Health Archives - Page 29 of 92

March is National Kidney Month

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to give their kidneys a well-deserved checkup.

The kidneys are two, fist-sized organs in your lower back. They maintain overall health by serving following functions:

Filtering waste out of 200 liters of blood each day
Regulating of the body’s salt, potassium and acid content
Removing toxins from the body.
Balancing the body’s fluids
Releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure
Producing an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
Controlling the production of red blood cells

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control, some quick facts on Kidney Disease are:

Kidney disease is the 9^thleading cause of death in the country.
More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.
There are over 95,000 people waiting for kidney transplants.
Currently, more than 590,000 people have kidney failure in the U.S. today.

Often times, kidney failure can be prevented or delayed through early detection and proper treatment of underlying disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can slow additional damage to the kidneys.

If you are 18 years or older with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or a family history of kidney disease, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask that you be screened for kidney disease.

If you would like to make an appointment to have your Kidney’s checked, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486 for an appointment.

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 Chili Day

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Today is National Chili Day and we would like to share with you a vegetarian version of this classic meal.

The ingredients that you will need:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
½ teaspoon salt, divided
4 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large can ( 28 ounces ) diced tomatoes with their juices
2 cans ( 15 ounces ) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can ( 15 ounces ) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups vegetable broth or water
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 to 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar or lime juice
Garnishes: chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, tortilla chips, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese

In a large heavy-bottomed pot over a medium heat warm the olive oil until it simmers

Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery and ¼ teaspoon of salt

Stir to combine to combine and then stir occasionally for about 7 – 10 minutes

Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano

Cook for about a minute

Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, the rained black beans and pinto beans, vegetable broth and bay leaf. Stir to combine and let mixture simmer for about 30 minutes.

Remove chili from the heat and take out the bay leaf. For the best texture and flavor, transfer 1 ½ cups of the chili to a blender. Blend until smooth watch out for hot steam. Pour the blended mixture back the pot.

Add the chopped cilantro, stir to combine and them mix in the vinegar. Add salt to taste.

Serve by placing the mixture into individual bowls and server with garnishes of your choice.

Total time to prepare 1 hour.

Serves 4 – 6 people.

Enjoy !

Employee Spotlight – Gabrielle Medina

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s February Employee Spotlight shines on Patient Navigator, Gabrielle Medina. Ms. Medina is being recognized for her tireless efforts to register fellow employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Gabrielle Medina registered more than 1000 hospital employees and their eligible family members. Her efforts did not go unnoticed by our hospital administrators and her colleagues. Throughout the entire time, she remained calm, courteous and professional. For these and so many other reasons, Gabrielle Medina is our February Employee Spotlight.

Understanding Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that affects digestion due to an inability to break down food properly. This occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough of the enzymes needed to break down and absorb nutrients.

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions in your body. The enzymes made by your pancreas move into your small intestine, where they help break down the food you eat. When you have EPI, you don’t get the nutrition you need because your body can’t absorb fats and and minerals from foods.

Some of the causes of EPI can include:

Chronic pancreatitis – A condition marked by frequent inflammation of the pancreas
Previous surgery of your pancreas, stomach, or intestines.
Existence of other conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, celiac disease, Cystic fibrosis or Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Symptoms of EPI can include:

Pain or tenderness in the belly
Bad-smelling bowel movements
Diarrhea
Gas
Feeling full
Weight loss
Pain in your bones

Several tests can help diagnose EPI, including: blood tests to determine if you are getting enough vitamins in your diet, fecal tests to check for the amount of fat in your bowel movements and imaging tests to see if your pancreas is inflamed.

The right diet is very important for managing EPI. A dietitian can help you choose the foods that keep your energy level up and give you the nutrition you need. Some other tips include eating up to six small meals per day, avoiding alcohol, and taking vitamin supplements.

Apart from a healthy diet, the main treatment for EPI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). You take prescription pills that replace the enzymes your pancreas isn’t making. These enzymes break down your food so you can more easily digest and absorb it. You may also need to take an antacid to keep your stomach from breaking down pancreatic enzymes before they can start to work.

If you are experiencing symptms of EPI and would like to speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call our Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486

The Health Benefits of Red Wine

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Did you know that drinking red wine in moderation may be good for your health? The alcohol and antioxidants in red wine are believed to help prevent heart disease.

The difference between red wine and white wine is that red wine retains the skin of the grapes during the fermentation process and this is where the beneficial chemicals are found.

Red wine contains alcohol and a chemical called polyphenol that helps to protect the lining of the blood vessels in the heart. Reseveratol is the active ingredient in the polyphenol that acts as an antioxidant. The low content of alcohol in red wine may also protect the lining of the blood vessels by preventing blood clots, lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising the good cholesterol (HDL).

Other potential benefits of red wine include:

Improving the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract
Lowering blood pressure
Helping the body digest glucose which is important in diabetes control
Protecting vision
Preventing stroke patients from having recurrences.

Although red wine can provide benefits for heart health, it is important to drink it in moderation. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is not good for the body. For those who decide to add red wine to their diet, a moderate amount is considered to be:

For women of any age, one 5 ounce glass of wine per day
For men 65 years old or older, one 5 ounce glass of wine per day
For men up to the age of 65, two 5-ounce glasses of wine per day

One 5 ounce serving of red wine contains 125 calories, 1 gram of sugar, 4 grams of carbohydrates, and a small amount of iron, calcium, some vitamins and minerals.

Please keep in mind that there are risks in consuming alcoholic beverages. Never consume any beverage with alcohol if you have underlying health issues or take certain medications. Never drink and drive or operate any type of equipment while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

Consult with your physician if you consume alcoholic beverages on a regular or semi-regular basis to make sure that your body can tolerate it. You may schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Did You Know That Vitamins Can Help Boost Your Immunity ?

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The body’s immune system is our primary line of defense against many types of illnesses. Therefore, it is important that we provide it with the nutrients and vitamins needed to help keep it strong.

Here is a list of vitamins that are known to boost immunity, the foods in which they are found, and the benefits they provide for our health:

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant helps to fight inflammation and is found in:

Kale
Spinach
Papaya
Strawberries
Bell Peppers
Brussel sprouts

Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and is found in:

Peanuts
Sunflower seeds
Almonds
Hazel nuts
Soybean oil

Vitamin A helps to fight infections and is found in:

Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Pumpkin
Cantaloupe
Dark green leafy vegetables

Vitamin D helps the body to absorb and regulate calcium and phosphorous and is found in:

Salmon
Tuna
Mackerel
Sardines
Milk

Vitamin B6 helps the body perform biochemical reactions and is found in:

Salmon
Tuna
Chicken

While it always best to get your vitamins from the foods that you eat, taking vitamin supplements can also be very effective.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center to discuss your nutrition, please call 718-670-5487.

How Long Can I Wear The Same Mask?

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Nowadays, one of the more frequently asked questions is, “How long can I wear the same mask?”

The answer to that question varies depending on the type of mask you are wearing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the best practices for cleansing the more commonly used masks are as follows:

Cloth cotton – Wash you cloth mask whenever it gets dirty or at least daily in warm soapy water or in your washing machine.
Non-medical disposable – Single use masks should be thrown away after one wearing.
Face shields and goggles – Clean and disinfect reusable face shields according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If disposable, wear it once and discard it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

To learn more about these and other types of masks and how to care for them, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html

Big Game Safety Tips

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Like so many other events over the past 12 months, this year’s Super Bowl celebrations will be different from previous ones. The “Big Game” is typically one of the largest social events of the year, but because of the COVID pandemic, large gatherings are strongly discouraged.

The fact that we are unable to get together the way we normally would doesn’t mean we still can’t have a fun experience.

One way to enjoy the game with extended friends and family is to host a virtual event. This is considered the safest way to celebrate the Super Bowl. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the ways to make a virtual event fun include:

Wear clothing or decorate your home with your favorite team’s logo or colors.
Make appetizers or snacks with the people you live with to enjoy while watching the game and share the recipes with your friends and family.
Start a text group with other fans to chat about the game while watching.

Another option is to use a projector screen to host an outdoor viewing event. While not as safe as a virtual event, getting together outdoors is considered less risky than an indoor event.

Normal behavior at Super Bowl gatherings include a lot of shouting, cheering and laughing. When this occurs outdoors, the tiny droplets of saliva that come out of our mouths is better dispersed into the environment and become more diluted, making the risk of infection less likely.

When hosting an outdoor party, some safety tips include spacing guests six feet apart and encouraging everyone bring their own snacks.

Like holiday gathering, Super Bowl parties can be super-spreader events. Following these suggestions will help control the spread of COVID and save lives.

Employee Spotlight – Anthony Di Preta

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Joann Ariola

January’s Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) Employee Spotlight shines Security Officer Anthony Di Preta. Anthony has been a security officer for the past 12 years and is tasked with securing the hospital premises, directing visitor traffic, observing and reporting suspicious activity, checking for property damage, monitoring the hospitals closed circuit TV (CCTV), and checking that the proper hospital identification is being displayed on each employee.

When not at work, Anthony enjoys watching movies, playing pool and fixing model cars. He is active in his local chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

“The most rewarding part of my job is making people happy and helping people. The most challenging part of my job is diffusing possible volatile situations.

Congratulations Anthony Di Preta on being featured on FHMC’S Employee Spotlight!

This Month’s Home Exercise Tips

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

This month’s home work out tip is very simple. All exercise routines, whether performed at home or in a gym should include the following elements:

Warm-up
Cardiovascular workout
Strength building
Movement to help flexibility
Cooling off period

It is always important to get the body ready for exercise by warming up. It is just as important to help the body recover by cooling down. Cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercises help us to target all the major muscle groups in our bodies, and improve our overall level fitness.