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How can I manage my asthma during the winter months?
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Q: How can I manage my asthma during the winter months?
The most important aspect of asthma management is identifying the triggers. These tips can help you avoid winter asthma flare-ups:
Avoid breathing cold, dry air. Cold air can irritate the small tubes of the lungs and trigger coughing or wheezing. Stay indoors as much as possible. Use your inhaler 15 to 20 minutes before going outside to prevent airway tightening.
Know and avoid your indoor triggers. Avoid the hot, dry air of a fireplace. Sometimes molds, dust, animal dander, cockroaches or old carpets trigger asthma. Try to identify and remove these irritants from your home.
Protect yourself from colds and flu. Colds and flu can worsen asthma symptoms. Wash your hands regularly, and get your flu shot.
Asthma can be worse in children. Children with asthma should carry a rescue inhaler if there is concern about coming into contact with triggers. Also, talk with your doctor about taking a maintenance steroid inhaler.
Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Dec. 9, 2019.
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News & Press Releases
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Anne Arundel Medical Center Named Among Baltimore Metro Area Top Workplaces
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Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has been named one of the region’s Top Workplaces by The Baltimore Sun Media Group. The designation is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and connection.
“We are passionate about creating a workplace environment where our team members are able to grow, thrive and make a difference,” said Julie McGovern, vice president and chief human resources officer at AAMC. “We are honored to be recognized once again as a Top Workplace by The Baltimore Sun Media Group, and equally honored that this recognition is based solely on the feedback of our employees.”
“The Top Workplaces award is about much more than recognition and celebration,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “Our research also shows that these organizations achieve higher referral rates, lower employee turnover, and double the employee engagement levels. It just goes to show that being intentional about culture delivers bottom-line results.”
For more information about career opportunities at AAMC, visit www.aamccareers.org.
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5 Facts You Need to Know about Lupus
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May is Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus (also called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is a disease that effects 1.5 million people in the U.S., according to the Lupus Foundation of America. A 2019 survey found that 63% of Americans have never heard of lupus or have little information about the chronic illness. Here is what you need to know:
Lupus is an autoimmune disease
Lupus causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs in the body. The body creates antibodies which attack your own cells.
The chronic disease most commonly attacks your kidneys, skin, joints, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus may not affect all of these in each patient.
Lupus symptoms
Lupus is often tough to identify because its symptoms are similar to other illnesses. Here are the most common signs and symptoms from the Mayo Clinic:
Fatigue
Fever
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
Dry eyes
Headaches, confusion and memory loss
It is important to remember that these symptoms may also occur with other illnesses. A doctor can perform an examination and tests to see whether a patient has lupus or a different condition.
Risks for developing lupus
Lupus is more common in women. A lupus diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 15-45 years old. African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans account for the majority of lupus diagnoses. If fact, lupus diagnoses are two to three times more likely in African Americans compared to whites. You may also be at a greater risk if you have a family member with lupus. The disease may become more active during pregnancy, and require close monitoring.
Causes of lupus
In most cases, the cause of lupus is unknown. Experts believe it is possible to trigger lupus if you have a genetic predisposition for the disease, by hormonal changes, or by environmental factors.
Treatment options
There is currently no cure for lupus. You can manage lupus symptoms through a proper treatment plan created by your doctor. Treatment includes monitoring regularly. It may also include medications to help with symptoms, prevent worsening, and block the disease process. Health providers choose medicines very carefully. Medication selection depends on what other conditions a patient has, how severe the lupus is, and which features of lupus are the most active. Medications might include plaquenil, prednisone, imuran or benlysta.
Author
Susan Berger, MD, is a rheumatologist with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
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Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is nationally recognized for low CAUTIs Rates
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Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has some of the lowest rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the United States, according to data from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In total, 335 hospitals across the country, including LHDCMC, had an infection ratio of zero.
“To be among the top hospitals in the country to receive this recognition speaks volumes to the high-quality care we provide to the communities we serve,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “I applaud every member of our team for their hard-work and commitment, as well as the precautions taken to ensure our patients are safe during their stay.”
The measures are developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collected through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). They provide information on infections that occur while the patient is in the hospital. The figures represent data collected from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.
“Patient safety is our top priority,” said Jean Murray, director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at Luminis Health. “Nationally, 75% of urinary tract infections of hospitalized patients are associated with urinary catheters. The greatest risk is the length of time the catheter is in place. That is why it is important to remove catheters as soon as they are no longer medically necessary. We keep the utilization of these devices low to help enhance the safety of our patients,” said Murray.
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Wellness
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Running Tips for a Great Race
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Getting ready to hit the pavement? Whether you are a first-time runner or completing an in-person or virtual 5k race, here are some tips you need to know to make sure you have the best experience.
Wear a Good Pair of Shoes
Your feet should feel comfortable during your run. Ideally, you should purchase new shoes for running every 350 miles or every six months. After this time, shoe foam tends to wear down. This makes your feet less stable during your run. Running a 5K in worn shoes may also cause painful blisters.
Pay Attention to Aches and Pains
When you are training, pay attention to any discomfort. You should be able to run consecutively for 20 minutes without aches or pains. If you are running and something doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to start walking. If the pain persists and affects your everyday activities, see a doctor.
Know Your Hydration Needs
Hydration during your run is very important. Water intake needs depend on the runner. You may be fine running for 30 minutes without water based on your level of training. Others may need to take a water bottle along during their run. Do what works best for you.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
If you wear headphones while running, only wear them in one ear. You want to be aware of your surroundings. In addition to being an important safety measure, this keeps you mindful of other runners or bikers around you.
Be OK with Shifting Your Running Goal
On race day, make sure you take the time to do it well. You are not competing against anyone, especially during a virtual 5K. Even if you have the best training plan and the best shoes, your run may not go as you planned. When you are running on race day, be OK with doing the best you can.
For more advice from physical therapists or to learn more about Luminis Health Physical Therapy visit: Luminis.Health/PhysicalTherapy.
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