What Is “Power Peeing” and How Does It Affect Pelvic Floor Health?

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

The term “power peeing” is used to describe the habit of forcefully pushing or bearing down on the abdominal muscles to urinate faster; doing this can contribute to a host of health problems.

Straining our abdominal muscles to expel urine faster is a common practice, often done when we are rushing. While power peeing appears to speed up the process and save us some time, it can do more harm than good. Habitually forcing out our urine can:

Weaken pelvic floor muscles
Lead to pelvic floor dysfunction
Lead to incomplete bladder emptying
Lead to incontinence
Lead to urinary leakage
Lead to constipation
Increase prolapse risk
Increase UTI risk

To avoid these problems, it is advisable to relax our pelvic muscles when urinating and let the urine flow. Here are some tips to help you do this:

Don’t hover over the toilet seat
Sit fully on the toilet seat with both feet on the floor and lean slightly forward.
Take a deep breath and relax the pelvic muscles
Breathe normally with full inhalation and slow exhalation
Allow urine to flow and the bladder to empty naturally without pushing
Practice double voiding (taking the time to pee twice to ensure your bladder is completely empty)

Practicing the proper urination technique is important because it can help promote good pelvic floor and bladder health.

If you are experiencing incontinence or bladder health issues, a urologist can help. To schedule an appointment with a doctor 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.

Does Nasal Irrigation Effectively Fight the Common Cold?

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The winter season is approaching quickly, and with it comes the cold season. When we come down with a cold, we try different methods to relieve our cold symptoms.

However, using a simple saline or saltwater solution can help reduce the duration of these symptoms.

A pilot study done in 2019 found that flushing your nose with a 3% saline solution, which is higher than the standard 0.9% concentration, can reduce cold symptoms in almost two days.

Additionally, researchers say that saline nasal drops may help reduce transmission rates of cold viruses.

In the same 2019 study, 93% of participants said the 3% saline solution made a difference in their symptoms, and 61% said they would use it again during another cold.

Most people may catch a cold two or three times each year, as the cold virus spreads easily via contaminated droplets. Saline solution is an affordable, easy-to-use treatment that may help slow down the spread of the cold virus between family members.

Saline nasal drops may also help to clear up a runny nose. The solution may help reduce viral load, the amount of the virus in a person’s system, by flushing out the nasal passages.

Saline nasal drops help flush out mucous and inflammatory mediators, which are chemical messengers that play a crucial role in initiating and regulating the body’s inflammatory response. This can improve cold symptoms and give the immune system a better chance to fight the infection.

When you are looking to buy saline nasal drops or sprays, it is important to look for a saline percentage or the words “hypertonic” or “extra-strength” on the label. Many brands of saline solutions sell 3% hypertonic nasal spray, but it is important to read the labels carefully to confirm the product does not contain other added medications.

You can also make a saline solution at home with salt, baking soda, and water. It is important to only use distilled or boiled and cooled tap water when preparing the solution, as the quality of tap water varies, and there may be things such as bugs and germs present.

To make the saline solution, combine three tablespoons of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. Avoid any salts that contain iodine, preservatives, or anti-caking agents because these can irritate your nose. Put one teaspoon of the salt-baking soda mixture into eight ounces of distilled or boiled water. Baking soda helps reduce irritation; however, you may still experience some irritation in the nose or throat after using the saline solution.

Although hypertonic nasal drops or sprays could be prepared correctly, they can still irritate the nose and throat. Some people may even experience a temporary burning sensation. Use the hypertonic saline solution as tolerated. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about alternative cold remedies if the saline solution doesn’t work well for you and if your cold symptoms persist or get worse.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a cold, you can receive treatment from a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Dealing with Depression During the Holiday Season

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The holidays are a time when we spend joyous and happy moments with friends and family. However, for some, the holidays can bring a lot of sadness, loneliness, and even depression. This is called holiday depression.

Holiday depression can feel a lot like regular depression; however, it is triggered by the onset of the holidays, large family gatherings, and attending or hosting social events. Holiday depression is like the “winter blues”, but it may come and go in quick bursts as one event ends and another begins, or it can linger for days or weeks leading up to and beyond the holiday season.

Holiday depression can disrupt relationships, mental health, and the ability to manage everything that comes with the holiday season.

Holiday depression can affect anyone at any time, and it can be hard on a person’s mental health, as it can be triggered by various things, including:

Stressful schedules

Putting pressure on yourself

Separation from loved ones

Loneliness

Family dynamics

Seasonal depression

Social anxiety

Holiday trauma

There are several signs of holiday depression. They can include:

Feeling depressed and hopeless for more days than not

Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

Constantly feeling anxious, nervous, or on edge

Trouble sleeping over an extended time

Intrusive thoughts that are difficult to manage on your own

Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Holiday depression can feel daunting as you navigate the season. However, there are many ways to cope with and find support and emotional stability that can help you get through this difficult time of year. They include:

Remembering a loved one

Setting boundaries

Staying connected with friends and family

Limiting social media use

Sharing happy memories

Setting realistic expectations for the holidays

Taking care of yourself

Seeking support and help

If you are having harmful thoughts, such as thoughts about suicide, or believe you are experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 through phone, chat, or text, go to the hospital, or call your local 911 hotline and your doctor right away to get the help you need.

No one should face their mental health challenges alone. To learn more about our outpatient mental health services at Flushing Hospital Medical Center or to schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.

New Norovirus Variant

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Norovirus cases are rising as a new variant of the virus is spreading across the U.S., with 153 outbreaks being reported between August and November so far. This is compared to 235 outbreaks reported during this same period last year. This is due to a mutated variant of the virus called GII.17.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. It is very common and highly contagious. Norovirus outbreaks occur most often between November and April in countries above the equator and between April and September in countries below the equator.

There are several symptoms of norovirus, including:

· Nausea

· Stomach pain

· Headache

· Fever

· Body aches

Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus and last one to three days. Norovirus symptoms are generally the same in both adults and children. Adults may experience more diarrhea than children, and children may vomit more than adults.

A virus in the Caliciviridae family causes norovirus. When the virus enters your body, it causes your stomach and intestines to swell or become inflamed. This is called gastroenteritis, which leads to norovirus symptoms.

There are many ways to contract the norovirus infection, including:

· Through close contact with someone who has the virus

· Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth or nose

· Eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages

Norovirus is the biggest cause of illness from contaminated food in the U.S. The virus typically spreads when someone who has the virus touches food before serving it to someone else. Sometimes, certain foods such as oysters and other seafood are naturally contaminated with norovirus.

A healthcare provider can diagnose norovirus after learning about your symptoms. Testing isn’t usually necessary; however, testing may be done if you have an underlying medical condition that affects the performance of your immune system and your ability to fight infections. A healthcare provider may ask for a stool sample that they will test to confirm your diagnosis.

There isn’t a cure for the norovirus. Treatment for the infection focuses on relieving symptoms, which will go away in one to three days. You can manage the symptoms of norovirus by:

· Drinking plenty of fluids, especially those rich in electrolytes

· Getting a lot of rest

· Eating soft, bland foods

The norovirus is extremely difficult to kill as it can’t easily be washed away and can survive temperatures up to 145°F. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands vigorously with soap, cleaning any infected areas with diluted bleach, and washing infected clothes with hot water and detergent. The CDC also recommends wearing gloves and throwing them out after cleaning, which adds to your protection.

There are also many precautions you can take to reduce the risk of getting norovirus, including:

· Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them

· Cooking your food thoroughly (especially seafood or shellfish) or to an appropriate temperature

· Avoiding contact with people who are infected with norovirus

Please note that using hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus particles as effectively as washing your hands with soap and water. If you are infected with norovirus, you shouldn’t prepare food or care for others, as you can spread the infection.

If you experience vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms of norovirus, schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center as soon as possible by calling (718) 670-5486.

How Long Should You Keep Thanksgiving Leftovers?

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

It is the day after Thanksgiving, and the refrigerator is full of leftovers. It is important to know how long these leftovers should actually last to avoid foodborne illnesses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Safety and Inspection Service recommends throwing out refrigerated leftovers after three to four days. If certain foods are kept in the freezer, they can still be eaten for three to four months after Thanksgiving.

It is important to properly store and refrigerate all leftovers within two hours at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. To store them, pack the leftovers into small containers and resealable plastic bags. Storing food in smaller portions makes it easier and more convenient for them to be used when taken straight from the freezer. Using freezer or storage-specific plastic bags and plastic wrap helps prevent freezer burn because they are thicker than normal bags. Push out as much air as possible to limit exposure to the surface of the food, which also helps prevent freezer burn.

Throw away any food that doesn’t keep well in the refrigerator, such as salads, which can become soggy and wilted. Greens such as kale and cabbage can last for up to three days.

Remove any stuffing from inside the turkey and store it separately in airtight containers. Stuffing can last up to four days in the refrigerator and two to three months in the freezer.

When storing leftover turkey, cut the turkey into smaller pieces and store them separately in small airtight containers. Turkey can last for four days in the fridge and four months in the freezer.

Gravy can last for four days in the fridge and up to four months in the freezer. When reheating the gravy, add it to a saucepan and cover it with a lid, and bring it to a rolling boil.

Homemade cranberry sauce can stay good for a week to 10 days in the fridge. Canned cranberry sauce can be kept for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. It is not recommended to freeze cranberry sauce.

Potatoes and yams can be stored in the refrigerator for four days and up to two months in the freezer.

Desserts such as fruit pies can be kept at room temperature for two days. After two days, they can be stored in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for two more days.

It is important to note that you should always reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as it destroys most foodborne pathogens, preventing you from developing food poisoning.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Healthy Holiday Recipe: Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and as we’re preparing to have dinner with the turkey as the star of the show, the sides we have along with the turkey help make it a complete meal. Sweet potatoes are often a common side dish.

Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and vitamins A and C. Adding honey to your sweet potatoes adds natural sweetness with trace antioxidants, making this a nutritious and satisfying side.

Here is a recipe for honey-roasted sweet potatoes that will help elevate your Thanksgiving Day meal.

These sweet potatoes are lightly roasted with honey for a perfect balance of sweetness and caramelization.

Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe | Ellie Krieger | Food Network

Employee Spotlight Shines on Roxanne Campbell

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Roxanne Campbell, MSN, RN-BC, Case Management Supervisor who has been employed at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for one year.

Roxanne was born in Jamaica, West Indies and moved with her family to Brooklyn when she was two years old. She currently resides with her family in Springfield Gardens, Queens. Roxanne attended the David Grayson Christian Academy. She completed her undergraduate studies at the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Education at Stony Brook University.

Roxanne has a son who is 11 years old with whom she enjoys doing a lot of fun activities. They enjoy going to amusement parks, zoos, and museums. In her free time, she likes to go go-karting, take walks in the park, play video games, read novels, horror books and autobiographies and watch documentaries. Roxanne enjoys movies that are action films, thrillers and comedies. She enjoys many types of food especially Jamaican, Chinese and Thai, and also loves to cook, especially oxtail, curry goat and fish. Her taste in music includes 90’s R& B, Jazz and reggae. Roxanne likes to watch basketball, soccer and football. Her favorite places to visit are Florida theme parks, places with beaches and Jamaica.

Roxanne strives to make the treatment and care that she provides to her patients unforgettable positive experiences. She enjoys working at Flushing Hospital because of the wonderful people she works with in the Case Management and Social work department. The team at Flushing Hospital feels like a family to her. We are very happy to have Roxanne as a member of our staff and look forward to her continuing to work with us for many years into the future.

From Preconception to Menopause

Posted on November 21, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Whether considering starting a family or experiencing menopause, a woman must understand the best ways to navigate through each phase of life.

Each phase of a woman’s life requires specific care as her body and healthcare needs evolve. A committed healthcare provider can help guide a woman through the care they needs from preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and beyond.

Preconception healthcare is the care a woman receives before she becomes pregnant. It is recommended for a woman to receive preconception healthcare. This may help address issues linked to heavy bleeding and extremely painful periods that are caused by conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids. After this diagnosis, a healthcare provider may create care plans to protect fertility.

To prepare for preconception healthcare, you will have to:

Learn about your family history, as many conditions are hereditary or genetic

Stop smoking, drinking alcohol, and using certain drugs

Avoid toxic substances and environmental contaminants

Reach and maintain a healthy weight

Get mentally healthy

Prenatal healthcare is the medical care a woman receives during their pregnancy. At each prenatal visit, their healthcare provider will check the health of the mother and their baby.

To prepare for prenatal care, you will have to:

Schedule your first prenatal care checkup as soon as you think you are pregnant

Work with your healthcare provider to get the essential prenatal tests scheduled, such as screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases, such as congenital syphilis, occur when a mother passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy. Transmission of this disease has increased by 15% since 2019 and 254% since 2016

Postpartum healthcare is the time after a woman has delivered their baby, and their body slowly returns to its nonpregnant state. In addition to physical changes and medical issues that may occur during this period, healthcare providers should be aware of the mental and psychological needs of the postpartum mother.

To prepare for postpartum healthcare, you should:

Listen closely to your body, so you will know if anything feels wrong

Advocate and/or speak up for yourself. If you are feeling unwell, you shouldn’t hesitate to be consistent with your communication with your physician

Educate yourself on postpartum complications so you will know if anything feels wrong

Menopause is the time that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. It can happen in a woman’s 40s or 50s; however, in the U.S., the average age a woman starts to experience menopause is at 51 years old.

To prepare for care during the menopausal stage, you should:

Take care of your bones as bone density begins to decline after menopause due to the loss of bone-protective estrogen. Taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement of 1,000 IUs is recommended

Be mindful of your weight, as your metabolism will slow down as menopause approaches. This can make gaining weight more probable and losing it more difficult. It is important to maintain a healthy weight because it helps protect your bones, as constant weight gain and weight loss can put stress on them

Do exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, such as Kegels, which can help prevent the sudden and frequent urge to urinate, and the occasional leakage of urine, called urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence can become common during perimenopause for some women and can get progressively worse as changes in the vaginal tissue, urethra, and pelvic floor occur

Take care of your heart’s health. Research shows that controlling whatever risk factors you can before the onset of menopause can ensure a healthy heart after menopause

If you are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant, are postpartum, or are going through menopause, it is important to prepare for each stage as much as you can.

Flushing Hospital’s Women’s Health Center offers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, and culturally sensitive care. Our services are provided by a highly skilled team of the best OBGYNs in Queens who specialize in all aspects of women’s health. For more information about gynecological services at FHMC’s Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, call us at (718) 670-5562.

Meet Our Doctors- Dr. Megan Deyarmond

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Megan Deyarmond, the newest member of the obstetrics and gynecology team at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Deyarmond was born and raised in Colorado, where she attended the University of Denver for her undergraduate degree. She then moved to Washington, D.C., where she attended Georgetown University School of Medicine for her medical degree, and later completed her residency at Inova Fairfax Medical Center in nearby Virginia.

Dr. Deyarmond always wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but as a veterinarian. It wasn’t until she was 10 years old that her grandfather, who was not a physician but knew she had an interest in medicine, started to expose her to the work that Doctors Without Borders was doing. This exposure made her want to work with the organization someday and prompted her to change her career plan from veterinary medicine to human medicine. “I have since had an interest in global health and addressing the barriers to care that exist in the healthcare system. I love the human aspect of medicine and feel like each interaction with providers, staff, patients, etc. presents such a unique opportunity to connect and learn”, she explained. This thought process is why she chose obstetrics and gynecology as her specialty. “I felt that OBGYN had the best mix of continuity of patient care, surgical experiences, etc. I also like the fact that you have the opportunity to follow a patient throughout different periods of their life”, she added. As an OBGYN, Dr. Deyarmond helps her patients with preconception counseling, pregnancy, routine gynecological care, contraception, and treats conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding.

Although she wasn’t born or raised in Queens, Dr. Deyarmond and her partner always planned to eventually move to New York because of the diversity of individuals, ideas, and cultures that exist here, especially in Queens, more than anywhere else. “When I was interviewing for jobs, I was looking for a place where the emphasis was on providing equitable, quality care that meets individual patient needs, understanding that every patient comes from a different background and situation. I wanted a place where the diversity of the community was celebrated and where every effort was made to ensure that each patient has a positive and supportive interaction with the healthcare system”, she said. This sentiment is what drew her to the community, specifically Flushing Hospital. She is excited to join the Flushing Hospital team and practice in the community and work with patients from diverse backgrounds, and learn how to best support them as they navigate the healthcare system.

Flushing Hospital’s emphasis on providing the highest quality of care to all patients is important to Dr. Deyarmond. “I think providing the highest quality of care comes from really getting to know the people in the community and understanding what is important to them when interacting with healthcare providers (e.g., what makes them feel more comfortable and supported). Dr. Deyarmond hopes to be a provider who listens to and learns from patients and the community regarding how to not only treat their medical needs, but also to understand how to support them in navigating and engaging with the healthcare system.

National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

November is observed as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. This month recognizes the importance of understanding what Alzheimer’s is and what steps you can take to care for your brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by sex and family history.

Dementia is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms like memory loss and the loss of other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, caused by physical changes in the brain.

Different types of dementia include:

Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease

Frontotemporal Dementia

Huntington’s Disease

Korsakoff Syndrome

There are many signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. They include:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Difficulty completing familiar tasks

Confusion with time and place

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

New problems with words in speaking or writing

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

Decreased or poor judgment

Withdrawal from work or social activities

Changes in mood and personality

Even though there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other types of dementia, there are many preventative measures you can follow to care for your brain, including:

Breaking a sweat: regular cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Eating healthy: eating a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, such as the Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, may help reduce the risk.

Catching some ZZZs: Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.

Taking care of your mental health: Some studies have linked a history of depression with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Seek medical treatment if you have experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.

Stumping yourself: Challenge and activate your mind. Try building a piece of furniture, completing a jigsaw puzzle, doing something artistic, or playing a strategy game. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.