- Complete Care for Bone Health and OsteoporosisOur Osteoporosis Program evaluates and treats people at high risk of suffering a fragility fracture. Plus we help those interested in assessing their bone health.Choose Luminis Health because we offer:Superior screening rates. Nationwide, many people who need bone health assessments don't know it. What's more, many who do receive a recommendation for screening don't get tested. Luminis Health tests 83% of cases that show need, compared to just 12% at other hospitals.A full range of preventive care. We have a team of experts who help you take steps to protect your bones. We work with you to create eating and exercise plans that fit into your life. Smoke or drink alcohol? We give you tools to cope with cravings to help you stop.Long-term tracking. Our team stays in touch with you long after your first visit. This means we'll likely catch any worsening of your bone health.Constantly improving expertise. Our experts keep up with advances in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe're experts at diagnosing and treating osteoporosis. We also help people build habits that improve bone health and prevent fractures.What is Osteoporosis?Our bones constantly break down and rebuild. But as we get older, our bones become thinner and weaker. But this happens silently, without you knowing it's going on.Several things affect bone strength. For instance, some people are just born with sturdier bones than others. Habits like drinking and smoking can speed up bone loss. And women rapidly lose bone when their estrogen levels drop dramatically during menopause.When your bone strength falls below a certain range, bones break more easily. And if it's very low — a condition called osteoporosis — your bones can break even during a minor fall.Unfortunately, osteoporosis-related fractures (also known as fragility fractures) are common in older adults. Half of all postmenopausal women experience at least one fragility fracture over a lifetime.Some of these fractures have serious consequences, like taking away your independence or even shortening your life. And even when the outcome isn't dire, osteoporosis decreases your quality of life.The good news is there are ways to slow down bone loss and reduce the risk of a fracture. That's why experts recommend a test — called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan — to check bone strength sometime between age 50 and 65.When you should get your first DEXA scan after age 50 depends on risk factors., including if:You have a family history of osteoporosis.You're a smoker.You've had a fracture.Your doctor may also suggest an earlier test if, for example, you slip and break your wrist. Why? If your bones are healthy, a fall from a standing height or less shouldn't cause a broken bone.Also, the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) can help gauge what your fracture risk is if your DEXA scan shows you have osteopenia (low bone density).0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLung cancer remains the most common cancer in the world. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women — about one out of four cancer deaths are from lung cancer. While a small number of people who have lung cancer have never smoked, the biggest risk factor is smoking. Other risk factors are having an immediate family member with lung cancer, and exposure to radon, asbestos, and other chemicals that are harmful to your lungs. If lung cancer is found early, before a person has any symptoms such as coughing up blood, chest pain, difficulty breathing or unexplained weight loss, there is a better chance of curing the disease. In the past, only 16 percent of lung cancers were found early and often by accident. That is changing quickly, thanks to the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). Take our pledge to love your lungs, and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! The NLST showed that having a low dose chest CT scan every year was more helpful than a chest x-ray in finding early lung cancers. Because of this, men and women between the ages of 55 and 80 who have a heavy smoking history, and currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years, are recommended to have a low dose chest CT scan. It is important to have the CT scan every year because lung cancer can develop at any time. We began our lung cancer screening program here at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) in 2012. For the past several years, we have worked hard to educate the public and medical providers on the importance of lung cancer screening. The biggest difficulty has been spreading the word about how important screening is for high risk people. As with any new test or treatment, it can take a while for both healthcare providers and community members to get used to the idea. To decrease your risk of lung cancer, the most important decision is to try to quit smoking. Those who have already quit have overcome a major hurdle. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to come together and stand up to the leading cancer killer. Join us in preventing a death by spreading the word to those who may be at risk. Lung cancer doesn’t have to claim so many lives. If you think you are at risk or know someone who is, talk to your doctor. You can also contact the AAMC Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. If you are making the decision to quit smoking, help is readily available. Contact AAMC’s smoking cessation program at 443-481-5366. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 6, 2017. Last updated Nov. 18, 2019.0
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re reading this at 3 am, scrolling for help on your phone while cradling a hungry babe in the other arm — you aren’t alone. First-time moms and seasoned pros alike can run into unfamiliar issues while breastfeeding and pumping. Here are some terms you might run into along the way. Talking about breastfeeding Clogged ducts A clogged milk duct — which develops as a small, tender lump on your breast — can result from a change in feeding schedule, a breast not draining fully or wearing tight clothing. Continuing to breastfeed will help it drain. Changing feeding positions, applying a warm washcloth and massaging can also help. Cluster feeding When your baby’s feeding sessions start to happen almost back-to-back, it’s called cluster feeding. Some babies seem to cluster feed before a growth spurt or in the evenings before a longer stretch of sleep at night. Colostrum When your baby is born, your breasts produce colostrum. This thick fluid is a kind of newborn “superfood” that contains the nutrients your baby needs and helps prevent infection. Over time, your breastmilk continues to adapt to your baby’s nutritional needs. Engorged Breasts As your milk comes in, you can quickly find yourself with too much of a good thing. If your milk production changes suddenly or you miss feedings, your breasts can become engorged or overfilled — sometimes painfully so. Warm showers and warm washcloths can reduce pressure before feedings. Foremilk and hindmilk Foremilk flows from your breast as your baby begins feeding, and it’s usually thinner than the higher-fat-content hindmilk that follows. Certain factors can affect the amount of foremilk vs. hindmilk your baby gets. But if your baby seems comfortable and has normal stools, they’re likely getting the right combination. Latch At the beginning of each feeding, it’s important to carefully line your baby’s jaw up to your breast to make a good connection. A proper latch helps your little one draw milk out safely and effectively, but it’s not always intuitive. Ask a lactation consultant for pointers if needed. Mastitis If your breast isn’t draining well enough, you can develop an infection called mastitis. If you notice swelling, burning or redness, or you have a fever or achy, flu-like symptoms, let your doctor, nurse or midwife know. You’ll need to take antibiotics, rest and keep breastfeeding to clear it up. Milk bleb Tiny, whitish spots on your nipple might be milk blebs or blisters caused by a latch that’s not quite right. These blisters usually go away on their own but can be painful. Keep the area clean and try to keep breastfeeding with good technique. A warm washcloth or gentle pressure can also help. If the area does not heal on its own, follow up with your provider. Thrush Thrush is a yeast fungus that often flares up in babies. A possible sign is white patches in your baby’s mouth and fussiness that makes feeding difficult. You and your baby will likely both need to be treated with antifungal medication for thrush since you can pass it back and forth. Pumping and bottle-feeding terms Duckbill Breast pump valves vary by shape. A duckbill valve — you guessed it — resembles a flat, wide duck bill. Some moms notice better suction or output from certain types of valves, so it’s worth experimenting if you’re looking for better results. Flange Flanges are a key part of your breast pump. Similar in shape to a funnel, flanges make a vacuum-style seal with your breasts so the pump can draw out milk. Choosing the right size flange for your nipple can help you avoid injury and get good results. Hand express Did you know you can express your breastmilk by hand, no pump needed? Hand expressing can help relieve engorged breasts, stimulate production or produce milk to feed your baby. It’s not a complicated process but it can feel tricky to get the hang of on your first go. How-to videos can help you perfect your technique. Paced bottle feeding Babies taking breastmilk or formula from a bottle sometimes eat too quickly or too much. Paced bottle feeding mimics the way your baby would feed from your breast. You can help your baby control the milk flow by using a small bottle with a slow-flow nipple and by holding it horizontally. Taking breaks every few swallows will also help your baby learn to eat at a slower, steadier pace. Supplementing The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding exclusively for your baby’s first four to six months. During this time, your provider will stay in close contact with you to offer support and help with any challenges you face. If your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, your provider might refer you to a lactation consultant. These highly trained professionals can help you resolve any milk supply or latch issues. In some cases, they might also recommend supplementing your breast milk with formula. Breastfeeding and pumping are a wonderful — and sometimes messy — affair. It’s normal to have questions, and when you do, we’re here to help with all the support and resources you need. Author Mary “Ginny” Bowers, CNM, IBCLC, is a certified nurse-midwife and lactation consultant with Luminis Health Ob-Gyn. To make an appointment, call 410-820-0038.0
- Physical Therapy, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHave you ever experienced leakage after having a baby? Does it happen when you are hiking with family? Or when your cough or sneeze? Have felt embarrassed to go out with your girlfriends because you fear laughing with them will cause you to pee? Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe there’s something you can do to prevent this from happening? These are a lot of questions, I know. But many women feel these things are an inevitable part of aging, or something that’s normal after you have a child. Leakage — also called incontinence — is not something you have to live with. It’s one of many pelvic floor disorders that can strip women of their confidence in doing normal, everyday things they like to do. But I have good news for you. There is a solution — preventative pelvic floor therapy. What is it? Pelvic floor physical therapy involves the pelvic floor muscle group. A person might consider this type of therapy to help treat incontinence, difficulty with urination or bowel movements, constipation, chronic pelvic pain and painful intercourse. Pelvic floor disorders are very common, affecting nearly 25 percent of women in the United States, according to research. Women’s bodies go through many changes in their life from puberty to menopause. These changes come with a torrent of hormonal and physical imbalances that can wreak havoc on the pelvic floor. Many women endure urinary and fecal incontinence as well as acute pelvic pain, back pain, muscle tears, tailbone fractures and other fractures, prolapsed bladders and rectum, painful sexual intercourse and abdominal separation. Some experience this at some point in their lives, most commonly after childbirth. READ MORE: The importance of good pelvic health Can you prevent a pelvic floor disorder? There are many things you can do to prevent or lessen pelvic floor damage. You don’t have to wait to have signs or symptoms — such as incontinence — to work on strengthening your pelvic floor. Here are a few tips to reduce incontinence and other issues and to help prevent future problems: Do your Kegels. Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder, small intestine and rectum. These exercises can help you prevent or better control incontinence and other pelvic floor problems. Check for organ prolapse. Bladder, rectal and/or uterine prolapse can cause bowel and bladder control issues, feeling of heaviness/bulging in vagina, incomplete emptying, and pain with intercourse among other things. Work with your urogynecologist and a pelvic floor rehab specialist to help alleviate and prevent future problems. Small changes count. Take control of constipation to prevent undue stress on the pelvic floor and strain on these muscles by drinking more water, eating fiber rich foods and using a squatty potty to relax the muscles during bowel movements. Take care of your diet. Decreasing bladder irritants such as coffee, soda, carbonated beverages, spicy foods and artificial sugars can slow down an overactive bladder and urgency that can lead to leakage. Check your bathroom schedule. Avoid going to bathroom less than every two hours but do not hold more than four hours. The ideal range is between two and four hours to avoid creating any future problems related to overactive bladder or retention. You shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed if you’re experiencing a pelvic floor issue. In fact, I encourage you to be open and reach out to a specialist with any questions or concerns you might have related to your pelvic health. At Anne Arundel Medical Center, we have specialists who can review with you all the above tips to alleviate any question and decrease or prevent any problems to help you improve your quality of life. Just remember, it’s completely normal and there are ways to help. We’re here to help you get back to leading a more confident life! Author Kinnariben Patel is a physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. To reach her, call 443-481-1140. Originally published Oct. 2, 2018. Last updated Feb. 4, 2020.0
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re a long-distance runner, you know the importance of fueling up before you hit the streets or your favorite running trail. What you should eat and drink to maximize your performance, though, is a mystery for many runners. Should you load up on carbohydrates? Go heavy on the protein? Down sports drinks? Here’s what runners should consider as they train. Carbohydrates and running The National Academy of Sports Medicine (ASCM) says athletes may have up to 40 percent greater energy needs than non-athletes. That means if you’re not eating the right foods, your performance could suffer. Carbohydrates are an important part of any runner’s nutrition plan. Carbs are stored in your muscles as glycogen, which serves as long-term energy storage. Your body relies on glycogen when you exercise, and it’s important to keep your glycogen stores full so you don’t crash during a tough workout. Eat before you work out, even if you don’t feel hungry, says The American College of Sports Medicine. About three to four hours before your workout, eat a meal of 300-600 calories that contains mostly carbohydrates, a moderate amount of protein, and a low amount of fat. Examples include toast with peanut butter, or a turkey sandwich with fruit. The ACSM says endurance athletes, such as distance runners, should refuel every 45 to 60 minutes during a long workout, taking in 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates (or 120-240 calories) each hour. For shorter races or runs, it is not necessary to consume food during the race, but post-run replenishment is most efficient immediately after exercise. Good foods to eat during a long exercise session include energy gels or beans, honey, bananas or oranges. Eat your protein Remember the importance of protein. It is the building block of your cells, and it’s especially important during the recovery process. Running and training breaks down cells. As you recover, those cells are repaired to make you better, faster and stronger — as long as the right ingredients, including protein, are available. The ACSM recommends eating a post-workout snack of 300 to 400 calories containing a mix of carbs and protein. The carb-to-protein ratio should be 2:1 in short, low- to medium-intensity workouts, or 3:1 in long, high-intensity workouts. Opt for low-fat, high-protein sources, such as beans, fish and poultry. Milk-based protein, like chocolate milk, is thought to be one of the best sources of protein post-workout. Fats aren’t all bad Fats, like carbs, provide energy. Healthy fats, such as polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, are part of a balanced diet. They should be at least 20 percent of your total fat intake, according to the ACSM. Avocados are a good source, as well as nuts, olive oil, and salmon. Steer clear of saturated and trans fats, which can raise your cholesterol and lead to heart disease. A few special micronutrients: Iron, vitamin D, and calcium Long-distance runners are at high risk of iron-deficiency anemia. Low iron can result in decreased performance and a general feeling of tiredness. Your level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron, can determine if you need to take supplements. There is some debate over what is considered low, though 35 nanograms per millileter is often used as a minimum benchmark. You should talk to your doctor about the appropriate screenings for this. Adding iron-rich foods, like beef, can help. Turkey, chicken and some fish also have lesser amounts of iron, which your body can best absorb alongside foods rich in vitamin C. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health. Research has connected it to muscle strength, inflammation, and many other functions. Unfortunately, it is hard to get enough vitamin D, especially if you are wearing your sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. You can get your vitamin D level tested with a blood draw to determine if you need a supplement. Many doctors recommend taking 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D as a general rule. Calcium is also an important ingredient for not only strong bones, but also muscle and nerve health. Getting 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium from food each day is best. Hydration is important Making sure you are drinking enough water is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for runners. Research shows that dehydration, even if it’s mild to moderate, can decrease performance. There is some debate about whether you should use thirst as an indicator to drink, or if you should drink water before thirst sets in. Current recommendations are to bring water along with you on runs that are longer than an hour, or longer than a 10K. The ACSM suggests drinking two to four ounces every 15 to 20 minutes. It is possible to drink too much water during a long race, such as a marathon. In serious cases, you could develop hyponatremia, when your body has too much water and the level of sodium in the blood is too low. For long runs, consider a sports drink. Not only do they give you an extra boost of carbohydrates, they also replace sodium that you lose while sweating. They are also a good choice for hydrating after a run longer than 60-90 minutes. One last bit of advice: Don’t try any new foods or drinks on race day. You never know how your body might react, and that could be the difference between a great race and a bad one. By choosing the right foods and making sure you are staying properly hydrated — both during training and on race day — you can have your best race ever. Author Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center and avid long-distance runner. Dr. Morganti ran cross country and track at Brown University, and continues to compete in road races herself and run around cheering on her kids in their races. She has run numerous marathons, including New York, Boston, and the Marine Corps Marathon. You can reach her practice, AAMC Orthopedics, at 410-268-8862. Originally published Nov. 14, 2017. Last updated May 31, 2019.0
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