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.

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.

Back to School Anxiety

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A new school year is fast approaching. And with it comes lots of excitement, but it can also cause anxiety for children.

Starting a new school or being away from parents can cause much anxiety in children. That anxiety fades for most children as the year progresses. But for others, it doesn’t. Here are some examples of behaviors that may indicate your child is continuing to struggle with anxiety:

Continually seeking reassurance or asking repeated, worried questions despite receiving an answer
Tantrums when separating from parents or caregivers before going to school
Increased complaints of experiencing headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue in the absence of an illness
A significant change in their sleep pattern, such as taking an hour to fall asleep, or waking you up with worries during the night when they might typically sleep well
Difficulty getting along with family members or friends
Avoidance of normal activities in and outside of school

Here are some tips to help ease back-to-school anxiety:

Approach anxiety instead of avoiding it
Practice school routines
Model behavior you’d like to see
Ensure they are getting enough sleep
Check in with stress levels
Talk to school mental health professionals
Blend back to school with fun activities so the transition is less sudden

If you or your child needs the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575 to schedule an appointment.

Social Anxiety

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

When a person has social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, everyday interactions can cause significant anxiety, self-consciousness, and embarrassment because they fear being scrutinized or negatively judged by others around them. Fear and anxiety may lead to avoidance that can disrupt their lives. Additionally, severe stress can affect daily routines and common everyday social experiences, including:

Attending parties or social gatherings

Interacting with unfamiliar people or strangers

Starting conversations

Making eye contact

Going to school or work

Dating

Eating in front of others

Using a public restroom

For those living with social anxiety disorder, comfort levels in social situations vary and depend on personality traits and life experiences. Some people are naturally reserved, and others are more outgoing.

Having feelings of shyness or discomfort in certain situations isn’t necessarily a sign of social anxiety disorder, particularly in children. Social anxiety disorder typically begins in the early to mid-teens, though it can sometimes begin in younger children or in adults.

The signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include constant:

Intense fear or anxiety during social situations

Intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers

Worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself

Fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively

Avoidance of doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment

Avoidance of situations where you might be the center of attention

Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as:

Blushing

Sweating

Trembling

Having a shaky voice

Anxiety in anticipation of a feared activity or event

Expectation of the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation

Analysis of your performance and identification of flaws in your interactions after a social situation

For children with social anxiety disorder, anxiety about interacting with adults or peers may present itself as crying, having temper tantrums, clinging to parents, or refusing to speak in social situations.

Several physical signs and symptoms can accompany social anxiety disorder, including:

A fast heartbeat

Trouble catching your breath

Sweating

Trembling

Blushing

An upset stomach or nausea

Dizziness or lightheadedness

A feeling that your mind has gone blank

Muscle tension

Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time and may flare up if you’re facing a lot of changes, stress, or demands in your life. Although avoiding situations that cause anxiety may make you feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to continue over the long term if left untreated.

Like several other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder likely stems from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors, including:

Brain structure

Inherited traits

Environment

Many factors can increase the risk of developing social anxiety disorder, including:

Family history

Temperament

New social or work demands

Negative experiences

Having an appearance or condition that draws attention to you

If social anxiety is left untreated, it can control your life, as anxieties can interfere with work, school, relationships, or enjoyment of life, and can cause:

Low self-esteem

Poor social skills

Isolation and difficult social relationships

Trouble being assertive

Negative self-talk

Hypersensitivity to criticism

Low academic and employment achievement

Substance abuse, such as drinking too much alcohol

Suicidal ideation, suicide, or suicide attempts

To diagnose you with social anxiety disorder, a healthcare provider will want to determine whether other conditions may be causing your anxiety or if you have the disorder along with other physical or mental health disorders. They may determine a diagnosis based on:

A physical exam that helps assess whether any medical condition or medication may trigger symptoms of anxiety

A discussion of your symptoms, such as how often they occur, and in what situations

Reviewing a list of situations to see if they make you anxious

Self-report questionnaires about symptoms of social anxiety

Criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)

The treatment for social anxiety disorder depends on how much it affects your ability to function in your daily life. The most common treatment for social anxiety disorder includes psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of both.

There isn’t a way to predict what will cause someone to develop anxiety disorders. However, you can take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you’re anxious, such as:

Getting help early

Setting priorities in your life

Keeping a journal

Avoiding unhealthy substance use

Social anxiety disorder can be a chronic mental health condition, but learning coping skills in psychotherapy and taking medications can help you gain confidence and improve your ability to interact with others.

If you are experiencing symptoms of social anxiety 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.

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.

Legionnaires’ Disease

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious, life-threatening type of pneumonia caused by breathing in mist or getting water that has been contaminated with Legionella bacteria in the lungs.

You can also get Legionnaires’ disease from:

Hot tubs

Shower heads

Faucets

Humidifiers

Decorative water features

Heating and cooling systems, usually only in large buildings

Intubation during surgery

Dirt

Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. Most people don’t get Legionnaires’ disease, even if they have been around Legionella bacteria. But some people are more likely to get sick with Legionella infection than others. You can have an increased risk of getting Legionnaires’ disease if you:

Are older than 50 years old

Smoke or used to smoke cigarettes

Have a weakened immune system caused by certain medical conditions, such as HIV, diabetes, cancer, and kidney or liver disease, and medications that can compromise your immune system

Have a long-term respiratory illness, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema

Live in a long-term care facility

Have stayed in a hospital recently

Have had surgery requiring anesthesia recently

Have received an organ transplant recently

Legionnaires’ disease causes pneumonia-like symptoms that start two to 14 days after exposure to Legionella. It can also cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:

Fever (often over 104⁰F/40⁰C)

A dry cough

Shortness of breath

Diarrhea

Muscle aches

Headache

Nausea

Confusion

Coughing up blood

Abdominal pain

The most common way to diagnose Legionnaires’ disease is with urine and sputum tests. A healthcare provider may use imaging tests, such as an X-ray or CT scan, to get pictures of the inside of your chest. They will also take a physical exam and ask you about your health and travel history.

Other tests used to diagnose Legionnaires’ disease can include:

Blood tests

Bronchoscopy

Thoracentesis

The treatment for Legionnaires’ disease is antibiotics, either intravenously or in pill form. If you are having trouble breathing, a healthcare provider may give you treatments to help you get enough oxygen. You will probably have to stay in the hospital while you are being treated.

You can reduce your risk at home by making sure shower heads, faucets, hot tubs, and humidifiers are properly cleaned.

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

ABC Method for Better Sleep and Better Brain Health

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

We all have nights when we can’t get a good night’s sleep. We toss and turn all night, waking up exhausted because of poor sleep quality.

If you are experiencing poor sleep quality, the ABC method or ABCs of respiratory therapy can help you sleep properly and efficiently. The ABC method stands for:

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

This method helps regulate a variety of things, primarily oxygenation, which helps your body recover and stay functioning. Finding the right sleep position is essential to the ABC method.

According to Dr. John Saito, a representative for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), everyone has their own idea of what a good sleep position is, whether it is on the left or right side, the back, or stomach, but it all depends on the context.

If a person is sleeping on their back and has a good support pillow that keeps their spine and neck in a neutral position, it allows their airway to remain open and unobstructed, and they can breathe easily. However, if a person has sleep apnea, sleeping on their back can be harmful to health, as their throat muscles become too relaxed and block the body’s upper airway.

The ABC method can also work with babies, as most doctors recommend putting them on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is an unexplained death that usually occurs during sleep.

Dr. Saito suggests that sleeping on your side can offer several benefits. Sleeping on your right side may be better for blood flow, as well as lower pressure on your heart, due to the flexible compartment located between your lungs called the mediastinum, which helps hold your heart in place.

Sleeping on your left side can also provide some benefits, as it may be better for clearing the waste product in the brain. This is known as the glymphatic system, which is the brain’s specialized waste clearance network that clears any harmful metabolic byproducts while we sleep, including proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Lastly, Dr. Saito points out the difference between sleeping in a fetal or curled position and spreading out. Sleeping on either side of your body, with your spine straight, helps keep it aligned, while curling up on your side helps to ease lower back pain. However, being too curled up can compress your diaphragm and chest, which restricts breathing.

Having trouble sleeping because you can’t find a comfortable sleeping position can cause you to move a lot throughout the night as you try to reposition yourself. This can disrupt your sleep and affect the quality of your sleep. Here are ways to practice sleeping in better positions to help you get a restful night’s sleep:

If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees to help better align your head, neck, and hips. This neutral posture can make breathing easier and result in deeper and more restorative sleep

If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees

If you sleep on your stomach, place a thin pillow under your hips

Additionally, choosing a mattress that adheres to the natural curve of your spine is an essential part of getting a good night’s sleep.

There isn’t just one best position to sleep in. A lot of factors go into how your sleep position affects your quality of sleep. Whether you suffer from sleep apnea, back pain, are a chronic snorer, or are pregnant, the major goal is to find a comfortable and unobtrusive sleeping position that allows you to get a good night’s sleep. Choose whichever sleep position that makes you the most comfortable, as it will give you the best and most rest.

Our New York Sleep Clinic staff consists of board-certified sleep specialists and respiratory therapists who are highly skilled in evaluating and treating sleep disorders. Our compassionate staff will ensure your stay is pleasant and helpful to your health. For additional information or to make an appointment, please call 718-206-5916.

Men’s Health Month- Health Screenings for Men

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

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

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

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

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

Screenings guidelines recommended for men ages 18-39 include:

Physical examinations

Blood pressure screenings

Cholesterol screenings

Colon cancer screenings

Dental examinations

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes screenings

Eye examinations

Immunizations

Skin examinations

Infectious disease screenings

Screenings guidelines recommended for men ages 40-64 include:

Physical examinations

Blood pressure screenings

Cholesterol screenings

Colorectal cancer screenings

Prostate cancer screenings

Osteoporosis screening

Lung cancer screening

Infectious disease screening

Immunizations

Eye examinations

Dental examinations

Skin examinations

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

Screen for any medical issues

Encourage a healthy lifestyle

Assess your risk for any future medical problems

Update vaccinations and other preventative care services

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

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

Body Dysmorphia

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Body dysmorphia or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition that causes you to unfairly and negatively think about how you see and feel about your body and appearance. A person who has body dysmorphia may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or anxious. Other common symptoms of body dysmorphia include:

Constantly comparing yourself with others

Constantly asking others if you look okay

Not believing others when they say you look fine

Hiding parts of your body under a hat, scarf, or makeup

Constantly checking yourself in the mirror or avoiding them entirely

Constantly grooming or exercising

Picking at your skin with your fingers or tweezers

Seeing several healthcare providers about your appearance

Having unnecessary plastic surgeries

Suicidal ideations

Avoiding social situations

Not leaving the house, especially during the day

These symptoms can cause severe disruptions in a person’s life, affecting their thoughts, which can undermine their mental and physical well-being.

Experts estimate that body dysmorphia affects about 2.4% of adults in the U.S. overall, and between 1.7% and 2.9% of people globally.

Body dysmorphia is most likely to begin in the teen or early adult years. Two-thirds of people with body dysmorphia develop the condition before the age of 18, usually around 12 or 13 years old. However, it can also start in early adulthood.

Experts don’t fully know how or why body dysmorphia occurs, but they believe multiple factors are involved, such as:

Genetics

Brain structure, chemistry, and activity differences

Cultural influences and popular media

A history of childhood abuse, neglect, or bullying

People who suffer from body dysmorphia are more likely to have other mental conditions, including:

Anxiety disorders

Depression

Eating disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Substance use disorders

The symptoms of body dysmorphia can take many shapes as a person who suffers from this condition can excessively focus on one or more parts of the body, such as their:

Face, such as their nose, complexion, wrinkles, acne, and other blemishes

Hair, such as its appearance or any thinning and/or baldness

Skin and appearance of their veins

Breast size

Muscle size and tone

Genitalia

There aren’t any medical tests that can diagnose dysmorphia. A healthcare provider will perform a medical evaluation to help rule out other medical conditions and may refer you to a mental health professional for further evaluation. The mental health professional will diagnose body dysmorphia based on:

A psychological evaluation, which assesses risk factors, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to negative self-image

Your personal, social, family, and medical history

Signs and symptoms that you have experienced

The treatment for body dysmorphia often can include a combination of:

Psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy

Medications, such as antidepressants

You may find that negative thoughts about your body are hard to control, and you may even spend hours each day worrying about the way you look. Your thinking can become so negative and persistent that you may think about suicide at times. If you are having suicidal thoughts or behaviors, dial 988 on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If there is an emergency, call 911.

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.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease, is a condition that causes a strong urge to move the legs, typically accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation. This sensation usually occurs in the evening or at night when sitting or lying down. Moving the legs eases the discomfort for a short time.

There are two types of restless leg syndrome: early onset and late onset.

Early onset restless leg syndrome is diagnosed before the age of 45, usually runs in your biological family, and progresses slowly.

Late-onset restless leg syndrome is diagnosed after the age of 45 and progresses more quickly.

Restless leg syndrome affects between 7% and 10% of the U.S. population and is more common among Caucasian people and females.

The symptoms of restless leg syndrome include:

An uncomfortable sensation in the legs that causes the urge to move them

A temporary feeling of relief when the legs move

Sensations that worsen while resting

Twitchy legs or leg jerks in the evening and while sleeping

Restless leg syndrome symptoms can affect sleep and can cause:

Sleep disruptions, difficulty falling or staying asleep

Fatigue or daytime sleepiness

Behavior or mood changes

An urge to get out of bed to stretch or move the legs

Depression or anxiety

Difficulty paying attention, remembering things, or concentrating

When a person experiences restless leg syndrome, they feel sensations that make them want to move their legs and feet. These sensations include:

Crawling

Itching

Aching

Throbbing

Pulling or tugging

Burning

There isn’t a known cause for restless leg syndrome. However, researchers believe it may be caused by an imbalance of dopamine, the brain chemical that sends messages to control muscle movement.

Other factors that may contribute to the risk of developing restless leg syndrome include:

Genetics

Medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or anti-nausea medications

Having an underlying medical condition, such as an iron deficiency

Other medical conditions can cause restless leg syndrome, including:

Anemia

Pregnancy

Diabetes

Kidney disease

Peripheral neuropathy

Substance abuse disorder

There are several triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, stress, and certain medications, that can make restless leg syndrome symptoms worse.

To diagnose restless leg syndrome, a healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to review your symptoms and ask about your medical and family medical history. They may also perform a neurological exam, blood tests, and recommend an overnight sleep study. The criteria they will use to confirm a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome include:

You have the urge to move your legs, usually occurring with uncomfortable sensations like aching or pulling.

Symptoms begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity.

You have partial or total relief when stretching, walking, or exercising the affected muscles.

Your symptoms are worse or only occur in the evening or at night.

Another medical condition didn’t cause your symptoms.

Treating restless leg syndrome includes taking medications or changing your routine at home by following recommended at-home therapies to help relieve your symptoms and help you feel more comfortable.

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

Lupus Awareness Month

Posted on May 6, 2026 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 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 the 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 a flare-up. 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

If you would like to participate in Lupus Awareness Month, here are some ways you can do so:

Learn about lupus

Support those who are suffering from lupus

Advocate for better research, more care, and more compassion

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.