Health Beat

Flushing Hospital Provides Information About The COVID Pill

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Michael Hinck

In the continued fight against COVID-19, there has been some promising news about the development of a COVID pill. However, there are many questions surrounding this form of treatment.

Recently, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Merck announced that their anti-viral pills could minimize the effects of the virus for those who contract it. These medications are similar to other anti-viral medications currently used to combat the flu and other viruses. Pfizer claims its pill can decrease the likelihood of death or hospitalization by 89% if taken within three days of symptoms starting. Merck states its capsule can reduce similar risks by 50%.

Neither of the anti-viral medications are currently available as Merck and Pfizer have either already applied to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use or are in the process of doing so and both are waiting for approval as there is still a lot we need to learn.

While this news is encouraging, it is important to understand that if or when these pills become available, they should not be considered a cure. Unlike antibiotics, which work to kill bacterial infections, anti-viral medications usually work to lessen the symptoms of the virus. These pills would also need to be taken during the early stages of the viral infection to be effective. They should only be considered as important additions to other hospital-based treatments.

One concern of many health professionals is that those individuals who are averse to the vaccine will use the existence of the anti-viral medications as an excuse not to get vaccinated, believing that they can get treated by the medications should they contract COVID-19. This philosophy can be misguided as vaccines remain the best protection against the virus.

Another fear among doctors is that people taking the anti-viral pills will not follow appropriate medication adherence. For instance, Merck’s anti-viral pill is required to be taken as a batch of four pills, twice a day, for five days. This medication will be ineffective if it is not taken as directed.

These anti-viral medications have the potential to decrease complications and hospitalizations and make COVID-19 a much more manageable disease, but more time is needed to test their safety and efficacy. Until then, it is recommended that anyone who is eligible receive the COVID vaccine.

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.

Home Remedies for a Cold and the Flu

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

There is no known cure for the common cold or the flu, both of which are caused by viruses. Anyone who has ever experienced having a cold or the flu has at some time or another tried a home remedy to help alleviate the symptoms. While some home remedies are natural, they may cause adverse reactions if you are taking certain medications or have allergies. Therefore, you should consult with a physician before taking anything.

Age-old home remedies have been passed on for generations. Even in a modern, technologically advanced and scientific world, these timeless, home-made remedies have remained and become common practice to this day.

Some commonly used home remedies that people have found helpful are:

Eating chicken soup
Drinking herbal tea
Sipping boiled ginger root
Drinking tea with honey
Adding garlic to food
Eating fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C
Using a humidifier
Applying a warm compress on the nose and forehead
Gargling with salt water
Using a neti pot
Practicing nasal irrigation with warm saline

Under most circumstances, the symptoms of a cold or the flu will subside on their own after a few days. If you have concerns, see your physician right away. You may schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center by calling 718-670-5486.

Prescription Opioid Addiction Among Young Adults

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

It is crucial for parents and young adults to know the facts about opioids so that they can better understand how these drugs can negatively affect a person’s health and quality of life.

Here are six important facts families should know:

Opioids are narcotic medications that are prescribed to treat mild to severe pain.
Some of the most common types of opioids are fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine tramadol and codeine.
Opioids work by reducing the intensity of pain signals being transmitted to the brain. They interact with opioid receptors in the brain to produce pain relief and feelings of euphoria.
Misusing opioids can result in the development of a chemical dependency on these drugs. Misuse may occur when a person is taking opioids long-term, is taking more than what was prescribed, or is taking them for non-medical reasons.
It is common for teens to mix prescription opioids with other substances such as alcohol. A study revealed that seven out of ten teens combined opioids with additional substances and 52% within this group co-ingested prescription pills with alcohol. This behavior puts teens at a higher risk for overdose.
Some of the warning signs of opioid abuse include; anxiety attacks, depression, improved alertness, increased energy, a decrease in appetite, fatigue, nausea, constipation and breathlessness.

There are several steps one can take to prevent or reduce the chances of prescription opioid misuse, they include; keeping medication locked up or keeping track of medication to ensure pills are not missing, correctly disposing of unused medication, monitoring your loved one’s behavior while they are taking medication and communicating with your doctor about not exceeding the recommended time period for pain treatment.

If your loved one is addicted to prescription opioids it is highly recommended that you have an honest conversation with them about harmful effects that could potentially lead to death. Reassure them that you are here to help and not to judge them. Seek help from a trained medical professional immediately.

There are several treatment options available which include medication and counseling. Your physician or mental health counselor will determine which treatments are best for a healthy recovery.

To schedule an appointment with Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Addiction Service Division please call 718-670-5078.

Your Frequent Urination Could Be The Result Of Polyuria

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Frequent urination is an issue that many Americans live with but figuring out the cause can be a difficult task. Some of the possible reasons for this problem can include an overactive bladder, enlarged prostate or a urinary tract infection. One other possibility could be due to a medical condition called polyuria.

People with polyuria create more urine than normal. Most adults make approximately 3 liters of urine per day. However, those with polyuria generate up to 15 liters, or five times the normal amount of urine every day. While the other above-mentioned conditions make you feel as if you have to go, even if there isn’t much urine in your bladder, those with polyuria must go because they have excess urine.

Symptoms of polyuria often include frequently feeling thirsty. This is because people with the condition lose a great deal of fluid, which can lead to dehydration. Unfortunately, the urge to urinate when you sleep doesn’t go away, so those with polyuria also usually wake up multiple times at night to go.

Polyuria is usually an indicator of diabetes. This is because the condition makes sugar build up in your bloodstream. If your kidneys are not able to filter it out, it exits your body in your urine. As the extra sugar and fluids travel through your kidneys, you have to pee more.

Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can also develop polyuria as can those with kidney or liver disease. Other factors that can contribute to this condition include taking certain medications or consuming too much caffeine or alcohol.

How you control polyuria depends on what’s causing it. For example, if you have diabetes that isn’t under control, you may need to make changes to your treatments. If a medicine you take is the cause, talk to your doctor about switching to another drug or changing your dose. At home, cut back on how much fluid you drink, especially those that have alcohol and caffeine.

If you are experiencing symptoms of polyuria, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Through a detailed physical examination and battery of testing options, which may include urine, blood, glucose, and water deprivation tests, they can accurately diagnose polyuria and determine a course of treatment.

To make an appointment with a urologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

November is recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The importance of this designation is to bring awareness to the fact that lung cancer is responsible for approximately 25 percent of all cancer deaths. Lung cancer takes more lives each year than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the lungs. There are several types of lung cancer based on their appearance under the microscope. These include small cell cancer and non-small cell cancer, which is a group of cancers that includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

In the early stages of lung cancer there may not be any signs or symptoms. However, as the disease progresses the following signs and symptoms my present:

• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Weight loss that isn’t intentional

A history of smoking definitely contributes to a higher risk of being diagnosed with the disease, though non-smokers also can develop lung cancer. It is now recommended that certain patients who are over 55 years of age and have smoked for many years consider screening for lung cancer by doing a low dose CT scan of the lungs. This may detect cancers at an early stage where they may be more curable. It is important to have a conversation with your physician prior to performing a screening CT scan so that the patient understands the pros and cons of screening.

Testing that can help diagnose cancer includes chest x-rays, CT scans, PET scans, examination of the sputum, bronchoscopy ( a test in which a fiber optic scope is passed into the lungs), and lung biopsies (which can be done by a needle although sometimes a surgical procedure is required). Not all tests will be required for every patient.

Once the diagnosis is established it is important to determine what stage the cancer is. Factors that go into staging cancer include the size of the tumor, location and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest or to other parts of the body such as the brain, liver, bone or adrenal glands.

To schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Phobias

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by the uncontrollable and irrational fear of a specific situation, object, or activity.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) categorizes phobias into the following three groups:

Social phobia -a long-term and overwhelming fear of participating in everyday social situations.
Agoraphobia- the APA defines this as, “The fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms.”
Specific phobia- is unreasonable fear caused by the thought or presence of a specific object or situation that typically poses no real threat or danger.

There is still uncertainty of what actually causes phobias; however, they can be linked to genetics, life experiences or environmental reasons.

Examples of phobias include:

Bibliophobia- A fear of books.
Aerophobia- A fear of flying.
Hemophobia- A fear of blood.
Claustrophobia- A fear of confined or crowded spaces.
Coulrophobia-A fear of clowns.
Aulophobia- A fear of flutes.
Porphyrophobia- A fear of the color purple.
Nyctohylophobia- A fear of the woods in the night.
Octophobia- A fear of the figure 8.
Selenophobia- A fear of the moon.
Lutraphobia- A fear of otters.
Heliophobia- A fear of sunlight.
Chionophobia- A fear of snow.

Although some phobias may be unusual, they should not be taken lightly. They can be harmful to people who have them and can potentially lead to depression, social isolation, or substance abuse.

It is advised that you seek help immediately if you or someone you know is suffering from the complications of a phobia.

To schedule an appointment with a mental health expert at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call (718) 670-5316.

Coping With The Five Stages Of Grief

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Most people will experience some form of grief during their lifetime. It may be due to the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, the loss of your home, the end of a relationship or the loss of a job.

It is important to keep in mind that everyone grieves differently. Some people grieve very intensely and some not at all. Most people fit into a category that lays between these two extremes. There is no timeline for how long a person will grieve for.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross a Swiss American psychiatrist devised a model based on her theory that there are five stages of grief. This was published in her book “On Death and Dying” in 1969.

There is no specific order to the five stages of grief, and not everyone will experience these five stages which are:

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

One of the first steps to coping with grief is to acknowledge that it exists. Talking with others and sharing with them your feelings will help you to cope. You can speak to people you’re comfortable expressing yourself to. You can also rely on clergy, grief support groups, and trained professionals who can listen and support you. Many religions also have rituals that can assist with the mourning process after the loss of a loved one.

Some suggestions for coping with grief are:

Take your time to grieve as you need to
Talk to people who are supportive
Don’t judge your grieving process based on how others have handled their situations
Avoid alcohol and other substances that can alter your responses
Seek professional help if you feel you need it
Allow yourself to cry
Take care of your body by exercising and eating properly

If you would like to speak to a professional grief counselor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, you can call 718-670-5562.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lung Disease

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Xavia Malcolm

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that primarily attacks joints.

Although RA mostly causes damage to joints, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the lungs.

Lung problems that can occur as a result of RA include:

Bronchiectasis (Damage to the airways)
Interstitial lung disease (Inflammation and scarring of lung tissue)
Pleural disease (Buildup of fluid in the chest cavity)
Lung nodules (Small growths or lumps in the lungs)
Pulmonary hypertension (High blood pressure in the lungs)

The symptoms of rheumatoid lung disease vary but may include:

Shortness of breath
Dry cough
Fatigue
Weakness
Fever

According to the Arthritis Foundation, “The risk of developing lung disease is eight times higher in people with RA than in the general population.” Other risk factors for rheumatoid lung disease are:

Smoking
Age (People diagnosed with RA after the age of 60 are at greater risk)
Sex (Men are more likely to develop rheumatoid lung disease than women)
High RA disease activity
Undertreated RA

The cause of lung disease associated with RA is unknown; however, there are several things you can do to protect lung health. Here are a few:

Receive early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke
Exercise regularly
Avoid toxic fumes
Get the flu and pneumonia vaccine

If you are experiencing breathing problems or symptoms associated with rheumatoid lung disease, contact your doctor.

To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Calcium Rich Dairy Free Foods

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in our bodies. It is found in our teeth and bones and is also essential for the proper functioning of our heart, nervous system and muscles.

The daily recommended intake of calcium for adults is 1000mg. Most of this can be obtained by eating dairy foods such as milk and cheese that are rich in calcium.

While dairy products are good sources of calcium, it is possible to obtain this very important mineral from other foods.

Good non-dairy sources of calcium include:

Seeds ( poppy, sesame, celery, sunflower and chia )
Sardines
Soy milk
Almonds
Peanuts
White beans
Canned salmon
Beans and lentils
Dark leafy greens ( spinach, collard greens, broccoli rabe, kale)
Rhubarb
Tofu
Edamame
Figs
Sweet potatoes
Oranges and orange juice
Arugula

If you are going to consume non-dairy products, it is recommended to eat two to three servings of plant based calcium per day.

It is important to speak with your physician before starting any type of diet to make sure you are doing it properly. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips During COVID-19

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Halloween is known as a kid-favorite holiday full of spooky fun and lots of candy. However, it can also present many opportunities for injury, as children take to the streets in pursuit of trick-or-treat goodies.

Although the restrictions regarding COVID-19 have somewhat relaxed, it is still suggested that you and your child where a mask, wash or sanitize hands regularly and try not to be part of large crowds while trick-or-treating.

Additionally, statistics show that roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year. Also, injuries such as falls are a leading cause of injuries among children on Halloween.

Parents can help minimize the risk of children getting injured at Halloween by following these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Safety Council.

On Halloween children should:

Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches than entering houses.
Travel in small groups accompanied by an adult.
Use costume plastic knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking through neighborhoods trick or treating, use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
Cross at the corner, use crosswalks and do not cross between parked cars.
Be sure to stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
Wear clothing or costumes that are bright, reflective and flame retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of masks which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Avoid wearing hats that will slide over children’s eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes to prevent tripping.
Be reminded to look left, right and left again before crossing a street.

On Halloween parents and adults should:

Supervise the trick or treat outing for children under age 12.
Avoid giving choking hazards such a gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
Parents and adults should ensure the safety of pedestrian trick or treaters.
Make sure children under age 10 are supervised as they cross the street.
Drive slowly.
Watch for children in the street and on medians.
Exit driveways and alleyways slowly and carefully.
Have children get out of cars on the curbs side, not on the traffic side.

By following these simple tips, you and your children can have a safe and fun Halloween!