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History of Eyeglasses

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Over 60 percent of the adult population in the United States today wears eyeglasses. Modern day eyeglasses have their roots that date back more than 1000 years. In the middle ages Monks were known to use reading stones that were glass spheres, sometimes filled with water, that were placed on top of objects in order to magnify them. The first documented use of eyeglasses was attributed to being developed in Italy. In the 13th century Venetian glass blowers made the first solid glass lenses that were held by frames and that were a primitive version of modern day wearable eyeglasses.
In the 17th century eyeglasses started to be made that could correct vision. Glasses could be made with either concave lenses, for nearsightedness, or convex lenses for farsightedness. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal lenses in 1784. Glass was the material used in the production of eyeglasses for centuries until the latter part of the 20th century when plastic became widely used in eyeglasses as it was lighter and safer than glass. Now many eyeglasses are being made from polycarbonate which is lighter still and more resilient to scratches.

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.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Joann Ariola

May has been designated National Arthritis Awareness Month and Flushing Hospital, along with the Arthritis Foundation want to raise awareness about conquering this disease.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America. It is not a single disease, but a grouping of conditions that affect joint pain. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. While arthritis can affect both men and women, it is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go and can be mild, moderate or severe. They may stay about the same for years but may progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain and inability to do daily activities. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. These changes may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-rays. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints.

To learn more about arthritis, visit

If you think you have arthritis and would like to schedule an appointment, please call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718- 670-5486.

Can Your Teenager Develop Hypertension?

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Michael Hinck

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a disease that most don’t begin to think about until they are well into their adult life, but more and more teenagers and younger children are now developing high blood pressure.

It was once believed that high blood pressure in teens was largely related to an underlying problem with the heart or kidneys. Research has shown that this is not the case and that teens today are developing hypertension in approximately the same proportions as adults.

One of the biggest reasons is the rise of childhood obesity. Teens in the United States now weigh more and exercise less than in past generations. Smoking cigarettes, as well as alcohol and drug use can also be contributing factors. As a result, rates of high blood pressure among this group have a grown at a rapidly increasing rate.

While these factors certainly can’t be ignored, they are not the only reasons why a teenager can develop high blood pressure. The teenage years are synonymous with puberty. The sudden bodily changes that take place during this time in a young adult’s life can also play a role. Hormone changes and rapid growth spurts can cause transient increases in blood pressure levels. As a result, even if a child isn’t overweight or inactive, they could still post high levels. Being obese or inactive can only add to the problem.

Another issue is understanding the definition of hypertension in teenagers. While determining hypertension in adults is fairly easy as there are set numerical values used as markers, diagnosing the disease in teens is more complicated. To determine hypertension in teens, doctors look at five key factors:

Age
Gender
Height
Systolic reading (the upper value which represents the pressure when heart contracts)
Diastolic reading (the lower value which represents the pressure when the heart relaxes)

These values are then compared to other boys or girls to determine where the teen falls with a certain percentile. The system is a complicated one but takes into account factors that better characterize a teen’s blood pressure. As a result, blood pressure readings that may seem high when looked at on an isolated basis may end up being perfectly normal when adjusted for the child’s height, age, and gender.

Because teenagers with hypertension tend to suffer more cardiovascular events later in life, early intervention is vital to lowering the blood pressure and sustaining long-term control.

Treating hypertension in teenagers will typically focus on lifestyle interventions before medications are considered. Suggested changes include:

Eating a healthy diet
Maintaining an ideal body mass index (BMI)
Exercising regularly
Quitting cigarettes
Limiting drug and alcohol use

It’s important that your teenager have an annual physical examination performed so a doctor can check their blood pressure. If your teen does not have a doctor, Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center has many qualified physicians. To make an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

Diverticulitis

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

If you are experiencing prolonged abdominal pain, it is probably a good idea to be checked out to see what is causing it. This type of pain could be something serious. Diverticulitis is a disease affecting the intestinal tract, usually the colon. When tiny pouches are formed in the lining of the intestine they are called diverticula and when they become inflamed it is called diverticulitis.
There are several risk factors that can cause diverticulitis to occur. Age and a diet that is high in fat and low in fiber factor since it affects people more frequently who are over the age of 40. Other risk factors include obesity, a history of smoking and not exercising.
Symptoms of diverticulitis include:
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Abdominal cramps
• Upset stomach
• Bloating
Diverticulitis can be diagnosed through a CT scan testing the blood and urine and examining the stool for blood.
Treating diverticulitis is dependent on its severity. In mild cases it may suffice to adopt a bland diet, drink lots of fluids, and to take an antibiotic. Once the condition has healed, adding fiber to the diet will be beneficial to keeping the intestines functioning properly. In more severe cases, surgery may have to be performed.
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of diverticulitis and would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Employee Spotlight – Robert Arbitello

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Joann Ariola

This month we shine our Employee Spotlight on Robert (Rob) Arbitello, Manager of Material Management at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC).

Rob has been an employee at FHMC for the past 21 years. He began his career in the Transportation Department, became a Materials Handler, Inventory Clerk and Assistant Manager in the department he now manages.

In his free time, Rob enjoys gardening, playing cards, and spending time with his wife, Shina, of 25 years and children Robert, Briana, and Joseph.

On any given day, you will find Rob visiting most departments within the hospital. He is responsible for ordering all of the hospitals inventory items and runs the day to day operations of the Store Room and Receiving Departments.

When asked what the most rewarding part of his job is, Rob was quick to say, “The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that our department contributes to helping patients get better quickly by providing the supplies and materials needed in a timely manner.”

Some of the challenges Rob faces when ordering large quantities of supplies is finding out they are back-ordered or have been discontinued, delivery trucks that may have broken down, having weather conditions prohibit delivery or receiving the wrong shipments.

“No matter what, it is my responsibility to get the items to the end users timely and efficiently.”

For these and so many more reasons, Robert Arbitello is a valued employee and the subject of our April Employee Spotlight.

World Immunization Week

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

World Immunization Week is celebrated each year in the last week of April. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the objective of the observance is “to highlight the collective action needed to ensure that every person is protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Immunization is recognized globally as one of the most effective health interventions to prevent diseases.

Each year, immunization saves the lives of millions worldwide. This is why it is important for Flushing Hospital Medical Center and other health organizations to encourage the use of vaccines.

Although some may believe naturally acquired immunity (immunity achieved from having the disease itself) is better than the immunity provided by vaccines, the opposite is true. Natural infections can result in severe health complications and can lead to death. Vaccines greatly reduce the risk of these infections by working with the body’s natural defenses and safely developing immunity.

Most vaccines are administered to babies and children; however, more are becoming available for adolescents, pregnant women and the elderly.

Vaccinations are generally safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccines are reviewed and approved by a panel of scientists, doctors and healthcare professionals. As with all medical interventions there may be minor side effects, however, the disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects.

Air Quality Awareness Week

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

Air pollution is categorized as indoor or outdoor pollution. Factors that contribute to outdoor pollution include tobacco smoke, noxious gases (carbon monoxide, chemical vapors, etc.) and ground-level ozone. Indoor air pollution contributors include tobacco smoke, mold, pollen, gases (radon and carbon monoxide) as well as household products and chemicals.

You can reduce your risk of exposure to indoor pollution by regularly cleaning dust and preventing the buildup of mold. Other steps you can take include: avoid smoking in your home, making sure that your home is properly ventilated and using air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters.

Checking the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) before participating in outdoor activities, avoiding secondhand tobacco smoke and avoiding heavy traffic when possible can reduce exposure to poor air quality.

There are several things you can do help minimize your contribution to poor air quality. Conserving energy, purchasing energy efficient appliances, limiting driving and using environmentally friendly household cleaners are some of the ways you can help to improve our environment and air quality.

Did You Know – One out of Every 200 People are Born with an Extra Rib?

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Michael Hinck

Each adult has 206 bones, 24 of which are ribs (12 on each side), but approximately one out of every 200 people have an extra rib. This rib is referred to as the cervical rib.

A cervical rib is present at birth and it forms above the first rib, growing at the base of the neck, just above the collarbone. You can have a cervical rib on the right, left, or both sides. It may be a fully-formed bony rib or a thin strand of tissue fibers that in some cases doesn’t even show up on an x-ray.

Thankfully, in most cases cervical ribs do not cause any problems for those born with them, but if it presses on nearby nerves and blood vessels it can cause neck pain, numbness in the arm and other symptoms, which collectively is known as thoracic outlet syndrome.

If you are the proud owner of a cervical rib and are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor about surgical options to treat the condition. If you do not have a doctor, Flushing Hospital’s Department of Surgery can help. To make an appointment, please call 718-670-3135.

Is Your Child Addicted to Video Games?

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Joann Ariola

It’s often difficult for parents to know how much time their children spend online. Often children play video games, view videos and browse social networking sites. Spending too much time online can lead to the deterioration of your child’s school work and can cause problems with their relationships with family and friends.

Studies have shown that children ages 8 to 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day consuming media for fun, including TV, music, video games and other content. About two-thirds of 8 to 18 year olds had no rules on the amount of time spent watching TB, playing video games or using a computer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit their child’s screen time for entertainment to less than two hours per day and children under 2 have no TV or internet exposure.

Research shows that academic failure correlates with addictive video game play, and to a higher incidence of attention problems. Conversely, academic achievers spend less time online. Research has also revealed that child and adolescent video game addiction correlates with functional impairment, emotional problems, poor conduct, hyperactivity and peer problems, as well as with depression and social phobia. In addition, several studies have proven a relationship between excessive video game play and obesity and poor diet among children in grades 4 through 6.

Parents should discuss with their children their expectations for responsible online usage and set limits on how much time can be spent online. Dr. Gonzalez suggests the following rules for internet use:

Regularly determine how much time your kids are online every day.
Don’t put a computer or game console in your child’s bedroom—rather put them in the living room.
Avoid online activity before bedtime.
Charge children’s cell or smart phone or other handheld devices overnight in your bedroom.
Be a role model. Set an example with your own internet usage.
Use an alarm clock or timer to limit your child’s time online.
Provide alternatives to online activity and video games: sports, reading, play dates, time with pets, etc.
Set a rule: no handheld devices at the table during meals.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for your child with a Flushing Hospital Medical Center Child Psychiatrist, please call 718-670-5562

Testicular Cancer

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

Although testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer, it is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men between the ages of 15 and 35.
There are a few risk factors to be considered for testicular cancer but they aren’t definitive reasons men will be diagnosed with it. Caucasian males are at greater risk as are men with a family history of testicular cancer and also men who have abnormalities of testicular development.
Symptoms of testicular cancer
• Dull ache in the abdomen
• Pain in the groin
• Enlarged scrotum
• Pain in one or both testicles
• Back pain
The diagnosis of testicular cancer is made through an ultrasound exam and a blood test for cancer markers, or surgical intervention surgery if there is a lump. If the diagnosis is positive, it is important to identify the stage, which is determined through a CT scan, MRI, chest x-ray and a blood test, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. If caught in its early stages it can be treated successfully. Treatment may include total removal of the testicle and possibly the surrounding lymph nodes, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
If you notice any of the symptoms of the disease and would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.