Health Beat

Highlights of The MediSys Health Network Cancer Center’s Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

On Monday, April 8^th, The MediSys Health Network held a very special ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the network’s cancer center, located on the concourse level of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s C building.

MediSys President and CEO, Bruce J. Flanz began the ceremony by remarking that the opening of the cancer center was a long time in the making, and how excited he was that the day had finally come. He also thanked everyone involved in making the completion of the project a reality.

Congressman Gregory Meeks and Queensborough President Donovan Richards also joined Mr. Flanz and a room full of hospital employees. They spoke about the importance of having a comprehensive cancer center in Queens, where residents could receive high-quality care without needing to leave the borough. The Congressman and the Borough President also praised MediSys’ leadership for continuing to understand and meet the needs of our community, both vowed to lend their support to the organization in achieving those objectives.

Also present were multiple members of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s (MSK) leadership, including Hospital President Shelly Anderson. During her remarks, Anderson shared how excited everyone at MSK is about the two organizations entering the next phase of an agreement to work together to provide equitable cancer care to the people of Queens.

The MediSys Health Network Cancer Center features 24 multi-purpose treatment rooms. Each of the private rooms is designed for a relaxing patient experience and includes comfortable chairs, flat-screen televisions, and soothing murals on the walls. When configuring the layout, an emphasis was placed on ensuring optimal patient/provider interaction.

While receiving treatment in the center, patients will also have access to various support services, including on-site mental health and integrative health professionals as well as nutritional counselors. In addition, patient navigators are available to guide our patients through every step of their journey. This has all been made available to ensure our patients receive everything they need for a positive outcome.

Our new cancer center is officially open and accepting patients. We invite you to take a virtual tour of our facility here: https://virtualtours.llc/projects/1147jhmc/final/index.htm

To learn more about our center or to schedule an appointment, 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.

May is Designated as Mental Health Awareness Month

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

The month of May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month. This designation was first made in 1949 by the National Association for Mental Health. The goal of this recognition is to help take away the stigma of having a mental illness, increase awareness of resources available to treat mental illness, and to educate people about what it means to have a mental illness.

In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are sharing important statistics to know:

Mental illness affects one in twenty people in the United States each year, and one in five of these people are affected very seriously
Mental illness affects one in six children, and only half are getting treatment
Half of all lifetime mental illness starts by age 14 and 75% by age 24.
Anxiety disorder is found in 48 million people
Major depression is found in 21 million people
Bipolar depression is found in 7 million people
Obsessive compulsive disorder is found in 3 million people
Schizophrenia is found in 1.5 million people

A person who has mental health issues can live a full and productive life if they receive the proper care. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has a comprehensive Mental Health Department. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-5575.

Effective Solutions for Snoring

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Snoring is a common occurrence for millions of people while they sleep. Many people might not even realize how often they snore, or that they do so at all. For most, snoring is harmless; however, it can potentially be disruptive for anyone who’s trying to sleep in the same room as someone who snores, depending on how loud or frequent it is. Additionally, snoring can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

If you snore, the first thing you should do is mention it to your doctor to rule out any potentially related medical problems. In certain cases, it can be linked to sleep apnea, which causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep. This can cause you to feel as though you didn’t sleep enough, even if you got a full night’s sleep. People who have sleep apnea also generally snore more loudly than people who do not. Other factors that can contribute to snoring include:

Obesity
Nasal congestion
Alcohol and certain medications
A deviated septum
Pregnancy
Age
Being assigned male at birth
A family history of snoring

If your doctor has ruled out the possibility of a serious underlying medical condition, there are several steps you can take to make your snoring quieter, less frequent, or both. Some of these approaches include:

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
Decreasing your consumption of alcoholic beverages
Changing your sleeping position

If any medical issues are contributing to your snoring, talk to your doctor to determine whether these solutions may help you:

Cold and allergy medications
Nasal strips
Mouth guards designed to keep your jaw in its proper position while sleeping

If you’re concerned that your snoring may be a sign of a medical problem, you can receive treatment from the ear, nose, and throat specialists at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7110.

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.

Heart Murmurs

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

While using a stethoscope to listen to your heart, your doctor may hear a ‘swishing’ or ‘whooshing’ sound instead of the ‘lub-dub’ sound that a normal heart makes. This slight change in the sound of your heart may mean you have a heart murmur. Often, heart murmurs can be identified at the time of birth; this is known as a congenital heart murmur. However, they can also develop later in life.

Heart murmurs are not always a sign of an underlying heart problem; these are known as “harmless” heart murmurs. However, in other cases, they may indicate conditions such as endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart) or valve calcification (a hardening or thickening of the valves in the heart).

If you have a harmless heart murmur, you won’t experience any additional symptoms, but if it is an abnormal heart murmur caused by an underlying medical condition, you could experience any of the following symptoms:

Skin that appears blue, especially on your fingertips and lips
Swelling or sudden weight gain
Shortness of breath
Chronic cough
Enlarged liver
Enlarged neck veins
Poor appetite and failure to grow normally (in infants)
Heavy sweating with minimal or no exertion
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fainting

Heart murmurs can be genetic; having blood relatives with a heart defect means that you have an increased likelihood of developing one. Additionally, medical conditions such as hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and pulmonary hypertension can increase your risk of a heart murmur. In adults, a heart murmur may improve once the underlying medical condition is addressed. In children, murmurs may go away on their own as the child matures.

If you believe you have a heart murmur or your primary care doctor has detected one, it’s important to follow up with a cardiologist to ensure that any serious underlying cause is treated as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Bibi Samlall

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Bibi Samlall, Ambulatory Care Representative in the Emergency Department. Bibi has been working at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for 10 years.

Bibi is a native of Georgetown, Guyana where she grew up and attended Charlestown Secondary School. She is currently enrolled in nursing school where she is pursuing her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Bibi moved to the United States in 1999, first living in Queens. Currently, Bibi lives in Valley Stream, on Long island. She has two children, a son Rohan who is 19 and a daughter Raveena who is 23. In her free time, Bibi likes to watch movies, listen to music, her favorite being Bollywood and Chutney, and spending time with her family. When she has time off from work and school, she enjoys traveling. Some of her favorite places to visit are Aruba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Bibi enjoys many different types of food, especially chicken curry and fried rice. She enjoys bike riding and her favorite sport is cricket. The things in life that are most important to Bibi are spending quality time with her family, her education and having gratitude for everything she has.

Bibi has always wanted to work in a healthcare setting, especially in one that prioritizes patient care and satisfaction. This is why she enjoys working at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Her priorities at work are to make sure that every patient has a pleasant experience. Her colleagues are like family to her and this helps all of them with their overall job satisfaction. We look forward to Bibi continuing to work with us for many more years to come.

Recurrent UTIs

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common; they occur when bacteria enters and infects the urinary tract, leading to symptoms such as painful, frequent, and/or bloody urination. In most cases, a UTI can be cleared up quickly using antibiotics; however, for some people, UTIs may become a frequent occurrence.

A person is considered to have recurrent UTIs if they have developed three UTIs within a 12-month period or two within a six-month period. UTIs can return frequently for a few potential reasons, including:

Urinary tract abnormalities: If there is a structural problem with your urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate, it can be easier for you to develop a UTI.

Bladder dysfunction: UTIs are more likely to occur and return quickly in people who have difficulty fully emptying their bladder when they urinate.

Age: Older adults face an increased risk of developing frequent UTIs. This is partially due to an increased likelihood of developing other chronic conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, or dementia, all of which can lead to bladder control problems. UTIs are also more likely to occur in potty-training children.

Changes in vaginal bacteria: Changes such as menopause or the use of spermicides can cause changes in the bacteria that live inside the vagina. These changes make UTIs more likely to occur, even after successful treatment.

While it’s important for everyone to practice healthy habits that can prevent UTIs, it’s especially important for people who are more likely to develop them. Some habits that can help protect you against UTIs include:

Practicing good hygiene, such as wiping front to back after using the toilet, washing the outer genital area with a gentle soap, and urinating after sex
Drinking plenty of water to flush bacteria from the bladder
Potentially switching to a birth control method that does not include spermicide

If you experience frequent UTIs, it’s also important that you talk to a doctor to find an effective course of preventative treatment. You can schedule an appointment with a urologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

National Infant Immunization Week

Posted on April 22, 2024 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Infants under the age of two are susceptible to a variety of serious illnesses that can significantly harm or even kill them, as their immune system is still in an early stage of development. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a series of immunizations that can protect infants against some of the most dangerous diseases to their health.

Many parents may have concerns about vaccinating their children due to potential side effects. While mild adverse reactions are possible with many vaccines, they typically disappear on their own within a few days. Generally, the side effects most children may expect include reactions such as fever, fatigue, body aches, and swelling or tenderness around the site of the injection. More serious, long-lasting side effects are extremely rare.

Vaccines such as those given to infants only use the ingredients necessary to be safe and effective. These ingredients may often include adjuvants (commonly found in antacids and antiperspirants) and stabilizers (such as sugar or gelatin). Additionally, all vaccines go through extensive lab testing, often for years, before they are available to the general public.

The CDC recommends vaccinating children under the age of two against:

Hepatitis B
Rotavirus
Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Pneumococcal conjugate
Inactivated poliovirus
COVID-19
Influenza
Measles, mumps, rubella
Varicella
Hepatitis A

You can find the complete schedule of recommended vaccines for your child by age on the CDC’s website. To schedule an appointment for your child to receive the vaccines they need, you can call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001.

What is a Bunion ?

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Andrew Rubin

Bunions are a bony bump that forms at the joint located at the base of the big toe. This is also called the base of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP).

Bunions are most commonly seen when there is a lot of pressure over time on the big toe, often due to wearing tight fitting shoes that push the big toe out of its natural alignment. Women experience this more often than men. Additional causes of bunions include genetic factors, walking in a manner that causes misalignment of the big toe, standing on one’s feet for extended periods over the course of many months or years, and certain disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

In severe bunions, a person may experience symptoms such as:

Redness at the inside base of the big toe
Stiffness of the big toe
Pain at the base of the big toe
Swelling of the big toe
Callouses at base of the big toe
Overlapping of the adjacent smaller toes

Typically, bunions are diagnosed by physical examinations and an x-ray when needed. Treatment for a bunion depends on the severity. These are the most common treatment modalities:

Change shoe gear
Take pain medication
Injections to reduce inflammation
Physical therapy
Surgical correction
Apply padding to affected area

If you are experiencing discomfort from a bunion, and would like to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, you may call 718-206-7001.

Mental Health Therapy for Trauma Survivors

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Trauma can have a significant negative impact on your mental health. If you’ve been a victim of a serious injury, abuse, or a catastrophic event in your personal life, you face a higher likelihood of developing conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can create new challenges in various aspects of your daily life. To reduce this risk or learn to overcome conditions such as PTSD, it’s important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.

Psychiatrists and other mental healthcare providers can use a variety of techniques to help you learn to process your trauma in a healthy way. One of the most effective tools available for providing this care is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on:

Finding unhealthy and unhelpful patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Identifying how these patterns contribute to any challenges you experience in your daily life
Changing these patterns to help you overcome the challenges you face

Therapists may also use other variations of CBT during your treatment, depending on what particular mental health problems you experience in connection with your trauma. These alternatives include:

Cognitive processing therapy, which focuses on challenging and changing beliefs you’ve developed because of your trauma
Cognitive therapy, which focuses on helping you evaluate or remember your trauma in a way that is less disruptive or more helpful for your ability to function
Prolonged exposure, which helps you learn to approach trauma-related thoughts, feelings, or situations that you may be avoiding

Other treatment approaches, including medication and other forms of psychotherapy, may also be available for people who have experienced trauma, depending on the nature of their symptoms and responsiveness to standard treatment.

You can find compassionate, effective therapeutic treatment or support for trauma-related mental health conditions at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, as well as our new Trauma Survivors support program. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-5575.