food intake and physical activity
- Set specific goals
- Choose healthy meals and physical activities you enjoy
- Plan activities with friends or family
- Be patient
Build healthy habits
- Plan and identify unhealthy patterns, and set realistic goals
- Change your surroundings and find ways to make healthier choices by removing temptations
- Ask for support by finding family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, or support groups
- Speak with a mental health professional if you are experiencing severe depression, anxiety, or burnout
Build muscle safely
- Start slowly, especially if you haven’t been active for a while
- Pay attention to your body when you experience exhaustion, sore joints, or muscle pains, which is a sign you are overdoing it
- Use small amounts of weight to start and add more weight slowly over time, while focusing on your form
- Use smooth, steady movements to lift weights into position, and don’t jerk or thrust weights
- Avoid locking your arm and leg joints in a straight position
- Don’t hold your breath during strength exercises
- Ask for help by looking for a group class at a local gym, recreation center, or find a trainer
Combat age-related changes
- Commit to a healthy diet
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Move more
- Get plenty of sleep
- Limit alcohol use
- Avoid tobacco products
- Visit the doctor regularly

If you would like to improve your physical health, or experience medical problems while doing so, 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.

The Importance of Stretching

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Stretching is an essential part of exercise or any physical activity you are engaging in. It has several benefits, as it helps prevent falls and injuries by warming up muscles, joints, and connective tissues.

Stretching before and after exercising can help you improve:

· Flexibility

· Balance

· Speed

· Jump height

· Strength

· Endurance

· Range of motion

There are two types of stretching: static and dynamic stretching. Static stretching is when you hold a pose, like touching your toes in a hamstring stretch without moving. This helps your muscles relax and slowly get longer. It is recommended to use static stretching as a part of your cool-down after exercise.

Dynamic stretching is when you move a body part slowly and control it through its full range of motion, like doing arm circles or high knees. These stretches are best done before a workout or between sets of exercises.

Static and dynamic stretches can be:

Active: When you use your muscles to move or hold the stretch, such as when you lift your toes in the air because it stretches your calf muscles

Passive: When you rely on assisted stretching from another person, your hand, or a prop, such as using a doorframe to stretch your chest and shoulders

Stretching works best when you have the time and availability to not rush through it. If you are creating a stretching routine, it is recommended to start with a few different stretches for a total of 10 to 15 minutes. Furthermore, it is most important to focus on body areas critical for mobility, such as your calves, hamstrings, hip flexors in the pelvis, and quadriceps in the front of the thigh. It is also beneficial to stretch your shoulders, neck, and lower back.

For a 10-minute stretching routine, you can start with some basic upper- and lower- body stretching exercises, such as:

· Dynamic shoulder rolls

· Active neck stretch

· Static shoulder stretch

· Static triceps stretch

· Dynamic hip circles

· Static quadriceps stretch, standing up

· Static hamstring stretch, lying down

· Dynamic ankle circles

· Static calf stretch

Daily stretching may seem overwhelming. However, when you begin to stretch daily, it is important to take your time and not rush through it to avoid injury. Stretching is a simple way to prepare your muscles and joints for any workout and is an effective way to maximize active recovery days.

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting or adding new exercises to your routine. You can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

World Alzheimer’s Month

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a month that raises global awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and encourages education, advocacy, and support for those affected.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by sex and family history.

Dementia is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms like memory loss and the loss of other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, caused by physical changes in the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can present many signs and symptoms, including:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Difficulty completing familiar tasks

Confusion with time and place

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

New problems with words in speaking or writing

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

Decreased or poor judgment

Withdrawal from work or social activities

Changes in mood and personality

Even though there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and many other types of dementia, there are preventative measures you can take to take care of your brain, including:

Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body

Eating a healthy, balanced diet lower in fat and higher in fruit and vegetables, such as the Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH diets

Getting quality sleep

Taking care of your mental health and managing stress

Stimulating your brain by engaging in challenging activities, such as playing a strategy game, learning a new language or how to play an instrument, or completing a jigsaw puzzle

Staying connected socially with family and friends

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718)-670-5486.

How Heart Disease is Different in Women Than it is in Men

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Heart disease can be deadly for anyone, as it is the most common cause of death for both women and men in the U.S.

Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. There are three types of heart disease:

Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease, caused by a buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart and other parts of the body. After menopause, women are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease because of hormonal changes.

Arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats too slowly, too fast, or irregularly. A common example is atrial fibrillation.

Heart failure happens when the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to support other organs in the body. This condition is serious, but it doesn’t mean the heart has stopped beating.

While heart disease can occur in everyone, women face unique risks, largely due to differences in anatomy and hormones, such as estrogen. Estrogen protects the heart in the premenopausal years as it relaxes the arteries and promotes good cholesterol. This changes when a woman begins menopause and estrogen levels decline, increasing the chance of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol and hypertension.

Other heart disease risk factors include:

Obesity

Smoking

Emotional stress and depression

Diabetes

Lack of physical activity

Pregnancy complications

Family history of early heart disease

Other health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions

Over 60 million women (44%) in the United States are living with some form of heart disease, and it can affect them at any age. However, the prevalence of heart disease in women starts going up around the age of 65, which is about ten years later than men, presumably due to the lasting positive effects of estrogen.

Women are more likely to have other heart attack symptoms and have a higher chance of developing symptoms from heart failure. Although some women may not show any symptoms, others may experience:

Angina is usually felt as a dull or heavy chest discomfort or ache

Pain in the neck, jaw, or throat

Pain in the upper abdomen or back

These symptoms may happen when you are resting or active. Women may also have other symptoms, including:

Nausea

Vomiting

Tiredness that won’t go away or feels excessive

In some women, the first signs and symptoms of heart disease can be:

A heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced or blocked

Palpitations

Treatment for heart disease is similar for women and men, and can include medicines, angioplasty and stenting, or coronary artery bypass surgery.

However, there are differences in heart disease treatment for women and men, including:

Women are less likely to be treated with aspirin and statins to prevent future heart attacks than men are

Women are less likely to have coronary artery bypass surgery than men. This may be because women have less obstructive disease or smaller arteries with more small vessel disease

Cardiac rehabilitation can improve health and aid recovery from heart disease. However, women are less likely to be sent to cardiac rehabilitation than men are.

Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Here are some ways to live a heart-healthy lifestyle:

Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol

Eating a healthy diet

Exercising and keeping a healthy weight

Managing stress

Getting quality sleep

Quitting smoking or stopping the use of tobacco products

Limiting alcohol consumption

If you are experiencing symptoms of heart disease, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Chronic Pain and Mental Health

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Xavia Malcolm

Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts more than three months; in some instances, it can last for years. This type of pain can interfere with daily life, affecting not only your physical health but also your mental health.

Many different conditions can cause chronic pain, including multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis, spinal stenosis, chronic migraine, lupus, myofascial pain syndrome, Crohn’s disease and endometriosis.

Living with daily and constant pain can be emotionally stressful, and those living with chronic pain are at an increased risk of developing mental health problems, such as:

Depression
Anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
Adjustment disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Mental health conditions may also make chronic pain feel worse, as they can increase the brain’s sensitivity to pain and reduce a person’s ability to cope with symptoms.

Because chronic pain and mental health can be bidirectional- where pain can worsen mental health and mental health can worsen pain- the most effective treatment approach is treating both the pain and the mental health impact together.

Treatment may involve medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, mind-body techniques such as meditation, integrative health therapies such as acupuncture, and pain rehabilitation programs.

If you are experiencing chronic pain or the mental health challenges associated with it, please schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Back to School Health and Wellness Tips

Posted on August 28, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

The new school year is around the corner, and parents and guardians are getting their children ready to go back to school. As they prepare for a new school year, it is essential to make sure they return to school healthy.

Here are some health and wellness tips to make sure your child is healthy before they go back to school:

Make sure your child is up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccinations are essential to protect children and others from various diseases.

Make sure your child gets their flu and COVID-19 shots. Every child six months or older should get their yearly flu shots, as flu season typically starts in the fall and peaks between December and February.

Make sure your child receives vision and hearing tests. Children should have their hearing and vision tested with their doctor from infancy through high school. Watch for signs of hearing or vision loss and talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you notice any changes.

Help your child make healthy food choices, even at school. Encourage them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. When eating bread or pasta, choose 100% whole-grain products. Encourage them to choose water, not juice or soda.

Make sure to take care of your child’s mental health. Managing school stress, relationships, and friendships can be overwhelming. Encourage them to talk about their emotional health.

Make sure to limit your child’s screen time. Children under the age of two years old should have no screen time. Limit screen time to one to two hours a day for children two years old and over. Parents are encouraged to delay access to smartphones until they are at least 14 years old.

Be sure to monitor your child’s social media use. Social media use starting during childhood can play a significant role in the relationships and experiences that impact children’s and teens’ growth, development, and mental health. Parents are encouraged to set aside time to discuss social media use, including setting privacy limits on who can see and interact with them.

Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep. Adequate sleep helps kids focus each day at school and is important for their health. Children between the ages of three and five should sleep 10 to 13 hours (including naps). Children six to 12 years of age should sleep nine to 12 hours a night. Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep eight to 10 hours a night.

These back-to-school health and wellness tips will help ensure your child returns to the classroom safely and healthy.

Transient Ischemic Attack

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a short period of symptoms like a stroke, caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain. A transient ischemic attack usually only lasts a few minutes and doesn’t cause long-term damage.

A transient ischemic attack may be a warning. About one in three people who have a TIA will eventually have a stroke, with about half occurring within a year.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of a transient ischemic attack are like the symptoms of an early stroke and happen suddenly. Symptoms may include:

Weakness, numbness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg, typically on one side of the body

Slurred speech or trouble understanding others

Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination

Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision

A person can have more than one transient ischemic attack. Their symptoms may be similar or different depending on which area of the brain is involved.

Transient ischemic attacks occur when cholesterol-containing fatty deposits build up in an artery. These fatty deposits decrease the blood flow through an artery or lead to the development of a clot.

Some of the risk factors of a transient ischemic attack can’t be changed, but others can be controlled.

Risk factors that can’t be changed include:

Prior transient ischemic attack

Family history

Sickle cell disease

Risk factors you can control include:

Health conditions

High blood pressure

Cardiovascular disease

Carotid artery disease

High cholesterol

Diabetes

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Excess weight

COVID-19

High levels of homocysteine

Lifestyle choices

Physical inactivity

Poor nutrition

Cigarette smoking

Heavy drinking

Use of illicit drugs

Knowing your risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle are the best things you can do to prevent a transient ischemic attack. Living a healthy lifestyle includes:

Getting regular checkups

Exercising regularly

Maintaining a healthy weight

Quitting smoking

Controlling diabetes

Lowering cholesterol

Limiting alcohol intake

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables

Avoiding illicit drug use

Diagnosing a TIA includes an immediate evaluation, which is essential. An evaluation may include:

Physical exams and tests

Carotid ultrasonography

CT or CTA scans

MRI or MRA scans

Echocardiography

Arteriography

A diagnosis helps your healthcare provider determine the best treatment for you. Treatment for a transient ischemic attack occurs once your healthcare provider determines its cause. The goal of treatment is to correct the issue and prevent a stroke. Treatments include:

Medicines, such as antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants

Surgical procedures, such as an angioplasty

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a transient ischemic attack, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Emergency Department. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Jeanhee Kim, RN, MA, BSN, CCRN, CEN, CIC

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Andrew Rubin

This month, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is proud to shine its Employee Spotlight on Jeanhee Kim. Jeanhee began her career at the hospital over three years ago. At first, she was a critical care nurse in our Intensive Care Unit and now she works in our Emergency Department.

Jeanhee grew up in the Rockaway section of Queens and currently lives in Douglaston. She attended P.S. 183 in Rockaway Beach, Hewlett High School, Boston University for college, UCLA for graduate school and Adelphi University for Nursing School. Before she became a nurse, Jeanhee was a university level educator in South Korea. As much as she loved teaching, Jeanhee felt that she could contribute more to society. All her life, Jeanhee watched her mom serve the community as both a bedside nurse and a nurse leader. This influenced her to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pursue a career in nursing. Jeanhee feels that she is fortunate to have had two rewarding careers. First as an educator and now as a nurse.

In her free time, Jeanhee likes to read, listen to music, participate in outdoor sports and activities, and share good food with family and friends. She listens to many different genres of music and finds it a wonderful way to relax, feel energized, and to stimulate creativity. She enjoys many different types of food, especially Korean cuisine for its health benefits. Jeanhee shares her home with a rescue cat named Jerry. She likes to travel, especially to South Korea where she has family and many friends. Jeanhee enjoys an active lifestyle, her favorite sports being swimming, running, hiking, and tennis.

Jeanhee enjoys working at Flushing Hospital due to its diverse patients and staff, which adds cultural richness to the workplace. This diversity helps the staff provide more culturally competent care to patients and their families. Jeanhee values sharing her knowledge and skills to help her patients, friends, and family stay healthy. It is very important to her to continuously make progress in her own development, emotionally, professionally, and spiritually. She tells us that there is a Korean word, cho-sim which roughly translates to “beginner’s mind”. Koreans say “don’t lose your beginner’s mind” and this means a person should not lose the passion, or the pure attitude we had when we first started something. We are very fortunate to have Jeanhee as a member of the Flushing Hospital team and look forward to her continuing to remain with us for many years into the future.