National Diabetes Month

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

November is National Diabetes Month. This month focuses on increasing awareness about diabetes and its impact on individuals and communities. It aims to educate the public about the different types of diabetes, risk factors, prevention strategies, and the importance of early detection and management.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. It affects about 38 million Americans or one in every 10 people, including children and adults. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and is linked to some types of cancers.

Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms. Type 1 diabetes symptoms tend to come on quickly and more severe. Some symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:

Feeling more thirsty than usual
Urinating often
Losing weight without trying
Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there isn’t enough available insulin
Feeling tired and weak
Feeling irritable or having other mood changes
Having blurry vision
Having slow-healing sores
Getting many infections such as gum, skin, and vaginal infections

Taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes health problems. Here are some tips to help you avoid developing diabetes:

Know your risk of developing diabetes- You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese; have a family history of diabetes; are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander; are not physically active; or have prediabetes.
Manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels- Preventing or managing diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis may help prevent diabetes complications. You can start by managing your diabetes ABCs:
- A is for the A1C test that healthcare providers use to measure your average glucose levels.
- B is for blood pressure
- C is for cholesterol
Take small steps towards healthy habits- Lifestyle habits like planning healthy meals, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and not smoking help prevent diabetes or manage your diabetes ABCs.
Take your medicines on time- Remember to take your medicines even if you feel healthy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble taking your medicine on time or the correct dosage.
Reach or maintain a healthy weight- If you are overweight or obese, ask your primary care provider if eating healthy, physical activity, or other weight-loss treatments can help manage your weight.
Take care of your mental health- Managing diabetes can be hard. If you feel sad, down, or overwhelmed, find healthy ways to cope with stress. Consider talking to a mental health counselor or joining a support group.
Work with your healthcare team- Managing diabetes takes a team. Your healthcare team can include a primary care provider, diabetes specialist, registered dietitian, or certified diabetes educator. Ask your primary care provider if you should talk with other healthcare professionals about preventing or managing diabetes.

If you have any diabetic symptoms and would like to prevent developing diabetes, or if you would like help managing your diabetes, call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s endocrinology service at 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment.

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.

Effective Post Workout Stretches

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The benefits of stretching have been well established. When you stretch after a workout, you help give your body a jump start on recovery, while releasing stress and tension, and boosting the flexibility of your joints. Here are some post-workout stretches you can try:

Lunging hip flexor stretch
Piriformis stretch
Cat-cow stretch
Standing calf stretch
Overhead triceps stretch
Standing bicep stretch
Quadriceps stretch
Hamstring stretch
Shoulder stretch
Butterfly stretch
Lower back stretch
Downward-facing dog
Seated forward fold
Figure four stretch
Supine spinal twist
Wide leg forward fold
Floor scorpion
90/90 with a forward fold

Here are some safety tips to consider when stretching:

Don’t stretch to the point of pain
Watch your posture
Breathe through your stretches
Start slowly

Consider cooldown stretching if you are looking for a simple quick, and almost effortless workout routine that could help you reduce the risk of injury, increase blood flow for better recovery, and return your body to balance.

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.

Halloween Safety Tips

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Halloween is a time for dressing up, eating candy, and having fun. Unfortunately, there can be several risks when trick or treating. Here are some tips to keep you and your children safe this Halloween:

Wear costumes that say “flame resistant” on the label. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics like polyester or nylon.
Wear bright, reflective costumes, or add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible.
Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure your vision.
Always accompany young children when trick or treating.
Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again when crossing.
Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left.
Put electronic devices down, and keep your head up while you walk.
Caution kids never enter a home or a car for a treat.
Wait until children are home to sort and check treats before eating them.
Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home.
If a child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept or eat anything that isn’t wrapped correctly.
Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from their Halloween bags.

Follow these important tips to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe this Halloween. If you experience any problems, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. If there is an emergency, please call 911.

Effective Exercises You Can Do At Work

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Fitting a long workout into your already packed work schedule can be difficult. If you’re struggling to find time to stay active, you may want to try doing short workouts throughout the day instead. Even spending five to 10 minutes exercising at your desk can stimulate midday blood flow and help push through your mid-afternoon slump. Here are some effective exercises you can do at work:

Desk pushups
Chair dips
Oblique twists
Calf raises
Seated back extensions
Triceps stretches
Overhead reaches
Shoulder shrugs
Neck stretches
Squats
Desk planks
Static lunges
Side lunges
Wall sits
Jumping jacks
Marching
Seated bicycles
Leg lifts
Seated leg extensions
Seated knee-to-chest
Seated flutter kicks

All of these exercises are productive. The goal is to move to a new position throughout the day to avoid repetitive stretch injuries. According to The Harvard School of Public Health, even short periods of physical activity can improve your mood. You may experience other benefits including:

Relief of body discomfort
Increased attention and productivity

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

Hashimoto’s Disease

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The immune system attacks the thyroid resulting in hypothyroidism.

Anyone can develop Hashimoto’s disease, but it is most common in middle-aged women.

Hashimoto’s disease progresses slowly over the years and you may not notice any signs or symptoms. The decline in thyroid hormone production can result in the following symptoms:

Fatigue and sluggishness
Increased sensitivity to cold
Increased sleepiness
Dry skin
Constipation
Muscle weakness
Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
Joint pain and stiffness
Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding
Depression
Problems with memory or concentration
Swelling of the thyroid
Puffy eyes and face
Brittle nails
Hair loss, dry, brittle hair, and slow hair growth
Enlargement of the tongue

The causes of Hashimoto’s disease are unclear, but the onset of the disease may be related to:

Genetic factors
Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress, or radiation exposure
Interactions between environmental and genetic factors

Many factors are associated with an increased risk of Hashimoto’s disease, including:

Sex
Age
Other autoimmune diseases
Genetics and family history
Pregnancy
Excessive iodine intake

Several conditions may lead to the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical exam, review your medical history, and ask questions about your symptoms. After this assessment, they will order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone test
Free T4 test
Anti-thyroid antibody test

In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a thyroid ultrasound to check the size of your thyroid and ensure no nodules are present.

Most people with Hashimoto’s disease take medication to treat hypothyroidism. If you have mild hypothyroidism, you may not receive treatment but will get regular TSH tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of any thyroid disease, 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.

What Is A Stress Test?

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A stress or stress exercise test shows how the heart works during physical activity. Exercise makes the heart pump harder and faster. A stress test can determine how well your heart responds when working its hardest.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a stress test if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an irregular heart rhythm.

A stress test typically involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike while hooked up to an EKG to monitor your heart’s activity. Healthcare providers assess your response to the increased workload by measuring:

Blood pressure
Heart rate
Oxygen levels
Electrical activity in your heart

A stress test can also be used to learn:

How well your heart pumps blood
Whether your heart is receiving an adequate supply of blood
How you perform during physical activity compared with other people your age and sex
If your symptoms (chest discomfort, shortness of breath, feeling like your heart is racing, or dizziness) can be reproduced while performing physical activity

Having a stress test makes it easier to identify and evaluate certain heart issues, such as:

Issues with your heart muscle and valves
Electric stability of your heart at rest and during exercise

The stress test results help your healthcare provider plan or change your treatment. If the test shows that your heart is working well, you may not need more tests. If the test suggests you might have coronary artery disease, you may need a coronary angiogram, which helps see blockages in the heart arteries.

If the results are satisfactory, but your symptoms worsen, your healthcare provider might recommend more testing.

To schedule an appointment with a Flushing Hospital Medical Center healthcare provider, please call 718-670-5486.

The MIND Diet

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The “MIND” diet or Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet combines the Mediterranean and the DASH diets to create a dietary pattern focusing specifically on brain health. It targets the health of the aging brain. The MIND diet aims at reducing dementia, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, by targeting the health of the aging brain and helping to prevent cognitive decline.

Many experts regard the Mediterranean and DASH diets as the healthiest. Research has shown they can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and other diseases.

The Mediterranean and DASH diets recommend eating a lot of fruit as they have been linked with improved brain function, particularly berries.

Here are 10 other foods you are encouraged to eat on the MIND diet:

Green, leafy vegetables- aim to eat six or more servings per week. This includes kale, spinach, cooked greens, and salads.
All other vegetables- eat another non-starchy vegetable in addition to green leafy vegetables at least once per day because they provide a lot of nutrients for a low number of calories.
Nuts- try to eat five or more servings of nuts each week.
Olive oil- use olive oil as your main cooking oil.
Whole grains- aim for at least three daily servings of oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, or 100% whole wheat bread.
Fish- eat fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, or mackerel because they are high in omega-3 fatty acids at least once weekly.
Beans- include beans, lentils, and soybeans in at least four weekly meals.
Poultry- try to eat chicken or turkey at least twice weekly.
Wine- aim for no more than one glass daily. Both read and white wine may benefit your brain

The MIND diet recommends limiting the following five foods:

Butter and margarine
Cheese
Red meat
Fried food
Pastries and sweets

Researchers encourage limiting your consumption of these foods because they contain saturated and trans fats. Studies have found that trans fats are associated with various diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

If you are looking for a diet that focuses on maintaining brain health as you age, the MIND diet is one to consider, however, it is important to note that you should first speak with your doctor about making any changes to your diet. To consult a physician about whether the MIND diet is best for you, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Pancreatitis

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Pancreatitis is the inflammation or swelling of the pancreas. This may happen when digestive juices or enzymes attack the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland on the left side of your belly that lies behind your stomach. The pancreas’ two main functions are:

To make enzymes to send to your small intestines. These enzymes help break down food.
To make hormones insulin and glucagon, sending them into your bloodstream. These hormones control your body’s blood sugar level.

Pancreatitis can be either acute or chronic. Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:

Pain in the upper belly
Pain in the upper belly that radiates to the back
Tenderness when touching the belly
Fever
Rapid pulse
Upset stomach
Vomiting

Signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:

Pain in the upper belly
Belly pain that feels worse after eating
Losing weight without trying
Oily, smelly stools

Several conditions can lead to acute pancreatitis, including:

Blockage in the bile duct caused by gallstones
Heavy alcohol use
Certain medicines
High triglyceride levels in the blood
High calcium levels in the blood
Pancreatic cancer
Injuries from trauma or surgery

Conditions that can lead to chronic pancreatitis include:

Damage from repeated acute pancreatitis
Heavy alcohol use
Inherited genes linked to pancreatitis
High triglyceride levels in the blood
High calcium levels in the blood

Sometimes a cause for pancreatitis is never found. This is called idiopathic pancreatitis.

Many factors can increase your risk of pancreatitis, including:

Excessive alcohol use
Cigarette smoking
Obesity
Diabetes
Family history of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can cause several serious complications that include:

Kidney failure
Breathing problems
Infection
Pseudocyst
Malnutrition
Diabetes
Pancreatic cancer

When diagnosing pancreatitis, your healthcare provider will ask questions about your health history and symptoms, give you a general physical, and check for pain or tenderness in your belly. They may also administer tests and procedures including:

Blood tests
Ultrasounds
CT scans
MRIs
Endoscopic ultrasound
Stool tests

There is no specific medicine to treat pancreatitis. Treatment will begin with a hospital stay to manage any symptoms and complications. Treatment can include:

Pain medicines
Intravenous fluids
Nutrition plans

When the symptoms and complications are under control, other treatments are used to treat any underlying causes, including:

Procedures to open bile ducts
Gallbladder surgery
Pancreas procedures
Treatment for alcohol dependence
Changes in medicine

If you or anyone you know is experiencing signs or symptoms of pancreatitis, you can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, by calling 718-670-5486.

13 Essential Foods That Benefit Kidney Health

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located just below the rib cage, on each side of your spine. Kidneys play an important role in the body as they filter the blood and remove waste from the body through urine. As they filter the blood, they remove acid creating a healthy pH and balancing the amount of water and minerals (sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium) in it.

Because our kidneys are essential in keeping our bodies healthy, we must ensure they work correctly. One of the ways to do this is by eating foods that support the health of our kidneys. Eating certain kidney-friendly foods can be beneficial to helping the kidneys to function properly. Here is a list of foods that benefit kidney health:

Bell peppers
Red grapes
Cauliflower
Garlic
Onions
Apples
Berries
Egg whites
Omega 3 oil-rich, fatty fish
Whole grains
Leafy greens
Olive oil
Pineapples

A balanced diet can support kidney health. This means drinking sufficient amounts of water and eating whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and fish.

If you or someone you know are experiencing kidney problems, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Patient Testimonial: Michael Gringas Tells the Flushing Hospital Medical Center Staff, “Of All the Experiences, It Was the Best Experience.”

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

“Of all the experiences, it was the best experience”, is what Michael Gringas said after having a rare surgery performed on him at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in July. Mr. Gringas was exiting the shower in his home when he passed out, hitting his face on the bathroom wall. “I knew I was going to pass out”, he said. This was due to a combination of dehydration, not eating, and Crohn’s disease which he suffers from. Unfortunately for Mr. Gringas, he was home alone at the time. When he eventually came to, he immediately called his sister’s house. Thankfully, his nephew answered and rushed to take him to the emergency room, where he received amazing and attentive care from the staff at the hospital. “I was impressed by the ER response time from start to finish. Very happy. I was treated very well by everyone in the ER”, he said.

This isn’t the first time Mr. Gringas had to be admitted to Flushing Hospital Medical Center due to his Crohn’s disease. He’s previously had surgeries performed to treat complications associated with the illness. This time, the surgery was an open surgery which hasn’t been done in 15-20 years at the hospital because it has since been performed endoscopically. The operation although rare and complex, was successful. “The whole process was beyond great”, said Mr. Gringas.

Additionally, Mr. Gringas has been a patient of Flushing Hospital for 33 years, since he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1991. He is known as a “celebrity patient” at the hospital. Mr. Gringas, a native of Bayside, Queens, says he is a “very fortunate Crohn’s patient”. So he uses his experiences during his 33-year battle with the illness to counsel patients diagnosed with it. He wants to help others navigate their experience with Crohn’s. Reflecting on the last 33 years he says, “It’s been quite a ride over the years.” “There are a lot of great people at Flushing Hospital”, Mr. Gringas said and he would like to thank each doctor, nurse, and hospital staff member whom he has met over the past 33 years.