COPD Myths

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a group of health conditions, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that limit airflow in the lungs.

Many myths and misconceptions exist about COPD. Here are some misconceptions surrounding COPD:

Myth #1: Only people who smoke get COPD

COPD is often associated with smoking, as smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products is the most common cause of the damage done to the lungs and airways. However, nearly 30% of people with COPD have never smoked a cigarette. Nonsmoking causes of COPD include:

Long-term exposure to polluted air, such as smog in an urban area or dust and fumes at a workplace
Genetics plays a role, specifically a condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1)
Asthma that’s active or even inactive. Researchers have found that 29% of people with asthma eventually receive a COPD diagnosis
Childhood respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia

Myth #2: COPD is rare

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over six in 100 adults in the U.S. had a COPD diagnosis in 2022.

That means millions of adults across the country have received a diagnosis of COPD. The actual proportion of adults with COPD may be higher due to delays in obtaining a diagnosis.

Myth #3: Exercise is too hard if you have COPD

Shortness of breath, wheezing, a chronic cough, and fatigue can all be a part of COPD. Any one of these symptoms can make exercising challenging.

Moderate exercise may not affect your lungs. In some cases, exercise can minimize the symptoms of COPD while strengthening the heart and helping reduce stress.

Try to build up to 20 to 30 minutes of exercise three to four times a week. Combine safe cardiovascular activities such as walking or biking with stretching and strength-building. It won’t be easy to start exercising. Speak with your healthcare provider about building an exercise plan that works for you. They may be able to connect you with a respiratory therapist for breathing techniques and exercises you can do. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor about your health before starting a new exercise regimen.

Myth #4: Only older people develop COPD

COPD is more common in people 65 or older. However, younger people can also develop this condition.

A 2023 study found that COPD affected more than 1.6% of adults ages 20 to 50 in the U.S. Adults aged 35 to 50 had a higher risk of COPD than those under the age of 35.

A history of smoking or secondhand smoke exposure significantly increases the risk of COPD in young adults.

Myth #5: COPD is a man’s disease

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that women are more likely to develop COPD than men in the U.S.

More women than men have also died from COPD since 2000 in the U.S.

Exposure to tobacco smoke and other pollutants raises the risk of COPD for anyone; however, women can experience more harmful effects than men from these pollutants.

Women with COPD also tend to get a diagnosis later than men, after the disease has progressed and treatment is less effective. This may contribute to reduced survival in women with COPD.

Myth #6: Nothing can be done to treat COPD

COPD treatments are available to help limit symptoms and potentially slow the progression of COPD.

Your treatment plan can include lifestyle changes like quitting smoking (if you smoke), as well as one or more of the following:

Vaccinations
Medications
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Supplemental oxygen
Lung transplant
Surgery

Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more about your treatment options.

Myth #7: There’s no point in quitting smoking after you develop COPD

Avoiding tobacco smoke is one of the most important things you can do to manage COPD.

If you smoke, cutting back and quitting can help limit symptoms and slow the progression of COPD.

Although more research is necessary, it may also be helpful to avoid e-cigarettes and other vaping products.

Avoiding smoking and vaping altogether is likely your healthiest option. Talk with a healthcare provider to learn about smoking cessation counseling, medication, or other resources that can help you cut back and quit smoking or vaping.

Jamaica Hospital’s Medical Home Department has partnered with the American Lung Association to bring you Freedom from Smoking, a comprehensive and successful group-based smoking cessation program. For more information or to register, call: 718-206-8494

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.

Missed Periods

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Xavia Malcolm

Many women will have late or missed periods in their lifetime. Depending on the reason, this can be normal.

Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of a missed period; however, it is only one of several reasons why your period may be late or missed.

Missed or late periods may also be caused by:

Stress
Thyroid disorders
Perimenopause
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID)
Breastfeeding
Sudden changes in your weight
Obesity
Extreme or excessive exercise
Taking certain medications

When you don’t get your period at all, this is known as amenorrhea. There are two kinds of amenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea occurs in females aged 15 and older who have never had their first period. Secondary amenorrhea happens when women who have previously had regular periods stop menstruating for three months or more in a row.

The absence of your period, when not caused by perimenopause, menopause, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, can be indicative of an underlying health condition.

You should see a doctor for missed periods if:

You have missed your period for three months or more consecutively
You have fewer than nine periods in a year
You have not had your period by the age of 16 or 17
There are changes in the pattern of your periods

Your doctor may perform a pelvic examination and order tests, including imaging and hormonal tests, to determine a diagnosis. Treatment for amenorrhea depends on the underlying cause and may involve medications or surgery.

If you have concerns about missed or late periods, please contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health department for an appointment by calling 718-291-3276.

Measles

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus. It can affect anyone but is most common in children.

Some risk factors for measles include:

Being unvaccinated
Traveling internationally
Having a vitamin A deficiency

Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Signs and symptoms of measles appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, they include:

Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Inflamed eyes
Koplik’s spots (tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background, which form on the inner lining of the cheek)
A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

The infection occurs in stages that span over two to three weeks. These stages include:

Infection and incubation- the measles virus spreads in the body for 10 to 14 days after infection. During that time, there are no signs or symptoms.
Nonspecific signs and symptoms- measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever, a persistent cough, a runny nose, inflamed eyes, and a sore throat. This mild illness can last two to three days.
Acute illness and rash- a rash consisting of small red spots, some may be slightly raised. Spots and bumps in tight clusters give the skin a splotchy red appearance. The face is usually the first place it appears. The rash spreads down the arms, chest, and back, then over the thighs, lower legs, and feet over the next few days. At the same time, the fever rises to temperatures as high as 104 to 105.8.
Recovery- the measles rash can last for about seven days. The rash fades gradually from the face and lastly the thighs and feet. As other symptoms go away, coughing and the darkening or peeling of the skin where the rash was, lasts about 10 days.

A person with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days. Starting four days before the rash appears and ends when the rash has been present for four days.

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, infectious droplets spray into the air where others can breathe them in. Infectious droplets can stay in the air for about an hour and on a surface for several hours.

Many complications can arise from measles, including:

Diarrhea and vomiting
Ear infection
Bronchitis, laryngitis, or croup
Pneumonia
Encephalitis
Pregnancy problems

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent infection.

Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose measles based on the disease’s characteristic rash and the Koplik’s spot on the inner lining of the cheek. Your healthcare provider may ask whether you or your child received measles vaccines, whether you traveled outside of the U.S. recently, and if you had contact with anyone who has a rash or fever.

The rash can be confused with many other illnesses, however, a blood test can be done to confirm whether the rash is measles. A test using a throat swab or urine sample can also be used.

There is no specific treatment for a measles infection once it occurs. Treatment can include providing comfort measures to relieve symptoms such as rest and treating or preventing complications.

Some measures can be taken to protect individuals who don’t have immunity to measles after they have been exposed to the virus, they include:

Post-exposure vaccination
Immune serum globulin
Medications
- Fever reducers
- Antibiotics
- Vitamin A

If you become sick with severe symptoms, particularly after potential exposure to the measles virus, you must receive treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Trauma Department- Pedestrian Safety

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Pedestrian safety is critical whether you are driving or walking on the sidewalk. We each have a responsibility to keep each other safe. Here are some safety tips for drivers that will keep themselves and pedestrians safe:

Look out for pedestrians everywhere at all times
Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to allow other vehicles to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too
Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see
Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in schools, and in neighborhoods where children are present
Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians

Here are some safety tips for pedestrians:

Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals
Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available
If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible
Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely and continue watching for traffic as you cross
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots
Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking as they impair your abilities and your judgment

Taking the proper precautions whether you are a driver or pedestrian is for your safety and the safety of others.

If you or anyone you know is injured due to a car accident, make sure to call 911 right away. Each day Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center treats a high volume of motor vehicle collision injuries in New York City. To learn more, please call (718) 206-6000.

Robotics: Appendectomy

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

An appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove an inflamed or infected appendix. An inflamed or infected appendix is the result of appendicitis.

Appendicitis occurs when your appendix, the finger-shaped pouch that sticks out from the colon on the lower right side of the abdomen gets clogged, infected, and inflamed. It can cause acute pain in your lower abdomen, however, for most people, pain begins around the belly button and then moves. As inflammation worsens, appendicitis pain typically increases and eventually becomes serious.

Symptoms of appendicitis include:

Sudden pain that begins on the right side of the lower belly
Sudden pain that begins around the belly button and often shifts to the lower right belly
Pain that worsens with coughing, walking, or making other jarring movements
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever that may rise as the illness worsens
Constipation or diarrhea
Belly bloating
Gas

Additional symptoms that may develop later in some people can include:

Malaise
Urinary symptoms- needing to go more frequently or more urgently
Bowel paralysis

The size and location of the appendix make it easy for it to become clogged and infected. Your large intestine is home to many bacteria. If they become trapped in your appendix, they overgrow and cause an infection. The bacteria then multiplies quickly causing the appendix to become inflamed and filled with pus. If it is not treated right away, the appendix may burst or break open.

Some common causes of inflammation, swelling, obstruction, and infection in your appendix include:

Hardened poop (appendix stones)
Lymphoid hyperplasia
Colitis

Other factors that could block the opening of your appendix can include:

Tumors
Parasites
Cystic fibrosis

Risk factors for appendicitis include:

Age – anyone can develop appendicitis, but it most often happens in people between the ages of 10 and 30
Your sex – men have a slightly higher risk of appendicitis than women

To help diagnose appendicitis, a healthcare provider will likely take a history of symptoms and examine the abdomen. Tests used to diagnose appendicitis can include:

A physical exam
Blood tests
Urine tests
Imaging tests

Appendicitis may spontaneously resolve if the cause suddenly goes away on its own. This might happen if an obstruction in your appendix gets unblocked and passes through the intestines, or if an infection causing lymphoid hyperplasia in your appendix suddenly improves. However, you shouldn’t assume this will happen or that it has happened, even if your pain has reduced.

The standard treatment includes medicine such as antibiotics and surgery to remove the appendix. Appendicitis is considered an emergency, so it is treated in the emergency room.

An appendectomy can be performed open, laparoscopically, or robot-assisted.

Through the acquisition of the Da Vinci robot surgical platform, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center can now perform minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures.

There are many potential advantages of robotic-assisted surgery over other types of surgery, including:

Robot-assisted surgery provides the surgeon with 3D images inside the abdomen and pelvis that create a clearer picture to reference as they operate.
Under the surgeon’s direction, the robot can move more freely and with more versatility than a human hand
You’ll have a few tiny scars.
You’re more likely to experience less pain and less bleeding after surgery compared to open surgery.
A shorter hospital stay.

For more information about robotic surgery or to learn more about other surgical options at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Surgery, please call (718) 206-7001 to make an appointment.

Podiatry: What Your Feet Can Tell You about Your Health

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Our bodies present many signs and symptoms to show us that we are sick, such as a runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, your feet can tell us a lot about our health, including:

Dry, flaking, itchy, or peeling skin may be signs of a thyroid condition or a fungal infection.
Foot numbness may be a sign of circulation problems such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, other neurological problems, arthritis, or long-standing alcoholism.
A foot sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. In addition to causing nerve damage, high blood sugar might also damage the blood vessels that supply nerves, causing circulation problems that prevent healing.
Swollen ankles and feet may be signs of heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood clot. Painless swelling in the feet is gravity in action. If your heart, liver, or kidneys aren’t working properly, you will have excess fluid in the body that leaks into your tissues and drains down to the feet.
A suddenly, intensely painful, and swollen big toe may be a sign of gout, inflammation caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints.
Pain in the foot when walking or exercising that goes away when resting may be a sign of a stress fracture or osteoporosis.
Sore toe joints in both feet may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Frequent foot cramping may be a sign of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
Heel pain may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, the strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.
Yellow toenails may be a sign of a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot.
Balding or hairless feet and toes may be a sign of circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease.
Foot or heel pain upon standing or rising in the morning may be a sign of arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
Frequently cold feet may be a sign of hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition where blood vessels spasm and constrict when experiencing cold temperatures.

Some ways you can care for your feet include:

Wash and examine your feet daily
Keep the skin on your feet moisturized
Treat any callouses and corns
Trim toenails weekly or as needed
Wear protective clothing on your feet
Maintain blood flow to the feet

If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Queens Podiatry Center at (718) 206-6713-6712 to make an appointment.

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke in Women

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Men are more likely to have a stroke. However, women have a higher lifetime risk and are also more likely to die from a stroke.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in five women will have a stroke. Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke because they tend to live longer than men. They also have unique risk factors, including:

Pregnancy
Preeclampsia
The use of hormonal birth control
Hormone replacement therapy
Obesity
Migraine with aura, which is more common in women
Atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is more common in women over 75 years of age

Many symptoms of stroke are common in both men and women, including:

Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face and limbs, most likely on one side of the body
Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding
Sudden and severe headaches with no known cause
Sudden dizziness, difficulty walking, or loss of balance or coordination

Women may report symptoms that are often not associated with strokes in men. These symptoms can include:

Nausea or vomiting
Seizures
Hiccups
Shortness of breath
Pain
Fainting or loss of consciousness
General weakness

Because these symptoms can signify a different condition, it can be difficult to connect them immediately to a stroke. This can delay treatment and slow recovery.

The American Stroke Association recommends an easy strategy for identifying the symptoms of a stroke. If you think you or someone around you may be having a stroke, you should act FAST:

Face – ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
Arms – ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech – ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
Time – if you observe any of these symptoms, it is time to call 911 or your local emergency services.

When it comes to a stroke, every minute counts. The longer you wait to call emergency services, the more likely it is that the stroke will result in brain damage or disability.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been accredited as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (the highest designation of stroke care) by the Joint Commission. Whether you’ve survived a stroke or may be at risk of experiencing one, you can schedule an appointment for neuroendovascular screening, stroke rehabilitation, or any other form of stroke treatment that we provide. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

Winter Dehydration

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Dehydration in the winter may seem less likely than in the summertime, but it is still a risk. According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the recommended amount of daily fluid intake is around 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 for women. For many of us, it might be harder to reach these quantities during the winter months.

Some causes of winter dehydration include:

Indoor heat
Bundling up in too many layers
Lack of thirst
Fluid loss from respiration
More frequent urination

There are many signs of dehydration, including:

The color of your urine
Constipation
Fatigue
Dry mouth and chapped lips
Dry skin
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Feeling faint or dizzy
A rapid heart rate

Here are some tips for staying hydrated in the winter:

Drink warm fluids if it is too difficult to drink cold water when it’s cold outside.
Infuse plain water with flavor, by adding flavorings such as a wedge of lemon or lime, other pieces of fruit, or unsweetened water enhancers.
Carry a reusable water bottle with you to encourage daily hydration.
Eat homemade soups and water-rich fruits and vegetables to help increase fluid intake
Avoid drinking caffeine as it can contribute to dehydration.
Swap drinking an alcoholic beverage for a mocktail.
Make hydration a routine by drinking a certain amount of water daily.

If you have symptoms of dehydration, consult a physician immediately. Severe cases can lead to complications and potentially death. For less severe cases, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, by calling (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Integrative Health Month

Posted on January 23, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

January is Integrative Health Month. It raises awareness of the need for collaborative care among various disciplines to treat the whole person instead of a symptom-only approach.

Integrative health uses an evidence-based approach to treating a patient’s mind, body, and soul. Because physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs are all involved, integrative health combines these therapies.

The relationships between you and your healthcare providers are important in integrative health. You are equal partners in your healing process, as integrative health aims for well-coordinated care among different providers and specialists.

A variety of healthcare providers delivers care through integrative health, including:

Physicians
Chiropractic doctors
Holistic mind-body psychotherapists
Acupuncturists
Chinese herbal therapists
Tai chi practitioners
Yoga practitioners
Massage therapists
Nutritionists
Chefs (culinary medicine)

Integrative health physicians don’t replace your primary care provider or specialist. They work with all members of your healthcare team to heal your mind, body, and spirit. Their expertise lies in preventing and managing chronic diseases not in treating acute medical problems. You should see your primary care or emergency medicine physician for acute and medical emergencies.

Many people can benefit from integrative health including those who are healthy. People with chronic or complex conditions may especially find the approach helpful. Integrative health can help you find relief for many medical conditions, including:

Autoimmune diseases
Acute and chronic pain
Breathing disorders
Headaches and migraines
Cancer and cancer-related side effects
Chronic fatigue
Cold/flu symptoms
Digestive disorders
Infertility
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual issues
Mental and emotional health issues
Obesity
High blood pressure
Sleep issues

Integrative health techniques support the body’s natural ability to heal. They help reduce stress and promote a state of relaxation that leads to better health. Integrative health can help you achieve optimal health when you engage in your own healing and feel empowered to make lifestyle changes. Adding integrative health to your healthcare routine can help you regain control of your well-being.

To learn more about Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s integrative health services, events, or classes, or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (718) 206-5675.

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that causes your heart to beat faster than normal when you transition from sitting or lying down to standing up.

Each word of “postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome” has a meaning:

Postural – related to the position of your body
Orthostatic – related to standing upright
Tachycardia – a heart rate over 100 beats per minute
Syndrome – A group of symptoms that happen together

Your autonomic nervous system normally balances your heart rate and blood pressure to keep your blood flowing at a healthy pace, despite your body’s positioning. However, if you have POTS, your body can’t coordinate the balancing act of blood vessel constriction and heart rate response, meaning your body can’t keep your blood pressure steady and stable. This causes a variety of symptoms, including:

Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up, during prolonged standing in one position, or on long walks
Fainting or near fainting
Forgetfulness and trouble focusing (brain fog)
Heart palpitations or a racing heart rate
Exhaustion/fatigue
Feeling nervous or anxious
Shakiness and excessive sweating
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Headaches
Nausea
Bloating
A pale face and purple discoloration of your hands and feet if they’re lower than the level of your heart
Disrupted sleep from chest pain, a racing heart rate, or excessive sweating during sleep

POTS symptoms often get worse in the following situations:

Being in warm environments, such as in a hot bath or shower, or on a hot day
Standing frequently, such as when you’re waiting in line or shopping
Participating in strenuous exercise
When you are sick from a cold or an infection
Having your period

You can develop POTS suddenly or it can develop gradually. Symptoms vary from person to person. They may happen immediately or a few minutes after sitting up or standing. Lying down may relieve some of the symptoms.

Researchers aren’t sure what causes POTS. They currently believe there are multiple causes, which have been put into different subtypes of POTS, including:

Neuropathic POTS – this happens when peripheral denervation (loss of nerve supply) leads to poor blood vessel muscles, especially in your legs and abdomen
Hyperadrenergic POTS – this happens when your sympathetic nervous system is overactive
Hypovolemic POTS – reduced blood volume can lead to POTS. Low blood volume can cause similar symptoms that may overlap with neuropathic and hyperadrenergic POTS

There is also growing evidence that suggests POTS might be an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks healthy tissue for unknown reasons.

POTS can be difficult for healthcare providers to diagnose due to the many symptoms that can occur over time. People with POTS may have symptoms for months or years before they are finally diagnosed with the condition.

To confirm a POTS diagnosis or rule out other possible causes for your symptoms, your healthcare provider will ask questions about symptoms, medications, and medical history, and they will also perform a series of tests.

A tilt table test is the main way providers diagnose POTS, as it measures your heart rate and blood pressure as you change your posture and position. A healthcare provider may order other tests to help determine a diagnosis, including:

Blood and urine tests for causes of POTS and conditions that mimic POTS
QSART (a test that measures the autonomic nerves that control sweating)
Autonomic breathing test (a test that measures your blood rate and pressure response during exercise
Skin nerve biopsy

Unfortunately, there is no cure for POTS. However, healthcare providers use strategies to manage the symptoms. Treatment is highly individualized based on your symptoms and what works best for you. The main forms of treatment include:

Exercise and physical activity
Diet and nutrition

There is nothing you can do to prevent developing POTS. But there are steps you can take to try to prevent flare-ups by knowing what your triggers are, including:

Maintaining a consistent temperature
Avoiding prolonged standing
Avoiding alcohol

If you are experiencing any POTS-related symptoms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 right away.