The Importance of Getting Vaccinated During Cold and Flu Season

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Flu season can be unpredictable, as it can begin as early as fall and can last until spring. Flu activity is usually at its peak during winter, and public healthcare professionals, advocates, and communities come together to promote flu vaccination as the flu can cause serious health complications, such as bacterial infections or pneumonia. If it isn’t treated in time, the flu can even lead to death.

Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including pregnant women and young children. Millions of children get sick with the flu every year, and thousands will be hospitalized as a result. Women are also at higher risk of developing serious flu complications during pregnancy.

Since flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to reduce your risk of the flu. A flu vaccine is the only vaccine that protects against the flu and has been shown to reduce the risk of illness from the flu, hospitalization, and death.

During flu season, we encourage everyone six months and older to get their annual flu vaccine, especially pregnant women, young children, and other people who are at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications. The more people who get vaccinated against the flu, the more people who will be protected from it.

If you or a loved one would like to get the flu vaccine, you can visit 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.

Does Nasal Irrigation Effectively Fight the Common Cold?

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The winter season is approaching quickly, and with it comes the cold season. When we come down with a cold, we try different methods to relieve our cold symptoms.

However, using a simple saline or saltwater solution can help reduce the duration of these symptoms.

A pilot study done in 2019 found that flushing your nose with a 3% saline solution, which is higher than the standard 0.9% concentration, can reduce cold symptoms in almost two days.

Additionally, researchers say that saline nasal drops may help reduce transmission rates of cold viruses.

In the same 2019 study, 93% of participants said the 3% saline solution made a difference in their symptoms, and 61% said they would use it again during another cold.

Most people may catch a cold two or three times each year, as the cold virus spreads easily via contaminated droplets. Saline solution is an affordable, easy-to-use treatment that may help slow down the spread of the cold virus between family members.

Saline nasal drops may also help to clear up a runny nose. The solution may help reduce viral load, the amount of the virus in a person’s system, by flushing out the nasal passages.

Saline nasal drops help flush out mucous and inflammatory mediators, which are chemical messengers that play a crucial role in initiating and regulating the body’s inflammatory response. This can improve cold symptoms and give the immune system a better chance to fight the infection.

When you are looking to buy saline nasal drops or sprays, it is important to look for a saline percentage or the words “hypertonic” or “extra-strength” on the label. Many brands of saline solutions sell 3% hypertonic nasal spray, but it is important to read the labels carefully to confirm the product does not contain other added medications.

You can also make a saline solution at home with salt, baking soda, and water. It is important to only use distilled or boiled and cooled tap water when preparing the solution, as the quality of tap water varies, and there may be things such as bugs and germs present.

To make the saline solution, combine three tablespoons of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. Avoid any salts that contain iodine, preservatives, or anti-caking agents because these can irritate your nose. Put one teaspoon of the salt-baking soda mixture into eight ounces of distilled or boiled water. Baking soda helps reduce irritation; however, you may still experience some irritation in the nose or throat after using the saline solution.

Although hypertonic nasal drops or sprays could be prepared correctly, they can still irritate the nose and throat. Some people may even experience a temporary burning sensation. Use the hypertonic saline solution as tolerated. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about alternative cold remedies if the saline solution doesn’t work well for you and if your cold symptoms persist or get worse.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a cold, you can receive treatment from a physician 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.

Postpartum Depression and Psychosis

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Postpartum refers to the time after childbirth. Postpartum mothers may experience mental health changes or challenges after giving birth, including mood disorders such as postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that happens after having a baby. It affects up to 15% of women, involving emotional highs and lows, frequent crying, fatigue, guilt, and anxiety. A postpartum mother may have trouble caring for their baby or themselves.

Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a mental health emergency that affects a postpartum mother’s sense of reality, causing hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or other behavior changes. In severe cases, postpartum mothers with PPP may attempt to harm themselves or their newborn.

Postpartum depression is common. A mother who has just given birth may experience baby blues, which affects between 50% and 75% of women after delivery. Up to 15% of them will develop postpartum depression. Postpartum psychosis is rare, as experts estimate that it affects between 0.089 and 2.6 out of every 1,000 births. In the United States, that means it happens in between 320 and 9,400 births each year. Globally, that means it happens between 12 million and 352.3 million births.

A mother can experience postpartum depression for up to one year after their baby is born. However, this doesn’t mean that they will feel cured in one year.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can include:

· Feeling sad, worthless, hopeless, or guilty

· Worrying excessively or feeling on edge

· Loss of interest in hobbies or things you once enjoyed

· Changes in appetite or not eating

· Loss of energy and motivation

· Trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time

· Crying for no reason or excessively

· Difficulty thinking or focusing

· Thoughts of suicide or wishing you were dead

· Lack of interest in your baby or feeling anxious around your baby

· Thoughts of hurting your baby or feeling like you don’t want your baby

It is believed that hormonal changes are linked to postpartum depression; however, more research is needed to determine the link between the rapid drop in hormones after delivery and depression. The levels of estrogen and progesterone increase tenfold during pregnancy but drop sharply after delivery. When a mother is three days postpartum, levels of these hormones drop back to pre-pregnancy levels.

In addition to these chemical changes, the social and psychological changes associated with having a baby increase the risk of postpartum depression. Examples of these changes include physical bodily changes, lack of sleep, worries about parenting, or changes to relationships.

Experts don’t know why postpartum psychosis happens, but suspect it involves a combination of factors, including:

· History of mental health conditions

· Number of pregnancies

· Family history of mental health conditions, especially PPP

· Sleep deprivation

· Hormone changes

· Other medical conditions

Hallucinations and delusions are the two main symptoms of postpartum psychosis. However, there are several other common symptoms, including:

· Mood changes, such as mania and hypomania or depression

· Depersonalization

· Disorganized thinking or behavior

· Insomnia

· Irritability of agitation

· Thoughts of self-harm or harming others, especially their newborn

Researchers have organized the symptoms of PPP into three types: depressive, manic, and atypical/mixed.

The depressive subtype of PPP is the most common, making up about 41% of cases. It is also the most dangerous. Research shows that depressive symptoms and psychosis are almost always a factor in cases that involve self-harm or harm to a child, especially hallucinations or delusions that command a person to harm their child or themselves. The rate of harm to a child is about 4.5% with this subtype, about four or five times greater than with the other subtypes. The rate of dying by suicide is about 5%. Symptoms that are most likely experienced with this type include:

· Anxiety or panic

· Delusions and hallucinations

· Depression

· Feelings of guilt

· Loss of appetite

· Loss of enjoyment related to things they usually enjoy

· Thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming their child

The manic subtype is the next most common of the types, affecting about 34% of cases. The risk of self-harm or harm to children is lower but still possible, happening in about 1% of cases. Symptoms can include:

· Agitation or irritability

· Disruptive or aggressive behavior

· Talking more or faster than usual, or both

· Needing less sleep

· Delusions of greatness or importance, such as believing your child to be a holy or religious figure

The atypical/mixed subtype makes up to 25% of cases. This can mix the symptoms of manic and depressive subtypes. It can also involve symptoms where a person seems much less aware or completely unaware of the world around them. Symptoms can include:

· Disorganized speaking or behavior

· Disorientation or confusion

· Disturbance of consciousness, where a person doesn’t appear to be awake or isn’t aware of activities or things taking place nearby

· Hallucinations or delusions

· Inappropriate comments, behaviors, or emotional displays

· Catatonia or mutism

There isn’t a specific test that diagnoses postpartum depression. A healthcare provider will evaluate you at your postpartum visit, which may include discussing your health history, how you have felt since delivery, a physical exam, a pelvic exam, and lab tests. They may also perform a postpartum depression screening or ask a series of questions to assess if you have postpartum depression.

Postpartum psychosis can be diagnosed by a mental health provider who can determine either by observation or what you describe whether you have the condition or not. They may also perform physical and neurological exams and order blood, urine, or imaging tests.

Postpartum depression is treated differently depending on the type and severity of symptoms. Treatment options include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, and support group participation.

Treatment for postpartum psychosis may include medications to treat depression, anxiety, and psychosis. You may also be admitted to a treatment center for several days until you’re stable. To find out more about our mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or call (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic

The Impact of Ultraprocessed Foods on Your Health

Posted on September 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back to School Sleep Tips

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As summer winds down, parents are preparing their children to go back to school. One important thing to achieve is to start getting them back to a sleep routine before the new school year starts.

Getting children back into a healthy sleep pattern is necessary for them to have the right amount of energy and focus while in the classroom.

Children need more sleep than adults do. The National Sleep Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggest the following:

Preschoolers (ages 3-5) require 10-13 hours of sleep
School-age children (ages 6-12) require 9-12 hours of sleep
Teenagers (ages 13-18) require 8-10 hours of sleep

A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study found that most American children and teenagers don’t get enough sleep. Nearly six in 10 middle schoolers and at least seven in 10 high schoolers don’t get enough sleep on school nights. Of the high school students that were surveyed, almost two-thirds of them sleep less than eight hours a night.

The best way for parents to get their children back on a sleep schedule is to do it one day at a time. The process of adjusting a sleep schedule should be incremental. In the weeks leading up to going back to school, have your child wake up 15 minutes earlier and go to sleep 15 minutes earlier than they did during summer break. Continue to adjust their bed and wake times in 15-minute increments every few days until your child is sleeping and waking up at the desired times for school. By the first day back to school, they should be adjusted to the new sleep schedule.

Winding down at the end of the day can help children sleep well and prepare them for the next school day. A good bedtime routine includes relaxing activities, such as:

Taking a warm bath or shower
Brushing teeth and washing up
Cuddling with a parent
Singing lullabies
Reading with a parent or individually
Journaling
Meditating

Children look to their parents for guidance on healthy habits. Getting adequate sleep is an important healthy habit, as it helps prevent fatigue, exhaustion, and daytime drowsiness.

Back to School Anxiety

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

August is coming to an end, and a new school year is fast approaching. And with it comes lots of anxiety for children.

Starting a new school or being away from parents can cause much anxiety in children. That anxiety fades for most children as the year progresses. But for others, it doesn’t. Here are some examples of behaviors that may indicate your child is continuing to struggle with anxiety:

Continually seeking reassurance or asking repeated, worried questions despite receiving an answer
Tantrums when separating from parents or caregivers before going to school
Increased complaints of experiencing headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue in the absence of an illness
A significant change in their sleep pattern, such as taking an hour to fall asleep, or waking up with worries during the night when they might typically sleep well
Difficulty getting along with family members or friends
Avoidance of normal activities in and outside of school

There could be many reasons why a child may have anxiety about going back to school. Some reasons can include:

A child with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may avoid going to school because it is hard for them to manage their anxiety there
A child who has been bullied may be afraid to go to school because their bully or bullies are there
A child with separation anxiety may be fearful that something terrible will happen to their parents if they are apart
A child with an undiagnosed learning disorder may be avoiding shame and embarrassment

Here are some tips to help ease back-to-school anxiety:

Approach anxiety instead of avoiding it
Practice school routines
Model behavior you’d like to see
Ensure they are getting enough sleep
Check in with stress levels
Talk to school mental health professionals
Blend back to school with fun activities, so the transition is less sudden
Arrange for a hand-off with someone the child knows and trusts
Listen to their worries

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

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). It is a day observed to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.

Vaccinations are important at every stage of life. They are one of the safest preventative care measures available and help play a vital role in keeping you healthy.

Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to protect the body against viruses or bacteria that cause infection. After vaccination, the immune system is better prepared to respond quickly when the body encounters the disease-causing organism.

From infants to older adults, immunizations play a critical role in preventing serious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, flu, shingles, and HPV-related cancers. Skipping vaccines can leave you and your family vulnerable to these illnesses.

Getting vaccinated plays an important role in keeping your family and community healthy, as vaccinations help protect you from infectious diseases and can lessen the severity of illness. They don’t just help protect you; they also help keep diseases from spreading to others, such as your family, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and others in the community. Especially those most vulnerable to illness, such as infants, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.

National Immunization Awareness Month offers a timely reminder as families prepare for back-to-school and flu season approaches. If you would like to help raise awareness about the importance of vaccination, encourage friends and family to talk to a healthcare provider they trust about staying up to date on their vaccinations.

How to Avoid Common Kid Injuries in the Summer

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The summer is a fun time for kids as they have more free time and can enjoy outdoor activities. However, more time for outdoor activities can create more opportunities for injuries at a higher rate.

Here are some common summer kid injuries and how to avoid them:

When kids are at the beach or pool, it is important to watch them when they are in and around the water. Keep young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure more experienced swimmers are with a partner every time. Designate a Water Watcher by choosing an adult to be responsible for watching children in or near the water for a certain period, such as 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, select another adult to be a Water Watcher.

It is also important to teach children how to swim. Every child is different, so enroll them in swimming lessons when they are ready. Consider their age, development, and how often they will be around water. Learn CPR and be ready in case of an emergency.

Sun exposure during daily activities and play can cause the most sun damage. Overexposure to sunlight before the age of 18 is most damaging to the skin. UV rays are strongest during summer months when the sun is directly overhead; this normally occurs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Use an SPF of 15-30 or higher sunscreen to block the sun’s rays. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it often during the day. Use broad-spectrum sunscreens that block the greatest amount of UVA and UVB rays.

The risk of a head injury is higher in the spring and summer months, with popular activities such as bike riding, skating, and skateboarding. Parents should seek medical attention for their child should any of the following occur after a head injury:

Vomiting

Alteration in mental state

Increased irritability, fussiness

A seizure

Weakness in parts of the body

A bad headache

Wearing a helmet can prevent brain injuries and should become a habit. Helmets that fit properly can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45%.

Summer is a rare time when children can enjoy trampolines. However, trampoline jumping can pose a high risk of injury for children. The activity can result in sprains and fractures in the arms or legs, as well as head and neck injuries. If you allow your child to use a trampoline, follow these important safety rules:

- Always have adult supervision when children use the trampoline

- Use safety nets and pads. Cover the trampoline’s frame, springs, and surrounding landing surfaces

- Place home trampolines at ground level, as a fall from a higher surface can increase the risk of injury

- Make sure the trampoline is set at a safe distance from trees and other hazards

- Allow only one person to use the trampoline at a time

- Don’t allow flying somersaults or other potentially risky moves on the trampoline without proper supervision, instruction, and proper use of protective equipment such as a harness

- Don’t allow unsupervised jumping. If you use a trampoline ladder, always remove it after use to prevent unsupervised access by children

Summertime fireworks can be fun on holidays like the Fourth of July. However, it is important to make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries in kids and adults. The best way to protect your family is not to use fireworks at home. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave lighting fireworks to the professionals

When barbecuing or grilling, it is important to make sure children stay a safe distance from the grill. Make it a point to:

- Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around the grill

- Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately

- Be aware of charcoal that may still be hot in grills and fire pits. They can burn children even when there isn’t a fire

- Always supervise children around outdoor grills

If your child has suffered an injury, you can schedule an appointment with Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-670-3007. If they are experiencing an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

July is observed as Juvenile Arthritis Month. Arthritis isn’t just an older person’s disease, children can suffer from it as well.

Juvenile Arthritis or pediatric rheumatic disease is an umbrella term that describes inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in children who are 16 years and under.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints instead of fighting viruses and germs. It is the most common type of arthritis in children.

Other types of juvenile arthritis include:

Juvenile myositis is an inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness. There are two types:

Juvenile polymyositis

Juvenile dermatomyositis

Juvenile lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, skin, internal organs, and other areas. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Juvenile scleroderma describes a group of conditions that cause the skin to tighten and harden

Vasculitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, which can lead to heart disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, Kawasaki disease and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HCP) are the most common forms of vasculitis in kids and teens.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that causes widespread muscle pain and stiffness. It also causes fatigue, disrupted sleep, and other symptoms. It is more common in girls and is rarely diagnosed before puberty.

The symptoms of juvenile arthritis can vary depending on the type. The most common symptoms include:

Joint pain

Joint swelling

Joint stiffness

Fever, swollen lymph nodes, and rash

It can be difficult to diagnose juvenile arthritis in children because joint pain can be caused by many different problems. Some ways it can be diagnosed include:

Physical exams

Blood tests

Imaging scans

There is no cure for arthritis. However, it can be treated. Treatments can include:

Medications

Physical or occupational therapies

Surgery

Self-care

If your child is experiencing arthritis symptoms, it is important to visit a pediatrician as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment with Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-670-3007.