- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the wake of recent events, Luminis Health CEO Tori Bayless shares how our health system plans to confront anti-Asian discrimination, together. The events of the year 2020 both exposed and exacerbated inequities in our society. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, hate crimes against Asian Americans have increased exponentially across the nation. Last week’s senseless violence in Atlanta took more innocent lives – and demands a response. As an organization that values diversity and inclusion and is in the business of saving lives, we condemn the rising violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Through this message, and other efforts, we want to raise awareness of these violent events, demonstrate the need to be supportive of AAPI communities, and explore opportunities for us to do more to support our leaders, staff, patients, and families of AAPI communities. First, let me take a moment to speak directly to our Luminis Health colleagues, patients, family and community members who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander. You are a valued member of our health system and our community, and we stand with you. Your safety, mental health and wellbeing matter. We believe there remains much to be done to dismantle and disrupt the hate that pervades our society and we are committed to doing more. As mentioned in last year’s messages on xenophobia and racism, incidents of hate, discrimination, and xenophobic rhetoric are not acceptable, and we must play a role in addressing them. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy, we will continue to confront racism, injustice, hate and inequity in all of its forms. We will not lose our unity or be torn apart by those that seek to divide us. In response to last year’s events, many of you are aware that we created the Health Equity and Anti-Racism Task (HEART) Force to facilitate further progress in our DEI journey. The recommendations forthcoming from the HEART Force aim to confront racism and discrimination, address the effects of systemic inequity, disrupt hate and injustice, and support an innovative culture of thriving inclusion across Luminis Health. Through thoughtful partnerships and the purposeful engagement of our workforce, we will change and positively impact our communities. As we work to educate ourselves, I invite you to join me in learning more about what we can do individually and collectively. I invite you to read this recent Vox article on Why Pandemics Activate Xenophobia, as well as The New Yorker’s piece on Confronting Anti-Asian Discrimination During the Coronavirus Crisis (written a year ago). Together, we can work to effect change and make a difference for our colleagues, patients, friends and families.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe’ve all heard about the precautions we must take to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19. Practice the 3Ws. Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Watch your distance. But what if you’ve had COVID-19 – and recovered? You may wonder if you need to keep following those guidelines. The short answer is yes. Here’s what we know right now. COVID-19 immunity doesn’t last forever. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said people who have recovered from COVID-19 may be immune for 90 days. But a study the CDC released in January found otherwise. The study looked at 156 U.S. health care workers who had COVID-19. They took an antibody test about a month after developing symptoms, then a second one 60 days later. The study found 94% of the participants had fewer antibodies at the 60-day mark, while 28% experienced a major decrease in antibodies. And, people who have had a mild case of COVID-19 often don’t develop a detectable antibody response at all. So, don’t assume you’re immune to COVID-19 just because you already had it. You still need to do your part to protect others from getting COVID-19. Staying away from other people is important when you’re sick with COVID-19 – but how long do you need to isolate yourself? Consider how long it’s been since you had COVID-19, if you had symptoms, and how severe they were. The CDC says you can be around other people 10 days after symptoms first appeared, you’ve had 24 hours without fever (and you aren’t taking fever-reducing medications) and other symptoms are improving. But, if you became severely ill with COVID-19, you might need to isolate for up to 20 days after you first started to have symptoms. And people who have compromised immune systems might need testing to determine when they can see others again. If you fall into this category, talk to your health care provider to learn more. If you tested positive for COVID-19, but don’t have any symptoms, the CDC says you can be around other people 10 days after testing positive – as long as you continue to have no symptoms. The COVID-19 vaccine is here—but it’s going to take time to distribute it to everyone who wants it. The approval and release of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in late 2020 was a spark of hope—and more COVID-19 vaccines are on the horizon. We’re optimistic that the vaccines will help us end the pandemic. And we do recommend that you still get the vaccine if you’ve already had COVID-19. But it’s going to take time – possibly months – for the vaccine to be available to everyone who wants it. So, until then, you still need to practice the 3Ws. This March marks a year since Maryland saw its first COVID-19 case. We can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re all going to need to keep working together to end the pandemic. Authors Michael Remoll, MD, is director of Emergency Services at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. David Press, MD, is associate chief medical officer at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEating well during chemotherapy can help you maintain your weight and improve how you feel during treatment. A well-planned strategy and support from your cancer care team, can help you navigate any obstacles to maintain optimal health throughout treatment. You need more calories and protein during chemotherapy. Both cancer and cancer treatment increase the energy and nutrients your body needs, especially protein. Protein is important in helping you rebuild strength during treatment. Foods rich in protein and nutrients are the best choices during treatment, including: Beans Berries Bright orange fruits and vegetables Chicken Eggs Greek yogurt Leafy green vegetables Nuts and seeds Salmon Whole grains Chemotherapy may cause symptoms that can impact your ability to meet your nutrition needs. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells. Despite its intended target, it often impacts healthy rapidly dividing cells as well, including those of your mouth, esophagus and the rest of your digestive tract. Because of this, digestive symptoms like mouth sores, heartburn and constipation are common. Medications given with chemotherapy can also cause side effects. For example, some pain medications can slow down the digestive tract making it difficult to digest food and have a regular bowel movement. The good news is your doctor expects and is prepared for these challenges. A registered dietitian can provide strategies, and help you plan a healthy diet that addresses your symptoms. Small frequent meals may help when you don’t feel like eating anything at all. Loss of appetite and early fullness are common side effects of chemotherapy. And if you don’t feel like eating, sitting down to a huge plate of salmon and greens isn’t exactly appealing. Here are a few ways to maximize the nutrients in your food: Add blueberries to a bowl of cereal Make grilled cheese on whole grain bread Mix chopped broccoli into mac and cheese Pump up chicken, tuna or egg salad with fresh celery and parsley Toss extra vegetables in a mug of soup Use peanut butter or avocado on toast Soups, stews and smoothies make great meals for getting in lots of nutrients. And smaller portions make eating and drinking seem less daunting. Focus on eating a few bites or drinking a few sips at a time. You can always get seconds if you’re still hungry. Take care in the kitchen to keep your food safe. According to the National Cancer Institute, it’s unnecessary to avoid all fresh fruits and vegetables during treatment. Research shows that general food safety practices reduce the risk of food-borne illness while allowing for a less restrictive diet. Food safety practices include: Washing hands Separating raw meat, poultry and eggs from other foods Washing fresh fruits and vegetables with cool water Avoid food buffets Mix up your routine to deal with taste and smell changes. Taste changes and smell aversions are also common during treatment. That’s because the tissues that line your mouth and nasal cavity are also lined with those same rapidly dividing cells impacted by chemotherapy. Identify your taste changes and add flavors to balance what you’re tasting using the FASS principle. FASS stands for fat, acid, salty, sweet. Patients experiencing taste changes may use these flavors differently depending on their specific tastes: Acids: Try something acidic, such as fresh lemon juice when food tastes too sweet Fats: Use nut butter or nut creams to help soothe mouth sores Salty seasonings: Add sea salt when food seems tasteless Sweeteners: Seasoning your food with natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or agave nectar, can help when your food tastes metallic or bitter Activity, fluids and fiber can help you stay regular. Bowel regularity is an essential part of staying well-nourished. Constipation can leave you feeling full even if you need to refuel. Loose, watery stool can dehydrate you. To alleviate discomfort, incorporate these strategies: Activity: Exercise and physical activity encourage movement of food products through the digestive tract. Fluids: Caffeine-free fluids, including water, herbal tea and unsweetened milk, help meet your body’s fluids needs. Soluble fiber: Soluble fiber holds water in the digestive tract and encourages soft stools. Good sources include peeled apples and pears, beans, peas, blueberries and oats. Talk to your doctor about your side effects. Side effects of chemotherapy are expected, and your doctor will have some options for making them better. Whether you’re dealing with constipation, heartburn or sores in your mouth, your medical team has strategies to improve how you feel so you can keep up with your nutrition. Inadequate protein and calorie intake can lead to muscle loss and treatment delays. Depending on your side effects, your doctor may suggest talking with a palliative medicine provider, who are specially trained to help you feel better. From appetite to energy and even your bathroom habits, they have an arsenal of tools, including medications, supplements and complementary therapies like acupuncture and massage. A registered dietitian is a great resource. Optimal nutrition during chemotherapy can help you feel good and maximize the benefits of your treatment. Treatment side effects may have you feeling a little out of sorts, but we’re here to help. If you would like more specific guidance, talk to your doctor about speaking with one of our registered dietitians today. Authors Monica Tomazic, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, and Maureen Shackelford, MS, RD, LDN, are registered dietitians specializing in oncology nutrition with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogJohnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is the third vaccine to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And, many consider it to be the gamechanger the country needs to streamline its mass vaccination efforts. Here are important things to know about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: It protects against severe disease and death Research shows the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prevents 85% of severe disease. The vaccine prevented severe illness even in areas of the world where concerning variants circulate. Plus, the vaccine was 100% effective in clinical trials at preventing deaths. It’s natural to want to compare the effectiveness of Johnson & Johnson to the other COVID-19 vaccines. But it’s not that easy. Testing happened during a more complicated phase of the pandemic, after more variants emerged. And, it was tested in different areas of the world for effectiveness. Preventing severe disease, hospitalizations and death are what we most need in a vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine provides this protection. Side effects and exclusions are similar to other vaccines Common side effects include pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and nausea that last a day or two after vaccination. The vaccine is recommended for those 18 and over. It’s not recommended if you’ve had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any ingredient in the vaccine. Essentially, the guidance is similar to other COVID-19 vaccines. It shows promise for protecting against asymptomatic spread According to the FDA, there’s evidence the vaccine may protect against asymptomatic infections. This means it can reduce the risk of a vaccinated person unknowingly passing along the virus to others. This has been a key question about vaccines throughout the pandemic. It was developed by Jannsen Jannsen is the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson and Johnson. Even though the media refers to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you may see references in other places to the Jannsen vaccine. For instance, your vaccination card may say Jannsen instead of Johnson & Johnson. It’s easier to use and store The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a single dose instead of two. And, it’s stored in a regular refrigerator instead of extreme temperatures. It’s a much-needed tool in our immunization toolbox because of its ease of use. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine should help our country, and the world, more easily vaccinate the most vulnerable in our population. These are the places where specialized refrigeration and the ability to follow up for a second dose are not practical. And, it should help streamline our mass vaccination efforts. Remember, it will take time to vaccinate everyone against COVID-19. We must keep adhering to tried and tested measures that keep each and all of us safe. This means we must continue to follow the 3Ws – Wear your mask, Wash your hands and Watch your distance.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPhysicians across the U.S. will diagnose almost 100,000 new cases of colorectal cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Of those cases, the ACS estimates that 40,000 people will die. The good news is that colorectal cancer, also referred to as colon (large bowel) cancer, is preventable and curable if diagnosed early. The best way to achieve this is by getting a screening colonoscopy. Let’s start with the basics – what is a colonoscopy? Most colorectal cancers start from ‘silent’ growths within the colon called polyps. We use a screening colonoscopy to detect and remove polyps. The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Once we sedate the patient, we insert a colonoscope that goes to the end of the colon. We remove any polyps seen during the procedure. Next, we collect the polyps for analysis. Removal of these polyps prevents the development of colorectal cancer. There are alternative screenings. There are many stool-based tests used for screening. Among these is the Cologuard test. For this test, the patient collects their stool at home and then ships it to a lab. Cologuard is very good for screening and is less invasive. Other tests check for blood in the stool. These tests occur in a doctor’s office or at home. Talk to your provider. You should get your first screening at age 50, but we recommend talking to your provider about screening beginning at the age of 45. An earlier screening is recommended at age 40 for people with a family history of colon cancer, and some research suggests African-Americans should get a colonoscopy at age 45. Diet can play a role in colon health. A diet low in fat and high in fiber can improve colon health. This type of diet may reduce your colorectal cancer risk. Signs and symptoms. Patients with early colorectal cancer usually don’t have symptoms. In later stages of undiagnosed colorectal cancer, symptoms may include: Rectal bleeding Anemia Abdominal pain Loose stools Constipation Weight loss Screening for early detection of colorectal cancer is crucial. Even for advanced colorectal cancers, a 95% cure rate is possible with the latest surgical and cancer therapies. Colorectal cancer is preventable. Don’t wait if you are over 50. Call your primary care provider to set up a colonoscopy screening. Doctors’ offices are safe, ready and open to care for you. Author Showkat Bashir, MD, specializes in gastroenterology at Doctors Community Hospital.0
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