Conditions that Lead to DVT

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body. DVT usually happens in the legs and causes leg pain or swelling.

Other symptoms of DVT include:

· Leg cramping or soreness that often starts in the calf

· A change in skin color in one leg to red or purple, depending on skin color

· A feeling of warmth on the affected leg

Deep vein thrombosis can occur without any noticeable symptoms.

A person can develop DVT if they have certain medical conditions that prevent the blood from flowing or affect how the blood clots.

Medical conditions that can lead to deep vein thrombosis include:

· Heart diseases

· Cancer and some cancer treatments

· Inherited blood clotting disorders such as sickle cell

· Inflammatory bowel disease

· Obesity

· Autoimmune diseases such as lupus

· Varicose veins

· Paralysis

· Pregnancy

· Serious infections

Other factors that can increase the risk of DVT include:

· Age

· Lack of movement

· Injury or surgery

· Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy

· Smoking

DVT is diagnosed when a healthcare provider performs a physical exam and asks about your symptoms. During the physical exam, they will check your legs for swelling, tenderness, and any changes in skin color. The tests a healthcare provider will order depend on if they think you are at a low or high risk of developing DVT. Tests include:

· D-dimer blood test

· Duplex ultrasound

· Venography

· MRI

Treatment for DVT has three main goals:

· To prevent the clot from breaking loose and traveling to the lungs

· To prevent the clot from getting bigger

· To reduce the chances of developing DVT again

Treatment options for DVT include:

· Blood thinners

· Clot busters

· Filters

· Compression stockings

Making lifestyle changes may help prevent deep vein thrombosis. These lifestyle changes include:

· Moving your legs

· Managing your weight

· Quitting smoking

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, 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.

Losing Muscle As We Age

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

As we age, we start to lose muscle mass gradually. This is called sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia, a type of atrophy, is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass, function, and strength.

Everyone loses muscle mass over time; however, people who have sarcopenia lose it more quickly. Sarcopenia usually begins around the age of 35 and accelerates between the ages of 65 and 80. Rates of this acceleration vary; however, as much as 8% of muscle mass is lost each decade.

The natural aging process is usually the main cause of sarcopenia as the body doesn’t produce the same number of proteins the muscles need to grow, which causes them to get smaller. However, researchers have discovered other possible risk factors of the condition, including:

· Physical inactivity

· Obesity

· Chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, and HIV

· Rheumatoid arthritis

· Insulin resistance

· Malnutrition or inadequate protein intake

· Reduction in hormone levels

· Decrease in the ability to convert protein to energy

· Decline in the number of nerve cells that send messages from the brain to the muscles telling them to move

Sarcopenia affects the musculoskeletal system and is a major factor in increased frailty, falls, and fractures. These conditions can lead to hospitalizations and surgeries, which increase the risk of complications, including death.

This condition can also affect people with a high body mass index (BMI), which is called sarcopenic obesity. People suffering from obesity and sarcopenia have a greater risk of complications than those with obesity or sarcopenia alone.

The most common symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness. Other symptoms may include:

· Decrease in muscle size

· Difficulty performing daily activities

· Poor balance and falls

· Loss of stamina

· Trouble climbing stairs

· Walking slowly

A healthcare provider may diagnose sarcopenia after they perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms. They may also ask you to complete a questionnaire based on your self-reported symptoms called the SARC-F, which stands for:

· Strength

· Assistance with walking

· Rising from a chair

· Climbing stairs

· Falls

You score each factor with a number between 0 and 2, with the highest maximum and total SARC-F being 10. A SARC-F score of 4 or more warrants more testing.

There is no single test that can diagnose sarcopenia. A healthcare provider may recommend several tests to help diagnose and then determine the severity of sarcopenia. These tests include:

· Muscle tests:

Handgrip test
Chair stand test
Walking speed test
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Timed-up and go test (TUG)

· Imaging tests for measurement of muscle mass

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA)
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

The treatment for sarcopenia usually includes lifestyle changes, as they can treat and help reverse the condition. These lifestyle changes include:

· Physical activity, which includes resistance-based strength training

· A healthy diet

Sarcopenia is not fully preventable. However, there are steps you can take to slow the progression of the disease, including:

· Making healthy food choices

· Exercising regularly

· Attending routine physicals

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of sarcopenia, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week takes place March 16th- 22nd.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week’s goal is to dispel myths about drug and alcohol use and to inform teens about the impact and risk of substance abuse as well as addiction.

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two-thirds of U.S. students have tried alcohol by the 12th grade.

The average age at which children typically experiment with alcohol and drugs is 13 years old.

There are five signs of drug abuse among teens. They include:

Psychological changes such as trouble concentrating, memory issues, and random laughter

Changes in behavior, including bad grades, lack of respect for others, and poor eye contact

Suspicious behavior such as hiding drug paraphernalia, missing cash, or valuables

Health issues, including appetite changes, shakiness, excessive headaches, or frequent illness

Poor personal appearance, such as bad hygiene or bloodshot eyes

There is a lot of misinformation around drugs and alcohol. Many myths have been created and spread through our culture, especially among young people. Here are some myths about drugs and alcohol that have been debunked:

Myth #1- Marijuana addiction isn’t real

Although it is impossible to overdose on marijuana, habitual cannabis use can change the way the body works, create a tolerance, and cause withdrawal symptoms after stopping

Myth #2- It is okay to quit drinking alcohol and start smoking marijuana instead

Switching from one addictive behavior to another is common; however, it creates other addictive cycles

Myth #3- Prescription drugs can’t be addictive if prescribed by my doctor

Even doctor-prescribed drugs can have a tolerance built against them, which eventually causes an addiction. Especially painkillers such as opiates or benzodiazepines

Here are more facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction:

Alcohol is the most abused substance in the U.S., and the third most common cause of death
Alcohol and drugs are involved in approximately 50% of deaths by suicide and are the cause of death of more than 50% of all violent crimes
80% of all domestic violence abuse reports show a relationship to alcohol or drugs

Although National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is geared toward young people, people of any age are encouraged to participate and educate themselves so that they can make educated choices related to drugs and alcohol.

To learn more about our mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.

Can Noroviruses Lead to Digestive Disorders?

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Norovirus is the leading cause of illness from contaminated food in the U.S., and approximately 685 million cases are reported globally each year. Of that estimate, over 200 million cases affect children.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. It is very common and highly contagious.

Most norovirus outbreaks occur between November and April in countries above the equator and between April and September in countries below the equator.

A virus in the Caliciviridae family causes norovirus. When the virus enters your body, it causes your stomach and intestines to swell or become inflamed. This is called acute gastroenteritis, which typically presents with norovirus-like symptoms. Symptoms of norovirus include:

Nausea

Watery or loose diarrhea

Vomiting

Stomach pain

Headache

Fever

Body aches

Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus and last one to three days. However, symptoms of the infection may last longer in the elderly, young children, and those who are immunocompromised.

These groups are especially at risk of longer norovirus infections, as the virus can still be present in their stool, which causes chronic norovirus diarrhea and other severe complications.

Norovirus infection, like other gastrointestinal pathogens, can cause a range of sequelae, a condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury, and complications. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, there has been some evidence linking norovirus infections to sequelae, including post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study analyzed an outbreak of severe gastroenteritis attributed to foodborne human norovirus (HNoV), which showed that the prevalence of IBS was significantly higher in subjects who had experienced acute gastroenteritis than in control subjects.

Another study that followed individuals from a massive outbreak of viral gastroenteritis also suggests that HNoV gastroenteritis can lead to the development of post-infectious IBS in a substantial proportion of patients.

In addition to the two previous studies, another study presented that the risk of dyspepsia, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was higher among those who had acute gastroenteritis during a confirmed norovirus outbreak. This study suggests that dysmotility, a condition in which the muscles and/or nerves of the digestive system do not work as they should, may result in subsequent infections. It is important to note that these findings have not been confirmed.

The norovirus is extremely difficult to kill as it can’t easily be washed away and can survive temperatures up to 145°F. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands vigorously with soap, cleaning any infected areas with diluted bleach, and washing infected clothes with hot water and detergent. The CDC also recommends wearing gloves and throwing them out after cleaning, which adds to your protection.

There are also many precautions you can take to reduce the risk of getting norovirus, including:

Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them

Cooking your food thoroughly (especially seafood or shellfish) or to an appropriate temperature

Avoiding contact with people who are infected with norovirus

Please note that using hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus particles as effectively as washing your hands with soap and water. If you are infected with norovirus, you shouldn’t prepare food or care for others, as you can spread the infection.

If you experience vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms of norovirus, schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center as soon as possible by calling (718) 670-5486.

Basilar Invagination

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Basilar invagination is a rare condition that occurs when the top of the spine gets pushed into the base of the skull. This can lead to pinching or pressure on the brainstem, which is the group of nerves connecting the brain to the spinal cord. This condition is painful and can cause various neurological symptoms.

The spine is made of seven vertebrae and is numbered from C1 to C7; this is called the cervical vertebrae. The C1 vertebrae is at the top of the spine, supporting the skull. The C2 vertebrae lies below the C1 and has an upward peg that enters a hole in the C1, which lets the C1 vertebrae pivot on the C2, allowing the head to turn sideways.

If the peg of the C2 vertebra moves too far upward into the C1 vertebra, it can put pressure on the brainstem. The brainstem normally passes from the skull into the spinal canal through an opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum.

In basilar invagination, the C2 vertebra moves upward toward this opening. As it pushes into the foramen magnum, the space for the brainstem becomes smaller. This reduced space can lead to compression of the brainstem.

Basilar invagination occurs when a person has problems with the bones in the neck or vertebrae. It can also be caused by platybasia, which is the flattening of the base of the skull. Basilar invagination can be present at birth. However, it can develop later due to illness or injuries resulting from vehicle or bicycle accidents, falls, or accidents during activities such as diving.

Basilar invagination may occur in people with conditions, such as:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Tumors

Paget’s disease

Brittle bone disease

Marfan syndrome

Rickets

The symptoms of basilar invagination can vary based on the pressure on the brainstem, spinal cord, or nerves. Symptoms may become noticeable when a person bends their neck. Symptoms of basilar invagination include:

Headache or pain in the back of the head

Weakness in the neck, arms, and legs

Tingling when bending the neck

Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Difficulty swallowing or talking due the loss of muscle control caused by nerve damage

Inability to tell the position of body parts without looking

Twitching eye movements or nystagmus

Loss of feeling or sensation in limbs

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Confusion

A person may also feel a shock down their back when they bend their neck forward or may experience paralysis.

If basilar invagination goes untreated, it can cause complications such as hydrocephalus or syringomyelia, which are conditions that occur when the flow of fluid around the brain and spinal cord is blocked and the fluid collects in the brain or spinal cord. What’s more, if the lower brainstem gets compressed, it may result in death.

Basilar invagination is diagnosed when a healthcare provider performs an examination to look for symptoms of the condition as well as discusses a person’s medical history. They will also use tests to check if a person’s spine and nerves are affected. These tests include:

X-rays

CT scan

Myelography

Nerve conduction studies

The treatment for basilar invagination depends on its symptoms and severity of the condition. If a person has basilar invagination that presents without signs of brainstem compression pressure on the spinal cord, a healthcare provider will use:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin to relieve pain or swelling

Neck traction, which involves gently stretching the neck to increase the space between the bones to relieve pressure

A neck collar or brace to support the neck and limit movement

Physical therapy that consists of neck exercises

If a person has signs of brainstem compression and nerve problems, they will need surgery. Surgery can be performed through the nose or mouth and can also be performed at the junction of the head and neck. Healthcare providers aim to use surgery to decompress or relieve the pressure on the brainstem or spinal cord and stabilize the joint in the neck.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with basilar invagination, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Dumping Syndrome

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Dumping syndrome or rapid gastric emptying is a condition that occurs when food and gastric juices move abnormally quickly from the stomach to the small intestine after eating.

Dumping syndrome most commonly occurs after stomach surgery due to it altering the stomach, which can increase the risk of developing the condition. These surgeries are performed mostly to treat obesity, but they can also treat stomach cancer. Dumping syndrome can also happen after esophageal surgery, such as surgery to treat esophageal cancer. Surgeries for other conditions can cause dumping syndrome, including:

Bariatric surgery

Esophagectomy

Gastrectomy

Vagotomy

Fundoplication

Pyloroplasty

Symptoms of dumping syndrome generally start within minutes after eating, especially meals containing high levels of table sugar and fruit sugar. Symptoms include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Feeling bloated or too full after eating

Stomach cramps

Diarrhea

Rapid heart rate

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Flushing

Late dumping syndrome starts one to three hours after eating a meal that is high in sugar. It takes time for symptoms to develop because the body releases large amounts of insulin to absorb the sugars entering the small intestine after eating. This process results in low blood sugar levels. Symptoms of late dumping syndrome can include:

Rapid heart rate

Sweating

Weakness

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Flushing

Some people can have both early and late symptoms.

A healthcare provider can diagnose dumping syndrome by using the following methods:

Discussing medical history and performing a medical evaluation

Testing blood sugar

Performing a gastric emptying test

If a person has early dumping syndrome, the condition is likely to resolve itself on its own within three months. In the interim, dietary changes may help ease symptoms. If dietary changes don’t help, an antidiarrheal medicine will be prescribed and injected under the skin to slow food from emptying into the intestine.

If medication doesn’t work, surgical procedures such as reconstructing the pylorus of a reverse gastric bypass may be recommended.

There are dietary strategies that can help maintain good nutrition and minimize symptoms, including:

Eating smaller meals

Drinking 6-8 cups of fluids per day

Drinking most of your fluids between meals

Lying down for 30 minutes after meals

Changing your diet

Increasing fiber intake

If you are going to drink alcohol, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider before doing so. Drinking alcohol beverages can worsen dumping syndrome symptoms because they can be absorbed quickly and can have high sugar content, which can lead to blood sugar levels rising rapidly and cause a significant insulin spike and then eventually low blood sugar.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with dumping syndrome, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Dialysis

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Dialysis is a treatment for those whose kidneys aren’t functioning properly due to late-stage kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease (EKD), or kidney failure. When a person suffers from these conditions, their kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. This causes waste such as urea, creatinine, acids, and toxins to build up in their bloodstream. Dialysis does the work your kidneys would do by removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood.

Dialysis is common, as over 2 million people worldwide treat their kidney disease with dialysis or a kidney transplant.

A person may need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. Some people undergo dialysis while awaiting a transplant. Kidney failure is fatal without treatment, and if a person has kidney failure, they may survive a few days or weeks without dialysis.

There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis is the most common type of dialysis that uses a machine that:

Removes blood from the body through a vein in the arm

Filters blood through an artificial kidney

Returns clean blood to the body

People can receive hemodialysis at a dialysis center or at home. Most people receive hemodialysis at a dialysis center three times a week for three to four hours, and three to seven times a week, depending on the type of at-home hemodialysis, with sessions lasting between three and eight hours.

Before a person starts hemodialysis, a surgeon will enlarge some of their blood vessels in their arm to make dialysis access easier and to allow blood to flow in and out of their body more quickly.

Peritoneal dialysis uses the inner lining of the abdomen or peritoneum to filter blood. A person adds a dialysis solution called dialysate in their peritoneum that helps the blood vessels in the area to filter their blood. After this process, the person will drain the dialysate in a bag outside of their body. There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis:

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD)

Before a person begins peritoneal dialysis, a healthcare provider will surgically insert a permanent soft tube called a catheter in their abdomen. They will teach them how to add the dialysate and later drain the solution through the catheter.

Continuous peritoneal dialysis usually lasts 40 minutes, and a person will need three to five sessions each day. Automated peritoneal dialysis may take eight to 12 hours and may need to be done every day.

A healthcare provider can review dialysis options with you and determine which type works best.

If you or a loved one is experiencing kidney problems and would like to learn more about dialysis, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

IBS vs Lactose Intolerance

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and lactose intolerance can cause similar symptoms in the digestive system. They include:

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

Bloating

Although their symptoms overlap, they are separate conditions with differences in how they are diagnosed and treated.

IBS is a common condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It causes various symptoms, including:

Cramping that is related to the urge to poop

Excess gas

Mucus in the poop

Alternating diarrhea and constipation

The feeling of being unable to empty the bowels after pooping

There are three types of irritable bowel syndrome, which are categorized based on how poops look on the days of having symptom flare-ups. They include:

IBS with constipation (IBS-C) causes most poop to be hard and lumpy

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) causes most poop to be watery and loose

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M) causes hard and lumpy, as well as watery and loose bowel movements

Unfortunately, researchers don’t know what causes IBS. However, IBS is classified as a neurogastrointestinal disorder or a gut-brain interaction. A gut-brain interaction means there are problems with how the gut and brain coordinate to help the digestive system work. IBS can also be caused by:

An imbalance in the microbes that normally live in the digestive system

Emotional stress and adverse life events

An infection of the digestive tract, which includes common stomach bugs

Lactose intolerance is a condition that occurs when people lack the enzyme lactase. This makes it difficult to digest lactose, which is the sugar present in milk and milk products.

Lactose malabsorption is the inability to break down and absorb lactose molecules in the digestive system. Lactose malabsorption is common, as about 65% of adults worldwide can’t break down and absorb lactose.

Lactose intolerance symptoms can appear inside and outside of the digestive system. Symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting

Headaches

Fatigue

Joint pain

Problems concentrating

Mouth ulcers

Primary lactose intolerance is inherited and is more common in certain ethnicities and parts of the world. In the U.S., African Americans, Latinx, Asian Americans, and Native Americans are more likely to suffer from lactose intolerance.

Although it is uncommon, other forms of lactose intolerance are caused by disease or medications.

IBS and lactose intolerance can be diagnosed without testing. A person’s health history is an important part of diagnosing these conditions.

An IBS diagnosis is based on symptoms described in the Rome criteria, the guidelines used to diagnose gut-brain interaction, which includes stool changes, such as diarrhea, constipation, or a combination, and abdominal pain for at least one day each week during the previous three months.

If these symptoms meet the Rome criteria, an IBS diagnosis can be made without the need for an invasive test such as a colonoscopy.

However, further diagnostic testing would be needed if symptoms include blood in the stool, fever, and weight loss to determine if these are symptoms of another condition.

The first steps in diagnosing lactose intolerance include a health history and physical exam. In some cases, a clear connection between a person consuming dairy products and symptoms can suggest a diagnosis of lactose intolerance.

In certain cases, a breath test to diagnose lactose intolerance is available. During this test, a person drinks a solution that contains lactose and breathes to have their breath captured and measured for hydrogen. A higher level of hydrogen in the breath can indicate lactose intolerance.

IBS treatment starts with diet and lifestyle changes, including:

Adopting a low-FODMAP diet, which is a diet that is low in certain carbohydrates such as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols

Eating more fiber

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol

Decreasing and managing stress

Identifying and avoiding foods that cause symptoms

Eating small meals on a regular schedule

Treating mental health conditions

Increasing physical activity

Trying a peppermint oil supplement

If lifestyle and diet changes don’t help, many drugs could help, including:

Antidiarrheals

Antispasmodics

Laxatives

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Other prescription drugs

Treating lactose intolerance consists of avoiding foods that cause symptoms, dairy products that have less lactose or are lactose-free, or taking a supplement that breaks down lactose.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with IBS or lactose intolerance, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Snow STEMI

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A powerful winter storm called a Nor’easter has brought blizzard-like conditions and a large amount of snowfall to our area.

When we get such large amounts of snow, the easy part is watching the beauty of the snow falling. Unfortunately, the most difficult part is having to shovel several inches of snow from the sidewalk and driveway.

A major worry when shoveling large amounts of snow is how it can affect our health.

According to the National Library of Medicine, heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure during the winter months have been associated with increased adverse cardiovascular events, such as “snow-shoveler’s ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).”

Snow-shoveler’s STEMI is a type of heart attack that occurs when there is a partial or complete blockage in one of the coronary arteries, which stops blood flow to part of the heart muscle. This can especially occur due to the over-exertion caused by shoveling snow.

Per the American Heart Association, shoveling snow can put some people at risk of a heart attack, but most people won’t have a problem. Sudden exertion, such as shoveling hundreds of pounds of snow or pushing a heavy snow blower after being sedentary for several months, can put a huge strain on the heart.

There is also a factor of cold weather, as it can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and make blood clots form more easily and constrict arteries, which can decrease blood supply. This can even affect healthy people. People who are over the age of 40 years old, or are relatively inactive, are especially at risk. Other people who are at risk of STEMI include:

Those with preexisting heart conditions:

Those with high blood pressure (hypertension)
Those who smoke tobacco products

According to Medical News Today, research indicates that heavy snowfall is linked to a 6% higher likelihood of hospital admission for men with a heart attack and a 34% increase in dying.

The National Safety Council recommends the following safety tips to shovel safely:

Know the signs of a heart attack, stop immediately, and call 911 if you’re experiencing any of them; every minute counts

The warning signs of a heart attack include:

- Chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or doesn’t go away and returns
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, and stomach
- Shortness of breath

Other signs of a heart attack can include:

- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Nausea
- A rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Unusual tiredness
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Lightheadedness

Take it slow and stretch before you start shoveling
Shovel only fresh, powdery snow because it is lighter
Push the snow instead of lifting it. If you do lift the snow, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel
Lift with your legs and not your back
Dress in warm layers
Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
Do not work to the point of exhaustion

If you have a history of heart disease, do not pick up a shovel without the permission of your healthcare provider.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of STEMI, while, during, or after shoveling snow, you can receive treatment from a cardiologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

Appendicitis

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes clogged, infected, and inflamed. It can cause acute pain in your lower abdomen; however, for most people, pain begins around the belly button and then moves. As inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes serious.

Symptoms of appendicitis include:

Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower belly
Sudden pain that begins around the belly button and often shifts to the lower right belly
Pain that worsens with coughing, walking, or making other jarring movements
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever that may rise as the illness worsens
Constipation or diarrhea
Belly bloating
Gas

Additional symptoms that may develop later in some people can include:

Malaise
Urinary symptoms- needing to go more frequently or more urgently
Bowel paralysis

The size and location of the appendix make it easy for it to become clogged and infected. Your large intestine is home to many bacteria. If they become trapped in your appendix, they overgrow and cause an infection. The bacteria then multiply quickly, causing the appendix to become inflamed and filled with pus. If it is not treated right away, the appendix may burst or break open.

Some common causes of inflammation, swelling, obstruction, and infection in your appendix include:

Hardened poop (appendix stones)
Lymphoid hyperplasia
Colitis

Other factors that could block the opening of your appendix can include:

Tumors
Parasites
Cystic fibrosis

Risk factors for appendicitis include:

Age – anyone can develop appendicitis, but it most often happens in people between the ages of 10 and 30
Your sex – men have a slightly higher risk of appendicitis than women

To help diagnose appendicitis, a healthcare provider will likely take a history of symptoms and examine the abdomen. Tests used to diagnose appendicitis can include:

A physical exam
Blood tests
Urine tests
Imaging tests

Appendicitis may spontaneously resolve if the cause suddenly goes away on its own. This might happen if an obstruction in your appendix gets unblocked and passes through the intestines, or if an infection causing lymphoid hyperplasia in your appendix suddenly improves. However, you shouldn’t assume this will happen or that it has happened, even if your pain has reduced.

The standard treatment includes medicine such as antibiotics and surgery to remove the appendix. The surgical procedure to remove the appendix is called an appendectomy, and it can be performed using robot-assisted technology.

Appendicitis is considered an emergency, so it is treated in the emergency room.

If you are experiencing symptoms of appendicitis, 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.