What to Know About This Year’s Flu Shot

Posted on October 15, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Flu season has arrived, and it can be unpredictable. It can begin as early as fall and can last until spring, with flu activity usually peaking during winter.

Public healthcare professionals, advocates, and communities come together every fall to promote the flu vaccine because the flu can cause serious health complications, such as bacterial infections or pneumonia. If it isn’t treated in time, the flu can even lead to death.

The flu can hit hard and fast, with more severe symptoms usually coming on more suddenly. Symptoms of the flu include:

A high, sudden fever

A stuffy nose

A dry cough

Headaches

Muscle aches

Extreme fatigue

Chills and sweats

Lack of appetite

The flu vaccine can help protect you and your loved ones from potentially dangerous complications. The Food and Drug Administration has approved nine flu vaccines for the 2026-2027 season to help prevent an infection from the flu virus. Each vaccine is trivalent, meaning they were designed to protect against three different strains of influenza, which are the viruses that cause the flu. The three strains are comprised of two influenza A viruses and one influenza B/Victoria virus.

The effectiveness of the flu vaccine can have a lot to do with when you get it, which is why it is recommended to get the flu vaccine about two weeks before flu season begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most people six years of age or older receive an annual flu vaccine, ideally before the end of October. However, vaccination later in the season can still offer protection.

Each of the nine vaccines is recommended for certain age groups. They include:

Fluad is recommended for those 65 years of age or older

Fluarix is recommended for those six months or older

Flublok is recommended for those nine years of age or older

Flucelvax is recommended for those six months or older

FluLaval is recommended for those six months or older

FluMist is recommended for those two years of age or older

Fluzone is recommended for those six months or older

Fluzone High-Dose is recommended for those 65 years of age or older

MFlusiva is recommended for those 50 years of age or older

It is important to note that the flu vaccine has more benefits than just lowering your risk of getting the flu. They include:

It lowers the risk of needing to go to a healthcare professional for treatment of the flu

It reduces the risk of flu-related complications, hospitalizations, and death

It helps lessen the severity of symptoms if you do get sick with the flu virus

It helps prevent the flu from spreading to those around you. This is essential if you are regularly around people who have weakened immune systems or people who can’t receive the flu vaccine

If you are pregnant, it helps protect your fetus during pregnancy and for a few months after birth

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious symptoms of the flu virus. However, there are also several steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting and spreading the flu, including:

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.

Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Staying home when you are sick to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

Covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.

Considering wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces, especially if you are around high-risk individuals.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of the flu, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

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.

What is HRT for Menopause?

Posted on October 14, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that helps people who are experiencing symptoms of menopause and replaces the hormones that the body isn’t making enough of.

HRT is the term used when a person receives treatment at a younger age, especially before the age of 40. Healthcare providers use the term hormone therapy (HT) when the person is receiving treatment after the age of 50. As women transition to menopause, their ovaries stop making high levels of estrogen. This can cause symptoms, such as:

Hot flashes and night sweats

Mood swings, depression, or irritability

Insomnia

Vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse

Leaking pee

There are two main types of HRT: estrogen therapy and estrogen-progesterone therapy.

Estrogen therapy involves taking only estrogen. Estrogen can come in many forms, including:

Pills that are taken orally

A patch that sticks to the skin

A gel that is applied to the skin

A ring that is worn inside the vagina

A cream that is applied to the vagina

Tablets that are placed inside the vagina

A spray that is applied to the arm

Estrogen-progesterone therapy, or combination therapy, combines doses of estrogen and progesterone

There are two ways to take hormone replacement therapy: systemic and local.

Systemic hormone therapy means the hormone goes through your bloodstream and travels to the organs and tissues it needs to get to.

Local hormone therapy means the hormone is applied to a specific area.

There are both health benefits and risks to be aware of when taking HRT. Your healthcare provider can help determine if the benefits of HRT outweigh its risks.

A main benefit of HRT is that it relieves uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, which can lead to a better quality of life and allow you to get back to enjoying your daily activities. The benefits of HRT include:

Helping with vaginal dryness and uncomfortable sex

Helping with hot flashes and night sweats

Helping with estrogen deficiency

Other health benefits of taking HRT include:

Reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis or breaking a bone

Improves your sleep

Improves mood and overall happiness in some people

Reduces your risk of developing diabetes

Combination therapy lowers your risk of developing colon cancer

Although HRT can help you get through menopause as you deal with it, it comes with potential risks, including:

Increased risk of uterine cancer, only if you still have a uterus and aren’t taking progestin along with estrogen

Increased risk of breast cancer with long-term use in some people

Increased risk of heart disease if you begin using HRT 10 years after menopause starts

Increased risk of blood clots and stroke

Increased risk of gallbladder disease

It’s important to note that many of these potential risks have to do with your overall health and family history of health conditions. It is important to discuss any individual risks with your healthcare provider.

If HRT doesn’t work for you or if your healthcare provider doesn’t think you would benefit from it, they may offer alternative options that may help your symptoms. Alternative options include:

Antidepressants for hot flashes

Over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal lubricants

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for hot flashes and painful sexual intercourse

Fezolinetant or paroxetine, which are FDA-approved for treating hot flashes

If you are experiencing menopause symptoms and are interested in HRT, you can get more information about Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s endocrinology service or make an appointment by calling 718-206-7001.

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.

How Short Walks After Eating Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

Posted on October 7, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the main sugar found in the blood. It is our body’s primary source of energy and comes from the food we eat. When your blood glucose goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. However, when things aren’t functioning properly, you can develop high blood sugar, which means there is too much sugar in your bloodstream. You may have high blood sugar due to:

Your body isn’t using insulin correctly
Your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin

Elevated blood sugar levels can cause blood vessel damage, which can lead to serious complications, such as:

Heart attack
Stroke
Diabetes-related retinopathy, which can cause blindness
Diabetes-related nephropathy, which can lead to kidney failure
Nerve damage

Our blood sugar naturally rises when we eat and is highest about 30 to 90 minutes after eating. However, frequent or especially high spikes in blood sugar levels can increase the risk of or worsen diabetes.

Fortunately, there are several ways to lower blood sugar levels into a healthy range, such as eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and managing stress. Another way to manage blood sugar levels is to take a short walk after eating.

Research shows that a short walk after a meal can:

Prevent your blood sugar from spiking as high as it would if you ate and remained seated
Keep your insulin levels stable

Walking for ten minutes, or as little as two to five minutes, can lower your blood sugar.

When walking after a meal, it is important to stay safe. Some safety tips to keep in mind when walking include:

Go slow and gradually increase your physical activity
Avoid environmental triggers, such as high heat and humidity, environmental allergens, cold air, and safety hazards
Fall prevention for those who are 65 years of age and older

Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Endocrinology treats a wide variety of conditions. For more information about Jamaica Hospital’s endocrinology services, or to make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

Fall Allergies

Posted on October 2, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Fall has arrived, and with it, the fall allergy season. Nearly 25% of adults in the U.S. experience seasonal allergies throughout the year. Seasonal allergies typically peak during April, May, and June, however, they can also be severe during September through December.

Fall weather can affect allergies because of warm, dry, and windy days, exacerbating symptoms due to ragweed pollen being widely dispersed. Symptoms you may experience include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, and post-nasal drainage.

Ragweed pollen and mold spores are the most common allergens in the fall. The ragweed plant can grow wild anywhere but is most prevalent in the eastern and Midwest regions of the U.S. Ragweed pollen typically begins to peak in late August through late September and can last until the first frost. Its lifespan is usually limited to one season, but it can produce up to one billion grains of pollen, which is a lot for one season. Mold spores are also seen during this time of year, especially as the leaves begin to decompose. Early signs of leaves beginning to decompose and possibly being infected with mold are if they start to turn black or white.

If you have an underlying dust mite allergy, it is important to note that you may experience worsening allergy symptoms during the fall due to spending more time indoors.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) suggests these five tips to help you get ahead of fall allergy season:

Avoid allergy triggers by keeping an eye on daily pollen counts, staying indoors as much as possible during high pollen count days, and avoiding going out in the morning when ragweed pollen is at its highest during the fall
Change your clothing and remove your shoes as soon as you come in from outdoors, so you don’t track pollen into your home
Start taking allergy medication before your symptoms begin
Consider immunotherapy if you have severe or chronic allergies
Visit an allergist if your allergy symptoms become severe

You can receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for seasonal allergies at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001

What Happens to Your Body During a Hot Flash?

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A hot flash is a sudden warm feeling in the upper body, usually the most intense over the face, neck, and chest. Hot flashes are most commonly caused by menopause.

Menopause is when the menstrual period stops for good, with most women experiencing a hot flash about four and a half to five years after their last period. It is diagnosed after 12 months without having a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding, or spotting.

During a hot flash, a woman might feel like she is spiking a high fever, but physiologically, that isn’t what is happening. As women approach menopause and the ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, the hypothalamus, the brain’s internal thermostat, becomes hypersensitive to even small shifts in temperature.

When a woman experiences a hot flash, the body believes it is overheating, even when the actual temperature hasn’t changed much. In response to this, the body tries to cool down as blood vessels dilate, which is supposed to help dissipate some of that heat, triggering a sweating reflex.

How an individual woman experiences hot flashes varies greatly. Some women describe very mild symptoms, while others suffer from profuse sweating. Additionally, some women only have hot flashes during the day, while others have regular night sweats. According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, about four in five women experience hot flashes at some point during the menopause transition.

Common triggers of hot flashes include:

Alcohol

Caffeine

High sugar intake

High processed foods

Stress

Black women are more likely to experience more severe and longer-lasting symptoms, sometimes up to 11 years, and research shows that women with more severe, longer-lasting hot flashes and night sweats appear to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

For decades, hot flashes were blamed solely on the loss of estrogen, but that explanation left some questions unanswered because not every menopausal woman has night sweats. What’s more, it doesn’t explain why perimenopausal women experience hot flashes while they still produce estrogen.

Newer research has shown that when the brain recognizes that a woman’s estrogen levels are low, nerve cells in the hypothalamus called KNDy neurons become overactive, releasing neurotransmitters, which include kisspeptin, dynorphin, and neurokinin B.

For women in the middle of their hot flash years and the ten percent of menopausal women who continue to experience them, here are some strategies and tips that can help you manage your hot flashes:

Keep your core body temperature as cool as possible

Keep cool at night

Watch what you eat and drink

Refrain from smoking

Maintain a healthy weight

Reduce your stress

Exercise regularly

When you feel a hot flash coming on, take several slow, deep breaths and try to relax

Drink a glass of cold water and sit calmly until it passes

Wear layers you can easily take off when you feel yourself getting hot

Once a hot flash starts, there is no instant cure. Talk to your healthcare professional about medications and complementary therapies that make the most sense for you and your symptoms.

If you are experiencing hot flashes due to menopause, the most effective way to relieve the discomfort from them is to take estrogen, but taking it carries risks.

Other treatments for hot flashes can include:

Medications

Antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and other medications

Hormone therapy

Mind and body approaches

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Hypnosis

Mindful meditation

Acupuncture

Dietary supplements

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.

National AFib Awareness Month

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

September is National AFib Awareness Month, a month dedicated to promoting education, early detection, and improved care for AFib.

AFib stands for atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. During AFib, the heart’s upper chambers, or the atria, beat chaotically and irregularly. They beat out of sync with the lower chambers, called ventricles.

Afib can lead to blood clots in the heart. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

Afib usually isn’t life-threatening, but it is a serious medical condition that needs proper treatment to prevent serious health issues.

There are many symptoms of AFib, including:

Feelings of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fatigue
Lightheadedness
Reduced ability to exercise
Shortness of breath
Weakness

People can experience three types of AFib, including:

Paroxysmal AFib
Persistent AFib
Long-standing persistent AFib

The most common cause of AFib is problems with the heart’s structure. Other health problems and heart diseases that can cause AFib include:

A congenital heart defect
Sick sinus syndrome
Obstructive sleep apnea
Heart attack
High blood pressure
Lung diseases, including pneumonia
Coronary artery disease
Thyroid diseases
Infections from viruses

Many factors can increase your risk of AFib, including:

Age
Caffeine, nicotine, or illegal drug use
Drinking too much alcohol
Changes in the level of body minerals
Family history
Long-term health conditions
Obesity
Some medicines and supplements

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce heart disease risk and prevent AFib. Some basic heart-healthy tips include:

Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
Not smoking or using tobacco
Eating a diet that is low in salt and saturated fat
Exercising at least 30 minutes a day at least five days a week
Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep a day
Maintaining a healthy weight
Reducing and managing stress

A healthcare provider can diagnose AFib by examining you and asking questions about your medical history and symptoms. Tests may be done to look for conditions causing irregular heartbeats such as heart disease or thyroid disease, including:

Blood tests
ECG or EKG
Holter monitor
Event recorder
Implantable loop recorder
Exercise stress tests
Chest X-ray

The goals of AFib treatment are to reset and control the heartbeat and prevent blood clots. Treatment for AFib depends on how long you’ve had it, your symptoms, and the cause of the irregular heartbeat. Afib treatment can include:

Medications
Cardioversion therapy
Surgery or catheter procedures

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

Wellness Wednesday Tip: Healthy Eating

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Eating healthy can be difficult, especially when you don’t have the time, and there is the convenience of fast-food restaurants and processed foods.

Most people in the United States need to eat more nutrient-dense foods and limit highly processed foods, added sugars, added sodium, and refined carbohydrates.

Healthy eating emphasizes protein, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, whole grains, and limiting added sugars.

The best way to practice healthy eating is to aim for having a variety of colors on your plate. Fruits and vegetables such as oranges, tomatoes, dark leafy greens, and fresh herbs are full of vitamins, fiber, and minerals.

Too much added sugars in your diet, such as cane sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, maple syrup, and honey, can contribute to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Sugary beverages are common sources of added sugar.

To limit added sugars, you can:

Drink water with berries or slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber instead

Read nutrition labels and choose foods with no or lower amounts of added sugars

Limit sugary snacks and snack on fruit or vegetable slices instead

Add fruit to your whole grain cereal or yogurt for sweetness

Avoid adding flavored syrups to your coffee

Eating too much sodium can raise your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. More than 70% of the sodium Americans consume comes from packaged or prepared foods. While sodium has several forms, 90% of the sodium we consume is from salt.

To cut back on sodium, you can:

Read the nutrition facts label to find foods that are low in sodium or lower-sodium options

Buy unprocessed foods, such as fresh or frozen vegetables, to prepare at home

Avoid highly processed foods, such as breads, pizza, and deli meats that are high in sodium

Fiber helps maintain our digestive health and helps us feel fuller longer. Fiber also helps control our blood sugar and lowers our cholesterol levels. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds are good sources of fiber.

To increase your fiber intake, you can:

Start your day with a whole-grain cereal, such as oatmeal

Add fresh fruit with a meal or as a dessert

Slice raw vegetables for quick snacks

Top your whole-grain cereal with berries, pumpkin seeds, or almonds

Add a half-cup of beans or lentils to a salad to add texture and flavor

Protein is also an important part of healthy eating. Including protein-rich foods in your diet is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Protein options include:

Eggs

Poultry

Seafood

Red meat

Beans

Peas

Lentils

Legumes

Nuts

Seeds

Soy products such as tofu

Good nutrition is about choosing healthy foods and beverages on a consistent basis. Eating healthy, whole, nutrient-dense foods can support longevity and vitality, and lower your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and obesity.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Registered Dietitians assist patients with growing their knowledge about nutrition, wellness, and healthy eating. To make an appointment, please call 718-657-7093.

Dehydration Kidney Stones

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Drinking water is essential for our health and wellbeing. Not drinking enough water can lead to health complications such as dehydration, which contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones are solid masses or clusters of crystals that form from substances such as minerals, acids, and salts in the kidneys. These stones can be as small as a grain of sand, or in rare cases, larger than a golf ball.

Stones occur when there is little liquid and too many of the minerals, acids, and other substances such as calcium, sodium, oxalate, and uric acid in the urine, causing them to stick together and form crystals or stones. Kidney stones can form over months or years.

According to research done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), dehydration is an important risk factor for kidney stones because the body doesn’t have enough water to dilute minerals and salts in the urine. The research further stated that a person should drink enough water to have about two liters of urine output daily to prevent kidney stones and pay attention to the color of their urine to know if the goal is achieved or not. Dark colored urine is a sign of dehydration.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain in the lower back, belly, or side, which might feel like it extends from the groin to the side. This pain can be dull, or it can be sharp and severe and comes in waves. Other symptoms of kidney stones include:

Bloody urine

Pain when urinating

The inability to urinate

Feeling the urge to urinate a lot

Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Nausea and vomiting

Fever or chills

Drinking water plays a very important role in preventing kidney stones because it helps dilute the urine and reduces the concentration of minerals and salts that can form stones. Drinking enough water throughout the day causes the kidneys to produce more urine, which helps flush out substances such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid before they can combine and form crystals.

A healthcare provider can diagnose kidney stones by performing urine, imaging, and blood tests.

To treat a small kidney stone, a healthcare provider will have the person monitor their symptoms until it passes in their urine. They may also prescribe medications to keep them comfortable and help the stone pass on its own. Larger kidney stones need treatment depending on their size, location, whether they are causing infections or symptoms, and other factors.

Medications to treat kidney stones help relax the ureter to help pass the stone more easily, help manage any nausea and vomiting, and help manage pain.

Procedures to remove large kidney stones include:

Shockwave lithotripsy

Ureteroscopy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Laparoscopic surgery

It is recommended to drink up to three liters of water daily and throughout the day to help prevent kidney stones from returning. Other ways to prevent kidney stones from returning include:

Drinking water, but drinks like tea and coffee also count

Adding fresh lemon juice to your water

Avoiding eating too much salt

Avoiding fizzy drinks

If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones and would like more information about receiving treatment from a urologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

Wellness Wednesday Tip

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Our daily lives can be bombarded with constant bad news, tragedy, negativity, stress, worry, and anxiety. These factors can affect our mood and cause our nervous systems to overload, causing us to lose sleep, which can then lead to cardiovascular issues, weakened immune function, metabolic problems, and mental health conditions.

Mindfulness and meditation are overlapping techniques proven to ease stress, improve sleep, and enhance concentration.

Practicing mindfulness can be as simple as walking through a park, admiring nature, or using mental health apps to help anchor you in the present. Engaging in these activities can help calm anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and increase positive feelings.

Meditation combines body and mind by focusing on sensations, such as breathing, images, or a repeated word or phrase. One exercise that works similarly well for adults and younger people is box breathing. Box breathing is a form of yogic deep breathing that uses the concept of a box with four sides, represented here by breathing while you slowly count to four, four times. Four counts of breathing in, four counts of holding your breath, four counts of exhaling, and four more counts of holding after your exhale. This rhythmic pattern of breathing helps regulate the nervous system, suppressing anxiety and stress, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure, and boosting focus.

If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed and need the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575 to schedule an appointment.