Health

This month, we are pleased to shine our Employee Spotlight on Choi Au-Yeung, Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Choi has been a respiratory therapist 24 years, 20 of those years at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. She grew up in Queens and attended Grover Cleveland High School, then went on to study at  SUNY Stony Brook where she graduated with a BS degree in Respiratory Care.

Choi currently resides on Long Island with her husband and four children, ages 13, 14, 15, and 17. In her spare time, she volunteers at the concession stand at her children’s school during home sporting events to raise money for the athletic department.  She also helps her husband coach the volleyball team and score games for their daughters’ Catholic Youth Organization team.

When she has time off, she enjoys vacationing with her family.  Some of the places she frequents are Mexico, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Outer Banks North Carolina, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. She loves to eat all different types of food, especially Italian and Indian. Choi’s favorite music is from the 80’s and 90’s. She considers herself fairly athletic and has completed three New York City Marathons. She is a firm believer in participating in all kinds of sports, in which she says helps to clear her head and make her feel good.

Family and a handful of close friends is what she considers the most important.  She emphasizes to her children the value and importance of family.

Choi enjoys working at Flushing Hospital very much because of the great people she works with. She truly considers her colleagues as her work family.  Most of them have met her family and vice versa.  She feels very fortunate that her department is very supportive of one another and considerers the department leadership the best. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years.

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.

Meet Pamela Gomez a nurse who works on Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s New Beginnings unit. She has been a Labor and Delivery nurse at the hospital for almost two years.

Pamela feels that the miracle of a new life entering the world is a very special time not only for the parents and the baby but also for the staff who assist with the delivery and the postpartum care.

The doctors and nurses on the unit all work well together as a team to ensure that the patients receive the best care. Pamela is very proud to be a part of this department we are very pleased to have her as a member of our team. She looks forward to caring for you and the newest member of your family.

To speak with a member of our team about our New Beginnings Unit or to schedule a tour, please call 718 670-5702.

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.

Lower back pain is recognized as one of the most common problems that people experience at some time in their lives. It is the most common reason people miss work and is its most frequent cause of disability. It may be described as a constant dull ache to a sudden sharp pain.

Common causes of lower back pain include:

• Muscle sprains or strains
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis of the spine
• Spondylitis
• Sciatica
• Kidney problems
• Ovarian cysts
• Spinal infections
• Pregnancy
• Uterine fibroids
• Misalignment of the spinal cord

Diagnosing lower back pain typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical exam. This exam may include checking reflexes, evaluating lower extremity strength and ability to move. Further testing may require an x-ray, CT scan or an MRI to evaluate if there are bone problems,

Seek medical care for lower back pain when:

• It lasts more than a few weeks
• It doesn’t improve with rest
• It is accompanied by weight loss
• It travels down one or both legs
• It shows symptoms of numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs

Treatment options depend on the cause of the lower back pain and where it is located. Treatment options include: home remedies such as heat, ice, rest, compression, stretching exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. Physical therapy may be prescribed by a physician if they feel it will help. A physician may also prescribe some medications for pain relief, These would include muscle relaxers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, a physician may feel a surgical procedure may be necessary.

There are a few things a person can do to prevent lower back pain. This would include regular exercise and stretching, watching one’s weight, bending at the knees when lifting heavy objects, quit smoking, sleep on a firm surface, and keeping proper posture.

Speak to your physician if  you are having lower back pain and it doesn’t seem to be improving, If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 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.

Reverse dieting is an eating plan that helps the body adjust gradually to an increase in calorie intake after weight loss through restrictive or low calorie dieting. It has been referred to as the “diet after the diet”.  Bodybuilders often use this technique after a competition to prevent rapid weight gain as it helps to prevent fat buildup after weight loss.

One of the key reasons people regain weight after ending a diet is that they feel they can eat all of the foods avoided while on their diet. They also may exercise less and fall back into bad habits once the diet is over.

When a person is on a calorie restricted diet, eventually metabolism will decrease as well. Once a diet ends, and more calories are added back into the daily diet, metabolism is still operating at a reduced level. This causes the body to transform the extra calories into weight gain.

Reverse dieting can take weeks or months to achieve optimal results. The mechanism behind reverse dieting involves the gradual increase in calorie intake with the gradual increase in metabolism.

Reverse dieting typically involves adding 50 -150 calories a week for four to ten weeks until reaching the pre-diet calorie intake. A reverse diet will look different for everyone because it is dependent on starting amount calories, goal amount calories, and how you chose to approach the reverse diet.

As with any diet, it is important to consult with your physician to make sure that your new way of eating will be compatible with your nutritional needs. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5918.

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.

Birth defects are defined as conditions that are present when a baby is born and can affect nearly every part of the body.  Conditions such as cleft lip can be easily diagnosed.  Other conditions such as deafness or heart defects may only be discovered after diagnostic testing.

The largest number of birth defects occurs during the first three months of gestation.

The most common birth defects in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include:

• Down syndrome
• Cleft lip (with or without cleft palate)
• Atrioventricular septal defect (hole in the heart)
• Absence or malformation of the rectum and/or large intestine
• Gastroschisis (hole in the abdominal wall)
• Tetralogy of Fallot (a combination of heart defects)
• Spina bifida without anencephaly
• Reduction deformity, upper limbs
• Reversal of the heart’s two main arteries

Although birth defects can’t always be prevented, there are plenty of steps pregnant women can take to help reduce the risk.

The womenshealth.gov website offers these suggestions:

• Make regular visits to your doctor throughout pregnancy
• Get 400mcg of folic acid each day through diet or supplements
• Don’t smoke, use illegal drugs or drink alcohol while you are pregnant
• Always check with your doctor before taking any medication
• Get all vaccinations recommended by your doctor
• If you have diabetes, keep it under control
• Stick to a healthy weight

You may also request a pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy screening test in order to spot potential or real birth defects.  The types of tests include a carrier test to see if you or your partner carries potentially harmful genes, as well as screening and diagnostic tests that can determine risks for and detect genetic disorders.

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.

Salmon is a very popular fish that is both healthy and easy to prepare. Here is a simple healthy recipe from RealSimple for Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon.

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/citrus-salmon-recipe

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.

Anosmia is the complete loss of your sense of smell. Approximately three percent of all Americans experience either this condition or severe hyposmia (a diminished sense of smell), with a much larger percentage of the population experiencing a milder form of smell alteration.

Although people may be born with anosmia in rare instances, it typically occurs later in life due to a variety of factors. One of the primary risk factors for smell impairment is age; a reduced sense of smell becomes increasingly likely as you get older, with a quarter of all Americans in their 70s and nearly 40% of Americans in their 80s experiencing these problems in some form. It’s also more common for men and people who are Black or Mexican American.

Losing your sense of smell can leave you vulnerable to several potential health risks. Food or liquids that spoil often create a foul odor, but if you lack the ability to smell, you may accidentally consume these items without realizing that they are no longer safe. You also may not be able to recognize the presence of hazards such as smoke until it’s too late.

The loss of your sense of smell also affects more than just scents. Smell also plays a significant role in the way you process flavors; without it, food and drinks become bland and less distinguishable. This can lead to other issues such as a loss of interest in eating, poor nutrition, weight loss, or potentially even depression. Additionally, attempts to resolve this lack of flavor, such as adding copious amounts of salt to food, can lead to high blood pressure and other problems.

Anosmia is not necessarily a permanent impairment. In fact, polyps, nasal deformities, and conditions such as sinus infections or viruses may cause you to temporarily develop symptoms of anosmia. An otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor) can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine the right course of treatment, both for the underlying condition and for restoring your sense of smell.

You can visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (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.