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Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

This month, we’re shedding light on a health condition you may be at risk of developing if you’ve been diagnosed with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Gastroparesis (also referred to as “delayed gastric emptying”) is a disorder that disrupts the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine.

Out of 100,000 people, about 10 men and 40 women may suffer from gastroparesis, adding up to about 5 million people throughout the United States. Although gastroparesis is rare, you may be more likely to develop it based on certain factors.

Diabetes, certain cancer treatments, and any surgery that may have injured your vagus nerve may contribute to an increased risk of developing this disorder. Out of these factors, diabetes is the most commonly-identified cause.

A few different symptoms may indicate signs of gastroparesis, including a feeling of fullness in your stomach before or after finishing a normal-sized meal, stomach pain or discomfort, or nausea.

The first doctor you may see when you start to present symptoms of gastroparesis is your primary care physician. This doctor may then refer you to a gastroenterologist if they believe those symptoms may indicate gastroparesis.

When diagnosing you with gastroparesis, a doctor conducts a physical exam, measures stomach emptying, and takes your medical history into consideration. These factors, in addition to your symptoms, complications, and most likely cause help determine the best course of treatment for you. If diabetes is determined to be the cause of your gastroparesis, your doctor will focus on helping you control your blood glucose levels.

You can also tackle your symptoms from a dietary angle by reducing fat and fiber intake, avoiding tough-to-chew foods as well as carbonated and alcoholic beverages, and increasing your intake of water and liquids containing glucose and electrolytes. Light physical activity after each meal can also be helpful for stimulating your digestive processes, relieving feelings of fullness and allowing you to process food more easily.

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.

Psoriasis Awareness Month

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the formation of thick, scaly patches of discolored skin, also known as plaques. These rashes occur due to inflammation and can appear anywhere on the body, but typically develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, fingernails, toenails, palms, feet, lower back, genitals, face, and mouth. Over 3% of Americans have been diagnosed with psoriasis.

There are many types of psoriasis, including:

Plaque psoriasis (the most common form of psoriasis)
Inverse psoriasis (which causes plaques to form without a scaly texture)
Guttate psoriasis (which can appear after a case of strep throat)
Pustular psoriasis (characterized by pus-filled bumps that appear on plaques)
Erythrodermic psoriasis (covering over 90% of your skin)
Sebopsoriasis (appearing on your face and scalp with a yellow coloration and scaly texture)
Nail psoriasis (which causes discoloration and pitting in your fingernails and toenails)

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that it is caused by your immune system functioning abnormally and attacking healthy cells; this results in the inflammation that causes plaques on the skin. Psoriasis also significantly speeds up the production of new skin cells, causing scales and frequent shedding. Approximately one in three people diagnosed with this disorder may also be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune condition that causes swelling and pain in your joints.

Symptoms of psoriasis are not necessarily constant. They typically occur during periodic flare-ups, which may develop in response to certain factors or elements of the environment. Some common triggers for psoriasis include stress, infections such as strep throat, skin injuries, medications such as lithium and beta-blockers, and body temperature shifts in response to weather conditions.

Many cases of psoriasis may respond well to treatment options such as steroid creams, moisturizers, medical lotions or shampoos, vitamin D3 ointment, vitamin A or retinoid creams, and medications such as anthralin which slow down the production of new skin cells. If these options do not treat your symptoms effectively, your doctor may recommend light therapy, immunosuppressant drugs, and other, stronger medications.

If you are experiencing symptoms of psoriasis, you can receive specialized treatment from a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Approximately 5.8 million Americans experience Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dementia is a general term that refers to memory loss; Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of cases.

The earliest signs of Alzheimer’s involve difficulty retaining new information, but can also involve vision or language-related problems. These symptoms gradually transition into more severe problems such as worsening confusion and memory loss, changes in mood and behavior, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. These problems are likely to be less obvious to the person experiencing them than to others who interact with them regularly.

Alzheimer’s is believed by medical experts to be caused by buildups of proteins such as amyloid, which forms plaque around brain cells, and tau, which forms tangles within brain cells. These buildups lead to lower levels of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, which send signals between brain cells. Other factors that increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing Alzheimer’s include:

Age
Family history
Down’s syndrome
Head trauma
Cardiovascular disease
Untreated depression

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s; symptoms can only be managed as they progress. Some ways that caregivers can help a person with Alzheimer’s cope with their symptoms include:

Helping them maintain a regular daily routine
Reassuring them and acknowledging their feelings
Avoiding showing frustration or anger with them
Avoiding arguments with them
Making sure they have a safe space to walk
Helping them stay hydrated and fed throughout the day

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

National Osteoporosis Awareness Month

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become brittle, making it easier for them to fracture in response to trauma or pressure. This occurs as a result of the loss of bone density over time.

After the age of 30, bone mass continually decreases; as a result, your likelihood of developing osteoporosis depends in large part on how much bone mass you developed in your youth.

Aside from age, a variety of factors affect your risk of developing osteoporosis, some of which you may not have any control over. These include:

Assigned sex at birth (women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than men)
Race (osteoporosis is most common in people of white and Asian descent)
A family history of osteoporosis and fractures
Body frame (a smaller frame tends to correlate with osteoporosis due to smaller amounts of bone mass)

Despite these unchangeable factors, there are steps you can take to decrease your risk of osteoporosis. These mainly include building healthy lifestyle habits and actively managing medical problems that can contribute to osteoporosis. Some examples include:

Staying physically active: A routine that includes a mixture of weight-bearing activities (exercises such as running, dancing, hiking, or aerobics) and resistance exercises (incorporating movements such as pushing or pulling against opposing forces such as weights or elastic bands) three to four days per week is ideal for stimulating bone health.

Following a diet that promotes bone health: A diet that protects and stimulates bone health should include the recommended daily amounts of calcium (approximately 1,000 mg for people aged 19-50), vitamin D (about 15 micrograms (mcg) for people younger than 71), and protein (approximately 0.36 grams of protein for each pound of bodyweight). You should also avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Working with a doctor to identify medical risk factors: A variety of conditions and medications, particularly any which contribute to hormonal imbalances, can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Specialists such as endocrinologists can help you identify medical risk factors early and develop an effective prevention strategy.

You can receive a diagnosis, treatment, or preventative care for osteoporosis at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.week is ideal for stimulating bone health.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling in one or more of your joints. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 100 arthritic conditions. Some of these include:

Fibromyalgia
Gout
Childhood arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Septic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis

However, two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which causes cartilage to break down, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects the lining of the joints.

Certain genetic factors make some people more likely to develop arthritis. Women, for example, are at a higher risk of arthritis than men. Additionally, arthritis can run in families, making you more likely to develop it if your parents or siblings experience it. Other risk factors include obesity, which can put excess stress on your joints and lead to inflammation, as well as previous joint injuries.

If you have arthritis, there are certain steps you can take to manage your symptoms and reduce the impact of this condition on your daily life. These include:

Staying active with low-impact exercise: Regular low-impact physical activity, such as walking, bicycling, or swimming, place little stress on your joints and are helpful for controlling your weight, improving your mood, and relieving arthritis pain. Additionally, gradual progressive strength training and stretches can help to maintain your flexibility and strengthen the muscles around your joints.

Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet: Your diet, combined with regular exercise, can help you reach or maintain a healthy weight that reduces stress on your joints. This can be helpful for reducing the severity of your symptoms.

Working with a doctor: A rheumatologist can help you determine the right course of treatment for your symptoms. This treatment can include physical therapy, medication to relieve pain or slow the progression of the disease, or surgery in cases where other approaches are not providing adequate results.

You can find a rheumatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center to get started on your arthritis treatment. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Alcohol Awareness Month

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Alcohol consumption is extremely common in the United States, with nearly 80% of the population aged 12 or older drinking it at some point in their lifetime. Of this number, approximately 12.1% of men and 9.1% of women experience an alcohol use disorder, which is defined as an impaired ability to stop or limit the amount of alcohol consumed despite negative social or physical consequences.

Some of the primary risk factors for alcohol addiction are the amount, frequency, and speed of your alcohol consumption. It is generally recommended for men to limit their drinking to two alcoholic beverages per day and for women to only consume one drink per day. Frequently drinking too much and too quickly increases your risk of developing an alcohol addiction over time.

Other factors also increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. These include:

Drinking at an early age: People who begin to drink before the age of 15 are over five times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than people who waited until the legal age of 21. This risk is higher for women than for men.

A family history of alcohol abuse: A combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as the drinking habits of one’s parents, contribute substantially to an individual’s likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder.

Mental health conditions: People who experience mental disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, particularly those who have experienced some form of childhood trauma, are at an increased risk of alcohol addiction.

While a serious and widespread problem, alcohol addiction is not the only dangerous form of alcohol misuse. Approximately one in six American adults engages in binge drinking, which involves consuming five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four or more drinks for women.

Excessive drinking of any kind, even when it isn’t related to an alcohol dependency, carries significant potential health risks such as:

Physical injuries due to vehicle crashes, alcohol poisoning, violence, or other factors
Sexually transmitted diseases
Unintended pregnancies
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Sudden infant death syndrome
Chronic diseases
Long-term cognitive problems

If you are experiencing an alcohol use disorder, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services can help. To learn more about our Chemical Dependence Unit, a safe place to experience alcohol withdrawal, please call (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540. To learn more about our Reflections addiction treatment program, please call (718) 670-5078.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is an annual observance that focuses on the discussion of drug and alcohol use and addiction among young people. The most common substances used by this group are alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, but there is also significant use of substances such as club drugs, anabolic steroids, and opioids.

Alcohol: Approximately 29% of high school-aged young people consume alcoholic beverages, with about 14% binge-drinking and 17% driving with someone who had been drinking. Additionally, underage drinking is associated with several negative outcomes, including a higher chance of academic, social, legal, and physical problems, as well as an increased likelihood of experiencing sexual violence, suicide, homicide, or abuse of other substances.

Tobacco: Nearly 99% of people who use tobacco products daily began by the age of 26. Over 85% of high school students and 81.5% of middle school students reported using products such as e-cigarettes because of their flavors, indicating that this factor may make these products more appealing to young people.

Marijuana: The most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that approximately four out of 10 high school students have used marijuana at some point in their lives. Regular usage can potentially lead to long-term health effects such as mental health disorders or marijuana use disorder, a form of addiction that approximately 30% of people who use marijuana experience.

Club drugs: The term “club drugs” refers to substances such as cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, rohypnol, methamphetamine, and acid. They’re most often used by young adults at parties, concerts, bars, nightclubs, or other event spaces. They are generally psychoactive substances and cause changes in mood, behavior, and awareness. They are also often used as “date rape” drugs to make it easier for a person to sexually assault a victim.

Anabolic steroids: Recreational steroid usage generally begins in young adulthood, with approximately 22% of users beginning as teenagers. Steroids are most likely to be used by males who participate in sports focused on weight and shape, such as bodybuilding. They may increase the likelihood of cognitive problems, such as increased impulsivity and decreased attention, as well as heart problems.

Opioids: Approximately 14% of students report misusing prescription opioids, which are typically used as painkillers after a major injury or procedure or for the treatment of chronic pain. Opioids carry a high risk of addiction and dependence when misused, making an overdose more likely. An overdose can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness, mental fog, nausea, constipation, slowed breathing, and even death.

If a young person you know is experiencing substance abuse or addiction, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services can treat them through our Reflections program, which you can learn more about by calling (718) 670-5078. For more information about our 24/7 chemical dependence unit, where your loved one can experience withdrawal safely, please call (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540.

Anosmia Awareness Day

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Anosmia is the complete loss of your sense of smell. Approximately three percent of all Americans experience either this condition or severe hyposmia (a diminished sense of smell), with a much larger percentage of the population experiencing a milder form of smell alteration.

Although people may be born with anosmia in rare instances, it typically occurs later in life due to a variety of factors. One of the primary risk factors for smell impairment is age; a reduced sense of smell becomes increasingly likely as you get older, with a quarter of all Americans in their 70s and nearly 40% of Americans in their 80s experiencing these problems in some form. It’s also more common for men and people who are Black or Mexican-American.

Losing your sense of smell can leave you vulnerable to several potential health risks. Food or liquids that spoil often create a foul odor, but if you lack the ability to smell, you may accidentally consume these items without realizing that they are no longer safe. You also may not be able to recognize the presence of hazards such as smoke until it’s too late.

The loss of your sense of smell also affects more than just scents. Smell also plays a significant role in the way you process flavors; without it, food and drinks become bland and less distinguishable. This can lead to other issues such as a loss of interest in eating, poor nutrition, weight loss, or potentially even depression. Additionally, attempts to resolve this lack of flavor, such as adding copious amounts of salt to food, can lead to high blood pressure and other problems.

Anosmia is not necessarily a permanent impairment. In fact, polyps, nasal deformities, and conditions such as sinus infections or viruses may cause you to temporarily develop symptoms of anosmia. An otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor) can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine the right course of treatment, both for the underlying condition and for restoring your sense of smell.

You can visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

National Handwashing Awareness Week

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Flushing Hospital

The first week in December is marked as National Handwashing Awareness Week. Flushing Hospital Medical Center believes that Infection prevention is important to all of us and each of us has a valuable role to play in keeping patients safe from infection.

According to the CDC, handwashing is one of the best “do-it-yourself” precaution —it involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrhea and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.

It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. During this time, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is raising awareness of pancreatic cancer by sharing important facts about the disease.

The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen. It plays an essential role in digestion by producing enzymes that break down food. The pancreas also produces hormones such as insulin that help the body regulate blood sugar.

Several types of cancerous growths can occur in the pancreas, this includes pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of cases. Squamous cell carcinomas, adenosquamous carcinomas, and signet ring cell carcinomas are some of the less common types of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma develops when the exocrine cells in the pancreas begin to grow out of control and form a tumor. There is no clear answer as to what causes adenocarcinoma; however, some people have a greater risk than others of developing the disease. This includes those who:

Smoke or use tobacco products
Are exposed to chemicals used in metal working or dry-cleaning industries
Are obese
Are born male
Are over the age of 60
Are of African American descent
Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
Have inherited certain gene mutations
Have diabetes
Have chronic pancreatitis

According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is hard to find early. This is because symptoms typically do not present until after cancer has progressed (spreading outside the pancreas to other organs). Symptoms can include:

Jaundice
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Stomach bloating
Burning sensation in the stomach
Nausea and vomiting
Floating stools
Dark urine
Fever
Chills and sweats

A person with signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer should consult their physician. A series of tests can be ordered to diagnose the disease. If cancer is detected, a doctor will try to determine the stage based on the size of the tumor, the spread to nearby lymph nodes, or the spread to distant lymph nodes and organs. Pancreatic cancer stages range from zero to four.

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on various factors such as the location and stage of cancer as well as the status of your overall health. Your doctor may recommend radiation therapy or surgery, or a combination of both.