- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMillions of us suffer from back pain. In fact, it’s one of the most common health problems in the United States. From a steady, dull throbbing to a sharp, sudden pain that radiates down your leg, there’s a wide range of ways you might experience it — and an even wider range of ways it can happen. Whether your pain developed suddenly after a fall or progressed slowly from age-related changes, the result is the same: symptoms that interfere with your daily life. That’s why it’s important to let a specialist take a closer look, so you can better understand your options and work together to build a treatment plan. Causes of back pain symptoms Almost everyone will experience back pain at some time in their life. Several factors can contribute to back pain, including your: Age Diet Family history Fitness level Job-related risk Stress level Weight When to see a doctor about your back pain symptoms Plan to see your doctor right away if you have pain that doesn’t improve after a few weeks, or if you have these symptoms: Back pain after a fall or injury Fever, which can be a sign of discitis or an epidural abscess Numbness and tingling Severe back pain that medicine doesn’t help Trouble urinating Unplanned weight loss Weakness Treatment for back pain The right treatment depends on the cause of your pain. Your doctor will do a full exam, which may include X-rays and scans, to better pinpoint what’s causing your pain and how best to treat it. An accurate diagnosis is essential as many different structural problems can give similar and often overlapping symptoms. In some cases, you can improve back pain with lifestyle changes, such as staying active to increase strength and balance. You could also work to maintain a healthy body weight to lower stress on your back. Traditional and complementary treatments Your doctor may suggest traditional treatments such as muscle relaxers or numbing injections. Your provider may also suggest complementary approaches such as acupuncture, spinal manipulation, Tai chi or yoga. When you may need surgery for back pain Conservative therapy, including physical therapy, is effective in nearly 80 percent of cases. If physical therapy and other traditional or complementary treatments are not providing relief, surgery may be an option to help alleviate your back pain. Surgical approaches range from minimally invasive procedures to more complex open operations, and an experienced surgeon can partner with you to develop a personalized treatment plan aligned with your overall health and wellness goals. In about 20 percent of cases, sacroiliac, or SI, fusion may be the most effective way to relieve back pain and restore stability. What is SI fusion? The SI joint is where the spine and pelvis meet. SI fusion makes the SI joint more stable since it, like any joint, can break down over time or because of an injury. The result is often a painful lower back. Your neurosurgeon will make a small incision and use an implant system to stabilize and fuse the SI joint to prevent ongoing pain. The procedure is designed to help you recover faster with fewer complications and better outcomes. SI fusion is a minimally invasive surgery that has a very high success rate. After surgery, patients typically recover in about three weeks using a walker or crutch. Most don’t need physical therapy during this time. Expert care for your back pain is within reach If you haven’t been able to find relief from back pain, ask your doctor if the pain could be related to your SI joints. If you are diagnosed with an SI joint condition, please contact Christopher Taleghani, MD at 443-451-4994. Authors Christopher Taleghani, MD, has performed more than 500 sacroiliac joint fusion procedures, making him one of the most experienced minimally invasive spine surgeons in the world. He is an invited lecturer, educator, and innovator in the development and advancement of minimally invasive surgical techniques.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNearly everyone has heartburn once in a while. But if your heartburn happens two or more times a week, it may be a symptom of something more serious. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a digestive disorder that affects up to one in five U.S. adults. It occurs when the valve in the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens or relaxes too often or for too long or becomes loose. This causes stomach contents to back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn and acid indigestion. In addition to getting heartburn two or more times a week, you should seek a doctor’s help if you have trouble or pain when swallowing, coughing or choking during the night and/or heartburn pain that interferes with your daily activities. These are symptoms of GERD. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, increased belching and bad breath. While there isn’t yet a cure for GERD, you can manage your symptoms. Doctors often recommend diet and lifestyle changes. Simple approaches include: Maintaining a healthy weight Avoiding tight-fitting clothing Avoiding trigger foods and drinks, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, garlic, onion and caffeine Eating smaller meals slowly Waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed Elevating the head of your bed Quitting smoking Chronic or refractory GERD In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor might also recommend prescription medication to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. While most patients respond well to these treatments, some might find that their symptoms persist. In this case, you may have chronic or refractory GERD. Refractory GERD can be debilitating and harm your quality of life. It’s important not to lose hope. There are minimally invasive surgical options available to treat refractory GERD. When left untreated, GERD can lead to more serious health problems over time, including esophageal cancer. If you’re currently taking antacids or over-the-counter medications, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor. These medicines may only mask symptoms. We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still on everyone’s mind. But your health may still require medical attention. Our medical offices have procedures in place to keep patients and staff safe. We sanitize exam rooms before and after each patient, patients and staff are screened for COVID-19 before they enter the building, and masks are required at all times. We are safe, ready and open to care for you during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Don’t let your GERD symptoms take away from your quality of life. Your doctor can direct you to an option that will ultimately provide you with relief. Author Adrian Park, MD, is chair of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Department of Surgery and an internationally recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery. To reach him, call 443-481-6699.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEating well during chemotherapy can help you maintain your weight and improve how you feel during treatment. A well-planned strategy and support from your cancer care team, can help you navigate any obstacles to maintain optimal health throughout treatment. You need more calories and protein during chemotherapy. Both cancer and cancer treatment increase the energy and nutrients your body needs, especially protein. Protein is important in helping you rebuild strength during treatment. Foods rich in protein and nutrients are the best choices during treatment, including: Beans Berries Bright orange fruits and vegetables Chicken Eggs Greek yogurt Leafy green vegetables Nuts and seeds Salmon Whole grains Chemotherapy may cause symptoms that can impact your ability to meet your nutrition needs. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells. Despite its intended target, it often impacts healthy rapidly dividing cells as well, including those of your mouth, esophagus and the rest of your digestive tract. Because of this, digestive symptoms like mouth sores, heartburn and constipation are common. Medications given with chemotherapy can also cause side effects. For example, some pain medications can slow down the digestive tract making it difficult to digest food and have a regular bowel movement. The good news is your doctor expects and is prepared for these challenges. A registered dietitian can provide strategies, and help you plan a healthy diet that addresses your symptoms. Small frequent meals may help when you don’t feel like eating anything at all. Loss of appetite and early fullness are common side effects of chemotherapy. And if you don’t feel like eating, sitting down to a huge plate of salmon and greens isn’t exactly appealing. Here are a few ways to maximize the nutrients in your food: Add blueberries to a bowl of cereal Make grilled cheese on whole grain bread Mix chopped broccoli into mac and cheese Pump up chicken, tuna or egg salad with fresh celery and parsley Toss extra vegetables in a mug of soup Use peanut butter or avocado on toast Soups, stews and smoothies make great meals for getting in lots of nutrients. And smaller portions make eating and drinking seem less daunting. Focus on eating a few bites or drinking a few sips at a time. You can always get seconds if you’re still hungry. Take care in the kitchen to keep your food safe. According to the National Cancer Institute, it’s unnecessary to avoid all fresh fruits and vegetables during treatment. Research shows that general food safety practices reduce the risk of food-borne illness while allowing for a less restrictive diet. Food safety practices include: Washing hands Separating raw meat, poultry and eggs from other foods Washing fresh fruits and vegetables with cool water Avoid food buffets Mix up your routine to deal with taste and smell changes. Taste changes and smell aversions are also common during treatment. That’s because the tissues that line your mouth and nasal cavity are also lined with those same rapidly dividing cells impacted by chemotherapy. Identify your taste changes and add flavors to balance what you’re tasting using the FASS principle. FASS stands for fat, acid, salty, sweet. Patients experiencing taste changes may use these flavors differently depending on their specific tastes: Acids: Try something acidic, such as fresh lemon juice when food tastes too sweet Fats: Use nut butter or nut creams to help soothe mouth sores Salty seasonings: Add sea salt when food seems tasteless Sweeteners: Seasoning your food with natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or agave nectar, can help when your food tastes metallic or bitter Activity, fluids and fiber can help you stay regular. Bowel regularity is an essential part of staying well-nourished. Constipation can leave you feeling full even if you need to refuel. Loose, watery stool can dehydrate you. To alleviate discomfort, incorporate these strategies: Activity: Exercise and physical activity encourage movement of food products through the digestive tract. Fluids: Caffeine-free fluids, including water, herbal tea and unsweetened milk, help meet your body’s fluids needs. Soluble fiber: Soluble fiber holds water in the digestive tract and encourages soft stools. Good sources include peeled apples and pears, beans, peas, blueberries and oats. Talk to your doctor about your side effects. Side effects of chemotherapy are expected, and your doctor will have some options for making them better. Whether you’re dealing with constipation, heartburn or sores in your mouth, your medical team has strategies to improve how you feel so you can keep up with your nutrition. Inadequate protein and calorie intake can lead to muscle loss and treatment delays. Depending on your side effects, your doctor may suggest talking with a palliative medicine provider, who are specially trained to help you feel better. From appetite to energy and even your bathroom habits, they have an arsenal of tools, including medications, supplements and complementary therapies like acupuncture and massage. A registered dietitian is a great resource. Optimal nutrition during chemotherapy can help you feel good and maximize the benefits of your treatment. Treatment side effects may have you feeling a little out of sorts, but we’re here to help. If you would like more specific guidance, talk to your doctor about speaking with one of our registered dietitians today. Authors Monica Tomazic, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, and Maureen Shackelford, MS, RD, LDN, are registered dietitians specializing in oncology nutrition with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Community, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center wants to help make staying healthy easy, which is why we started “The Smart Woman Connection,” a health resource focused only on women’s health. Need help keeping track of your medical history? Want to know how to perform a breast self-exam, lose weight or manage stress? Our free women’s health journal can help you stay on top of your health. It’s easy for women to place everyone and everything ahead of themselves on the priority list. The demands of work life, home life and social life often collide. Women often push their own health and wellbeing to the side while caring for everyone else. Here are three ways to put yourself first: Focus on YOU. Women often feel guilty when they try to find more “me” time in their schedule. “I shouldn’t go to the gym because I need to spend time with my kids,” or “I can’t see a friend after work because I need to put dinner on the table.” Focusing on yourself isn’t something you should feel guilty about. “Me time” gives you the chance to relax, recharge and come back to responsibilities with a fresh focus. Learn to say no. You and your family get lots of requests for your time and soon you find yourself trying to do everything. Don’t default to YES. Ask yourself, “Is this something I really want to do?” or “Will this bring me satisfaction and happiness?” If the answer is no, stop and think about how to respond. It’s okay to say no, and it’s also okay to offer an alternative that is a better fit with everything else on your plate. Make your health a priority. Don’t neglect your yearly health checks and visits to your doctor. You can’t help others if you aren’t healthy yourself. Whether it’s a doctor you need, a personal health question you have or health screening guidelines you want, the Smart Woman Connection can help. For more information about the Smart Woman Connection, call 443-481-5995.0
- Why Choose Luminis Health's Speech Pathology Team?We'll work hard to lessen the toll that speech, language or voice problems can take on your life by:Working closely with your entire care team. We'll consult with your radiation oncologist or other referring doctor to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. But that's not all. We also work shoulder-to-shoulder with dietitians, occupational therapists and physical therapists to tackle your symptoms from many directions.Coordinating your care. Juggling appointments with several different types of health professionals is time-consuming. We handle those arrangements if your doctor recommends physical therapy, occupational therapy or cancer rehabilitation.Making access to care as painless as possible. With early morning, evening and weekend hours, you can choose appointments that fit your schedule. For some types of therapy, virtual visits are a convenient option. And you can connect with any of our locations and services through a single, dedicated phone number.Offering therapists with specialized skills. Our speech therapists hone their expertise by treating many people who have the same specific problem. For example, if you lose your voice after treatment for throat cancer, we can match you with a therapist who specializes in this.TreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe treat adults and children with voice, speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders. We also treat children with feeding disorders, ADHD and autism.Specialized Help for Speech, Language, Voice, Swallowing and Thinking IssuesDifficulty swallowing doesn't just rob you of the pleasure of eating. It can pose serious risks, including choking. Problems speaking or communicating your thoughts to others can be frustrating and exhausting. Living day to day with these issues can lead to emotional distress, like anxiety.In kids, feeding disorders can slow normal growth. And a speech or language disorder can impair a child's ability to learn and succeed in school.Our speech-language pathologists can help you or your child manage a speech, voice or swallowing disorder. We deliver outpatient rehabilitation care that helps you or your loved one achieve life-changing results. No matter where you are in your experience or recovery process, we can help.0
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