Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Breast Cancer Stages

Posted on October 9, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Breast cancer happens when healthy breast cells become abnormal, multiply, and form tumors. Most breast cancers are carcinomas that start in milk ducts or milk-producing glands. Most cases are invasive, which means a tumor can spread to other parts of your body without treatment.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects women. Approximately one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Although it is rare, male breast cancers also occur.

Most people who have breast cancer survive it. However, what a breast cancer diagnosis means is different for everyone. The cancer type, its stage, and your response to treatment are just a few factors that will shape your outlook.

Cancer staging systems help healthcare providers plan treatment and understand your prognosis, or what to expect after treatment. The most well-known one is called the TNM system, which considers (T) tumor size and location, and whether cancer has spread to the (N) lymph nodes or (M) metastasized to other sites. Healthcare providers will use this information to stage breast cancer from 0 to IV. The higher numbered stages mean the disease is more advanced. The TNM stages are:

Stage 0 describes non-invasive breast cancers, such as DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). Stage 0 doesn’t show any evidence of cancer cells or non-cancerous abnormal cells breaking out of the part of the breast in which they started or getting through to or invading neighboring normal tissue

Stage I describes invasive breast cancer in which cancer cells break through to or invade normal surrounding breast tissue. Stage I breast cancer is divided into subcategories IA and IB:

- Stage IA describes invasive breast cancer that:

- - Has a tumor that measures up to 2 cm

- - The cancer has not spread outside the breast, and no lymph nodes are involved

- Stage IB describes invasive breast cancer that:

- - Has no tumor in the breast, but small groups of cancer cells that are larger than 0.2 mm but not larger than 2 mm, and are found in the lymph nodes

- - There is a tumor in the breast that is no larger than 2 cm, and there are small groups of cancer cells larger than 0.2 mm but not larger than 2 mm in the lymph nodes

Stage II is divided into subcategories IIA and IIB:

- Stage IIA describes invasive breast cancer that:

- - Has no tumor present in the breast, but is found in one to three lymph nodes under the arm or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone and is larger than 2 mm

- - A tumor that measures 2 cm or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes

- - The tumor is larger than 2 cm but not larger than 5 cm and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes

- Stage IIB describes invasive breast cancer that:

- - Has a tumor larger than 2 cm but no larger than 5 cm, and a small group of breast cancer cells larger than 0.2 mm but not larger than 2 mm are found in the lymph nodes

- - The tumor is larger than 2 cm but no larger than 5 cm, and the cancer has spread to one to three axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone

- - The tumor is larger than 5 cm but hasn’t spread to the axillary lymph nodes

Stage III breast cancer is divided into subcategories IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC:

- Stage IIIA describes invasive breast cancer in which:

- - No tumor is found in the breast, or the tumor may be any size, or cancer is found in four to nine axillary lymph nodes or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone

- - The tumor is larger than 5 cm, or small groups of breast cancer cells larger than 0.2 mm but not larger than 2 mm are found in lymph nodes

- - The tumor is larger than 5 cm, or the cancer has spread to one to three axillary lymph nodes or to the lymph nodes near the breastbone

- Stage IIIB describes invasive breast cancer in which:

- - The tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast, causing swelling or an ulcer

- - May have spread to up to nine axillary lymph nodes

- - May have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone

- Stage IIIC describes invasive breast cancer in which:

- - There may be no sign of cancer in the breast, or if there is a tumor, it may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast

- - The cancer has spread to 10 or more axillary lymph nodes

- - The cancer has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone

Stage IV describes invasive breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other organs of the body, such as the lungs, distant lymph nodes, skin, bones, liver, or brain

Whether you need diagnostic testing or treatment, the MediSys Cancer Center located at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center offers unmatched Queens cancer care for any form of cancer. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our New York hospital’s oncology department, please call 718-206-8263.

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.

Mental Illness Awareness Week- National Depression Screening Day

Posted on October 8, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

National Depression Screening Day was created to bring light to the need for depression awareness and accessible and affordable mental health screenings.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Clinical depression affects men and women of all ages, races, and socioeconomic groups. Depression results from a mix of environmental, genetic, psychological, biological, and biochemical components.

Not everyone experiences depression in the same way, and it can affect anyone at any time. It is important to take steps to seek out professional help and be screened if you or someone you care about feels they may be depressed.

People suffering from depression often experience some of these key symptoms:

A persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Sleeping too little, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Restlessness or irritability
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Fatigue or loss of energy
Thoughts of death or suicide

There are several reasons why it is important to screen for depression, including:

Clinical depression is a serious medical illness
Clinical depression can lead to suicide
Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a “normal part of life”
Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions
Screenings are often the first step in getting help

Screenings are not a professional diagnosis. Screenings point out the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and provide a referral for further evaluation if needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine.

Only about a third (35.3%) of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional. Not receiving the assistance needed can lead to adverse health outcomes and affect a person’s quality of life. If you need the assistance and support of a mental health professional, you can find out more about the mental health services at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Please call 718-206-5575 to schedule an appointment.

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a month that addresses the challenges patients, their families, and caregivers experience and provides an opportunity to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and traits.

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The disease gets its name from the abnormal crescent or “sickle” shape that some red blood cells develop. These abnormal red blood cells block blood flow, resulting in recurring episodes of pain.

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong disease affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States and 20 million worldwide. In the U.S., most people who have sickle cell disease are of African ancestry or identify themselves as Black. About one in 13 Black or African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait, and about one in every 365 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell disease. Many people who come from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian backgrounds also have sickle cell disease.

There are several symptoms of sickle cell disease. Early symptoms can include:

Jaundice- a condition that causes the color of the skin or whites of the eyes to turn yellow

Extreme tiredness

Painful swelling of the hands and feet

Many serious symptoms and complications of sickle disease can include:

Episodes of severe pain

Anemia symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and an irregular heartbeat

Fever

Acute chest syndrome

Stroke

Priapism

Avascular necrosis

Pulmonary hypertension

Organ damage

Leg ulcers

Gallstones

Deep vein thrombosis

Pregnancy complications

Vision problems

Frequent infections

There are many ways to manage and treat sickle cell disease, including:

Medicines

Blood transfusions

Blood and bone marrow transplant

Gene therapies

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Your healthcare team will probably include a doctor specializing in blood diseases called a hematologist.

If you need help managing symptoms of sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait, schedule an appointment with a hematologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine at (718) 206-7001.

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 14, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). It is a month observed to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.

Vaccinations are important at every stage of life. They are one of the safest preventative care measures available and help play a vital role in keeping you healthy.

Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to protect the body against viruses or bacteria that cause infection. After vaccination, the immune system is better prepared to respond quickly when the body encounters the disease-causing organism.

From infants to older adults, immunizations play a critical role in preventing serious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, flu, shingles, and HPV-related cancers. Skipping vaccines can leave you and your family vulnerable to these illnesses.

Getting vaccinated plays an important role in keeping your family and community healthy, as vaccinations help protect you from infectious diseases and can lessen the severity of illness. They don’t just help protect you; they also help keep diseases from spreading to others, such as your family, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and others in the community. Especially those who are most vulnerable to illness, such as infants, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.

National Immunization Awareness Month offers a timely reminder as families prepare for back-to-school and flu season approaches. If you would like to help raise awareness about the importance of vaccination, encourage friends and family to talk to a healthcare provider they trust about staying up to date on their vaccinations.

Aphasia Awareness Month

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, a month dedicated to increasing understanding of aphasia. This acquired communication disorder impairs a person’s ability to process language but does not affect their intelligence.

Aphasia affects the ability to speak and understand others, causing most people with the disorder to have trouble reading and writing.

The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. About 25 to 40 percent of stroke survivors are afflicted with aphasia. It can also be a result of a head injury, a brain tumor, or other neurological causes.

There are six types of aphasia, including:

Global aphasia is the most severe form of aphasia and is applied to patients who can produce few recognizable words and understand little or no spoken language. People with global aphasia can’t read or write. It is often seen immediately after the patient has suffered a stroke and may rapidly improve if the damage to the brain has not been too extensive. However, with greater brain damage, there may be severe and lasting disability.

Broca’s aphasia, or non-fluent aphasia, is a form of aphasia in which the speech output is severely reduced and is limited mainly to short utterances of less than four words. A person’s vocabulary access is limited, and so is their ability to form sounds.

Mixed non-fluent aphasia is a form of aphasia that applies to people with sparse and effortful speech, which can resemble severe Broca’s aphasia. However, they remain limited in their speech comprehension and do not read or write beyond an elementary level.

Wernicke’s aphasia, or fluent aphasia, is a form of aphasia in which the ability to grasp the meaning of spoken words is impaired. However, the ease of producing connected speech is not much affected. Reading and writing are often severely impaired.

Anomic aphasia is a form of aphasia that is applied to people left with a persistent inability to supply the words for the things they want to say, particularly significant nouns and verbs.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired. Unlike the other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

A healthcare provider can diagnose aphasia by performing physical and neurological exams. They can also use imaging tests, such as an MRI and a CT scan, to identify what is causing aphasia.

Aphasia can also be diagnosed with the help of a speech-language pathologist who can complete a comprehensive language assessment to confirm the presence of aphasia and determine the appropriate course of language treatment.

The assessment helps find out whether the person can:

Name common objects

Engage in a conversation

Understand and use words correctly

Answer questions about something read or heard

Repeat words and sentences

Follow instructions

Answer yes and no questions and respond to open-ended questions about common subjects

Read and write

There are several treatments for aphasia, including:

Speech and language rehabilitation therapy aims to improve the ability to communicate and help restore as much language as possible. This is done by teaching the person with aphasia how to make up for lost language skills and find other communication methods. This therapy:

Starts early

Often works in groups

May include the use of computers

Medications are being studied to treat aphasia that may improve blood flow to the brain and enhance its ability to recover or help replace the depleted chemicals in the brain.

Brain stimulations, such as transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation, are being studied to help improve the ability to name things.

Because aphasia is often a sign of a serious problem, such as a stroke, seek emergency medical care if you suddenly develop any symptoms.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of aphasia, you can consult with a neurologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7246.

Men’s Health Month- Health Screenings for Men

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

June is Men’s Health Month. This observance aims to raise awareness about preventable health problems that affect men and boys.

Statistics show men are less likely than women to seek medical attention when something affects their health. Men are also less likely to have preventative screenings and checkups with their healthcare providers. This is a problem as early detection of a medical condition is the best way to effectively treat and manage it.

Additionally, avoiding or delaying checkups or screenings could result in a treatable condition becoming severe and/or fatal.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) publishes a list of recommended, age-specific screening guidelines for men to help them manage their health:

Screenings guidelines recommended for men ages 18-39 include:

Physical examinations

Blood pressure screenings

Cholesterol screenings

Colon cancer screenings

Dental examinations

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes screenings

Eye examinations

Immunizations

Skin examinations

Infectious disease screenings

Screenings guidelines recommended for men ages 40-64 include:

Physical examinations

Blood pressure screenings

Cholesterol screenings

Colorectal cancer screenings

Prostate cancer screenings

Osteoporosis screening

Lung cancer screening

Infectious disease screening

Immunizations

Eye examinations

Dental examinations

Skin examinations

It is important to visit your healthcare providers regularly, even if you are feeling healthy. These visits can help:

Screen for any medical issues

Encourage a healthy lifestyle

Assess your risk for any future medical problems

Update vaccinations and other preventative care services

Help you get to know your healthcare provider in case of an illness

If you are experiencing any medical problems or would like to receive health screenings, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, by calling (718) 206-7001.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

May is observed as Arthritis Awareness Month. The month serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the complex family of debilitating diseases.

An estimated 58.5 million adults in the U.S. are affected by some form of arthritis, accounting for about 23.7% of the population. As the number of older Americans continues to grow, and the rate of obesity and overweight increases, the number of people with arthritis-attributable activity limitations will only increase.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, especially amongst older people. OA mostly affects cartilage by breaking down its surface. As cartilage wears away, bones rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion. Over time, these changes can affect the bones, tendons, and other joint tissues.

Other types of arthritis include:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

Gout

Juvenile arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis

To diagnose arthritis, a healthcare provider will perform a physical exam, where they will examine the affected joints and ask about symptoms. During the healthcare provider’s examination of the joints, they will check their range of motion and compare them to other, similar joints.

A healthcare provider may also use imaging tests to take pictures of the joints. Imaging tests include:

X-ray

CT scan

Ultrasound

These tests help the healthcare provider see potential damage inside the joints. These tests also help them rule out any injuries or conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as broken bones.

A healthcare provider may also use blood tests to check uric acid levels if they suspect gout. Blood tests can also show any signs of autoimmune diseases or infections.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. However, joint pain and other OA symptoms can be managed through treatment, lifestyle changes, and education. The most common treatments for arthritis include:

Physical therapy or occupational therapy

Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicine, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen

Corticosteroids

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Surgical procedures such as joint fusion or joint replacement

Arthritis Awareness Month is a time to emphasize research, service, and education about arthritis and raise funds to support the cause. The best way to get involved is by helping raise awareness for this public health priority.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to serve the local community, and our patients value our person-centered, compassionate approach. Our friendly staff is standing by to answer any questions you might have. For further information on consultation, diagnosis, and treatments, contact us at 718-206-6742 or 718-206-7001 to make an appointment.

National Infertility Awareness Week

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

April 19th to April 25th is observed as Infertility Awareness Week, a week dedicated to breaking the stigma around infertility, amplifying the stories of those who have and are experiencing infertility, and advocating for equitable access to care to help treat it.

Infertility is the condition that causes the inability to get pregnant after one year of trying to conceive.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly one in six people worldwide is affected by infertility.

Infertility may happen because of a health issue with either you or your partner, or a mix of factors that prevent pregnancy. However, many safe and effective treatments can boost your chances of getting pregnant.

The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other clear symptoms. Some women with infertility may have irregular menstrual periods or no periods. Some men may have some symptoms of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.

Many couples will conceive eventually with or without treatment.

Women should talk with a healthcare professional about infertility if they have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year. Sooner if they:

Are 35 years or older and have tried to conceive for six months or longer

Are over the age of 40

Have had no periods or irregular or very painful periods

Have known fertility problems

Have endometriosis or a history of pelvic inflammatory diseases

Have had one or more miscarriages

Have received cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation

Men should talk to a healthcare professional if they have:

A low number of sperm or other problems with sperm

A history of testicular, prostate, or sexual conditions

Had treatment for cancer, such as chemotherapy

Had hernia surgery

Testicles that are smaller than the typical adult size, or swollen veins in the scrotum

Had infertility with a partner in the past

Relatives with infertility problems

Sometimes, the issues that cause infertility in couples are present at birth. Other times, they develop in life.

Infertility can affect one or both partners. In some cases, no cause can be found. Some causes of male infertility can include:

Conditions that can affect how much sperm is made or sperm quality

Problems with sperm reaching the female reproductive tract

Certain environmental factors

Damage related to cancer and its treatment

Some causes of female infertility can include:

Ovulation disorders

Uterine conditions

Fallopian tube damage or blockage

Endometriosis

Primary ovarian insufficiency

Pelvic adhesions

Cancer and its treatments

Many risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same. They include:

Tobacco use

Marijuana use

Alcohol use

Being overweight or underweight

Exercise issues

Some types of infertility cannot be prevented. However, the following tips may boost your chances of pregnancy:

Couples should have sex often and soon after menstrual bleeding stops. One of the ovaries usually releases an egg in the middle of the cycle, which is midway between menstrual periods, for most people with menstrual cycles, that is about 28 days apart. It is ideal to have sex every day, starting five to seven days before an egg is released. Continue until two days after ovulation.

Before you are tested for infertility, your healthcare team or clinic will work to understand your sexual habits. They might make recommendations to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Unfortunately, for some couples, no cause for infertility is found. This is called unexplained fertility.

Men’s treatment for infertility may include:

Lifestyle changes

Medicines

Surgery

Sperm retrieval procedures

Some women need only one or two treatments to improve infertility. Others may need a few types of therapies to become pregnant, including:

Fertility medicines

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Surgery to restore fertility

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is also used. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common ART technique.

At Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Women’s Health Services, we are passionate about meeting the various needs of women in our community. We proudly treat women from all walks of life and provide a warm and welcoming environment. To learn more about our OB/GYN services or to make an appointment, contact us at 718-291-3276.

Black Maternal Health Week: ElevateHer, Centering Pregnancy, and Heartwise

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Black Maternal Health Week takes place annually from April 11th to April 17th.

Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, this week-long campaign aims to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black mothers and birthing people.

Black Maternal Health Week highlights the importance of addressing the inequities of maternal and infant health.

According to data from the New York City Health Department, Black non-Hispanic women are about five times more likely to die from a pregnancy-associated cause than white non-Hispanic women.

This is due to the unfortunate number of disparities and challenges women in minority populations, such as Black women, may face pertaining to accessing prenatal care, including transportation issues, low socioeconomic status, lack of insurance, low education levels, and disparities in rural and urban healthcare access.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has three services to address these disparities: ElevateHer, Centering Pregnancy, and Heartwise.

ElevateHer is a comprehensive pregnancy program designed to support women throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. By taking a “whole person” approach, the program ensures that the health and well-being of the mother and baby are addressed. The program focuses on the health literacy of expectant and postpartum mothers by providing comprehensive, integrative healthcare education.

Heartwise care is an example of comprehensive integrative care, as it is designed to raise awareness of the heightened risks of cardiovascular disease related to pregnancy complications.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S., which accounts for about 26.5% of such deaths. Approximately 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths are due to cardiovascular problems, with higher risks observed in Black women compared to their Hispanic or White counterparts.

Conditions, such as preterm delivery, hypertension, diabetes, etc., can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by two to four times later in life. To combat this, the ElevateHer program partners with Jamaica Hospital’s award-winning cardiology department for patients to have the appropriate follow-ups in group settings.

In addition to ElevateHer and Heartwise, the Centering Pregnancy program, an innovative prenatal model, is designed to promote the overall health and well-being of mother and baby.

Unlike traditional one-on-one prenatal visits, this approach incorporates small group sessions to receive medical care, education, and emotional support, to foster meaningful relationships between participants and clinicians.

After an initial private visit with a provider, participants in the centering pregnancy program, all of whom are in similar stages of their pregnancy, meet in a small group setting for their prenatal appointments, where participants share with and learn from each other during their pregnancy. Each of the ten-centering prenatal care group sessions is approximately 90 minutes long. This group dynamic gives each of the participants the advantage of having more time with their provider.

At the beginning of the session, our facilitator will guide each patient to get weighed, have their blood pressure checked, and record their values for the provider to review. The provider will listen to the baby’s heartbeat and review the pertinent patient-specific information. After this information is collected, the 8-12 participants will form a circle and begin the fun and interactive educational session.

If you would like to learn more about these services, you can schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center. To learn more, please call (718) 291-3276.

IBS Awareness Month

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

April is observed as IBS Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder that affects the large intestine.

Researchers are unclear of what exactly causes IBS, but they categorize it as a neurogastrointestinal (GI) disorder. Neurogastrointestinal disorders, also known as gut-brain interaction, involve problems with how the gut and brain coordinate to help the digestive system work. This communication challenge between the brain and gut can cause:

Dysmotility

Visceral hypersensitivity

Other potential causes of IBS may include:

Gut bacteria

Severe infections

Food intolerance

Childhood stress

IBS affects approximately 15% of the U.S. population, causing abdominal pain and changes to the frequency of your bowel movements. Other symptoms of IBS include:

Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two

Feeling like you are unable to empty your bowels after pooping

Cramps

Excess gas and bloating

Mucus in stool that makes it look whitish

If a person has IBS, they may notice when certain things trigger symptoms. A trigger doesn’t cause IBS itself, but it can cause or worsen symptoms to flare up. Common IBS triggers include:

Periods

Certain foods

Stress

Researchers categorize IBS based on how a person’s stool looks on the days when they’re having flare ups. Most people with IBS may experience days when they have normal bowel movements and days when they experience abnormal ones. The bowel movements on abnormal days define the type of IBS they have. The types of IBS include:

IBS with constipation (IBS-C)- most of the stool is hard and lumpy

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)- most of the stool is loose and watery

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)- stool is both hard and lumpy and loose and watery

Post-infectious IBS- generally occurs after an infection in the intestines, and stool is either similar to IBS-D or IBS-M, with a smaller number of cases presenting stool as IBS-C

To diagnose IBS, a healthcare provider will get a full medical history by asking about your symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, they may need other tests to confirm a diagnosis. These tests include:

Lab tests

Imaging tests

No specific therapy works for everyone who has IBS. However, most people with IBS can find a treatment plan that works best for them. Typical treatment options for IBS include:

Modifying your diet

Exercising regularly and trying relaxation techniques

Therapy

Medications

No matter what form of IBS you are experiencing, working with a gastroenterologist can help you manage your symptoms effectively. You can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.