What is a Herniated Disk and What Are the Symptoms?

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Michael Hinck

Our spine consists of a series of bones called vertebrae. Separating these vertebrae are cushions filled with a jellylike substance. These cushions allow the spine to bend. When one of these disks starts to slip out of place, it causes a condition called a slipped, ruptured, or herniated disk.

Most herniated discs occur in your lower back (lumbar spine), although they can also occur in your neck (cervical spine). You can suffer a herniated disk and not experience any symptoms, but most people do. The most common symptoms associated with a herniated disk are:

Arm or leg pain – If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you’ll typically feel the most intense pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf. If your herniated disk is in your neck, the pain will typically be most intense in the shoulder and arm. This pain may be more intense when you cough, sneeze or move your spine into certain positions.
Numbness or tingling – People who have a herniated disk often experience numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
Weakness – Muscles served by the affected nerves tend to weaken. This may cause you to stumble, or impair your ability to lift or hold items.

While suffering a herniated disk is most often the result of a natural aging process called disk degeneration, it can sometimes be the result of a traumatic event or improperly lifting heavy objects.

Risk factors for developing a herniated disk include:

Excess body weight causes extra stress on the disks in your lower back.
People with physically demanding jobs have a greater risk of back problems.
Some people inherit a predisposition to developing a herniated disk.

Tips to avoid a herniated disk include exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, lifting heavy objects with your legs and not your back, and practicing good posture.

In many cases, the best treatment for a herniated disk is rest, but if your symptoms are persistent or worsening, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor who may prescribe medications or refer you for physical rehabilitation.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with a herniated disk and would like to see a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670- 5486 to make an appointment.

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.

Esophageal Cancer

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Xavia Malcolm

Esophageal cancer is a disease that develops when cancer forms in the esophagus- the long, hollow, muscular tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. The esophagus helps to move food and liquids to your stomach after you swallow.

Cancer of the esophagus is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It occurs more often in men than in women.

Although the cause for esophageal cancer is unclear, research indicates that the disease may develop as a result of damaged DNA in the cells that line the esophagus. It is also believed that chronic irritation to the esophagus is a contributing factor. Other factors that may increase the risk of developing the disease include:

Being obese
Having GERD
Having Barrett’s esophagus( A serious complication of GERD)
Having bile reflux
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
Smoking
Undergoing radiation treatments to the chest or upper abdomen

Esophageal cancer may not have symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses the following symptoms may occur:

Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness
Chronic cough
Chest pain or discomfort
Indigestion and heartburn

Cancer of the esophagus can be diagnosed by performing a series of tests and procedures that include genomic testing, imaging scans, endoscopy or biopsy. If it is found that you have developed esophageal cancer, your doctor may request further testing to determine the stage of cancer.

Treatment for esophageal cancer is based on stage, overall health and your preferences for care. Immunotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or interventional radiology are some of the approaches that your doctor may discuss with you.

If you are experiencing symptoms of esophageal cancer, please call Flushing Hospital Medical Center at 718-670-5486 to make an appointment.

Healthy Guacamole Recipe

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Clinical Nutritional Manager, Jessica Hyman RD, CDN- is sharing one of her favorite, healthy Guacamole Recipes:

INGREDIENTS: Serves 8
4 Ripe avocados
1 Lime, juiced
3 Tbsp. Onion, finely minced
1 Serrano chili, thinly sliced (or seeded and diced to lessen the heat)
1 Clove garlic, finely minced
2 Tbsp. Cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
1 Tomato, medium 1/4 inch dice

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a medium bowl, mash avocado with lime, onion, chile, garlic, and cilantro (optional) until the guacamole is mostly smooth only small chunks of avocado remain.
2. Stir in tomatoes, gently (so they don’t get smooshed!)

Serve with warm corn tortillas instead of chips!

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING:
Calories 120
Total Fat 11 g
Chol 0 mg
Potassium 397 mg
Total Carbohydrates 7 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g

Includes Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Calcium
Why this recipe is so great: Most of the fats from avocado are monounsaturated fats, which are the fats that are known as “Healthy Fats.” These can help lower “Bad Cholesterol” levels, helping to reduce incidence of heart disease and stroke.

When is it Okay to Request a Second Opinion From Your Doctor?

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Flushing Hospital

Receiving news that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious or rare medical condition can be very overwhelming and scary. While it is important to listen to and follow your doctor’s instructions, it is also appropriate in these situations to seek the advice of other professionals and request a second opinion.

Unfortunately, less than half of the people diagnosed with a serious or life-threatening disease request a second opinion. The most frequent reasons individuals cited for not doing so include: feeling an urgency to seek treatment right away, lack of access to experts or centers of excellence, fear that their insurance carrier would not cover the cost, and concerns about offending their doctor.

In most cases, these reasons are unmerited; in reality, many conditions do not require immediate treatment and most physicians welcome a second opinion. In addition, many insurance providers allow for second opinions and can even help identify local experts that participate in your plan.

So, when is getting a second opinion a good idea? According to WebMD, the following circumstances are appropriate:

Where the treatment is very risky or toxic
Where the diagnosis is not clear, the treatment is experimental, or there is no established consensus or Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment
If you’re considering participating in a trial for a new drug
If you’re considering some new experimental approach or a procedure that involves using experimental instruments or devices.

In many cases, second opinions are very beneficial. In fact, a recent study highlighted their potential value. Researchers found that as many as 88% of those who sought a second opinion for a complex medical condition had a new diagnosis that changed their treatment plan, and 21% received a completely different diagnosis.

If you would like to seek a second opinion, but are unsure of how to start the conversation with your doctor, try some of these tips.

Tell your doctor you want to be sure that you explore all your treatment options. This may include looking into several surgical and non-surgical interventions.
Let your doctor know that you always talk to more than one expert when you need to make an important decision, whether it’s a medical, financial, or personal decision.
Explain to your doctor that a second opinion would give you peace of mind that your diagnosis and treatment plan are the best option for you.

Even if a second opinion doesn’t change your diagnosis or treatment plan, you can feel satisfied that you made a well-informed decision.

Department Spotlight

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Joann Ariola

The Flushing Hospital Medical Center Department (FHMC) Spotlight shines on the Department of Materials Management/Supply Chain.

This group of professionals, led by Director Robert Arbitello, is responsible for the supervision of purchasing decisions with a focus on ensuring their medical facility is properly stocked with the right products and equipment.

They are further tasked with the planning procurement, storage, control and distribution of materials and products throughout the hospital.

For their excellent work FHMC recognizes and congratulates the Department of Materials Management/Supply Chain on being chosen as the Department Spotlight for the month of May!

The Health Benefits of Parsley

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

If you are like most Americans, you probably think of parsley as just something decorative that gets put on a plate to make a meal look pretty. However, parsley is now known to have many health benefits that many of us don’t know about. Before it became popular as a food, parsley was originally used for medicinal purposes by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Parsley contains many nutrients. It has vitamins A, K and C, minerals that include magnesium, potassium, folate, iron and calcium. It is also relatively low in calories.

The health benefits of parsley include:

Helps treat fatigue, hormone imbalances, liver problems, and menstrual pain,
Possesses antioxidant power
Promotes kidney cleansing
Reduces edema
Helps weight loss
Helps metabolism
Acts as an anti-inflammatory
Helps heal scars
Reduces toxins in the body
Aids digestion
Slows tumor growth
Helps to prevent osteoporosis
Reduces acid formation
Has antibacterial and antifungal properties

Consult with a physician before adding parsley in large amounts to the diet. People who are pregnant, have a tendency to form kidney stones, or susceptible to a rash should be cautious when eating it. You can schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center at 718-670-5486 to discuss if parsley is good for you.

April’s Employee Spotlight Shines on Jayne Koerber!

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Joann Ariola

April’s Employee Spotlight shines on Jayne Koerber, clerk and medical transcriber for the Department of Radiology at Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC). She has been a valued employee at FHMC for the past 32 years.

On any given day, you will find Jayne answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, verifying insurance eligibility and forwarding radiologic reports to the necessary departments.

Jayne Koerber greets every day with a smile. She states that the part of her job that is most rewarding is, “Helping patients in our hospital and our community; always treating them with respect and compassion.”

She loves her work at FHMC, although it can be challenging because, “You must be able to multi-task. The phones are always ringing, patients are coming in for registration and insurance companies call for authorizations all simultaneously.”

Jayne resides with her husband Al. She has two daughters, Elizabeth and Kristina. She loves to take long walks, cook and shop. Some of her other non-work related hobbies are working with charities such as The Lupus Foundation, St. Jude’s Hospital Pemphigus Foundation and the Lustgarten Foundation.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center congratulates Jayne Koerber for receiving April’s Employee Spotlight!

Flushing Hospital Offers Tips To Manage Your Children’s Vaccinations During World Immunization Week

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Michael Hinck

It is World Immunization Week; an observance led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise public awareness about how immunizations can save lives. During this week-long event, efforts are made to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against a variety of preventable diseases.

Immunizations prevent illness, disability and death from many diseases, including:

Cervical cancer
Diphtheria
Hepatitis B
Measles, mumps and rubella
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Pneumonia
Polio
Rotavirus diarrhea
Tetanus

Despite all their benefits, there is still an estimated 18.7 million infants worldwide still missing out on basic vaccines.

One of the best ways for parents to keep track of their children’s immunization history and make sure they are up-to-date on all of their vaccinations is by setting up an electronic medical record (EMR), like MyChart, which is available for free to all Flushing Hospital patients.

In addition to allowing parents to access to their children’s records, including their immunization history, MyChart also gives patients the ability to:

Review test results online
Review health education topics
Access discharge instructions
Request prescription refills online
Interact with your provider via email
Request an appointment

To create an account is easy. All a patient needs to do is go to the Flushing Hospital’s website and click the link to MediSys MyChart: https://mychart.medisys.org and click on the “sign up now” tab.

World Immunization Week is an opportunity for Flushing Hospital to remind parents of the importance of maintaining their children’s vaccinations and how MyChart can help them do that. My making it easy to access their immunization history, parents can make sure their children are properly protected.

Is Strength Training Safe For Your Child?

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Michael Hinck

For better or worse, children today play sports at a much different level than in previous generations. They start much younger and the level of competition is much higher. This has led some parents and coaches to incorporate strength training programs for children, however many wonder at what age or if this is appropriate or safe.

The answer is, if done properly, strength training can be safe and offer many benefits for young athletes. Strength training is even a good idea for kids who simply want to look and feel better. In fact, strength training might put your child on a lifetime path to better health and fitness.

There is a distinction between strength training and lifting weights, and experts don’t want parents to be confused. According to the Mayo Clinic , “Weightlifting can put too much strain on young muscles, tendons and areas of cartilage that haven’t yet turned to bone (growth plates) — especially when proper technique is sacrificed in favor of lifting larger amounts of weight.” This type of training should not begin until bones are fully-matured, which is after the onset of puberty.

Instead, children should focus on strength training that incorporates using their own body weight to get stronger, by doing push-ups, chin-ups, or planks. Another type of training that can increase not only strength, but also coordination is the use of resistance bands and tubes. Children can begin this type of training when they become interested in sports, usually between ages six and eight.

Strength training can offer children many benefits, including:

Increasing muscle strength and endurance
Protecting muscles and joints from sports-related injuries
Improving performance
Developing proper techniques that can continue into adulthood

Even if your child isn’t an athlete, strength training can help promote a healthy lifestyle and bolster self-esteem.

Before having your child begin a strength program, make sure it is under the supervision of a trained professional experienced in youth training. A good program should not be too intense, include a proper warm-up and cool-down periods, and emphasize technique over results. Lastly, because they are kids, your child’s program should incorporate an element of fun.

Natural Ways To Lower Cholesterol

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

High cholesterol is one of the health issues that affects millions of Americans and is responsible for people experiencing a higher risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke. Poor diet, lack of exercise, heredity and lifestyle choices are some of the reasons people are affected. Physicians can prescribe medications that will help control cholesterol levels in the blood, but there are also some ways to bring cholesterol levels down without medication.

Diets that contain a lot of red meat, dairy products, eggs, chocolate, baked items, processed foods and sugar are not healthy. Eating foods that are healthier such lean cuts of meat, nuts, and oils such as olive oil, canola oil and safflower oil tend to be better choices when watching cholesterol levels.

Additionally, diets that are rich in the following will tend to help lower levels of bad cholesterol:

Whole grain cereals (oatmeal and bran)
Fruits (apples, prunes, pears, oranges)
Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids
High fiber foods (beans, legumes, apples )
Vegetables
Spices (oregano, mint, thyme, clove, cinnamon)
Soybeans
Green tea
Supplements that lower cholesterol (niacin, psyllium husk, L-carnitine)

Alcoholic beverages and smoking can raise bad cholesterol levels so these should be kept to a minimum if even at all. Obesity can also raise the cholesterol level.

It is recommended that you see your physician annually for a thorough examination and to have lab work performed to check your cholesterol level. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.