Health Archives - Page 9 of 92

A Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe – Glazed Green Beans

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Thanksgiving dinner is typically a large meal that consists of turkey and many side dishes. Here is a recipe from Good Housekeeping for glazed green beans that is healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a34349776/glazed-green-beans-recipe/

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.

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member Vivian Chen, RN

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to highlight Vivian Chen, RN. Vivian has been a member of our Flushing Hospital Medical Center team for five years, the last four in our Labor and Delivery suite.

There are many reasons why Vivian enjoys working on our New Beginnings Mother – Baby unit. She has a great deal of joy and pride in taking part in the birth of a child. She finds it very exciting and is so happy to share that moment with the moms she takes care for. Vivian also enjoys caring for the new moms and helping them with any challenges they may face.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is a wonderful place to give birth because of people like Vivian who strive to make sure that the moms and their babies have the very best experience.

Pilates

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Pilates is a form of strength training exercise that was developed by Joseph Pilates over 100 years ago. Initially, it was practiced by dancers who were using it to recover from injuries that they had sustained. It has become very popular among the general population within the past quarter century.

Improper alignment of the body is the primary condition many people have that can be helped with Pilates. The concept behind Pilates is to build body core strength by focusing on improving muscle tone and improving muscle balance. This is achieved through low impact exercises that concentrate on lower back and abdominal muscles, precision patterns of movement and controlled breathing. Pilates can be performed on a mat or a device called a “reformer.” It may look easy to do but it requires a lot of precision and coordination.

The benefits of Pilates include:

Building core strength
Improving posture
Increasing flexibility
Improving balance
Increasing body awareness
Helping to control breathing
Improving mental health

Before beginning any new exercise routine, it is a good idea to speak with your physician to see if that type of exercise is appropriate for you. Find a Pilates class that is taught by someone who has expertise in the field. Pilates classes usually last 45 minutes to an hour. Make sure that you start slowly and don’t be in a hurry to learn the proper techniques.

Common Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect any part of your urinary system, which includes the bladder, kidneys, and urethra.

UTIs are very common, affecting up to about 10 million people each year. Infections occur most often in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB), although they also occur in a smaller percentage of men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

UTIs generally develop due to the presence of bacteria, usually Escherichia coli (E. coli), in parts of your urinary system. Bacteria can enter these parts of your body through the urethra to infect the bladder, but can also travel up from the bladder to infect the ureters and kidneys. Some common ways for a UTI to begin include:

Sexual intercourse: Sexual activity is one of the most common ways for people to develop a UTI. Bacteria can enter your urethra from your partner’s genitals or anus, allowing it to infect your urinary system. This exposure can also occur due to the usage of sex toys, particularly if they have not been adequately cleaned. Sexual UTIs may be prevented by washing your genital area daily and using contraceptives such as condoms during sex.

Bacteria from hands: Bacteria that are present on your hands or someone else’s can also enter your urethra by touching your genital area during sexual activity or while using the bathroom. This is most easily prevented by regularly washing your hands multiple times per day with soap and water.

Holding in urine: While holding in your urine does not cause a UTI on its own, it does increase your risk of developing one. Any bacteria present in your urine is forced to sit in your bladder system for a longer period of time, allowing it more time to multiply and potentially develop into an infection.

If you experience any typical symptoms of a UTI, such as a persistent urge to urinate, burning sensations while urinating, blood in your urine, or pelvic pain, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Halloween 2023 Safety Tips

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Halloween is a family-favorite holiday full of spooky fun and lots of candy. However, it can also present many opportunities for injury as kids take to the streets in pursuit of trick-or-treat goodies.

Statistics show that roughly four times as many children between the ages of five and 14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared to other evenings of the year. Injuries due to falls and other accidents are also common among children on Halloween.

Parents can help minimize the risk of children getting injured on this holiday by following these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council.

On Halloween, children should:

Go only to well-lit houses.
Remain on porches without actually entering a house.
Travel in small groups accompanied by an adult.
Use flexible, non-sharp plastic props for costume pieces such as knives and swords.
When walking through neighborhoods trick-or-treating, use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
Cross at appropriately-designated crosswalks and do not cross between parked cars.
Be sure to stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
Wear clothing or costumes that are bright, reflective, and flame-retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of masks that can obstruct a child’s vision.
Avoid wearing hats that will slide over children’s eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes that may cause kids to trip.
Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.

On Halloween, parents and adults should:

Supervise trick-or-treating for children under the age of 12.
Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
Ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters.
Make sure children under the age of 10 are supervised as they cross the street.
Drive slowly.
Watch for children in the street and on medians.
Exit driveways and alleyways slowly and carefully.
Have children get out of cars on the side of the sidewalk, not the street.

Follow these tips to keep both your children and yourself safe this year. Have a happy and fun Halloween!

Warning Signs of Appendicitis

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Appendicitis, or inflammation of the appendix, can quickly lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. Inflammation causes the appendix to swell, which can then cause it to burst. When this happens, bacteria spreads throughout your bowels and abdominal cavity, causing infection and eventual sepsis, which can be fatal.

Appendicitis typically causes abdominal pain, nausea, and a loss of appetite. It can be difficult to get the prompt diagnosis and treatment necessary for appendicitis because its symptoms are similar to other, less serious conditions, such as gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, or inflammatory bowel disease. It can also be particularly challenging for people assigned female at birth due to the similarity between appendicitis pain and menstrual cramps.

In order to identify appendicitis quickly and get the treatment you need to avoid serious complications, it may help to look for one or more of these warning signs:

McBurney’s Sign: A sign that many healthcare providers look for to diagnose appendicitis is tenderness at McBurney’s point, which is located in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. You can locate this point by drawing a straight line from the right anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), a projection of bone from your right hip, to your belly button. McBurney’s point is usually located about two inches along the line from the ASIS.

Blumberg’s sign: When your pain becomes worse after pressure is applied and released from the sore area, it could be an indicator of appendicitis. This is known as Blumberg’s sign.

Dunphy’s sign: This indicator refers to coughing that makes your pain worse.

Rovsing’s sign: If placing pressure on your lower left side causes pain on your lower right sign, it is referred to as Rovsing’s sign, which could be a warning sign of appendicitis.

Psoas or obturator sign: This indicator refers to the psoas muscle, which can become irritated by appendicitis if your appendix is located behind your colon rather than in front. If extending your right hip or rotating it outward causes pain, it is referred to as the psoas sign. However, if it hurts to rotate the right hip inward instead, it is the obturator sign, referring to irritation of the obturator internus muscle.

Appendicitis can cause your appendix to burst in as little as two days. If you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain that lasts for several hours, whether or not you notice other warning signs, please dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.

Common Signs of a Stomach Ulcer

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Stomach ulcers (also known as peptic ulcers) are common; approximately 1 in 10 Americans will develop one at some point in their lifetime. Ulcers are painful sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or small intestine due to direct exposure to digestive fluids. Normally, these fluids are held back by a protective mucus membrane, but certain factors, such as a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection or overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause this membrane to weaken, allowing fluids to leak through.

Some of the most common symptoms that may indicate you have a stomach ulcer include:

Burning upper abdominal pain: Many stomach ulcers cause a painful burning sensation above the belly button, which often becomes worse at night or on an empty stomach. This pain can occur intermittently over the course of several days or weeks. It may improve temporarily when using antacids, but the pain will always return eventually.

Stomach fullness: If you have an ulcer, you may find that you feel fuller more of the time and cannot take in as much food as usual. This happens due to inflammation in the lining of the stomach, leaving less room for food.

Bloody stool or vomit: When left untreated, ulcers can start to bleed. This can cause blood to appear in your stool (causing it to look black or like it has dark red blood in it) and vomit (blood may be visibly present or it may look similar to coffee grounds). A bleeding ulcer can also lead to additional complications such as anemia, holes in the stomach lining, blocked intestines, stomach cancer, or life-threatening internal bleeding.

If you notice potential early signs of a stomach ulcer, it’s best to visit a doctor right away. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. If any of your symptoms indicate that the ulcer may be bleeding, please dial 911 or get to the nearest emergency room immediately.

A Delicious Fall Recipe for Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Here is a Fall season recipe from the Food Network for roast pork and sweet potatoes that we think you will enjoy https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/roast-pork-and-sweet-potatoes-3363155

This October Flushing Hospital Observes Health Literacy Month

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

You have just been diagnosed with a medical condition and your doctor provides you with detailed information about your condition, the cause and symptoms, as well as how to treat it. After leaving you realize that you didn’t quite understand everything that your doctor shared and you are confused about what to do next. This is a common occurrence that takes place between patients and healthcare professionals.

It has been well documented that many people face challenges when trying to comprehend the important health information being shared with them by their doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Failure to understand complex medical information could affect a patient’s health.

To address this issue, the month of October has been designated Health Literacy Month. This global observation is intended to raise awareness about this issue and encourage individuals and organizations in the healthcare industry to promote the importance of creating ways to share health information in a way that is understandable to our patients.

Flushing Hospital is promoting health literacy by offering the following tips:

Ask questions – Then, make sure you get and understand the answers. If you don’t understand, ask the doctor or nurse for more information.
Repeat information to your doctor or nurse – After your doctor or nurse gives you instructions, repeat them back in your own words.
Bring a pen and paper – Take the time to write instructions down so you can refer to them later.
Have another adult with you – This might be especially true when you expect to receive important information.
Ask for an interpreter – You have a right to an interpreter, at no cost to you. Tell your provider what language you prefer to communicate.

By following these tips, you can improve your healthcare literacy and improve your overall health.

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

October was declared as National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in 2006. The purpose of the designation is to bring nationwide attention to bullying.

Bullying can occur in many different ways. It can be done through verbal or physical exchanges. Bullying can involve playing practical jokes, making threats, verbal abuse, and spreading rumors. It can also be done through posting hurtful things on social media platforms, as well as through texts, emails, and telephone calls.

Bullying is the result of one person, or group of people, who have the need to feel more powerful than the person they are bullying. The bully, or bullies, may be bigger in size or strength, they may be more assertive, have a perceived higher social status, or may derive pleasure from making someone fear them.

It is important to note that while bullying is thought to primarily affect school age children, it can also occur in other places, such as at work.

Bullying can affect the target’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Some of the signs that a person exhibits when they are being bullied are:

Avoidance of the place where the bullying is taking place
Loss of self-esteem
Experiencing headaches, stomach aches, high blood pressure and insomnia
Increase in level of anxiety
Exhibiting signs of depression
Failing to do well in school or in the workplace
Experiencing suicidal thoughts

There are ways to prevent bullying. These include training in awareness of the effects of bullying, empowering people to enlist the help of others, such as teachers, parents, clergy, and co-workers to assist them when they are targeted, establishing school or workplace policies on bullying, and when possible, directly addressing the person or persons who are doing the bullying. This should not be done alone, but rather with a teacher, co-worker, supervisor, or someone authoritative.