Springtime Allergies

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Spring is a beautiful time of year. The weather starts to improve, there are more hours of daylight, and people spend more time outdoors. It is also the time of year when flowers, grasses, weeds, and trees start to bloom and release pollen into the air.

Pollen triggers an immune reaction by releasing histamine into the blood. The immunologic or allergic reaction can manifest as sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, itchy skin, wheezing, head congestion, and  watery eyes.

Diagnosing allergies can be done by either a blood test or by a skin test. The skin test involves pricking the skin with different allergens and seeing which ones cause a reaction.

Once an allergy is identified it can be treated with:

  • Oral antihistamines
  • Oral decongestants
  • Nasal sprays
  • Eye drops
  • Allergy shots
  • Nasal saline irrigation

Some suggestions for minimizing the effects of springtime allergies include:

  • Avoiding freshly cut grasses
  • Staying indoors on windy days
  • Keeping windows closed
  • Wearing a face mask outdoors
  • Washing your hands, hair, and clothing frequently after being outdoors
  • Using an air conditioner and changing the filters frequently
  • Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter
  • Keeping pets clean

If you suffer from springtime allergies, speak to your physician about getting tested and ways to treat them. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, 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 Your Child Have a Viral or Bacterial Infection?

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Throughout the spring season, there are a number of different ways your child can become sick, leading to common symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, fever, or stomach problems. In some cases, these issues may only be a result of seasonal allergies to substances such as pollen. However, these symptoms could also occur due to an infectious disease, such as the common cold or flu.

Children develop infections due to either viruses or bacteria. A virus is a piece of genetic material surrounded by protein that requires a living host; when it infects something, it takes control of the host’s cells and uses them to create more of the virus. Some examples of common pediatric viral infections include:

  • Influenza
  • Colds
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
  • Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
  • Chickenpox
  • Bronchitis

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that live in a variety of different environments; most cause no harm to humans, with some even aiding in bodily processes such as digestion, but others may cause illnesses to develop in certain parts of the body. Common bacterial infections in children include:

  • Strep throat
  • Ear infections
  • Impetigo

Some infections may also be caused by either a virus or bacteria. These include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Meningitis
  • Diarrhea

Knowing the cause of your child’s infection is important, as this will determine the type of medicine they will need. Viruses are treated with antiviral medication, while bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Trying to treat your child’s infection with the wrong type of medication will not work, and in some cases could even lead to negative side effects.

Both antiviral medication and antibiotics can only be obtained with a prescription. A doctor can determine the most likely cause of your child’s infection and prescribe them with the appropriate medication for effective treatment results. You can schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020.

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.

Babesiosis

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As temperatures warm up, more time will be spent doing outdoor activities in areas with grass or shrubs, where ticks are commonly found.  Increased exposure to these environments heightens our risk of contracting illnesses that are transmitted by ticks such as babesiosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babesiosis is an emerging tickborne parasitic disease that has become significantly more prevalent in the Northeast regions of the United States such as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.  The CDC classified the disease as endemic in these and other states where cases have grown the fastest.

Babesiosis is caused by the Babesia parasite, which infects red blood cells and is carried by blacklegged or deer ticks. The disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of these ticks. Cases of infection peak during the warmer months of spring and summer.

In addition to being transmissible by the bite of a blacklegged or deer tick, babesiosis can also be spread by the transfusion of contaminated blood.

Many people who are infected with babesiosis do not experience symptoms; however, some may present with flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, or chills.  Symptoms may take one to nine weeks to appear. Complications can include blood clots, severe hemolytic anemia (hemolysis) low or unstable blood pressure, organ failure, and in rare cases death.

The disease can be severe or life-threatening to:

  • Individuals living without a spleen
  • Those with weakened immune systems
  • The elderly
  • Those who have serious health conditions such as liver or kidney disease

Steps can be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to ticks and prevent the transmission of babesiosis. The CDC recommends doing the following while you are outdoors:

  • Walking on cleared trails and staying in the center of the trail, to minimize contact with bushes or other places where ticks typically live
  • Minimizing the amount of exposed skin, by wearing socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt
  • Applying repellents to skin and clothing

It is also recommended that you conduct tick checks before going indoors and promptly remove any ticks that are found.

If you are experiencing symptoms of babesiosis and believe you were exposed to ticks, make an appointment to see your doctor right away,  Your physician can order blood tests to diagnose the disease and provide effective treatment.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, 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.

April is National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

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In 2008, April was designated National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month by the United States Congress. This designation aims to bring awareness to this disease and encourage research efforts to learn more about it.

Sarcoidosis is an auto-immune disease.  It is rare, affecting approximately 2 million people worldwide. Only 250,000 people have been known to have it in the United States. sarcoidosis is often a long-term illness and is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 20-40 and more often seen in African-Americans.

Sarcoidosis can primarily affect the lungs, the lymph nodes, as well as the skin, the eyes, and other organs in the body. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, nausea, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and weight loss.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, 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.

Alcohol Awareness Month

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Alcohol consumption is extremely common in the United States, with nearly 80% of the population aged 12 or older drinking it at some point in their lifetime. Of this number, approximately 12.1% of men and 9.1% of women experience an alcohol use disorder, which is defined as an impaired ability to stop or limit the amount of alcohol consumed despite negative social or physical consequences.

Some of the primary risk factors for alcohol addiction are the amount, frequency, and speed of your alcohol consumption. It is generally recommended for men to limit their drinking to two alcoholic beverages per day and for women to only consume one drink per day. Frequently drinking too much and too quickly increases your risk of developing an alcohol addiction over time.

Other factors also increase your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. These include:

Drinking at an early age: People who begin to drink before the age of 15 are over five times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than people who waited until the legal age of 21. This risk is higher for women than for men.

A family history of alcohol abuse: A combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as the drinking habits of one’s parents, contribute substantially to an individual’s likelihood of developing an alcohol use disorder.

Mental health conditions: People who experience mental disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, particularly those who have experienced some form of childhood trauma, are at an increased risk of alcohol addiction.

While a serious and widespread problem, alcohol addiction is not the only dangerous form of alcohol misuse. Approximately one in six American adults engages in binge drinking, which involves consuming five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four or more drinks for women.

Excessive drinking of any kind, even when it isn’t related to an alcohol dependency, carries significant potential health risks such as:

  • Physical injuries due to vehicle crashes, alcohol poisoning, violence, or other factors
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Unintended pregnancies
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
  • Sudden infant death syndrome
  • Chronic diseases
  • Long-term cognitive problems

If you are experiencing an alcohol use disorder, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services can help. To learn more about our Chemical Dependence Unit, a safe place to experience alcohol withdrawal, please call (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540. To learn more about our Reflections addiction treatment program, please call (718) 670-5078.

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.

Surprising Causes of A UTI

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A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that affects the urinary system, which includes the bladder, ureters, urethra, and kidneys.

Urinary tract infections develop when bacteria from outside the body (most commonly from the rectum or skin) enter the urethra and infect the urinary system.

Although anyone can get a UTI, women are more at risk than men.  It is estimated that around 50% to 60% of women will experience an infection in their lifetime.

The risk of developing a UTI can be minimized if you know the risk factors and take measures to prevent an infection.  These factors include:

  • Eating excessive amounts of sugar
  • Having diabetes
  • Hormonal changes such as menopause
  • Holding in your urine for too long or not emptying your bladder completely
  • Wiping the wrong way (It is recommended that you wipe from front to back. Going the opposite way can track bacteria from your anus to the urethra)
  • Frequently wearing thong or string-bikini underwear
  • Frequently wearing tight pants
  • Frequent sexual intercourse
  • Not urinating after having sexual intercourse
  • Not drinking enough water
  • Using certain forms of birth control such as a diaphragm, spermicide, or unlubricated condoms
  • Catheter use
  • Taking certain medications such as some antihistamines or antipsychotic drugs
  • Frequently riding a bicycle

Some risk factors are easier to address than others and some are unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to help lower the risk of a UTI.  Drinking plenty of water helps dilute urine and makes you urinate more often, which flushes bacteria out of the urinary system.  Wiping front to back after using the bathroom is also helpful.  Other measures include reducing your sugar intake, changing your method of birth control, managing your diabetes, avoiding holding in your urine and urinating after intercourse.

If you are frequently experiencing urinary tract infections, you should make an appointment to see your doctor.  To schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, 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.

Employee Spotlight Shines On Choi Au-Yeung, RRT

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This month, we are pleased to shine our Employee Spotlight on Choi Au-Yeung, Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Choi has been a respiratory therapist 24 years, 20 of those years at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. She grew up in Queens and attended Grover Cleveland High School, then went on to study at  SUNY Stony Brook where she graduated with a BS degree in Respiratory Care.

Choi currently resides on Long Island with her husband and four children, ages 13, 14, 15, and 17. In her spare time, she volunteers at the concession stand at her children’s school during home sporting events to raise money for the athletic department.  She also helps her husband coach the volleyball team and score games for their daughters’ Catholic Youth Organization team.

When she has time off, she enjoys vacationing with her family.  Some of the places she frequents are Mexico, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Outer Banks North Carolina, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. She loves to eat all different types of food, especially Italian and Indian. Choi’s favorite music is from the 80’s and 90’s. She considers herself fairly athletic and has completed three New York City Marathons. She is a firm believer in participating in all kinds of sports, in which she says helps to clear her head and make her feel good.

Family and a handful of close friends is what she considers the most important.  She emphasizes to her children the value and importance of family.

Choi enjoys working at Flushing Hospital very much because of the great people she works with. She truly considers her colleagues as her work family.  Most of them have met her family and vice versa.  She feels very fortunate that her department is very supportive of one another and considerers the department leadership the best. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years.

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.

What Can You Eat After Bariatric Surgery?

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After undergoing certain types of bariatric procedures, such as a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery, you won’t be able to go back to eating solid foods right away. Your stomach needs time to recover, and you will need to ease yourself into a new, healthy diet. For this reason, most patients spend the first several weeks after surgery gradually transitioning from a liquid diet to pureed foods, soft foods, and eventually certain solid foods.

Generally, the transition back to solid foods can take approximately eight weeks. The timeline of this period generally occurs as follows:

Week One: During your first week after surgery, you’ll typically only be able to consume a clear liquid diet, which includes:

  • Water
  • Coffee or tea (without milk or creamer)
  • Non-fat broth
  • Fruit and vegetable juices without pulp
  • Soda
  • Sports drinks
  • Clear nutritional drinks
  • Jello

Week Two: If you’ve successfully tolerated liquids throughout your first week, you may begin to re-introduce foods that can be pureed, such as scrambled eggs, cream soups, or proteins such as lean ground beef, poultry, or fish. Each meal should only consist of up to six tablespoons of food and be eaten slowly.

After a few weeks, with your doctor’s approval, you may begin to re-introduce soft foods such as ground meat or poultry, rice, and cooked skinless vegetables. These meals should generally consist of no more than half a cup of food.

Week Eight: After about eight weeks of following this diet, you can start to re-introduce a limited number of solid foods into your diet. You should only try one of these foods at a time and anticipate potential issues such as pain, nausea, or vomiting. Limit your daily eating to three meals of approximately one and a half cups of food.

To receive more information about bariatric surgery and schedule a consultation, you can call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center by calling (718) 670-8909.

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.

How MS Can Affect Oral Health

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves).

The disease causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system, disrupting signals to and from the brain.

MS affects each person differently; however, common symptoms of the disease include motor impairment and heightened levels of inflammation in the body; both of which can contribute to the deterioration of a person’s dental health.

Motor impairment caused by MS often involves decreased dexterity, muscle weakness, or loss of coordination. These deficits can affect a person’s ability to brush and floss their teeth properly.  People living with MS that have lost control of their muscles may find it difficult to do either action well.

Gingivitis and other gum diseases are more prevalent in individuals with MS. This is due to the increased levels of inflammation in the body, resulting from a deteriorating immune system.

Medications used to treat MS can also contribute to poor dental health. Side effects of these prescriptions often include dry mouth which makes a person more susceptible to dental problems.

Living with MS and maintaining good oral health can be challenging. However, complications can be avoided by making adjustments to a dental regimen, such as sitting down while brushing and visiting a dentist routinely.

To schedule an appointment with a dentist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call  (718) 670-5521.

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.

Meet Our New Beginnings Team Member: Pamela Gomez, RN

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Meet Pamela Gomez a nurse who works on Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s New Beginnings unit. She has been a Labor and Delivery nurse at the hospital for almost two years.

Pamela feels that the miracle of a new life entering the world is a very special time not only for the parents and the baby but also for the staff who assist with the delivery and the postpartum care.

The doctors and nurses on the unit all work well together as a team to ensure that the patients receive the best care. Pamela is very proud to be a part of this department we are very pleased to have her as a member of our team. She looks forward to caring for you and the newest member of your family.

To speak with a member of our team about our New Beginnings Unit or to schedule a tour, please call 718 670-5702.

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.