observation Archives - Page 4 of 14

National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month – Hemophilia

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

March is recognized as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. This observance raises awareness for bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that slows the blood clotting process. It is estimated that hemophilia occurs in 1 in every 5,000 male births in the United States. The disorder very rarely develops in girls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Hemophilia is caused by a mutation or change, in one of the genes, that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot. This change or mutation can prevent the clotting protein from working properly or to be missing altogether.”

Because people with hemophilia lack sufficient blood clotting proteins, this causes them to bleed longer than they normally should. Bleeding can occur spontaneously or following an injury. Other common signs and symptoms that they may experience include:

Bleeding into the joints can lead to swelling, tightness or pain (This most commonly affects the ankles, knees and elbows)
Bleeding from the mouth and gums
Bleeding after receiving vaccinations or injections
Blood in the urine or stool
Frequent and hard-to-stop nosebleeds
Bleeding into the skin (bruises)
Bleeding into soft tissue and muscle (hematomas)

A diagnosis of hemophilia is determined after blood has been tested to reveal a clotting-factor deficiency. If it is found that the blood is not clotting as it should, tests known as factor assays are required to explore the cause. In severe cases, the disorder can be diagnosed within the first year of a child’s life. People with a family history of hemophilia are encouraged to have their baby boys tested soon after birth.

One of the most common approaches for treating hemophilia is to replace the missing blood clotting factor. This treatment is administered through a tube placed in the vein. Other forms of treatment can include taking clot-preserving medications, injecting the hormone Desmopressin (DDAVP), applying fibrin sealants, and participating in physical therapy.

There are several measures that a person living with hemophilia can take to reduce the chances of injury or excessive bleeding. The following are recommended: avoid taking blood-thinning medications, exercise regularly (contact sports should be avoided), practice good dental hygiene and avoid certain pain medications that can aggravate bleeding such as aspirin.

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 – Gabrielle Medina

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Joann Ariola

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s February Employee Spotlight shines on Patient Navigator, Gabrielle Medina. Ms. Medina is being recognized for her tireless efforts to register fellow employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Gabrielle Medina registered more than 1000 hospital employees and their eligible family members. Her efforts did not go unnoticed by our hospital administrators and her colleagues. Throughout the entire time, she remained calm, courteous and professional. For these and so many other reasons, Gabrielle Medina is our February Employee Spotlight.

National Healthy Weight Week

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Joann Ariola

The third week in January is designated as National Healthy Weight Week. In an effort to promote a healthy nutritional lifestyle, Flushing Hospital Medical Center would like to offer the following tips to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Set a Goal – You can’t set out on a mission to lose weight without knowing how you are going to do it. Create a detailed weight-loss plan and set a goal that is specific, measurable and realistic.
Be Patient – In most cases if you make modest adjustments in your lifestyle, you can lose the weight gradually, but steadily. Dietary changes are typically easier to follow when you take slow, small steps.
Drink Plenty of Water – Water is free of calories, inexpensive and provides your body with a quenching boost. Recommendations are to drink eights cups of water every day, but if that is unrealistic, try slowly increasing your intake by drinking a few ounces more than you did the previous day.
Avoid temptations to snack– It is very easy to lose track of how much we eat when we are constantly nibbling on snacks. To avoid constant grazing, try chewing gum or drinking water. If you must snack, try choosing healthy alternatives.
Make a Deal to Indulge – Definitely remove your dietary weakness from your home, but totally banning your favorite foods is bound to backfire. Instead of totally eliminating temptations from your life, allow yourself to modestly indulge once a week.
Begin a Manageable Workout Program – Forking over money on an annual gym membership can be helpful, but simply signing up isn’t enough. Instead of setting unrealistic workout goals, create a convenient and realistic workout routine at home.
Have a Friend Help You – Starting healthy nutritional lifestyle can be more effective if you have someone to hold you accountable. Teaming up with a weight-loss companion can assist you reach your goal by helping you stick to your diet and accompany you with your workout routine.
Weigh yourself – Regular weight check-ins can help you maintain your desired weight. Keep track of your progress and, if you see a trend toward gaining weight, you can revert back to the steps you took to begin your weight loss.

Hopefully, these tips will help you reach and maintain your weight loss goals in 2021. If however, you need professional assistance, Flushing Hospital’s Bariatric Center can help. They offer a variety of non-invasive, medically managed surgical weight loss options for those who qualify.

To make an appointment, please call 718-670-8908.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Michael Hinck

The thyroid gland serves many functions. It regulates our rate of metabolism, growth and development, and our body temperature. So when it isn’t working properly it can have a major impact on our health.

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), thyroid disease is a more common disorder than diabetes or heart disease. It affects as many as 30 million Americans, more than half of whom remain undiagnosed. To raise awareness about the thyroid gland and symptoms of thyroid disease, January has been designated Thyroid Awareness Month.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck.. Although small in size, the gland plays a large role by producing thyroid hormone which influences the function of many of the body’s most important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. When the thyroid gland is not producing the right amount of hormone (either too much or too little), problems can start to arise.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. This can result in a range of symptoms that include unexplained fatigue, weight gain, depression, forgetfulness, feeling cold, hair loss, or low sex drive. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is a condition when the body produces an abundance of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heart rate, heat intolerance and unexplained weight loss and anxiety. For both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, medication can be prescribed to regulate hormone levels.

A more serious concern involving the thyroid gland is thyroid cancer, which can develop independent of the above thyroid disease. According to the AACE, about 60,000 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. In most cases, thyroid cancer has a good prognosis and high survival rates—especially when diagnosed in its early stages.

Through attention raised by Thyroid Awareness Month, more and more primary care physicians are screening for thyroid disease, which has greatly helped those who would have otherwise had their condition go undiagnosed.

Flushing Hospital is proud to help raise awareness for thyroid disease and encourages everyone experiencing symptoms to ask their doctor to do an evaluation. If you do not have a doctor, call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center to make an appointment at 718-670-5486.

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Joann Ariola

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. It is a time for raising awareness of how frequently birth defects can occur and what can be done to help prevent them.

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. In the U.S. approximately 120,000 babies are born with birth defects each year.

The 10 most common birth defects in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are:

Down syndrome
Cleft lip (with or without cleft palate)
Atrioventricular septal defect (hole in the heart)
Absence of 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.

If you are pregnant, or planning to be, and want to discuss your options with one of our doctors, the Women’s Health Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center is centrally located and has convenient hours; to make an appointment call 718-670-8992.

GERD AWARENESS WEEK

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Perhaps there is no other day of the year associated with eating more than Thanksgiving. With so much attention being paid to food consumption, it is fitting that this week we also raise awareness about a health condition that affects the digestive system.

November 18-24, 2019 has been designated Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD) Awareness Week. GERD, is a very common disorder that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining.

After it is swallowed, food travels down the esophagus where it stimulates cells in the stomach to produce acid and pepsin (an enzyme), which aid the digestion process. A band of muscle at the lower part of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), acts as a barrier to prevent the back-flow. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow up into the esophagus.

Chronic heartburn is the most frequently reported symptom of GERD. Acid regurgitation (refluxed acid into the mouth) is another common symptom. Other symptoms can include belching, difficulty or pain when swallowing, or water-brash (sudden excess of saliva). GERD may also lead to chronic sore throat, laryngitis, throat clearing, chronic cough, and other oral complaints such as inflammation of the gums and erosion of the enamel of the teeth.

Dietary and lifestyle choices can contribute to GERD. Certain foods and beverages, including chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee, or alcohol may trigger reflux. Studies show that smoking can relax the LES and contribute to this condition. People who are obese are more prone to developing GERD symptoms.

Doctors recommend lifestyle and dietary changes for most people needing treatment for GERD. Along with lifestyle and diet changes, your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter remedies, or, in serious cases, prescribe medications designed to reduce acid in the stomach.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Joann Ariola

Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting women. In the United States, an estimated 21,000 women will be diagnosed every year with this disease and approximately 14,000 will die because of it. This type of cancer usually affects women who are in their fifties and sixties, and who typically have a family history of the disease. When the disease is detected early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 92%.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Bloating
• Nausea, indigestion, gas, and constipation
• Abdominal and pelvic pain
• Fatigue
• Backaches
• Frequent Urination with urgency

When a physician suspects ovarian cancer, they will perform certain tests to confirm the diagnosis. The exam will include a blood test for the CA-125 genetic marker, an examination of the abdomen to see if there is tenderness, a pelvic exam, ultrasound, and a biopsy.

There are four main stages of ovarian cancer:

. Stage I – completely confined to one or both ovaries.
. Stage II – Found in one or both ovaries with spread to other pelvic organs (bladder, colon, rectum, uterus).
. Stage III – Cancer is found in one or both ovaries and has spread to the lining of the abdomen and/or the lymph nodes.
. Stage IV – Most advanced stage of the disease with spread to additional organs such as liver and lung.

Treatment options for ovarian cancer include chemotherapy, surgical removal of the affected organ(s), hormone therapy, and radiation. The type of treatment will be determined by the type of ovarian cancer, the age of the patient, and the stage of the disease.

Remember that early detection is important and just may save your life. All women should see their OB/Gyn once a year for a pelvic exam. If you would like to make an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

The month of September has been designated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to bring attention to this very common form of cancer that affects so many men. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men and is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in men. Although it is not known exactly what causes prostate cancer some risk factors for developing it are:

• Older age (more than 65% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65)
• Race (African-American men are 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men)
• Family history (having a father or brother with prostate cancer)
• Obesity

The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system that produces a fluid that mixes with sperm and other fluids during ejaculation. It sits just below the bladder and is normally about the size of a walnut.

Prostate cancer, especially in its early stages, may not have any symptoms. When symptoms are present they may include difficulty starting urination, less force to the stream of urine, dribbling at the end of urination, needing to urinate frequently, urinating frequently at night, pain while urinating, blood in the urine or semen, difficulty starting or maintaining an erection, pain with ejaculation, pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis and upper thighs, or unintended weight loss.

When screening is done there are two tests that are available. The available tests are a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. To perform a digital rectal exam your doctor uses a gloved finger, inserted a few inches into your rectum, to check your prostate gland. A prostate-specific antigen test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. Many men who have prostate cancer have elevated levels of PSA, however PSA can also be elevated for less serious causes such as prostate enlargement or infection. Further testing is needed to diagnose cancer. Additional tests that your doctor may recommend to diagnose cancer include an ultrasound of the prostate and a biopsy of the prostate. A biopsy is when a small piece of the prostate is removed to look for abnormal cells.

Treatment of prostate cancer depends on many factors including your age, your overall health and the growth and spread of cancer when it is diagnosed. Some men who have slow-growing tumors may not need treatment right away and some may never need treatment. Other types of prostate cancer are aggressive and can quickly spread to other parts of the body making treatment difficult. Common treatment options include watchful waiting or expectant management (regular testing and checkups to assess for new signs or symptoms), radiation therapy (high-energy x-rays used to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy, surgery (having the prostate gland removed), and hormone therapy.
To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss a prostate cancer screening, please call 718-670-5486.

June Is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Joann Ariola

According to the Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP), June is recognized by the federal government as National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.

More than 38 million people in the United States experience migraines or some type of tension headache with 2 -3 million of them experiencing chronic migraines.

The exact causes of migraines are unknown. People with migraine or tension headaches may have a tendency to be affected by certain triggers such as fatigue, bright lights, weather changes and hypertension.

Some symptoms of migraine or tension headaches are:

Throbbing pain, numbness, weakness
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to sound
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vertigo
Mood changes
Neck pain
Vision changes

Treatment for migraine or tension headaches depends on the how often or how severe the headache is, the level of disability your headache may cause and contributing medical conditions you may have.

Over the counter medications such as anti-nausea or Ibuprofen may help with more minor episodes, but if you are experiencing multiple headaches per month lasting more than 12 hours, over the counter medications aren’t helping and your migraine symptoms include numbness or weakness, it is best to consult your physician.

If you are experiencing painful migraine or tension headaches, Flushing Hospital Medical Center has reopened many of its healthcare services. To learn about the safety measures the hospital has taken to protect your health, please visit https://flushinghospital.org/our-patients/

If you would like to schedule an appointment please call 718-670-5486.

To learn more about migraines and tension headaches visit – https://migraine.com/migraine-statistics/

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Andrew Rubin

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
In February 2000, President Clinton dedicated March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States today. It is estimated that 140,000 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year and about 50,000 die from the disease.
The good news is that the disease is highly preventable by getting a regular screening. The reason that the screenings are so important is because if precancerous polyps are found early, they can be removed and treatment can be started early.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
• Family history
• Precancerous polyps
• Smoking
• People over the age of 50
People who have diets high in red meat and processed meat.
It is important to be checked regularly as people get older. For many people who don’t have a family history of colorectal cancer or experience symptoms of the disease, screenings can be started at age 50. If however there is a family history or symptoms exist, screenings should start by age 40 without symptoms or earlier if there are.
Screening for colorectal cancer can be done in several ways. Some of the more common methods include:
• Checking the stool for occult blood by either a high sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test
• CT colonoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy
If there is blood present in the stool, or you are experiencing unexplained abdominal pain or weight loss you should consult with your physician immediately. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.