Health Beat

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Flushing Hospital

February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month. The purpose of this recognition is to promote proper dental education to children and their caregivers.

It is important to develop healthy dental habits early in a child’s life as this can help to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Caring for children’s dental health should begin when they are infants. A baby’s teeth and gums can be cleaned by using a clean, soft cloth. For children aged two to six, it is recommended that an adult puts the toothpaste on the brush. Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Try brushing your child’s teeth first, then let him/her finish. Until they are seven or eight years old, you will need to help your child brush. Teeth should be brushed twice a day for two minutes each time.

It is recommended that children see their dentist every six months for regular check-ups and cavity prevention. To make an appointment at the dental department 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.

Thyroid Eye Disease

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Michael Hinck

Thyroid eye disease (or TED) is a condition that causes the immune system to attack the muscles and other tissues around the eyes. The condition is most commonly associated with Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce more thyroid hormone than the body needs.

In most cases people who develop TED are already diagnosed with Graves’ disease, but for some, it is the first indicator of thyroid problem. Approximately one half of all people diagnosed with Graves disease develop eye symptoms. In most cases the symptoms are mild, but for some, it can have more serious consequences.

The most common symptoms of TED include:

Pain and pressure
Dry, itchy, or watery eyes
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Inflammation and swelling of the eye and its surrounding tissues
Bulging or wide-eyed stare caused by swelling in the orbital tissues
Red or bloodshot eyes
Double vision
Light sensitivity
Impaired vision
Difficulty moving the eyes

Thyroid eye disease can affect people differently. Symptoms can last from 6 months to 2 years. For some, symptoms may go away on their own, but others may experience lasting effects. To best treat the condition, it is best to work with a team of doctors, including a primary care physician, an ophthalmologist, and an endocrinologist.

For milder cases, applying lubricating eye drops and artificial tears a few times during the day can help be helpful. It is also recommended to avoid conditions that can worsen the condition, such as wind and bright light (or try to wear sunglasses in these elements to protect your eyes). Other tips include applying cool compresses to provide relief and elevating your head while you sleep to relieve pressure on the eyes.

If you have severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, such as prednisone to reduce the swelling in and around your eyes. In a very small percentage of patients, orbital decompression surgery may be recommended if your vision becomes impaired.

To schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

How Long Does It Take For Symptoms Of Covid To Appear ?

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

How long does it take for symptoms of COVID to appear ?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of time that passes between exposure to the virus and when the symptoms appear can range from two to fourteen days.

One of the important facts to remember is that a person can spread the virus before they develop symptoms, very commonly, two days prior to showing any signs of being infected.

Symptoms of COVID include:

Sore throat
Cough
Body aches
Shortness of breath
Chills
Fever
Headache
Runny nose
Vomiting
Nausea
Loss of smell or taste

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your physician. The only way to confirm having Covid is by testing for it. If your symptoms worsen, you should go to the closest Emergency Room.

Facts About Macular Degeneration

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Flushing Hospital

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in older adults. It affects approximately 10 million Americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. With an aging U.S. population, that number is only expected to increase.

AMD occurs when the central portion of the retina, known as the macula, which is responsible for focusing central vision, deteriorates.

In its early stages, Macular Degeneration does not affect vision, but as the disease progresses, people may experience wavy or blurred vision or blurred spots in the center of their vision. If the condition continues to worsen, central vision may be completely lost.

Advanced stages of AMD can affect one’s ability to read, drive a car, watch television, or perform many visual tasks. In fact, those living with AMD are considered legally blind.

There are two types of macular degeneration; dry and wet.

Dry AMD is an early stage of the disease. Approximately 85% to 90% of AMD cases are the dry type. Dry Macular Degeneration is diagnosed when yellowish spots known as drusen begin to accumulate in and around the macula. It is believed that these spots are deposits or debris from deteriorating tissue. A few small drusen may not cause changes in vision; however, as they grow in size and increase in number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision that people find most noticeable when they read.
Approximately 10 percent of the cases of dry AMD progresses to the more advanced and damaging form of the disease known as wet AMD. During this phase, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. This leakage causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells, resulting in distorted vision including the appearance of wavy lines, as well as blind spots and loss of central vision. These abnormal blood vessels and their bleeding eventually form a scar, leading to permanent loss of central vision.

As the name implies, the biggest risk factor for AMD is age as the disease is most prevalent in those 55 and older. Another known link to AMD is smoking as it is believed to double the risk of developing the disease. AMD is most common in Caucasians and in females. People with a family history of AMD are also believed to be at a higher risk. Hypertension and obesity are also considered risk factors for Macular Degeneration by some, although there is no conclusive research linking these factors.

There is no cure for AMD, but if detected early, there are medical treatment and lifestyle changes that can delay the progression of the disease. Macular degeneration may not present any symptoms in the early stages and it may be unrecognized until it progresses. For this reason, it is important for older adults to monitor their eyesight and visit their eye doctor regularly. Eye care doctors can often detect early signs of Macular Degeneration before symptoms occur. Usually, this is accomplished through a retinal exam.

What are the stages of the common cold ?

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that most people typically recover from the common cold within seven to ten days. The life cycle of a cold can be categorized into three general stages along with several symptoms.

The three stages of a common cold and their symptoms are:

Stage 1
- Sore throat
- Runny nose or stuffy nose with some clear mucous
- Fatigue
Stage 2 – starts two to three days after stage 1 and in addition to the symptoms of Stage 1, the following are experienced:
- Congestion
- Mild aches
- Sneezing
- Cough
Stage 3 – typically the symptoms found in stage 1 and stage 2 start to subside. A cough, stuffy nose and runny nose may be the last symptoms to subside.

Babies and young children may also experience fever, vomiting, watery eyes, chills, headaches and extreme fatigue.

Many people who have the symptoms of a cold can benefit from:

Getting plenty of rest
Drinking fluids
Using a humidifier
Using a saline nasal spray
Taking cough medicine
Drinking hot water with honey and lemon

Speak to you doctor if the symptoms of a cold do not start to improve after the first week. Do not take any medications without discussing them with your doctor first. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

COVID-19 In Children

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Flushing Hospital

Recent reports have shown a dramatic increase in the number of children testing positive for COVID-19 in the United States, especially as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads across the country.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly 1 million COVID-19 cases were reported the week of January 13^th, which is four times the amount we experienced during last winter’s surge.

Due to the rise in pediatric cases in the U.S., Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to provide parents with a list of signs and symptoms to look for in their children.

In most cases, COVID-19 symptoms in kids are milder than the symptoms experienced by adults and in some cases, children display no signs at all.

Some of the possible symptoms of a COVID-19 infection in children include:

Cough
Sore throat
Runny nose or congestion
Shortness of breath
Fever
Chills
Headache
Body aches
Fatigue

Some children may also experience diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, or loss of taste or smell.

Even though most children who become infected do not experience severe symptoms, some may develop a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (or MIS-C). This condition is characterized by inflammation in various parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, eyes, skin, brain, or gastrointestinal organs. Recent research has shown that children between the ages of 2 and 15 infected with COVID-19 may develop MIS-C. The onset of symptoms typically occurs between two to six weeks after the child is exposed to coronavirus. Possible symptoms of MIS-C include:

Skin rash
Abdominal pain
Cracked lips
Swelling of the hands or feet
Bloodshot eyes

The best protection against serious illness for COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. It is recommended that all children, ages five and older to get a vaccine. For details, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

What To Do When Your Baby Suddenly Stops Breastfeeding

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

When most people hear the words “nursing strike” the most common assumption is that it has something to do with a work stoppage by hospital caregivers, but the term can also refer to when a baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed. This response can sometimes be mistaken for weaning, but unlike a nursing strike, weaning normally takes places gradually over a period of weeks or months.

Nursing strikes can be frightening and upsetting to both you and your baby, but they are almost always temporary. Most nursing strikes end with your baby back to breastfeeding, within a few days. In some cases the cause is a mystery, but most of the time it is due to some external factor. Some of the most common triggers for a nursing strike include:

An illness affecting your baby such as an ear infection or stuffy nose
A change in deodorant, soap, lotion or anything that would result in you smelling different to your baby
Your baby is teething or experiencing sore gums
A temporary reduction in milk supply
A change in nursing patterns
Your baby was frightened during a previous nursing experience

Whatever the cause, getting the baby back to the breast can sometimes be challenging. Here are some tips that can help get your baby back to breastfeeding:

Be patient. Don’t try to force your baby to breastfeed as it can make the situation worse.
Rule out any physical problems such as an ear infection, stuffy nose, teething issues or a bladder infection.
Spend more skin-to-skin time together.
Avoid giving your baby a pacifier.
Attempt to nurse when your baby is either falling asleep, sound asleep, or just waking up.
Movement helps so try putting your baby in a sling while you walk around or try relaxing in a rocking chair.
Take a bath together or cuddle in a quiet, dark room.

You should continue to pump or hand express milk while your baby is refusing to nurse to prevent plugged ducts and infections. It is also important to remain calm and understand that your baby isn’t rejecting you and while the situation can be upsetting that it is only temporary and everything will go back to normal.

If your baby is experiencing a nursing strike and you have additional questions, you should speak with your doctor or a lactation consultant.

If you would like to speak to a lactation consultant at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5201.

How To Make Your New Year Resolutions Stick

Posted on January 6, 2022 by Flushing Hospital

New Year Resolutions are great to make and even better to keep. Here are some tips on how to make your New Year Resolutions stick.

Be realistic
Plan ahead
Outline your plan
Make a “pros” and “cons” list
Talk about it
Reward yourself
Track your progress
Don’t beat yourself up
Stick to it
Keep trying

Keep in mind that each day is a new day to either continue your journey to your goal or to start again

Make Your Smile a Priority in 2022

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

We have all made New Year’s resolutions at some point in our lives. Many of these annual vows revolve around improving our health. Typical resolutions may include losing weight, quitting smoking, or beginning an exercise routine, but what about our oral health? The New Year is also a good time to commit ourselves to better dental care.

Make 2022 the year you look to improve your smile. Some ways to help you meet this goal include:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene– Daily brushing and flossing is a simple way to improve your oral health. For successful bacterial plaque removal, it is important to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once per day to remove bacterial plaque and food that has accumulated throughout the day. Daily brushing and flossing help to prevent gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath). The daily use of antimicrobial and fluoride mouth rinses also helps to improve your oral health.
Watch What You Eat and Drink– An important part of achieving your dental health resolutions is making healthier food and beverage choices, especially for snacks. Frequent consumption of food and beverages containing carbohydrates and acids contributes to tooth decay.
Quit Smoking– Quitting cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use is important for improving your oral and overall health. There is no better time than the present to make a resolution to stop tobacco use. Consider free online tools, smoking cessation groups, progress-tracking apps and support from friends and family to assist you with tobacco cessation.
Use Whitening Products– There are several over-the-counter smile-improving products that you
can use to whiten your teeth when you brush and floss. In recent years, tooth whitening has acquired enormous popularity because they can enhance the appearance of teeth by removing deep (intrinsic) or surface (extrinsic) stains.
Receive Regular Check-Ups– A resolution to make routine visits to the dentist may help prevent oral disease or reveal an existing disease in its early stage. Dental visits should take place every six months to allow your dentist and dental hygienists to monitor the condition of your oral cavity and develop an appropriate treatment plan to meet your wants and needs.

Some however might need to make more than a few lifestyle changes to address their dental needs. For those, a dentist or orthodontist can help. Make this the year you stop putting off having dental work done. An orthodontist can correct an overbite or straighten crooked teeth and a dentist can address your need for crowns, implants or fillings to preserve your tooth structure.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Dental Center, please call 718-670-5521.

Understanding the Facts and the Myths About Cholesterol

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Understanding how cholesterol helps or harms our health can be confusing due to several myths that exist. It is important that we debunk misinformation so that we can learn how to properly take care of our bodies.

One of the most common myths about cholesterol is that it is all bad. This is not true.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), “good cholesterol,” transports cholesterol to the liver where it is flushed from the body. Cholesterol is also important for the production of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid. Cholesterol poses a problem for our health when high quantities of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), “bad cholesterol,” are found in our blood. This can lead to cardiovascular disease or stroke.

Here are a few other myths to explore:

People who have a healthy weight can’t have a high level of cholesterol – not true
- Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with bodyweight. People of any weight can have high cholesterol levels
Eating food that has a lot of cholesterol in it will not raise my cholesterol levels – not true
- Foods that are high in cholesterol tend to have a lot of saturated fat, which can cause cholesterol numbers to increase.
Only men have to worry about high cholesterol levels – not true
- Both sexes are vulnerable to have high cholesterol levels. Women as they age lose estrogen and this can raise their risk level.
Taking cholesterol medications makes it okay to eat anything I want – not true
- Medications used to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body can only do so much. Diet and exercise are also very important to control cholesterol levels.
Only people over 40 years of age are affected by high cholesterol – not true.
- High cholesterol can affect people of any age. The American Heart Association recommends having cholesterol levels checked once between the ages of 9 – 11 and again between 17 – 21. After that, young adults should be checked every four to six years.
Having high cholesterol is based only on your diet – not true
- Several factors can contribute to high cholesterol levels. These include family history, level of physical activity, and also age are factors to consider.

Speak with your physician about your risk factors for developing high cholesterol and ask about having a blood test performed. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.