- Why Choose The Lifecare Institute?The Lifecare Institute’s team of experts in primary care provides comprehensive health assessments, health care management and coordination of care, with 24/7 phone access to the medical team. In addition to medical care, we provide emotional, social and volunteer support, which can include check-in phone calls, one-on-one companionship, respite breaks for caregivers, and veteran salutes to service. All volunteers are thoroughly screened and go through extensive training. We can help you anticipate the concerns likely to arise as your illness progresses and offer guidance on advance care planning and navigating the health care system. We are here to offer you the resources and support you and your family need to maintain the best quality of life.ServiceConditions/Services/Treatments PageThe Lifecare Institute Elder Care Program Our program is for individuals with serious illness who need coordinated care and guidance. Older individuals living with serious illnesses often find themselves in an unending cycle of health crises that lead from home to the hospital to rehabilitation and back home again. Our team of physicians, nurse practitioners and social workers are experts in providing coordinated geriatric and comfort care, and guidance to improve quality of life. We care for individuals and families throughout Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County, Maryland. We help ensure that those who often “fall through the cracks” of the health care system—those who have difficulty traveling to office appointments and for whom treatment is becoming less effective—receive the care and attention they need when and where they need it.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe common cold leads to more health care provider visits and absences from school and work than any other illness each year. It is caused by a virus and is easily spread to others. It’s not caused by cold weather. However, cold symptoms may look like other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe. A cold and the flu (influenza) are two different illnesses. A cold is relatively harmless and usually clears up by itself, although sometimes it may lead to a secondary infection, such as an ear infection. However, the flu can lead to complications, such as pneumonia and even death. What may seem like a cold, could be the flu. Be aware of these differences: Symptoms of the common cold Low or no fever Sometimes a headache Stuffy, runny nose Sneezing Mild, hacking cough Slight aches and pains Mild fatigue Sore throat Normal energy level, or sluggish feeling Symptoms of the flu High fever A headache is very common Clear nose Sometimes sneezing Cough, often becoming severe Often severe aches and pains Several weeks of fatigue Sometimes a sore throat Extreme exhaustion How is the common cold diagnosed? Most common colds are diagnosed based on reported symptoms. However, cold symptoms may be similar to certain bacterial infections, allergies, and other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe. How is the common cold treated? Currently, there is no medication available to cure or shorten the duration of the common cold. However, the following are some treatments that may help to relieve some symptoms of the cold: Over-the-counter cold medications, such as decongestants and cough medicine Over-the-counter antihistamines (medication that helps dry up nasal secretions and suppress coughing) Rest Increased fluid intake Pain relievers for headache or fever Warm, salt water gargling for sore throat Petroleum jelly for raw, chapped skin around the nose and lips Warm steam for congestion Because colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics don’t work. Antibiotics are only effective when given to treat bacterial infections. Do not give aspirin to a child who has fever. Aspirin, when given as treatment for viral illnesses in children, has been associated with Reye syndrome. This is a potentially serious or deadly disorder in children. When should I call my health care provider? If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, let your health care provider know. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few days, call your provider, as you could have another type of infection. Are you looking for a primary care doctor? Search our Find A Doc directory.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOver the past few weeks, President Trump’s recent diagnosis has brought attention to the treatments available for people who have COVID-19. We’ve been hearing a lot about some of these therapies lately. Some of them have a lot of research behind them. Others are more theoretical. Here’s what we know right now. Research shows there are a few medications and treatments that could help people who have COVID-19. They include steroids, such as dexamethasone, and Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug. There is also antibody therapy with convalescent plasma. Convalescent plasma is antibodies from COVID-19 survivors. It can help a patient’s symptoms, shorten their hospital stay and reduce death risk among patients in the hospital. Researchers are also testing other novel drugs now, with the consent of thousands of willing and hopeful patients and families. We are seeing the benefits of these treatments. For example, we don’t need as many ventilators for COVID-19 patients. This is great progress. But it doesn’t mean that COVID-19 is no longer a threat. Cases are rising in many parts of the country and we need to remain on guard. Still, it is gratifying to know that the medical community is fully behind efforts to find better preventions and treatments. In terms of prevention, we are excited to share with county residents some promising research happening at Anne Arundel Medical Center. We are testing convalescent plasma in two important situations. One is for people who have recently been highly exposed to someone with COVID-19, but who test negative. The other is for people who are newly COVID-19 positive, but have mild symptoms. We’ve seen promising results of COVID-19 antibodies in patients who are in the hospital. These studies will test whether the antibodies can prevent people from getting infected or prevent more serious illness in patients with a recent COVID-19 diagnosis. This is good news for the many county residents who test positive each day. And it’s good news for those who have had exposure to a household member or other close contact with the virus. If you have recently been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible to participate in either of these studies. Visit CovidPlasmaTrial.org to learn more. Or email us at AAMC at [email protected]. Enrollment is only possible for a short time after exposure or date of positive test. Author Barry Meisenberg, M.D., is the Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe use of tobacco can often lead to nicotine dependence and other resulting health problems. However, people who smoke always have the option to quit. In fact, the number of former smokers has been greater than the number of current smokers since 2002, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have made the decision to quit smoking, you should be aware of a few common misconceptions. Getting the facts about quitting smoking is important in order to make your journey to a tobacco free life a little easier! Misconception: Today is the day! I quit smoking. Actually… you should have a plan. It is easy to be impulsive, wake up one day and decide to throw away your cigarettes. But making a huge lifestyle change like quitting smoking requires a plan. You want to set yourself up for success. It is important to be prepared for the triggers – those routines and habits that you built around smoking. You will need alternative activities when you stop smoking. Preparing for potential urges or cravings to smoke is critical to staying on track. If you are more comfortable when you quit smoking, you will be more likely to stay on track. You may experience “recovery symptoms”, (also known as nicotine withdrawal). Understanding why those symptoms are occurring and learning tools and strategies to manage them can help you cope and not be thrown off when they happen. Misconception: All I need to do is take a pill or put on a patch! Actually… your plan should include other strategies in addition to medication. There are seven FDA-approved products that can help you to quit smoking. Combining smoking cessation medication with some type of supportive classes or counseling can double your chances of quitting successfully. Try not to fall into the trap of a miracle cure or the latest novel product, like e-cigarettes. These have not been fully tested as an effective tool for quitting smoking. There are many options that have been tested and proven to be effective. Misconception: I won’t tell anyone I’m quitting…just in case I don’t! Actually… it’s good to have support. Don’t keep it a secret. Support is very important to your success. Find people who will celebrate your successes and will support you through the tough times. Let people know how they can help you in your journey to quit smoking. There are several options for getting the support you need – classes, individual counseling, online, smart phone apps, text-to-quit programs and Nicotine Anonymous groups. Misconception: I’ll never be able to quit, I have tried a thousand times! Actually… you’re doing a great job and you should be more forgiving of yourself. It’s easy to think that it’s one-and-done. Unfortunately, when you quit smoking, like any other addictive substance, slips and relapses are part of the process. Learning how to manage slips and avoiding relapses is important. Learn from your experience and apply it to your next quit attempt. It’s not an event, it’s a process. Be kind to yourself and keep trying! Misconception: Quitting smoking is all about willpower! Actually… not really. You may think it’s all about willpower and if you can’t do it on your own that it’s a personal failure or weakness, but quitting tobacco is a tall order. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical. Don’t forget about all the resources, support and medications available to you. You can do this! Misconception: This plan worked for my friend, surely, it’ll work for me too! Actually… plans are very individualized. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. Talk to your health care provider or a tobacco treatment specialist to discuss options and determine the best plan for you. Here are a few things you can do to keep moving ahead on the path to quitting smoking: Visualize yourself as a nonsmoker. If you’ve been smoking for many years, you may not remember a time when you did not smoke. Try picturing yourself as a non-smoker, going through your daily routines without a cigarette or using tobacco. Visualizing yourself as a non-smoker can prepare you for when you actually quit. When you first quit smoking, you may feel uncomfortable and awkward. You may feel like you don’t know what to do with your hands, during a work break, on the phone or when driving. Think about how you can handle these situations differently. Perhaps using a cinnamon stick or a straw if you need something to hold; replace your breaks with walks; doodling while you’re on the phone; and sipping on a water bottle in the car. These little tricks can help you get through those challenging times. Celebrate small successes. If you quit for two days or two weeks – those are wins! That means you can go without smoking and you can actually quit. Those small wins are huge. Reward yourself, you’re doing something really great! Identify your why. Examine the personal reasons you have for quitting smoking. Those reasons will drive you and keep you motivated to get you through the difficult times. Write your reasons down and carry them with you so you can pull them out when you need an extra boost of confidence and motivation. Constantly remind yourself why it is important to you to quit. Recognize that smoking has been a part of your life for a long time. Smoking has served some purpose in your life and that is one of the reasons you continue to smoke or use tobacco. Try to identify that purpose or need and fill that void with something else you enjoy and that will contribute to your overall health. Try to focus not on what you are giving up but what you are gaining by giving up tobacco. Celebrate quitting but don’t become too overconfident. Once you have quit smoking, try not to become too overconfident and think that you can enjoy the “occasional” cigarette. Once you have been dependent on nicotine, you will always be dependent on it. Remember — you’re a puff away from a pack a day! Think about how hard you worked to become tobacco free! It might take a few attempts to quit smoking, but there are many resources available to help you along the way. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, be kind to yourself and above all, don’t give up! Author Joanne Ebner is a Cancer Prevention Program manager at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). You can reach her office at 443-481-5366/67. Originally published Aug. 20, 2018. Last updated Sept. 30, 2019.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogThe temptation of sugary delights becomes almost irresistible during the holidays. While sugar is an integral part of traditions, it can exact a significant toll on our health when consumed excessively. We see the resulting effect in our medical practices with a 1-2 percent drop in diabetic control each year in January. If you have a chronic health condition or are working to improve your health, having a strategy to approach the holiday season is key to your success. Americans are eating and drinking more added sugar than recommended according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Excess added sugar in our diet increases the risk for weight gain, diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers. As we enter a sugar-conscious holiday season, moderation can pave the way for a celebration of joy and tradition, with enhanced well-being. Here are some recommendations: Mindful Drink Choices: Sugar-sweetened beverages are the top source of added sugar for the U.S. population – this is a great place to cut back. While water is always the best choice, there are many sugar-free and low-sugar beverages available. Plus, it’s easy for our bodies to confuse thirst with hunger, which can lead to overeating. Amidst the array of cocktails, sodas and sweetened drinks this season, try a glass of sparkling water with a splash of cranberry juice or a squeeze of lemon. Creative Substitutes: Reduce the amount of sugar in your desserts by replacing it with natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup or dates. These alternatives introduce sweetness and distinct flavors to your sweet dishes. Experiment by sautéing apples with cinnamon and honey for a healthy take on a seasonal treat.When baking, Colleen Kiley, lead diabetes educator at Luminis Health notes “You can lower the sugar amount in any recipe by 25 percent without a noticeable taste change. For example, you can reduce one cup of sugar to three-fourths cup.” Cinnamon in Coffee: To infuse your morning coffee with a festive essence, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon instead of traditional sweeteners. Allison Maurer, registered dietitian at Luminis Health, shares more tips to reduce sugar in caffeinated drinks here. Adding Fruit: Include fruit in baked goods and drinks when appropriate to add natural sweetener and increase nutritional value. For example, when crafting cocktails and mocktails, try using muddled fruit or seltzers rather than sugary mixers and syrups. Thoughtful Gift-Giving: Be a conscientious gift giver, especially if you are known for your holiday treats. Consider reducing the portions you generously give out to friends, family and co-workers. Smaller portions can help others savor the flavors while being mindful of their health.Another option is to get creative with gifts. For example, consider sharing festive cheer with candles, potted plants, or seasonal fruits like figs, pomegranates and clementines. It’s a thoughtful gesture that embodies the joy of giving with the consideration of wellbeing. Don’t forget to prioritize exercise and movement. Planning activities with family and friends is a great way to maintain your health and spend time together. Create new holiday traditions, such as a family walk, or sign up for seasonal events like a turkey trot or other organized activities to stay active this season. Holidays are a time of indulgence, but they don’t have to mean sacrificing your health. By making these mindful swaps and taking a balanced approach, you can embrace the season without compromising your well-being. Author Dr. Andrew McGlone is the executive medical director of Luminis Health Primary Care and Population Health.0
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