Orthopedics, Pediatrics
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Stay in the game: Tips for avoiding lacrosse injuries
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A 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.
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Senior Care
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What immunizations do I need as an adult?
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There are several immunizations recommended for adults. Some are specifically for older adults, to protect against diseases that can be more serious in seniors. Other vaccines may not have been available when you were younger. And adults with a higher-than-average risk for certain diseases may need additional vaccines.
While immunizations protect you personally from diseases, they can also lower the risk of disease outbreaks in your community. This concept is sometimes referred to as “herd immunity.” Herd immunity protects people who cannot be vaccinated, such as babies who are still too young for certain shots or people with weak immune systems.
See the chart below for recommendations for some of the most common vaccines. Then talk with your doctor about which immunizations you may need.
Author
Daniel Makas, DO, is a family medicine physician at AAMG River Family Physicians, with offices in St. Michaels and Easton. To reach him, call 410-820-7270.
Originally published Sept. 16, 2016. Last updated Aug. 6, 2018.
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Women's Health, Wellness
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The uncomfortable conversations you should have with your doctor at midlife
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As women move beyond the child-bearing years, their responsibilities and sources of stress can shift and even increase. But the transition from mommy to midlife shouldn’t be a crisis.
Women in their forties and fifties are often called the sandwich generation for a reason. We’re still parenting, yet may find ourselves caring for aging parents. In that squeeze women must remember to put their oxygen mask on first because women who take the time to care for their own physical and emotional well being are better equipped to handle everything else on their plate.
Midlife is the time to tackle those issues our younger selves may have been too busy to address or too embarrassed to talk about.
What are some of the top uncomfortable conversations to have with your doctor?
Intimacy Issues
A lot of intimacy issues I see with midlife women stem from loss of libido, or sexual desire. There’s no little blue pill to prescribe, but your doctor can help you can help you get to the heart of the problem, uncovering possible medical reasons for the issue.
Bladder Control Problems
Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is common for women as they age—whether it’s the strong sudden urge to go out of nowhere or the type that come on when you sneeze, laugh or cough. But it is not something you have to live with. There are exercises and diet changes that can help, as well as procedures that can be done.
Perimenopause/Menopause
As an OB-GYN I help many women manage the symptoms of menopause. Things that help include exercise, controlling your weight and, in some cases, hormone replacement therapy. New therapies have emerged, too.
Healthy Habits
Your doctor can help you make those necessary lifestyle changes you’ve been meaning to do, like quitting smoking, eating healthier, getting enough sleep, and exercising. In some cases, these changes may go hand in hand with helping a medical issue you’ve been having.
Abuse
Your conversations with your doctor are confidential, yet crucial if you don’t know what to do about your situation.
Stress/Depression
Talk to your doctor to better understand the chaos hormones may be inserting into your life, plus to help you navigate your stresses. Stress and/or depression could be tied to some of the other issues above, so taking care of one may help the other.
Your doctor can help you navigate these midlife matters, allowing you to put down the supermom cape and realize you’re not alone on your health journey.
Author
By Karen Hardart, MD, an OB-GYN at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She can be reached at 410-573-9530.
Originally published May 4, 2015. Last updated Aug. 6, 2018.
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News & Press Releases
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Anne Arundel Medical Center president and CEO honored with American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion award
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The American Hospital Association (AHA) has recognized Anne Arundel Medical Center President and CEO Victoria (Tori) Bayless as a 2018 Grassroots Champion. Bayless was honored at the Maryland Hospital Association’s annual meeting in June.
Each year, the AHA, in conjunction with the state hospital associations, recognizes the achievements of grassroots leaders with the prestigious Grassroots Champion Award.
The award recognizes a hospital leader from each state who most effectively educates elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and who are tireless advocates for hospitals and their patients.
“Victoria Bayless is being recognized as a 2018 Grassroots Champion for her commitment to working to improve the issues affecting her hospital’s community,” said AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. “Her leadership in advocacy has created an open dialogue with elected officials, which in turn has broadened community outreach and education for both Anne Arundel Medical Center and its patients.”
“Tori is a steadfast advocate and champion of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s mission to enhance the health of the people we serve,” said Gary Jobson, AAMC board chair. “In doing so, she demonstrates unyielding passion, commitment and innovative thinking toward advancing causes that positively impact the health needs of the community. This honor is well deserved.”
Bayless has been at the frontline of advancing important initiatives to strengthen the provision of health care in Anne Arundel County and the surrounding region. Most recent efforts include increasing access to mental health care and working to expand cardiac surgery services.
Bayless joined AAMC as vice president of Clinical and Support Services in 2005. She was promoted to chief operating officer in 2006. In September 2009, Bayless was named president and chief operating officer and was promoted to CEO in 2011.
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News & Press Releases
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Anne Arundel Medical Center adopts new technology to increase patient engagement during recovery
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Anne Arundel Medical Center has entered into a partnership with CipherHealth, a health care technology company committed to improving patient outcomes and experiences through enhanced communication and care team coordination. The partnership centers on supporting patients in their transition home.
AAMC chose to adopt CipherHealth’s Voice Patient Communication Platform with the objective to effectively engage patients and their families. Following up with patients after discharge is a proven method to increase compliance, outcomes and satisfaction.
AAMC’s project team worked closely with the CipherHealth team to ensure that the program addresses the following:
Communication with patients in their preferred language
Utilization of the right mode of engagement – call or text
Personalization based on the patient’s condition and care needs
If a patient indicates they need assistance when they receive a Voice call or text, an alert is automatically routed to the appropriate hospital staff, who is then able to call the patient back and address their concern.
“AAMC has always invested considerable effort in effectively engaging patients. We believe that most often, it comes down to communicating with patients the right way and at the right time,” said Sarah Haas, manager of health care payment redesign programs at AAMC.
“We are thrilled to work with AAMC on this exciting initiative to engage patients in the critical time following a procedure,” said Katie Mills, client success manager for CipherHealth. “AAMC’s dedication to their community by ensuring patient needs are addressed quickly, is exactly what our products aim to achieve.”
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