- 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
- 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
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn today’s era of the increasingly health-conscious consumer, you may view processed foods with fear and disgust. They are often associated with the obesity epidemic, high blood pressure and the rise of Type 2 diabetes. But processed foods are more than boxed macaroni and cheese, or chips. In fact, most foods in your standard grocery store have been processed in some way. When people refer to processed foods, they’re usually talking about heavily modified products that contain a long list of ingredients, such as snack foods, sweets, frozen-prepared foods, packaged meats and boxed items. These foods often have little to no nutritional value. We encourage limiting these foods in your diet. Not all processed foods are bad for you The key is to distinguish between foods that have been lightly processed versus heavily processed. Here’s a quick guide to help you: Minimally processed foods, such as bagged spinach, cut vegetables and roasted nuts, are often pre-prepped for convenience. They are fine to include on your menu when you want to prepare homemade meals, but need a little extra help to make cooking dinner realistic for your busy schedule. Foods processed at their peak to lock in nutritional quality and freshness include canned beans, canned tomatoes, frozen fruit and vegetables, and canned tuna. These are better alternatives to eating out and help make meal prep convenient. Some ingredients like sweeteners, spices, oils, colors and preservatives are added to foods for flavor and texture. These foods include jarred pasta sauce, salad dressing, yogurt and cereals. While they’re helpful in recipes, many of them have long lists of ingredients. So, comparison shop and look for foods with simple and few ingredients. Ready-to-eat foods, such as crackers, granola, deli meat, TV dinners, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, frozen pizzas and desserts, are the most heavily processed. It’s a good idea to limit these foods in your diet. Processed foods can be beneficial to your diet. For instance, milk and some juices are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, and breakfast cereals may have added fiber. Canned fruit (packed in water or its own juice) is a good option when fresh fruit is not available, or grocery trips are irregular. In efforts to make nutritious food readily available and more convenient for you, minimally processed foods offer shortcuts to avoid the alternative of eating out, or last minute fixes. Generally, you should avoid foods that you cannot recognize in their original form, like potato chips, muffins, or foods that are not naturally occurring, such as sodas, donuts, cookies and candy. These foods are major contributors of added sugars, salt and fat in our diets. To keep processed foods to a minimum, be sure to look at the nutrition facts and ingredient list before purchasing. Do more cooking and food prep from home to maximize control over what you put in your body. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published May 8, 2017. Last updated Jan. 27, 2020.0
- 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
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