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Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Approximately 5.8 million Americans experience Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dementia is a general term that refers to memory loss; Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of cases.

The earliest signs of Alzheimer’s involve difficulty retaining new information, but can also involve vision or language-related problems. These symptoms gradually transition into more severe problems such as worsening confusion and memory loss, changes in mood and behavior, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. These problems are likely to be less obvious to the person experiencing them than to others who interact with them regularly.

Alzheimer’s is believed by medical experts to be caused by buildups of proteins such as amyloid, which forms plaque around brain cells, and tau, which forms tangles within brain cells. These buildups lead to lower levels of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, which send signals between brain cells. Other factors that increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing Alzheimer’s include:

Age
Family history
Down’s syndrome
Head trauma
Cardiovascular disease
Untreated depression

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s; symptoms can only be managed as they progress. Some ways that caregivers can help a person with Alzheimer’s cope with their symptoms include:

Helping them maintain a regular daily routine
Reassuring them and acknowledging their feelings
Avoiding showing frustration or anger with them
Avoiding arguments with them
Making sure they have a safe space to walk
Helping them stay hydrated and fed throughout the day

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.

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 is Sciatica?

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Flushing Hospital

Sciatica is nerve pain that can occur throughout the lower back, buttocks, hips, and down the legs. This pain may be mild or severe and cause a variety of sensations, including anything from sharp or shooting pain to a burning or electric feeling. It can also occur constantly or intermittently and worsen based on posture, movement, and time spent sitting or standing.

The primary cause of sciatica is injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. This nerve is most commonly injured due to a herniated or slipped disk. However, injury to the sciatic nerve can occur in a few different ways, including:

Degenerative disk disease
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Osteoarthritis
Pressure from tumors
Piriformis syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome

Several risk factors, such as aging, obesity, prior injuries to the lower back or spine, pregnancy, or a job that requires significant physical exertion such as heavy lifting, may increase your likelihood of experiencing sciatica. However, these risks may be reduced through adjustments to your lifestyle and activities, such as:

Improving your posture: Improper form while exercising or lifting heavy weights, as well as poor posture while sitting, standing, or moving can increase your risk of sciatica.

Following a regular diet and exercise routine: A healthy, balanced diet and a workout routine that incorporates aerobic and strength exercises can help you manage sciatica risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Exercises that build core strength can be especially helpful, as a stronger core provides more support for your lower back.

Avoiding tobacco: Tobacco products such as cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes spinal tissue, vertebral disk, and bone damage over time that can impact the sciatic nerve.

You can find effective treatment for most cases of sciatica from specialists such as chiropractors and physical therapists. However, for severe cases, you may need to work with a neurologist to diagnose the most likely cause and find the right treatment approach.

World No Tobacco Day

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

On May 31^st each year, the World Health Organization highlights the harmful health effects of tobacco products such as cigarettes. While tobacco usage rates among the general population have decreased over time, approximately 22.3% of people across the world continue to use it. The risks of using tobacco are well documented; however, many people around the world are not fully aware of the dangers.

A substantial amount of information exists about the harmful effects of tobacco usage. Aside from lung-related conditions such as emphysema, there are also very strong links between tobacco usage and heart disease, circulatory problems, and stroke. Coronary vascular diseases are one of the world’s leading causes of death. Tobacco use is the second leading cause of these types of diseases, with hypertension being the leading cause.

Despite the wealth of information available about the harmful effects of tobacco products, their continued usage results in over 8 million deaths each year. Approximately 1.2 million of these deaths occur due to exposure to second-hand smoke, highlighting the negative health impacts that tobacco usage can have not only on the user, but on the people around them, as well.

A few of the World Health Organization’s efforts to inform people about tobacco’s harmful effects include:

Increasing public knowledge of the risks of smoking and secondhand smoke
Encouraging healthcare providers to speak to their patients about the hazards of tobacco
Encouraging governmental support for educational programs
Seeking ways to promote smoke-free zones in buildings and public spaces
Increasing taxes on tobacco products
Making it more difficult to purchase tobacco products
Banning tobacco advertising

If you would like to quit smoking, speak to your medical provider to learn more about the resources available to help you. Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a tobacco cessation program that can support you in your efforts to quit. Please call 718-206-8494 to learn more.

Q&A: What Should You Do If Your Medicine Is Recalled?

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

A drug recall is one of the most effective ways to protect the public from potentially harmful drugs.

Drug recalls are mostly voluntary and occur when a manufacturer decides to remove a drug from the market when there is reason to believe the product is mislabeled, contaminated, defective, or hazardous to a person’s health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can also request a recall if multiple reports of adverse effects or problems have been received.

If your medicine has been recalled, the FDA recommends that you speak with your doctor right away to determine the best course of action for your health. If your doctor advises that you stop taking the medication, you may be able to take it back to the store of purchase and request a refund. Manufacturers may also provide contact information for product returns.

To keep up-to-date or find out more about drug recalls, you can visit the FDA’s website https://www.fda.gov/ and sign up for alerts.

3 Common Risk Factors for Addiction Relapse

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

People who experience an alcohol or drug addiction often relapse at some point during their path to recovery. Relapsing does not necessarily mean that addiction treatment has failed; however, it is a harmful and potentially life-threatening obstacle to recovery and should be prevented before it can occur.

Relapse typically occurs in three stages: emotional, mental, and physical. The emotional relapse stage occurs when you are unable to cope with your emotions in a healthy way. The mental stage occurs when you begin to experience cravings and consider the possibility of relapsing, which may involve glorifying past substance use and minimizing its negative effects. The physical stage begins when you give in to these cravings and return to substance use.

As the stages of relapse progress, you may find yourself increasingly vulnerable to certain risk factors that speed up the process. Some of the most common of these risk factors include:

Social pressure: A wide variety of social factors, such as peer pressure from people who use drugs or alcohol, interpersonal conflicts, and a lack of social support can all contribute to a relapse.

Environmental triggers: Physical sensations, such as scents, as well as certain objects or places that you associate with drug or alcohol use may induce or intensify cravings.

Insufficient coping mechanisms: Relapse often occurs when internal coping mechanisms fail to help you process the negative thoughts, emotions, and sensations you experience in a healthy way, making drug or alcohol use potentially seem like an easier way of relieving these pressures.

The best way to prevent an addiction relapse is to work with medical professionals that can give you the guidance and resources you need to stay sober and manage risk factors in a healthy, effective way. Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Division of Addiction Services can help through our Reflections treatment program. To learn more, please call (718) 670-5078.

Collagen Supplements

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Xavia Malcolm

The use of collagen supplements has grown significantly in recent years due to the promotion of their purported benefits. Packaging for these supplements, which is commonly purchased in pill or powder form, often boasts astounding benefits for hair, skin, nails, and joints.

If you are considering taking collagen supplements it is important to learn the facts before making a purchase.

Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced by the body. It can be found in the blood, joints, connective tissues, and muscles and plays the following roles in helping the body to function well:

Helps blood to clot
Provides protective lining for organs
Gives structure and support to skin, and tissue
Aids in cellular responses such as cellular renewal
Help keep bones strong
Provides elasticity to the skin

There are five main types of collagen found in the body, they include:

Type l: Makes up 90% of the collagen in the body, and is used to build bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments
Type ll: Helps to make cartilage and provides joint support
Type lll: Is found in muscles, organs, and arteries
Type lV: Is found in the skin
Type V: Is found in skin, hair, placenta tissue, and the cornea of the eyes

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and over time, the collagen we already have begins to break down. We may experience the following changes as this occurs:

Loss of skin elasticity, resulting in wrinkled or crepey skin
Weaker muscles
Gastrointestinal problems
Loss of flexibility or stiffness of the joints
Joint pain
Osteoarthritis
Hallowing around the eyes

There are a few lifestyle changes we can implement that may boost collagen production. This includes eating foods that are rich in vitamin C, zinc, and copper, eating protein-rich foods, and bone broths.

Taking supplements is another option that some people may consider. Taking collagen peptides by mouth is possibly safe. However, it is important to keep in mind that these supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; therefore, quality and safety are not guaranteed. Additionally, evidence or studies that support the use of collagen supplements have been small. For these reasons, it is highly recommended that you speak with a physician before taking collagen supplements.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Frances DaSilva

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Frances DaSilva, Admitting Department Manager. Frances has been working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for 13 years.

Frances is originally from the beautiful county of Buckinghamshire, town of High Wycombe in England. She attended elementary school through college in England and moved to the United States in 1983 and settled in Brooklyn where she still resides.

Frances has two daughters who she is very proud of. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, attending church, and giving back to the community. Those things bring her great joy.

Frances delights in eating different types of food from around the world. She is always open to trying new types of delicious food. She enjoys any form of music that gets her feet moving. Her favorite genres of music are jazz, classical, gospel and modern dance. Frances enjoys travelling and feels fortunate to have visited many beautiful places. She particularly likes the Delaware area and Massachusetts. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, and crafts. Frances likes a variety of sports especially track and field, basketball, football and tennis.

Frances enjoys working at Flushing Hospital because of the amazing people on her team who help to ensure that their department runs well. She also likes the daily interactions with administrators, the clinical team, and people from every department at the hospital. She feels that her job has given her the opportunity to continually learn. We are happy to have Frances as a member of our team and we look forward to having her continue with us for many more years in the future.

National Osteoporosis Awareness Month

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become brittle, making it easier for them to fracture in response to trauma or pressure. This occurs as a result of the loss of bone density over time.

After the age of 30, bone mass continually decreases; as a result, your likelihood of developing osteoporosis depends in large part on how much bone mass you developed in your youth.

Aside from age, a variety of factors affect your risk of developing osteoporosis, some of which you may not have any control over. These include:

Assigned sex at birth (women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than men)
Race (osteoporosis is most common in people of white and Asian descent)
A family history of osteoporosis and fractures
Body frame (a smaller frame tends to correlate with osteoporosis due to smaller amounts of bone mass)

Despite these unchangeable factors, there are steps you can take to decrease your risk of osteoporosis. These mainly include building healthy lifestyle habits and actively managing medical problems that can contribute to osteoporosis. Some examples include:

Staying physically active: A routine that includes a mixture of weight-bearing activities (exercises such as running, dancing, hiking, or aerobics) and resistance exercises (incorporating movements such as pushing or pulling against opposing forces such as weights or elastic bands) three to four days per week is ideal for stimulating bone health.

Following a diet that promotes bone health: A diet that protects and stimulates bone health should include the recommended daily amounts of calcium (approximately 1,000 mg for people aged 19-50), vitamin D (about 15 micrograms (mcg) for people younger than 71), and protein (approximately 0.36 grams of protein for each pound of bodyweight). You should also avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Working with a doctor to identify medical risk factors: A variety of conditions and medications, particularly any which contribute to hormonal imbalances, can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Specialists such as endocrinologists can help you identify medical risk factors early and develop an effective prevention strategy.

You can receive a diagnosis, treatment, or preventative care for osteoporosis at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.week is ideal for stimulating bone health.

Cancers Linked to HPV

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Andrew Rubin

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 types of viruses, some of which are sexually transmitted. It can affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. In the United States, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection.

HPV can be categorized as non-cancer causing and cancer causing. Two variants of human papillomavirus, HPV16, and HPV18 are the ones most commonly associated with cancer. HPV is responsible for 3% of all cancers in women and 2% of all cancers in men according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can take many years after becoming infected with cancer causing HPV, for cancer to potentially develop. People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, the cancers that are most commonly associated with HPV and their incidence, include:

Cervical cancer – almost all are caused by HPV
Oropharyngeal cancer – approximately 70 % caused by HPV
Anal cancer – approximately 90 % are caused by HPV
Penile cancer – approximately 60% are caused by HPV
Vaginal cancer – approximately 75% are caused by HPV
Vulvar cancer – approximately 70% are caused by HPV

The HPV vaccine offers protection from most cancers related to HPV. It is recommended for children of both genders between the ages of 11 and 12. Speak to your physician if you would like to get tested for HPV, or to discuss getting the HPV vaccine. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

What Are the Signs of Pediatric Thyroid Disease?

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

For most people, thyroid disease is a problem that only begins during adulthood. However, it can affect children and young adults as well, leading to a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and constipation. While these symptoms can indicate many potential conditions, a pediatrician will typically perform diagnostic testing to check whether thyroid disease may be the cause.

“Any time a child experiences these symptoms, they are screened for thyroid problems,” said Dr. Hariram Ganesh, a pediatric endocrinologist at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists. “That screening is performed through the same type of blood testing that’s usually involved in a patient’s routine checkups.”

A family history of auto-immune disorders, as well as conditions such as diabetes and celiac disease, increase a child’s risk of experiencing thyroid problems. According to Dr. Ganesh, certain signs may also point to thyroid disease as the potential cause of your child’s symptoms, such as:

Hair loss: Thyroid problems may cause a higher volume of hair to fall out than normal in affected children.

Difficulty paying attention at school: “A lot of children who experience thyroid problems may have trouble paying attention or staying awake during class,” said Dr. Ganesh.

Irregular periods: “Irregular periods are a particular indicator of thyroid problems in children, as girls experience them more often than boys,” said Dr. Ganesh. “A mother with thyroid disease can pass it down to her daughter.”

Delayed development and speech problems: While not as common as in older children, thyroid problems can affect newborn babies, leading to delayed physical development and speech impairments if they are left untreated or not caught early. “A baby as young as two or three years old may have to be given thyroid medicine if problems are detected during newborn screening tests,” said Dr. Ganesh.

If you notice these potential signs of thyroid disease in your child, you can schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020.