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.

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.

Shingles

Posted on August 13, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes painful rashes and nerve damage.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have previously had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate in your nerves later in life in the form of shingles.

The most common symptom of shingles is a painful, raised, or blistered rash. It may appear near the waist or on one side of the face, neck, chest, belly, or back. It can also sometimes show up on other parts of the body. Other symptoms that can appear before or along with the rash include:

Deep, burning, or shooting nerve pain

Itching or tingling

Areas of reddish or discolored skin

Fever

Chills

Headache

A general feeling of being unwell

An upset stomach

Some of the early symptoms of shingles, such as nerve pain and discoloration, can appear weeks before the rash. Other symptoms may show up in the days leading up to it. The rash turns into blisters about three to four days after it appears. Within about 10 days, the blisters dry out and turn into scabs. The scabs may take a few weeks to completely go away.

The most common complication of shingles is nerve pain that doesn’t go away when the rash does. This can last for months or years and can be extremely painful. Other complications of shingles include:

Bacterial infection

Vision loss from an eye infection

Facial paralysis or Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Hearing loss, tinnitus, and other hearing issues

Brain inflammation

Vertigo

Pneumonia

A healthcare provider will diagnose shingles by learning about your symptoms and examining the rash. If the rash follows the areas of skin along a nerve and doesn’t cross the midline of your body, that is a clue that you have shingles. A healthcare provider may also send scrapings or a swab of fluid from the blisters to a lab for diagnosis.

There is no cure for shingles. However, a healthcare provider may recommend managing symptoms with:

Antivirals

Over-the-counter pain relievers

Corticosteroids

If you have previously had chickenpox, you can reduce the risk of getting shingles by getting a shingles vaccine.

Liver Cirrhosis: Symptoms and Treatment

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

Cirrhosis is a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins. It also slows the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver. According to the National Institutes of Health, cirrhosis is the twelfth leading cause of death by disease.

The symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver vary with the stage of the illness. In the beginning stages, there may not be any symptoms. As the disease worsens, symptoms may include:

Loss of appetite
Lack of energy (fatigue), which may be debilitating
Weight loss or sudden weight gain
Bruises
Yellowing of skin or the whites of eyes (jaundice)
Itchy skin
Fluid retention (edema) and swelling in the ankles, legs, and abdomen (often an early sign)
A brownish or orange tint to the urine
Light colored stools
Confusion, disorientation, personality changes
Blood in the stool
Fever

Cirrhosis of the liver can be diagnosed through a physical exam, blood tests, biopsy and surgery. During a physical exam, your doctor can observe changes in how your liver feels or how large it is (a cirrhotic liver is bumpy and irregular instead of smooth). If your doctor suspects cirrhosis, you will be given blood tests to find out if liver disease is present. In some cases, cirrhosis is diagnosed during surgery when the doctor can see the entire liver. The liver can also be inspected through a laparoscope, a viewing device inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen.

Although there is no cure for cirrhosis of the liver, there are treatments available that can stop or delay its progress, minimize the damage to liver cells, and reduce complications. For cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse, the person must stop drinking alcohol to halt the progression of cirrhosis. Medications may be given to control the symptoms of cirrhosis. Liver transplantation may be needed for some people with severe cirrhosis.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of liver cirrhosis, schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical 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.

West Nile Virus

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Lately, there have been mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus in many U.S. states, including here in New York. West Nile virus is one of the leading mosquito-borne illnesses in the U.S., with 98 cases reported so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since the first cases in the country were discovered by the late Dr. Deborah Asnis here at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in 1999, there have been over 51,000 symptomatic cases in the U.S.

The symptoms of West Nile virus include:

Fever

Headache

Muscle aches

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

A rash that is concentrated around the chest and back

Swollen lymph nodes

Sore throat

Pain behind the eyes

West Nile virus can cause serious infections such as encephalitis and meningitis. Their symptoms include:

An intense, painful headache

A high fever above 103 degrees

A stiff neck

Confusion

Muscle weakness

Uncontrollable muscle movements such as tremors and convulsions

Seizures

Paralysis

Coma

West Nile virus can be diagnosed by testing your blood or cerebrospinal fluid to look for antibodies or other signs of infection. These tests are only performed if you’re seriously ill.

If you have signs of brain inflammation, you will need your brain scanned using a CT scan or MRI.

There are no specific medicines available to treat West Nile virus. Please note that antibiotics do not treat viruses.

Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications may relieve some symptoms. In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.

If you become sick with severe symptoms, particularly after potential exposure to the West Nile virus, you must receive treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.

Plaque Psoriasis

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes thick patches, or plaques, on the skin, including the elbows, back, knees, and scalp. In severe cases, plaque psoriasis can affect the entire body, including:

The face

The feet

The genitals

The hands

The legs

Plaque psoriasis can affect anyone. However, a person may be more likely to have it if they:

Are white

Drink alcohol

Experience stress or depression

Have a relative with psoriasis

Have obesity

Smoke or use tobacco products

Symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:

Raised, discolored (red, brown, gray, or purple) plaques with a white or silvery surface

Cracks (fissures)

Bleeding

Itchiness

Irritation or pain

Plaque psoriasis is a problem with the immune system. The immune system overreacts, causing inflammation, which leads to new skin cells growing too fast.

New skin cells typically grow every 28 to 30 days. However, if a person has plaque psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the skin’s surface every three to four days.

Plaque psoriasis flare-ups can differ from person to person. No one knows what exactly causes them, but common plaque psoriasis triggers can include:

Certain foods or drinks

Certain prescription medications

Dry skin

Emotional stress

Skin injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, or surgery

Sun damage

A healthcare provider will diagnose plaque psoriasis by examining the affected areas and looking for common signs. They will also ask about symptoms, family history, and if you have recently started or stopped using a product or medication just before a flare-up.

They may also perform several tests to rule out other conditions that could cause your plaques, such as eczema or dermatitis. This series of tests is a differential diagnosis. Tests may include:

Allergy test

Biopsy

Blood tests to check for causes of a rash unrelated to plaque psoriasis

Unfortunately, there is no cure for plaque psoriasis. Treatment is used to provide relief for symptoms. An anti-inflammatory diet may help to limit plaque psoriasis flare-ups. Foods that have anti-inflammatory properties include:

Oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, or sardines

Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale

Olive oil

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

Pain While Breastfeeding

Posted on August 5, 2025 by Flushing Hospital

It is common to experience some discomfort while breastfeeding during the first few days after giving birth. You may feel pain, soreness, or tenderness in your breast or nipple, but these issues should improve over time with proper care and breastfeeding techniques.

Breastfeeding should be a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both mother and baby. Therefore, if you continue to experience pain or discomfort while breastfeeding, it may indicate a more serious problem that should not be ignored.

It’s crucial to investigate the cause or seek assistance from a lactation consultant. One of the most frequent causes of nipple pain is an incorrect latch. Signs of a poor latch include:

– Nipple pain
– Clicking or smacking noises from your baby
– Your baby sucking in their cheeks
– Your baby is showing signs of hunger after feeding

Other potential causes of breast or nipple pain during breastfeeding can include:

– Mastitis (inflammation in the breast)
– Breast abscess
– Clogged milk ducts
– Engorgement
– Thrush
– Cracked nipples
– Tongue-tie (when the baby has a short frenulum)

If you are experiencing breast or nipple pain, it is advisable to consult an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. A consultant can help address breastfeeding challenges such as low milk supply, latching issues, or other barriers to successful breastfeeding.

Health Benefits of Summer Fruits

Posted on August 5, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

Summer fruits are exceptionally flavorful this time of year because they are in season, having ripened naturally before being harvested.

In addition to offering us a delicious treat, summer fruits provide nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals that are good for our health.

Here is a list of summer fruits along with their health benefits:

Mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C, and other nutrients that support the immune system. They are also a good source of folate and copper, as well as polyphenols that act as antioxidants, which protect our cells against free radicals.
Cherries offer various health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation in the body and protect against cell damage. Cherries also contain melatonin, which helps improve sleep quality.
Apples are an excellent source of pectin, which is a type of fiber that aids digestion. They are also rich in antioxidants such as quercetin, which may help lower blood pressure and help regulate the immune system.
Peaches are a good source of minerals such as magnesium and potassium. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and E. Peaches are also packed with antioxidants that help protect our cells from damage and may help reduce inflammation.
Apricots offer a wide range of health benefits. They contain several essential vitamins, including A, C, and E, and minerals such as potassium. Additionally, apricots are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body.

Adding summer fruits to a balanced diet can benefit our health. The recommended amount of fruit we should consume daily varies based on factors such as our age, sex, weight, height, and physical activity level. For general recommendations, you can visit https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan. You can also receive a personalized care plan from a dietitian at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486

World Lung Cancer Day

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

August 1st is observed as World Lung Cancer Day. It is a day dedicated to the global initiative of raising awareness about lung cancer, its impact, and the importance of prevention, early detection, and advanced treatments.

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women, and it is so prevalent that more people die from it than from colon, breast, and liver cancers combined every year.

World Lung Cancer Day was established in 2012 by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) in collaboration with other health organizations. The day focuses on educating the public about risk factors such as smoking, air pollution, and occupational exposures, while advocating for research and improved access to care.

World Lung Cancer Day serves as a platform to support those affected by the disease and to emphasize the critical need for collective action in the fight against lung cancer.

Lung cancer screening helps to identify cancer at an early stage when treatment can be most effective. Early detection through a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan can improve survival rates in individuals with the disease.

The MediSys Health Network is committed to improving the morbidity and mortality associated with lung cancer. For more information about our program, please contact the Lung Cancer Screening Program at 718-206-LUNG (5864).

Summer Recipe: A Delicious and Refreshing Summer Pasta Salad

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As summer continues, there are going to be more gatherings with family and friends. Here is a recipe for a delicious and refreshing summer pasta salad.

Summer Pasta Salad Recipe | Food Network Kitchen | Food Network