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.

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.

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. It is an annual observance dedicated to promoting the safety of toys and gifts for children, particularly during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder to parents, caregivers, and gift-givers to choose age-appropriate and safe toys to ensure the well-being of the children who receive them.

Started by the nonprofit organization, Prevent Blindness, National Safe Toys and Gifts Month focuses on raising awareness about the importance of selecting toys and gifts that meet safety standards and align with a child’s age and developmental stage. The month aims to prevent accidents and injuries caused by inappropriate or hazardous toys, especially when gift-giving is most common.

Too often, accidents involving children and toys occur and may result in eye injuries. Each year, thousands of children ages 14 and younger suffer serious eye injuries, including blindness, from toys, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Approximately one in ten children’s eye injuries caused by toys end up in the ER.

Promoting safe toys and gifts during this month is essential for children’s well-being. Ways to participate and ensure safe gift-giving include:

Check the labels of the toys before purchasing them. Always look for age-appropriate labels on toys and gifts and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Avoid toys with small parts, which can be choking hazards for young children.

Inspect the toys for any hazards by examining them for sharp edges, loose parts, or any potential dangers that could harm children.

Research the toys and gifts online by reading reviews and asking for recommendations from other parents and caregivers.

Consider the child’s age before buying any gifts or toys. Also consider their interests and abilities when selecting gifts for them.

Support educational toys by choosing toys and gifts that encourage learning, creativity, and development.

Spread awareness by sharing safety tips and information about safe toys and gifts month with your community and on social media.

Taking proper precautions can avoid many accidents and injuries involving children’s toys. Let’s all do our part to encourage their safety.

To schedule an eye exam for your child at Flushing Hospital’s Medical Center Ambulatory Care Center, call (718) 670-5486. If there is an emergency, please call 911.

National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

November is observed as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. This month recognizes the importance of understanding what Alzheimer’s is and what steps you can take to care for your brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by sex and family history.

Dementia is not a specific disease, but an overall term that describes a group of symptoms like memory loss and the loss of other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, caused by physical changes in the brain.

Different types of dementia include:

Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease

Frontotemporal Dementia

Huntington’s Disease

Korsakoff Syndrome

There are many signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. They include:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Difficulty completing familiar tasks

Confusion with time and place

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

New problems with words in speaking or writing

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

Decreased or poor judgment

Withdrawal from work or social activities

Changes in mood and personality

Even though there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other types of dementia, there are many preventative measures you can follow to care for your brain, including:

Breaking a sweat: regular cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Eating healthy: eating a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, such as the Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, may help reduce the risk.

Catching some ZZZs: Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.

Taking care of your mental health: Some studies have linked a history of depression with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Seek medical treatment if you have experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.

Stumping yourself: Challenge and activate your mind. Try building a piece of furniture, completing a jigsaw puzzle, doing something artistic, or playing a strategy game. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.

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 Family Caregivers Month

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Families are often the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities. Today in America, more than 53 million family caregivers provide unpaid care.

November is observed as National Family Caregivers Month. It is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the selfless individuals who provide essential care and support to ill, disabled, or elderly loved ones. National Family Caregivers Month was established to recognize their significant contributions and raise awareness about their challenges. President Bill Clinton officially proclaimed in 1997 that November would be a time to honor and support caregivers across the country.

Celebrating family caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month involves:

Raising awareness of family caregiver issues

Celebrating the efforts of family caregivers

Educating family caregivers about self-identification

Increasing support for family caregivers

Reducing feelings of isolation

There are several ways to get involved and show your support for family caregivers during National Caregivers Month, including:

Express your gratitude

Offer your assistance

Join support groups

Advocate for caregiver rights

Donate to caregiver organizations

Family caregivers should be celebrated every day. Taking care of a family member who is elderly, infirm, sick, or physically disabled can be emotionally and physically demanding. We must recognize and honor caregivers nationally, raise awareness around caregiving issues, educate communities, and work to increase support for our nation’s caregivers.

National Primary Care Week

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

National Primary Care Week is celebrated from October 6^th through October 11^th. It is a time to raise awareness about family medicine and to thank the doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and healthcare teams who help keep us healthy every day.

Primary care is the first stop you make when you’re sick, require a checkup, or have any questions about your health. These are the family doctors, pediatricians, or nurse practitioners who know you best and help you to stay healthy, catch problems early, and guide you when you need more care. They don’t just treat you when you are ill; they help keep you well.

Primary care providers do more than administer shots or check blood pressure. They listen to a patient’s concerns, help manage long-term conditions such as diabetes or asthma, and refer you to specialists when needed. They also help with mental health, food and housing needs, and other factors that may affect your well-being.

Here are some ways you can participate in National Primary Care Week:

Schedule a checkup if you haven’t had one in a while
Update your health records to make sure your healthcare provider has your latest information
Thank your doctor or nurse for the care they give
Learn more about what your primary care provider can do for you
Talk to family and friends about the importance of having a primary care provider

If you would like to receive a checkup, you can receive treatment from a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

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.

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.

Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month. The observance was founded by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders in 2016, with a goal to educate people about gastroparesis symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Gastroparesis is a condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles or motility in your stomach.

There are many signs and symptoms of gastroparesis, which include:

Vomiting

Nausea

Abdominal bloating

A feeling of fullness after eating a few bites

Vomiting undigested food that was eaten a few hours earlier

Acid reflux

Changes in blood sugar levels

Lack of appetite

Weight loss and malnutrition

Many people with gastroparesis don’t have any noticeable signs or symptoms of the condition.

The cause of gastroparesis is unclear; however, some cases have been caused by damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach muscles. The vagus nerve helps manage the complex processes in the digestive tract, like signaling the muscles in your stomach to contract and push food into the small intestine.

The vagus nerve can also be damaged by diseases such as diabetes, stomach, or small intestine surgeries.

Some risk factors that can increase your risk of gastroparesis include:

Diabetes

Abdominal or esophageal surgery

Infection, usually from a virus

Certain medications that slow the rate of stomach emptying, such as narcotic pain medications

Scleroderma- a connective tissue disease

Nervous system diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease or MS

An underactive thyroid

Women are more likely to develop gastroparesis than men.

Gastroparesis can cause several complications, including:

Severe dehydration

Malnutrition

Undigested food that hardens and remains in your stomach

Unpredictable blood sugar changes

Decreased quality of life

Doctors use several tests to help diagnose gastroparesis so they can rule out conditions that cause similar symptoms. These tests include:

Gastric emptying tests

Scintigraphy

Breath tests

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Ultrasound

The treatment for gastroparesis begins with identifying and treating the underlying condition. For example, if diabetes is the cause of your gastroparesis, your doctor can work with you to help control it.

Other treatments may include:

Changes to your diet

Eat smaller meals more frequently

Chew food thoroughly

Eat well-cooked fruits and vegetables instead of raw

Avoid fibrous fruits and vegetables

Choose mostly low-fat foods

Try soups and pureed foods if liquids are easier to swallow

Drink about 34-51 ounces of water a day

Exercise gently after eating

Avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol, and smoking

Avoid lying down for two hours after a meal

Take a daily multivitamin

Medications

To stimulate the stomach muscles

To control nausea and vomiting

Surgical treatment

If you are experiencing symptoms of gastroparesis, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.