Resolve to Eat Right

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Joann Ariola

With the holidays drawing to a close, it will soon be the time for resolutions. Why not make eating right a part of your resolution.

Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated. You can begin with a simple shift to lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates into your nutritional regimen while lessening your intake of processed foods, white flour and sugar.

For more information on eating right, contact the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486 to speak with a nutritionist.

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 Handwashing Awareness Week 2016

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Flushing Hospital Medical Center believes that Infection prevention is important to all of us and each of us has a valuable role to play in keeping patients safe from infection.

According to the CDC, handwashing is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine—it involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.

Dr. Javeria Shakil, Director of Infection Prevention at FHMC and Maria Savarese, RN, Clinical Coordinator and Hand Hygiene Champion (pictured above) know that proper hand hygiene is important in the prevention of spreading germs.

FHMC will be hosting an educational table in the lobby of the hospital, as well as continuing our hand hygiene initiatives throughout the hospital to continue our commitment to keeping our patients safe from infection.

Protect Yourself From Getting Sick While Flying This Holiday Season

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Flushing Hospital

Air travelers are up to 100 times more likely to catch a cold or the flu while flying than during normal day-to-day activities.

The primary cause for an increased rate of infection is low cabin humidity on planes. Most airplanes fly in an elevation range of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where humidity is much lower. At very low levels of humidity, our natural defense system of mucus in our noses and throats dries up, creating an ideal environment for germs to infect us.

The best way to maintain these natural defenses is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will not only counter the overall dehydrating effects of air travel, but it can actually strengthen the body’s natural immune system.

It is recommended to sip water regularly throughout the flight rather than drink a large amount at once to protect against long dry spells in your defense system. Hot beverages are a good way to keep your protective mucous membranes working because they assist in keeping you generally hydrated and also provide moisture in the form of steam. Conversely, it is recommended that you avoid caffeine or alcoholic beverages as they can dehydrate you.

Using nasal sprays or saline mists have also been proven to be an effective means of keeping mucous membranes in your nose and throat moist. They can increase your resistance to infection while on a dry aircraft. Yet another way to defend against viruses while flying is to use a germ-killing mouthwash, which adds another layer of protection while simultaneously helping to keep your throat moist. Other experts recommend taking vitamins before flights to help boost immunity levels.

By following these tips and practicing proper hand washing behavior, you will greatly increase your chances of arriving at your destination healthy.

The Flu Vaccine

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Joann Ariola

Influenza – the unwelcome guest that comes calling on us every year – often with many very unpleasant consequences. Historically, widespread flu epidemics have had devastating effects on large portions of the earth’s population. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that two scientists, Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Thomas Francis developed the first vaccine to prevent the flu virus. The vaccine was given to American soldiers during World War II and was found to be useful in preventing the widespread outbreaks that had been common before the vaccines were used. In the years after the war, the vaccine was made available to the general public and has greatly reduced the widespread epidemics that were so common before. Research has helped to develop better vaccines with fewer side effects and also better suited to combat strains of the influenza virus that keep changing every year. Over the past 60 years millions of people have been given the flu vaccine each year. There is still a debate going on as to whether the flu vaccine is safe. Many people still are hesitant about getting the vaccine at all. The flu still comes calling every year, and many people are still being affected. However there are much fewer catastrophic epidemics throughout the world, and symptoms appear to be lessened, thanks in large part to the work done by Dr Salk and Dr. Francis in the early part of the last century.

Small Changes = Big Benefits

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Joann Ariola

When looking for a routine that can bring wellness to your entire being, you don’t have to climb a mountain in Tibet or strip away all food you love. Experts say that the best way to bring a wellness routine into your life is through a series of small changes that will gradually make a difference.

Changes such as:

Meditation – Take a moment in the morning to meditate. It will set the tone for the day and clear your head to prepare for what the day may bring.
Music – Play calming music. The body’s internal rhythms sync with the rhythms of music. By focusing on the music and its melody, you will start to feel your breathing and heart rate begin to slow down, bringing you to a much calmer place
Plan a trip – According to research, happiness spikes when planning a trip.
Put down your smartphone – When the impulse to pick up your phone comes, and you resist it, you may feel a wave of anxiety. Don’t panic! Breath through the anxiety and you will see that there is calm that will follow.
Breathe deeply – Sit in a comfortable place, breathe naturally and settle your attention on your breath. With each inhale and exhale, mentally repeat the words “in” and “out.” Even if you mind wanders, don’t get distracted; just bring your attention back to your breathing.
Don’t check your email when you first wake up – When you wake, sit silently and allow your mind to wander. Take 10 minutes to just center yourself before you start your day.
Walk – Use part of your lunch break to take a walk. This activity will aid with digestion, keep you active and relieve stress.

No one likes change and it rarely comes easy. That’s why slowly incorporating small steps toward your goals overtime can lead to huge changes in the long run.

Stroke

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Almost 800,000 people have a stroke in the United States each year and it is responsible for approximately 130,000 deaths. The risk of having a stroke is twice as high in African Americans than in Caucasians, and it occurs more frequently in men than in women.
There are two types of stroke, hemorrhagic and ischemic. A hemorrhagic stroke is either a brain aneurysm or a weakened blood vessel that leaks thus creating swelling and pressure in the brain that damages the cells. This type of stroke occurs about 15 percent of the time but is responsible for about 40 percent of all stroke deaths. The other type of stroke is an ischemic stroke and it occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. The blockage may occur when a blood clot or fragment of plaque travels from another part of the body through the blood vessels into the brain and blocks the flow of blood. When blood flow is blocked, oxygen can’t reach the brain cells and they die and it causes loss of function in that part of the brain.
Warning signs of a stroke can be remembered by the acronym “FAST”.
Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side droop?
Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time – If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Stroke warning signs are characterized by sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Strokes are accompanied by confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Anyone who is exhibiting signs of a stroke should call 9-1-1 immediately and be brought to the nearest hospital. The sooner a person can be evaluated and treatment started, the more hope there is that the effects can be minimized, and potentially reversed.
Flushing Hospital recently was recognized by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association for its Gold Plus level of participation in the “Get With The Guidelines Stroke and Target; Stroke” program. They were recognized for applying the most up-to-date evidence based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the community.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Seaweed – The Superhero of Superfoods

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Joann Ariola

In the realm of superfoods, seaweed has been underrated. For years, seaweed has been wrapped around spicy tuna rolls or was used as an ingredient for salad, but it’s recently come to the attention of nutritionists and foodies alike that seaweed just might be the superhero of superfoods!

With its low calorie, nutrient-packed makeup, seaweed has many benefits that make eating it trendier than ever before.

Some reasons to try this healthy option are:

Seaweed…

contains vitamins A and C, calcium, iodine and potassium
is rich in protein
can help regulate estrogen and estradiol levels
is packed full of antioxidants
contains a healthy amount of dietary fiber
is full of heart healthy fats

If there is a downside to eating seaweed, it would be its sticky, slimy texture, but the healthy benefits far outweigh any downside.

History of Sutures

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Sutures (also known as stitches) have been around for thousands of years and are used to hold wounds together until the healing process is complete. They were first described as far back 3000 BC in ancient Egyptian literature. For centuries they were made from plant materials like hemp, or cotton or animal material such as tendons, silk, and arteries. The material of choice for many centuries was catgut, a fine thread woven from sheep intestines.

In the 1800’s it became apparent that it was a good idea to sterilize the catgut before using it to suture wounds, In the 1860’s the physician Joseph Lister devised a technique for sterilizing catgut and it was perfected finally in 1906. Eventually, sterilization took place by exposing the suture material to radiation which was more effective than previous techniques. Each development helped to reduce the risk of infection.

Early in the 20th century synthetic materials were developed that could be used for suturing. These synthetic materials, still used today, were categorized as “absorbable” or ‘non-absorbable’ depending on their ability to be absorbed during the wound healing process.

Absorbable sutures usually dissolve anywhere from 10 days to eight weeks and are made from:

Silk
Catgut
Polyglycolic acid
Polylactic acid
Monocryl

Non – absorbable sutures don’t dissolve naturally and are usually removed after the wound has closed. They are made from:

Nylon
Polyester
Stainless steel
PVDF
Polypropelene

Additional new technology has added laser technology and surgical glue to the tools available to physicians for wound healing. These new materials help the process go quicker and also make the scars less visible. However, even with all the new modern techniques for suturing a wound, many of the basic concepts used today were first developed thousands of years ago.

Surgical stitches

World Health Day is April 7th

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

In 1948 the World Health Organization held the first World Health Assembly to address health issues affecting people around the world. Each year the World Health Organization chooses a health topic that it wishes to draw global attention to and that is a subject of major importance. April 7th was chosen as World Health Day to honor the founding of the organization.
This year the World Health Organization decided to focus on diabetes. The main goal is to increase awareness about the rise in diabetes and its staggering burden and consequences, particularly in low and middle – income countries. It also is designed to set in motion a set of specific effective and affordable actions to control diabetes.
• These actions include:
• Prevent diabetes
• Diagnose diabetes
• Treat and care for people who have diabetes
The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people in the world have diabetes and this number is expected to double in the next 20 years. In 2012 approximately 1.5 million worldwide people died from illness directly related to the disease.
Diabetes is a disease for which there is no cure but there are ways to treat it and keep it under control. Early diagnosis and management are key factors to successfully controlling the disease.
If you have a family history of diabetes, you are at higher risk for developing the disease. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to check you for the disease, please call 718-670-6051.

World health day

The Benefit Of The Power Nap

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Joann Ariola

An office protocol, that normally would have been grounds for termination, is now being considered for its many benefits. Several companies are now acknowledging the health benefits of a short nap during the workday, which include increased alertness, enhanced brainpower, and fewer sick days.

It is recommended that adults sleep for at least eight hours every night, however, research has shown that most individuals suffer from broken sleep and fail to get a good night’s rest. For these individuals, a short nap can help. A quick 15 to 20 minute power nap can provide the boost needed to effectively complete your workday.

There are several progressive companies, such as British Airways, Nike, Pizza Hut and Google, who are now seeking to reap these benefits. These companies have created designated nap rooms or “renewal rooms” for their employees, allowed their employees to bring a nap mat for the office, or simply encouraged their employees to sleep at their desk.

Some employers are now encouraging napping for the wellness of their employees. People who take daily 30-minute naps are 37 percent less likely to die from heart disease than those who don’t nap, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2007. Naps can also boost the immune system—theoretically leading to fewer sick days—and propel employees into their most alert, energetic, and creative states, say nap advocates. Believers in this protocol feel that a well-rested employee is a pleasant employee, noting that if you’re sleep deprived, you’re going to be moody.

Napping Further Explained Naps can be broken down into four categories:

Planned napping, also known as preemptive napping, involves taking a nap before you get sleepy. It is a good thing to do if you know you’re going to have a late night.
Emergency napping is exactly as it sounds— taking a nap when you’re so sleepy that you can’t properly engage in your current activity.
Habitual napping is the practice of taking a nap at the same time every day.
Appetitive napping is the act of napping strictly for enjoyment.
As noted, napping increases alertness, learning capacity, memory and performance— and we have known this now for several decades. Naps can also reduce stress, as well as lower blood pressure, which is important for our overall health. So, with the research and results on “power napping,” it is safe to say that a well-rested employee is a more productive employee.