Health Beat

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred and damaged. The scarring of the lung tissue causes stiffness, making breathing difficult. The word “idiopathic” means it has no known cause, but there are many causes of pulmonary fibrosis.

Some causes of pulmonary fibrosis include:

Long-term exposure to certain toxins
Radiation therapy
Some medicines
Certain medical conditions

How fast pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time and how severe the symptoms are vary from person to person. These symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Extreme tiredness
Unintended weight loss
Aching muscles and joints
The widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes, called clubbing.

Pulmonary fibrosis has been found in children and infants, but this is not common. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is much more likely to affect middle-aged and older adults. Other types of pulmonary fibrosis caused by connective tissue disease, can occur in younger people.

Certain factors increase the risk of pulmonary fibrosis. They are:

Smoking
Certain types of work
Cancer treatments
Genetics

Pulmonary fibrosis can cause many complications including:

High blood pressure in the lungs
Right-sided heart failure
Respiratory failure
Lung cancer and other lung problems

Pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed when your doctor or other healthcare professional reviews your medical and family history and performs a physical exam.

Some other ways pulmonary fibrosis can be diagnosed include:

Imaging tests
Lung function tests
Biopsy/Tissue sample collection
Blood tests

The scarring and thickening of the lungs from pulmonary fibrosis cannot be repaired. And no current treatment has prevented pulmonary fibrosis from getting worse over time.

Treatments for pulmonary fibrosis are focused on:

Medicines
Oxygen therapy
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Lung transplant

Being actively involved in your treatment and staying as healthy as possible are essential to living with pulmonary fibrosis. It is important to:

Stop smoking and avoid other irritants to the lungs
Eat well
Exercise regularly
Take time to rest
Get vaccinated
Follow your treatment plan

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lifelong condition that worsens over time. It can cause fear, depression, and stress.

Here are some tips to help you cope with your diagnosis:

Learn about your condition.
Spend time with family and friends.
Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professionals.
Join a support group.
Learn about palliative care services.

If you need medical attention for symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis or other lung diseases, schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at our Ambulatory Care Center by calling (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.

The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Gardening

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

It has been known for a long time that gardening offers many benefits both to a person’s physical and mental health. It has been used by hospitals as a form of therapy and by senior centers to help keep people engaged in physical and social activities. Schools have also used gardening as a way to involve students with nature.

Physical activities associated with gardening often includes: digging, bending, raking, mowing, and carrying items to be planted. Some of the benefits of these activities are strengthening muscles, keeping joints functioning properly, improving manual dexterity, burning of calories and increasing lung function. When a person works outdoors they tend to absorb more vitamin D from sunlight which is also beneficial to bone strength and to lowering blood pressure.

Gardening is also beneficial from a mental health perspective. Gardening has been shown to:

Improve relaxation
Improve self esteem
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve socialization
Decrease depression
Diminish PTSD
Improve thought processes

Gardening clearly offers many benefits to a person’s all around well-being. It doesn’t take much to get started and the results will provide endless opportunities to enjoy the effort that goes into it.

Extreme Heat Safety Tips

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

This week, we are expected to experience a highly dangerous heatwave across New York City and the rest of the Northeast and Midwest due to the presence of a heat dome. Starting Wednesday and into the weekend, temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s and could get as high as the mid to high-90s.

A heatwave is when temperatures rise above 90 degrees for at least three days. A heat dome is when a ridge of high pressure builds over an area and doesn’t move for up to a week or more.

Extreme heat causes two heat-related illnesses in that your body can’t control its temperature: heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

Heavy sweating
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Fatigue
Dizziness and fainting

Here are some ways to prevent symptoms of heat exhaustion: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, use cold compresses, and sip cool (not cold) water.

Heatstroke or Sunstroke symptoms can include:

A fever of 104 degrees or more
Severe headache
Behavioral changes
Confusion
Hot, red skin
No sweating
Rapid heartbeat and loss of consciousness

Here are some ways to prevent heatstroke: Quickly move yourself or the individual to a cooler place, use cold compresses, and do not give them anything to drink.

Some overall tips for staying safe in extreme heat include:

Stay hydrated- Drink extra fluids and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
Wear sunscreen- Apply properly and as recommended to prevent sunburn which can make you dehydrated and affect your ability to cool down.
Limit your time outside- Shorten your exercise time and rest often in shady areas. Try to exercise in the early morning or evening when it is cooler.
Monitor high-risk loved ones- Pay attention to the warning signs of certain illnesses or medical conditions. Extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, especially for those with a history of:

Heart disease
Asthma
High blood pressure
Stroke
Obesity
Diabetes

Others at risk due to extreme heat include the elderly, young children, those who work outdoors, people with disabilities, those who live alone, those without access to air conditioning, people who take certain medications, and pets.

Check the car- Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.

Usually, we would look to a cool summer night for relief from a hot summer day. Unfortunately, night temperatures aren’t dropping as they should.

Here are some things you can do before going to bed during the heatwave:

Stay hydrated
Eat light
Dress lightly
Look for chances to cool the bedroom
Avoid alcohol
Set time aside to relax
Shower in lukewarm or cool water
Find the coolest place to sleep
Keep a regular sleep schedule

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, so it is important to understand the risks of extreme heat and to make a heat emergency plan that works for you and your family.

If you are experiencing any heat-related symptoms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

Stages of Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Multiple sclerosis or MS, is a chronic and disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord, which make up the body’s central nervous system.

It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the protective coating of nerve fibers called the myelin sheath, throughout the central nervous system. When the myelin is damaged, scar tissue or lesions form at the site of the damage. When this happens, the nerve impulses that travel to and from the brain and spinal cord are disrupted.

There are four stages of multiple sclerosis that a person may experience. They are:

Clinically Isolated Syndrome

It is described as when you first experience an episode or attack of a neurological symptom or symptoms.

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

This is the most common form of MS. It is described as intermittent attacks of symptoms or relapses, followed by a short or long period of no clinical attacks or remissions.

Secondary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

It is described as when the symptoms of an MS patient who has had relapse-remitting MS for 10 to 20 years continue to worsen and the patient’s mobility gradually diminishes.

Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

It is described as when a patient who is 40 years or older at the time of their diagnosis, gradually loses functionality, becoming increasingly less able.

The symptoms of MS vary and progress differently in all patients who suffer from it. These symptoms may include:

Numbness, weakness, stiffness, or tingling in limbs.
Vertigo, lack of coordination, an unsteady gait, or trouble walking.
Blurry vision, double vision, or partial or complete vision loss.
Fatigue
Problems with sexual, bladder, and bowel function.
Slurred speech and cognitive problems
Mood disturbances

There are no specific tests for MS. However, a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis often relies on ruling out other conditions that might produce similar signs and symptoms. This is known as a differential diagnosis.

Here are ways a doctor may help diagnose MS:

Medical history and neurological exam
Blood tests
Spinal tap or lumbar puncture
MRI
Evoked potential tests

Many risk factors can increase your chances of developing MS, here are a few:

Age
Sex
Family history
Certain infections
Race
Geography and climate
Low Vitamin D levels
Your genes
Obesity
Certain autoimmune diseases
Smoking

Although there is no cure for MS, there are many ways to manage its symptoms. Here are some ways to manage the symptoms of MS:

Physical or occupational therapy
Muscle relaxants
Medications to reduce fatigue and increase walking speed.
Medications for depression, pain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and bladder and bowel control problems.
Getting plenty of rest
Exercise
Eating a balanced diet
Relieving stress

MS attacks and progressions can be treated through oral and injectable medications and plasma exchange if symptoms aren’t responding to steroids.

If you or someone you love are experiencing any symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call at 718-670-5486.

Tips To Prevent Summer Injuries and Illnesses In Children

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

During the summer, children spend more time outside participating in physical activities which can increase their risk of injury and developing certain illnesses.

Here are a few of the most common summer illnesses and injuries, and ways to prevent them:

Water-related injuries and drownings are among the leading causes of injury and death in young children. Serious injuries resulting from falls often occur around swimming pools or diving areas, and children can drown quickly in any body of water. Accidents can be prevented by:

Teaching children to ask permission before going into the water
Teaching children how to swim
Paying attention to children when they are in or around water
Wearing life jackets
Fencing off pools with fences made with self-latching devices
Installing pool covers
Adding a pool alarm
Learning how to perform CPR and knowing first-aid

Fall-related injuries are among the most common in children and tend to happen more during the warmer months. However, the risk of falls, and sustaining injuries from these accidents can be reduced by:

Removing fall hazards or supervising children near fall hazards
Installing safety gates near staircases and keeping stairs clutter-free
Wearing appropriate footwear that is slip-resistant and fits properly
Using playgrounds that have soft surfaces under equipment
Wearing helmets when using scooters, tricycles, or bicycles

Heat-related injuries can include several health complications such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. These illnesses can be life-threatening, but thankfully can be avoided by:

Drinking plenty of fluids
Wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing
Spending as much time possible indoors during very hot and humid days
Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and responding appropriately

Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease or babesiosis peak during the warmer months when we are more likely to participate in activities in wooded or grassy areas. To prevent tick-borne illnesses, we can:

Use repellants that contain 20 to 30% DEET
Wear protective clothing, and tuck our pants into our socks
Check the body for ticks and remove them as soon as they are discovered
Bathe or shower as soon as possible after spending time outdoors

Enteroviruses can cause illnesses such as the summer flu, pink eye, and coxsackie. These illnesses are highly transmissible, and outbreaks peak in the summer. However, you can control the spread of enteroviruses by practicing hand hygiene and cleaning surfaces that children touch most often.

If your child is experiencing symptoms associated with these summer illnesses or has sustained injuries from an accident, it’s important to visit a pediatrician as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020.

A Refreshing Summer Lemonade Recipe To Cool You Off

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Do you need to cool off? Here’s a refreshing sparkling lemonade recipe to keep you cool this summer.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sparkling-summer-lemonade-7252246

National Aphasia Awareness Month

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month and Flushing Hospital Medical Center is doing its part to spread the word.

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language but does not affect their intelligence. It affects the ability to speak and understand others, causing most people with aphasia to experience difficulty reading and writing.

The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. About 25-40% of stroke survivors are afflicted with aphasia. It can also be a result of a head injury, a brain tumor, or other neurological causes.

Here are the six types of aphasia:

Global aphasia- This is the most severe form of aphasia and is applied to patients who can produce few recognizable words and understand little or no spoken language. People with global aphasia can’t read or write. It is often seen immediately after the patient has suffered a stroke and may rapidly improve if the damage to the brain has not been too extensive. However, with greater brain damage, severe and lasting disability may result.
Broca’s aphasia or non-fluent aphasia- In this form of aphasia, speech output is severely reduced and is limited mainly to short utterances of less than four words. A person’s vocabulary access is limited and their formation of sounds.
Mixed non-fluent aphasia- This form of aphasia applies to people with sparse and effortful speech, which can resemble severe Broca’s aphasia. However, they remain limited in their speech comprehension and do not read or write beyond an elementary level.
Wernicke’s aphasia or fluent aphasia- In this form of aphasia, the ability to grasp the meaning of spoken words is impaired. However, the ease of producing connected speech is not much affected. Reading and writing are often severely impaired.
Anomic aphasia- This form of aphasia is applied to people left with a persistent inability to supply the words for the things they want to say, particularly significant nouns and verbs.
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)- This is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired. Unlike the other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Aphasia is diagnosed through physical and neurological exams. An MRI and CT can also be used to identify what is causing the aphasia.

It can also be diagnosed with the help of a speech-language pathologist who can complete a comprehensive language assessment to confirm the presence of aphasia and determine the appropriate course of language treatment.

The assessment helps find out whether the person can:

Name common objects
Engage in a conversation
Understand and use words correctly
Answer questions about something read or heard
Repeat words and sentences
Follow instructions
Answer yes and no questions and respond to open-ended questions about common subjects
Read and write

Here are some treatments for aphasia:

Speech and language rehabilitation

This therapy aims to improve the ability to communicate and help restore as much language as possible. This is done by teaching the person with aphasia how to make up for lost language skills and find other communication methods.

This therapy:

Starts early
Often works in groups
May include the use of computers

Medications

Certain drugs are being studied to treat aphasia. They may improve blood flow to the brain and enhance its recovery ability or help replace the depleted chemicals in the brain.

Brain stimulation

Transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation are being studied to help improve the ability to name things.

Because aphasia is often a sign of a serious problem, such as a stroke, seek emergency medical care if you suddenly develop any symptoms.

Treatments For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Flushing Hospital

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause a variety of debilitating symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue, that can significantly interfere with your daily life. It can also cause lasting damage to multiple parts of your body, such as your nerves, skin, and heart. However, several treatment approaches can help relieve your symptoms and reduce the severity of these long-term effects.

Medication is a common element of treatment for people who are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, though which ones are prescribed by your doctor will depend on the nature and severity of your symptoms.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are typically among the first medications prescribed to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis
Biologics are used to reduce inflammation by targeting certain parts of the immune system that contribute to it
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors block enzymes that signal inflammatory and immune responses in cells
Analgesics reduce pain in people who cannot take NSAIDs, but do not reduce inflammation
Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory drugs that may be given while slow-acting medications begin to take effect

Exercise is also often beneficial for people living with rheumatoid arthritis. Many people diagnosed with this condition work with a physical therapist, who can create an effective exercise program that improves your strength and mobility. A physical therapist can also teach you techniques for relieving pain, ways of moving that prevent further physical damage, and exercises that you can perform on your own outside of scheduled sessions.

If other treatments are not providing adequate relief or offering significant improvement, your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery. This most often involves hip and knee replacements, which can be effective for people with rheumatoid arthritis, but other affected joints may also be replaced for improved mobility and pain relief. Joint replacement surgery may also be followed up by physical therapy, which can help you learn how to stay mobile without causing damage to your joint replacements or surrounding parts of your body.

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. It is important to understand what Alzheimer’s is and what steps you can use to take care of 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
Frontotempotal Dementia
Huntington’s Disease
Korsakoff Syndrome

There are many signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, here are 10 early signs and symptoms:

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 take to care for your brain.

Here are five ways to care for your brain:

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.
Fueling up right: Eat 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 like Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may help.
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. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play 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.

Effective Workouts for Busy Schedules

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

You have a busy schedule and you’re trying to live a healthy lifestyle. But finding the time to get in a workout proves to be a difficult task.

Many exercises can be effective and yield results. But first, here are five tips to get you started as you create a realistic routine that is catered to your busy schedule:

Plan Ahead

Planning allows you to look at your daily schedule and identify ideal times to work out, increasing the likelihood of completing a task by finding a way to fit it in rather than finding an excuse to skip a workout. Plan to succeed by bringing your shoes and workout clothes to go on a walk during your lunch break. Carry your gym bag, including shower supplies in your vehicle.

Schedule It

Once you’ve planned your workout, schedule it. Write your exercise time in your planner, create a calendar entry with an automatic reminder, or reserve your spot in a specific workout class. Consider your workout time as important as a work meeting or dental appointment. Once you’ve allotted the time, avoid using “I don’t have time” as an excuse.

Allot 10 Minutes, Three Times a Day

A common misconception is the more time you spend working out, the more results you will see. Aim for 30 minutes of activity, five days per week. The 30 minutes daily does not need to be consecutive. Consider splitting the time into 10- or 15-minute segments throughout your day. A workout is beneficial, no matter how long or short. Allow yourself 10 minutes to get your heart rate up. Use breaks in your day to go for a walk, or do pushups or jumping jacks, and you’ll benefit from the activity.

Do the Little Things

Small tactics add up to big results. The short activities you do throughout your day will significantly affect your fitness goals. In addition, participating in short activities throughout the day keeps workouts from feeling overwhelming.

Here are some short activities you can try:

Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Try parking further away from your destination to get in your steps.
Complete 10 pushups when you wake up in the morning.
Do jumping jacks, squats, or burpees during commercial breaks while watching TV.
Replace a daily distraction, such as scrolling on social media, with an activity like walking around your neighborhood.
If you sit at a desk for work, stand up every 20 minutes to do calf raises or stretches. Set an alarm to keep you moving throughout the day.

Let Yourself Experiment

An intense workout routine and eating plan is not something to begin on a whim. This can cause you to quit as quickly as you start. You will be less successful if you decide to exercise and change your nutrition impulsively. Find a workout and nutrition plan you enjoy and can continue long-term. Allow time to experiment with different workout routines and activities. Start slowly and reflect on how you feel. Identify personal fitness goals and realistic nutrition plans.

Here are Five Workouts That Yield Maximum Results:

Quick Abs
- Bicycle crunches
- Plank
- Mountain climbers
- Penguin crunch
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Tabata
Going for a walk
High-Intensity Circuit Training (HICT)

It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.