Health Beat

Holiday Safe Decorating Tips

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Decorating your home for the holidays is always so much fun, but did you know that each year an estimated 250 house fires nationwide are caused by faulty holiday lights? Here are some tips for keeping your home safe this year:

Before stringing holiday lights always check the sockets to ensure they are not broken or cracked.
Never use indoor lights for outdoors use.
Turn off the indoor tree lights before going to bed or whenever you leave the house.
Do not connect more than three sets of lights to each extension cord.
Make sure that your lights have safety labels and are made by reputable companies.
Do not use candles on or near a tree.
Place your tree and gift-wrapped presents away from sources of heat such as fireplaces.
Make sure that your tree is secured firmly to its base so that it can’t tip over.
Artificial trees should be fire resistant.
Always keep a fire extinguisher handy and accessible in case of emergency.

Don’t ruin your holiday by being careless. A little common sense and taking some precautions will ensure a joyous holiday for you and your family.

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.

Holiday Mental Health Tips

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Despite the cheerfulness surrounding the holiday season, it can also be a difficult time for many people, bringing with it a variety of mental and emotional challenges. Some people may associate the season with a significant loss of a loved one, while others may become overwhelmed by the typical demands and expectations that come with this part of the year.

Whatever these challenges may look like for you, it’s essential to have healthy tools and coping mechanisms to help you overcome them while getting as much joy as possible out of the holiday season. A few helpful tips include:

Spending time with other people: A large number of people tend to feel lonely during the holidays. Some people may be distant from loved ones or may have lost multiple people they’d typically spend this time with. Whatever your circumstances may be, it can be helpful to spend time with any loved ones who are available, whether they’re friends, family, or any other important people in your life. If nothing else, it may help to find a local community, support group, club, or meetup to engage with during this time.

Giving yourself space as needed: While many people may feel lonely during the holiday season, others may encounter the opposite problem: feeling overwhelmed by gatherings, events, and expectations from the people around them. It’s okay to recognize and be up front about what you’re able to handle at this point in time, and to say no to anything that you feel would be too much for you.

Recognizing when you need help: It may not be easy for everyone to identify when they need mental help, or to make time to get that help, even if they recognize that it’s needed. However, your mental health should be a priority at all times, and you should get help from a licensed, qualified therapist when issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression start to overwhelm you.

If you need help from a psychiatrist during this holiday season, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.

Testing for Memory Loss

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

As people age, they may experience memory loss. This may be due to several factors which include medication side effects, circulation issues, and simply because the brain doesn’t function as it once did. It is estimated that 10 percent of people over the age of 65 have some memory loss.

They may experience the following symptoms:

Asking the same question over and over
Mixing up words
Changing mood for no reason
Delaying the completion of tasks
Misplacing possessions
Confusing words

How is memory loss detected?

If memory loss is suspected, a physician will start by evaluating a person’s ability to recall names of objects, speak in coherent sentences, see clearly, have proper reflex responses, and follow commands. In addition to these basic exams, a physician will evaluate a patient’s ability to focus on a task, check for the ability to recall the time and place of events.

Other methods for evaluating a person for memory loss include psychometric testing which tests for decision making capability, problem solving, mental accuracy, and remembering details. Sometimes an MRI or a PET scan may be used to determine if there are any biological or anatomical causes, such as a tumor, that may be affecting memory.

If you feel as though you may be experiencing memory loss, it is advisable to speak with your physician. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Signs of Poor Sleep Quality

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

The National Sleep Foundation describes sleep quality as the measurement of how well you’re sleeping.

Getting adequate amounts of quality sleep is essential for our health. It allows our bodies to recharge and provides additional benefits including:

Improving memory and concentration
Strengthening the immune system
Reducing stress
Lowering the risk of chronic health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes

Consequently, not getting enough quality sleep can harm our health. A lack of quality sleep can result in:

Difficulty concentrating
Insomnia and other sleep disorders
Increased stress
An increased risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes
An increased risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression

Thankfully, our body tells us when we are depriving ourselves of quality sleep so that we can make improvements. Signs of poor-quality sleep include:

Taking 30 minutes or more to fall asleep
Feeling sleepy or tired, even after getting enough sleep
Waking up often throughout the night and lying awake for several minutes
Having trouble concentrating during the day
Experiencing hunger more often
Experiencing symptoms of a sleep disorder such as snoring or gasping for air
Having dark circles or bags under the eyes

Improving sleep quality can be achieved by making simple changes to our lifestyles. Here are a few recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends.
Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
Remove electronic devices such as TVs, computers, and phones from the bedroom.
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
Don’t use tobacco.
Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

If you are having difficulty falling and staying asleep for an extended period, speak with your doctor to explore possible causes. Your physician may recommend that you see a sleep specialist who can diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders.

Our Employee Spotlight Shines on Dave Brian Mangao, RN, CNM

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Dave Brian Mangao, RN, CNM on 2 North. Dave began working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center nine years ago. He started as a unit clerk and after passing his NCLEX exam, became a night shift nurse on 2 North where he held the position for six years and was later promoted to Assistant Head Nurse then Nurse Manager.

Dave grew up in the Philippines. He attended Isabela West Elementary school. Dave continued his education at Isabela National High School. He graduated from the University of St. LaSalle where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Nursing degree.

Dave moved to the United States in 2014, initially residing in Woodside, Queens and currently lives in the Flushing area. He has no pets of his own, but his friend has two dogs, Mochi and Boba, that he considers to be like his own and with whom he enjoys spending time. In his free time, he likes going to his Jiu Jitsu class two or three times a week. His goal is to obtain his black belt one day soon. Dave also likes to paint and play chess. He also enjoys listening to music while he paints. Dave’s favorite food is Korean barbecue, especially oxtail if it is made by one of the members of the nursing staff in the ICU.

There are a few places Dave would like to visit, both for their culture and their art. He hopes to go to Japan, Paris, the Vatican, and Israel.

A few of the things that are important in Dave’s life are his religion, his health, his family, and loved ones. Having cherished memories of his experiences are also very important to him.

There are many reasons why Dave likes working at Flushing Hospital. He enjoys the interactions with his colleagues from whom he has learned so much. The nursing department administration has always encouraged him to move up in his career. He has learned so much about the profession from them and feels fortunate to be a part of the team. We look forward to having Dave work with us for many more years in the future.

What Can Cause Delayed Puberty in Children?

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Puberty typically starts between the ages of 9 and 14 for boys and between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls. However, some children may experience this process later than normal. This usually does not indicate a medical problem, but in some cases, it can be caused by genetic factors or an underlying condition.

Delayed puberty is defined as a lack of increase in testicle size by the age of 14 for boys and a lack of increase in breast development by the age of 13 for girls. Even if a child is experiencing other indicators of puberty, such as public hair growth or body odor, they may still meet the definition of delayed puberty.

Some of the medical conditions that can cause delayed puberty include cardiac problems, celiac disease, Klinefelter syndrome (in boys), Turner syndrome (in girls), and conditions that disrupt normal hormonal processes. Delayed puberty may also result from hereditary factors. If one or both of a child’s parents experienced puberty at a slower rate than most children, it is more likely that it will happen to that child, as well.

Many cases of delayed puberty (particularly in boys) are also associated with constitutional growth delay (CGD). CGD causes skeletal growth to be temporarily delayed. While potentially alarming, this delay is recognized as a normal part of physical development for some children and is not a cause for concern.

Treatment for delayed puberty often involves hormone therapy to jumpstart the overall process. However, it also partially depends on the factors that are causing it to occur. If the delay is the result of an underlying medical problem, treatment will also need to focus on resolving or managing that problem. Aside from a physical examination, these problems can be diagnosed through x-ray imaging (to look at bone development) and blood tests (to check hormone levels and identify signs of underlying disorders).

If your child is experiencing delayed puberty, you can visit a pediatric endocrinologist at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 704-5020.

A Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe – Glazed Green Beans

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Thanksgiving dinner is typically a large meal that consists of turkey and many side dishes. Here is a recipe from Good Housekeeping for glazed green beans that is healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a34349776/glazed-green-beans-recipe/

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member Vivian Chen, RN

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to highlight Vivian Chen, RN. Vivian has been a member of our Flushing Hospital Medical Center team for five years, the last four in our Labor and Delivery suite.

There are many reasons why Vivian enjoys working on our New Beginnings Mother – Baby unit. She has a great deal of joy and pride in taking part in the birth of a child. She finds it very exciting and is so happy to share that moment with the moms she takes care for. Vivian also enjoys caring for the new moms and helping them with any challenges they may face.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is a wonderful place to give birth because of people like Vivian who strive to make sure that the moms and their babies have the very best experience.

How Should You Prepare for an X-Ray?

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

X-rays are typically used to created detailed images of your bones and soft tissues. These images help to diagnose medical problems such as bone fractures, structural issues, or foreign objects in your body, all of which can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, or impaired physical functionality. An x-ray creates these images using a small amount of ionizing radiation.

The minimal amount of radiation exposure that occurs during an x-ray poses few health risks for people of any age. However, depending on your medical circumstances or the type of x-ray you’re receiving, there may be certain steps you should take to further minimize any potential risks from this test. Before getting an x-ray, you should:

Ask your doctor about specific steps to prepare for your x-ray: Certain types of x-rays may require you to take specific steps before your procedure. If you’re receiving an x-ray for your upper gastrointestinal tract, for example, you should typically avoid eating or drinking for several hours ahead of time. For other types of x-rays, you may need to remove metal objects (such as jewelry) or avoid applying topical substances (such as lotions or creams.)

Wear comfortable clothing: When you receive an x-ray, you’ll usually need to change out of your clothes and into a medical gown, so it may be best to wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to remove and put back on once the procedure is completed.

You can receive an x-ray at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Radiology. To get more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5458.

Pilates

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

Pilates is a form of strength training exercise that was developed by Joseph Pilates over 100 years ago. Initially, it was practiced by dancers who were using it to recover from injuries that they had sustained. It has become very popular among the general population within the past quarter century.

Improper alignment of the body is the primary condition many people have that can be helped with Pilates. The concept behind Pilates is to build body core strength by focusing on improving muscle tone and improving muscle balance. This is achieved through low impact exercises that concentrate on lower back and abdominal muscles, precision patterns of movement and controlled breathing. Pilates can be performed on a mat or a device called a “reformer.” It may look easy to do but it requires a lot of precision and coordination.

The benefits of Pilates include:

Building core strength
Improving posture
Increasing flexibility
Improving balance
Increasing body awareness
Helping to control breathing
Improving mental health

Before beginning any new exercise routine, it is a good idea to speak with your physician to see if that type of exercise is appropriate for you. Find a Pilates class that is taught by someone who has expertise in the field. Pilates classes usually last 45 minutes to an hour. Make sure that you start slowly and don’t be in a hurry to learn the proper techniques.