- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPneumonia can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection that affects one or both lungs. How long it lasts depends on the case, but symptoms normally last about two weeks. Antibiotics can often treat bacterial pneumonia, but are not effective for viral strains. Certain severe cases may require a hospital stay. About 1 million Americans end up in the hospital due to pneumonia each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is important to be aware of how you’re feeling. If cold-like symptoms do not improve, visit your primary care provider for an evaluation. MYTH: Pneumonia only affects very old and very young people. TRUTH: While pneumonia affects these people most often, anyone at any age can get it. Pneumonia tends to be worse among older people because they may have chronic conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, that make it harder to fight off infection. Those at a greater risk include: Children 2 years old or younger People 65 years or older Smokers People who have been in the intensive care unit of a hospital People with a weakened or suppressed immune system MYTH: Pneumonia is only a threat in the winter. TRUTH: Pneumonia can strike any time of the year. It’s more common during winter since the flu and other respiratory infections are common then. MYTH: Pneumonia is just a bad cold. TRUTH: Symptoms are similar to a cold or flu but may be more severe and last longer. Symptoms include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, fever, chest pain when you breathe or cough, and a cough that produces a thick mucus. If these symptoms continue or get worse over a five-day period, it’s time to see a doctor. MYTH: Pneumonia isn’t contagious. TRUTH: Pneumonia is contagious. But exposure to it doesn’t mean you’ll get it. Use common-sense care if you think you have pneumonia: Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough and stay home if you’re sick. To help lower your risk of getting bacterial pneumonia, get vaccinated. Talk to your primary care doctor about the pneumonia vaccine. Find a doctor at askAAMC.org/FindaDoc or call 443-481-5555. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Jan. 14, 2019.0
- Wellness, Men's Health, Heart Care, OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSure, it’s a wintertime chore, but did you know shoveling snow can cause major health issues? “Shoveling snow is the equivalent of running a marathon when it comes to the strain it puts on your heart,” says Baran Kilical, MD, cardiologist and electrophysiologist. “If you do not exercise regularly or have a history of heart disease, you should think twice about shoveling. It would be better to ask a family member, friend or neighbor for help.” The cold weather can tighten your blood vessels, making it harder for blood to pass. Couple that with the sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate from the physical exertion of shoveling, and a heart attack could be triggered. Who is at most risk? People who have had a prior heart attack, have heart disease, smoke, are overweight or lead a sedentary lifestyle. How can you make snow shoveling safer for your heart? According to the American Heart Association, you should: Take regular breaks. Frequently rest during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Listen to your body and how it feels during those breaks. Skip the heavy meal prior to or soon after shoveling. Large meals can put excess strain on your heart. Push snow, instead of lift it. If you must lift the snow, do it in smaller amounts. It’s less stress on your heart to lift smaller amounts in more frequency, than to lift fewer, but heavier, loads. Skip the alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may lead you to underestimate the extra strain your body is under. Know the warning signs of a heart attack Also, it’s important to know the warning signs of a heart attack. Not all heart attacks look alike, but most show some or all of these signs: Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, jaw or stomach Shortness of breath A sudden cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness Call 911 immediately if you begin to experience any of these symptoms. Getting to the hospital at the earliest sign of a heart attack is key to a successful outcome. Protecting Your Muscles and Bones While Shoveling Shoveling not only puts stress on your heart, but also can damage your muscles and bones. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Chad Patton, MD suggests treating shoveling as a workout. Take time to warm up and stretch before you begin. “Bend with your legs, don’t bend at your waist,” says Dr. Patton. “Try to avoid tossing the snow over your shoulder. Maintain good posture and really use your legs to do a lot of the work.” Authors Chad Patton, MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Luminis Health Orthopedics. To reach him, call 410-268-8862. Originally published Jan. 22, 2016. Last updated Jan. 23, 2026.0
- Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFrom Zumba® to barre to breakdancing, the fitness industry has seen a growing trend in dance fitness. Whatever dance fitness trend you choose, you can lose or maintain weight, become more active and have tons of fun with this type of exercise. But dance fitness can also cause injury if you aren’t careful. Problems like shin splints, knee pain, back strains and ankle sprains can take the spring out of your step. The good news: You can take steps to prevent injuries with these tips, says Apryl Riggins, physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. GO EASY. “Always start slow. Try one class, or even half of a class, and see how your body responds,” Apryl says. “Injuries don’t typically occur from a single movement or class. Injuries more often occur as a result of repetitive movements over several days or weeks, and especially when you’re tired.” If you experience pain or fatigue, take a day or two off, make sure you’re pain-free, then resume your dance class to make sure you’re comfortable. WARM UP WISELY. Warm-ups should include a cardio component. Start with gentle arm and leg movements for five to 10 minutes, gradually picking up your pace. Once your muscles are warm, try some dynamic stretches, such as high knees, butt kicks or leg swings. COOL DOWN CORRECTLY. Slow your dance movements for five to 10 minutes. Then stretch your body, including your arms and legs, holding each stretch for 30 seconds to one minute. MIX THINGS UP. Try cross-training, or doing more than one form of exercise. Doing other types of exercise in addition to dance works different muscle groups. Cross-training can help you avoid overuse injuries. “Pilates and yoga are excellent additions to dance training,” says Apryl. “They focus on core strengthening and stabilization of your abdominal, pelvic and back muscles, which helps prevent injury.” TREAT YOURSELF RIGHT. “General muscle soreness is normal after a workout, but sharp pain is not,” Apryl says. “If you experience intense pain, talk to your doctor.” Conditioning and physical therapy can help relieve pain and prevent injuries from returning. For more information, call 443-481-1140 or visit AAMGPhysicalTherapy.com. Author Apryl Riggins is a physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Jan. 7, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGerms are a part of our everyday lives. All of us come into contact with thousands of types of bacteria—both good and bad—on a daily basis. Fortunately, maintaining good hygiene helps keep us from getting sick from the majority of illness-causing germs we encounter. Katherine Edwards, MD, chief of pediatrics at Anne Arundel Medical Center, shares tips about the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and keep your family healthy during cold and flu season. 1. Know Germ Hot Spots “High touch” items have a higher concentration of germs, which means there’s a greater risk of getting sick from coming into contact with them. Some common hot spots include: Money. Cell phones. Faucet handles. Toothbrush holders. Purses and other bags. Door knobs. Grocery carts. 2. Keep Your Hands Clean There’s no other practice that helps prevent the spread of germs more than washing your hands. When you can’t wash with soap and water, antibacterial hand gel or wipes are a good substitute. 3. Clean and Disinfect Clean and sanitize germ hot spots in your home and, if you can, your workplace, on a daily or weekly basis. Hot soapy water, a bleach solution and/or disinfecting wipes are the best agents for eliminating germs from a variety of surfaces and items. 4. Practice Other Healthy Habits One of the best ways to stay healthy is to observe healthy habits. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, stay hydrated and be physically active. It’s also important to avoid touching your face and to limit contact with people who are sick. Author Katherine Edwards, MD, is chief of pediatrics at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Feb. 10, 2016. Last updated Jan. 3, 2019.0
- Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogChances are if you’ve set a New Year’s resolution it has something to do with losing weight. Up your chance for success with these three secrets to attaining a healthy weight: Set a realistic goal and plan. When setting your healthy weight goal, it’s essential you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Yes, it’s critical to set a goal, but it’s equally important to make that goal a realistic fit for you and your lifestyle. Remember, your primary care provider is a wonderful resource for helping map out a tailored plan for eating the right foods and getting enough exercise. Also, if you’re struggling to meet your goal, your provider may discover an underlying medical issue holding you back. Your provider is your personal health partner, but only if you start the conversation. Find a workout buddy. Studies consistently show the power of having a workout buddy. One study published by the Society of Behavioral Medicine in 2012 showed that people who rode an exercise bike with a buddy rode a whopping 87 percent longer than when they rode solo. A friend can provide support, accountability and the motivation you need to meet your goal, plus they provide healthy competition. Depending on your schedule and lifestyle, a good workout buddy may be a co-worker, friend, spouse or family member. The important thing to remember is it’s best to have someone who has similar goals and fitness level. Struggling to find someone? Join a fitness class and search out someone of a similar fitness level. Or, enlist your dog as your buddy. Enjoy a walk or run while giving your dog some much-needed exercise. Track your progress. Have you ever had a car that showed your average miles per gallon at the touch of a button or a thermostat that showed how much your heat was on throughout the day? It comes as no surprise that people who use this sort of technology end up getting better gas mileage or lower energy bills. Similarly, technology can help you stay on track with your healthy weight goal, too. Whether you use an app to track the foods you eat or a fitness bracelet that tracks your steps and heart rate, there are lots of options out there to help you track improvement. And when you see your progress, it helps you see what’s possible. Ultimately, these three tips are all about building an effective support and accountability system to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. With this system in place, you’re much more likely to beat the odds and stick to your weight loss resolution. We offer a variety of group exercise classes at AAMC including yoga, Zumba, pilates and strength training classes. Check out the schedule and try something new this year. AAMC also offers free weight loss surgery seminars in both Easton and Annapolis. To learn more about what you can gain with weight loss surgery, visit aamcbariatrics.com. Originally published Dec. 31, 2015. Last updated Dec. 17, 2018.0
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