Why Spring is A Good Time to Rebuild Healthy Routines

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes warm weather, blooming flowers and trees, and longer days. It is a time for renewal and rejuvenation, and as we thaw out from winter, we may realize that spending most of our time indoors has caused us to fall into sedentary habits, such as binging comfort foods, not exercising, and other sluggish routines.

However, spring is the perfect time to refresh your health goals, rebuild healthy routines, and establish new habits. Here are some ways you can reset for the season:

Spring cleaning usually relates to deep cleaning our homes and decluttering our closets. However, it can also be a great way to reset your mindset. A clutter-free environment can help encourage mental clarity, productivity, and relaxation. You can start spring cleaning by organizing your workspaces, donating unused clothes and items, and deep-cleaning busy areas to create a space that feels new and cheerful. You can also declutter any digital spaces, such as emails, phone apps, and limit screen time, which can promote a more mindful relationship with technology.

Warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours make springtime the perfect time to take advantage of the sun. It allows us to enjoy its benefits, as it can boost our mood and energy. The spring sun recharges us with the vitamin D we were lacking after a cold and dreary winter. The sun also helps regulate circadian rhythms, which improves sleep and overall well-being. Even taking a short daily walk during the daytime can increase mental clarity and reduce stress. It is important to note that you should put on sunscreen, wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and garments with long sleeves and pants while outside to help prevent skin cancer.

Spring is a great time to assess your work-life balance and make the necessary adjustments that support your well-being. If you suffered from seasonal affective disorder or felt burnt out during winter, spring is an opportunity to rebalance work and life for less stress. Prioritize self-care and set boundaries. Make time for activities that bring you joy and happiness, such as engaging in your favorite hobbies, socializing with friends, or spending time with family. It is also important to schedule breaks, time outdoors, and moments of relaxation. A healthy work-life balance can increase mental clarity, motivation, and happiness, which can help you enter spring with restored energy and focus.

Warm spring weather provides the perfect temperature to move your workout outdoors. The standard minimum recommended time for moderate-intensity physical activity is 150 minutes per week. Whether it’s a morning jog, yoga in the park, evening walks, or gardening, it will do as long as your muscles are activated, and you do it consistently. Exercising in the sunshine adds a mood-enhancing benefit, as being amongst nature helps reduce cortisol levels, which improves heart health.

The longer days of spring may also benefit sleep health. The natural light of the sun during the day helps regulate the body’s melatonin production and improve your sleep quality and energy levels. Create a relaxing evening routine by winding down with calming activities such as reading, meditating, or gentle stretching. Try to avoid consuming caffeine or heavy meals late in the evening, as they can disrupt restfulness.

Spring is the time for new beginnings, which makes it an excellent time to focus on mental wellness. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling, can help decrease stress and gain clarity. Take a few minutes each day to practice gratitude, as it can change your mindset and improve your emotional well-being. Think about establishing seasonal goals that fit your values, whether it is improving your fitness, learning a new skill or language, or creating more balance in your life. Connecting with nature, practicing self-reflection, and letting go of old habits can refresh your outlook, which can help you feel more grounded and at peace.

This season of renewal is a great time to make dietary changes. Trade in heavy, processed foods for seasonal fruits, vegetables, and lighter meals that support digestion and energy. Focus on eating foods that are rich in nutrients, such as berries, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and lean proteins. It is also important to hydrate. Increase your water intake and try drinking herbal teas or lemon water to support natural detoxification. Evaluate your eating habits and identify areas where there can be improvement. Decrease your consumption of excess sugar, refined carbs, and artificial additives. Replace them with foods that are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Add more fermented foods such as yogurt and kimchi, as they can also promote gut health, boost digestion, and immunity.

Spring can be a seasonal reset, as it allows you to feel more energized, balanced, and refreshed. Incremental changes such as spending more time outdoors, improving your diet, prioritizing rest, and tidying up your space can make a major impact on both your physical and mental well-being. Embracing renewal and positive habits can help you enter spring rejuvenated, filled with happiness, vitality, and personal growth.

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.

IBS Awareness Month

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

April is observed as IBS Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder that affects the large intestine.

Researchers are unclear of what exactly causes IBS, but they categorize it as a neurogastrointestinal (GI) disorder. Neurogastrointestinal disorders, also known as gut-brain interaction, involve problems with how the gut and brain coordinate to help the digestive system work. This communication challenge between the brain and gut can cause:

Dysmotility

Visceral hypersensitivity

Other potential causes of IBS may include:

Gut bacteria

Severe infections

Food intolerance

Childhood stress

IBS affects approximately 15% of the U.S. population, causing abdominal pain and changes to the frequency of your bowel movements. Other symptoms of IBS include:

Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two

Feeling like you are unable to empty your bowels after pooping

Cramps

Excess gas and bloating

Mucus in stool that makes it look whitish

If a person has IBS, they may notice when certain things trigger symptoms. A trigger doesn’t cause IBS itself, but it can cause or worsen symptoms to flare up. Common IBS triggers include:

Periods

Certain foods

Stress

Researchers categorize IBS based on how a person’s stool looks on the days when they’re having flare ups. Most people with IBS may experience days when they have normal bowel movements and days when they experience abnormal ones. The bowel movements on abnormal days define the type of IBS they have. The types of IBS include:

IBS with constipation (IBS-C)- most of the stool is hard and lumpy

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)- most of the stool is loose and watery

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)- stool is both hard and lumpy and loose and watery

Post-infectious IBS- generally occurs after an infection in the intestines, and stool is either similar to IBS-D or IBS-M, with a smaller number of cases presenting stool as IBS-C

To diagnose IBS, a healthcare provider will get a full medical history by asking about your symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, they may need other tests to confirm a diagnosis. These tests include:

Lab tests

Imaging tests

No specific therapy works for everyone who has IBS. However, most people with IBS can find a treatment plan that works best for them. Typical treatment options for IBS include:

Modifying your diet

Exercising regularly and trying relaxation techniques

Therapy

Medications

No matter what form of IBS you are experiencing, working with a gastroenterologist can help you manage your symptoms effectively. You can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Managing Seasonal Allergies If You Have Asthma

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Spring has finally sprung, and with it comes growing grass, blooming trees, and flowers. The season of renewal also comes with seasonal allergies due to the spreading of grass, tree, and flower pollen, as well as mold spores.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever affects many people who have pollen allergies. About 26% of adults and 19% of children are affected by seasonal allergic rhinitis.

When a person who suffers from seasonal allergies inhales pollen, it causes allergic reactions in the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs. Seasonal allergic rhinitis can also affect those who suffer from asthma, a chronic condition that causes the airways to become narrow and inflamed and can also cause extra mucus to be produced.

Allergic asthma can be triggered by inhaling mold spores and pollen from trees, flowers, and grass. If a person who suffers from asthma inhales pollen, it can cause their airways to narrow and become swollen, which makes it difficult for them to breathe.

Asthma symptoms include:

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Chest pain or tightness

Coughing

Common treatments for asthma include:

Nasal corticosteroid sprays

Antihistamines

Immunotherapy or allergy shots

If you suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma, there are several ways to manage allergies and reduce your exposure to pollen, including:

Using the air conditioner

Sleeping with the windows closed

Keeping track of the air quality and pollen counts

Taking your asthma medications as prescribed

Using an air purifier

Washing clothes and bedding regularly

Showering after being outdoors

Staying indoors when the pollen count is high

If you are experiencing symptoms related to seasonal allergies or asthma, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Integrative Health: Acupuncture

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Integrative health combines modern and holistic medicines that can help prevent the onset of disease, address existing chronic conditions, and promote healing in patients.

This approach places the patient at the center of a treatment plan, considering the physical, emotional, and social needs of that individual.

Treatment plans may also include the use of conventional medicine, such as prescriptions, to manage chronic health conditions, as well as therapies and practices, such as acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners insert fine needles into the skin to treat health problems. The needles can be manually manipulated or stimulated with small electrical currents, which is called electroacupuncture.

Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been in use in some form for at least 2,500 years, gaining worldwide popularity since the 1970s.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is used as a therapeutic technique in 103 out of 129 countries that reported data.

Data from the National Health Interview Survey showed that the use of acupuncture by adults in the U.S. more than doubled between 2002 and 2022. In 2002, 1% of adults in the U.S. used acupuncture. In 2022, that percentage rose to 2.2%.

National survey data suggest that acupuncture is most used for back, joint, and neck pain in the U.S.

It isn’t fully understood how acupuncture works. However, there is evidence that shows that acupuncture may have effects on the central nervous system, effects on other body tissues, and placebo effects.

Studies done in animals and humans, including studies using imaging procedures to see what is happening in the brain, have shown that acupuncture may affect nervous system function.

Acupuncture may have direct effects on the tissues where the needles have been inserted, which has been seen in connective tissue.

Research has shown that acupuncture may be beneficial for several pain conditions, including knee pain resulting from osteoarthritis and postoperative pain. Acupuncture may also help relieve joint pain associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors, which are drugs used in people diagnosed with breast cancer.

An analysis of data from 20 studies (6,376 participants) of people with painful conditions (back pain, osteoarthritis, neck pain, or headaches) showed that the beneficial effects of acupuncture continued for a year after the end of treatment for all conditions except neck pain.

Acupuncture doesn’t only treat painful conditions. It has also been studied for at least 50 other health problems. There is evidence that indicates acupuncture may help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms, stress incontinence in women, and nausea and vomiting associated with cancer treatment, and may also help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life in people with asthma, but it has not been shown to improve lung function.

Auricular acupuncture is a type of acupuncture that involves stimulating specific areas of the ear. Research on auricular acupuncture for chronic back pain and cancer pain has had promising results.

Relatively few complications from using acupuncture have been reported. However, complications have resulted from the use of nonsterile needles and improper delivery of treatments. When not delivered properly, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections, punctured organs, and injury to the central nervous system.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires that they be sterile and labeled for single use only.

If you are interested in learning more about any of our integrative health services, events, or classes, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (718) 206-5675.

World Epilepsy Awareness Day (Purple Day)

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

World Epilepsy Awareness Day, or Purple Day, is observed on March 26th, a global initiative to raise awareness of epilepsy and support the millions of people living with it worldwide.

Approximately 65 million people are living with epilepsy across the world, and one in 26 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime.

Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes recurring seizures. Most people who suffer from epilepsy generally have the same type of seizure each time, and symptoms are usually similar from episode to episode. The symptoms of seizures can vary depending on the type of seizure, and because epilepsy is caused by certain activity in the brain, seizures can affect any brain process. Seizure symptoms may include:

Short-term confusion.

A staring spell.

Stiff muscles.

Jerking movements of the arms and legs.

Loss of consciousness.

Psychological symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or déjà vu.

Sometimes people with epilepsy may have changes in their behavior and may also experience psychosis.

Seizures can be categorized as either focal or generalized, based on where in the brain the brain activity that causes the seizure originates.

Focal seizures are the result of brain activity in just one area of the brain. Focal seizures can fall into two categories: focal seizures with preserved consciousness or focal seizures with impaired consciousness.

Types of focal seizures include:

Temporal lobe seizures

Frontal lobe seizures

Occipital lobe seizures

Focal seizures may have warning signs called auras in the moments before a seizure begins. Auras might include a feeling in the stomach, emotions such as fear, or the feeling of déjà vu. They can also be a taste, a smell, or a visual, such as a steady or flashing light, a color, or a shape. Some people may even experience dizziness and loss of balance, or hallucinations.

Generalized seizures are seizures that involve all areas of the brain. Types of generalized seizures include:

Absence seizures

Tonic seizures

Atonic seizures

Clonic seizures

Myoclonic seizures

Tonic-clonic seizures

There is no identifiable cause of epilepsy in about half of the people with the condition. In the other half, the condition may be traced to various factors, including:

Family history of epilepsy

Head trauma

Brain tumors

Infections, such as meningitis, HIV, viral encephalitis, and some parasitic infections

Abnormal blood vessel formation or bleeding in the brain

Alzheimer’s disease

Strokes, heart attacks, and other conditions that deprive the brain of oxygen

Brain inflammation or swelling

Alcoholism or alcohol withdrawal

Injury before birth

Developmental conditions

Seizures can be caused by environmental triggers. These seizure triggers don’t cause epilepsy, but they may trigger seizures in people who suffer from epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy don’t have reliable triggers that always cause seizures. However, there are often factors that make it easier to have a seizure, including:

Flashing lights

Alcohol

Illicit drug use

Lack of sleep

Stress

Dehydration

Skipping doses of anti-seizure medicines or taking more than prescribed

Skipped meals

Illness

Epilepsy is diagnosed when a healthcare provider reviews your symptoms and medical history. They may perform several tests to diagnose epilepsy and to detect the cause of seizures. These tests include:

A neurological exam

Blood tests

Genetic testing

A healthcare provider may also request brain-imaging tests and scans that detect brain changes, including:

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

High-density EEG

CT scan

Functional MRI (fMRI)

PET scan

Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT)

Neuropsychological tests

Along with the test results of these brain-imaging tests, a combination of other techniques may be used to help pinpoint where the seizures start in the brain. They include:

Statistical parametric mapping (SPM)

Electrical source imaging (ESI)

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Treatment can help people who have been diagnosed with epilepsy have fewer seizures or even completely stop having seizures. These treatments include:

Medicines

Therapies that include devices that stimulate the brain

Surgery

A ketogenic diet

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

Treatments to Reduce Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common type of dementia. It causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Age is the biggest risk factor for the disease, followed by sex and family history.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is progress in Alzheimer’s and dementia research that is creating promising new treatments for those living with the disease.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications for Alzheimer’s disease, which fall into two categories:

· Drugs that change disease progression in people living with early Alzheimer’s

· Drugs that temporarily ease some symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Drugs that change disease progression target the underlying biology of the disease process by aiming to slow the decline of memory and thinking, as well as function.

Anti-amyloid treatments work by removing a protein that accumulates into plaques in the brain, called beta-amyloid. Each treatment works differently and targets beta-amyloid at a different stage of plaque formation.

These treatments change the course of the disease significantly for those who are in the early stages by giving them more time to be able to participate in daily activities and live independently.

The two treatment therapies that change disease progression are Donanemab and Lecanemab.

Donanemab is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapy that is delivered every four weeks to treat early Alzheimer’s disease, which includes people who are living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s who have been diagnosed with elevated beta-amyloid in the brain.

Donanemab was the third therapy that demonstrated that removing beta-amyloid from the brain decreases cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s disease.

Lecanemab was the second therapy to demonstrate that removing beta-amyloid from the brain decreases cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s disease.

It is important to note that anti-amyloid treatments do have side effects, such as allergic reactions, amyloid-related abnormalities (ARIA), infusion-related reactions, headaches, and falls.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, brain cells die, and the connections among those cells are lost. When this occurs, it causes cognitive and noncognitive symptoms to worsen.

Although these medications don’t stop the damage that Alzheimer’s disease causes to brain cells, they may lessen or stabilize symptoms for a limited time by affecting specific chemicals involved in delivering messages among and between the brain’s nerve cells.

The medications that are prescribed to treat symptoms related to memory and thinking include:

Cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed to treat symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other thought processes. These medications prevent the breakdown of a chemical messenger important for memory and learning, called acetylcholine. Cholinesterase inhibitors support communication between nerve cells. The most prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors include:

· Benzgalantamine treats mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

· Donepezil treats mild-to-severe dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

· Galantamine treats mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease

· Rivastigmine treats mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease as well as mild-to-moderate dementia due to Parkinson’s disease

Possible side effects for these medications include:

· Headache

· Dizziness

· Diarrhea

· Increased frequency of bowel movements

· Nausea

· Vomiting

· Loss of appetite

Glutamate regulators are medications prescribed to improve memory, attention, reasoning, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. This medication regulates the activity of glutamate, a different chemical messenger that helps the brain process information.

Memantine is a glutamate regulator that treats moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause side effects that include headaches, constipation, confusion, and dizziness.

A cholinesterase inhibitor combined with a glutamate regulator, such as donepezil and memantine, treats moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease. Possible side effects can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, confusion, dizziness, increased frequency of bowel movements, and constipation.

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just impact memory and thinking. It also impacts a person’s quality of life by affecting a variety of behavioral and psychological symptoms that come with dementia, such as agitation, hallucinations and delusions, and sleep disturbances. Some medications focus on treating these non-cognitive symptoms for a time; however, it is important to try non-drug strategies to manage behaviors before adding medications.

The FDA has approved only one drug to manage symptoms of insomnia that has been tested in people who are living with dementia, and one that treats agitation.

Orexin receptor antagonists are prescribed to address symptoms of insomnia and inhibit the activity of a type of neurotransmitter involved in the sleep-wake cycle called orexin.

Suvorexant treats insomnia and has been shown in clinical trials to be effective for people who are living with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Possible side effects can include a risk of impaired alertness and motor function, worsening depression or suicidal thinking, complex sleep behaviors, sleep paralysis, and compromised respiratory function.

Atypical antipsychotics are a group of antipsychotic drugs that target the serotonin and dopamine chemical pathways in the brain. These drugs are mainly used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as add-on therapies for major depressive disorder. The FDA requires that all atypical antipsychotics carry a safety warning that the medication has been associated with an increased risk of death in older patients who are experiencing dementia related psychosis.

Many atypical antipsychotic medications are used “off-label” to treat dementia-related behaviors, and there is only one FDA-approved atypical antipsychotic to treat agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to try non-drug strategies to help manage non-cognitive symptoms such as agitation before adding any medications.

Brexpiprazole treats agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Possible side effects may include weight gain, sleepiness, common cold symptoms, dizziness, and restlessness.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or would like to learn more about treatment options, you can consult with a neurologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7246.

Botox for Migraines

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Chronic migraines are a severe, recurring type of headache that is often debilitating. Migraines have four phases, which are prodrome, aura, migraine headache, and postdrome.

Although the exact cause of migraines is unknown, researchers believe genetics is a factor.

There are a few conditions and lifestyle factors that can trigger a migraine, including:

Anxiety

Bipolar disorder

Depression

Epilepsy

Sleep disorders

Caffeine or withdrawal from caffeine

Taking certain medications or taking them too often

Migraines are more likely to occur in the morning, making it common to wake up with a migraine. Some people have a predictable pattern of migraines, such as just before a menstrual period. Other people may have trouble recognizing what triggers their migraines.

There is no cure for migraines, but they can be managed and prevented with over-the-counter triptans and pain relievers.

Another treatment that can be used for chronic migraines is Botox. Botox for migraines is a type of botulinum toxin that may prevent chronic migraines and is only recommended by a healthcare provider if a person has 15 or more headaches per month.

Although Botox is mostly known for its cosmetic use, it has medical benefits, such as blocking pain signals before they reach the brain, as certain nerves are highly active during a migraine.

To prevent this from happening, a healthcare provider injects Botox into specific muscles in the head, neck, and shoulders using a tiny needle. These areas connect to the nerves that send pain signals during a migraine. Botox travels along these connected nerves towards the brainstem and blocks the release of chemicals that trigger pain. This may reduce how often a person gets a migraine or make their symptoms less severe when they experience one.

Before receiving Botox for migraine treatment, you will meet with your healthcare provider, who will explain the risks and benefits of it and make sure that it is a safe option for you. If you agree to move forward, you will sign a consent form.

It is important to let your healthcare provider know about any medications and supplements that you are currently taking, as Botox may interact with different types, such as muscle relaxants.

Botox has many side effects, including:

Mild pain and bruising at the injection site

Neck pain and stiffness

Headache

Flu-like symptoms

Temporary changes in appearance

These side effects are usually minimal and will clear up. Let your healthcare provider know if you are experiencing any severe pain or discomfort.

The main benefits of Botox for migraines are that it reduces:

The severity of migraines

The frequency of migraines

The duration of migraines

Botox for migraines has other benefits, including:

It’s effective with long-term use and has minimal complications

It can be combined with other migraine medications

The side effects may be better tolerated than other medications available

Chronic migraines can be painful and debilitating, and trying to find the right treatment to provide relief can be difficult and frustrating. If you are suffering from chronic migraines and haven’t found the right treatment options to relieve your symptoms, discuss Botox treatment for migraines with your healthcare provider.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of chronic migraines and are interested in Botox for migraines, you can consult with a neurologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7246.

Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. It is the second most common type of cancer among men and women, and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths.

Colorectal cancer most commonly occurs in men and women 55-85 years of age, which is 80% of colorectal cancer cases. Common risk factors of the disease include:

Obesity

Having type 2 diabetes

Family history

Racial and ethnic background

Diet

Level of physical activity

Long term tobacco smoking

Moderate to heavy alcohol use

If a person is suspected of having colorectal cancer or has already been diagnosed with it, they will be tested for colorectal cancer biomarkers.

Biomarkers or biological biomarkers are traits that healthcare providers measure in a person’s blood, body fluids, and tissues. They can be signs of conditions, diseases, normal body functions, or when something goes wrong. Biomarkers can also be used by healthcare providers to see how well a person’s body reacts to treatments for the disease they have.

Biomarkers for colorectal cancer are used for diagnosis, progression, prognosis, and treatment planning. Diagnostic biomarkers can detect the presence of diseases. Prognostic biomarkers are associated with a clinical outcome regardless of the treatment that has been received, and predictive biomarkers can predict the benefit or lack of benefit of a certain treatment.

Colorectal cancer biomarker testing is done by taking a sample of a person’s tumor for a biopsy, or a sample of their blood and sending it to a pathology lab to determine if there are any abnormalities in the DNA, RNA, hormones, or proteins made by their cancer. Many tests are used in biomarker testing, including:

DNA or RNA sequencing

Next-generation sequencing

Molecular testing

CtDNA

Immunohistochemistry

FISH

Biomarker testing can reveal very detailed information about a person’s tumor. A healthcare provider will review the test results to determine which of the specific biomarkers are present, and they may also see how much is present. The type of biomarker tests a person receives depends on what their healthcare provider determines is right for the type and stage of cancer they have.

Biomarkers can also determine if the person’s colorectal cancer has a hereditary genetic mutation or an acquired one. Only 5% of colorectal cancer cases are caused by germline mutations, also known as hereditary mutations, which are genetic abnormalities that are passed down from parent to child. This means that 95% of colorectal cancers happen randomly due to changes in the body cells that weren’t inherited.

Once colorectal cancer biomarker testing is complete, a healthcare provider will be able to create a personalized treatment plan based on the person’s unique biomarker traits.

Biomarker testing is useful in both early and advanced colorectal cancer. For those with advanced cancer, biomarker testing is used to learn whether their cancer has any targetable characteristics. If it does, target therapy or immunotherapy may be treatment options as they target specific characteristics of a tumor.

If you would like to learn more about colorectal cancer biomarker testing, or to learn more about our cancer care program, you can schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center by calling (718) 206-6742.

Muscle Spasms

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Muscle spasms or muscle cramps are painful contractions and tightening of the muscles. Muscle spasms occur when the muscles involuntarily and forcibly contract and cannot relax.

Muscle spasms are normal and very common, and can involve part of, or all of, a muscle or several muscles in a group. These spasms can occur anywhere in the body. The most common types of muscle spasms include:

Back spasms

Leg cramps and charley horses

Neck spasms

Arm spasms

Abdomen spasms

Ribcage spasms

Chest spasms

Muscle spasms can occur in anyone at any time, including while walking, sitting, exercising, or sleeping. Some individuals are more susceptible to muscle spasms than others and experience them regularly with any type of exertion. People most likely to get muscle spasms include:

Athletes

Pregnant women

Infants

People who are obese

People over the age of 65

Most of the time, muscle spasms aren’t something to worry about. However, muscle cramps can indicate an underlying neurological condition that affects the brain. Involuntary muscle movements resulting from a neurological condition are called dystonia.

Muscle spasms range from mild to severe. Mild muscle spasms feel like the muscle is jumping around on its own and can be seen twitching. Severe muscle spasms feel like the entire muscle stiffens into a tight ball. If the cramping is painful, it may cause lingering discomfort in that area for a couple of days.

If muscle spasms result from a neurological condition, they may cause symptoms such as:

Paralysis

Muscle pain

Muscle weakness

Coordination issues

Numbness

Difficulty sleeping

Vision issues

Experts aren’t sure why some people get muscle spasms more than others. However, possible causes can include:

Dehydration

Muscle fatigue

Exercising in extreme heat, which causes heat cramps

Not enough stretching

Electrolyte imbalance

Stress

Too much high-intensity exercise

A healthcare provider can diagnose muscle spasm by reviewing a person’s health history and medications, as well as asking questions that include:

How bad is the pain?

How long do the cramps last?

When do muscle spasms usually happen?

What do the muscle spasms feel like?

When did the muscle spasms start?

There is no pill or injection used to treat and relieve muscle spasms. However, some things can be done to try and stop muscle cramps, including:

Massage the affected areas with your hands or a massage roller

Stretch the affected area

Stand up and walk around

Apply heat or ice

Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

Muscle spasms can happen at any time, and because they are so predictable, they can be difficult to prevent. Unfortunately, there are risk factors that can’t be avoided, such as your age. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk, including:

Stretching your muscles regularly

Performing flexibility exercises

Drinking a lot of water

Wearing shoes that fit properly

Avoiding exercising in extreme heat

Working toward better overall fitness

Staying at a weight that is healthy for you

Avoiding medications that may cause muscle spasms as a side effect

Stretching your muscles before going to sleep

Using pillows to keep your toes pointed upward if you sleep on your back or letting your feet hang over the end of the bed if you sleep on your chest, to prevent leg cramps

If you are experiencing muscle spasms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Kidney Stones

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

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.

Kidney 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.

There are four types of kidney stones, and they are named after the kind of crystal that they are made from. They include:

Calcium-oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are the most common types of kidney stones

Uric acid stones

Struvite stones

Cystine stones

Depending on the size of kidney stones, a person may not even realize that they have them. Smaller-sized stones can pass through the urinary tract in the urine without symptoms. However, larger-sized kidney stones can get trapped in the ureter, the tube that drains urine from the kidney down to the bladder, causing pee to back up and limit the kidney’s ability to filter waste from the body, which can also cause bleeding.

Kidney stones can take as long as three weeks to pass on their own. Sometimes, small stones can cause extreme pain as they go through the urinary tract and out of the body. If a kidney stone can’t pass on its own, a healthcare provider will need to break it up and remove it.

Kidney stones are common. About one in 10 people will get a kidney stone during their lifetime. They are most common in men who are in their 30s and 40s and among non-Hispanic white people.

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

Several risk factors can cause someone to develop kidney stones, including:

Not drinking enough fluids

Eating foods high in sodium or sugars

Eating meat and other protein-rich foods

Having a family history of kidney stones

Having a blockage in the urinary tract

Taking vitamin C supplements

Having had stomach or intestine surgery, including gastric bypass surgery

Taking certain medications, such as diuretics, calcium-based antacids, and some antiseizure medications

Having certain medical conditions, such as:

Cystic fibrosis

Diabetes

Gout

High blood pressure

High levels of calcium in the urine

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Kidney cysts

Obesity

Osteoporosis

Parathyroid disease

Primary hyperoxaluria

Hemiplegia or paraplegia, which are types of paralysis

Kidney stones can cause many complications, including:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A blockage that backs up urine into the kidney, causing it to swell

Acute kidney injury

Kidney infection

Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

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 the stone 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 important to note that the things we eat and drink impact our risk for kidney stones. Talk to your healthcare provider or a dietitian about ways to reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. They may recommend:

Drinking plenty of water

Limiting consumption of foods high in sugar and sodium

Limiting consumption of animal proteins

Maintaining a weight that is healthy for you

Eating foods that are good sources of calcium

Limiting consumption of foods high in oxalates

Prescription medications

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.