- 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
- Expert Upper Extremity CareDiagnosing and treating upper extremity injuries and conditions requires highly specialized training and skills. After all, your hands alone are made up of roughly one-quarter of all the bones in your body. We have specialists, surgeons and therapists with the expertise you need.You can trust you're in good hands because we are the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder specialists. We have one of the busiest upper extremity programs in the state. We help many with chronic hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder problems manage their pain and function better.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe treat a wide range of hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder problems. We also work hand-in-hand with you to manage your pain and improve function.Hand, Wrist, Shoulder and Elbow Conditions and InjuriesFrom typing and painting to peeling potatoes and driving in a screw, you use your hands for nearly everything. Plus, they're capable of both strong and delicate movements — grabbing a chin-up bar while hefting your full body weight, and threading a needle, for instance.Many of these same tasks also rely on your wrists, elbows and shoulders. So do daily activities such as getting dressed and carrying bags of groceries. All that movement leads to many different types of problems.Luminis Health Orthopedics treats all kinds of hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries and conditions, including:Arthritis.Dupuytren's disease.DeQuervian's tendonitis.Fractures and dislocations.Frozen shoulder.Ganglion cysts.Nerve decompressions such as carpal tunnel release.Rotator cuff tear.Shoulder instability.Sprains.Tendonitis.Tendon repair.Tennis elbow.Trigger finger.0
- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNearly one third of older people in the U.S. take sleeping pills. These drugs are called “sedative hypnotics” or “tranquilizers.” They affect the brain and spinal cord. “Doctors prescribe the drugs for sleep problems,” says Ira Weinstein, MD, a pulmonologist who specializes in sleep disorders. “The drugs are also used to treat other conditions, such as anxiety or alcohol withdrawal.” Usually older adults should try non-drug treatments first. According to the American Geriatrics Society, there are safer and better ways to improve sleep or reduce anxiety. Here’s why: Sleeping pills may not help much. Many ads say that sleeping pills help people get a full, restful night’s sleep. But studies show that this is not exactly true in real life. On average, people who take one of these drugs sleep only a little longer and better than those who don’t take a drug. Sleeping pills can have serious or even deadly side effects. All sedative-hypnotic drugs have special risks for older adults. Seniors are likely to be more sensitive to the drugs’ effects than younger adults. And these drugs may stay in their bodies longer. “The drugs can cause confusion and memory problems that more than double the risk of falls and hip fractures,” says Dr. Weinstein. These are common causes of hospitalization and death in older people. They also can increase the risk of car accidents. The new “Z” drugs also have risks. Most ads are for these new drugs. At first, they were thought to be safer. But recent studies suggest they have as much or more risk than the older sleep drugs. Try nondrug treatments first. Get a thorough medical exam. Sleep problems can be caused by depression or anxiety, pain, restless leg syndrome, and many other conditions. Even if an exam does not turn up an underlying cause, you should try other solutions before you try drugs. Over-the-counter drugs may not be a good choice. Side effects of some drugs can be especially bothersome for seniors: next-day drowsiness, confusion, constipation, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. Avoid these over-the-counter sleep drugs: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex, and generic) Doxylamine (Unisom and generic) Advil PM Tylenol PM When to try sedative hypnotic drugs “Consider these drugs if the sleep problems are affecting your quality of life and nothing else has helped,” says Dr. Weinstein. “But your healthcare provider should watch you carefully to make sure that the drug is helping and not causing bad side effects.” Kinds of sleeping pills (sedative-hypnotics) All of these pills have risks, especially for older adults: Barbiturates Secobarbital (Seconal and generic) Phenobarbital (Luminal and generic) Benzodiazepines for anxiety Alprazolam (Xanax and generic) Diazepam (Valium and generic) Lorazepam (Ativan and generic) Benzodiazepines for insomnia Estazolam (generic only) Flurazepam (Dalmane and generic) Quazepam (Doral) Temazepam (Restoril and generic) Triazolam (Halcion and generic) “Z” drugs Zolpidem (Ambien and generic) Eszopiclone (Lunesta) Zaleplon (Sonata and generic) Tips for better sleep Exercise. Physical activity helps people sleep better. But avoid vigorous activity for several hours before bedtime. Keep a routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day, even on weekends. Try not to eat right before bedtime. Eat three hours or more before going to bed. Avoid caffeine after 3 p.m. Some people need to avoid caffeine even earlier. Limit alcohol. Alcohol causes sleepiness at first, followed by wakefulness. Create the right environment. Keep the bedroom peaceful. And avoid mental excitement before bedtime. Avoid bright lights. Watching a bright screen can make you stay awake. Control pets. Pets disrupt sleep if they are on and off the bed, taking up space, or wanting to be let out. If you don’t fall asleep soon, get out of bed and do something that will make you sleepy, such as reading. Return to bed after you start to feel drowsy. Source: ChoosingWisely.org.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany women are often nervous or even embarrassed to ask their doctor about personal health issues they start experiencing as they get older, specifically when it comes to their pelvic health. Pelvic health disorders can be uncomfortable and confusing. As a urogynecologist, I see women who have been dealing with symptoms on their own for far too long. Once we decide on the best treatment for them, they often wish they hadn’t waited to ask for help. Here are three questions you shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask. In fact, asking them is the first step in preventing more severe problems down the road. 1. Is ‘leakage’ normal? If you’re running to the bathroom multiple times a day or leaking when you exercise, you’re not alone. About 18 million American women suffer from urinary incontinence, which is when urine leaks unintentionally. There are many causes, including some medical conditions, medications, childbirth or age-related changes. Incontinence is common and many women think it’s just something they have to live with. That’s not true. Your doctor can offer a variety of solutions, such as changing certain habits, pelvic floor therapy, medication or minimally-invasive surgery. 2. Why does sex hurt sometimes? Like incontinence, pain during sex is a common issue. Menopause can cause issues with pain and dryness during sex. Your doctor can help identify or rule out any underlying problem as the cause of your discomfort. You should feel comfortable asking about symptoms related to your intimate health. Your doctor can prescribe or recommend a variety of solutions to help, such a prescription creams or therapy. Sex should never hurt. 3. I’m experiencing pelvic pain/pressure. What can I do about it? Pelvic pain can vary from woman to woman and range from mild to severe. Some women may even feel it in their abdomen, lower back and hips. The causes of this pain can be due to childbirth, hormonal changes or infection. If you’re feeling pelvic pressure and it’s worse when you’re standing, jumping or lifting but feels better when you’re lying down, you may be dealing with pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is the dropping of the pelvic organs caused by loss of support in the vagina. Similar to other pelvic health disorders, there are a variety of treatments for pelvic pain or pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic floor disorders are not a normal part of aging that you have to live with. They are medical conditions and they are treatable. By discussing your symptoms, your doctor will be able to correctly diagnose and treat the problem, helping you regain your confidence and quality of life. Author Dr. Yong Zheng is a urogynecologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Originally published March 29, 2016. Last updated Sep 1, 2025.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour child’s sinuses are not fully developed until late in the teen years, but the child can still develop a sinus infection. Although small, the maxillary (behind the cheek) and ethmoid (between the eyes) sinuses are present at birth. Childhood sinus problems may be difficult to diagnose, because symptoms may be caused by other problems, such as a viral illness or allergy. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, these symptoms may indicate a sinus infection: Cold-like symptoms lasting more than 14 days, sometimes with a low-grade fever. Thick nasal drainage, which may be yellow or green. Post-nasal drip, sometimes leading to a sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea or upset stomach. Headache, usually in children 6 years or older. Irritability or exhaustion. Inflammation near the eyes. Which children are at risk for sinus infection? A sinus infection sometimes happens after an upper respiratory infection or common cold. The cold causes swelling that can block the opening of the sinuses. This can cause a sinus infection. Allergies can also lead to sinusitis because of swelling and increased mucus. Other possible conditions that can lead to sinusitis include: Abnormal shape of the nose. Infection from a tooth. Nose injury. Foreign object in the nose. Birth defect with abnormality of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). Problem with stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD). What can I do to prevent sinusitis in my child? There are things that can help your child avoid sinusitis. They include: Have your child use saline sprays, washes, or both. Use these often to keep the nose as moist as possible. Use a humidifier in dry indoor environments. Keep your child away from cigarette and cigar smoke. Keep your child away from things that cause allergy symptoms. Don’t force water into the sinuses. For example, your child should not jump into water. Limit time in chlorinated pools. The chlorine can irritate the nose and sinuses. Practice good hand hygiene. Keep you and your child up to date with immunizations. Avoid close contact with people who have colds or others upper respiratory infections. Are you looking for a primary care doctor? Search our Find A Doc directory. Originally published Jan. 29, 2018. Last updated Nov. 14, 2019.0
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