- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMore than 60 million adults in the U.S. experience heartburn, the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive condition that causes indigestion and acid reflux. If you feel a burning sensation below your ribs or a sour taste at the back of your mouth after you eat, GERD may be to blame. But GERD causes more than discomfort. It increases your risk of stomach and esophageal cancers. Fortunately, GERD symptoms are often treatable with diet and lifestyle changes. Obesity, smoking and drinking alcohol all increase your risk of GERD and make symptoms worse. And if you’re overweight, the extra weight pushes the contents of your stomach back up to your throat. The most effective ways to prevent GERD include losing weight and not smoking or drinking. In addition to these lifestyle changes, here are some other tips to avoid GERD: 1. Don’t lie down after eating. Think of your stomach as a cup of hydrochloric acid (which the stomach produces), combined with the food you eat. Standing or sitting upright, the acid is more likely to stay in your stomach. Lying down, the contents of your stomach can spill and move up to your throat and the back of your mouth. Allow gravity to do its part in preventing GERD by standing or sitting upright after a meal. Walking can also help encourage proper digestion. 2. Finish eating meals 2-3 hours before sleeping. This allows the stomach acid to move out of your stomach before lying down for the night or taking a nap. 3. Avoid trigger foods. Trigger foods can include chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, vinegar and pepper. Coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks can also make symptoms worse. 4. Eat smaller portions. Large meals fill the stomach, causing pressure that pushes stomach fluid up toward the throat. 5. Raise the upper body while sleeping. Use six-inch blocks or a special wedge-shaped pillow to keep acid in the stomach by raising your entire upper body while you sleep. This decreases pressure on your stomach and relieves symptoms. 6. Be wise about antacids. If you’re currently taking antacids or over-the-counter medications, or have in the past, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor. These medicines may wrongly mask symptoms of stomach and esophageal cancers. While GERD is not life-threatening, it’s important to talk to your primary care doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor can help you change behaviors and manage medication based on your individual needs. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a surgeon.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFamily gatherings, celebrations, extravagant meals, and lavish desserts—the holiday season is full of indulgences that can be damaging to your heart health. We asked William C. Maxted, MD, cardiologist and director of the Heart and Vascular Unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center, to share tips for maintaining a healthy heart while still enjoying all the holiday season has to offer. Here are four of his recommendations: 1. Enjoy Without Overindulging The holidays and food go hand in hand. With food at the center of attention from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, it’s easy to overindulge at times. It’s okay to eat the foods you enjoy, but it’s important to still be mindful of what you’re eating. Eat more slowly and visit the buffet with a smaller plate to help you to keep portions in control. And, a diet- and fitness-tracking app helps you keep an eye on how many calories you are really consuming. It’s best to avoid food with a lot of salt, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Don’t overindulge on alcohol either, as it can affect your heart in many different ways, even causing heart rhythm disturbances. Moderate alcohol intake is best—ideally two drinks at most. Even if you don’t have a heart condition, excess alcohol should be avoided. 2. Remember to Relax Pressure from hosting family and friends, travel, holiday shopping, and attending multiple parties can raise stress and anxiety levels. A high level of stress is never good for your heart. Planning ahead and setting limits is the best way to enjoy the holidays while avoiding additional stress and anxiety. Be realistic about what you can fit into your schedule and prioritize. 3. Exercise When You Can It can be difficult to maintain an exercise routine during the hectic holiday season. Try incorporating exercise into your schedule of holiday activities. 4. Listen to Your Body There is an increase in cardiac deaths during the holidays, possibly because people ignore symptoms to avoid disrupting the merriment. When symptoms arise that could be cardiac related, seek medical care immediately. A delay can end in a worse result than stopping the holiday party, and it’s not worth the risk. Author William C. Maxted Jr., MD, is a cardiologist at Cardiology Associates in Annapolis and Bowie. He can be reached at (410) 573-6480.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor people 65 years old and older, we recommend two vaccines. The first is the high-dose seasonal flu shot. Except in rare cases, everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Patients age 65 and up should get the high-dose shot. It has four times the amount of antigen, the ingredient that starts your immune system making antibodies, as the regular shot. Older people who get influenza are at risk for serious complications from the disease, which could lead to hospitalization or death. Because of this, it is much better for seniors to receive a vaccination before the worst of the flu season hits. This will be our second year giving the high-dose shot. Last year we saw 40 percent fewer cases of flu among seniors who had the high-dose vaccine compared to those who opted for the regular dose. The second shot we recommend is the Prevnar-13 vaccination, which protects against 13 strains of streptococcal pneumonia. Because older people tend to have more conditions that weaken their immune system—such as diabetes, asthma or COPD—protection against strep bacteria is very important. Just as with influenza, seniors who develop pneumonia are at greater risk for complications, such as blood infections or meningitis. We have a good supply of both vaccines and encourage everyone to come in for your shots. We can administer the shots on a walk-in basis—no appointment is needed—and the cost is covered by most insurance. Author By Meetu Agrawal, MD, a primary care physician at AAMG Largo Primary Care. To reach her, call 301-925-7610.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDry needling is a procedure similar to acupuncture, but based on Western medicine. It uses a very thin, solid-filament needle inserted at myofascial trigger points where multiple top bands of tissues come together. Dry needling is used to help reduce muscle pain at the site or referred pain in the adjacent area. Referred pain is when a problem exists somewhere else in the body other than where you feel the pain. Dry needling can help anyone with chronic tension, spasms or soreness in the muscles, tendons or ligaments. It is also good for treating migraines and tension headaches. While it uses similar tools as acupuncture — in fact, the needles are the same — dry needling is based on Western medical practice and long-term research into how nerve signals travel from the point of pain and are perceived by the brain. The research shows insertion of one or more needles at the point of pain or in the tissue nearby can help lessen pain. For example, if you experience pain in your ankle, you might be helped by having dry needle insertion in the muscle that runs from the calf to the foot in order to “re-route” the pain signals. Dry needling is used to help any musculoskeletal problems, such as chronic calf tightness, tennis elbow or for a sciatic issue that hasn’t responded to treatment. Sports medicine specialists, physical therapists or physiatrists often refer patients when standard manual techniques in physical therapy haven’t reduced pain sufficiently. Author By James Bickley, a physical therapist and dry needling site coordinator at AAMG Physical Therapy in Odenton. To reach his practice, call 410-674-1650.0
- Behavioral Health, Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIs vaping a safe smoking alternative? No! Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are commonly advertised as a “healthier” and cheaper alternative to cigarette smoking. However, smoking e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, is not an approved method for smoking cessation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Inhaling a vaporized liquid solution rather than smoke from burning tobacco may sound safer, but it is important to remember e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and the amount can vary widely among brands. The FDA found that even some e-cigarette cartridges that claimed to be nicotine-free contained varying amounts of nicotine, as well as known carcinogens such as diethylene glycol (an ingredient found in anti-freeze) and nitrosamines. Also, the long-term effects of vaping and secondhand vapor inhalation are unknown. Additionally, there is concern that e-cigarette usage will reverse the progress made in teenage smoking prevention and may normalize smoking behaviors. Virtually anyone can sell or buy e-cigarettes. Convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores offer the most popular brands. And, unlike traditional tobacco products, there are no restrictions on Internet sales, which makes it relatively easy for young people to make online purchases. Without scientific data establishing the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes, there is no basis for recommending them as an alternative to cigarette smoking. Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking. If you have teenagers, talk to them about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. Get Screened Are you a longtime smoker age 55 to 80? You may meet the criteria for lung cancer screening. Yearly low-dose CT scans are effective at finding lung abnormalities and detecting cancers early. To find out if you are a candidate, call AAMC’s Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. Listen to a Living Well with Cancer interview with Dr. Cattaneo and learn more about lung cancer screenings. Author By Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach him, call 443-481-5838.0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
Go to MyChart
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?