- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a prevention education coordinator at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance use and mental health treatment center, Mandy Larkins is in the community daily. She works to prevent anyone from having to deal with the devastating disease of addiction. “It can affect anyone, any age, any socioeconomic group, any gender and any race,” she says. Senior citizens are at greater risk for addiction if they take multiple medications and take prescription pain medications. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, up to 17 percent of adults age 60 and over abuse prescription drugs. Common medications of abuse include narcotic pain killers, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. To help prevent prescription addiction, Mandy reminds seniors to ask questions when talking to their doctors about certain medications. Questions to ask include: Does this medication have an addictive tendency? What are the side effects and will it interact with my current medications? What is the least amount of time I will need to take this medicine? Are there other options for this medication? Social drinking while taking medications can also cause a negative reaction, especially if someone is taking several prescriptions. “Social drinking could mean one glass of wine a night or it could mean five beers on a weekend, and these can certainly interact differently with medications,” says Mandy. “Have a conversation with your doctor about social drinking and what the problems would be with drinking and taking new medication.” The warning signs of addiction are sometimes hard to separate from the side effects experienced from the medications. Mandy notes that a drug side effect will show up soon after the patient starts taking the new medication. In contrast, addiction might take some time to display its symptoms. You might not see symptoms until the patient stops taking the drug. Signs of addiction include: Differences in sleep Changes in appetite Fluctuations in mood or unusual behavior Taking more than the prescribed dose of medication Taking medication for reasons other than what it is prescribed “It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have been treated for any addiction earlier in life,” says Mandy. “Certain medications could be trigger points for some people.” If you believe an elderly loved one may have an addiction problem, alert his or her physician. The right type of treatment will vary depending on the individual and the situation. AAMC’s Pathways Treatment Center offers individualized substance abuse and mental health treatment. Call 410-573-5449 for more information. Contributor Mandy Larkins is a prevention education coordinator at Pathways and can be reached at 410-573-5428.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat Susan Dennis says is most extraordinary about her life now is that it is so ordinary. In the last few months, she’s taken many long walks, gone to a baseball game, flown to Florida on vacation, and walked down the beach in a swimsuit. Nothing that unusual for a 40-year-old woman, except if you are Susan Dennis. Flash back a year, and Susan says you wouldn’t recognize her. She weighed over 300 pounds and had full-blown diabetes, high blood pressure and a host of other serious health issues. “I didn’t go out, I didn’t like seeing friends, walking was a chore,” Susan says. “I felt weighed down by myself, by everything. It wasn’t a happy existence.” A Lifelong Struggle Susan has struggled with her weight since she was 16. Over the years she tried fad diets, weight loss groups, even medically supervised prescription diets. But nothing worked. Finally, with her health in steep decline, her endocrinologist suggested bariatric surgery. At first, Susan balked at the idea. “I told her no. I thought it might be the easy way out and that I could do it on my own.” But as her health worsened, Susan finally realized she needed help. The Right Decision Susan decided to have gastric bypass surgery with Alex Gandsas, MD, who leads AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery program. Susan says she liked that the care felt “very personalized.” Dr. Gandsas says it’s essential to have a rigorous bariatric surgery program that addresses the whole person. “We are helping our patients engage in a different life,” Dr. Gandsas says. “The surgery helps them change course and shed weight, but it’s only one component. We want them to have all the tools they need to permanently succeed.” Intensive Help Before, and After At AAMC, weight loss patients begin preparing for surgery six months in advance with medical testing, diet, exercise, and nutrition counseling. And it doesn’t end there. After surgery, patients continue to receive careful monitoring and meal plans. Just 4½ months after her surgery, Susan was doing great. In addition to having lost 83 pounds, her blood pressure was down and her diabetes was fully controlled. What’s more, Susan says she’s happy all the time. “I just feel wonderful, I feel like I can take over the world.” But for now she’s content trying to live her extraordinarily ordinary life. Next on the list: yoga classes. To learn more about bariatric surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center, please visit www.AskAAMC.org/WeightLoss.0
- News & Press Releases, Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center announces its Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program is now accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), signifying the program meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality care. Studies show that patients have better weight loss surgery outcomes in accredited bariatric surgical centers, where the center has undergone and passed rigorous evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards. Accredited centers are also recognized for multidisciplinary teams with experts in areas such as nutrition and psychology, to ensure a patient’s success after surgery. “This recognition underscores the daily commitment and high quality the AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program team demonstrates every day in the care of our patients,” says Alex Gandsas, MD, MBA, program medical director. AAMC’s bariatric surgery center is designated as a Level I facility and was nationally accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in 2013. The ACS and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) have since combined their respective national bariatric surgery accreditation programs into a single unified program to achieve one national accreditation standard for bariatric surgery centers, the MBSAQIP. Weight loss surgery options The AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program’s re-accreditation proves that it consistently meets the highest quality standards of care for the weight loss operations it performs, including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band removal and revision. In the United States, more than 11 million people suffer from severe obesity and an estimated 93 million people are obese. Conditions associated with obesity range from diabetes and heart disease to certain types of cancers. Bariatric surgical procedures have been shown to reduce obesity, improve mortality, and decrease the health risks from chronic diseases such as cardiomyopathy and diabetes. The AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program is located in Annapolis and Easton. To learn more about weight loss surgery, attend a free seminar at AAMC. Visit askAAMC.org/WeightLoss for more information or to register.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne in five children today are clinically obese, according to U.S. data. That’s a staggering statistic. Practicing an active lifestyle at an early age with your children is important. Whether you’re making it a family priority for the first time, or if COVID-19 has temporarily derailed you and you need to get back on track, here are ideas to get outside and active this summer. Understand Obesity in Kids As kids grow and develop, their body weight naturally fluctuates a bit as they go through various stages. At your child’s yearly checkup, the doctor will measure their weight and compare it to growth charts, your child’s personal history and your family history to make sure they’re staying in a healthy range. Children become overweight for a variety of reasons. Some reasons include family eating habits, community factors, what they eat and drink and how much exercise they get. Unfortunately, being overweight can set a child up to experience serious issues, such as: Breathing problems Heart disease Joint problems Social problems Type 2 diabetes Make Time to Play: 60 Minutes a Day With busy family schedules and children spending more time in front of screens, there can be fewer hours in the day to let them run, jump, climb and swing. But it’s worth making an intentional plan if you’re worried your child isn’t getting enough physical activity. Remember: Kids aged 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day Kids aged 3 to 5 should stay active throughout the day to help their growth and development Anything that gets your kiddos up and moving — and gets their heart rate up — is a great place to start. Aim to allow both structured and unstructured activities. Work to help your child find physical activities they enjoy so they’re more likely to keep it up. Move Forward Together A great way to help your kids lead a healthy lifestyle is to lead one yourself. They’ll learn from your example. It helps when everyone feels like they’re on the same team. Try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Cut back on sugary drinks and make regular physical activity a priority. Take a look at your summer calendar to make sure you’ve included enough regular, active play. If you want to kick-start a new routine, here are a few ideas to get moving as a family: Plan Backyard Hangouts: Blow bubbles and see who can catch the most Build a backyard obstacle course Chalk out a hopscotch or scooter-trick course Follow each other’s lead with Simon Says Plant a garden or work together in the yard Relive Your Youth: Get competitive with frisbee, kickball or tug of war Have a jump rope or hula hoop contest Make a slip ‘n slide using a plastic tarp Play hide and seek or tag outside Teach each other your coolest dance moves Take Your Fun on the Go: Check out an interesting local attraction Get together safely with friends at the playground or pool Head out on a family bike ride Make a picnic to take to the park Walk the dog (or a neighbor’s dog!) Enjoy a Healthy Summer Get out and enjoy yourself. It will feel great to take in some fresh air — and to get back to your favorite physical activities. As long as you plan ahead and follow local health and safety guidelines, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a very active and healthy summer with your kids. Author Scott Eden, MD, is a practicing family medicine physician at Anne Arundel Medical Group Chesapeake Family Medicine in Annapolis.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat do pop star Lady Gaga, NBA legend Magic Johnson and British royal family member Prince Harry all have in common? Besides being famous, they’ve all been speaking up recently on an issue that didn’t use to get much attention—mental health. Our Luminis Health experts say the conversation is coming not a moment too soon. We’re now seeing the value of mental health By sharing their experiences, many celebrities, athletes and other public figures are putting in bold headlines what many people have struggled with quietly for years. Previous generations might have swept mental health problems under the rug for fear of being thought of as “weak,” but we now know that silence can do more harm than good. Developing your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing is a sure sign of strength. It helps you get along well with the people around you and make good choices throughout your day. And working to maintain positive mental health can pay off throughout your life. For example, strong mental health helps us all: Cope with stress Contribute to our communities Feel happy and safe Reach our full potential Work productively When celebrities talk about their mental health challenges, it helps spread the word that it’s OK to speak up when you’re not feeling quite right. And it’s OK to ask for help when you need it. Our minds are just as important to take care of as the rest of our bodies, and just as important to our overall health. We’re learning from the pandemic We’re also talking more about our mental health lately because COVID-19, of course, delivered it such a big blow. So many of us experienced stress, worry, fear and anger and the heavy toll those all can take on our lives and health. In the summer of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a major increase in the number of people reporting behavioral health symptoms. In one survey, one in three people said they were feeling symptoms of anxiety and depression, and one in 10 said they were having serious thoughts of suicide. Those rates are nearly double what the CDC would have expected before the pandemic. Awareness also continues to grow around children’s mental health issues. Pediatric emergency rooms have seen an increase in mental health visits during COVID. The mental health needs of kids and adults will continue, and it’s important to keep talking about how to make sure we address them. We’re talking more about how to cope Thankfully, it has become more common to talk about the everyday ways you can support your mental health. We now know some healthy strategies that can help us all cope in hard times. For example: Finding time to connect with others Getting enough sleep Staying physically active Helping others Trying to stay positive When that isn’t enough, there’s another key step—finding help. New resources are being set up in our communities, schools and workplaces to connect more people to professional mental health resources where and when it’s needed. Luminis Health, for example, recently broke ground on a new mental health facility in Prince George’s County and is taking other steps to meet community needs. Join the conversation Celebrities might have started the mental health conversation trending, but you don’t have to be famous to join in. Check in with your friends and loved ones to make sure they’re truly doing OK and offer your support. And if you’ve been feeling “off” yourself lately and think you might need help, talk to your primary care provider. They can quickly connect you to the right resources to help you start feeling more like yourself again. Together, we can get past old stigmas and shine a new light on how we can help each other. Our mental health is too important to ignore. Authors Eshe Montague is the director of our behavioral health program at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. To learn more about the services coming to Prince George’s County this summer, visit Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth.0
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