Health Beat

Anosmia Awareness Day

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Anosmia is the complete loss of your sense of smell. Approximately three percent of all Americans experience either this condition or severe hyposmia (a diminished sense of smell), with a much larger percentage of the population experiencing a milder form of smell alteration.

Although people may be born with anosmia in rare instances, it typically occurs later in life due to a variety of factors. One of the primary risk factors for smell impairment is age; a reduced sense of smell becomes increasingly likely as you get older, with a quarter of all Americans in their 70s and nearly 40% of Americans in their 80s experiencing these problems in some form. It’s also more common for men and people who are Black or Mexican American.

Losing your sense of smell can leave you vulnerable to several potential health risks. Food or liquids that spoil often create a foul odor, but if you lack the ability to smell, you may accidentally consume these items without realizing that they are no longer safe. You also may not be able to recognize the presence of hazards such as smoke until it’s too late.

The loss of your sense of smell also affects more than just scents. Smell also plays a significant role in the way you process flavors; without it, food and drinks become bland and less distinguishable. This can lead to other issues such as a loss of interest in eating, poor nutrition, weight loss, or potentially even depression. Additionally, attempts to resolve this lack of flavor, such as adding copious amounts of salt to food, can lead to high blood pressure and other problems.

Anosmia is not necessarily a permanent impairment. In fact, polyps, nasal deformities, and conditions such as sinus infections or viruses may cause you to temporarily develop symptoms of anosmia. An otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor) can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine the right course of treatment, both for the underlying condition and for restoring your sense of smell.

You can visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, 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 Hilly Lokenauth, RN

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Hilly Lokenauth, RN, Assistant Head Nurse in the Emergency Department at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Hilly grew up in a town called Eccles, Guyana where her father owned a large store. She attended St. Anglican Elementary School and then on to the Indian Education Trust College. After high school, Hilly went on to study Nursing at the Mercy School of Nursing in Guyana. She moved to New York forty years ago, settling in Jackson Heights, Queens where she still resides. Upon coming to the United States Hilly attended St. Joseph College in Brooklyn, where she obtained her BS in Health Administration.

Hilly has two grown children, a daughter who is also a nurse in the NICU at Flushing Hospital and a son who works in finance at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. Hilly has four grandchildren ages two to six. She doesn’t have any pets but one day would really like to have a parrot. She is one of ten children. There were five girls and five boys in her family growing up, (five siblings who have since passed away unfortunately) who at one time lived in many different parts of the world.

Religion is a very important part of Hilly’s life. She is a member of the Cavalry Assembly of God Church in Richmond Hill, Queens, where she attends services on the weekends. In her free time she enjoys listening to Christian music and reading Christian novels. She isn’t a big sports fan, but enjoys watching the enthusiasm of the people who are watching sporting events. She also enjoys watching reality shows on TV. Hilly enjoys taking short trips, either upstate New York or to visit people she knows in Westchester.

What matters most to Hilly are her family and friends. She enjoys taking care of people and likes to quote a proverb saying that “whoever refreshes others, will be refreshed”. She gets great satisfaction caring for her patients. Hilly enjoys the diversity of people she has had the opportunity to treat in the Emergency Department. She comes in contact with people from all over the world and has learned so much about different cultures. Hilly feels fortunate to be working with such a team in the Emergency Department. Working through the Covid-19 pandemic really had an impact on her, and the people she worked with. The experience made her appreciate the importance of her health and for the people in her life.

We are so fortunate to have Hilly as a member of the Flushing Hospital team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years in the future.

What Does It Mean to “Die of Natural Causes?”

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

In the United States, the majority of deaths each year are recorded as having occurred due to “natural causes.” However, it may not always be clear what exactly this term means, particularly due to the fact that it does not point to a specific factor that led to a person’s death.

A death by natural causes is one that occurs solely due to internal factors (such as a disease) rather than external factors (such as a traumatic physical injury). Three of the most common ways it can occur include:

Heart disease: Although factors affected by lifestyle choices (such as a person’s weight, diet, and physical activity level) can contribute to the risk of developing heart disease, anyone can experience it at any age. This is because your risk is also tied to your genetics and family history of heart disease.

Cancer: While multiple people within the same family may experience cancer without it being the result of genetics, it can occur as a result of what is referred to as a “family cancer syndrome” (also known as “inherited cancer syndrome” or “genetic cancer syndrome”). This refers to an abnormal gene that can greatly increase the risk of certain forms of cancer. Family cancer syndrome accounts for approximately five to 10% of all types of cancer.

Stroke: You may experience a stroke due to various natural factors. Every 10 years after the age of 55, your risk of experiencing a stroke doubles. Additionally, death due to a stroke is more common among women of all ages than men. Strokes are also more common among people who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Native Alaskan, as well as people with certain genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease.

If you experience or have a family history of a chronic medical condition, get the treatment you need to prevent your symptoms from worsening. You can schedule an appointment with a medical specialist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center now by calling (718) 670-5486.

How Many Calories Should You Eat Each Day?

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Whether you’re trying to lose, gain, or maintain your weight, it can be helpful to know the ideal amount of calories you should be eating each day. However, this amount varies from person to person based on a variety of different factors.

Your current weight and height are primary factors in determining the number of calories you should eat each day. Generally, people who are taller and heavier require a greater number of calories to maintain their physique than lighter, shorter people.

Age also plays a role in determining your calorie requirements. As your age increases, you’ll need less calories to maintain your weight than a younger person, though you may need the same or an increased amount of nutrients to stay in good physical condition. This is due to factors such as changes in your metabolism, decreasing activity, and a loss of muscle mass and bone density over time.

People who engage in regular physical activity have higher daily calorie requirements than people who are typically inactive. Your calorie needs are also affected by the type of activity you’re engaged in; aerobic exercise, for example, burns more calories than anaerobic activity, resulting in a higher number of calories needed to maintain your weight.

Calorie needs vary between genders, as well. People assigned female at birth generally have lower calorie requirements than people assigned male at birth.

Hormones such as leptin, insulin, ghrelin, cortisol, and estrogen may also all directly impact your body’s calorie-burning efficiency, as well as where fat accumulates in your body. These hormones, and by extension your body’s calorie-burning functions, may also be affected by certain medications.

Taking these factors into account to determine your daily calorie needs can be particularly instrumental in finding the right diet and exercise routine to achieve your weight loss goals. However, due to certain conditions, not everyone can lose weight effectively through these methods alone, with some people requiring medical intervention to get the head start they need.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Bariatric Surgery Center can provide potentially life-saving weight loss procedures for eligible candidates with a body mass index greater than 40 who are 100 or more pounds above their ideal weight. To learn more about our procedures or to schedule an appointment, please call at (718) 408-6977 or (718) 670-8908.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a type of pelvic floor disorder. It occurs when the muscles and tissues that support a woman’s pelvic organs become weak and no longer capable of holding those organs in place.

A woman’s pelvic organs include the rectum, uterus, bladder, cervix, and urethra, all of which are held in place by pelvic floor muscles. However, these muscles can become stretched or torn as a result of childbirth or other factors including:

Pelvic floor injuries
Chronic constipation and straining during bowel movements
Aging
Obesity
Hormonal changes
Hysterectomy
Genetic disorders that weaken connective tissues
Having a condition that causes frequent coughing

When pelvic floor muscles are no longer able to hold pelvic organs in position, they drop lower in the pelvis. This creates a bulge or prolapse into the vagina, and in severe cases may cause pelvic organs to bulge onto other organs or outside the body.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “POP affects 1 in 4 women in their 40s and 1 in 3 in their 60s. By the time women reach their 80s, POP affects half of all women.” Some may experience symptoms that include:

Lower back pain
Pressure of pain during sexual intercourse
Problems inserting tampons
A feeling of pressure, fullness or aching in the pelvis
Incontinence
Spotting or bleeding of the vagina
Feeling or seeing a bulge coming out of the vagina

POP is diagnosed by conducting a series of tests that include a pelvic examination. There are various treatments available such as inserting devices called pessaries to support the pelvic organs, pelvic floor therapy, or surgery to support or close the vagina.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a wide variety of treatments for POP, this includes sacrocolpopexy, a surgical procedure that can be performed with the assistance of a surgical robot by our highly trained surgeons.

For more information about robotic surgery or procedures performed by our surgeons, please contact Flushing Hospital’s Department of Surgery at 718-670-3135.

3 Mental Health Tips for Online Dating

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

If you’re looking for love this Valentine’s Day, you may be using online dating apps as part of your search. The odds of success may be in your favor, as most couples today first meet online, but if you aren’t careful, your approach to online dating could be harmful to your mental health.

People with pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety may experience symptoms as a result of the way many major dating apps work. Most apps display photos of users along with information about their personalities. Users may develop negative thoughts about their body image or about themselves in general if they aren’t getting many responses to their profile.

On the other hand, while a high number of responses may provide an initial sense of validation, it can quickly turn negative if potential connections or conversations come to a quick or unexpected end. Negative feelings can also occur after first dates if the person you met decides to “ghost” you, never responding or asking to go out with you again.

To stay mentally healthy despite these potential bumps in the road of your online dating journey, you should:

Set limits on the time you spend on each app: The unhealthy effects of online dating apps can increase as you spend more time on them at the expense of other activities. Set a time limit of about 30 minutes each day or limit your number of swipes for each app. Take a break to do something else after finishing your time with one app if you plan to use another.

Make genuine connections your goal: It can be easy to swipe thoughtlessly on a high volume of profiles, resulting in either a low number of matches or conversations that lead nowhere. Don’t swipe just to see how many matches you can get; use online dating apps as a tool to meet people you can genuinely connect with based on your true personality.

Avoid online dating on bad days: If you are in a negative frame of mind due to the events of your day or are experiencing sudden symptoms of a mental health condition, avoid online dating apps for that day entirely, as they can do more harm than good to your self-esteem and self-image in these moments.

If you’re experiencing mental health problems that are interfering with your ability to make connections with other people, romantic or otherwise, you can find help from a therapist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic. To schedule an appointment or learn more, please call (718) 670-5562.

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week – Know The Facts About CHD

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Every year, February 7th to the 14th is designated as Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Awareness week. This annual week of recognition was created to raise awareness about CHD and to empower all patients and families affected by this condition.

Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. These defects can involve:

The interior walls of the heart
The valves inside the heart
The arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart or the body

Congenital heart defects are the most common form of birth defect. They affect eight out of every 1,000 newborns. Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with this condition.

There are many different forms of defects that can range from minor with no symptoms to complex with life-threatening symptoms. Minor defects often do not require any treatment or are easily fixed. However, those babies born with complex congenital heart defects require special medical care soon after birth.

Unfortunately, doctors often do not know why congenital heart defects occur. Heredity may play a role in cases. Children who have genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are often more likely to have congenital heart defects. In fact, half of all babies who have Down syndrome have congenital heart defects. Smoking during pregnancy also has been linked to several congenital heart defects.

Even though many children born with congenital heart defects do not require treatment, some do. Doctors can treat children with CHD with either catheter procedures or surgery. Thankfully, through advances in medicine, the diagnosis and treatment of complex heart defects have greatly improved over the past few decades. As a result, almost all children who have complex heart defects survive to adulthood and can live active, productive lives.

Through continued education and support, we hope to conquer CHD.

A Winter Recipe For Minestrone

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

A chilly winter night calls for a nice bowl of minestrone to warm you up. Here is a recipe from the Food Network for a delightfully delicious., easy to prepare, winter minestrone. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/winter-minestrone-recipe2-1922445

Everything You Need To Know About Fentanyl

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Fentanyl is a type of synthetic opioid used in pharmaceutical products to manage pain. It is also one of the main contributors to the ongoing epidemic of opioid overdose deaths, which have accounted for nearly 75% of all drug overdose deaths in recent years.

Drug dealers often sell fentanyl mixed with other drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, and MDMA, as it is a cheaper ingredient for producing a stronger high compared to other substances. This can make an overdose more likely, as many buyers may not be aware that fentanyl is present as an additive in their drugs and may not be able to physically handle its strong effects.

Fentanyl is also approved as a legitimate prescription treatment for severe pain, particularly due to late-stage cancer. Its effects can be as much as 100 times stronger than morphine, another drug frequently used for pain management, and may include extreme happiness, sedation, breathing problems, and unconsciousness.

As a result of its potency, fentanyl can be very addictive, potentially resulting in dependency even for people who have been prescribed this drug. If a person becomes dependent on fentanyl and stops taking it, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as sleep problems, severe cravings, diarrhea and vomiting, muscle and bone pain, and cold flashes.

If addiction occurs, it can be treated through a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Some of the most frequently-used medications for treating fentanyl addiction include methadone (which eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings), buprenorphine (a partial agonist which creates similar effects as methadone), and naltrexone (which blocks the effects of fentanyl by preventing it from attaching to opioid receptors).

In the event of a fentanyl overdose, naloxone can block the drug’s effects when administered rapidly, but may require multiple doses. It is typically available as an injectable solution or nasal spray. In New York City, you do not require a prescription to get naloxone. If you have any naloxone, administer it, then immediately dial 911 for emergency medical services.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with fentanyl-related substance abuse problems, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services can offer a safe place to experience drug withdrawal in our Chemical Dependence Unit and take the first steps toward recovery from addiction in our Reflections treatment program.

To learn more about our Chemical Dependence Unit, please call (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540. For more information about our Reflections program, please call (718) 670-5078.

What is Winter Itch?

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

During the winter, cold temperatures, low humidity, and high winds wear away at the natural oils and dead skin cells in the outer layer of your skin that preserves moisture content. This, combined with other potential factors such as a sensitivity to soaps and detergents, pre-existing skin conditions, infections, allergies to materials such as latex, sunburns, and stress or fatigue, may cause you to develop a rash sometimes referred to as “winter itch.”

Winter itch may cause similar symptoms to other types of rashes, such as redness, swelling, flaking, blisters, and itchiness. It most often occurs on the arms, legs, or hands, as these are most often exposed to cold air, but it can also develop anywhere on your body.

Certain soaps and moisturizing products may be helpful for treating winter itch. These include:

Skin cream or lotion
Petroleum jelly
Natural oils
Oatmeal soap or baths
Topical cortisone cream

Developing winter itch may indicate the need to make certain lifestyle changes during periods of cold weather to protect your skin. A few steps you can take to prevent the occurrence of a rash during the winter include:

Choosing clothes with less irritating materials: Clothes made from natural breathable fibers such as cotton and hemp may reduce skin irritation and overheating, both of which may contribute to an increased risk of developing a rash.

Wear appropriate protective clothing: Gloves, scarves, hats, and long socks can all go a long way to protecting skin that may be vulnerable to cold air and preventing rashes from developing in these areas.

Bathing less often: During the winter, overly frequent bathing can wear away at your skin’s natural outer layer of oils and dead skin cells, which build up more slowly during the winter due to decreased sweating. You may find it helpful to shower or bathe every other day, lathering up as little as possible and reducing the amount of hot water you use.

If you’re looking for the right treatment for a rash, you can schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486.