Renowned Heart Care
Our goal is to manage and, whenever possible, prevent heart failure. We offer our patients:
A dedicated heart center. Our Zazulia Heart and Vascular Center is an inpatient unit for those with heart conditions. It features cardiac catheterization labs, a critical care unit and a cardiac rehab center.
Nationally recognized care. The American College of Cardiology recognizes Luminis Health for our commitment to hospital care for heart patients. We appear on the 2022 U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Hospitals."
Heart treatments recognized by the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association recognizes us as one of only 25% of hospitals in the U.S. qualified to perform emergency cardiac catheterization. This can prevent heart attacks or serious damage to your heart.
The latest technology for minimally invasive procedures. With advanced imaging, we can detect coronary artery disease early and are often able to treat it with minimally invasive procedures. That means small incisions, less pain and a quicker recovery for you.
Condition
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
Heart Failure
It's important to know that, while heart failure is a severe condition, it doesn't mean your heart has stopped working. And Luminis Health's heart care team is here to make sure your heart keeps working at its best.
What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure means that your heart is damaged and can't pump enough blood for your body's needs. Damage can happen to either one or both sides of your heart.
Heart failure is usually a result of other health conditions that affect your heart, like:
High blood pressure.
Coronary artery disease.
A heart attack.
Defective heart valves.
Lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
More than 6 million adults in the U.S. live with heart failure. At Luminis Health, we offer some of the best heart care and treatments in the country.
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Orthopedics, Senior Care, Uncategorized
General Page Tier 3
I Think I Have Arthritis. Now What?
Blog
The first thing you should do is get a proper diagnosis. Many patients with bone and joint pain assume they have arthritis. This can be a dangerous assumption. There are many different causes of joint pain that aren’t related to arthritis. Talk to your doctor to find out what is causing the pain.
Exercise
Moderate exercise is an integral part of treating arthritis. Activities such as walking, swimming, or gardening can help keep your bones strong and your joints limber.
Modify Your Activities
Proper body mechanics can lead to a more effective use of your body and reduce strain on your joints. Here are some guidelines:
Practice good posture
Avoid sitting in low chairs to reduce stress on your knees
While traveling, get up and move around every hour or so
Avoid running and jumping
Reduce climbing activities
Avoid any activity that causes prolonged discomfort.
Take Over-the-Counter Medications/Vitamins As Needed
Pain-relievers and anti-inflammatories can help relieve joint swelling and pain. Pain from arthritis may vary greatly from day to day. Start with medications with the least side effects and take them only when necessary. Plus, supplements with vitamins C and D and calcium may be helpful. Ask your doctor what is best for you.
Things to Consider:
Orthotics/Braces/Assistive Devices: Various devices are available to help minimize pain, discomfort, and stress. They can assist you in accomplishing tasks more simply. Ask your physician or physical therapist if there are devices that would help you.
Prescription Medications: When over-the-counter medications are ineffective in reducing the pain, swelling, and stiffness from arthritis then prescription medications may be helpful.
Injections: Cortisone injections directly into joints may help relieve both swelling and pain.
Surgery: Surgeons specializing in arthritis can provide you with all of the options and help determine if surgery is right for you.
To learn more, visit askAAMC.org/Joint.
Originally published March 5, 2015. Last updated April 26, 2018.
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Behavioral Health, Senior Care
General Page Tier 3
Are Over-The-Counter Medications Safe?
Blog
Studies show four out of five adults take over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat pain, fever, allergies, heartburn and other problems. Most of the thousands of OTC medications on the market are safe when taken as directed, as long as they do not interfere with other medications or health conditions.
Many people who take OTC supplements may not realize the Food and Drug Administration does not directly monitor or approve these non-prescription drugs. It is important to do your own research to know what you are taking and why.
Taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC medication can be dangerous. For example, taking too much acetaminophen, which can be found in pain relievers, can cause severe liver damage or acute liver failure.
Read the labels on your OTC medications carefully to prevent accidental overdose. This is especially important if you take more than one medication at a time to relieve multiple symptoms. Know the ingredients, dosages, timing and other instructions.
Along with carefully reading labels, you may want to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new OTC medication. Sometimes OTC drugs interact with medications you’ve been prescribed.
Those with chronic health conditions are at greater risk of serious adverse reactions while taking OTC medications. Adults age 65 and older are likely to have additional health issues, and take roughly 40 percent of OTC medications consumed. Because of this, seniors should take extra precaution.
In general, do not take OTC medications longer than 10 days for pain or longer than three days for fever without consulting your physician.
If you have concerns about medications, it’s important to talk to your doctor. To find a primary care doctor near you, visit findadoc.aahs.org or call 443-481-5555.
Originally published Jan. 28, 2016. Last updated April 25, 2018.
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News & Press Releases
General Page Tier 3
Maryland Patient Safety Center recognizes Anne Arundel Medical Center for efforts to reduce opioid prescribing
Blog
Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Achievement in Patient Safety Innovation Award for its efforts to reduce opioid prescribing. The award was one of two top honors presented by the Maryland Patient Safety Center at the 14th annual Maryland Patient Safety Conference on April 13 in Baltimore.
Leaders at AAMC began examining internal opioid prescribing practices in the summer of 2016 due to concerns about the linkage between prescription opioids and the rising number of opioid overdoses. Pilot studies found a wide variation in how doctors prescribed opioid painkillers.
A multidisciplinary taskforce was formed to address the issue. In September 2017, based upon preliminary results seen in three key clinical areas — orthopedics, the emergency room and primary care — AAMC announced its goal to reduce opioid prescribing across its health system by 50 percent by 2019. In March of this year, AAMC reported that at the end of the first year of intervention, the total amount of opioids prescribed each month was 59 percent less than when it started.
“Opioid overprescribing is falling in multiple areas of our health system, with no decline in patient satisfaction with pain management, or return visits to the Emergency Department due to under treatment,” said Barry Meisenberg, MD, chair for quality improvement at AAMC and lead on the health system’s Opioid Taskforce. “This success is based on concerted efforts of hundreds of physicians who altered their customary mode of practice over hundreds of thousands of patient visits, surgeries and hospital discharges.”
Award winners were selected by a panel of independent judges who are leaders in the Maryland health care community.
In a press release announcing award recipients, President/CEO of the Maryland Patient Safety Center, Robert Imhoff, said: “We congratulate our winners, who through their diligent efforts and strategic thinking have advanced the cause of improving patient safety. Timely and innovative solutions like the ones we are recognizing this year are needed to address the constantly evolving healthcare landscape facing healthcare practitioners in Maryland and beyond.”
“We take seriously our role to lead the efforts to address this public health crisis,” Meisenberg continued. “We recognize that it is the beginning of long-term commitment to making an impact on an issue that has plague our communities for decades. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts.”
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Women's Health
General Page Tier 3
Tips for Treating Urinary Incontinence
Blog
Whether it’s a ‘small tinkle’ with a sneeze or a ‘potty dance’ while headed toward the bathroom, the uncontrolled leakage of urine is called urinary incontinence. This condition can be a real bother for many ladies.
Do you skip gym class for fear of leaking urine? Are your daily trips planned around restroom breaks? Have you ever heard yourself say, “Stop, don’t make me laugh!”? When the bladder is functioning normally, you should be able to delay a bathroom break until a socially acceptable time and not worry about leaking during activity.
You do not need to have pelvic organ prolapse (or a collapsed bladder) for urine to leak. You may look and feel the same, however, the dampness signals a problem. Sometimes this condition can be temporary, such as with a urinary tract infection or during pregnancy. If so, urinary incontinence will quickly resolve after the temporary condition has passed. At other times, leakage may start slowly and worsen over time. Many women wear panty-liners or change their underwear frequently because of urinary incontinence, a condition that according to the National Association for Continence affects close to 18 million women.
Urinary incontinence may be common but it’s not normal and, thankfully, there is often a cure. Here are some things you can do to help:
Do Kegel exercises. These exercises help muscle strength and endurance training for the pelvic floor.
Try core muscle strengthening exercises, like Pilates and yoga. The core muscle and pelvic floor muscles work closely together. Getting one region stronger can help the other.
Wear a tampon during exercise, or a pessary vaginal insert made to help with stress leakage.
Achieve normal body weight through nutrition or lower impact exercise.
Consider a surgical procedure to support the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the body).
READ MORE: Bladder control problems: 5 ways women can manage
There are other cases when medical conditions or prior surgeries are causing the leakage. Even issues that limit the speed and ease of walking can contribute to leakage. Urinary incontinence and constant dampness can cause skin irritation in the regions of dampness.
I have seen firsthand how urinary incontinence can affect day to day activities, plans for the future and even self-esteem. If this problem continues, talk to your healthcare team. Details about treatment can be discussed with your provider or a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Leakage can control your life. Even though you can live with these problems, ask yourself, ‘Why should I?’ Would you give your daughter or girlfriend the same advice? Let’s do better for ourselves. For more information on urinary incontinence, visit us today!
Author
Kay Hoskey, MD is a board certified urogynecologist at the Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
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