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Flushing Hospital Provides Information About The COVID Pill

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Michael Hinck

In the continued fight against COVID-19, there has been some promising news about the development of a COVID pill. However, there are many questions surrounding this form of treatment.

Recently, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Merck announced that their anti-viral pills could minimize the effects of the virus for those who contract it. These medications are similar to other anti-viral medications currently used to combat the flu and other viruses. Pfizer claims its pill can decrease the likelihood of death or hospitalization by 89% if taken within three days of symptoms starting. Merck states its capsule can reduce similar risks by 50%.

Neither of the anti-viral medications are currently available as Merck and Pfizer have either already applied to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use or are in the process of doing so and both are waiting for approval as there is still a lot we need to learn.

While this news is encouraging, it is important to understand that if or when these pills become available, they should not be considered a cure. Unlike antibiotics, which work to kill bacterial infections, anti-viral medications usually work to lessen the symptoms of the virus. These pills would also need to be taken during the early stages of the viral infection to be effective. They should only be considered as important additions to other hospital-based treatments.

One concern of many health professionals is that those individuals who are averse to the vaccine will use the existence of the anti-viral medications as an excuse not to get vaccinated, believing that they can get treated by the medications should they contract COVID-19. This philosophy can be misguided as vaccines remain the best protection against the virus.

Another fear among doctors is that people taking the anti-viral pills will not follow appropriate medication adherence. For instance, Merck’s anti-viral pill is required to be taken as a batch of four pills, twice a day, for five days. This medication will be ineffective if it is not taken as directed.

These anti-viral medications have the potential to decrease complications and hospitalizations and make COVID-19 a much more manageable disease, but more time is needed to test their safety and efficacy. Until then, it is recommended that anyone who is eligible receive the COVID vaccine.

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.

Your Frequent Urination Could Be The Result Of Polyuria

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Frequent urination is an issue that many Americans live with but figuring out the cause can be a difficult task. Some of the possible reasons for this problem can include an overactive bladder, enlarged prostate or a urinary tract infection. One other possibility could be due to a medical condition called polyuria.

People with polyuria create more urine than normal. Most adults make approximately 3 liters of urine per day. However, those with polyuria generate up to 15 liters, or five times the normal amount of urine every day. While the other above-mentioned conditions make you feel as if you have to go, even if there isn’t much urine in your bladder, those with polyuria must go because they have excess urine.

Symptoms of polyuria often include frequently feeling thirsty. This is because people with the condition lose a great deal of fluid, which can lead to dehydration. Unfortunately, the urge to urinate when you sleep doesn’t go away, so those with polyuria also usually wake up multiple times at night to go.

Polyuria is usually an indicator of diabetes. This is because the condition makes sugar build up in your bloodstream. If your kidneys are not able to filter it out, it exits your body in your urine. As the extra sugar and fluids travel through your kidneys, you have to pee more.

Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can also develop polyuria as can those with kidney or liver disease. Other factors that can contribute to this condition include taking certain medications or consuming too much caffeine or alcohol.

How you control polyuria depends on what’s causing it. For example, if you have diabetes that isn’t under control, you may need to make changes to your treatments. If a medicine you take is the cause, talk to your doctor about switching to another drug or changing your dose. At home, cut back on how much fluid you drink, especially those that have alcohol and caffeine.

If you are experiencing symptoms of polyuria, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Through a detailed physical examination and battery of testing options, which may include urine, blood, glucose, and water deprivation tests, they can accurately diagnose polyuria and determine a course of treatment.

To make an appointment with a urologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Learning More About Visceral Fat

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Michael Hinck

We all have some percentage of body fat on our bodies. In fact, it is healthy to have some body fat, but it’s also important to understand that not all fat is created equal. Visceral fat, or “active” fat is a type of fat that can be very harmful to your health.

Visceral fat is a type of body fat that’s stored within the abdominal cavity and is therefore stored around multiple important internal organs, including the:

liver
stomach
intestines

Visceral fat is sometimes referred to as ‘active fat’ because research has shown that this type of fat plays a distinctive and potentially dangerous role affecting how our hormones function.

The higher the amount of visceral fat a person stores, the more at risk they are for certain health complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also lead to an increased likelihood of developing breast or colorectal cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or stroke.

While imaging tests such as an MRI and CT scan can determine how much visceral fat someone is carrying, often a doctor can conclude if someone has too much visceral fat through learning more about their patient’s diet and lifestyle, calculate their overall body fat or simply measuring their waist, (a woman whose waist measures 35 inches or more is likely to have excess visceral fat. The same is true of a man whose waist measures 40 inches or more). A person’s visceral fat could range from anywhere between 1 and 59, but ideally it should be under 13.

The dangers of storing excess visceral fat can be extreme and immediate, so it is essential to make diet and lifestyle changes as soon as possible as losing weight can help a person reduce their levels of visceral fat.

Ways to decrease visceral fat includes incorporating a combination of cardiovascular exercise, such as running, cycling, swimming and strength training, which can include pushups or squats. In addition, you should follow a healthy diet that is high in lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Limiting stress levels can also reduce visceral fat.

If you believe you may have a high amount of visceral fat, make an appointment to speak with your doctor immediately so they can help you develop a plan to reduce it.

To make an appointment at Flushing Hospitals’ Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

What You Need To Know About The Delta Variant

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Michael Hinck

It is common for viruses to change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. These variants can affect the strength, symptoms, or transmission rate of the virus. There have been multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 identified in the United States and globally throughout this pandemic. One variant that you may be hearing more and more about is the delta variant.

The highly transmissible delta variant of the COVID-19 virus was first identified in India and has now been reported in at least 104 countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the delta variant is now the dominant strain of the virus, representing 51.7% of new COVID cases in the United States as of the week of July 3.

The delta variant is a cause of concern to health authorities because it is thought to be the most transmissible variant yet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the delta variant is estimated to be approximately 55% more transmissible than the alpha variant, which was first identified in Britain last year. Officials believe delta is more contagious because of its ability to partially evade the antibodies made by the immune system after a coronavirus infection or vaccination.

Many health experts fear the variant will cause a surge in new cases this fall, hitting the unvaccinated the hardest. Currently, only 48% of adult Americans are fully-vaccinated, well below the 70% most believe is needed to achieve herd immunity. In fact, areas in the U.S. with low vaccination rates are already beginning to see delta-driven outbreaks, and the number of COVID-19 cases has begun to climb again nationally.

The good news is that data suggests that several widely used shots, including those made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, appear to retain most of their effectiveness against the delta variant.

Flushing Hospital urges everyone eligible to get vaccinated if you have not already done so and encourage your family and friends to get vaccinated as well. Vaccination is the best way to stop the spread of all the variants and reduce the odds that new, even more dangerous variants emerge.

What Are The Signs That Your Child Needs Therapy?

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Most children experience emotional highs and lows as they develop. Often, this is part of the natural maturation process, but for some, it can be a sign of a more serious issue that requires professional assistance. Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers the following advice to help parents determine when to seek help.

Parents should understand that children go through the same struggles emotionally as adults, but because of their lack of development, they can have a hard time processing their feelings. By helping your child get through these difficult times, you can help provide them with the coping and problem-solving skills they can put to use in the future.

One of the most important ways we can help children navigate through the tough periods in their lives is to listen to them and validate their experience. Offering them support, sensitivity, and patience can go a long way in making them feel heard and make them more receptive to discussing their emotions in the future.

Sometimes, however, despite a parent’s best attempt, a child may need professional help to address a more serious issue. You should seek help if your child:

Experiences problems in multiple areas of life, such as in school, during leisure activities, or in their relationships with family and friends
Displays repetitive self-destructive behavior such as hair pulling of skin-picking
Exhibits low self-esteem or lacks confidence
Withdraws from activities that they once enjoyed
Has a significant change in sleep habits or appetite
Engages in negative behavior
Talks about any kind of self-harm or suicide

Speak to your pediatrician if you believe your child may require professional help. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional who can offer an appropriate treatment plan.

To make an appointment with a pediatrician at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

Avoid Food Poisoning This Summer

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Michael Hinck

It is estimated that around 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur each year in the U.S. These illnesses develop when an individual consumes food that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites.

One of the most common types of foodborne illnesses is food poisoning.

The chances of getting food poisoning are higher during the summer months as the warmer weather promotes the growth of harmful organisms and increases the likelihood of contamination.

According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service, “Foodborne bacteria grow fastest at temperatures between 90 to 110 °F (32 to 43°C.)” In higher temperatures, food will produce the nutrients and moisture needed for pathogens (virus, bacteria and other microorganisms that cause disease) to flourish. Some of the most common pathogens that cause food poisoning are Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma, E. coli and norovirus.

In addition to warmer temperatures, summer provides us with more opportunities to cook outdoors. It is difficult to utilize food safety controls such as refrigeration, thermostat-controlled cooking and convenient facilities to wash our hands when cooking outside. These factors can further increase the risk of food contamination.

Food poisoning is preventable and there are several safety measures that can be exercised to reduce the risk of exposure. Flushing Hospital Medical Center shares the following tips to prevent contamination:

Clean hands and food preparation stations often– It is important to wash your hands. Unclean hands can spread germs and cause foodborne illness. It is equally as important to keep the areas where you prepare food clean; germs can thrive on hard surfaces as well.
Cook food at proper temperatures- The USDA recommends that you cook the following meats and poultry until they reach these internal temperatures:

Poultry (whole, pieces & ground): 165 °F /74 °C

Ground meats: 160 °F /71 °C

Beef, pork, lamb and veal (steaks, roasts & chops): 145 °F /63 °C

Keep raw and cooked foods separate- Avoid cross contamination of food by wrapping raw meats and poultry separately during storage. Keep them away from other foods in coolers or similar storage devices. Do not place cooked meats on plates or other utensils that previously contained raw meat; unless they have been properly cleaned with soap and hot water.
Refrigerate perishables and leftovers promptly- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, “Germs can grow in many foods within 2 hours unless you refrigerate them. (During the summer heat, cut that time down to 1 hour.)”
Clean produce- Before cutting, preparing and serving produce, it is important to wash them.

Food poisoning is characterized by symptoms that include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps and nausea. Symptoms may take a few hours or days to present. These symptoms typically run their course and go away on their own. Your doctor will recommend that you keep hydrated, and may suggest that along with water, drink clear broths and non-caffeinated sport drinks. Getting plenty of rest and avoiding foods that contain dairy, alcohol, caffeine, high concentration of fats and seasoning may also be recommended. Before taking over the counter medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine, consult your doctor first.

If severe symptoms such as the following persist, see your physician right away”:

Blood in vomit or stool
Diarrhea for more than three days
Frequent vomiting and the inability to keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, excessive thirst, severe abdominal cramps, weak or no urination and dry mouth
Neurological symptoms such as tingling in the arms, blurry vision and weakness in muscles
Confusion
Rapid heartbeat
Fever over 101.5 F

Food poisoning can be very dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Flushing Hospital warns to not take symptoms lightly and seek treatment immediately

Is It Spring Allergies Or COVID19?

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Michael Hinck

With Spring now upon us, more and more people are taking advantage of the nicer weather and spending significant time outdoors, but this change in season can also bring the return of allergies for many. For some, these allergic reactions could be confused with symptoms of Covid-19. Flushing Hospital wants to offer our community with tips on how to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and Covid.

While the symptoms of allergies and Covid-19 can be similar, there are some definitive ways to tell which you are experiencing so you can treat it appropriately.

Typically, a virus such as Covid-19 causes a system-wide response, while an allergy, which is an overreaction of the immune system in response to exposure to a trigger, is usually more localized. For instance, someone with Covid-19 may have a fever, body aches, chills, a sore throat, weakness, and respiratory symptoms. On the other hand, someone with allergies will be more likely to have the symptoms centered on the nose, eyes, and throat, and they usually will not have a fever.

In addition, allergies cause itchiness: itchy eyes, itchy nose and sneezing, and a tickle in the throat, while itchiness is usually not a symptom of illness. COVID-19 also does not seem to cause much in the way of nasal symptoms, which means if your child is sneezing a lot, it is more likely allergies and isn’t related to COVID-19.

To treat allergies, your doctor may recommend using allergy medications to prevent or manage the symptoms. This can include antihistamines (a medication that blocks histamine, a chemical your body releases when exposed to a trigger), nasal corticosteroids (prescription medications that relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation in your nasal passages), and if you also have asthma, a rescue asthma inhaler (this contains a medication that opens airway passages) and inhaled corticosteroids (this reduces the inflammation in your airways).

In addition, there are some things you can do to limit your chances of experiencing allergy symptoms, including:

Wear a hat and sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes.
Remove your clothes as soon as you come home and wash them remove allergens.
Wash your child’s hands and face as soon as they come in from the outdoors.

It is important to note that you can have seasonal allergies and still contract Covid, so it is important to not dismiss the possibility of one just because you have the other. If you have any suspicions, it is important to consult with your physicians. To make an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call 718-670-5486.

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.

Learn The Facts About Kleptomania

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Kleptomania is a rare but serious mental health disorder characterized by the recurrent inability to resist urges to steal items. If left untreated, kleptomania can result in severe emotional, family, work, legal and financial problems.

Kleptomania is a type of impulse control disorder. Those with impulse control disorders have difficulty resisting the temptation to perform an act that is excessive or harmful to themselves or others. In fact, unlike typical shoplifters, people with kleptomania don’t compulsively steal for personal gain. They steal simply because the urge is so powerful that they cannot resist it.

In addition to the inability to resist the urge to steal, those with kleptomania may also exhibit the following symptoms:

Feeling of increased tension, anxiety or arousal leading up to the theft
Feeling pleasure, relief or gratification while stealing
Feeling terrible guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame or fear of arrest after the theft
Return of the urges and a repetition of the cycle

Episodes of kleptomania generally occur spontaneously, usually without planning and without help or collaboration from another person. Most people with kleptomania steal from public places, such as stores and supermarkets. Often, the stolen items have no value to the person with kleptomania and the person can afford to buy them. Urges to steal may come and go or may occur with greater or lesser intensity over the course of time.

While the cause of kleptomania is not known, there are several theories suggest that changes in the brain may be at the root of kleptomania, including:

Low serotonin levels.Serotonin is a naturally occurring brain chemical that helps regulate moods and emotions. Low levels of serotonin are common in people prone to impulsive behaviors.
Addictive disorders.Stealing may cause the release of dopamine (another neurotransmitter). Dopamine causes pleasurable feelings, and some people seek this rewarding feeling again and again.
The brain’s opioid system.Urges are regulated by the brain’s opioid system. An imbalance in this system could make it harder to resist urges.

Treatments are available that may help to minimize the urge kleptomaniacs have to steal and live without addiction and shame. This typically involves medications and psychotherapy, or both, sometimes along with self-help groups. However, there is no standard kleptomania treatment, and researchers are still trying to understand what may work best.

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms consistent with kleptomania, xx Hospital’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services can help. To make an appointment please call 718-670-5562.

Understanding Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Michael Hinck

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition that affects digestion due to an inability to break down food properly. This occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough of the enzymes needed to break down and absorb nutrients.

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions in your body. The enzymes made by your pancreas move into your small intestine, where they help break down the food you eat. When you have EPI, you don’t get the nutrition you need because your body can’t absorb fats and and minerals from foods.

Some of the causes of EPI can include:

Chronic pancreatitis – A condition marked by frequent inflammation of the pancreas
Previous surgery of your pancreas, stomach, or intestines.
Existence of other conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, celiac disease, Cystic fibrosis or Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Symptoms of EPI can include:

Pain or tenderness in the belly
Bad-smelling bowel movements
Diarrhea
Gas
Feeling full
Weight loss
Pain in your bones

Several tests can help diagnose EPI, including: blood tests to determine if you are getting enough vitamins in your diet, fecal tests to check for the amount of fat in your bowel movements and imaging tests to see if your pancreas is inflamed.

The right diet is very important for managing EPI. A dietitian can help you choose the foods that keep your energy level up and give you the nutrition you need. Some other tips include eating up to six small meals per day, avoiding alcohol, and taking vitamin supplements.

Apart from a healthy diet, the main treatment for EPI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). You take prescription pills that replace the enzymes your pancreas isn’t making. These enzymes break down your food so you can more easily digest and absorb it. You may also need to take an antacid to keep your stomach from breaking down pancreatic enzymes before they can start to work.

If you are experiencing symptms of EPI and would like to speak with a doctor at Flushing Hospital, please call our Ambulatory Care Center at 718-670-5486