- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLena Dunham. Whoopi Goldberg. Susan Sarandon. These are just a few of the high-profile women who have publicly discussed their experience living with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a gynecologic condition that occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows elsewhere in the abdomen. Endometriosis is very common, affecting as many as 10 percent of American women of childbearing age, or more than 6.5 million women in the United States. While the cause of endometriosis is not clear and there is not a defined gene, there may be a familial link. According to a 2008 study out of Yale University School of Medicine, women with an affected mother or sister have as high as a 10-fold increased risk of developing endometriosis. Although some women don’t experience symptoms with endometriosis, many report intensely painful menstrual cramps and pain during sex. Over time, untreated endometriosis can lead to chronic inflammation and scarring in the abdominal cavity, resulting in debilitating pain beyond the menstrual cycle. Severe endometriosis can involve other organs such as the bowel and bladder, causing non-gynecologic symptoms such as pain with bowel movements and urination. Endometriosis is traditionally diagnosed by confirmation of implants seen in surgery. However, it can often be diagnosed on symptoms and physical exam alone. Endometriosis before and during pregnancy One of the biggest concerns women with endometriosis have is whether they can get pregnant. There is a strong link between endometriosis and infertility. As many as 40 percent of women struggling with infertility are diagnosed with endometriosis. If you know you have endometriosis, it is important to meet with an infertility specialist prior to getting pregnant because you may require treatment of endometriosis before any fertility treatments. Treatment must be a multi-pronged approach It is important to understand that there is no “silver bullet” cure for endometriosis. For women who receive a diagnosis of endometriosis later in life, they often develop a hypersensitivity to pain, which is not easily treated with medication or surgery alone. Successful treatment of endometriosis requires a team of specialists in both surgical and nonsurgical fields. Drug treatments: Medicine for endometriosis should tackle one of two issues: ovulation and inflammation. Supplemental hormones, most commonly in the form of birth control pills, suppress ovulation, which suppresses the endometriosis flare during menstrual cycles. There are also safe hormonal alternatives, such as Depo-Provera injections or the hormonal IUD. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen suppresses inflammation and provides pain relief. For patients with more severe pain, certain medications can damper the pain signals in the brain. It is important to note that opioids often do not help endometriosis pain and should be avoided. Surgical treatments: I often do not recommend surgery as the first-line treatment for endometriosis. However, if the pain is severe and medication is not working, surgery may be the next option. There are many surgical options with endometriosis, like removing ovarian cysts (cystectomy), removing endometriosis implants, removing one or both ovaries (oophorectomy), and removing the uterus (hysterectomy). What kind of surgery you need will depend on your age, health status, whether you intend to get pregnant in the future and many other factors. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT). Many patients with chronic pelvic pain due to endometriosis are excellent candidates for pelvic floor physical therapy. With chronic pain, the muscles in the vagina often tense up, resulting in significant pain during sex or with movement. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a safe and effective co-treatment for pelvic pain and should be offered to women who exhibit signs of vaginal muscle tightening or tenderness on exam. Be your own advocate Although there is no specific way of preventing endometriosis, there are ways you can impact the condition and manage your symptoms. The first thing I always tell women is not to ignore the pain. Pain that starts only during menstrual cycles can eventually become worsened or become constant due to amplification of your brain’s interpretation of pain. This can be very difficult to treat. Second, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek help from an expert. If surgery is recommended for you, always get a second opinion before proceeding. Be an advocate for yourself, your body and your life. Finally, get support and talk with other women who also live with endometriosis. The more women who speak up about endometriosis, the more attention this condition will get and the more we can advocate for better resources for women and healthcare providers. Author Jessica Ton, MD, is a specialist in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Gynecologic Specialty Surgeons. To schedule an appointment with her, call 443-481-3493.0
- General Page - Tier 2Definitions: Care Partners – Any person(s) who plays a significant role in an individual’s life. This may include family or a person(s) not legally related to the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, and significant others. Care partners may be individuals with a continued legal, genetic and/or emotional relationship as defined by the patient. Support Person – For patients with disabilities, support persons provide personal, behavioral and/or communication support not otherwise provided in a hospital setting. A support person may be appropriate for, but is not limited to, patients with intellectual, Developmental, physical, or neurocognitive disabilities. A support person may include, but is not limited to a family member, personal care assistant and/or disability service provider. Please see below for visitation in specific areas such as Surgical Services, Labor and Delivery, Mother Baby, Pediatrics, Emergency Department and Outpatient Practices. An adult/guardian must accompany all children.Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) is committed to patient- and family-centered care and strives to provide a safe and healing environment. LHAAMC welcomes care partners and support persons in all areas 24/7, with the exception in Behavioral Health and Clatanoff.All care partners and support persons will be required to wash or sanitize their hands throughout their visit. Patients and visitors who prefer to wear a mask while in our facility may do so. Patients may also request that their care team wear masks.As a patient- and family-centered organization, we will continue to review and update our visitation guidelines and practices as the situation changes. At Luminis Health, our Patient and Family Advisors program allows patients, family members and community members to give input on our policies, programs and practices. These advisors work with our health care providers to support our patient- and family-centered care approach.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA Respectful Way to Find Out Vaccination Status As the holidays approach and the weather turns cold, activities seem to shift from wide open outdoor spaces to close quarters in our homes. And while gathering around tables with your loved ones and arranging playdates for your kiddos is essential for your family’s mental health, these activities also pose a greater risk of spreading viruses. So, how do you protect your friends and family from COVID-19 during the holiday season? It’s important that your guests understand your view on vaccination. One way is with an honest and respectful conversation about vaccination status. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at slowing the spread of coronavirus and greatly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Now, with booster shots approved for all adults age 18 and older, and COVID-19 vaccines making their way to pediatrician offices for kids ages 5-12, more people than ever are eligible for the shots. However, asking someone if they’re vaccinated isn’t always easy, especially at a time when heightened emotions and political debates seem to play into the conversation. Here are a few tips on getting a healthy and productive discussion started. Know Your Rights Some individuals have pointed to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) as a reason they don’t have to share vaccination status. That’s actually not true. HIPPA does protect an individual’s health information from being shared by health institutions or providers without their consent. But it doesn’t make it wrong – or illegal – to ask someone if they’ve been vaccinated. Just keep in mind though, that just because you ask, doesn’t mean they have to answer you. Approach The Topic With Respect Because vaccines are such a hot topic, it’s important to frame the question carefully. Letting your loved ones know upfront you understand (and respect) their point of view, even if it’s different than your own, will help put everyone at ease from the start. As you dive into the discussion, we suggest using “I” statements instead of “you” statements. For example: Try: “Our family includes immunocompromised individuals, so we do our best to protect them. One way we do that is by asking about vaccination status of the people we’ll be around. This helps us make choices that are best for our family. Have you and your family been vaccinated?” -OR- “We want to keep our kids in school as much as possible this year. One way we’re doing that is by reducing our exposure to COVID-19, however we can. I have to ask, has your family been vaccinated?” Remember, respect is key in this scenario, so even if the conversation ends differently than you’d hoped, it’s crucial you convey that you understand each family has to make the decision that’s right for them. Know What To Do If Others Aren’t Vaccinated What you do next largely depends on your comfort level and if anyone in your family is at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. But here are a few options to consider: Ask everyone to wear a mask. If the activity will take place indoors or you’re hosting a party at your own home, ask that everyone wear a mask. Ask people if they feel sick to stay home. Anyone with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms should stay away from others to help reduce the risk of making others sick Move activities outside. You may need to bundle up against the cold air, but outdoor events pose lower risk of spreading COVID-19 and other illness, like the seasonal flu. Opt out of the activity. Remember, if you don’t feel safe or comfortable spending time indoors with people who haven’t been vaccinated, you can politely and respectfully decline the invitation. Want to add another layer of protection to your gathering? Ask people who haven’t been vaccinated to show a negative COVID-19 test. Keep in mind, these tests aren’t always accurate at identifying active infections in asymptotic individuals, but it can help give you and your guests some peace of mind. Find Ways to Stay Included and Involved It’s been tough on everyone over the past two years. What we’ve learned is that there are many ways to stay in touch during milestone celebrations without increasing your family’s COVID-19 risk. If you do choose not to attend parties or get-togethers, here are a few ways you can still spread that holiday cheer: Ask the host to dial you in virtually for a portion of the event Bake a goody bag of cookies and candy to mail or drop off at someone’s house Send a sweet card letting loved ones know you are thinking of them Start a “You’ve Been Elfed” tradition where you leave a bucket of sweet treats and little presents on neighbor’s porches We’re Here For You We understand that vaccinations bring a wide range of responses and beliefs. However, we do hope that as time goes by, we’ll all see the great benefit of choosing to become vaccinated. After all, it’s how we can keep ourselves healthy and well, and our loved ones safe. If you have any questions, we have answers. And should you decide you’re ready to schedule your vaccination, visit one of our community vaccine clinics. Authors Sheri Poretz is an Infection Control Nurse at Luminis Health0
- 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
- 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
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