April 2021 - Page 2 of 2

Stop Racism and Xenophobia

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

Flushing Hospital Medical Center proudly serves one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse communities in the world. It is for this reason among others that we stand against racism and xenophobia of any kind.

Racism (prejudice or discrimination directed toward a person based on their race) and xenophobia (defined as fear, prejudice or hatred against people from other countries) are not only societal concerns but also public health issues.

A public health issue is identified as a problem that greatly hurts or affects the physical, mental or social health of a population. As an institution that is built on the principle of protecting and improving the health of our diverse community, Flushing Hospital joins other organizations in affirming racism and xenophobia as a serious public health crisis. Our hospital condemns violence against Asians, Pacific Islanders, and others who face discrimination or harassment based on their race or ethnicity.

If you have faced harassment or discrimination in housing, at work, or in any public place, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights by filling out our online form or by calling 212-416-0197. If you are a victim of or witness a hate crime, call 911. There is language support if you need interpretation services.

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.

Stress Awareness Month

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Joann Ariola

In 1992, the month of April was designated as Stress Awareness Month. During this time, health professionals join together to increase the public’s awareness about what causes stress and what can help cure the growing stress epidemic.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is participating by reaching out to our social media community and sharing some helpful techniques that can assist you in managing your daily stress, such as:

Meditation – is helpful to the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress
Breathing Deeply – triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, neutralizes stress and elicits a calming feeling
Exercise – all forms of exercise can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain releasing feel-good chemicals giving your body a chance to practice dealing with stress
Eating Healthy – choosing a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fiber may reduce the chance that stress can boost the body’s natural defense system

Prolonged, excessive periods of stress is unhealthy for any individual. A change of mindset can bring about a healthier lifestyle. That positive change can help you manage stress and bring far-reaching improvement to your health and well being.

For more information and to find out ways you can make a difference visit – http://stressawarenessmonth.com/

Learn The ABCDE’s of Moles

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

Skin cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer in the United States. It can present in all ethnicities and skin tones. Almost all skin cancers are found on skin exposed to sun, ultraviolet light, tanning lights, or sun lamps.

Most forms of skin cancer can be treated successfully when detected early. Unusual growths on the skin such as moles can serve as warning signs; therefore, paying attention to changes and abnormalities is crucial in early detection.

When observing changes in the skin, knowing what is considered ‘normal’ is vital. For example, a normal mole is solid and uniform in color and can range from tan, brown, dark brown, or flesh-colored. They are usually round or oval in shape with well-defined edges and may be flat or raised. However, moles that have developed into skin cancer are sometimes irregularly shaped, scaly or have a variation in color.

The ABCDE rule can help you remember what to look for when checking your moles.

A for Asymmetry

If you fold the mole in half, does it look the same on both sides? If it looks the same on both sides, then it is symmetrical. If both sides look different, the mole is asymmetrical and should be monitored.

B for Border

Look at the border of the mole. Normal moles have a smooth edge. Moles of concern may have a blurry or jagged border.

C for Color

Note the original color of the mole. Has it changed by becoming darker, lost some color, or have multiple colors? (Note that some moles tend to darken during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills.)

D for Diameter

How large is the mole? Moles that are bigger than 1/4 inch in diameter should be shown to your health care provider.

E for Evolving

Has the mole changed in shape, size, or color? If so, alert your primary care provider.

Doctors advise that you seek medical care if:

Your mole changes size, especially if it grows very quickly or becomes larger than a pencil eraser (6mm).
Your mole changes in color or develops more than one color.
Your mole, or the skin near the mole, becomes painful, sore, red, or swollen.
Your mole becomes scaly, sheds skin, oozes fluid, or bleeds.
Your mole develops irregular borders.
Your mole becomes hard or soft or develops raised areas.

There are several steps you can take to protect your skin against cancer: Avoid the sun during peak hours, wear sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 30, reapplying every 2-3 hours) and wear sunglasses and protective clothing when spending long periods of time outdoors. Additionally, it is important to remember that ultraviolet radiation from artificial tanning beds is a known carcinogen. Using them can increase your risk of skin cancers such as melanoma by 59%, and even more with each use.

If you notice changes in your skin that are abnormal, it is important to speak with your doctor right away. Early detection is key when treating skin cancer.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has designated the month of April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose of this observation is to raise awareness about issues related to alcohol addiction and share helpful resources.

The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence estimates that there are 14.4 million people over the age of 18 who have alcohol abuse problems. Each year, it is estimated that there are 88,000 deaths due to alcohol abuse. Nationally, over 31 % of driving fatalities are alcohol related.

Many people afflicted with alcohol addiction often do not seek help because they are in denial of having the disease. In other instances, addicts do reach out to family members and loved ones for support; however, they do not know how to provide the assistance that is needed. It is important for all who are affected by alcoholism to know there are many programs available to help with this type of addiction. Information and resources can be found on The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website www.samhsa.gov.

At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, our Psychiatry Department features a Division of Addiction Services where your loved one can receive comprehensive assessments and treatment for alcohol and chemical dependency. These services are offered through our inpatient through Chemical Dependence Unit and our outpatient Reflections Treatment Program. Both services are staffed with highly skilled professionals who understand the process of treating addiction.

If you would like to speak with someone in our program, please call (718) 670-5693 or (718) 670-5540.

Alcohol Awareness Month

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Andrew Rubin

The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has designated the month of April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose of this is raise awareness about the dangers of alcoholism and the issues related to alcohol and to help people get help by giving them resources available to them.

Many people who are afflicted with alcohol abuse are in denial and therefore do not seek help. Often times family members and friends of people who are alcoholics don’t know how to get them help. The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence estimates that there are 14.4 million people over the age of 18 who have alcohol abuse problems. Each year it is estimated that there are 88,000 deaths due to alcohol abuse. Nationally the over 31 % of driving fatalities are alcohol related.

There are many resources that are available to help those who struggle with alcohol abuse. If you would like to speak with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5487

Flushing Hospital Provides Information on mRNA Vaccines

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Michael Hinck

With more and more Americans becoming eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, questions about what type of vaccines are being administered and how they work are very common. Flushing Hospital Medical Center, with the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)would like provide our community with the facts about Messenger RNA (or mRNA) vaccines.

According to the CDC, mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

It is important to note the following facts about the mRNA vaccines

They do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19
They cannot give someone COVID-19
They do not interact with our DNA in any way
mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept
The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions.

mRNA vaccines are new, but they are not unknown. Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades. Interest has grown in these vaccines because they can be developed in a laboratory using readily available materials. This means the process can be standardized and scaled up, making vaccine development faster than traditional methods of making vaccines. Even though they are new, mRNA vaccines are held to the same rigorous safety standards by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Future mRNA vaccine technology may allow for one vaccine to provide protection for multiple diseases, thus decreasing the number of shots needed for protection against common vaccine-preventable diseases. Beyond vaccines, cancer research has used mRNA to trigger the immune system to target specific cancer cells.