Health

Gout is a common form of arthritis that is characterized by attacks of pain, swelling, stiffness, redness or tenderness in the joints. These attacks or flares typically affect one joint at a time. They can occur suddenly and return over time.

Gout is caused by an accumulation of urate crystals in the joint.  Urate crystals form when there are high levels of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is produced when your body breaks down purines; substances that are found naturally in our bodies and in foods such as steak, seafood and organ meats.  Alcoholic beverages and drinks sweetened with fructose (fruit sugar) are known to promote higher levels of uric acid in the body.

Some people are more likely to develop gout than others. Factors that increase your risk include:

• Being obese; If you are overweight your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys may not be able to properly eliminate excessive amounts
• Having a diet that is rich in purines, this includes seafood, red meat, organ meat, or beverages sweetened with fructose
• Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
• Having certain health conditions such as  hypertension, diabetes,  heart and kidney disease
• Using certain medications such as diuretics or low-dose aspirin

Men are more at risk of developing gout than women; this is because women tend to produce lower levels of uric acid. Men are also more likely to develop gout at an earlier age than women.   In men, symptoms may occur as early as the age of 30, and in women after menopause.

There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk for gout or prevent future attacks, they include:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Limiting your intake of seafood and meat
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight

If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, or believe that you may be at risk, make an appointment to see a physician. Your doctor may order a series of test or assess your current state of health to receive a diagnosis or to determine if you are at risk. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, you may 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.

It is summertime and many of us will be spending time outdoors. For those who don’t take precautions to protect their skin from the strong rays of the sun, the results can be unpleasant. Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays may lead to sunburn.

Sunburn can cause irritation and pain to the affected areas. It is important to treat sunburns as soon as possible to help your skin heal and avoid further complications.

Here are a few tips on how to help heal sunburn:

• Take a cold bath or shower
• Drink plenty of water
• Use gel or cream containing ingredients such as aloe vera or calamine lotion on the affected area
• Take a pain reliever if necessary ( aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen )
• Avoid further exposure to the sun
• Never use creams that contain alcohol

If the sunburn is severe, especially in very young children, it may require medical attention. The signs of a severe sunburn are lethargy, high fever ( 101 degrees or higher ) and large blisters.  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.

Do your asthma attacks coincide with participation in physical activity such as exercise? As in all types of asthma, as the airways tighten, it becomes  difficult to take a complete breath, and the airways produce extra mucous.

The symptoms of exertional asthma include:

• Wheezing
• Tightness of the chest
• Coughing
• Feeling tired
•  Inability to catch your breath

Some activities that can lead to heavier than normal breathing such as recreational sports including:  running, basketball, football, soccer, and aerobic exercise. These can lead to exertional asthma.  Additionally, when the air is cold and dry, activities such as shoveling snow or walking for long periods of time can also trigger an asthma attack.

Other contributing factors of exertional asthma can include:

• Smoke or smog
• High pollen counts

•     Having a cold or other respiratory infection
•     Chlorinated pools or other chemical irritants

Treatment of exertional asthma includes taking medications both on a regular basis and  prior to doing strenuous exercise to limit symptoms and control breathing. Some activities and sports should be avoided if they bring on asthma attacks.

If you are experience difficulty breathing while participating in strenuous activities, you should consult with a pulmonary specialist for a complete respiratory evaluation. Please call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

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.

For Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, the difficulties and trauma associated with the COVID pandemic have been further intensified by instances of verbal and physical attacks fueled by anti-Asian racism. These acts can result in racial trauma, an effect caused by psychological and emotional injury.

Victims of racism may experience a variety of emotions, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Fear
• Low self-esteem
• Shame

To address this growing crisis in our community the MediSys Behavioral Health Network has created the Building Resilience Against Anti-Asian Violence & Racism (or BRAAVR) program. This community wellness program is designed to help the victims of anti-Asian racism receive counseling and support from culturally competent, multi-lingual mental health professionals. Services will be offered on-site, through the mobile crisis intervention program, or virtually through the telehealth program.

The service will also work with network and community-based providers to identify those in need of help and provide them with resources to better treat and provide referrals for appropriate care. The Behavioral Health team will also work with local organizations and elected officials to educate and raise awareness about this issue. Translated hand-outs are being distributed and educational content and links will be posted on Flushing Hospital’s website to help members of the community and local providers.

Patients wishing to make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Behavioral Health Center can call 718-206-7135.

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.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is proud to receive Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence (DICOE) designation from the American College of Radiology (ACR).

To receive this elite distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in all modalities they provide, and in which the ACR offers an accreditation program. Another requirement is participation in the Dose Index Registry® and General Radiology Improvement Database, as well as Image Wisely® and Image Gently® pledges. All of which are initiatives promoted by the ACR to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, and effective imaging care to patients.

Furthermore, facilities must demonstrate excellence at multiple levels.  Performance is measured by the successful completion of comprehensive assessments in the following areas:

• Governance and personnel
• Facility organization and management
• Physical environment
• Equipment and IT infrastructure
• Radiation and general safety
• Quality management
• Policies and procedures
• Patient rights and medical records

Flushing Hospital has exceeded the standard requirements of accreditation to achieve DICOE designation.  Patients of the hospital can be assured they are receiving the highest levels of imaging quality, safety, and care.

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.

Peaches are a fruit that are believed to have originated in China over 8000 years ago. They are in the same family as almonds, cherries, apricots and plums. Peaches are known for having flesh that surrounds a shell containing an edible seed. White peaches tend to be sweeter and yellow peaches are tart. One of the nice things about peaches is that they can be eaten raw, baked, broiled or grilled.

Here are some of the health benefits of peaches:

• Excellent source of vitamins and minerals which helps to improve immunity
• High levels of antioxidants can help in protecting skin
• They are high in fiber which helps digestion
• They contain very few calories, approximately 60 in a medium sized peach.
• They are low in fats, cholesterol and sodium
• They contain beta carotene which is beneficial to eye health
• May help to reduce histamine levels which can lessen allergy symptoms

Peaches can be found year round in the fruit section of most supermarkets but summertime is when they are most commonly seen. If you are looking for a fruit that is both refreshing and nutritious, peaches are definitely a good choice.

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.

July’s Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Employee Spotlight shines on Eric Fernandez, Assistant Head Nurse, in  our 2 West/Addiction Services Unit.

Eric has been at FHMC for the past 14 years.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from NYU, as well as being a graduate of LaGuardia Community College of Nursing.

As a valued member of the FHMC Department of Nursing, Eric is known for always pitching in whenever and wherever he is needed.  He was an integral part of the COVID-19 vaccination team, spending countless hours making sure all who wanted to be vaccinated were given the chance.

Eric stated, “It was gratifying to be part of the COVID vaccine team because I was witnessing people have tears of joy in their eyes because they would finally be able to visit family and friends that they hadn’t seen in over a year.

When he is not working, Eric loves to go to the movies, travel, exercise and spend time with his wife, Starr watching his son, Sawyer, play sports.

He has a love for history, especially U.S. and NYC History.  He is an avid reader and a regular at the New York Blood Center donating much needed blood and platelets.

When asked what the best part and most challenging part of his job was, Eric stated, “The best part of working in the CDU is when former patients visit or call us to say they turned their life around.  They thank our staff and attribute our care for being a big part of their recovery. That type of affirmation makes me work even much harder for the patient who is struggling with breaking the chain of relapse that can often happen with Addiction”

For these, and so many other reasons, Eric Fernandez is Flushing Hospital’s July Employee Spotlight.  Congratulations!

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.