Can You Actually Catch Up on Lost Sleep?

Posted on September 18, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

For many of us, getting enough sleep during the week can be challenging. Common activities like work, commuting, social life, downtime, and watching TV can cause us to lose sleep. As a result, more than one-third of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep per night, rather than the recommended seven to nine hours. The loss of those one to two hours is called sleep debt.

Sleep debt, or sleep deficit, is the difference between how much sleep you need and how much you get. Sleep debt is cumulative, so going to sleep a half hour or an hour later than normal over a few days can add up quickly. Two weeks of sleeping just six hours a night produces the same level of cognitive impairment as if you stayed awake for two full days straight. Other side effects caused by sleep debt can include:

Poor vision, hearing, coordination, and balance

Reduced energy and motivation

Slower reaction time

Drowsiness and irritability

Impaired memory, attention, judgment, and decision-making

Decreased performance in many areas, including athletics

Long-term sleep debt can lead to sleep deprivation, which occurs when you are frequently not getting as much sleep as you need. Not regularly getting an adequate amount of sleep increases the risk of developing health conditions, such as:

Cancer

Heart disease

Dementia

Mental health disorders, such as depression

Sleep deprivation can also impact your health in other ways, including:

Immune system dysfunction

Poor emotional regulation

Executive function issues

Metabolic dysregulation and weight gain

Inhibited sex drive

Higher risk of accidents, falls, and other injuries

Sleeping in on the weekends is the most common strategy to recover lost sleep. It can help with the occasional sleep deficit, but it isn’t good for the long term.

According to research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine showed that after five nights of sleeping less than four hours, a single recovery night of about nine hours still left people with residual attention lapses and slower reaction times. A six-week study of high-performing adults found that two nights of eight-hour recovery sleep failed to restore accuracy on tests of spatial orientation and sustained attention. Furthermore, performance declined steadily during the restricted weeknights, and the sleep recovery during the weekend wasn’t enough to cause a reset.

Additionally, a study done at the University of Colorado brought 36 healthy adults into a sleep lab for two weeks and found that people who slept only five hours a night gained about three pounds and saw a 13% decrease in insulin sensitivity. The group that slept five hours during the week and was allowed to sleep in on weekends fared even worse, as they also gained three pounds and experienced a 27% decrease in insulin sensitivity. What’s more, their liver and muscle metabolism suffered more than the group that never got recovery sleep at all.

When you finally get the opportunity to sleep longer, your brain prioritizes deep sleep, the sleep stage that restores daytime alertness and cognitive function, first. This is called a rebound effect. Your brain categorizes the sleep stages and recovers the most critical stages before anything else, which is why the first long recovery sleep feels so restorative even if you are far from fully recharged.

Complete recovery from weeks of sleep debt and deprivation will require many nights of quality sleep, rather than making up the sleep during the weekend. The first step in getting sufficient sleep is to improve your sleep hygiene. There are several ways to improve your sleep hygiene and reduce your chances of accumulating sleep debt, including:

Keeping a set sleep schedule

Developing a nightly routine

Considering daytime habits

Improving the bedroom environment

When recovering lost sleep, the most effective strategy is to add sleep in small, consistent increments instead of overhauling your schedule. Some techniques that can be useful to help you properly catch up on sleep and eliminate sleep debt include:

Staying consistent

Keeping a sleep diary

Trying an afternoon nap

Giving time to the process

Talking to your healthcare provider

If you are having difficulty sleeping and would like help, Jamaica Hospital’s state-of-the-art sleep center can help diagnose and treat various sleep disorders. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 718-206-5916.

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.

Herniated Discs

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or bulging disc, occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc pushes against and leaks out of its outer ring. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in your neck, back, or legs.

Every year, more than three million people in the U.S. get a herniated disc. They are a leading cause of neck, back, and leg pain and can happen anywhere along your spine, but most often in your lower back or neck.

Although pain is a common symptom throughout your back, symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on its location and may lead to other symptoms. A herniated disc in your lower back may cause sciatic nerve pain that usually shoots down one side of your buttocks into your leg and sometimes your foot. Other symptoms of a herniated disc in your lower back may include:

Lower back pain

Muscle weakness

Tingling or numbness in your legs and/or feet

Symptoms of a herniated disc in your neck may include:

Neck pain, especially in the back and on the sides of your neck

Pain near or between your shoulder blades

Pain that travels to your shoulder, arm, and sometimes your hand and fingers

Numbness or tingling in your arms

Pain that increases while bending or turning your neck

Several factors can contribute to a herniated disc, including:

Traumatic injuries, such as falls

Aging

Lifting heavy objects improperly

Performing repetitive bending or twisting motions

People between the ages of 30 and 50 years old are most likely to get a herniated disc, with men being twice as likely to be affected by them as women. Herniated discs tend to run in families. Other risk factors for herniated discs include:

Sitting in the same position for long periods of time

Being overweight or obese

Having diabetes

Smoking

Having a connective tissue disorder

A healthcare provider can diagnose a herniated disc by performing a thorough physical exam, which allows them to assess your pain, muscle reflexes, how well you respond to touch, pinpricks, or vibration, and muscle strength. Your healthcare provider may also perform other tests, such as:

A neurological exam

Imaging tests, such as:

MRI scan

X-rays

CT scan

A nerve conduction study

Myelogram

Electromyogram (EMG)

In most cases, pain from a herniated disc eventually goes away on its own within four to six weeks. However, if you need to relieve your pain while at home, you can:

Rest for one to three days if the pain is severe, but avoid long periods of bed rest to prevent stiffness

Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

Apply heat or ice to the affected area

If your symptoms aren’t improving, your healthcare provider may recommend more advanced treatments, such as medications, physical therapy, or spinal injections.

If nonsurgical treatments don’t ease or relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend a minimally invasive spine surgery called a microdiscectomy.

Although it isn’t always possible to prevent a herniated disc, you can reduce your risk of developing one by:

Stretching

Using proper lifting techniques

Practicing good posture

Maintaining a healthy weight

Getting regular physical activity

Avoiding wearing high-heeled shoes

Quitting smoking

The Orthopedic Surgery Department of Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY, consists of board-certified, expert surgeons who offer treatment for patients suffering from any orthopedic condition, ensuring speedy recovery and maximum comfort throughout the treatment process. For more information about how to make an appointment with our orthopedic surgeons, please contact us at 718-206-6923.

Patient Testimonial- Wayne Singleton

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

“I am grateful to Dr. Atalay and the hospital staff for aiding in my recovery”, is what I said after Dr. Atalay and the staff at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center saved my life after I had a major stroke at work.

On January 21st of this year, I was working at my job when suddenly, I began to experience the symptoms of a stroke. As the stroke advanced, I collapsed. My colleague came out of his office to help and called an ambulance.

The ambulance brought me to the Emergency Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where I was immediately prepped for surgery. Dr. Yahya Atalay, a neuro-intervention specialist, treated me and successfully performed a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the clot from my brain via my groin.

Presently, I am enrolled in cardio-rehabilitation three days per week. I do light to moderate exercises, and I monitor my vitals daily. I am recovering from my stroke one day at a time.

Thank you to Dr. Atalay and the Jamaica Hospital staff for everything they have done for me.

Dysautonomia

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Dysautonomia is the general term for nervous system disorders that disrupt the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

There are two main types of dysautonomia: primary and secondary.

Primary dysautonomia can happen on its own without a specific cause and isn’t as common as secondary dysautonomia. Two types of primary dysautonomia are familial dysautonomia, which means it is inherited, and idiopathic dysautonomia, which means it happens for reasons healthcare providers can’t explain or detect. Your odds of having familial dysautonomia are increased if you:

Have a family member, such as a parent or sibling, with dysautonomia

Are of Jewish heritage, especially if you are Ashkenazi Jewish heritage

Are of Eastern European heritage

Secondary dysautonomias are conditions that can cause or contribute to dysautonomia, such as:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG)

Amyloidosis

Botulism

COVID-19 infection, especially long COVID

Lewy body dementia

Lupus

Parkinson’s Disease

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Type 2 diabetes

The autonomic nervous system manages all the body processes you don’t think about, such as your blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, digestion, heart rate, sweating, and much more. If you have dysautonomia, one or more of these ANS processes aren’t functioning properly.

Dysautonomia can cause several different symptoms due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system, including:

Nausea and vomiting

Brain fog, forgetfulness, or trouble focusing

Balance problems

Vertigo

Migraines or frequent headaches

Mood swings or anxiety

Fatigue or ongoing tiredness

Sexual dysfunction

Vision issues, such as blurred vision or trouble with your eyes adjusting to light changes

Pinpoint pupils or unusually wide-eyed pupils

Unusually dry or watery eyes

Trouble swallowing

Sound or light sensitivity

Chest pain or discomfort

Runny nose

Shifts in body or skin temperature

Sweating more or less than usual, or sweating more in certain body parts

Clammy or pale skin

Exercise intolerance

Excessive drooling

There can be several possible complications of dysautonomia because of how it affects vital body processes. Most of the complications revolve around symptoms of dysautonomia, especially when they’re severe or disrupt your usual routine and activities. Serious symptoms and complications typically include:

Trouble breathing, such as shortness of breath

Heart rate issues, such as heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, or a fast or slow heart rate

Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or passing out (especially when standing up), which can lead to injuries from falls

Disrupted digestion, such as changes in bowel movements, such as constipation or diarrhea

Disrupted kidney function, leading to urinary tract infections, a frequent urge to pee, or urinary incontinence

Diagnosing dysautonomia is often a process of elimination, using a combination of methods and tests. It also involves determining how and when symptoms happen and finding the pattern linking them. Experienced healthcare providers may find it challenging to diagnose dysautonomia because it can cause symptoms throughout the body that might not seem connected. Healthcare providers may also link symptoms to the condition causing dysautonomia but not realize dysautonomia is also happening.

Some of the tests that may help diagnose dysautonomia or help rule out other conditions include:

Physical and neurological exams

Heart tests, especially an electrocardiogram

Ultrasound and other tests for symptoms related to urinary incontinence

Blood tests, especially testing for antibodies that indicate an autoimmune disorder or testing levels of certain neurotransmitters such as catecholamines

Tilt table test

Sweat tests, such as the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test

Pupil measurement testing, also known as pupillometry

There is no cure for dysautonomia. However, many symptoms are manageable, and the approach for treating dysautonomia depends on several factors, especially the cause.

Some treatment approaches that might help include:

Staying hydrated

Making dietary changes

Taking medications to increase blood pressure

Taking immune-suppressing medications or other immune system treatments

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

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.

Common Vaccines That Can Prevent Chronic Diseases or Some Cancers

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Vaccines don’t just protect you from specific infectious diseases or help reduce the severity of symptoms if you get sick. They also play a significant role in preventing you from developing common chronic diseases, including certain cancers.

What’s more, there is an increasing amount of research that has shown that vaccines can reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart conditions.

Here are some common vaccines that can prevent chronic diseases and some cancers:

HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection spread by skin-to-skin contact, often through sex, and is responsible for most cervical cancers. It can also cause a large number of lower genital cancers and certain head and neck cancers.

Studies have shown that rates of HPV infection, early signs of precancer, and cervical cancer have fallen since the HPV vaccine was introduced. A 2024 study of an estimated 3.5 million participants found fewer cases of HPV-related cancers in people who were vaccinated. Another study found that cervical cancer deaths among women younger than 25 years old dropped more than 60 percent in recent years, with researchers suggesting that the significant decline was most likely the result of vaccinations.

The HPV vaccine should be administered to all young people between the ages of nine and 26. It can be given to people up to the age of 45; however, the vaccine is less effective the older you are. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for most people younger than 15 years old, and three shots for people between 15 and 26 years old and those who are immunocompromised.

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Unfortunately, the virus doesn’t leave your body after you have recovered from chicken pox and stays dormant in your nervous system, and for some people, it can reactivate and cause a painful rash. In the U.S., an estimated one million people get shingles each year, and for certain people, it can sometimes also cause lifelong chronic pain conditions or other serious complications, such as vision loss.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the shingles vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing shingles in adults between 50 and 69 years old.

Additionally, many large-scale studies have reported a connection between the shingles vaccine and reduced risk of dementia. There is also research that suggests the vaccine could reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. The CDC recommends two doses of a shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older, or people 19 years or older with weakened immune symptoms. The chicken pox vaccine for children can help prevent shingles when they’re older.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B virus is a leading risk factor for liver disease and cancer later in life. It can be contracted through sexual contact, needles, and childbirth, and can be passed from person to person through blood, semen, or other bodily fluids.

Acute hepatitis B can be a short-term illness that happens within the first six months of exposure to the virus. It can cause people to have no symptoms or only mild sickness. However, the illness, which is a liver infection that can become a lifelong chronic condition if left untreated, could lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is recommended that all infants receive the vaccine at birth, with the series of shots to be completed in the first 15 months of their life.

Flu, Coronavirus, and RSV Vaccine

Vaccines that help prevent infections from respiratory viruses are important because they protect us against serious disease, as well as flare-ups or worsening of existing chronic health conditions.

A study done in 2020 found higher rates of severe flu infections among adults with certain chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. Additionally, a study of 46 million adults observed that the incidence of heart attacks and strokes decreased after people received coronavirus vaccinations.

The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older should get an annual flu shot.

It is also important for those who have chronic conditions to get the coronavirus and RSV vaccines.

RSV can be devastating for children and elderly people. Getting the RSV vaccine is recommended for babies, pregnant women to protect their babies, adults ages 50 to 74 with chronic health conditions, and all adults 75 and older.

Bacterial Vaccines

Bacterial infections such as meningitis and pneumonia can also lead to chronic disabilities or even death.

The longer a person has a meningitis infection, the greater the risk of the infection causing serious complications such as hearing loss, vision troubles, memory issues, learning disabilities, brain damage, seizures, and kidney failure.

Pneumonia can have long-term effects, such as depression, heart disease, and blood vessel diseases that worsen. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, pneumonia could cause kidney, liver, and heart damage due to the organs not getting enough oxygen to function properly, or because of the immune system responding negatively to the infection.

Both bacterial meningitis and pneumonia can lead to sepsis. If treated early, a person suffering from sepsis can recover completely; however, others might experience long-term effects, including insomnia, nightmares or hallucinations, panic attacks, joint and muscle pain, decreased cognitive function, and organ failure.

The CDC recommends all preteens and teens, as well as children and adults who are at an increased risk, receive the meningococcal vaccine, as it protects against the disease that causes meningitis. Children five years and younger and adults 50 or older should receive the pneumococcal vaccine, which helps prevent pneumonia and other infections, including meningitis and sepsis.

It is important to remember that getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against worsening or serious symptoms of illness and developing chronic diseases and cancers.

To learn more about our infectious disease services or to make an appointment with our infectious disease physicians, please contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-6000.

Patient Testimony- Neil Moir

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

“You saved my life” is what I said after Dr. Yahya Atalay and the staff at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center saved my life after I had a major stroke at JFK Airport.

On November 3rd of last year, I ended up in the emergency room at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center after having a major stroke while I was in the departure lounge at JFK Airport while travelling back to the UK.

While in Jamaica Hospital’s emergency department, it was discovered that I had a blood clot in my brain. Dr. Yahya Atalay, a neuro-intervention specialist, treated me and successfully performed a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the clot from my brain via my groin.

After the operation, I was completely unable to move the right-hand side of my body and could not talk. Over the next three days, I regained full use of my right-hand side, and my speech was almost back to normal with only a slight impediment, which only my wife had noticed.

The care I received was second to none. All the staff at the hospital were professional, dedicated, and caring. I was discharged after three days, which everyone seemed quite impressed with.

My family and I cannot thank all the hospital staff enough for what they did over my three-day stay with them.

I would also like to thank my wife, Serena, who has been a rock over the last few months during my recovery after my episode.

Kindest Regards,

Neil Moir

The Dangers of Misusing the Allergy Medication Diphenhydramine

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

When people are experiencing allergy symptoms such as coughs, sneezes, a runny nose, congestion, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat, they turn to allergy medications like diphenhydramine to help quell them. Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that, when used as directed, is usually safe for occasional allergy or sleep symptoms. However, when diphenhydramine is misused and more than the recommended dosage is taken, it can cause serious health risks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated one million people are seen in U.S. hospital emergency departments for adverse drug events each year, and more than one-fourth are hospitalized.

Unfortunately, teenagers have been reportedly taking dangerously high doses of diphenhydramine intentionally to provoke hallucinations. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that taking higher doses of diphenhydramine could lead to life-threatening complications, including heart problems, such as irregular heart rhythms, seizures, coma, or even death, after news reports of teenagers being admitted to emergency rooms or dying after a TikTok challenge encouraged them to misuse the allergy medication.

In addition to life-threatening complications, misusing diphenhydramine can lead to cognitive decline, psychiatric harm, and neurological injury.

The FDA recommends always reading the drug facts label on all over-the-counter medicines to find out if they contain diphenhydramine, how much and how often you should take them, and important safety information to avoid taking more than the dose listed and prevent serious health risks.

Here are some safety tips to reduce the risk of the potentially harmful effects of misusing diphenhydramine:

Lock medicine away safely to prevent accidental poisoning

Choose medicines that only treat the symptoms you have

Be mindful that many medicines contain multiple ingredients that may interact with alcohol dangerously

Look out for the same active ingredients in medicines taken at the same time, as it may result in an overdose

Do not take medicines longer than needed or in higher doses

Do not take medicines with side effects that impact your ability to drive safely or use heavy machinery until you are in an appropriate and safe environment

Read the dosing directions carefully, especially when it comes to infants and children

Be cautious when taking more than one medicine at a time, as drug-to-drug interactions can cause serious health effects and can even be fatal

If you or a loved one is experiencing a bad reaction or serious side effects to an allergy medication, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001. Please call 911 if there is an emergency.

Aphasia Awareness Month

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, a month dedicated to increasing understanding of aphasia. This acquired communication disorder impairs a person’s ability to process language but does not affect their intelligence.

Aphasia affects the ability to speak and understand others, causing most people with the disorder to have trouble reading and writing.

The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. About 25 to 40 percent of stroke survivors are afflicted with aphasia. It can also be a result of a head injury, a brain tumor, or other neurological causes.

There are six types of aphasia, including:

Global aphasia is the most severe form of aphasia and is applied to patients who can produce few recognizable words and understand little or no spoken language. People with global aphasia can’t read or write. It is often seen immediately after the patient has suffered a stroke and may rapidly improve if the damage to the brain has not been too extensive. However, with greater brain damage, there may be severe and lasting disability.

Broca’s aphasia, or non-fluent aphasia, is a form of aphasia in which the speech output is severely reduced and is limited mainly to short utterances of less than four words. A person’s vocabulary access is limited, and so is their ability to form sounds.

Mixed non-fluent aphasia is a form of aphasia that applies to people with sparse and effortful speech, which can resemble severe Broca’s aphasia. However, they remain limited in their speech comprehension and do not read or write beyond an elementary level.

Wernicke’s aphasia, or fluent aphasia, is a form of aphasia in which the ability to grasp the meaning of spoken words is impaired. However, the ease of producing connected speech is not much affected. Reading and writing are often severely impaired.

Anomic aphasia is a form of aphasia that is applied to people left with a persistent inability to supply the words for the things they want to say, particularly significant nouns and verbs.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired. Unlike the other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

A healthcare provider can diagnose aphasia by performing physical and neurological exams. They can also use imaging tests, such as an MRI and a CT scan, to identify what is causing aphasia.

Aphasia can also be diagnosed with the help of a speech-language pathologist who can complete a comprehensive language assessment to confirm the presence of aphasia and determine the appropriate course of language treatment.

The assessment helps find out whether the person can:

Name common objects

Engage in a conversation

Understand and use words correctly

Answer questions about something read or heard

Repeat words and sentences

Follow instructions

Answer yes and no questions and respond to open-ended questions about common subjects

Read and write

There are several treatments for aphasia, including:

Speech and language rehabilitation therapy aims to improve the ability to communicate and help restore as much language as possible. This is done by teaching the person with aphasia how to make up for lost language skills and find other communication methods. This therapy:

Starts early

Often works in groups

May include the use of computers

Medications are being studied to treat aphasia that may improve blood flow to the brain and enhance its ability to recover or help replace the depleted chemicals in the brain.

Brain stimulations, such as transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation, are being studied to help improve the ability to name things.

Because aphasia is often a sign of a serious problem, such as a stroke, seek emergency medical care if you suddenly develop any symptoms.

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