Lupus Awareness Month

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

May is observed as Lupus Awareness Month, a month used to educate, advocate, and support those affected by lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, such as the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Healthcare providers sometimes call lupus systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is the most common type of lupus, which means you have lupus throughout your body. Other types of lupus include:

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is lupus that only affects your skin
Drug-induced lupus occurs when some medications trigger lupus symptoms as a side effect. It is usually temporary and might go away after you stop taking the medication that caused it
Neonatal lupus occurs when babies are sometimes born with lupus. Babies born to biological parents with lupus aren’t certain to have lupus, but they might have an increased risk

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have a mild form of the disease characterized by flare-ups, when signs and symptoms may get worse for a while, and then improve or disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

Fatigue
Fever
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
A butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, or rashes elsewhere on the body
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dry eyes
Headaches, confusion, and memory loss

Lupus likely results from a combination of genetics and environment.

People with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with an environmental trigger of the disease. Some potential triggers of lupus include:

Sunlight
Infections

Diagnosing lupus is difficult because signs and symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time, overlapping with those of many other disorders.

No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and results of a physical examination can lead to a diagnosis. Blood and urine tests may include:

A complete blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Kidney and liver assessment
Urinalysis
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test

If your healthcare provider suspects that lupus is affecting your lungs or heart, they may suggest imaging tests that can include:

A chest X-ray
An echocardiogram

Lupus can harm the kidneys in many ways, and treatments can vary depending on the type of damage it causes. Sometimes, a kidney biopsy is needed to determine the best treatment. A skin biopsy can be performed to confirm a diagnosis of lupus affecting the skin.

A healthcare provider will suggest treatments for lupus that manage your symptoms. The goal is to minimize damage to the organs and how much lupus affects your day-to-day life. Most people with lupus need a combination of medications to help them prevent flare-ups and lessen the severity of symptoms during one. Medications you might need include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Corticosteroids
Antimalarial drugs
Immunosuppressants
Biologics

Simple measures can help prevent lupus flare-ups if they occur, and help you to better cope with the signs and symptoms you experience, including:

Seeing your doctor regularly
Being sun smart
Getting regular exercise
Quitting smoking
Eating a healthy diet
Asking your healthcare provider if you need vitamin D and calcium supplements

For more information about the Lupus Center at the campus of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center or to make an appointment with a lupus doctor, call (718) 206-9888 or the Lupus Hotline at 1-877-33-LUPUS.

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.

How Stress Affects Diabetes #StressAwarenessMonth

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

When we are under stress, the body releases hormones that increase blood glucose levels. This can cause adverse symptoms in people with diabetes.

If you experience stress or feel threatened, your body reacts with the fight-or-flight response. During this response, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream increasing respiratory rates. This can also increase blood glucose levels if the body can’t adequately process it.

Stress affects people differently. The type of stress that people experience can impact their body’s physical response.

When people with type 2 diabetes are under mental stress, they can experience an increase in their blood glucose levels. People who have type 1 diabetes may have a more varied response as they experience either an increase or decrease in their blood glucose levels.

Mental symptoms of stress include:

Feeling unmotivated
Feeling irritable
Feeling depressed
Feeling restless
Feeling anxious

When you are under physical stress, your blood sugar can also increase. This can happen due to sickness or injury. This affects people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Physical symptoms of stress include:

Headaches
Muscle pain or tension
Sleeping too much or too little
General feelings of illness
Fatigue

There are several ways to manage the effects of different forms of stress which could help lessen or limit the stressors in your life, including:

Exercising regularly
Practicing relaxing activities such as yoga or tai chi
Practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation
Avoiding known stressors, such as high-stress social situations
Reducing caffeine intake
Spending time with loved ones

If you are feeling stressed, you can also connect with people online or in your community for solidarity and support by:

Joining an online support group
Joining an in-person support group
Seeking therapy

If mental or physical stress symptoms are affecting your diabetes, you can schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist, please call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at (718) 206-7001.

National Donate Life Month

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

April is observed as National Donate Life Month, a month that focuses national attention on the need and importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Established in 2003, by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations, National Donate Life Month is a time to educate about organ, eye, and tissue donation, and honor and remember donors and the lives they have saved and healed.

You can help promote National Donate Life Month by:

Registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor
Learning more about living donation
Supporting the Donate Life cause

By spreading the word and educating others about donation, small steps can be taken each day towards saving more lives by encouraging Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and honor those who have saved lives through the gift of donation.

To register to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor, please visit https://donatelife.net/.

MS Awareness Month

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

March is observed as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, a month that raises awareness about the disease.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes the breakdown of the protective covering of nerves called myelin. Multiple sclerosis can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes, and other symptoms. This interrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. MS eventually causes permanent damage to the nerve fibers.

Launched in 2003, National MS Education and Awareness Month is a nationwide effort by MS Focus: The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and affiliated groups to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis. The vital goals of this campaign are to promote an understanding of the scope of the disease and to assist those with MS in making educated decisions about their healthcare.

MS Awareness Month benefits those with MS, their families, and communities. It is also an opportunity for family and friends of people with MS to learn more about the disease.

There are several ways to get involved in MS Awareness Month, including:

Sign up for an MS walk
Attend educational events
Share your story
Make a donation
Wear orange
Spread the word on social media

MS affects everyone differently. MS Awareness Month brings awareness to the condition’s many forms.

Getting involved during MS Awareness Month can help raise awareness for this condition and lead to a cure.

National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month. The observance was created to raise awareness and increase understanding of craniofacial conditions such as cleft lip and palate.

Approximately 7,000 babies are born each year in the United States with a cleft lip or palate; both occur when a baby’s lip or palate does not form completely during pregnancy. A cleft lip happens when the tissue that makes the upper lip does not join completely and leaves a gap. A cleft palate forms when the tissue that makes up the palate or the roof of the mouth does not fuse completely, resulting in an opening.

A child born with a cleft lip or palate may experience:

Difficulty with feedings
Trouble speaking
Chronic ear infections
Hearing problems
Dental problems

The exact reason why a cleft lip or palate happens is unknown; however, research suggests the following factors may increase the risk:

Genetics
A lack of folic acid during pregnancy
Taking certain medications, such as antiseizure medications during pregnancy
Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy
Obesity during pregnancy
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy
Diabetes during pregnancy

The risk of developing a cleft palate or lip may be lowered by taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol and tobacco use, eating a healthy diet, managing diabetes, or receiving genetic counseling.

A cleft lip or palate may be detected during pregnancy using prenatal ultrasound or noticed at birth. Treatment may involve surgeries to correct the cleft and improve its appearance. A doctor may also recommend lactation or feeding support, dental treatments, hearing aids, speech therapy, or mental health support.

Men’s Health Month

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Father’s Day isn’t the only celebration for men in June. Men’s Health Month is also observed. Men’s Health Month is an observance to raise awareness of preventable health problems, encourage early detection and treatment of disease, and improve overall well-being among men.

As part of its celebration of Men’s Health Month, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is sharing a few men’s health statistics and facts to consider:

Men are more than likely to be uninsured and significantly less likely than women to see a doctor or report symptoms to a healthcare provider.
Men, on average, die almost five years earlier than women as the overall mortality rate is 41% higher for men than women as men lead the death rate for cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
Only 60% of men go to the doctor for a yearly, routine check-up, and 40% won’t see a doctor until something is seriously wrong.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13.2% of men aged 18 and over are in fair or poor health.
Men are more likely to put their health at risk by smoking, drinking alcohol, and making other unhealthy life choices.
One in two men are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the United States. A man is 2 to 3 times more likely to get prostate cancer if his father, brother, or son had it. Talk to your doctor about having your PSA and DRE levels checked.
Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 30 million men of all ages across the United States. If you are having problems, see a urologist to ensure it’s not an early warning sign of something more serious, like heart disease, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar.

Men’s Health Month doesn’t just encourage men to take care of their physical health, but their mental and emotional health as well. Men also lead the death rate for suicide.

Here are a few men’s mental health statistics and facts:

31% of men suffer from depression in their lifetime.
9% of men have daily feelings of depression or anxiety.
Only 25% of men talk to a mental health professional.
Only 33% take medication for their mental health problems.

Here are some preventative measures that you can take:

Choose a primary care provider and go regularly.
Get screening tests based on your age and family history.
Eat healthy to prevent or manage chronic conditions.
Get and stay active.
Manage stress and seek a mental health professional if needed.

If you are experiencing any medical problems, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling 718-206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Arthritis is a chronic disease that typically causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness in your joints. It affects one in every seven people and, which it most often affect older adults, it can occur at any age. Arthritis can develop gradually or quickly depending on a variety of factors, but once it starts, it usually lasts your entire life.

There are many different types of arthritis, but two of the most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis usually affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and back, but it can affect almost any joint. It causes pain and stiffness due to degeneration of the bone and cartilage. Men and women are usually affected at the same rate. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body’s own immune system; it affects the lining of your joints first, then spreads to cartilage and bone. It affects women more often than men.

If arthritis symptoms last for 10 days or longer, you should discuss them with your doctor. These symptoms may be constant or intermittent; they may also occur during physical activity or at rest. When diagnosing arthritis, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take your complete medical history into account. Other diagnostic tests may include:

Blood testing
Urine analysis
Joint fluid specimen
X-ray testing

There are many ways that arthritis symptoms can be reduced so that people who have it can remain active. Several medications that reduce pain and swelling are available over-the-counter or may be prescribed by your doctor. Additionally, many people experience improvements in symptoms and increased joint mobility from exercise programs and physical therapy. Applying ice or heat to affected joints can also help.

If you are experience arthritis symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Black Maternal Health Week

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Black Maternal Health Week is observed from April 11^th to 17^th; it is focused on raising awareness about inequities in health outcomes among Black mothers throughout the United States. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income nations. While this crisis affects all mothers, Black mothers are disproportionately likely to die due to pregnancy complications.

Several factors contribute to Black mothers’ increased mortality rate, including:

Limited access to high-quality medical care due to geographic factors and the potentially high cost of needed treatments
Organizational structures and policies that provide inadequate support for Black mothers
A lack of sufficient data and understanding on the part of organizations and providers regarding the health needs and circumstances of individual Black mothers and their children

At Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Black maternal health is important to us, and we have initiated and continually improved upon several programs designed to create a more equitable care environment for mothers at our hospital. For example, our CenteringPregnancy program offers pre-natal care in a group setting facilitated by doctors, nurses, and midwives, where expectant mothers with similar due dates can share experiences, receive support, and learn effective ways of staying healthy throughout pregnancy.

In addition to CenteringPregnancy, our hospital also offers access to midwife care and support from doulas, who help to ensure that mothers receive the guidance and support they need throughout their care. We also adhere to the Respectful Care at Birth initiative, a New York City Department of Health program focused on:

Providing easy-to-understand information about pregnancy, childbirth, and the care you will receive
Providing a sanitary, supportive environment in which to receive the care you need and give birth to your child
Supporting the ability and authority of mothers to make informed decisions about their care
Reinforcing the expectation that patients of all races and backgrounds will be treated with dignity and respect throughout their care
Ensuring that mothers have the support they need in terms of information, care, and having family members (or other people of their choosing) present during their care

No matter your race or background, you can always expect to receive comprehensive, high-quality maternal care at Jamaica Hospital’s Women’s Health Center. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (718) 291-3276.

National Cancer Control Month

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

April is National Cancer Control Month. During this time each year, organizations throughout the United States recognize the burden experienced by people with cancer. Each year, cancer directly impacts millions of individuals, families, and communities, and even the country as a whole. The overall goal of Cancer Control Month is to reduce this impact by:

Preventing as many cancer deaths as possible: Up to 50% of all cancer deaths are preventable through early diagnosis and treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Prevention is one of the most effective methods possible of controlling rates of cancer and cancer deaths. Standard cancer prevention strategies involve:

Raising awareness of signs, symptoms, and diagnostic testing procedures
Reducing exposure to known cancer risk factors
Promoting healthy lifestyle habits that reduce cancer risk

Detecting cancer as early as possible: Early detection of cancer is one of the most important factors for successful treatment, making this an important goal of Cancer Control Month. Cancer prevention strategies, such as patient education regarding risk factors and warning signs, are crucial for encouraging people to visit their healthcare provider for diagnostic testing as soon as possible.

Improving cancer treatments: Many modern cancer treatments are effective when it comes to improving survival rates and quality of life among patients, but further improvements, as well as more research into treatment-resistant forms of cancer, can help prevent an even greater number of cancer deaths.

You can reduce your risk of developing cancer by avoiding certain factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common risk factors for preventable forms of cancer include:

Smoking
Over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as from the sun or a tanning bed
Obesity
Excessive alcohol consumption

If you have noticed potential signs of cancer and require a diagnostic screening or treatment, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Oncology Department. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-6742.

National Endometriosis Awareness Month

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a condition that affects the lining of the uterus (also known as the endometrium); it currently affects an estimated 176 million women around the globe. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include:

Painful sexual intercourse
Pain during pelvic examinations
Severe pain during menstruation
Pain during urination or a bowel movement
Excessive bleeding
Infertility

Symptoms of endometriosis tend to appear during reproductive years, between the ages of 12 and 60. The highest number of cases are diagnosed between the ages of 25 to 35; however, some women with endometriosis remain undiagnosed because they do not have symptoms. Additionally, this disorder can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions.

Endometriosis causes the inner lining of the uterus to grow outside of the uterus. This most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, and the areas between the rectum and the vagina. Rarely, endometriosis can also occur in the lungs, thighs, arms, and other parts of the body that are more distant from reproductive organs.

When endometrial tissue spreads, it develops into growths called implants. These clumps of tissue are affected by the menstrual cycle as though they were inside of the uterus, regardless of their actual location. Each month, they build up, break down, and shed. However, endometrial tissue cannot be discharged from the body if it is not inside the uterus; as a result, these implants cause inflammation, swelling, internal bleeding, and the formation of scar tissue.

Doctors do not yet know what causes endometriosis, but certain risk factors have been identified that may make you more likely to develop it. These include:

An immediate family member with endometriosis
An abnormal uterus
Menstruation that begins before the age of 11
Shorter menstrual periods, lasting less than 27 days on average
Heavy menstruation that lasts for more than one week

If you experience symptoms of endometriosis, your doctor can perform a variety of tests, such as pelvic examinations, laparoscopy, and imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately diagnose it. While there is no cure for endometriosis, your doctor can work with you to develop an effective treatment that may incorporate options such as medication, surgery, or alternative therapies.

You can schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Women’s Health Center to receive high-quality treatment for endometriosis. To learn more, please call (718) 291-3276.