- Wellness, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany of us are still working and learning virtually from home. That’s why this is a good time to take a closer look at your child’s (and your own!) relationship with snacking. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple. To do that, ask the four ‘w’s’ – why, when, where and, most importantly, what. Why is your child looking for a snack? Snacks are important to help your child meet nutritional needs for overall health. But, if they are seeking snacks more frequently, it’s fine to ask them if they might be feeling something other than hunger. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety, boredom or loneliness, thirst or fatigue can bring about food cravings. If one is an issue, be sure to address the underlying problem. When does a snack make sense? Snacks are important to help children meet their nutritional needs. It helps them stay focused and gives them energy to get through a busy day. In general, children and teens need to eat every three to four hours during the day. Younger kids need at least two snacks a day. Older kids/teens need at least one (two or more if they are participating in sports or going through a growth spurt). The timing of snacks is important, too. You want your child to have an appetite for their meals and not get in a habit of grazing throughout the day only to refuse food at mealtime. Consider offering a snack a few hours after one meal ends and an hour or two before the start of the next meal. Offer meals and snacks at predictable times. Where should you eat a snack? Make snacking an eating event. Have specific areas in your home where snacking takes place. For example, the kitchen table, the counter or a table outside during nice weather. Research shows that when kids snack while doing other things, such as watching TV or studying, it can lead to overeating. And when your child eats all over the house, you’re less likely to be aware of what or how much they are eating. What to eat as a snack? The nutritional choices you and your children make are crucial. Good nutrition is essential to good health. Parents need to think about food choices as health decisions for their children. Think of snacks as “mini meals.” Try to make 50% of a snack a fruit or vegetable. Add in a high fiber grain, like whole grain cereal or bread. Or add in lean protein, like sliced turkey or peanut butter. This will keep their tummies happy until the next meal or snack. Additional tips for healthy snacking Involve your children in age-appropriate meal and snack planning and preparation. Keep produce in plain sight. For example, a bowl of fruit on the counter or table. Have cut veggies and fruit in baggies or on a plate in the refrigerator. Purchase frozen fruit for a quick smoothie. Prepare small portioned containers of trail mix or dry cereal. Keep small yogurts and cheese sticks on hand. Try baked chips with homemade salsa or bean dip. Roast some chickpeas or kale chips. Prepare mini bagels with nut butter and a banana. Your turn! Prepare a yogurt parfait with your child Set up a yogurt parfait bar. Place all the ingredients on the table and have your children make their own yogurt parfaits. It can be a fun and nutritious snack activity. You will need: Greek yogurt or non-dairy coconut yogurt Granola or your favorite dry cereals Mixed, cut fresh fruit Pumpkin, sunflower seeds or nuts (for older children) Start with yogurt in the bottom of the glass or bowl and alternate layers of cereals, fruit, seeds and nuts. Enjoy! Authors Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-5555.0
- Cancer Care, Community, Patient & Family Advisors, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPatricia Holle describes herself as a “mammogram success story.” When her breast screening showed an abnormality, Pat underwent 18 months of treatment for stage 2B breast cancer at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Once she was pronounced cancer-free, Pat was determined to help others who were facing cancer diagnoses. Luckily, she didn’t have to look far: She joined the volunteers who serve as AAMC’s patient and family advisors. Pat says she was hooked by the program’s theme, Nothing About Me Without Me. Pat had benefited from their services when she was a patient, so she felt it was a natural fit for her to return the favor. “There is something so special about AAMC,” says Pat. “They have such great care, even after treatment is done.” In her advisor role, Pat collaborated on the guide that breast cancer patients are given when they begin their cancer journey. “Empathy is wonderful,” says Pat, “but a unique perspective is given by someone who has been through breast cancer.” One annual event that holds particular meaning for Pat is AAMC’s National Cancer Survivors Day celebration. That’s where she learned about the Annapolis Dragon Boat Club, the local club of an international movement of cancer survivors who paddle and race stylized boats. “We like to say that it is a support group that’s not only about the disease,” says Pat. “Plus, being an athlete again is a great thing.” The dragon boat is featured in a painting that now hangs in The Rebecca Fortney Breast Center at the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, and is reproduced on note cards that are in a gift bag given to breast cancer patients on the day of their surgery. Pat remarks, “In the face of having a life-threatening diagnosis, it is reassuring to have a visit from a survivor with these special gifts.” Originally published Aug. 10, 2016. Last updated May 29, 2018.0
- Cancer Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeven years ago, Howard “Howdy” Freedlander of Annapolis discovered that he had prostate cancer again. He met with Dr. Angel “Ted” Torano, a radiation oncologist at Luminis Health, to discuss treatment for the recurrence. “He was the most authentic and genuine doctor,” Howard says of Dr. Torano. In 2015, Howard traveled to Baltimore for the recommended surgery and now decided to receive eight weeks of radiation treatment under the care of Dr. Torano at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Howard underwent treatment from Monday to Friday, with each session lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes. He commends the team for their professionalism and punctuality. The radiation therapists working with him also developed a personal connection. They nicknamed him Howdy, and upon his arrival for the afternoon treatment, they would cheerfully exclaim, “It’s Howdy Doody Time!” On one occasion, they even played the famous Howdy Doody song, and all of them, including Howdy, danced for a few seconds—a unique radiation preparation experience. After a total of 39 treatments, Howard celebrated his last day by ringing the bell in the Donner Pavilion. As a token of appreciation, he left a Howdy Doody bobblehead for the team to remember him by. He carries with him the memories of compassionate care. His advice to others affected by cancer is to maintain a positive mindset. He emphasizes the importance of respecting medical practitioners and appreciating the fact that they are working to save lives. They are motivated to help patients face cancer calmly and optimistically. “Many people who undergo treatment are fearful, anxious, and apprehensive. I chose to acknowledge the seriousness of the process, trust in it, and believe in its effectiveness. I am immensely grateful, as is my family,” says Howard. Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as the Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he held the position of executive officer in the Maryland National Guard and served as the community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, most recently at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In his retirement, Howard actively serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations in the Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Philadelphia. If you would like to support the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center by honoring a doctor, nurse, or caregiver, please consider making a gift.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is hosting its annual Pink Ribbon Rally Saturday, October 5 on our Lanham campus. The event aims to spotlight the importance of breast cancer awareness and the crucial role of early detection through mammograms. The Pink Ribbon Rally will feature no cost mammograms and clinical breast screenings, as well as life-saving information about the signs, symptoms, and early detection of breast cancer. “Breast cancer impacts lives profoundly, especially in Prince George’s County,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “By moving the event to Saturday, we hope to make it more accessible for residents and neighbors to join us. Meeting breast cancer survivors and hearing their inspiring stories always moves me, and I take comfort in knowing that we’re raising awareness and offering hope to the many women in our community fighting breast cancer.”Prince George’s County has one of the highest mortality rates of Breast Cancer in Maryland. To address this critical issue, Luminis Health is currently in the third year of a $1.3M state grant to provide breast cancer screenings to women in Prince George’s County. Thanks to this funding, the health system has administered more than 2,300 no cost breast cancer screenings, significantly advancing our efforts to combat breast cancer in the community. “This event empowers women to get a mammogram because it saves lives,” said Dr. Regina Hampton, breast cancer surgeon at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “With one in eight women in the United States facing a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and breast cancer being a leading cause of death among women in Prince George’s County, I encourage every woman to start getting mammograms at age of 40, or earlier if they have a family history.”In addition to mammograms, the Pink Ribbon Rally will offer resources and guidance from local organizations, support groups, and healthcare professionals. There will also be inspirational stories from breast cancer survivors, bra fittings, live music, food, and games.Event DetailsDate: Saturday, October 5, 2024Time: 11 am to 3 pmAddress: 8118 Good Luck Road, LanhamAdmission: Free and open to the public0
- Physical TherapyGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen it comes to keeping your body healthy, the first things you may think about are your diet and exercise habits. While those are two vital parts that contribute to your wellbeing, many other factors are often overlooked, including your posture. Good posture is tough to define, but it often includes the correct alignment of bones and joints while sitting, standing and lying down. This ensures your muscles are being used properly. Bad posture can affect your overall health and lead to chronic pain. Poor movement patterns generate both physical and mental stress, like indigestion, neck and back discomfort, headaches, an increased risk of heart disease, and fatigue. It’s important to pay attention to how you move and position your body. The benefits of practicing good posture are undeniable. It engages your core, increases energy, relieves pain and improves your appearance. Because of this, there are many items out on the market claiming they can help you improve your posture. We decided to put one new gadget to the test. The Upright Go is a Bluetooth device you attach to your back. It’s designed to improve and track posture by vibrating to alert you when you slouch. Shannon Robinson, physical therapist with Luminis Health Physical Therapy, tried it out for a day to see what she thought. To first get started with Upright Go, you download the free app and sync the device to your phone. You then attach a small, white device to your upper back via an adhesive sticker. When in ‘Training Mode,’ the device will vibrate on your back to alert you when you slouch. Their website recommends training daily in order to form a better posture habit. After each daily training session, you can switch to ‘Tracking Mode’ to continue monitoring your posture throughout the day. “I could feel myself having to use all back muscles to sit up tall with my shoulder blades pinched and eventually my muscles would feel fatigued, telling me that they were really working,” Shannon says. “Using the app, you can see all your posture statistics, goals, and how you have improved over time.” Shannon felt the device worked well with activities that require an erect trunk posture such as sitting, standing and walking. However, “it was very sensitive and required me to actively pinch my shoulder blades and retract my neck to an uncomfortably extreme position,” she describes. “I found the device to be inappropriate to wear with activities that require a lot of movement such as bending forward to treat patients.” The device may work for those who have desk jobs, Shannon says, and it does tend to be useful to track your progress. The vibration is also adjustable. “But, overall, I wouldn’t recommend it.” The best way to improve posture, instead, is good, old-fashioned physical therapy focused on postural strengthening. Exercise and stretching can improve your posture because it helps increase your circulation and range of motion. “They are the most effective and realistic ways to improve back support. Lumbar cushions are a good tactile cue, but exercise is best.” Whether you’re someone who works a physically demanding job or sits at a desk, the Luminis Health Physical Therapy team can help you train your spine and offer tips to prevent and alleviate poor posture. We offer convenient, outpatient locations throughout Anne Arundel County, and into Prince George’s County. Our specialists can treat you near your home or work. Visit LuminisHealth.org/Physical-Therapy or call 443-481-1140 to learn more.0
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