- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast summer, Brandy Brooks, 39, was on a family vacation with her boyfriend and two children. Grabbing some ice cream to enjoy the cold treat in the hot weather, Brandy was having a great time. It wasn’t until she started laughing that she noticed something was off and had to urgently use the restroom. On their way back to the resort where they were staying, again she noticed something was wrong. But this time, she wasn’t able to hold it. Walking into the resort, she did it again. “Every time I would laugh or sneeze, I would pee myself,” Brandy recalls. “It was embarrassing.” Everything started in 2005, when Brandy had her first child. Like many women, Brandy experienced urine leakage during her pregnancy. But she continued to experience similar symptoms after giving birth to her daughter. “It was still a problem, but not huge,” Brandy says. “I didn’t have to wear protective garments so I didn’t pay much attention.” In 2013, Brandy had her second child. After having her son, she says things got worse. “It got progressively bad, to the point I had to wear adult protection all the time,” Brandy says. “Sometimes, I would wear two types at the same time. I was also having bad menstrual cycles.” Brandy remembers talking to a colleague about her concerns. Her colleague mentioned to schedule an appointment with the doctor that had helped her. Brandy was experiencing the symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder (PFD), a common problem many women experience, especially after giving birth. Almost one-quarter of women have pelvic floor disorders, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study revealed that pelvic floor disorders affect about 10 percent of women ages 20 to 39; 27 percent of women ages 40 to 59; 37 percent of women ages 60 to 79; and nearly half of women age 80 or older. “I was having more leakage over time and I decided to have a procedure to correct some of my symptoms,” says Brandy. Understanding pelvic floor health “The problem for women not knowing about pelvic health disorders is that they walk around with symptoms that they think are normal,” says Kay Hoskey, MD, urogynecologist with AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. “Most of the time, if women leak a little bit or feel different during intercourse, they write it off as normal. These are not always normal symptoms and if this is something women don’t want to deal with, there’s help.” When Brandy came to AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health, her complaint was having everyday issues with urinary incontinence. “We explored her history and did some diagnostic studies,” Dr. Hoskey says. Brandy had experienced symptoms for 11 years, while the average time that a woman takes to present with pelvic floor disorders is about seven years. “I would encourage women to not ignore the symptoms for that long,” Dr. Hoskey says. “You don’t have to deny, dismiss or disguise symptoms like these, there are options that can help women deal with PFDs.” At AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health, the practice primarily focuses on bowel issues, urinary issues and pelvic organ prolapse, among other areas. Taking a holistic approach, the practice offers a variety of treatments, including dietary recommendations, exercise, biofeedback, massage and surgery when necessary. Brandy required robotic surgery, an option that allowed her to heal faster with less pain and scarring. “She didn’t want to use the restroom as often and she didn’t want to have heavy periods,” Dr. Hoskey says. “She wanted to get back to her normal activities, like being able to play with her kids without having any concerns.” Regaining a carefree life Two weeks after surgery, Brandy went out with her boyfriend to the store. Joking around, Brandy started laughing. “I laughed and laughed and realized I wasn’t rushing to the restroom,” Brandy says. “I told my boyfriend and started to cry because I was able to laugh without any worries.” Brandy also noticed other big changes, such as not experiencing heavy, painful periods. For her, this was a new opportunity to regain a carefree life. After years of experiencing incontinence and worrying about leaving her house and having to take protection with her, she no longer has to think about where the nearest restroom is or if she will have an embarrassing moment in public. A full-time mom and employee gearing up to get her nursing degree, Brandy encourages other women to not be embarrassed and pay attention to their health. “I feel like a young woman whose bladder is working the way it is supposed to,” Brandy says. “Don’t be afraid to seek the treatment for it or worry about what others will say, you really need to worry about yourself and take care of yourself first.” If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain due to a pelvic condition, visit AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health website and schedule a consultation.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNow that the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency, you may have questions and concerns about the virus and how it is spread. What is monkeypox? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus—part of the same family as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder and rarely fatal. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several Central and Western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs. How does it spread? While many of those affected in the current global monkeypox outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness. Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through: Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, skin-to-skin contact or sex Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Unlike other diseases and illnesses, asymptomatic individuals (those who do not have monkeypox symptoms) cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids. What are the common symptoms? Symptoms of monkeypox can include: Fever Headache Muscle aches and backache Swollen lymph nodes Chills Exhaustion A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. How to avoid contracting monkeypox You can take a number of steps to prevent contracting monkeypox: Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a person with monkeypox Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer If you are sick with monkeypox: Isolate at home until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible How is it treated? There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections but because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections. Antivirals, are sometimes recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider. According to the CDC and Maryland Department of Health, vaccination for monkeypox is not currently recommend for the general public. Vaccine resources are being reserved for individuals who have had known close contact with someone infected with monkeypox and for those who are in the highest risk population. This article was originally published in the Enquirer Gazette. Authors Jean Murray, RN, MSN, CIC, is the System Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Luminis Health. Her 29-year career as a registered nurse includes over 26 years of experience in infection control, outbreak surveillance and epidemiology. Jean is certified in Infection Control (CIC) and is an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Greater Baltimore Chapter.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogGetting dinner on the table is a daily struggle for many parents, especially once school starts. We know you’re busy, but home-cooked meals can save you time, money and stress. Meals prepared at home generally contain a greater variety of nutrient-rich foods. Here’s your cheat sheet to get dinner on the table and start the school year off on the heathiest foot. Dust off your slow cooker. One recipe resource available for slow cookers you can freeze is New Leaf Wellness. From pulled pork, to lentil soup or even spaghetti sauce, the slow cooker can save time and allow family members to eat at different times if necessary. Try a pressure cooker. Instead of cooking low and slow all day, it cooks at high pressure at the end of the day usually in under an hour. Repurpose leftovers. For example, grill salmon fillets pm Sunday, have salmon on a salad Monday and add salmon to a pasta dish Tuesday, or make fish tacos. You can also bake six chicken breasts and use in soup, chicken salad, chicken enchilada or chicken tacos for meals throughout the week. Have a plan. Planning prevents ordering out or fixing a frozen pizza. Look at the family calendar, taking note of sports practices and other activities during dinnertime. For those active nights, fix something that can be prepared in the slow cooker or repurpose the leftovers into soups, fajitas, wraps or pasta dishes. Grocery shop during times you might waste waiting at kids’ activities. We have all been on the sidelines at practices or in the car reading or thinking about all the other things we should be doing, so go ahead and squeeze in a trip to the grocery store. Also, use this idle time to Google recipe ideas using ingredients you have on hand. Let the kids cook. Involve them in the menu ideas. The more hands on they are, the more likely they are to want to expand their palate and taste more things. Washing produce, assembling ingredients, cleaning as you go are all ways children can help. Look for recipes that can be doubled and/or frozen. Freezer cooking is a great way to combine the healthier aspects of home cooking with convenience we desperately need during the school year. Have groceries on hand. This is likely the most important element to assure menu success. Setting yourself up with healthy foods, ready to go, sets the stage for the entire week. Purchase precut vegetables or fruit. Use them for a baked potato bar, sandwich stations, or casserole add ins. Create a meal rotation. Bring peace to your meal planning with theme nights. For example, Monday is grill night, Tuesday is Mexican, Wednesday is a pasta dish. It is a great way to automate your pantry needs, and subsequently your grocery list. It can also help with picky eaters so they know what to expect and can offer ideas. Set yourself up for easy meal prep by creating a meal rotation for certain days or meals so that you don’t really have to think about it. If you need to store recipes, there are many apps to choose from, such as Evernote, Pinterest, Paprika, Pepperplate and OrganizEat. If you are moving towards plant-based eating, visit the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine for recipe ideas. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555. Originally published Sept. 4, 2018. Last updated Aug. 27, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf it’s summer, chances are you and your food will be spending a lot of time outside. Picnic and barbecue season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun with family and friends. These warm weather events also present opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive. As food heats up in summer temperatures, bacteria multiply fast. Foodborne illness is a serious public health threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately one in six Americans suffer from foodborne illness each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. We want all of your outdoor eating this summer to be fun and safe. To protect yourself, your family and friends from food safety pitfalls that can ruin the fun, take some precautions. Preparation Wash all fruits and vegetables well before cutting. Some produce, such as melons, harbor bacteria on the rinds therefore they need to be washed well and promptly refrigerated. Keep Cold Food Cold Transport picnic foods in the passenger seat as your trunk can reach temperatures of 150 degrees. Cold food should be stored at 40 degrees or below to prevent bacteria growth. One tip is to pack meat, poultry and seafood frozen so they stay cold longer. Once you serve the food it should not sit out for longer than two hours, or one hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90 degrees. If it stays out longer, then discard. Foods like meat salad, and side dishes can be served in shallow dishes and set in a deep pan filled with ice. Or consider bringing nonperishable picnic alternatives. Try choosing vinegar-based salads and dips without dairy that don’t spoil as easily. Stick to simple desserts like cookies and brownies that do not need to be kept cold. Keep Hot Food Hot Hot food should be kept hot, at or above 140 degrees. It should be wrapped in an insulated container until serving. Similar to cold foods these foods should not be kept out longer than one to two hours depending on the outside temperature. A food thermometer is a must to confirm temperatures of foods. Also, consider staggering the times you put out different platters. Avoid Cross Contamination If you are grilling always be sure to keep all of your raw meats separate from your cooked foods. Do not reuse plates, utensils or marinades. Plus, pack plenty of moist towelettes or hand sanitizers, in case you are not near hand-washing facilities and clean hands frequently to avoid touching raw meat and then serving the salad. Also, bring bottled water. To learn more about nutrition services at Anne Arundel Medical Center, visit AskAAMC.org/nutrition. Author Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published July 24, 2015. Last updated May 21, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3Blog‘Tis the season to be jolly… and healthy! When you think of the holidays and health, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s all the food you intend on eating with your family. Or finally getting that gym membership you’ve been putting off. Or, maybe you don’t think these two terms go hand-in-hand at all. Well, they can. And they should! The holiday season is a great time to enjoy time with family and friends, celebrate life, be grateful and take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you. It’s also a time to appreciate the gift of health. As this year ends and the next one begins, we encourage you to think about health and how you can help others make this essential part of life a priority. Health is described as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” If you could take that sentence, put it in a box and wrap it as a gift to give to someone you love or care about, would you? Brighten this holiday season by giving the gift of health to loved ones. How? We asked our experts for their ideas on how you can accomplish this and here’s what they had to say: Together time. Especially for our older population, giving the gift of time and ensuring you schedule dates to see them can bring them a great deal of joy (more than you know). Go pay a visit to your grandparents, uncles or check out nearby nursing homes. Bring along young children or pets (if appropriate) when you visit. Health-tech gadgets. In an age where everything revolves around technology, this might just be one of the best gifts to give this holiday season. There’s an endless supply of devices on the market that you can give to a person you know who has been concerned about their health. Whether they’ve been experiencing heart palpitations, poor sleep or fatigue, capturing these episodes can help their doctor make a diagnosis. For example, think of a Fitbit, Apple Watch or an AliveCor Kardia heart monitor. Gym membership or sessions with a trainer. No more excuses! It’s time to make that one stop you’ve been postponing for months. The gym has all the necessary equipment for getting in shape. As we get older, weight training becomes important. But, if you’d rather do cardio, there are plenty of other options. The elliptical, stationary bike and rowing machine mitigate the amount of repetitive forces on the knees that come with long distance running, even on a treadmill. Training sessions, on the other hand, are helpful in that they are an appointment – you have someone expecting you to be there and have allotted a certain amount of time to a given task. Sign up for a heart-healthy cooking class. This is certainly a more creative option. You can prevent, or even essentially cure, many of the chronic diseases present in society today, including heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, through appropriate diet. A heart-healthy cooking class can show people how to make delicious and healthy foods on a budget. Get your own equipment. Don’t like the gym? Think about purchasing TRX straps, an ab mat or even a bike. These relatively low cost options still can give you a great workout while using just your body weight. Adopt (not buy) a dog! The benefits of having a pet, especially a dog, are myriad. There are benefits to blood pressure and stress levels. From an activity standpoint, a responsible dog owner will make sure his or her pooch gets enough exercise and in turn will get some exercise himself or herself. In this case, you are improving and saving two lives – yours and your new pal’s! When thinking of what to get family, friends and loved ones this year, prioritize their wellbeing. You’re providing them with the gift that keeps on giving – good health. Authors Baran Kilical, MD, cardiologist and electrophysiologist with Luminis Health Cardiology. Lil Banchero, senior director of the Institute for Healthy Aging at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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