How Making Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce the Risk of Chronic Diseases

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases, are conditions that tend to have a long duration and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. These diseases include:

Cancers
Cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks and strokes
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma
Diabetes

A person’s lifestyle and daily habits can increase their risk of developing a chronic disease. About 80% of chronic diseases are driven by a person’s daily habits. These include:

Tobacco use, including the effects of exposure to second-hand smoke
Unhealthy diets, including excess salt, sugar, and fats
Excessive alcohol use
Insufficient physical activity

These habits can contribute to metabolic changes that can increase a person’s risk of chronic disease, including:

Hypertension
Obesity
Diabetes
High cholesterol

Making the following lifestyle changes is one of the best ways to address harmful habits and help prevent chronic diseases.

Dietary changes include eating whole, unrefined, and minimally processed plants. Eating plant-based foods can help reduce diabetes, heart disease, and the risk of cancer
Increasing physical activity by engaging in a recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week
Getting a good, restful night’s sleep of about seven to nine hours. This can be achieved by:
- Having a consistent bedtime and waking up on time, even on weekends
- Being physically active
- Limiting alcohol and caffeine
- Putting digital devices away 90 minutes before bedtime
- Keeping your sleeping area cool, dark, and comfortable
Reducing stress by practicing mindfulness, meditation, and gratitude can help relieve stress and improve your physical and mental health.
Staying socially connected with friends and family can help keep you emotionally and physically healthy.
Quitting smoking, or never starting, lowers the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and lung disease, as well as premature death
Limiting alcohol use can reduce health risks that excessive drinking can lead to, such as high blood pressure, various cancers, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease

By avoiding these risks and getting good preventive care, you can improve your chance of staying well, feeling good, and living longer.

For more information on how you can make lifestyle changes, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (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.

Caring for a Loved One with Bipolar Disorder

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental condition that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior. These shifts can last for hours, days, weeks, or months and can interrupt a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Many people with bipolar disorder experience both manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes. These changing mood states don’t always follow a set pattern, and depression doesn’t always follow manic phases. A person may also experience the same mood state several times, with periods of a state of mental tranquility and stability that’s free of mood disturbances, called euthymia, in between, before experiencing the opposite mood.

Mood changes in bipolar disorder can happen over weeks, months, and sometimes years. An important aspect of mood changes is that they are a departure from a person’s regular self and that the mood change is sustained for a long time. It can be several days or weeks in the case of mania and several weeks or months in the case of depression.

The severity of the depression and manic phases can differ from person to person and in the same person at different times. Some people with bipolar disorder will have episodes of mania or hypomania many times throughout their lives, while others may rarely experience them. Signs and symptoms of a manic episode include:

Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
Sudden and severe changes in mood, such as going from joyful to angry and hostile
Restlessness
Rapid speech and racing thoughts
Increased energy and less need for sleep
Increased impulsivity and poor judgment
Making grand and unattainable plans
Reckless and risk-taking behavior, such as drug and alcohol misuse
Psychosis, such as experiencing hallucinations and delusions (in the most severe manic episodes)

Most of the time, people experiencing a manic episode are unaware of the negative consequences of their actions. If a person is having an intense manic episode, especially if they’re experiencing hallucinations and delusions, they may need to be hospitalized to protect themselves and others from harm. With bipolar disorder, suicide is an ever-present dancer, with some people becoming suicidal in manic episodes, not just in depressive ones.

Some people with bipolar disorder can have milder manic-like symptoms called hypomania. When experiencing hypomania, they may feel great and feel like they can get a lot done. They may feel like nothing is wrong during an episode; however, family and friends may notice their mood swings and activity level changes and think they’re unusual for them.

After a hypomanic episode, a person might experience severe depression. The symptoms of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are the same as those of major depression, including:

Overwhelming sadness
Low energy and fatigue
Lack of motivation
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Loss of enjoyment of things that were once pleasurable for you
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Uncontrollable crying
Irritability
Increased need for sleep
Insomnia or hypersomnia
A change in appetite that causes weight loss or gain
Thoughts of death or suicide

When caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder, it is important to be patient and understanding, and offer them stability, consistency, and practical help through mood shifts.

There are several ways you can help a loved one through a manic episode. They include:

Creating a calm environment
Spending quality time together
Having honest conversations
Preparing easy-to-eat meals
Encouraging them to rest
Setting limits on their risky behavior
Involving a mental health professional if necessary
Encouraging medication adherence

There are several ways you can help a loved one through a depressive episode. They include:

Listening to and communicating with them
Encouraging small steps in self-care
Reducing external stressors
Suggesting low-energy activities for them to participate in
Monitoring them for any signs of crisis
Encouraging them to seek professional care

Caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder can be stressful and challenging. However, it is important that before you take care of anyone else, you should take care of yourself. You can do this by setting boundaries, not taking things personally, finding support for yourself, such as through friends, family, mental health professionals, or a support group, seeking family therapy, and practicing self-care.

Call, text, or chat 988 to speak to a trained crisis counselor offering support 24/7/365. And 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.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging early detection, supporting those facing prostate cancer, and funding research for better outcomes.

Prostate cancer is a cancer that develops in the prostate. It starts when cells in the prostate develop changes in their DNA.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancers that affect men. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States.

Each year, approximately 299,010 men will be diagnosed with the disease, which means that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

Certain groups face a higher risk of prostate cancer, including:

Men over the age of 50
Black men
Men with a family history of prostate cancer
Men who have been exposed to certain chemicals
Military veterans

One of the challenges of prostate cancer is that the early stages of the disease usually have no symptoms. Signs and symptoms of early-stage prostate cancer include:

Blood in the urine, which makes it look pink, red, or cola-colored
Blood in the semen
Needing to urinate more often
Trouble getting started when trying to urinate
Waking up to urinate more often at night

Unfortunately, by the time a man may notice changes, the cancer may already be advanced. Signs and symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include:

Accidental leaking of urine
Back pain
Bone pain
Erectile dysfunction
Fatigue
Losing weight without trying
Weakness in the arms or legs

To diagnose prostate cancer, a healthcare provider may use a physical exam and screening tests to show whether you have signs of the disease that require more testing. These tests include:

A digital rectal exam
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
An MRI or transrectal ultrasound
A biopsy of the prostate

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on multiple factors, such as your overall condition, whether the cancer has spread, and how fast it is spreading. Most prostate cancers diagnosed in the early stages can be cured with treatment. If your cancer is slow-growing and hasn’t spread, your healthcare provider may monitor it instead of treating it right away. Your healthcare provider will monitor your cancer by using active surveillance.

Surgery as a treatment for prostate cancer most often involves removing the prostate with a surgical procedure called prostatectomy. There are three ways a prostatectomy can be performed. They include:

Laparoscopic prostatectomy
Robotic prostatectomy
Open prostatectomy

Additional treatments for prostate cancer include:

Radiation therapy
- External beam
- Brachytherapy
Ablation therapy
- Cryoblation
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
Hormone therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
Radiopharmaceutical treatments

To schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center, or to learn more about our cancer care program, please call (718) 206-6742.

How Many Steps Do You Need to Walk Every Day to Be Healthy?

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Ten thousand steps per day is a commonly cited goal when it comes to improving your health. However, factors such as age, sex, and occupation may influence the best step count for you.

Researchers examined how the number of steps people take affected their risk for disease and their lifespan. They found that 10,000 steps per day doesn’t always mean people are healthier. Additionally, there is a point at which the number of steps taken per day levels off when it comes to improving health.

For adults younger than 60 years of age, 8,000 and 10,000 steps per day were associated with a decreased risk of death.

For adults older than 60 years of age, 6,000 to 8,000 steps per day achieved a lower risk of mortality.

Researchers also found that people who lose more than 10% of their body weight over 18 months walk approximately 10,000 steps a day. At least 3,500 of those steps were at least of moderate-to-vigorous intensity in short, 10-minute bursts.

Walking is excellent for the heart, as it can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and help prevent a cardiovascular event such as a stroke or heart failure.

The American Heart Association reports that older adults who take 4,500 steps per day have a 77% lower risk of having an adverse cardiovascular event than people who take fewer than 2,000 steps. Each time you add 500 steps to your daily average, you incrementally lower your risk by 14%. However, this benefit can plateau between 6,000 and 8,000 steps.

Walking can have many health benefits for your mind, as it can help preserve your cognitive function. The more steps you take each day, the more your risk of developing dementia. Once you hit 9,800 steps per day, that benefit can plateau. However, you can begin seeing significant benefits at just 3,800 steps daily, and getting that many steps consistently may lower your risk of dementia by 50% over time.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), walking at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week, can significantly lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Whether you walk it all at once or you split it into smaller walks doesn’t matter. Exercises such as walking increase insulin sensitivity and help lower your blood sugar.

A short burst of 10 minutes of brisk walking can increase your energy, mood, and mental alertness. You can also use walking to significantly lower your risk of depression.

According to the American Psychological Association, people who walk at a moderate pace for 75 minutes weekly have an 18% lower depression risk than people who don’t get any physical activity. Walking for 120 minutes weekly can lower your risk by 25%.

Walking greatly benefits your overall health. It doesn’t matter if you do most of your walking during the day, at night, during the week, or on the weekends. You are still helping your health.

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting or adding new exercises to your routine. You can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

Thyroiditis

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Thyroiditis represents a group of conditions that cause the inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis and affects approximately 1% to 2% of people in the United States.

Other types of thyroiditis include:

Silent or painless thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis
Radiation-induced thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis or de Quervain’s thyroiditis
Acute infectious thyroiditis
Drug-induced thyroiditis
Riedel thyroiditis

Thyroiditis can affect anyone, but it is more commonly seen in women. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is four to 10 times more common in women and most often develops between the ages of 30 to 50. Silent or painless thyroiditis is also common in women and is the next most common cause of thyroiditis after Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The other types are rarer.

Thyroiditis can lead to over- or underproduction of thyroid hormone. In most types of thyroiditis, there are three phases. They include:

Thyrotoxic phase: during this phase, your thyroid is inflamed and releases too many hormones, causing temporary thyrotoxicosis.
Hypothyroid phase: following the excessive release of thyroid hormones for a few weeks or months, your thyroid won’t have enough thyroid hormones to release. This leads to a lack of thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and radiation-induced thyroiditis usually permanently stay in the hypothyroid phase.
Euthyroid phase: During this phase, your thyroid hormone levels are normal. This phase may come temporarily after the thyrotoxic phase, before going to the hypothyroid phase, or it may come at the end, after your thyroid gland has recovered from the inflammation and can maintain a normal hormone level.

The symptoms of thyroiditis depend on the type of thyroiditis and its phase. Most types of thyroiditis cause thyrotoxicosis symptoms followed by hypothyroid symptoms. Subacute thyroiditis and acute infectious thyroiditis usually also cause pain in your thyroid area, with some people having an enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter.

The thyrotoxic phase of thyroiditis is usually short, lasting one to three months. If the cells of your thyroid are damaged quickly and there is a leak of excess thyroid hormone, you might experience symptoms of an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include:

A fast heart rate
An increased appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Anxiety and nervousness
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Increased sweating and sensitivity to heat
Tremors

The hypothyroid phase of thyroiditis can be long-lasting and may become permanent. If your thyroid cells are damaged and thyroid levels fall, you may experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. They include:

Fatigue
Unexplained weight gain
Constipation
Depression
Dry skin
Increased sensitivity to cold
Muscle weakness
Decreased ability to concentrate and focus

To diagnose thyroiditis, a healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, assess your thyroid, and ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. If thyroiditis is suspected, they will order a combination of tests to diagnose it, including:

Thyroid function tests
An ultrasound of your thyroid
Thyroid antibody tests
An erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test

The treatment for thyroiditis depends on the type and its symptoms. The thyrotoxic phase of thyroiditis is treated with beta-blockers. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication due to it being a permanent condition. Acute infectious thyroiditis is treated with antibiotics because the infection of your thyroid needs to be treated.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroiditis, you can receive treatment from an endocrinologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

The Impact of Ultraprocessed Foods on Your Health

Posted on September 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Ultraprocessed foods, or UPFs, are food products such as frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals, instant noodles, and many store-bought breads that contain a long list of ingredients, chemical additives, and little to no “whole” foods.

Understanding ultraprocessed foods is tricky, as even experts don’t fully agree on what they specifically are and whether they are good or bad. However, a 2024 study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health also found that a high intake of ultraprocessed foods may increase the risk of early death. Participants who ate the most ultraprocessed foods of any kind had a 4% higher risk of death from any cause and an 8% higher risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases. And according to the Yale School of Public Health, high ultraprocessed food intake has been linked to a 25%-58% higher risk of health issues related to the heart and metabolism, and a 21%-66% higher risk of mortality.

People who eat more ultraprocessed foods may tend to eat more calories overall. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 53% of the calories that adults consumed daily, on average, came from ultraprocessed foods between 2021 and 2023. For children 18 years old and younger, it is 61.9%. Scientists are studying whether ultraprocessed foods high in saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium may mimic addictive substances in some people, and if they do, how they may do so.

Some ultraprocessed foods may contribute to poorer health outcomes. Examples of this include:

They may displace or replace healthier foods
They could lead to eating too many calories
They may result in eating too much saturated fat, added sugars, or sodium
They may influence how the brain responds to these foods
The changed textures may trigger the brain to stay hungry even after eating
They can potentially disrupt blood sugar
They can potentially disrupt your gut health
They could cause exposure to toxins

The recommendation to limit the intake of ultraprocessed foods reinforces the long-standing nutrition guidance to limit unhealthy fats, added sugars, and sodium. A diet composed mainly of ultraprocessed foods also exposes people to unhealthy additives and increases the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases.

The best way to identify ultraprocessed foods is to read the packaging of the product to see if its list of ingredients contains either food substances never or rarely used in kitchens, such as high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated or interesterified oils, and hydrolyzed proteins. Or it may contain classes of additives designed to make the final product palatable or more appealing, such as flavors, flavor enhancers, colors, emulsifiers, emulsifying salts, sweeteners, thickeners, and anti-foaming, bulking, carbonating, foaming, gelling, and glazing agents.

It is important to note that an overall healthy diet pattern should focus on eating healthier options such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, healthy non-tropical oils, and lean proteins.

The Yale School of Public Health offers four ways to reduce ultraprocessed foods in your diet. They include:

Planning and preparing meals at home in advance that use less processed and ultraprocessed foods
Drinking water and unsweetened beverages such as coffee and tea instead of soda and other sweetened drinks
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, if they are available to you. If they are not available, choose minimally processed frozen or canned options with no added salt or sugar
Adding an unprocessed fruit or vegetable to your meal if an ultraprocessed food is your only option and you are short on time. And to choose an ultraprocessed food option with less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar

If you would like to learn more about Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s nutritional services, you can visit the Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness, promote hope, and normalize seeking help.

Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. It affects millions of people every year, yet too many struggle in silence. Here are some key facts about suicide:

1 in 20 (5%) U.S. adults have serious thoughts of suicide each year
About one person dies by suicide in the U.S. every 11 minutes
79% of all people who die by suicide in the U.S. are male
Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die by suicide
In the U.S., suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 and among people ages 15-24, and the 11^th leading cause of death overall

Adult suicide warning signs include:

Talking about or making plans for suicide
Acting anxious, agitated, or behaving recklessly
Talking about being a burden to others
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or feeling isolated
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Displaying extreme mood swings
Chronic illness or serious physical health conditions

Youth suicide warning signs:

Expressing hopelessness about the future
Displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress
Increased physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and stomachaches, are commonly associated with emotional distress
Changing or withdrawing from social connections or situations
Sleeping too little or too much
Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context
Recent increased agitation or irritability

Talking about suicide isn’t harmful. Silence is. Opening up about your mental health journey, good, bad, or otherwise, can create a space for healing. One honest and caring conversation can make a difference and save a life. Studies show that people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way.

Healthy Aging Month

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

September is Healthy Aging Month, a month observed to encourage people to focus on their health and take steps to help them face the challenges that come with aging.

As we age, we become aware of changes in our mental and physical health, as well as shifts in our social needs. You can take charge of your well-being by taking steps to age with a healthy mind and body. Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to offer these tips to help boost your health as you age:

Get moving
- It is important to consult your doctor before exercising. Start slow, know your limitations, and modify activities if needed
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week
Maintain a healthy diet
Eat proper portion sizes
Avoid excess processed foods
Stay hydrated
Stay socially active
- Stay in touch with friends and family
- Try doing something new that interests you
Balance your body and mind
- Keep a positive attitude
- Keep your mind active by reading or doing puzzles
- Keep your body active with yoga and stretches
Be proactive
- Receive regular checkups, physicals, and medical tests when needed
- Take vitamins, supplements, and medications as prescribed or needed

Healthy Aging Month is a time to celebrate life and the positive aspects of growing older. Healthy living is healthy aging. Developing and maintaining healthy aging practices throughout your life contributes to greater resilience and opportunities to thrive as we age. Making small changes in your daily life can help you live longer and better.

If you have questions about any medical issues that may arise as you age, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

National Cholesterol Education Month

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

September is National Cholesterol Education Month. It serves as an important time to focus on heart health, getting your blood cholesterol checked, and taking proactive steps to manage cholesterol levels.

National Cholesterol Education Month seeks to inform the public about the dangers of high cholesterol and its connection with the leading cause of death around the globe, heart disease.

High cholesterol is one of the most common and commonly misunderstood health risks in America. It can be caused by an unhealthy diet and exacerbated by smoking and a lack of exercise. Since it is symptomless, it can be hard to diagnose. It is a serious condition that affects nearly 102 million Americans over the age of 20 years old.

Fortunately, managing cholesterol levels can be achieved through lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication. Here are some effective strategies to help lower cholesterol:

Adopting a heart-healthy diet that focuses on eating foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Incorporate healthy fats from sources such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil, while reducing intake of saturated and trans fats found in processed and fried foods.
Increasing physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling, can help raise HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol. Aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week is recommended.
Maintaining a healthy weight by losing excess weight through a combination of healthy eating and exercising regularly can improve cholesterol levels and overall heart health.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol use through smoking cessation and moderate alcohol consumption can improve HDL cholesterol levels and reduce overall cardiovascular risk.
Monitoring your cholesterol levels by getting regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help track cholesterol levels and assess risk factors. This is particularly important for younger adults who may not exhibit symptoms, but could still be at risk.

National Cholesterol Education Month is an important time to reflect on the state of our heart health and take proactive steps to manage our cholesterol levels.

If you are concerned about your heart health and would like to get your blood cholesterol checked, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

“Razor Blade Throat” Covid Variant

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The latest COVID-19 variant, NB. 1.8.1 or “Nimbus”, has been rapidly spreading in the U.S. and is associated with a severe symptom, a sore throat described as “razor blade throat”.

Since it was first discovered in the U.S. in March, NB.1.8.1 has become the nation’s dominant strain of COVID-19. It accounted for an estimated 43% of cases in June, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

COVID-19 viruses bind to ACE2 receptors that are found on the surface of cells. Cells in the upper airway (nose and throat) have more ACE2 receptors than those in the lower airway and lungs do, making them prime targets for Omicron variants, which bind to these receptors more strongly. Research suggests that of all the variants circulating now, Nimbus binds to ACE2 receptors the most.

Once the virus reaches those cell receptors in and around your throat, the immune system kicks into overdrive to keep the virus at bay, causing inflammation, fluid buildup, redness, and swelling.

If you do experience an intense sore throat, experts recommend several remedies, including:

Honey
Cough drops
Throat spray
Gargling with salt water
Over-the-counter pain relievers

If you do catch COVID, you may experience other common symptoms besides a sore throat, such as:

Fever or chills
Cough
Congestion or a runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Most healthy people will recover from COVID without treatment. However, experts still recommend talking to a healthcare provider if you test positive. Even if you are not at risk of severe illness, treatment from a healthcare provider may be able to lower your risk of long COVID.

If you are experiencing symptoms of N.B.1.8.1, such as a “razor blade throat”, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.