The Importance of an Annual Physical Exam

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A new year is upon us, and we are all looking for ways to improve our health. An important way to do so is to get an annual physical exam.

Getting a physical exam provides us with an opportunity to check our overall health and prevent any health issues from becoming more serious. It can also cultivate a relationship with a primary healthcare provider who can help:

· Manage current health issues

· Prevent illnesses

· Monitor the risk of chronic disease

· Identify illnesses that don’t have symptoms

· Monitor your weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and basic body chemistry

· Adjust your lifestyle to one that is suitable for your age

Even if you feel fine, it is a good idea to see your healthcare provider to ensure you are taking the right steps to maintain and improve your health.

If you would like to receive a physical exam, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

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.

New Year’s Eve Safety Tips

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

New Year’s Eve is a time when we come together to reflect on the previous year, as we prepare to celebrate the start of a new one. However, these celebrations can come with dangers and responsibilities.

Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this New Year’s Eve:

Plan your rides in advance. On average, driving accidents rise during the holidays, so it is extremely important to have a safe ride when so many people will be out that night celebrating. Do not assume that you will be able to get a cab. Knowing your options in advance can help you decide whether you will be taking public transportation, using a rideshare app, or carpooling with friends.

Plan for the safety of your guests. If you are going to host a party, be sure your guests get home safely. Hire a driver for the evening who can provide people with a way to get home. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the end of the party, provide additional food or snacks, and ensure that your guests don’t drive after drinking.

Make a plan with your kids. Set a reasonable curfew for your kids for their New Year’s Eve activities. If they are old enough to drive, be sure they understand the dangers of driving on that holiday. Encourage them to stay in one location instead of going from party to party. Discuss the dangers of driving distractions and how to avoid them. A teen passenger and teens driving with friends face a higher risk than teens who are driving alone.

Take care of your pets. New Year’s Eve can cause high anxiety in pets. You can keep them safe in the house and comfortable by drowning out any sounds outside that are loud. If your pet has a history of high anxiety, consider consulting your vet for anxiety medication.

Avoid leaving your car somewhere overnight, as New Year’s Day is the most active holiday for cars to get stolen. If you do have to leave your car overnight, make sure it is locked and try to pick it up as early as possible the next day. If you do decide to drive home, be sure to let someone know when you leave and when you get home safely.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any medical problems, you can receive treatment by a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Holiday Driving Safety Tips

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The holiday season is a time for celebrating with family and friends. Depending on where you are or where you are going, many challenges, such as weather conditions, limited daylight, and driving in unfamiliar areas, can make driving difficult. Here are some tips to help keep you safe while driving this holiday season:

Prepare your vehicle for the winter and keep an emergency kit with you
Get a good night’s sleep before leaving to avoid drowsy driving
Leave early to avoid heavy traffic
Make sure that every person in the vehicle is buckled up properly
Practice defensive driving
Don’t drive impaired
Avoid distractions
Check the weather conditions before driving
Stick to the speed limit

Taking the proper precautions before and during your drive is for your safety, the safety of your passengers, and other drivers on the road.

If you or any of your passengers are injured due to a car accident, make sure to call 911 right away.

13 Poses to Do Every Day for Increased Flexibility

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

When we exercise, we can sometimes focus more on gaining strength, endurance, lung capacity, and body composition. However, we can sometimes overlook gaining more flexibility.

Flexibility training improves the range of motion at the joints, which can facilitate freer movement, help reduce pain and risk of injury, and generally make us more capable in our everyday lives. Yoga is an exercise that can help boost flexibility.

Yoga is a holistic mind-body activity that involves moving through a series of body poses and breathing exercises that can improve strength, flexibility, balance, and relaxation.

Here are 13 yoga poses you can do every day for increased flexibility:

Cat-cow pose

Low cobra pose

Reclined spinal twist

Standing crescent moon

Half lord of the fishes

Bound angle pose

Reclined pigeon pose

Wide-legged forward fold with chest expansion

Reclined hamstring stretch

Assisted low lunge

Downward-facing dog

Thread the needle

Reverse tabletop

Maintaining our flexibility as we age is essential to our health. People who remain flexible have fewer difficulties with daily activities and experience an increased quality of life. An increased range of motion is associated with fewer injuries, decreased pain, and stronger muscles, which can lead to better performance.

If you are interested in learning more about any of our integrative health services, events, or classes, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (718) 206-5675.

Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Autoimmune diseases are health conditions that happen when the immune system attacks the body instead of defending it. They are also called autoimmune disorders by healthcare providers.

The immune system is the body’s built-in defense system. It automatically detects substances that shouldn’t be in the body, such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins. It sends out white blood cells to eliminate them before they can damage the body or make a person sick.

If a person has an autoimmune disease, their immune system is overactive. When it doesn’t have anything to attack, the immune system turns on the body and damages healthy tissue.

Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions, which means a person will have to manage them and the symptoms they cause for the rest of their life.

There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases, and they can affect almost any tissue or organ in the body, depending on where the immune system malfunctions. These autoimmune diseases can include:

Joints and muscles

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Lupus

Myositis

Skin and blood vessels

Sjögren’s syndrome

Psoriasis

Psoriatic arthritis

Dermatomyositis

Scleroderma

Vasculitis

Rheumatoid vasculitis

Urticarial vasculitis

Vitiligo

Digestive system

Crohn’s disease

Celiac disease

Ulcerative colitis

Autoimmune gastritis

Endocrine system

Type 1 diabetes

Addison’s disease

Hashimoto’s thyroditis

Graves’ disease

Nervous system

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Myasthenia gravis (MG)

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIPD)

Autoimmune diseases are very common due to there being so many different types, with experts estimating that around 1 in 15 people in the U.S. has an autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms that can affect a person’s body from head to toe. Conditions that affect the muscles can cause muscle weakness, joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, indicating a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Type 1 diabetes causes high blood sugar. And some autoimmune diseases can affect a person’s vision.

Many autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation, which causes a feeling of warmth, discoloration or redness of the skin, swelling, and pain.

Additionally, a lot of autoimmune diseases can cause recurring symptoms. These episodes of more noticeable or more severe symptoms are called flares or attacks.

Unfortunately, experts don’t know for certain what causes autoimmune diseases, and researchers are still studying what makes the immune system start attacking the body in the first place.

However, some studies have found certain factors, or triggers, that might increase the risk of developing an autoimmune disease. They include:

Viral infections such as COVID-19 and the Epstein-Barr virus

A person’s sex, as women are more likely to have an autoimmune condition

Having biological relatives with autoimmune diseases, as some are genetic and can be passed through generations of a biological family

Having one autoimmune disease can increase a person’s odds of developing another one. This is called multiple autoimmune syndrome

Exposure to chemicals or other environmental factors may trigger autoimmune diseases

Smoking and other types of tobacco use can cause many health issues, including potentially triggering autoimmune diseases

A healthcare provider diagnoses autoimmune diseases when they perform a physical exam and discuss a person’s health history with them. They will examine their body, specifically if they are experiencing symptoms in a specific area. They will ask about the person’s symptoms and when they first noticed them.

A healthcare provider will perform tests for several different conditions that can cause the symptoms until they find a cause. This is called a differential diagnosis. They may order blood tests to look for specific markers, or clues the immune system leaves behind after it damages the body or causes specific issues, of autoimmune diseases.

They may also perform imaging tests to look inside the body, including:

X-rays

CT scan

Ultrasound

Autoimmune diseases may need a variety of treatments, since they cause a variety of symptoms. Which treatment is needed depends on which condition a person has. Everyone’s immune system, genetics, and environment are different, which means the treatments will be unique to each person. Some common treatments to manage autoimmune disease symptoms include:

Pain relievers

Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids

Immunosuppressants

Physical therapy

Occupational therapy

IVIG infusions

A person may need specific treatment based on what condition they have. People with Type 1 diabetes will need insulin therapy. People with celiac disease will need to eat a gluten-free diet.

The Division of Rheumatology at Jamaica Hospital provides consultations for patients in Queens, NY, who develop rheumatological disorders. If you would like to make an appointment, please call 718-206-6742.

The Importance of Handwashing During Cold and Flu Season

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only 31% of men and 65% of women wash their hands after using a public restroom.

Not washing our hands can lead to the spread of germs and increase the risk of getting illnesses that affect our health.

Personal hygiene begins and ends with our hands. Frequent handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay healthy and reduce the spread of germs.

Germs can spread easily when we touch our faces, prepare food, or handle shared objects. You can pick up and pass along germs when you:

Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Prepare or eat food with unwashed hands

Touch contaminated surfaces or objects

Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into your hands and then touch others or shared items

Therefore, it is extremely important to keep you and your loved ones healthy by washing your hands often. There are several instances when it is important to wash your hands, including:

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating

Before and after caring for someone who’s sick

Before and after treating a wound

After using the bathroom

After changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the bathroom

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching animals or handling pet food

After touching garbage

Some other facts that highlight the importance of handwashing include:

80% of spreadable diseases can be transferred by touch

Washing your hands a few times a day can reduce diarrhea rates by 40%

Touching your face with dirty hands can spread sicknesses such as pneumonia, the common cold, and the flu

Pneumonia is the number one cause of childhood death, and is preventable by regular handwashing

When you flush a toilet with the seat up, a bacteria-filled mist is spread over about 6 square meters, and worse, 90% of these bacteria cover the sinks in public bathrooms.

Most bacteria on our hands are under our fingernails, so it is important to scrub under them when washing our hands

Damp hands are 1,000 times more likely to spread bacteria than dry hands, yet only 20% of people dry their hands after washing them

Reusable cloth towels have millions of bacteria in their fibers. Using disposable paper towels is the cleanest way to dry our hands

Studies show that people who wash their hands have 24% fewer sick days because of respiratory illness, and 51% fewer sick days due to a sick stomach

It is important to wash your hands after being in public places where you may touch shared surfaces such as door handles, shopping carts, or checkout screens, and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Clean hands prevent infections and sickness, so it is important to learn the basics of hand hygiene. Here are five steps to wash your hands the right way:

Wet your hands with clean, warm, or cold running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap

Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails

Scrub for at least 20 seconds. You can hum or sing the “Happy Birthday” song to time yourself

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water

Dry your hands with a clean towel or dry air

If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Making a habit of good hand hygiene is an easy, effective way to prevent infections and sickness.

If you are sick and would like to be seen by a physician, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Christmas is around the corner, and many of us are decorating our homes for the holiday. However, according to the American Red Cross, December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations.

Here are some safety tips from the American Red Cross:

For holiday lighting, choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.

Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. It is important to make sure you have the right lights for where you are decorating

Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of lights you can safely connect

Use clips instead of nails to hang lights, so the cords do not get damaged

If you choose to use a real Christmas tree, pick one that has fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk.

Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights, and make sure the tree is not blocking an exit

Add water to the tree every day

Never use lit candles to decorate the tree, and always turn off the tree lights before leaving home or going to bed

If you are buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees

When using candles to decorate, remember that a candle is an open flame, and it can easily ignite anything that can burn. As an alternative, use flameless candles, as they can look and smell like real candles. If you choose to use real candles:

- Blow out all candles when you leave a room or go to bed

- Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people fall asleep

- Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn

- Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily. Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface

- Light candles carefully

- Don’t burn a candle all the way down. Make sure to put them out before they get too close to the holder or container

- Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home

If you are going to use candles as decoration, it is important to place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. In addition to testing your smoke alarms once a month, change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it. Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

It is important to decorate as safely as possible. If you or a loved one gets injured while decorating, you can receive treatment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001. Call 911 if there is an emergency.

Jamaica Hospital’s New Ambulatory Surgery Unit

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recently opened its new Ambulatory Surgical Unit (ASU).

The expanded ASU enables the hospital to enhance its surgical services by increasing volume and provides a more efficient and enhanced layout, with a dedicated space for the timely service of elective and same-day procedures. “The new ASU will allow us to increase our volume and accommodate our growing surgical services to meet the needs of our community”, said Dr. Antonietta Morisco, Chairperson of Anesthesiology.

Jamaica Hospital’s ASU features four state-of-the-art operating rooms, a spacious admitting and recovery area for patients, and a comfortable waiting area for family members. Patients who have been to the ASU are amazed at how beautiful and modern the facility is and have said they have had a wonderful experience there.

The ASU has the latest technology to support minimally invasive surgical procedures, highlighted by a da Vinci robot. A few of the surgical subspecialties provided at the ASU include general surgery, ENT, urology, orthopedics, podiatry, gynecology, pain management, and pediatrics. Jamaica Hospital’s new ASU has a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and support staff.

With the new amenities at the Ambulatory Surgery Unit, the team at the ASU looks forward to continuing to provide the community with high-quality care, building on its commitment to giving patients the best and most stress-free experience possible before, during, and after their surgical procedures.

What is the New Flu Virus Variant?

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

A new variant of the flu virus, known as H3N2 subclade K, is affecting the U.S. this season, having circulated in other countries since the summer.

This variant is a mutated strain of H3N2, which is a subtype of influenza A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H3N2 is the main type of flu spreading in the U.S. as of mid-November.

Additionally, scientists from around the world have reported that H3N2 subclade K, a mutation of H3N2, has undergone several mutations, which haven’t been seen before in flu viruses. These mutations may make this new strain more severe than usual, with some experts suggesting that these changes could reduce the effectiveness of the current flu vaccine in preventing infection.

However, it is important to note that it is still recommended to receive the flu vaccine, as the CDC notes that the H3N2 subclade K strain can cause severe symptoms in older adults over the age of 65 and children under the age of five. Other people who are vulnerable to severe symptoms of the subclade K strain include:

Anyone who is immunocompromised

Pregnant people

People with underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease

Doctors warn that flu infections, if left untreated or not treated early enough, can increase the risk of complications such as ear infections and sinus infections, as well as more serious complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death.

Last year, data from the CDC showed that the U.S. had the most total flu-related hospitalizations in about 15 years, and close to 280 pediatric deaths from the flu.

People who are infected with the flu usually develop symptoms about one to four days after being exposed. Flu symptoms include:

Fever and chills

Muscle and body aches

Headaches

Sore throat

Cough

Deep fatigue or tiredness

Runny nose or stuffy nose

Vomiting and diarrhea (in some cases, especially in children)

For most healthy people, the flu resolves within a week or two with rest and fluids. However, certain symptoms are red flags that indicate you need to seek immediate medical attention.

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Persistent dizziness, confusion, or inability to wake up

Seizures

Not urinating, which is a sign of severe dehydration

Severe muscle pain

A high fever that does not respond to fever-reducing medication

Symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough

It is important to remember that getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious symptoms of the flu virus. There are also several steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting and spreading the flu. They include:

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.

Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Staying home when you are sick to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

Covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.

Considering wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially if you are around high-risk individuals.

If you are experiencing any flu symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Cold Cap Hair Loss Cancer Treatment

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Hair loss can be a big concern for people who are going through chemotherapy. While hair typically grows back after treatment, the loss of hair can be distressing, as it is a reminder of how cancer has changed them.

Cold capping, or scalp cooling, is a type of therapy that might reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy.

Cold capping treatment uses a device to lower the temperature of the scalp and constrict the blood vessels. The cold helps keep cell-killing chemo away from hair follicles to protect the hair.

The two main types of scalp cooling devices are automated and manual, and they work in different ways.

Automated cold caps are automated scalp cooling systems that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are covered by insurance. They work by connecting a special cap to an automated device that circulates a liquid or gel cooled to a specific temperature. Automated cold caps are only approved for chemo-induced hair loss related to solid tumor cancers, not blood cancers.

Manual scalp cooling devices are frozen gel caps that are not regulated by the FDA and are not covered by insurance. This type of device doesn’t use an automated cooling system. Instead, it is manually cooled in a freezer or with dry ice. The temperature for frozen gel caps must be much lower compared to automated cold cap systems, because the cap starts to warm as soon as it is put on a person’s head. A new frozen cap must be put on every 30 minutes.

A cancer care team may advise against a patient using cold capping if they:

Have blood cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, or have a central nervous system cancer

Have a history of migraines

Live with liver disease

Had or will have radiation therapy to the skull

Are preparing for a bone marrow transplant

Are under the age of 18

Research has shown that each person responds to scalp cooling differently. These devices work better for certain types or doses of chemotherapy. For example, if a chemo regimen includes anthracycline, scalp cooling might not work as well to reduce or prevent hair loss.

Some research also suggests that scalp cooling to prevent hair loss might not work as well for people with a thicker hair layer, compared to those with a thinner layer of hair. This could be because thicker hair insulates the scalp, preventing it from cooling down enough.

Additionally, there is research that suggests that the fit of a cooling cap is important. Cooling caps that aren’t fitted tightly have been linked with more hair loss. Increased hair loss often happens in patches where the cap’s contact with the scalp is poor. Therefore, it is highly recommended to receive cold cap therapy with the assistance or guidance of a trained healthcare professional.

Scalp cooling side effects are rare and usually tolerable. The most common side effects reported include:

Headaches

Nausea

Dry skin

Claustrophobia

General discomfort related to feeling cold

There have been a small number of reports of scalp thermal injuries that happened when people use the non-regulated manual cold caps. The MediSys Health Network Cancer Center offers cold cap treatment approved by the FDA to help patients lower their risk of chemotherapy hair loss.

If you would like to learn more about cancer treatments such as cold capping, or to learn more about our cancer care program, you can schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center by calling (718) 206-6742.