Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is recognized as one of the most common problems that people experience at some time in their lives. It is the most common reason people miss work and is its most frequent cause of disability. It may be described as a constant dull ache to a sudden sharp pain.

Common causes of lower back pain include:

  • Muscle sprains or strains
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Arthritis of the spine
  • Spondylitis
  • Sciatica
  • Kidney problems
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Spinal infections
  • Pregnancy
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Misalignment of the spinal cord

Diagnosing lower back pain typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical exam. This exam may include checking reflexes, evaluating lower extremity strength and ability to move. Further testing may require an x-ray, CT scan or an MRI to evaluate if there are bone problems,

Seek medical care for lower back pain when:

  • It lasts more than a few weeks
  • It doesn’t improve with rest
  • It is accompanied by weight loss
  • It travels down one or both legs
  • It shows symptoms of numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs

Treatment options depend on the cause of the lower back pain and where it is located. Treatment options include: home remedies such as heat, ice, rest, compression, stretching exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. Physical therapy may be prescribed by a physician if they feel it will help. A physician may also prescribe some medications for pain relief, These would include muscle relaxers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, a physician may feel a surgical procedure may be necessary.

There are a few things a person can do to prevent lower back pain. This would include regular exercise and stretching, watching one’s weight, bending at the knees when lifting heavy objects, quit smoking, sleep on a firm surface, and keeping proper posture.

Speak to your physician if  you are having lower back pain and it doesn’t seem to be improving, If you would like 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.

How Can Stress Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Stress is a common trigger for rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups, during which symptoms such as pain, swelling, and joint stiffness worsen for a temporary period of time. The factor most closely linked to the onset of flare-ups is the inflammatory response of your immune system to stress. Inflammation is the primary means by which rheumatoid arthritis damages your joints over time.

Once a flare-up has been triggered, your arthritis symptoms may contribute to the amount of stress you experience, creating a cycle that causes both issues to worsen over time and disrupts daily activities and movement.

There are certain steps you can take to manage your stress levels and reduce the frequency of your rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. These include:

Following a regular exercise routine: Regular physical exercise can be significantly helpful for both stress reduction and increased joint mobility. Your routine should include strength exercises, cardio, and stretching to improve flexibility and reduce your chances of injury.

Targeting work-related stress: Twenty-five percent of Americans report that their workplace is the number one cause of stress in their lives. Make sure to pace yourself with periodic breaks throughout your work day, take time to move around and stretch, and make a point of tackling any specific problems that are stressing you out (such as a delayed project or a dispute with a coworker) directly in a calm, reasoned way.

Talking to a doctor: If you experience symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, you should work with a rheumatologist to manage your physical symptoms and find the most effective treatment approach for you. Additionally, if you experience chronic stress, you should work with a psychiatrist to determine the root causes and the best way to approach them.

You can schedule an appointment with a rheumatologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 670-5486. You can also find a psychiatrist at our Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic by calling (718) 670-5562.

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.

What is Reverse Dieting ?

Reverse dieting is an eating plan that helps the body adjust gradually to an increase in calorie intake after weight loss through restrictive or low calorie dieting. It has been referred to as the “diet after the diet”.  Bodybuilders often use this technique after a competition to prevent rapid weight gain as it helps to prevent fat buildup after weight loss.

One of the key reasons people regain weight after ending a diet is that they feel they can eat all of the foods avoided while on their diet. They also may exercise less and fall back into bad habits once the diet is over.

When a person is on a calorie restricted diet, eventually metabolism will decrease as well. Once a diet ends, and more calories are added back into the daily diet, metabolism is still operating at a reduced level. This causes the body to transform the extra calories into weight gain.

Reverse dieting can take weeks or months to achieve optimal results. The mechanism behind reverse dieting involves the gradual increase in calorie intake with the gradual increase in metabolism.

Reverse dieting typically involves adding 50 -150 calories a week for four to ten weeks until reaching the pre-diet calorie intake. A reverse diet will look different for everyone because it is dependent on starting amount calories, goal amount calories, and how you chose to approach the reverse diet.

As with any diet, it is important to consult with your physician to make sure that your new way of eating will be compatible with your nutritional needs. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5918.

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.

March is National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to give their kidneys a well-deserved checkup.

The kidneys are two fist-sized organs, located just below the rib cage,  in your lower back. The left kidney is on the left side of the spine and the right kidney is on the right side of the spine.  Blood flows through the kidneys many times a day. They maintain overall health by serving the following functions:

  • Filtering waste out of 200 liters of blood each day
  • Regulating the body’s salt, potassium, and acid content
  • Removing toxins from the body.
  • Balancing the body’s fluids
  • Releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure
  • Producing an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
  • Controlling the production of red blood cells

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control, some quick facts on Kidney Disease are:

  • Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the country.
  • More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.
  • There are over 95,000 people waiting for kidney transplants.
  • Currently, more than 590,000 people have kidney failure in the U.S. today.
  • Risk factors for kidney disease are hypertension, diabetes, family history, and age over 60.

Symptoms of kidney disease include:

  • Swelling of the face, hands, abdomen, ankles, and feet
  • Blood in the urine
  • Puffy eyes
  • Painful urination
  • Increased thirst
  • Fatigue

Oftentimes, kidney failure can be prevented or delayed through early detection and proper treatment of underlying diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure which can slow additional damage to the kidneys.

If you are 18 years or older with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or a family history of kidney disease, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask that you be screened for kidney disease.

To make an appointment with a doctor 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.

World Birth Defects Day

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Birth defects are defined as conditions that are present when a baby is born and can affect nearly every part of the body.  Conditions such as cleft lip can be easily diagnosed.  Other conditions such as deafness or heart defects may only be discovered after diagnostic testing.

The largest number of birth defects occurs during the first three months of gestation.

The most common birth defects in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include:

  • Down syndrome
  • Cleft lip (with or without cleft palate)
  • Atrioventricular septal defect (hole in the heart)
  • Absence or malformation of the rectum and/or large intestine
  • Gastroschisis (hole in the abdominal wall)
  • Tetralogy of Fallot (a combination of heart defects)
  • Spina bifida without anencephaly
  • Reduction deformity, upper limbs
  • Reversal of the heart’s two main arteries

Although birth defects can’t always be prevented, there are plenty of steps pregnant women can take to help reduce the risk.

The womenshealth.gov website offers these suggestions:

  • Make regular visits to your doctor throughout pregnancy
  • Get 400mcg of folic acid each day through diet or supplements
  • Don’t smoke, use illegal drugs or drink alcohol while you are pregnant
  • Always check with your doctor before taking any medication
  • Get all vaccinations recommended by your doctor
  • If you have diabetes, keep it under control
  • Stick to a healthy weight

You may also request a pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy screening test in order to spot potential or real birth defects.  The types of tests include a carrier test to see if you or your partner carries potentially harmful genes, as well as screening and diagnostic tests that can determine risks for and detect genetic disorders.

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.

A Healthy Recipe for Roasted Salmon

Salmon is a very popular fish that is both healthy and easy to prepare. Here is a simple healthy recipe from RealSimple for Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon.

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/citrus-salmon-recipe

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.

Anosmia Awareness Day

Anosmia is the complete loss of your sense of smell. Approximately three percent of all Americans experience either this condition or severe hyposmia (a diminished sense of smell), with a much larger percentage of the population experiencing a milder form of smell alteration. 

Although people may be born with anosmia in rare instances, it typically occurs later in life due to a variety of factors. One of the primary risk factors for smell impairment is age; a reduced sense of smell becomes increasingly likely as you get older, with a quarter of all Americans in their 70s and nearly 40% of Americans in their 80s experiencing these problems in some form. It’s also more common for men and people who are Black or Mexican-American.

Losing your sense of smell can leave you vulnerable to several potential health risks. Food or liquids that spoil often create a foul odor, but if you lack the ability to smell, you may accidentally consume these items without realizing that they are no longer safe. You also may not be able to recognize the presence of hazards such as smoke until it’s too late. 

The loss of your sense of smell also affects more than just scents. Smell also plays a significant role in the way you process flavors; without it, food and drinks become bland and less distinguishable. This can lead to other issues such as a loss of interest in eating, poor nutrition, weight loss, or potentially even depression. Additionally, attempts to resolve this lack of flavor, such as adding copious amounts of salt to food, can lead to high blood pressure and other problems.

Anosmia is not necessarily a permanent impairment. In fact, polyps, nasal deformities, and conditions such as sinus infections or viruses may cause you to temporarily develop symptoms of anosmia. An otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor) can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine the right course of treatment, both for the underlying condition and for restoring your sense of smell. 

You can visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, 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.

Anosmia Awareness Day

Anosmia is the complete loss of your sense of smell. Approximately three percent of all Americans experience either this condition or severe hyposmia (a diminished sense of smell), with a much larger percentage of the population experiencing a milder form of smell alteration.

Although people may be born with anosmia in rare instances, it typically occurs later in life due to a variety of factors. One of the primary risk factors for smell impairment is age; a reduced sense of smell becomes increasingly likely as you get older, with a quarter of all Americans in their 70s and nearly 40% of Americans in their 80s experiencing these problems in some form. It’s also more common for men and people who are Black or Mexican American.

Losing your sense of smell can leave you vulnerable to several potential health risks. Food or liquids that spoil often create a foul odor, but if you lack the ability to smell, you may accidentally consume these items without realizing that they are no longer safe. You also may not be able to recognize the presence of hazards such as smoke until it’s too late.

The loss of your sense of smell also affects more than just scents. Smell also plays a significant role in the way you process flavors; without it, food and drinks become bland and less distinguishable. This can lead to other issues such as a loss of interest in eating, poor nutrition, weight loss, or potentially even depression. Additionally, attempts to resolve this lack of flavor, such as adding copious amounts of salt to food, can lead to high blood pressure and other problems.

Anosmia is not necessarily a permanent impairment. In fact, polyps, nasal deformities, and conditions such as sinus infections or viruses may cause you to temporarily develop symptoms of anosmia. An otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor) can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine the right course of treatment, both for the underlying condition and for restoring your sense of smell.

You can visit an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, 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.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Hilly Lokenauth, RN

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Hilly Lokenauth, RN, Assistant Head Nurse in the Emergency Department at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Hilly grew up in a town called Eccles, Guyana where her father owned a large store. She attended St. Anglican Elementary School and then on to the Indian Education Trust College.  After high school, Hilly went on to study Nursing at the Mercy School of Nursing in Guyana. She moved to New York forty years ago, settling in Jackson Heights, Queens where she still resides. Upon coming to the United States Hilly attended St. Joseph College in Brooklyn, where she obtained her BS in Health Administration.

Hilly has two grown children, a daughter who is also a nurse in the NICU at Flushing Hospital and a son who works in finance at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. Hilly has four grandchildren ages two to six. She doesn’t have any pets but one day would really like to have a parrot. She is one of ten children. There were five girls and five boys in her family growing up, (five siblings who have since passed away unfortunately) who at one time lived in many different parts of the world.

Religion is a very important part of Hilly’s life. She is a member of the Cavalry Assembly of God Church in Richmond Hill, Queens, where she attends services on the weekends. In her free time she enjoys listening to Christian music and reading Christian novels.  She isn’t a big sports fan, but enjoys watching the enthusiasm of the people who are watching sporting events. She also enjoys watching reality shows on TV. Hilly enjoys taking short trips, either upstate New York or to visit people she knows in Westchester.

What matters most to Hilly are her family and friends. She enjoys taking care of people and likes to quote a proverb saying that “whoever refreshes others, will be refreshed”. She gets great satisfaction caring for her patients. Hilly enjoys the diversity of people she has had the opportunity to treat in the Emergency Department. She comes in contact with people from all over the world and has learned so much about different cultures. Hilly feels fortunate to be working with such a team in the Emergency Department. Working through the Covid-19 pandemic really had an impact on her, and the people she worked with. The experience made her appreciate the importance of her health and for the people in her life.

We are so fortunate to have Hilly as a member of the Flushing Hospital team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years in the future.

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.

What Does It Mean to “Die of Natural Causes?”

In the United States, the majority of deaths each year are recorded as having occurred due to “natural causes.” However, it may not always be clear what exactly this term means, particularly due to the fact that it does not point to a specific factor that led to a person’s death.

A death by natural causes is one that occurs solely due to internal factors (such as a disease) rather than external factors (such as a traumatic physical injury). Three of the most common ways it can occur include:

Heart disease: Although factors affected by lifestyle choices (such as a person’s weight, diet, and physical activity level) can contribute to the risk of developing heart disease, anyone can experience it at any age. This is because your risk is also tied to your genetics and family history of heart disease.

Cancer: While multiple people within the same family may experience cancer without it being the result of genetics, it can occur as a result of what is referred to as a “family cancer syndrome” (also known as “inherited cancer syndrome” or “genetic cancer syndrome”). This refers to an abnormal gene that can greatly increase the risk of certain forms of cancer. Family cancer syndrome accounts for approximately five to 10% of all types of cancer.

Stroke: You may experience a stroke due to various natural factors. Every 10 years after the age of 55, your risk of experiencing a stroke doubles. Additionally, death due to a stroke is more common among women of all ages than men. Strokes are also more common among people who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Native Alaskan, as well as people with certain genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease.

If you experience or have a family history of a chronic medical condition, get the treatment you need to prevent your symptoms from worsening. You can schedule an appointment with a medical specialist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center now by calling (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.