Signs of High Stress

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Stress is a natural human reaction that happens to everyone. Your body is built to react to stress in ways meant to protect you against threats from predators and other aggressors. These threats are rare today, however, that doesn’t mean that life is free of stress.

Stress responses help your body adjust to new situations. Stress can be positive by keeping you alert, motivated, and ready to avoid danger. However, stress becomes a problem when stressors continue without relief or periods of relaxation.

Stressors can be positive and negative; getting a new job or losing a job can cause stress. Other causes of stress include:

An illness or death of a loved one
Marriage, separation, or divorce
Financial issues
Moving into a new house
Going on vacation
Having a baby
Retiring

There are three main types of stress: acute, episodic acute, and chronic.

Acute stress- is a short-term stress that comes and goes quickly. It can be positive or negative. It is the feeling you get when you ride a rollercoaster or have a fight with a significant other. Everyone experiences acute stress from time to time.
Episodic acute stress- is when you experience acute stress regularly. With this type of stress, you don’t get the time you need to return to a calm, relaxed state. Episodic stress frequently affects people working in certain professions, such as healthcare providers.
Chronic stress- is long-term stress that can last for weeks or months. It can be caused by troubles in your marriage, issues at work, or financial problems. It is important to find ways to manage chronic stress because it can lead to health issues.

The body’s autonomic nervous system controls the heart rate, breathing, vision changes, and more. It also triggers the body’s “flight-or-fight” response as a way to react to stressful situations.

Having a continuous activation of this stress response can cause wear and tear on the body. It can cause you to develop stress symptoms that are physical, psychological, or behavioral.

Physical stress symptoms can include:

Aches and pains
Chest pain or the feeling of your heart racing
Exhaustion or insomnia
Headaches, dizziness, or shaking
High blood pressure
Muscle tension or jaw clenching
Stomach or digestive problems
Trouble having sex
A weakened immune system

Psychological stress symptoms can include:

Anxiety or irritability
Depression
Panic attacks
Sadness

Chronic stress can lead to several long-term issues that affect your immune, digestive, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems.

People with chronic stress try different things to cope. Some of these things can become habit-forming and can impact your health. Behavioral stress symptoms can include:

Alcohol use disorder
Gambling disorder
Overeating or developing an eating disorder
Participating compulsively in sex, shopping, or internet browsing
Smoking
Substance abuse disorder

It can be difficult to diagnose stress due to its subjectivity. It isn’t measurable with tests because only the person experiencing it can determine whether it is present and how severe it feels. A healthcare provider may use questionnaires to understand your stress and how it affects your life.

If you have chronic stress, your healthcare provider can evaluate symptoms that result from stress, such as diagnosing and treating high blood pressure.

Stress is something that can’t be avoided. However, you can prevent it from becoming overwhelming by practicing daily stress relief strategies, including the following:

Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise and sleep
Doing relaxation exercises such as yoga, deep breathing, massages, or meditation
Keeping a gratitude journal
Taking time for hobbies
Fostering healthy relationships and talking with your friends and family
Finding ways to include humor and laughter in your life
Volunteering in your community
Organizing and focusing on what you need to get done at home and work and removing unneeded tasks
Seeking professional counseling

Embracing mindfulness and learning to manage stress can reward you with peace of mind, fewer stressors and less anxiety, and a better quality of life. If you need the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575 to schedule an appointment.

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.

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

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.

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.

Elevate Her- Gestational Diabetes

Posted on February 13, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops exclusively in pregnancy when blood sugar levels are too high.

Gestational diabetes develops when hormones from the placenta interfere with your body’s ability to make or use insulin. Insulin breaks down the glucose from food and delivers it to your cells. It keeps the glucose levels in your blood at a healthy level. If insulin doesn’t work right or you don’t have enough of it, sugar builds up in your blood and leads to diabetes.

Anyone can get gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, certain factors can increase your risk, including:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
Being obese or overweight before pregnancy
Personal history of gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies
Family history of Type 2 diabetes
Having prediabetes
Having polycystic ovary syndrome
Having previously delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds
Being of a certain race or ethnicity, such as Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American
Being of an advanced maternal age

There are usually no obvious warning signs of gestational diabetes. Symptoms are too mild and often go unnoticed until your pregnancy care provider tests you for the disease. If you do have symptoms, they can include:

Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Tiredness
Nausea

Gestational diabetes that isn’t carefully managed can lead to high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby, including an increased likelihood of needing a C-section to deliver the baby. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be at an increased risk of:

Excessive birth weight
Preterm birth
Serious breathing difficulties at birth
Low blood sugar
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life
Stillbirth

To diagnose gestational diabetes, your healthcare provider will test your blood sugar during pregnancy with a blood test. Often the first test is a screening. If you don’t pass the screening, a provider will order a second blood test which is more comprehensive and includes:

Glucose challenge test
Glucose tolerance test

If you have gestational diabetes, you will need more frequent checkups during your pregnancy. Treatment for gestational diabetes includes:

Lifestyle changes
Blood sugar monitoring
Medication, if necessary

Managing your blood sugar levels helps keep you and your baby healthy. Close management can also help you avoid complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Gestational diabetes isn’t entirely preventable. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Eating balanced and nutritious meals and getting regular exercise before and after your pregnancy are the best ways to reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes.

To learn more about the OB/GYN services at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Women’s Health Services or to make an appointment, call 718-291-3276.

What is Induration?

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Induration is a deep, thickening of the skin from edema, inflammation, or infiltration, including cancer.

Signs of indurated skin include:

Skin that feels firmer to the touch than the surrounding skin
Skin that appears thick
Skin that looks smooth and shiny

The indurated areas commonly appear on the hands and face, but can also be found on the chest, back, abdomen, breast, or buttocks.

The primary underlying causes of skin induration include:

Specific types of skin infection
Cutaneous metastatic cancers
Panniculitis
Hives

The precise physiological process that results in many conditions that cause skin induration includes inflammation and infiltration of the skin by certain types of cancer cells.

Several types of skin infections with symptoms of skin induration include:

An abscess
An inflamed cyst
Insect bites that become infected

The diagnosis of skin induration is made by palpation or the feeling of the area, assessing whether the raised area feels hard and resistant.

Treatment of skin induration varies depending on the underlying cause. Treatment options include:

For an abscess, the treatment option may be antibiotics, incision, or drainage
For inflammatory disorders, such as scleroderma or lichen sclerosus, immunosuppressants or steroid creams can be used.

Supportive care for skin induration conditions can vary greatly, depending on the underlying cause. Examples of supportive care for skin conditions can include:

Warm compresses
Analgesia
Elevation of the affected extremity to help reduce swelling

If you are experiencing any signs of skin induration, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call (718) 206-7001.

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.