Rotator Cuff Injuries

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

The rotator cuff is located in the shoulder and is made up of a group of muscles and tendons that serve to keep the upper arm bone firmly attached into the shoulder socket.

Injuries to the rotator cuff are typically associated with repetitive movement that requires overhead motion of the shoulder. People who are susceptible to rotator cuff injuries are baseball pitchers, painters, tennis players, construction workers and seniors. There also may be a family history factor that can make a person susceptible to this type of injury.

Rotator cuff injuries can be divided into three categories. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder caused by overuse. Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid filled sacs that are located between the bone and the tendons. Strains and tears of the rotator cuff are caused by an overstretching of the tendons that attach the muscles to the bone.

Signs and symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include:

A dull ache in the shoulder
Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
Arm weakness
Difficulty reaching behind the back
A popping sound when moving the shoulder
Limited range of shoulder motion

One way to prevent a rotator cuff injury is to do stretching exercises every day to keep the muscles and tendons in good condition.

Diagnosing a rotator cuff injury involves a thorough history and physical exam ,an x-ray to see if there is a bone problem or either an ultrasound or MRI.

Failure to treat a rotator cuff injury could eventually lead to loss of mobility in the shoulder and degeneration of the shoulder joint. Treatment of a rotator cuff injury depends on the severity and nature of the problem. Short term use of an over the counter anti-inflammatory may help the symptoms. If the problem is caused by repetitive movement over a period of time, physical therapy which includes either applying heat or ice to the area and strengthening exercises may be one way to help the symptoms. A cortisone injection to the area will help to reduce the inflammation and usually that will help reduce the discomfort too. However, if there is a tear of a tendon, surgery may be required.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with an orthopedist 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.

CONSTIPATION

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Joann Ariola

According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic constipation is defined as, “Infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer.”

To most, occasional constipation is quite common. However, chronic constipation is a condition that may interfere with a person’s capacity to go about their day to day routine. Many chronic constipation sufferers have less than three bowel movements per week, hard, lumpy stools and difficulty passing their stool.

There are many health conditions that can lead to chronic constipation such as:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Pregnancy
Colon cancer
Parkinson’s Disease
Underactive thyroid
Eating disorders

Additional causes for chronic constipation are:

Changes to your diet
Lack of water or fiber in your diet
Consuming an overload of dairy products
Not exercising enough
Ignoring an urge to move your bowels
Stress
Overuse of laxatives
Medication (i.e. iron supplements)

There are several measures you can take to help with constipation such as, increasing the fiber and fluids in your diet. If you have prolonged constipation or experience unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel movements please make an appointment with a doctor. If you’d like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center call 718-670-5486.

Compulsive Disorders

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Compulsive disorders are characterized by behaviors that are performed repeatedly and of which there is a lack in the ability to control them.

A person who exhibits signs of compulsive behaviors has often undergone some kind of stressful event, abuse or trauma. Some experts believe there may be a genetic component associated with why people are compulsive.

Some of the more common compulsions that people exhibit are eating, hoarding, symmetry, shopping, gambling, exercising and talking. Compulsions very often have themes that include: • Counting • Orderliness • Demanding reassurances • Following a strict routine • Checking and rechecking • Washing and cleaning

The repetitive behaviors are thought to be performed as a way of relieving stress or anxiety. When these behaviors become extreme, they can rule a person’s life. Trying to ignore the obsessions can increase distress and anxiety.

The treatment for compulsive disorders is based on severity and can include cognitive behavioral therapy, the administration of selective serotonin reuptake therapy, or a combination of both. There are rating scales that will help determine the severity of the disorder, one being the “Brief Obsessive-Compulsive Scale” and the other being “Evidence-Based Brief Obsessive Scale”.

If you would like to discuss your condition with a mental health professional at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Employee Spotlight – Nancy DeLano-Tomczyk

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Joann Ariola

This month the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC) Employee Spotlight shines on Nancy DeLano-Tomczyk.

Nancy has been a Flushing Hospital Medical Center employee since 1988, and has held many titles including Out Patient Billing Clerk, Payroll Clerk, Payroll Supervisor and currently, Payroll Manager.

Nancy is tasked with keeping updated payroll records by reviewing and approving changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, as well as job titles and department transfers. She is directly responsible for overseeing the hospitals payroll, in other words, she’s the person who makes sure FHMC employees are paid!

Outside of her regular job duties, Nancy, is active in a number of hospital events. She is a Fit Bit Challenge team member and Co-Chair of the FHMC Celebration committee. On any given day, you will see Nancy collecting donations for Making Strides Pacesetter and fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness, as well as volunteering at the MediSys Annual Golf Outing and participating in the FHMC Halloween Costume Contest; a contest that she has won several times.

Nancy’s greatest loves are her two sons Joseph, 27 and Kevin 24, as well as her beautiful granddaughter, Julianna who she refers to as her “Partner in Crime.” She spends her free time listening to music, journaling and traveling. She loves to try new restaurants, go to the movies, Broadway plays, and sifting through garage sales.

Although her job is rewarding, there are challenges. One challenge is coordinating all the departments to make the deadline when submitting their payroll.

In closing, Nancy shared, “I can honestly say that I never wake up thinking I don’t want to go to work. I truly enjoy my job and the amazing people I work with. I consider everyone at Flushing Hospital Medical Center my family.”

Benefits of Grandparents Who Help Raise Grandchildren

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Studies have shown that raising grandchildren can be mutually beneficial. Grandparents provide a stable, safe, loving and fun environment for their grandchildren and the closeness between grandchildren and grandparents may keep older adults sharp, ward off depression, boost social connections, and solidify an important family relationship.

Some positive results of grandparents caring for their grandchildren are:

Peace of mind – Parents know that their children are with those who love them and are giving them the time an attention their parents can’t while at work.
Financial – Childcare is expensive. Parents may be able to save in lieu of paying the high cost of childcare.
Flexibility – If the parents are called in to work on an off day, grandparents are generally ready, willing and able to take on whatever was planned for that day.
Health – Many grandparents feel that their grandchildren keep them fit and to a grandchild no one can fix a cut or scrape better than a grandparent.
Wisdom – Grandparents can impart great wisdom to your child in a way that is much more absorbable than if a parent tries to impart that same wisdom.

Having grandparents help raise your children is a mostly “pro” scenario, but no situation is a perfect one. Always have a childcare plan “B” in place in case Grandma and Grandpa need a day off.

National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Thursday October 11^th has been designated as National Depression Screening Day, an annual event held during Mental Illness Awareness Week. This event was started 28 years ago as an effort to provide people with mental health education materials and resources for support services. National Depression Screening Day was also created with the hope of removing the stigma from mental illness.

This year the focus of the observation is to have people reach out to their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who might benefit from information on this condition and to avail themselves to the many opportunities to receive a free screening, either in person or online. It is estimated that worldwide there are 350 million people that suffer from depression.

The World Health Organization states that early recognition and treatment of the disease offers the best opportunity for successful outcomes. If depression is left untreated it can lead to suicide.

Depression screenings help to distinguish between short term feelings of sadness and stress due to transient life episodes, and more severe symptoms that can go on for months and years. The tests usually last between two to five minutes and the scores will indicate whether a further evaluation by a mental health professional is needed. It is important for people to know that help is available.

To schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Department of Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5562.

Astigmatism

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

The eyeball is supposed to be perfectly round, but when it isn’t, it is called astigmatism. The condition is due to an improper curvature of the cornea, which is the front of the eye, or the lens, which is found inside the eye. When either or both of these structures isn’t correctly shaped, light passing through the eye onto the cornea at the back of the eye, will not produce a sharp image.

Astigmatism is a fairly common disorder. Many people are born with it, but it can also be caused by an injury to the eye, an eye disease, or after eye surgery. A thorough eye exam performed by an eye doctor will be able to diagnose if it is present and how severe it is.

Symptoms of astigmatism include:

Eyestrain
Headaches
Blurry vision
Frequent squinting

Astigmatism is treated by prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. If you would like to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Joann Ariola

Skip the pricey lattes and try this lower calorie, heart healthy Pumpkin Spice Smoothie recipe courtesy of the .

Ingredients

1/2 cup canned pumpkin, (not pie filling)
1/3 cup fat-free, plain yogurt
1/3 cup skim milk
2 Tbsp. rolled oats
2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3-4 ice cubes

Directions

Into a blender, add pumpkin, yogurt, milk, oats, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth and frothy, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve.

Additional Tips

Cooking Tip: Keeping the can of pumpkin in the fridge before using isn’t necessary, but helps make a colder smoothie.

Keep it Healthy: Make sure to buy 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling or mix, which looks similar but can have added sugar.

Tip: Plain nonfat Greek yogurt, which has more of a tangy taste as well as more protein, can be substituted for the light plain yogurt.

September is Healthy Aging Month

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Healthy Aging Month is an annual observation created to bring awareness to the fact that there is an increase in the number of people who are 45 and older living in the United States.

There are over 76 million people, once considered to be part of the Baby-Boom generation, in the U.S. today who are over the age of 50. In addition to that, people who belong to the Generation-X started to turn 50 in the year 2015.

This segment of the population needs to be mindful of the importance of their social, mental, physical and financial well-being.

Tips for staying healthy after the age of 50 include:

Keeping active
If you smoke – quitting now
Remaining socially engaged
Staying positive
Finding things to do that make you smile
Getting regular medical check-ups
Eating healthy
Exercising regularly
Seeking help for mental health issues

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss your medical concerns, please call 718-670-5486.

National School Backpack Safety Monthy

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

September is National School Backpack Safety Month and Flushing Hospital Medical Center is sharing information on how you can help your child avoid the pain and injury that is associated with carrying heavy backpacks. These simple tips can help protect your child from having chronic back pain throughout their lives.

Backpacks are essential back-to- school items for kids. They come in different colors, sizes and shapes and most importantly they help children to carry their belongings. Backpacks are preferred by many in comparison to shoulder bags because when worn correctly, they evenly distribute weight across the body. However, if worn incorrectly they can cause back pain or injuries and eventually lead to poor posture.

To prevent problems associated with improper backpack use, parents should first purchase a backpack that has the following features:

Lightweight
Wide and padded straps
Multiple compartments
Padded back
Waist belt
Correct size (A backpack should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso).

Practicing these safety tips will further reduce the chance of back pain or injuries caused by backpacks:

When packing, heavier items should be placed to the back and center of the backpack. Lighter items should be in front. Sharp objects such as scissors or pencils should be kept away from your child’s back. Utilizing different compartments can help in distributing weight.
Do not over pack. Doctors recommend that children should not carry backpacks that weigh more than 10-15% of their body weight.
Ensure that children use both straps. Using a single strap can cause muscle strain.
Adjust the straps so that the backpack fits closely to your child’s back and sits two inches above the waist. This ensures comfort and proper weight distribution.
Encourage children to use their lockers or desks throughout the day to drop off heavy books.

The Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America recommends that parents should always look for warning signs that indicate backpacks may be too heavy. If your child struggles to put on and take off the backpack, they are complaining of numbness or tingling or if there are red strap marks on their shoulders -It may be time for you to lighten their load.