Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

The month of November has been designated American Diabetes Awareness Month by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the United States which is ten percent of the total population. There are 86 million more people who have pre-diabetes and are at risk of developing type II diabetes during their lifetime.
There is no cure for diabetes but there are many ways for people who have been diagnosed with the disease to live long, healthy lives if it is controlled properly. Learning to live with diabetes is one of the most important components for managing the disease. Proper nutrition, regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar daily and taking medication to control diabetes are some of the ways complications can be prevented.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many complications. It is the leading cause of blindness, non traumatic amputations, kidney disease and also increases the risk for heart attacks.
During the month of November, the ADA sponsors events around the country that serve to make people aware of the risk factors and the warning signs of diabetes. For more information on events taking place, please see the American Diabetes Association’s website at www.diabetes.org. It is important to have regular medical exams to manage diabetes successfully. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital 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.

Early Onset Alzheimer’s

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Many people associate Alzheimer’s disease with older adults that are advanced in age. However, the disease can also affect people who are younger than the age of 65. When this happens, the disease is referred to as younger-onset or early onset Alzheimer’s.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s has been found to mostly affect people in their forties and fifties. Currently, experts are unsure why some people get the disease at an earlier age than others. Research does point to genetics as a contributing factor in some cases.

The symptoms and signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s may differ with each person and can include:

Personality or mood changes
Difficulty making decisions
Misplacing items on a regular basis
Frequently withdrawing from social situations
Difficulty finding the right words for specific items
Difficulty finishing a sentence
Losing track of locations, dates or times
Asking for the same information again and again
Difficulty learning new things

If you are experiencing symptoms or displaying signs of the disease on an ongoing basis, it is recommended that you consult a physician who specializes in treating Alzheimer’s. In order to diagnose the disease, the physician may complete a comprehensive medical evaluation which can include cognitive tests, brain imaging, neurological and medical exams.

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease can maximize the benefits received from treatment and may help you to maintain your independence longer. Therefore, it is highly advised that you seek the assistance of a specialist immediately.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT – DILINI “CHRISTINA” RANJANI

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Dilini “Christina” Ranjani is a familiar face to many people at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC). Christina, as she prefers to be called, has been at FHMC since she was interning in her field of Art Therapy close to 7 years ago.

During her time at FHMC, Christina Ranjani grew as a clinician by earning her MS in Addiction Counselling and an MPS in Art Therapy. She is currently a full time Art Therapist at FHMC.

A typical day for Christina begins in the areas of the hospital’s 3 north 1 Unit, the Department of Psychiatry and the Chemical Dependency Unit hosting various group sessions with patients to help them redirect their behaviors by focusing positive outlets.

When asked what she finds most challenging about her job, Christina stated, “Every job has its challenges. For me, it’s challenging to get our patients to focus because most suffer with a form of addiction and/or mental illness. It is my job to try to retrain their behavior so that it brings them to mental and physical health”

Although challenging, there are many rewards for doing the type of work that Christina does especially when she brings a patient to their mental or physical baseline with proper medication management causing them to become a productive member of society.

Christina is a proud employee who takes her job seriously. She knows that the people entrusted to her care are at a very vulnerable emotional point in their lives and they rely on her expertise, compassion and understanding of what it will take to get them healthy.

Ways to Prevent Acid Reflux

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

How many times have you eaten something you wish you had not because you ended up with a burning sensation in your chest? This is a classic symptom of acid reflux, a condition also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Acid reflux is a common condition where the symptoms typically last for a few hours. Symptoms of acid reflux are a burning sensation in the abdomen and lower esophagus. There are several things you can do to reduce the occurrence of acid reflux:
• Don’t eat a big meal before going to bed.
• Stop smoking.
• Elevate the head of your bed so that your head is higher than your abdomen.
• Avoid tight clothing that press on your abdomen.
• Reduce your consumption of alcohol.
If you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux on a regular basis you should consult with a physician who may want to perform tests to find out how serious the condition is. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Does My Breath Stink?

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis can be caused by a number of factors including health problems, smoking, certain foods and poor dental health habits. If the cause of bad breath is not the result of chronic conditions such as diabetes, sinus infections or kidney disease, then chances are there is a build-up of bacteria in the mouth that gives off gases or odors.

The best recommendation is to practice good oral hygiene. There are also a few natural remedies that can help combat bad breath, such as:

Drinking plenty of water.
Chewing a piece of lemon or orange rind.
Taking probiotics or eating foods that are rich in probiotics, such as yogurt.
Eating raw fruits and vegetables such as apples or celery.
Gargling with salt water.
Consulting a physician about colon cleansing.
Chewing a tablespoon of fennel seeds or making fennel tea.
Drinking cinnamon tea.
Chewing on fresh parsley.
Mixing apple cider vinegar with water and gargling.

Trying these natural remedies can help in keeping breath fresh; however, the best remedy is to practice good oral health by brushing and flossing teeth daily.

Organ Donor Registry Day

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Joann Ariola

New York State currently holds the second lowest number of organ donors with 26% registered compared to 50% nationwide. That’s why the state has adopted October 4, as its additional Organ Donor Registry Day.

In an effort to bolster the number of organ donors in NYS, Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s hosted a registration in their main lobby.

On hand to give their personal account of the importance of organ donation was Mary Fischer, CNA at FHMC and her daughter, Lauren Fischer, a double lung transplant recipient.

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services nearly 124,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the US. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, however 21 people still die each day waiting for an organ.

Here are a few popular myths and facts about organ donation:

Myth: Age, illness or physical defects can prevent me from becoming a donor.

Fact: A person’s medical condition is evaluated at the time of death to determine what organs and tissues are viable for donation. People living with chronic diseases or those who have a history of cancer or other serious diseases are still encouraged to join the donor registry.

Myth: If doctors know that I am registered to be an organ or tissue donor, they won’t work as hard to save my life.

Fact: The first priority of a medical professional is to save lives. Organ and tissue donation isn’t even considered or discussed until after death is declared.

Myth: My religion doesn’t support organ and tissue donation.

Fact: Most religions support organ and tissue donation. Discuss organ and tissue donation with your spiritual advisor if you have concerns on this issue.

Myth: My family will be charged for donating my organs.

Fact: Costs associated with recovering and processing organs and tissues for transplant are never passed on to the donor family.

To find out how you can register as organ, eye and/or tissue donor please visit

How Smoking Can Affect Digestion

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

Smoking can affect the body’s ability to operate properly. One of the body’s functions that smoking greatly affects is digestion.

Many organs are associated with the digestive system and they produce chemicals that aid in the breakdown of the food into nutrients and other substances that the body needs to survive. All of these organs are susceptible to changes due to the effects of smoking.

Not only can smoking elevate the risk for cancer in any of these organs but because of the body’s response to the irritants it contains, smoking can also lead to:

Heartburn
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Liver disease
Peptic ulcers
Polyps
Gallstones
Pancreatitis

Smoking can increase the production of pepsin which can harm the lining of the stomach, and it can have an effect on blood flow to the lining of the digestive tract which will inhibit healing. There is also a decrease in the amount of mucous that is produced and this will cause irritation of the lining of these organs because the protective layer is diminished.

One of the ways to prevent the effects of smoking on the digestive system is to stop smoking. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to find out which way may be best for you, please call .

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Joann Ariola

October is National Bullying Prevention Month is a nationwide campaign founded in 2006 and its mission is to reach out to communities in an effort to educate and raise awareness of bullying and the tools for prevention.

Bullying occurs when an individual or group possesses an imbalance of power, either from a physical or social status perspective, over another person or group. While bullying is prevalent among all age groups, it has become a serious cause for concern among children.

The National Bullying Prevention Center defines bullying as behavior that hurts or harms another person physically or emotionally. Those being bullied often have difficulty stopping the behavior directed at them and struggle to defend themselves.

Statistics have shown that at least 28 percent of students, ages 12-18, reported being bullied at school during the year. Additionally, 7.2 % of students admit to not going to school due to personal safety concerns. Many fear the physical and verbal aggression of their peers, and many more attend school in a state of anxiety and depression.

Many children will not tell parents they are being bullied until the situation escalates, but there a few changes in their behavior that can alert you. Signs that your child may be a victim of bullying include refusing to speak about their day at school,not wanting to go to school, unexplained marks and bruises, asking for more lunch money, complaining of frequent headaches and stomach aches,sudden loss of friends and frequent nightmares.

If you find that your child is being bullied, you will need to document the dates, times and places of the action. If the bullying is taking place on school grounds, call the school and schedule a face to face meeting with a teacher or principal. If not on school grounds, notify the police.

Most schools have adopted an anti-bullying policy. Obtain a copy to determine if the bully violated school law. Bullying is best handled when you work together, with the proper authorities.

After notification, be sure to follow up with your child, and the school, to make sure that the bullying has stopped.

Meet Dr. Hita Sharma, Director of Palliative Care

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Meet Hita Sharma, MD, ABPHM, and Director of Palliative Care at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) as well as faculty supervisor and Director of the Internal Medicine Program.

Dr. Sharma joined the FHMC team in 2000 and became the Director of the Palliative Care Program in 2003. Palliative care is a specialized type of medical care that can be provided in conjunction medicinal treatment for people with terminal illness. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress to the patient and family members caused by a terminal illness.

When asked what the best part of her job is Dr. Sharma replies with a look of satisfaction, “It is a wonderful feeling to help a person who is nearing the end of their life. When you are a part of making that person and their family feel comfortable it gives you a personal sense of gratification. In palliative care, you are treating more than their disease or sense of loss with medication; you are treating their emotional strength during the hardest time in their lives.”

A typical day for Dr. Sharma begins with making rounds in the Emergency Department and then on the floors with residents. She refers to her students as her “children.” “I teach them as I taught my own children to treat people with compassion.” Dr. Sharma has two sons, one is a Resident in Urology and the other is an Economic Honors student at Northwestern University.

Some end of life (EOL) illnesses that may cause you to seek palliative care are:

Metastatic Cancer
(EOL) Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
(EOL) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Renal Disease
Advanced Alzheimer’s
Debilitating Parkinson’s
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

People who are receiving this type of care are treated for:

Depression
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Constipation
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Anxiety

All of which may cause distress to the patient.

“Being able to be there to empathize with my patients and help them come to terms with some of the difficult decisions they have to make is really why I chose this specialty. I get the chance to Enright their lives and they certainly enrich mine.”

National School Backpack Awareness Day

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Joann Ariola

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.