- Sleep, Heart Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs you get older, you may find that many of the things you resented as a child, like enforced nap and bedtimes, you actually long for now. And for good reason: recent research suggests it’s good for your overall health. When compared to people who hit the hay between 10-11 pm, researchers found the following associations between bedtimes and heart disease: · 12% increased risk of heart disease when falling asleep between 11-11:59 pm · 25% increased risk of heart disease when falling asleep at midnight or later · 24% increased risk of heart disease when falling asleep before 10 pm Scientists still aren’t exactly sure what’s causing the differences in risk. But one theory is that going to bed too early or too late disrupts your body’s natural clock and throws off your systems, like your heart. A sleep routine tailored to you It can get a little overwhelming to decipher all the latest studies about what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to sleep. But the bottom line is that you shouldn’t worry if you have a late night or two – or just need to hit the sack earlier than usual. Sometimes, that’s your body’s way of telling you it needs a little extra rest. What’s most important is establishing a healthy sleep routine – one that works well for you. And that means one that works with your schedule and makes you feel best prepared to take on tomorrow. Here are some of our favorite tips to help you get the Zzzs your body needs: Be consistent. Sure, you can shoot for bedtime between 10-11 pm, but if your lifestyle or work schedule doesn’t allow for that, the most important thing you can do is go to bed around the same time every night. Find ways to unwind. Before climbing into bed, work some relaxation techniques into your routine. Maybe that’s gentle stretching, listening to gentle music or a short meditation. You can also try taking a warm bath to help calm your mind and body. Give your body regular clues. Beyond bedtime, try to do the same things in the same order every night. Whether it’s a specific order to washing your face, pulling on PJs or cracking open up a book, these can serve as a subtle cue to your body that it’s time to wind down. Set up a sleep haven. Get your bedroom ready for a good night’s sleep. That means no distractions, a comfy mattress and pillows, soft sheets and a comfortable-to-you temperature. Turn off screens an hour before bed. The blue light from screens (TVs, tablets and phones) has been shown to disrupt your body’s natural rhythm when it comes to falling and staying asleep. Have a question about sleep? A good night’s sleep has a host of benefits for your physical, mental and emotional health. If you’re struggling to get the rest you need, let us know. Your doctor can help you find the best approach to bedtime or address any underlying issues, like anxiety or depression, that may be interfering with your sleep schedule. Call your provider today to schedule your appointment or use our search tool to find a provider near you. Author To make an appointment with Dr. Dakheel, please call 301-850-6333.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogU.S. News & World Report has named Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) as High Performing in its inaugural edition of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Out of the 2,700 hospitals nationwide that offer maternity services, the publication recognized 237 hospitals. “Our families deserve the best and this award reaffirms our commitment to providing high-quality care,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “I applaud our physicians nurse midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and the entire team for their hard-work and dedication to the patients we serve.” U.S. News & World Report reviewed clinical and quality data from 2019 relating to maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies. The publication evaluated five key areas, including C-section rates, newborn complications, the rate of breast-feeding, scheduled early deliveries and the option for vaginal birth following previous cesareans. “We are honored U.S. News is recognizing LHAAMC for its inaugural list for Best Hospitals for Maternity Care,” said Monica Jones, chair of Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s services. “When families enter our hospital, they can take comfort in knowing that our dedicated professionals will deliver their baby with the utmost quality and personalized care.”0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA Respectful Way to Find Out Vaccination Status As the holidays approach and the weather turns cold, activities seem to shift from wide open outdoor spaces to close quarters in our homes. And while gathering around tables with your loved ones and arranging playdates for your kiddos is essential for your family’s mental health, these activities also pose a greater risk of spreading viruses. So, how do you protect your friends and family from COVID-19 during the holiday season? It’s important that your guests understand your view on vaccination. One way is with an honest and respectful conversation about vaccination status. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at slowing the spread of coronavirus and greatly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Now, with booster shots approved for all adults age 18 and older, and COVID-19 vaccines making their way to pediatrician offices for kids ages 5-12, more people than ever are eligible for the shots. However, asking someone if they’re vaccinated isn’t always easy, especially at a time when heightened emotions and political debates seem to play into the conversation. Here are a few tips on getting a healthy and productive discussion started. Know Your Rights Some individuals have pointed to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) as a reason they don’t have to share vaccination status. That’s actually not true. HIPPA does protect an individual’s health information from being shared by health institutions or providers without their consent. But it doesn’t make it wrong – or illegal – to ask someone if they’ve been vaccinated. Just keep in mind though, that just because you ask, doesn’t mean they have to answer you. Approach The Topic With Respect Because vaccines are such a hot topic, it’s important to frame the question carefully. Letting your loved ones know upfront you understand (and respect) their point of view, even if it’s different than your own, will help put everyone at ease from the start. As you dive into the discussion, we suggest using “I” statements instead of “you” statements. For example: Try: “Our family includes immunocompromised individuals, so we do our best to protect them. One way we do that is by asking about vaccination status of the people we’ll be around. This helps us make choices that are best for our family. Have you and your family been vaccinated?” -OR- “We want to keep our kids in school as much as possible this year. One way we’re doing that is by reducing our exposure to COVID-19, however we can. I have to ask, has your family been vaccinated?” Remember, respect is key in this scenario, so even if the conversation ends differently than you’d hoped, it’s crucial you convey that you understand each family has to make the decision that’s right for them. Know What To Do If Others Aren’t Vaccinated What you do next largely depends on your comfort level and if anyone in your family is at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. But here are a few options to consider: Ask everyone to wear a mask. If the activity will take place indoors or you’re hosting a party at your own home, ask that everyone wear a mask. Ask people if they feel sick to stay home. Anyone with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms should stay away from others to help reduce the risk of making others sick Move activities outside. You may need to bundle up against the cold air, but outdoor events pose lower risk of spreading COVID-19 and other illness, like the seasonal flu. Opt out of the activity. Remember, if you don’t feel safe or comfortable spending time indoors with people who haven’t been vaccinated, you can politely and respectfully decline the invitation. Want to add another layer of protection to your gathering? Ask people who haven’t been vaccinated to show a negative COVID-19 test. Keep in mind, these tests aren’t always accurate at identifying active infections in asymptotic individuals, but it can help give you and your guests some peace of mind. Find Ways to Stay Included and Involved It’s been tough on everyone over the past two years. What we’ve learned is that there are many ways to stay in touch during milestone celebrations without increasing your family’s COVID-19 risk. If you do choose not to attend parties or get-togethers, here are a few ways you can still spread that holiday cheer: Ask the host to dial you in virtually for a portion of the event Bake a goody bag of cookies and candy to mail or drop off at someone’s house Send a sweet card letting loved ones know you are thinking of them Start a “You’ve Been Elfed” tradition where you leave a bucket of sweet treats and little presents on neighbor’s porches We’re Here For You We understand that vaccinations bring a wide range of responses and beliefs. However, we do hope that as time goes by, we’ll all see the great benefit of choosing to become vaccinated. After all, it’s how we can keep ourselves healthy and well, and our loved ones safe. If you have any questions, we have answers. And should you decide you’re ready to schedule your vaccination, visit one of our community vaccine clinics. Authors Sheri Poretz is an Infection Control Nurse at Luminis Health0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe patient journey for heart surgery begins long before the day of your operation. To help you learn more about what to expect, Murtaza Dawood, MD cardiothoracic surgeon at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, answers a few common questions. Besides The Surgeon, What Other Roles Make Up My Care Team? There are many people who will help you on your path from pre-op (before the operation) to post-op (after the operation). Your care team includes advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), nurses, respiratory therapists, patient care technicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nutritionist and medical doctors. All of these professionals play a vital role in providing you with quality care. How Long Will I Need to Be In The Hospital? Every patient’s experience is unique, but the general goal is to discharge you from the hospital in four to five days. You will be in the intensive care unit for a couple days of your stay. The rest of your stay will be in the medical stepdown unit. How Long does it take to recover from heart surgery? After you leave the hospital, you will be on sternal precautions for 12 weeks. This means that you will have to protect your sternum until it heals. You will work with a physical therapist and occupational therapist on how to do this after your surgery and before you go home. You will not be able to drive for about four weeks after surgery. Depending on your occupation, you can return to work eight to twelve weeks after surgery. The first week is often the most challenging while in the hospital. Once home, it usually takes a few weeks of rest before most people start to feel like themselves again. It may take a few months to build up your appetite and stamina to pre-surgery levels. This also depends on the type of heart surgery you need. After Recovery, Will I Still Need to Visit My Surgeon? You will visit us in the post-op clinic one week after discharge. We will determine at that time if we need additional follow-ups. We will also follow-up with your cardiologist on when to start cardiac rehabilitation. Authors Murtaza Dawood, MD, is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in performing operations to correct valve diseases and arrhythmia. To make an appointment with Dr. Dawood, please call 443-481-1358.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you ever feel that your heartbeat is irregular, or slower or faster than normal? This describes an arrhythmia. Sean C. Beinart, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), answers a few common questions about this condition. What is an irregular heartbeat and how will I know if I have one? We refer to irregular heartbeats as arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. They range from very benign single premature beats to more dangerous arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death. Some arrhythmias are becoming more common such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is not life threatening, but it can increase your risk for stroke. It can also cause a wide range of symptoms including palpitations (a feeling of butterflies in the chest), shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe fatigue. What treatments are available to me? The wonderful thing about cardiology and the field of heart rhythm disorders is that we typically have many treatments available to patients. They include a variety of lifestyle modifications, medical treatments, or cardiac ablation. Cardiac ablation is a procedure where a specialist carefully places spaghetti-sized wires in the heart via the veins in the legs to identify and then eliminate the abnormal electrical signals. Will I need a pacemaker? Pacemakers are only necessary if someone has a very slow heart rate. This can sometimes occur in a patient who occasionally has a fast heart rate. Most treatments, however, do not require a pacemaker. How long does treatment take? Your provider will tailor treatments to your specific arrhythmia and associated symptom burden. I develop a strategy that involves a shared decision. I take into account the patient’s other medical problems. This ensures optimal health and quality of life. How can I make an appointment with an electrophysiologist? If you have symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness or near fainting, chest pain or shortness of breath, you could have an arrhythmia. Making an appointment is as simple as calling our cardiology office and asking for an electrophysiologist (heart rhythm specialist) or Dr. Beinart. Authors Sean C. Beinart, MD, is a cardiac electrophysiologist at LHAAMC. To make an appointment with him, please call 443-481-6700.0
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