Cancers Linked to HPV

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 types of viruses, some of which are sexually transmitted. It can affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. In the United States, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection.

HPV can be categorized as non-cancer causing and cancer causing. Two variants of human papillomavirus, HPV16, and HPV18 are the ones most commonly associated with cancer. HPV is responsible for 3% of all cancers in women and 2% of all cancers in men according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can take many years after becoming infected with cancer causing HPV, for cancer to potentially develop. People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, the cancers that are most commonly associated with HPV and their incidence, include:

Cervical cancer – almost all are caused by HPV
Oropharyngeal cancer – approximately 70 % caused by HPV
Anal cancer – approximately 90 % are caused by HPV
Penile cancer – approximately 60% are caused by HPV
Vaginal cancer – approximately 75% are caused by HPV
Vulvar cancer – approximately 70% are caused by HPV

The HPV vaccine offers protection from most cancers related to HPV. It is recommended for children of both genders between the ages of 11 and 12. Speak to your physician if you would like to get tested for HPV, or to discuss getting the HPV vaccine. 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.

Springtime Recipe of Spaghetti with Shrimp and Lemon

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

A beautiful, spring evening calls for a light, easy to prepare, lemon spaghetti and shrimp dish to enjoy. Here is a recipe from the Food Network that we recommend. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lemon-spaghetti-with-shrimp-3612569

Hair Loss

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The loss of hair (known scientifically as alopecia) can occur on any part of the body. It can be permanent or temporary. It may be a normal part of the aging process or due to a medical condition.

A person typically loses 50 – 100 hairs a day. Under normal circumstances this isn’t noticeable because these hairs are replaced at the same rate as they are lost.

The most common form of hair loss involves thinning of hair on the scalp. This is due to heredity. Men experience male-pattern baldness which is characterized by a receding hairline. While women who experience female-pattern baldness notice the loss of hair on top of the head.

Medical conditions that can cause hair loss include diabetes, thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, ringworm, immune system disorders (lupus), significant weight loss, pregnancy, menopause, trauma, stress and poor nutrition. Some medications that treat cancer, arthritis, depression, gout, and high blood pressure can also cause hair loss.

Hair loss duration depends on what is causing it. Other than hair loss due to heredity, hair loss usually resolves once the medical condition is resolved or chemical factor is removed. Hair loss due to excessive brushing, pulling hair tightly as in certain hairstyles, and using some hair dressing chemicals should resolve once those factors are reduced or eliminated as well.

Speak to your physician if you are experiencing any unexpected hair loss. If you would like to speak to a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center to discuss your hair loss call 718-670-5486 to schedule an appointment.

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member Jessica Macean, RN

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Jessica Macean, RN has been a Labor & Delivery Nurse at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for six years. She is known on the New Beginnings Unit for her big smile and ability to make people laugh.

Her coworkers on the unit are like family to her. They work well together and according to her they are the true definition of teamwork, making sure that every day their patients are well taken care of. One of Jessica’s true joys is to make the birthing experience memorable for soon to be parents. It is her favorite part of bedside nursing.

Jessica feels that working at Flushing Hospital is a real pleasure. She has learned so much through the years and enjoys teaching new nurses lessons she has attained through experience.

Springtime Allergies

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Spring is a beautiful time of year. The weather starts to improve, there are more hours of daylight, and people spend more time outdoors. It is also the time of year when flowers, grasses, weeds, and trees start to bloom and release pollen into the air.

Pollen triggers an immune reaction by releasing histamine into the blood. The immunologic or allergic reaction can manifest as sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, itchy skin, wheezing, head congestion, and watery eyes.

Diagnosing allergies can be done by either a blood test or by a skin test. The skin test involves pricking the skin with different allergens and seeing which ones cause a reaction.

Once an allergy is identified it can be treated with:

Oral antihistamines
Oral decongestants
Nasal sprays
Eye drops
Allergy shots
Nasal saline irrigation

Some suggestions for minimizing the effects of springtime allergies include:

Avoiding freshly cut grasses
Staying indoors on windy days
Keeping windows closed
Wearing a face mask outdoors
Washing your hands, hair, and clothing frequently after being outdoors
Using an air conditioner and changing the filters frequently
Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter
Keeping pets clean

If you suffer from springtime allergies, speak to your physician about getting tested and ways to treat them. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

April is National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

In 2008, April was designated National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month by the United States Congress. This designation aims to bring awareness to this disease and encourage research efforts to learn more about it.

Sarcoidosis is an auto-immune disease. It is rare, affecting approximately 2 million people worldwide. Only 250,000 people have been known to have it in the United States. sarcoidosis is often a long-term illness and is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 20-40 and more often seen in African-Americans.

Sarcoidosis can primarily affect the lungs, the lymph nodes, as well as the skin, the eyes, and other organs in the body. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, nausea, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and weight loss.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Employee Spotlight Shines On Choi Au-Yeung, RRT

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

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.

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member: Pamela Gomez, RN

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

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.

Lower Back Pain

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

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.

How Can Stress Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Stress is a common trigger for rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups, during which symptoms such as pain, swelling, and joint stiffness worsen for a temporary period of time. The factor most closely linked to the onset of flare-ups is the inflammatory response of your immune system to stress. Inflammation is the primary means by which rheumatoid arthritis damages your joints over time.

Once a flare-up has been triggered, your arthritis symptoms may contribute to the amount of stress you experience, creating a cycle that causes both issues to worsen over time and disrupts daily activities and movement.

There are certain steps you can take to manage your stress levels and reduce the frequency of your rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. These include:

Following a regular exercise routine: Regular physical exercise can be significantly helpful for both stress reduction and increased joint mobility. Your routine should include strength exercises, cardio, and stretching to improve flexibility and reduce your chances of injury.

Targeting work-related stress: Twenty-five percent of Americans report that their workplace is the number one cause of stress in their lives. Make sure to pace yourself with periodic breaks throughout your work day, take time to move around and stretch, and make a point of tackling any specific problems that are stressing you out (such as a delayed project or a dispute with a coworker) directly in a calm, reasoned way.

Talking to a doctor: If you experience symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, you should work with a rheumatologist to manage your physical symptoms and find the most effective treatment approach for you. Additionally, if you experience chronic stress, you should work with a psychiatrist to determine the root causes and the best way to approach them.

You can schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. You can also find a psychiatrist at our Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.