Is Your Pain From Osteoarthritis Or Another Similar Condition ?

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that typically affects parts of the body where joints are weight bearing such as the knees, hips, spine, hands or feet. It is caused by the wearing down of cartilage which is the tissue that cushions the bones where they meet each other to form a joint. Over time, the loss of cartilage will lead to bone rubbing against bone which causes them to erode and become painful with motion.

Osteoarthritis is sometimes mistaken for similar diseases that also cause joint pain. Some of these diseases include:

Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Reactive arthritis
Lyme disease

A characteristic that distinguishes osteoarthritis from these diseases is the way that joint pain presents itself. For those suffering from osteoarthritis, pain usually occurs as a result of exertion of the joints, and typically occur during or after movement. The diseases that present with some of the same characteristics, movement within a joint is not usually reason for the pain to occur.

Diagnosing osteoarthritis is done by performing lab tests to check for indicators in the blood and also by performing x-rays to check for distinctive patterns of bone and joint involvement.

If you are experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis such as joint pain or limited mobility, you can make an appointment with a specialist known as a rheumatologist who can make a diagnosis. Treatment of the disease may include medications, therapy or surgery.

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.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Are You At Risk?

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Breast Cancer awareness campaigns have empowered women to take a pro-active approach to early detection of the disease. While regular check ups greatly help in prevention for any illness, individuals with specific risk factors should pay extra close attention.

Common Risk Factors
There are risk factors that you cannot change or control such as:
• Gender: Just by being a woman you are placed at risk. Male breast cancer is not common but it isn’t unheard of. Men are less likely to be affected by breast cancer because they have less of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.

Age: A woman’s chances of developing cancer increase as she gets older. Statistics reflect a woman’s median age of breast cancer diagnosis to be 61. This means that half of women who develop breast cancer are 61 or younger at the time of their diagnoses.

Family History: Women who have had a ‘close blood’ relative diagnosed with breast cancer are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. ‘Close blood’ relative is defined as a first degree relative such as mother, sister, and/or daughter.

Race and Ethnicity: Caucasian women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African-American women. However, African-American women under the age of 45 are more commonly diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society has statistically noted Asian, Hispanic and Native American women are at less risk from developing breast cancer.

“Generally speaking, an early first period or delayed menopause can also be associated with an increase risk for breast cancer,” states Dr. St. John, Director of the Breast Clinic at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. “These are things that we cannot control, but knowing your risk factors and raising your awareness can increase your chances of early detection.”

Lifestyle Related Factors
In addition to certain genetic predispositions, certain lifestyle choices can be contributing factors in developing breast cancer. “Lifestyle related” factors can increase a woman’s chances for breast cancer. Some of these factors can include:

Having Children/ Breastfeeding: Having several pregnancies and becoming pregnant at a young age reduces the risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that women who have no children or had their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. Some studies have suggested that breastfeeding may slightly lower breast cancer risk, especially if it is continued for 1 ½ to 2 years of age.

Hormone Therapy after Menopause: Women who receive Hormone Therapy (HT) to relieve the symptoms of menopause can possibly be at an increased risk of breast cancer if used for a prolonged amount of time. This can be due to the dual dosing of progesterone and estrogen administered. However, a woman’s risk of breast cancer seems to return to normal within five years of stopping the combined treatment.

Drinking Alcohol/ Smoking: Women who consumed more than 2 to 5 drinks daily increase their risk of breast cancer as opposed to non-drinkers. Although there have been limited studies, smoking has been linked to increasing a woman’s chances of developing with breast cancer.

Being Overweight or Obese: women who are overweight tend to have higher insulin levels, which has been linked to some cancers, including breast cancer.

Some lifestyle changes that can help lower your risk are, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, as well as managing your weight. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising and conducting regular self examinations can be helpful to preventing breast cancer.”

Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has a variety of services including a dedicated breast clinic. Our clinic can help you take your first steps to prevention and provide peace of mind.

For more information or to schedule and appointment, please call 718-670-5487.

ADHD

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Flushing Hospital

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental disorder diagnosed in children, as well as found in teens and continues into adulthood. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD tend to be hyperactive, have difficulty staying focused, and can’t control their impulses. Boys tend to be affected more frequently than girls.

There isn’t a definite cause for the illness but there is a hereditary component, or result of a chemical imbalance in people who are diagnosed with ADHD. Mothers who smoke, drank alcohol, had poor nutrition or were substance abusers during their pregnancy tend to have children with a higher incidence of the disease.

Children with ADHD:
• Are easily distracted
• Have trouble sitting still
• Have trouble waiting their turn
• Have difficulty organizing themselves
• Talk excessively

ADHD cannot be cured but can be managed through therapy and medication. Early intervention is an important component of successfully managing ADHD.

To schedule an appointment with a child psychiatrist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call (718) 670-5562

BURSITIS

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Joann Ariola

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bursitis is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Bursitis occurs when bursae become inflamed. The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip.

Although Bursitis typically affects the shoulder, elbow and hip, it can also affect your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.

Some symptoms of Bursitis are:

Achy or stiff joints
Pain when the joint is moved or touched
Redness and swelling in the affected area

The treatment of Bursitis usually includes resting the inflamed joint and guarding it from further trauma. Bursitis pain can last for a few weeks and is prone to recurrent flare-ups.

If the pain in your joints persists and traditional home remedies aren’t providing relief, may want to seek the opinion of a medical professional. If you’d like to schedule an appointment at the Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

For more information about Bursitis visit: mayoclinic.org

National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

October 8^th has been designated as National Depression Screening day, an annual event held during Mental Illness Awareness Week. This event was started 27 years ago as an effort to provide people with mental health education materials and give them resources for support services. National Depression Screening Day was also created with the hope of removing the stigma from mental illness.

The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The organization states that early recognition and treatment of the disease offer the best opportunity for successful outcomes. If depression is left untreated it can lead to destructive behaviors and possibly suicide.

Depression screenings help to distinguish between short term feelings of sadness and stress due to transient life episodes, and more severe cases that can go on for months and years. The tests usually last between two to five minutes and the scores will indicate whether a further evaluation by a mental health professional is needed. It is important for people to know that help is available.

To schedule an appointment with the Mental Health Department of Flushing Hospital
Medical Center, please call 718-670-5562.

Getting Help for Mental Health Issues is Nothing to be Ashamed Of

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Michael Hinck

Mental illness affects millions of Americans, yet not surprisingly, many of those who need help do not receive it. There are many reasons why – it could be due to limited availability of services, or a strong distrust of others, or those who are mentally ill might have such a sense of hopelessness that they do not seek care.

While all of these are factors as to why someone doesn’t seek support, perhaps the biggest single reason is a sense of fear and shame associated with admitting help is needed. This sense of shame is very common and it is only reinforced by society, which has attached stigmas to mental illness. The beliefs the public has about mental illness leads those who need help to avoid it so they are not labeled as “crazy” and have their condition negatively affect their personal relationships and career goals.

Getting society to overcome the stigmas associated with mental illness is the key to having more individuals come forward, but unfortunately negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. These stigmas can lead to obvious and direct discrimination, such as someone making a negative remark about mental illness or it may be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding an individual because they assume they could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to mental illness.

Those with mental illness should never be ashamed of their condition and here are some reasons why:

According to the World Health Organization, one out of four people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Shame is pretty much guaranteed to make things worse. Feelings of shame are proven to have detrimental effects on our mental and physical health
Mental illness is no one’s fault. No one asks to have a mental illness and it is definitely not a choice we make.
We’re not ashamed when our bodies get sick, so why should we be ashamed when our minds aren’t in top form.
There is no normal – our minds are complex things and no single brain is the same
Our mental health doesn’t define us. Don’t let your mental illness become who you are, it is just one aspect of you.

It’s time to speak out against the stigmas associated with mental illness and reframe the way we see it. Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.

Flushing Hospital advises anyone who feels they need help to get it. Don’t let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief and help you in life.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospital’s Outpatient Mental Health Center, please call 718-670-5522.

Hypertension and Headaches

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. If left uncontrolled for a long period of time, it can cause strokes, heart disease and heart attacks.

In addition to these conditions, there is some correlation to very high blood pressure and severe migraine headaches. According to the American Heart Association, these headaches are known as malignant hypertension headaches. They typically occur when blood pressure is above 180/120, and there is an increase in pressure within the skull.

Malignant hypertension headaches usually affect both sides of the head at the same time, and we often accompanied by nausea, chest pain or blurry vision.

Ways to treat headaches that may be due to hypertension include:

Improving circulation through exercise
Reducing stress
Eating leafy vegetables
Taking minerals such as potassium and magnesium

Medications may also have to be administered intravenously to control high blood pressure. These medications include nitroglycerin, nicardipine. labetalol, and sodium nitroprusside.

If someone is experiencing headaches due to high blood pressure they should seek immediate medical care by calling 9-1-1. If left untreated they can have very serious consequences, including death.

Our Post-COVID Care Center Is Now Open

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Flushing Hospital

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, most health authorities were operating under the belief that the virus, while extremely dangerous for some, was a short-term illness. Most young, healthy individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus were told to expect to sustain a variety of symptoms that could last anywhere from two to six weeks.

Now, however, doctors are seeing a growing number of patients who are enduring lingering symptoms for an extended period of time. These patients are now being referred to as “Long Haulers.”

For long haulers, symptoms of the virus can drag on for multiple months. Some of the most common lingering symptoms include fatigue, muscle and body pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches. In addition to these physical symptoms, many long haulers are also reporting a variety of cognitive deficits, such as difficulty concentrating or focusing (commonly referred to as mental fog). Other patients may also experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

With nearly a quarter of a million reported cases of COVID-19 in New York City over the past six months, many of the City’s residents are still experiencing the long-term effects of the virus. To help these patients, the MediSys Health Network (comprised of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, the Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and a network of community-based MediSys ambulatory care centers) has opened a Post-COVID Care Center in Hollis Tudors, Queens.

At this center, long haulers, as well as others experiencing post-COVID symptoms can receive specialized care from a multi-disciplinary group of qualified physicians. “We were compelled to help those in our community who are still dealing with the effects of the virus” stated Dr. Alan Roth, Chairman of Ambulatory Care and Family Medicine, who added “Queens was considered the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in March and April. During that time we treated thousands of patients. While the situation in our community has greatly improved recently, we know that there is still work to be done, including continuing to treat patients living with long-term symptoms.”

The MediSys Health Network’s Post-COVID Care Center provides patients with personalized, comprehensive care, coordinated by a primary care physician, who will work with other on-site specialists, including pulmonologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists, all dedicated to helping our patients better manage their condition.

For more information about our services, or to make an appointment at our Post-COVID Care center, please call 718-736-8204.

World Heart Day

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

September 29th has been designated as “World Heart Day”. This observance serves to bring international attention to the dangers of cardiovascular disease. According to the World Heart Federation, over 17.3 million deaths occur each year due to cardiovascular disease. By the year 2030, it is expected that this number will rise to 23 million. This makes it the leading cause of death in the world.

The most common cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attack) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke).
Ways to control heart disease and protect the heart:
• Keep active – a minimum of 30 minutes a day of physical activity or exercise
• Do not smoke – if you do smoke, quit and if you don’t smoke, don’t start
• Healthy eating – A healthy diet includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish
• Maintain a healthy weight – keep away from food that is high in sodium and sugar or contains unsaturated fat
• Keep blood pressure under control
• Take medication as prescribed to control cholesterol, pressure, and diabetes if present

It is very important to know the warning signs of heart disease. For instance, a person who is experiencing a heart attack will often experience chest pain (fullness, squeezing, pressure), discomfort in areas of the upper body ( neck, jaw, arms, back), shortness of breath, and may also experience nausea, lightheadedness, and cold sweats. A person who is experiencing a stroke may have sudden trouble seeing, sudden confusion, a severe headache, loss of balance, trouble speaking, and sudden numbness and weakness of the face, arms and legs that is often just one-sided.

It is very important to receive a medical check-up at least once a year to ensure that your heart is healthy. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital please call 718-670-5486

Kawasaki Disease

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

Kawasaki disease is found most often in children under the age of five. Children of Asian descent are affected more often than other ethnicities and it occurs more frequently in boys than girls. The cause of the disease has not been established.

Kawasaki disease was first described in Japan in 1967 and the first case diagnosed in the United States was in Hawaii in 1976. It is a disease that causes inflammation of the medium sized arterial blood vessels, primarily those that supply the heart with blood.

There are three phases of the disease.

Phase 1

Fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit that lasts more than three days
Very red eyes
Rash on the body, and around the genitals
Swollen tongue that is very red in color
Irritation of the mouth and nose
Swollen hands and feet that become very red
Swollen lymph nodes

Phase 2

Skin peels on the hands and feet
Body rash
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Irritability
Joint pain

Phase 3

After a few weeks the symptoms usually start to go away

To diagnose the disease a doctor will do a complete physical exam and look for four out of five of the following symptoms: red eyes, red lips and mouth, rash, enlarged lymph nodes and red swollen limbs. Other tests that may be necessary are an EKG, blood test and possibly an angiogram of the heart.

Treatment of Kawasaki usually will include medication such as aspirin to relieve discomfort and to help prevent blood clots. It also may be necessary to administer intravenous immune globulin to help fight the infection. If the disease is left untreated, it can cause damage to the heart. It is also possible for blood clots to form due to weakening of the walls of the blood vessels. Follow up visits with a doctor are recommended to make sure that there is no long lasting heart problems.

If your child has a fever of 101 degrees F to 103 degrees F for more than three days and any of the signs of this disease are noticed, it is important to see a doctor right away. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486 or go to your closest Emergency Room.