The month of April has been designated as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.  This is a disease where cancer cells form in one or both testicles. The average age of detection is 33 years old.. The American Cancer Society estimates that 8,430 new cases are diagnosed each year and more than 380 men will die from the disease. It is considered to be a highly treatable disease, with an average of one death per 5,000 men.

There are a few risk factors of testicular cancer:

• Family history
• History of HIV positivity
• Races – Caucasian American males are at highest risk followed by African American males then Asian American males
• Body size – tall slender males are at higher risk
• History of an undescended testicle

The signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• A lump or swollen testicles
• Loss of sex drive
• Back pain
• Breast growth or tenderness
• Pre puberty growth of hair on face and body
• Aches in the belly or testicles

Diagnosing testicular cancer is done by performing a physical exam as well as an ultrasound to detect whether a mass is solid ( more likely to be cancerous ) or fluid filled, a blood test to detect certain proteins, a biopsy to see if there are cancerous cells present, and an MRI or Cat Scan to see if the cancer has spread.

Treatment of testicular cancer is determined based upon what is found at the time of diagnostic testing. Typically surgery to remove the affected testicle(s) as well as radiation and chemotherapy are needed.

Testicular cancer is highly treatable if caught early. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a urologist 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.

Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a range of conditions that can significantly impair behavioral, communication and social skills.

There are three different types of autism spectrum disorders; they include Classic Autism, Asperger Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Each condition differs by the severity of symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children or adults with ASD may display the following symptoms:

• Having delays in speech and language skills
• Not responding to their name by 12 months
• Avoiding eye contact or wanting to be alone
• Having difficulty understanding the feelings of others
• Displaying unusual reactions to the way things look, feel, sound or smell
• Repeating actions over and over
• Not looking at objects when other people point to them
• Repeating words or phrases in place of normal language
• Preferring not to be cuddled or cuddling only when desired
• Having trouble adapting to changes in daily activities
• Displaying behaviors such as flapping hands, spinning in circles or rocking the body

The most obvious symptoms of ASD typically emerge between two to three years of age. However, in some cases, they can be identified earlier.

There are no definitive causes of ASD but it has been discovered that there are several factors that can make a child more likely to have the disorder.  The CDC asserts the following findings:

• Most scientists agree that genes are one of the risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop ASD.
• Children who have a sibling with ASD are at a higher risk of also having ASD.
• ASD tends to occur more often in people who have certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis.
• There is some evidence that the critical period for developing ASD occurs before, during, and immediately after birth.
• Children born to older parents are at greater risk for having ASD.

Diagnosing ASD can be difficult as assessments are primarily based on behavior and development. There are two stages of diagnosis: the developmental screening and the comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

Currently, there is no cure for ASD but research shows that early intervention services and treatment can improve development in children.

April is National Autism Acceptance Month, during this time, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center hopes to promote autism awareness and acceptance through education.  The hospital proudly supports the nationwide goal of building a greater understanding and acceptance of ASD.

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.

Children, just as adults, can exhibit different ways of expressing their anger or frustration.  The difference is that adults typically have better ways of coping with and understanding these emotions.  Children, on the other hand lack the maturity to understand why they feel the way that they do.

It is not unusual for a child to experience moments of stress which can lead to anger. Children will tend to respond to these situations by “acting out “. This can be displayed by crying uncontrollably, screaming, clenching their fists, hitting or being difficult to console.

These are a variety of events that can lead a child to displaying their frustration, including:

• A new person, such as a baby, coming into the home
• Parents fighting all the time
• Starting a new school
• Moving to a new home
• Having a difficult time in school
• Being bullied
• Experiencing a trauma such as the loss of a loved one

What are some of the ways to help a child cope with their anger? Here are a few suggestions:

Children have to understand that there are certain rules and limits that they must live by. Setting a good example as an adult as to what constitutes good behavior is very important. It is also important to be consistent when setting boundaries. Rules can’t change from one situation to another and from one adult to another when dealing with a child.

Additional recommendations include:

• Rewarding good behavior.
• Keeping calm, getting angry at the already angry child can make things worse
• Trying to speak to the child away from others so that they aren’t being embarrassed in front of others
• Be reassuring to the child, tell them everything will be okay.
• If the child is old enough, allowing them to verbalize why they feel the way they do.

Some activities that a child can do to relieve stress and lessen anger include having them:

• Pop bubble wrap
• Squish playdough
• Scribble on a piece of paper than crumple it up
• Do exercises
• Rip a piece of paper

Most children will respond well to an adult who wants to help them learn how to cope with their anger. However there are some situations where professional intervention may be necessary. Speak to your pediatrician if you think your child is becoming angry too frequently or is overreacting. If you would like to make an appointment with a pediatrician 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.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center proudly serves one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse communities in the world. It is for this reason among others that we stand against racism and xenophobia of any kind.

Racism (prejudice or discrimination directed toward a person based on their race) and xenophobia (defined as fear, prejudice or hatred against people from other countries) are not only societal concerns but also public health issues.

A public health issue is identified as a problem that greatly hurts or affects the physical, mental or social health of a population. As an institution that is built on the principle of protecting and improving the health of our diverse community, Flushing Hospital joins other organizations in affirming racism and xenophobia as a serious public health crisis. Our hospital condemns violence against Asians, Pacific Islanders, and others who face discrimination or harassment based on their race or ethnicity.

If you have faced harassment or discrimination in housing, at work, or in any public place, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights by filling out our online form or by calling 212-416-0197. If you are a victim of or witness a hate crime, call 911. There is language support if you need interpretation services.

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.

The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has designated the month of April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose of this observation is to raise awareness about issues related to alcohol addiction and share helpful resources.

The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence estimates that there are 14.4 million people over the age of 18 who have alcohol abuse problems. Each year, it is estimated that there are 88,000 deaths due to alcohol abuse. Nationally, over 31 % of driving fatalities are alcohol related.

Many people afflicted with alcohol addiction often do not seek help because they are in denial of having the disease. In other instances,  addicts do reach out to family members and loved ones for support; however, they do not know how to provide the assistance that is needed.  It is important for all who are affected by alcoholism to know there are many programs available to help with this type of addiction. Information and resources can be found on The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website www.samhsa.gov.

At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, our Psychiatry Department features a Division of Addiction Services where your loved one can receive comprehensive assessments and treatment for alcohol and chemical dependency. These services are offered through our inpatient through Chemical Dependence Unit and our outpatient Reflections Treatment Program. Both services are staffed with highly skilled professionals who understand the process of treating addiction.

If you would like to speak with someone in our program, please call (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540.

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.

The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has designated the month of April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose of this is raise awareness about the dangers of alcoholism and the issues related to alcohol and to help people get help by giving them resources available to them.

Many people who are afflicted with alcohol abuse are in denial and therefore do not seek help. Often times family members and friends of people who are alcoholics don’t know how to get them help. The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence estimates that there are 14.4 million people over the age of 18 who have alcohol abuse problems. Each year it is estimated that there are 88,000 deaths due to alcohol abuse. Nationally the over 31 % of driving fatalities are alcohol related.

There are many resources that are available to help those who struggle with alcohol abuse. If you would like to speak with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5487

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.