Breathing should be easy. However, nearly 24 million Americans experience shortness of breath—a common sign of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

COPD reduces air that flows in and out of the lungs, which can result in a variety of symptoms—constant coughing, shortness of breath, excessive mucus, feeling unable to breathe, and/or wheezing.

“It’s extremely important to recognize the symptoms of COPD,” explained Charles Almeda, Associate Director of Respiratory Care at Flushing Hospital. “Too often, individuals don’t think much of these symptoms and by the time they are diagnosed, the disease has progressed significantly. Fortunately, COPD can be detected early and managed.”

Flushing Hospital’s Department of Respiratory Care boasts a Pulmonary Laboratory that uses state-of-the-art equipment to test for COPD. The tests, which are ordered by your physician, may include a simple pulmonary stress test (a six minute walk), a noninvasive pulse oximetry test (which measures one’s red blood cells), or a pulmonary diffusion capacity test to determine how well oxygen moves into and out of the lungs.

“While lung damage is irreversible, it can be managed with different treatment options,” said Almeda. “At Flushing Hospital, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to manage COPD including education, breathing techniques, nutritional advice, and oxygen therapy, which administers oxygen to the lungs, and medication.”

According to the American Lung Association, individuals should be aware of the risk factors associated with COPD. Smoking, air pollution, and genetics are all factors that can contribute to the development of COPD. To help prevent COPD and lead a longer, healthier life, it is recommended that individuals, especially those over 45 years old, pay attention to their risk-factors and seek a physician as soon as possible for treatment.
If you are at-risk for COPD or have been experiencing symptoms of COPD, please speak with your doctor or make an appointment to see one of our pulmonary specialists here at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center.  Appointments can be made at 718-670-5486, Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 6:00pm.

If your doctor requires that you undergo pulmonary function testing and you would like your test to be performed by one of Flushing Hospital’s highly qualified respiratory therapists, call the facility’s Pulmonary Lab at 718-670-8888, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm. The laboratory also tests for several other respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic bronchitis.

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.

If you are one of the approximately 5 million Americans living with a non-healing or chronic wound, the Wound Care Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center can help. Combining advanced diagnostic and surgical options with the expertise of a staff of nurses, podiatrists, and general, cosmetic, and vascular surgeons, the Center offers patients effective care when traditional measures fall short.

“Research has demonstrated that centers dedicated to wound care deliver better results for patients due to their staffs’ range of expertise and interdisciplinary approach to care,” says Frances Pugliese, Director of the Wound Care Center at Flushing Hospital. “Our patient success rate stands at 91 percent, which is well above the national average.”

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Wound Care Center is a leader in treating patients who need post-surgical care. Specifically, the Center treats patients with wounds caused by diabetes, weak circulation, trauma, vascular disease, and immobility. The facility offers personalized, individualized patient assessments and utilizes a variety of treatment options, including MediHoney, the first honey-based medical product cleared for wound care by the FDA.

For thousands of years, honey has been used around the world as a natural wound-healer. Today, thanks to scientific research and the backing of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the healing power of honey is regaining popularity and is available at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

HOW DOES HONEY HEAL WOUNDS?
Honey is a great treatment option mostly because of its germ killing or antibacterial properties. However, honey works differently from most other antibiotics, which usually attack the cell wall of bacteria or shut down its internal functions. Instead, honey draws moisture out of bacteria and dehydrates it.

MediHoney is used on:

• First and second-degree burns
• Diabetic foot sores (ulcers)
• Leg ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Traumatic and surgical wounds

Most medical honeys currently on the market come from various honeys found in New Zealand and Australia, such as Manuka honey. In addition to being antibiotic and fluid absorbing, these honeys help dissolve dead tissue and prevent odor. Keep in mind that honey as a cure for wounds is not for everyone, especially for people with sever bee allergies.

To find out more about honey dressings or other treatments at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Wound Care Center, please call 718-670-4542.

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.

CT scans are widely used across the medical field to perform diagnostic exams, and for many patients, the risk of radiation exposure is concerning. To address this concern, Flushing Hospital is now utilizing a low-dose CT scanner.

Flushing Hospital’s brand new, state-of-the-art Siemen’s CT scanners boast quick scans and use high-definition technology to produce precise images, using 30%-40% less radiation.

“This technology is pivotal, in that we can minimize the risk of radiation exposure without compromising the quality of the images produced,” said Dr. Sabiha Raoof, Chairperson of the Department of Radiology. “With the increase in the volume of CT scans that are ordered by our physicians, this is a significant medical solution.”

CT scanners are a specialized technology that provide detailed pictures of muscles, organs and tissues and are a vital diagnostic tool. The clarity of these images help lead to accurate diagnoses, while lower doses of radiation improves patient safety.

“Comparatively, low-dose CT scans are just as effective as the traditional scanners we’ve used in the past,” said Dr. Raoof. “They yield important benefits and will be used throughout our facility.”

CT scans are commonly used to diagnose muscle and bone disorders, determine the location of tumors and infections, guide procedures, such as surgery and radiation therapies, identify diseases and conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, and detect internal bleeding and injuries.

What Happens During a CT Scan

Obtaining a CT scan requires lying on a table that moves slowly through a large imaging machine. In order to produce clearer pictures, some patients may be required to swallow a dye or have it injected into their veins.

Patients are advised against wearing jewelry, eyeglasses, hairpins, or any other objects that could affect the quality of images.

If your physician requested that you have a CT scan performed and you would like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5453.

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.

Year after year, one of the most frequently heard New Year’s resolutions is the one to “Quit Smoking”.  It is a hard one to fulfill and unfortunately, has a high rate of failure. Finding the right resources, however, can increase one’s success. Flushing Hospital, in partnership with the Queens Quits Initiative, is dedicated to helping people who currently smoke take the necessary steps to help them succeed at quitting.

The Queens Quits Initiative suggests the following steps to making this resolution work:

• Switch to a brand of cigarettes that you would never smoke
• Set a quit date within two weeks from today
• Exercise!! It will help combat stress and possible weight gain
• Try stop-smoking medications such as NRT, Chantix or Zyban
• Keep your hands occupied with a pen, bottle of water or even a straw
• Stay away from cigarette smoke
• Stay away from alcohol, if you drink and smoke together
• Remove all cigarettes from your home, car, office and anywhere else you spend time
• Tell your friends and family that you are quitting
• Read motivational stories about how others quit smoking on nysmokefree.com
• Don’t quit trying to QUIT! Most people have over seven quit attempts before they quit for good
• Call the NYS Smokers Quitline (1-866-NY-QUITS) for free counseling and educational material

Speak to your physician for suggestions or call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5795 to make an appointment with a Pulmonary specialist. These physicians, through a thorough exam and pulmonary testing, can determine which treatment option is best suited for each patient. Let us try to help you fulfill your wish to quit smoking this year.

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.

It is estimated that as many as half a million people in the United States experience winter-onset depression, a type of depression associated with cold-weather months. With a physician’s help, however, winter-onset depression is a treatable condition.

Winter-onset depression is the most common form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression associated with changing seasons. The cause of the condition is unclear but it may be related to changes in an individual’s circadian rhythm that result from reduced exposure to sunlight in winter.

Winter-related SAD typically lasts from late fall or early winter to the beginning of summer. SAD usually appears in people ages 20 or older and is more common in women. SAD is more likely to occur as a person ages, and individuals living in northern regions are more vulnerable to winter-onset SAD.

Every person’s experience with inter-onset SAD is different, but common symptoms include:

• Change in appetite
• Weight gain
• Low energy level and fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability and anxiety
• Avoidance of social situations
• Lack of interest in favorite activities

Winter-onset SAD is fairly predictable, as symptoms tend to occur at the same time each year.

“Many people with winter-onset SAD may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, who can assess their symptoms and formulate a treatment plan,” says Dr. Seeth Vivek, Chairman of Psychiatry at Flushing Hospital. “Possible treatments include medication, behavior therapy, and light therapy.”

Light therapy acts a substitute for the limited sunlight during the winter months. Patients receiving this treatment sit in front of a light box or wear a light visor for 30 minutes per day, and if the therapy proves effective, they continue until spring.

When it comes to preventing winter-onset SAD, it is important to stay active. Search for activities to do around the house and guard against isolation by scheduling get-togethers with friends.

For more information about winter depression or to make an appointment to speak with a member of Flushing Hospital’s Psychiatry Department, please call 718-670-5316.

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.

Though the thought of developing breast cancer can be frightening for women, research has shown that early detection saves thousands of lives each year. Understanding the importance of diagnosing breast cancer early, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is committed to providing comprehensive breast health services to women, including early detection tests.

Through a grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Flushing Hospital has developed a program that provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings, as well as mammography services, to uninsured and underinsured women. To meet the medical and cultural needs of the community, the highly-trained and skilled staff speaks several languages, including Chinese and Spanish.

“The medical community strongly believes in early detection as a deterrent to undiagnosed breast cancer in women 40 years old and above,” said Dr. Sabiha Raoof, Chairperson, Flushing Hospital’s Department of Radiology. “Through the Komen grant, many of the women we screen would not have received a screening of this type and because of this program, lives have been saved.”

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a great time to educate women about early detection, as well as overall breast health. Good breast health starts with good routine care. Dr. Raoof believes that all women should familiarize themselves with normal breast anatomy and proper self-exam techniques. “In addition to monthly breast self-exams, imaging techniques such as mammography, ultrasound, and MRI are helpful in detecting abnormalities, diseases, and disorders of the breast.”

If you or someone you know, are 40 years or older, uninsured, and would like to schedule an appointment with one of Flushing Hospital’s Breast Care Coordinators, please call Maria Park at 718-670-5754 or Tracy Shih at 718-670-4418. Screenings are performed by appointment only.

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.