- Cancer Care, Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThey go by many names: beauty marks, birthmarks and moles. Whether you love them or hate them, there are many reasons you may consider having one or more of your moles removed. According to Plastic Surgeon Devinder Singh, MD, of AAMG Plastic Surgery, reasons for mole removal vary, including: To lessen irritation when wearing makeup, jewelry or clothing. To reduce problems when shaving. To smooth skin and improve appearance. To determine a diagnosis. But, these seemingly harmless spots on the skin may be hiding a deadly disease: skin cancer. These marks are made up of pigment-producing cells that can develop into a tumor. In other cases, cancer cells from different tumors can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and can affect anyone at any age. More than three-and-a-half million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year—that’s more than the incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. “These spots can appear simply because they’re part of your genetic make-up, or they can appear due to sun exposure,” explains Dr. Singh, chief and medical director of plastic surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center. And while most beauty spots aren’t harmful, Dr. Singh recommends seeing a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to have them examined. “Your age and the condition of your skin determine how often you should go for an examination,” he says. “The chance of your moles turning into cancer increases with more exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light.” How can you tell if a beauty mark is just a harmless spot or a mark masking cancer cells? “Only your doctor can identify if a spot is cancerous,” says Dr. Singh. “But there are several warning signs that may indicate skin cancer.” To do a self-check of your moles, Dr. Singh recommends using the ABCDE method: A for Asymmetry: One half of the mark is different from the other half. B for Border Irregularity: The edges are notched, uneven or blurred. C for Color: The color is uneven. Shades of brown, tan and black are present. D for Diameter: The diameter is greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). E for Evolving: There is change in size, color or shape, or symptoms such as itching or bleeding begin. “If you notice any of these, you should see your doctor immediately. Even if the mole doesn’t need to be removed right away, you can have it removed for preventative purposes,” says Dr. Singh. Contributor Devinder Singh, MD, is chief and medical director of plastic surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen are more likely to experience bladder control problems, also known as urinary incontinence. Many women think that accidental leakage is a normal part of aging. While incontinence is common, it is not normal. The good news is there are many options for help, and most women who get treatment see their symptoms improve. Here are a few treatment and self-help options to help you manage incontinence. Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Carrying extra weight adds stress to your pelvic floor and impacts function of the nerves and muscles in your genital tract. Also, find a healthy balance of fluid intake to stay hydrated without overdoing it. This can reduce your trips to the bathroom. You also want to drink the right kinds of fluids. Beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks with artificial sweeteners can irritate your bladder and create a sudden urge to ‘go.’ Live an active lifestyle. Fitness plays an important role in managing your incontinence. While high-intensity exercises can increase your risk of incontinence by placing pressure on your pelvic floor, regular physical activity keeps you normal. Kegel exercises, with or without the help of a physical therapist or professional trainer, can also help you better control your pelvic floor muscles and help with leakage. Try physical therapy for the pelvic floor. Pelvic physical therapy can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and aid in function of the organs that support your pelvic floor. Physical therapy might include pelvic floor contractions for urge control as well as stretching and strengthening exercises to help decrease pain. Therapists can also help you with proper Kegel technique to make sure you are getting the full benefit of the exercise. Talk to your doctor about medication to help control symptoms. There are several medications available to help manage the muscle spasms in your bladder that cause incontinence. Your doctor can help you learn both the risks and benefits of using medication. Talk to your doctor about minimally invasive surgery treatment. If other treatments fail to improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery to treat incontinence has advanced to include minimally invasive options. Minimally invasive surgery allows for a faster recovery and quick return to daily activities. Most surgical patients leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery. Urogynecology is a field of medicine dedicated to the treatment of pelvic floor disorders, including incontinence, in women. Places like Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Women’s Center for Pelvic Health have urogynecology doctors to help patients of all ages optimize and maintain pelvic wellness. Don’t let incontinence take away from your quality of life. Talk to a urogynecologist about a treatment plan specific to your symptoms. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Her office can be reached at 443-481-1199. Originally published Aug. 28, 2017. Last updated Sept. 1, 2025.0
- Behavioral Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile heart attacks are physical health problems, many people don’t realize they can create mental health issues as well. Feeling depressed after a heart attack isn’t uncommon. According to the American Heart Association, up to 33 percent of heart attack patients experience depression. When someone has a heart attack they’re typically doing something, such as running or walking up stairs. After the heart attack they may be afraid their heart is delicate and hesitate to complete common activities. Most heart attack patients experience feelings of shock or sadness after a heart attack, but some people can slip into a deeper depression. If these emotions continue for several weeks, it’s time to seek help. Because depression can affect physical health, addressing symptoms quickly can help avoid other problems down the road. I tell patients, “You’re going to go back to your usual life, as long as you take the right steps.” These steps include faithfully taking prescribed medications, eating a healthy diet and exercising. And cardiac rehabilitation can help. Cardiac rehab provides a safe environment to start increasing physical fitness. AAMC’s Outpatient Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program includes counseling to help patients improve their health and reduce the risk of future heart problems. Oftentimes, patients who choose to participate in cardiac rehab have better outcomes than those who don’t. Family members and loved ones also play an important role in helping heart attack patients recover. If you think you know someone experiencing post-heart-attack depression, look for these warning signs: -Extreme changes in appetite -Extreme changes in sleeping patterns -Avoiding previously enjoyable activities -Insomnia -Restlessness -Fatigue -Feelings of worthlessness -Feelings of excessive or inappropriate guilt -Trouble concentrating Encourage people who show these signs to seek help. For some, support groups are a healthy environment to cope with depression after a heart attack. AAMC’s healthy hearts cardiac support group is available for those who have experienced heart issues. Call 410-507-3766 for more information. Heart attack patients can experience the same quality of life as they did before their heart attack, but sometimes they need to take extra steps to get there. Author Baran Kilical, MD, is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Feb. 23, 2016. Last updated March 27, 2019.0
- News & Press Releases, OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCyrus Lashgari, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists, was recently elected to be a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) society. Only 11 orthopedic surgeons in the state of Maryland are part of this prestigious invitation-only organization. ASES is an association of leading national and international orthopedic surgeons who specialize in surgery of the shoulder and elbow. Through educational programs and by encouraging research, the organization seeks to foster and advance the science and practice of shoulder and elbow care. ASES consists of 661 members. Dr. Lashgari is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College, Dr. Lashgari completed medical school at New York University, where he graduated with the Golver C. Arnold surgical award and honors from the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Washington University, and there earned the Resident Teacher’s award. He is a founding member of the Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons and co-chair of the Mid-Atlantic Shoulder Surgeon Case Conference. As an ASES member, Dr. Lashgari will serve as a reviewer for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.0
- Location235241tel:(301) 599-95008116 Good Luck Rd, Ste 200, Lanham, MD 20706Whether your goal is returning to the sports field or keeping up with your grandchildren, our orthopedic specialists have helped many people reduce or eliminate their orthopedic-related pain and discomfort. With a focus on the care and comfort of each patient, a team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons, fellowship-trained surgeons and skilled physical therapists develop personalized plans to help accurately evaluate and effectively treat a wide range of minor and complex orthopedic conditions. These conditions impact bones and joints in the arms, legs and spine as well as other structures such as ligaments, tendons and muscles., Our comprehensive program offers expert orthopedic care throughout the Luminis Health network. Working collaboratively to ensure that you understand your diagnosis and treatment options, the team provides specialty orthopedic services that include:Arthroscopic surgery, Foot and ankle surgery, Fracture care, General orthopedics, Hand and upper extremity surgery, Shoulder and elbow surgery, Spine surgery, Sports medicine, Total hip and knee replacement, Total joint replacement0
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