- Behavioral Health, Senior Care, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeniors tend to face special risks from alcohol, even if they aren’t heavy drinkers. Even moderate drinking can be a problem in this age group. Health risks of alcohol in the aging Alcohol poses special risks for seniors for a variety of reasons. For example, alcohol can: Interact with medications. The older we get, the more likely we are to take medications, according to the American Society on Aging. And medicines—whether prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter—often don’t mix well with alcohol. Alcohol can counteract or decrease the effects of some medications, such as those taken for high blood pressure,reflux disease or gout. Alcohol also can magnify a medication’s action. The combined sedative effects of alcohol with tranquilizers, sleeping pills or pain relievers can be particularly dangerous. Increase the risk of accidents. Alcohol impairs coordination and increases the likelihood of falls and other accidents. For older people, that raises an already increased risk for hip fractures and disability. Hide other health troubles. Alcohol can mask symptoms of other medical problems, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). For example, the changes it causes in heart and blood vessels may dull the pain of angina—an important warning sign of heart attack. Cause problems in small amounts. The body’s ability to absorb and deal with alcohol changes as we age. Our tolerance level goes down, meaning it takes little alcohol to have a big effect. A diagnosis overlooked It’s not always easy to know when an older person is abusing alcohol, according to the NIAAA. They’re often retired, which eliminates occupational red flags like missing work or losing jobs. Older people also are more likely to drink alone at home, according to the American Geriatrics Society. That makes them less likely than younger drinkers to be arrested for fighting or drunk driving. In addition, some of the side effects of alcohol abuse may be dismissed as signs of “getting old.” Mental confusion caused by heavy drinking can be mistaken for symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, for example. Depression, insomnia and poor eating habits are associated with aging—and alcohol abuse. So how can you tell if someone you love is abusing alcohol? If someone minimizes how much they drink, that’s a red flag. Or if someone takes offense when asked about their drinking, that’s a red flag. Other signs may include someone who: Drinks alone or hides his or her drinking from others. Feels irritable or resentful when he or she is not drinking. Uses alcohol to cope with problems like depression or sleeplessness. To get an idea of whether or not you might have a drinking problem, take this short quiz. If you think alcohol might be a problem for you or someone you love, seek the advice of a health care professional. He or she may suggest counseling or a treatment program. The good news is that older people tend to stick with treatment programs better than younger people. In fact, research has found that simply pointing out the ill effects of alcohol can significantly reduce an older person’s drinking. For more information about alcohol visit AAMC’s Pathways drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, askAAMC.org/Pathways. Originally published Dec. 23, 2014. Last updated Jan. 21, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the front of your neck and controls a lot of your bodily functions. As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid makes hormones that affect nearly every organ in your body. “The thyroid is actually one of the powerhouses of the body because it regulates your metabolism,” says Barbara Onumah, MD, medical director of AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists. But for how important it is, it’s not uncommon for something to go wrong. Lots of people have problems with their thyroid. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. And up to 60 percent of people with thyroid disease don’t know they have it. The thyroid can be overactive and make too much of the thyroid hormone. This is called hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, palpitations, feeling anxious or jittery, increased sweating, feeling hot and trouble sleeping. The thyroid can also be underactive, which happens when the gland does not make enough of the hormone. This is called hypothyroidism and can result in intolerance to cold, constipation, dry skin, dry hair, loss of hair, difficulty losing weight or even weight gain. Women may have irregular or heavy menstrual periods and may feel fatigue. And although thyroid problems are common, Dr. Onumah says they are difficult to identify. “The problem is that the symptoms associated with thyroid problems aren’t specific to thyroid disease,” explains Dr. Onumah. “They could all be due to something else.” So what can you do if you suspect you have a thyroid problem? Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. They can perform a simple blood test to identify any abnormal thyroid behavior. And for those who have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, Dr. Onumah says to make sure to take medications as prescribed. “If you have questions or concerns, or your doctor has any doubts about regulating your thyroid, it’s always best to see an endocrinologist,” says Dr. Onumah. “At AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, we’re ready to help.” Contributor Barbara Onumah, MD, is medical director of AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists. Originally published Feb. 23, 2016. Last updated Aug. 28, 2018.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe all want to be healthy. But there is so much information out there when it comes to your health that it’s hard to know what to focus on. Routine doctor visits are important, but only account for 10 percent of what determines your health. Social and environmental factors are twice as important at 20 percent. And genetics (what you inherit from your family) comes in at 30 percent. The biggest factor, at 40 percent, is your health habits and behaviors. Here are six of the most important things you can do for good health, according to our experts. Be physically active. Exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. Cardio is the most important type of exercise you can do. But it’s also important to incorporate resistance training, like weight lifting, into your routine. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, live longer, have less joint pain, are in a better mood, and are at less risk for cancer. Find an activity you can enjoy. This gives you the best chance to keep it going over time. Don’t smoke. Life is hard enough when you’re doing everything right. Smoking harms almost every organ in your body. Smoking causes cancer, and it can also cause heart disease, osteoporosis, cataracts, and even increases your chance of becoming diabetic. Don’t drink alcohol to excess. Moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Excessive drinking causes liver disease, high blood pressure, many types of cancer, and the empty calories increase your risk of obesity. Eat multiple servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This means about two cups of fruit and two cups of vegetables. The vitamins, minerals and fiber they provide reduce blood pressure and cholesterol as well as diseases of the intestines. They also help you repair injured tissues, reducing your risk of some cancers. Wear seatbelts. Your injuries from a car crash will be worse without a seatbelt. And not wearing one during a car crash can be fatal. More than half of people ages 13 to 44 who die in car accidents don’t have on seatbelts. Achieve a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of disease, most notably diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, arthritis, and many types of cancer. Being underweight is also a risk factor for disease. Ask your doctor about your BMI (your measure of body fat based on height and weight). A BMI of 19 to 25 is healthy. These six health habits may not seem all that difficult, but only three percent of Americans do them all. Talk with your doctor about your challenges. Write down your goals and post them where you can see them every day. If you achieve all six, you will have more energy, feel more focused and motivated, handle stress better, and have the best possible quality of life. Originally published June 12, 2017. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- Weight Loss, Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSome people want six-pack abs. Some want firmer glutes. And still others want toned biceps. If you want to be healthy, though, the muscle you should care about exercising the most is your heart, says Anne Arundel Medical Center cardiac rehab nurse Shannon Adkins. She offers six tips to get started: Make it a habit. For optimal heart health, Shannon recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, five to seven days a week. Know your target heart rate. For the general public, the American Heart Association recommends exercising with a target heart rate between 50 percent and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. (Your maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age.) If you’ve had a heart event, like a heart attack or heart failure, your target heart rate is tailored based on your medical evaluation and medical history. Talk it out. You should always be able to talk while you’re exercising. If you can breathe but not speak, you’re pushing a little too hard. Ease into/out of exercise. Devote five minutes to a warm-up before you exercise and five minutes to a cool-down after. Gradually transition into and out of intense exercise to improve blood flow to your muscles and reduce stress on your heart. Do what you love. Whatever your target heart rate is, you can reach it by walking, running, swimming, biking, hiking, skiing and even dancing. “Do whatever you enjoy doing, as long as it gets your heart rate in that target range,” Shannon says. Listen to your body. “Consult your doctor before you start exercising, and stop if you feel like something’s wrong,” Shannon says. “Always listen to your body.” Learn one woman’s story about how she recovered from a heart attack and adopted a heart-healthy lifestyle. Author Shannon Adkins, RN, BSN, is a cardiac rehab nurse at AAMC. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Dec. 17, 2019.0
- Orthopedics, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA small, hard rubber ball…long sticks…and the speed of soccer with the contact of hockey. Can you think of a more injury-inviting sport than lacrosse? Lacrosse continues to gain in popularity, making it one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. U.S. Lacrosse, the governing body of men’s and women’s lacrosse, estimates nearly 772,000 athletes play the game nationwide. The more people who play, the more likely injuries will occur. These injuries are not all sustained during games. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), athletes are three to five times more likely to be injured in a game than in a practice. However, athletes are twice as likely to sustain injury in preseason practice versus regular season play. Most common injuries More than 50 percent: Lower extremities (hips down to toes) 25 percent: Upper extremities (shoulder to fingers) 15 percent: Head and neck Less than 10 percent: Trunk and back Ankle sprains, knee ligament or cartilage injuries, and concussions are the three most common lacrosse injuries. All of these injuries can sideline players and can even end a player’s season. Rules are changing While rules have been created to help protect athletes near the crease (area surrounding the goal on a lacrosse field), this is the typical “hot-spot” for injuries on the field. Preseason “no pad” practices also help decrease injuries. These practices condition players before contact occurs on the field to decrease the high preseason injury rate. Many programs can help decrease knee injury rates, especially in female athletes who are most prone to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Injury prevention tips Get a sports physical exam from your physician. Train for strength and flexibility, both in and off season. Know the rules and play safe. Wear protective equipment properly and without modifications. Warm up and cool down…every time. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise. Use proper techniques involved in the sport. Eat properly to allow for maximum performance and optimal recovery. Take off at least one day per week to allow the body to recover. Understand your body and limits. Don’t push through pain. We’re often taught to “play hard,” but the most important lesson is to play smart. Author By Benjamin Petre, MD, orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. Originally published March 22, 2016. Last updated Aug. 13, 2018.0
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