- Behavioral Health, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMost parents know about the importance of play for their children to develop essential life skills. But did you know about the importance of play for grown-ups, too? When you think of the word play, you probably imagine a group of children running around, chasing a colorful ball as they laugh and cheer. But play is so much more than that, and it’s not restricted to a certain age group. Play can be defined simply as engaging in activity for pure enjoyment and recreation. Play is for everyone, regardless of age (or profession) Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron admitted to playing Angry Birds on his phone as a way to decompress after a long day. Soccer star David Beckham credited Lego toys for saving his life, saying that they served as therapy for a brain injury he sustained after a jet crash. Barack Obama said he enjoyed playing basketball or golf as a way to relax. The best thing about play, besides the fact that it’s something you enjoy, is that while you’re doing it, it’s benefiting your overall wellbeing and impacting your health. It can fuel your creativity, emotional wellbeing and ability to problem solve. It’s part of evolution, but it’s also healthy During one of his TED talks, Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College, said, “from a biological evolutionary perspective, play is nature’s means of ensuring that young mammals, including young human beings, acquire the skills that they need to acquire to develop successfully into adulthood.” And more research is revealing that the benefits of play for adults are myriad: It’s good for your stress levels. Play can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These promote an overall sense of wellbeing and can temporarily relieve pain. It improves your brain function. Playing games that challenge the brain – such as chess and puzzles – can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. This can also help ward off depression. It stimulates your mind and boosts activity. And, it makes you more productive. More companies – like Google – have set up play stations and encourage employees to play and collaborate. This, in turn, helps foster team building and cooperation within the company. It’s a win-win situation. It improves your relationships. Laughing and having fun with others can foster empathy, compassion, trust and intimacy. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers and make new friends. As Dr. Gray puts it, play is by definition creative and innovative. It is an outlet where we, as human beings, can experience joy, learn to get along with peers, practice empathy and get over narcissism while improving our health. Learn more about the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults opening in March. “It’s the getaway to vitality” Play is the gateway to vitality according to the National Institute for Play (NIFP). Play is uniquely “rewarding, it generates optimism, seeks out novelty, makes perseverance fun, leads to mastery, gives the immune system a bounce and fosters empathy.” Play is also powerful in creating a sense of community. For example, some treatment centers for drug or alcohol abuse turn to outdoor recreation and play as a vital part of their recovery programs. It’s a way to spark an individual’s interest in sober activities. Adventure therapy, for instance, requires individuals to engage in outdoor activities while working with others to problem solve and overcome challenges as a team. And although it’s part of therapy, it’s also a form of play that is helping individuals work on their addiction while having fun. The benefits of outdoor recreation include increased attention span, improved relaxation, decreased anxiety, reduced blood pressure and decreased risk of depression. Adventure therapy is just a term used to describe what’s known as experiential education. Play is no different. You can learn life skills and improve your health while playing. And just as children turn to play when they want to distress – or just enjoy their time – play can help you be the best versions of yourself when facing “adult problems,” like career stress, parenting, marriage and the many other responsibilities that come with age. Don’t think of play as a waste of time or as an activity that’s only for children. Instead, consider it an investment in your overall mental and physical wellbeing. Let's play Need a few ideas for fun play? Pick a hobby and make time for it. Make some time to do the things that you enjoy the most. Make sure you find joy in the process of that hobby and don’t just focus on the end product. Do something fun with others. Doing fun things with others is key when it comes to playfulness. Whether it’s playing with others, participating in a specific activity or just going out for coffee to catch up, consider spending some time with someone else. Play games. You can always create your own game with those around you, with or without the use of a device. Try racing someone up a hill, walking faster than them until you reach the end of the street or go outside and play ball. Visit a park or a playground. Go out in nature and have some fun. This not only boosts your mood, but it can also be a fun way to socialize. When was the last time you got on a swing? Try it! It’s so much fun. Be present. Playful people are those who take the time to appreciate beauty in the world. Practice mindfulness and pick a flower, step on the leaves and laugh as they crunch, feel the cool breeze against your face on a breezy day or go jump in that puddle of water that accumulated after the last rainstorm. Enjoy the process, just as much as you would if you were a child again. Author Mark Sakraida is the adventure therapy coordinator at Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment facility.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s officially law. After approval from voters, Maryland becomes the latest state to allow the adult use of recreational marijuana. Starting July 1, 2023 anyone in Maryland aged 21 and older can legally purchase marijuana—also known as cannabis—for recreational use from licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. Before visiting one, it’s important to know the facts, especially the possible impacts of marijuana use. Unregulated Potency First, read the label. Because the potency of legal marijuana is not yet regulated, you must read a product’s label to know how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is in a marijuana product. THC is one of the main substances—called cannabinoids—in marijuana that makes people feel “high.” By law, marijuana product labels must list the concentration of cannabinoid compounds they contain. The higher the percentage of cannabinoids, the more potent the product is and the stronger its effects. You may be surprised to hear the concentration or strength of THC in marijuana products is increasing. A study of marijuana samples from 1995 to 2014 found that its potency had almost tripled. This is important to know, as the more potent a drug is, the more likely a person is to develop a substance use disorder from it. Responsible Use If someone aged 21 or older uses recreational marijuana, it is important to buy only from licensed dispensaries. This helps avoid unknown contaminants that can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially fentanyl. These factors are also crucial: Don’t drive while under the influence of any substance, including marijuana. It’s unsafe and illegal. Don’t combine cannabis with other drugs, including alcohol. The effects may be unpredictable. Inform your doctor about your marijuana use so they can tell you about any possible interactions with your prescribed medications. Keep marijuana out of the reach of anyone under the age of 21. Don’t use marijuana if your job doesn’t allow it or if you are on-call for a job, caring for someone who is sick or taking care of children. Don’t use marijuana while pregnant or nursing. Potential Risks Marijuana use—especially if it is frequent and in high doses—can sometimes cause people to be disoriented and have unpleasant thoughts or feelings of anxiety and paranoia. People who use marijuana are more likely to develop temporary psychosis, which means they don’t know what is real, hallucinate and can be paranoid, in addition to other symptoms. Marijuana users are also more likely to develop long-lasting mental disorders, including schizophrenia (a type of mental illness where people might have delusions and hallucinations, among other things). A just released study from the National Institutes of Health reveals young men are at highest risk of schizophrenia linked with cannabis addiction. Smoked marijuana can harm lung tissue and cause scarring and damage to small blood vessels, regardless of how it is smoked. Cannabis smoke has many of the same toxins, irritants and cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco smoke. Adolescent Use The human brain stops developing at around age 25. Use of cannabis by adolescents and young adults may cause harm to the growing brain, including serious problems with learning and feelings. Cannabis Use Disorder You also run the risk of developing marijuana use disorder, which means you are unable to stop using marijuana even though it’s causing health and relationship problems. Signs of marijuana addiction include: Using more marijuana than intended Trying but failing to quit using marijuana Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using marijuana Using marijuana in high-risk situations, such as while driving Continuing to use marijuana despite physical or psychological problems Needing to use more marijuana to get the same high Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping marijuana use You should refrain from using marijuana recreationally if you already have a diagnosed mental health condition or are in recovery from a substance use disorder, as the risk increases for developing cannabis use disorder or returning to the substance you were previously addicted to. In Conclusion Remember, just because it will be legal for those over the age of 21 to use recreational marijuana does not mean that it’s always safe. Do it in moderation, avoid daily use or large amounts.Treat marijuana use the same way that you treat alcohol use—if you would not drink in certain situations, you also should not smoke or consume cannabis in similar situations. If you are using marijuana for the first time, start at lower potencies and increase slowly until you know how it will affect you. And it bears repeating: Purchase your marijuana legally, so you know exactly what you are consuming and eliminate the risk of accidental overdose by exposure to fentanyl. Author Aliya Jones, MD, is the Executive Medical Director of Behavioral Health for Luminis Health.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt was finally time to celebrate. Earl Shellner had just received an honorary certificate for completing a long course of chemotherapy. This was the last big hurdle in his cancer treatment. Earl had already been through surgery and radiation to treat an aggressive form of rectal carcinoma. Now he was cancer free. Earl sat down to write thank-you notes to friends and family who’d supported him during his struggle. It was then that he realized something new was seriously wrong. He seemed to have forgotten how to write basic letters. ‘”I was starting on the notes and couldn’t remember how to make a cursive S and a J,” he recalls. “I had to look it up on the internet, how to make the lines and curves for those letters.” Friends and Family May Be the First to Notice Signs Earl didn’t understand what was happening. He spoke to his mother, who’d been staying with him during his cancer treatment. She had even more bad news. She told him it wasn’t just the alphabet he was forgetting. “She told me I’d been telling the same stories over and over again. I’d tell a story and then 15 minutes later I’d tell it again.” And there were other lapses. He couldn’t remember the name of a neighbor’s son who he’d known for years. When he went to brush his teeth, he couldn’t remember how to use the toothbrush. It turns out many of Earl’s friends also noticed his brain seemed muddled. No one wanted to tell him because he’d already been through so much. He was devastated. Before his cancer diagnosis, he’d been a high-energy, multitasking restaurant manager. “Now I didn’t want to leave the house. I didn’t want to socialize, and my mom had to take over my banking. I just couldn’t handle any of my stuff anymore,” he says. AAMC Nurse Identifies Chemo Brain Earl shared his concerns with his radiation oncologist, and a nurse on the team recognized the symptoms. She told him he had what’s known as cancer-related cognitive impairment or “chemo brain.” Estimates vary but studies suggest a significant number of cancer patients who’ve undergone chemo may experience some degree of cognitive impairment. Until recently, however, many doctors tended to dismiss the memory loss as a given side effect of treatment. Their advice was for patients to wait it out and hope the problems diminished over time. “There is a real knowledge gap,” says Matt LeBlanc, the nurse navigator for Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Cancer Rehabilitation Center. “Chemo brain exists but it is under recognized and undertreated.” A little over a year ago, AAMC decided to address the need directly by launching the cancer rehab program. Among other things, it offers cognitive therapy to cancer patients using techniques developed for those who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries. Speech Therapy Helps Rebecca Gondak is a speech language pathologist at the center. She says many of her cancer patients arrive with significant cognitive impairments, including short-term recall and language retrieval. “Intelligence is not affected, the problem is a patient’s ability to access intelligence,” says Gondak. The good news is that with help, even a brain damaged by chemotherapy can form new pathways to compensate for what’s been lost says Gondak. Earl is a perfect example. When Shellner arrived at the Cancer Rehab Center, he tested far below average for memory and word recall. Gondak began a vigorous course of treatment using a combination of exercises, strategies and tricks to teach the brain new ways to access information. “Since people with chemo brain often have trouble with short-term memory one thing I do is teach them how to connect new information to something they are already familiar with,” says Gondak. Gondak says many effective strategies for recall are quite simple “Let’s say a patient parks on level 3A. How will they remember if they’re having short-term memory loss? Well, I’ll have them think of connections to the level. Maybe they have 3 children and want an A in school. That’s 3A.” Gondak also uses repetition and problem-solving exercises to help jump-start the brain. Rehab Gave Earl His Life Back After twelve sessions, Earl was thrilled with his progress. He’d jumped from the 13th percentile in cognitive function to the 79th percentile. Other patients have seen similar results. Gondak says one of the things she finds most moving is that many of her patients are making huge leaps in memory skills even as they endure cancer treatment. “We get a lot of patients in pain or who aren’t sleeping and still we see improvement, ” Gondak says. Earl says rehab has given him his life back. He’s no longer afraid to go outside or talk in public. He also continues to heed Gondak’s advice. He uses lists so he doesn’t overload his brain with too much information, he takes brain breaks and he puts essentials, like his keys and phone, in a designated place so he doesn’t lose them. The bottom line, says Earl, is the skills he’s acquired in rehab have allowed him to function again. “Rehab has made a tremendous difference in my life,” Earl says. “I can feel it everyday.” Read Earl’s first-person account of his journey on the Huffington Post.0
- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNothing puts a damper on summer fun like an unexpected trip to the doctor or emergency room. But with a little bit of planning and making yourself aware of issues that can creep up as temperatures rise, you’ll help ensure a safe and healthy summer for you and your family. Whether you’re at home or on the go, having a summer safety kit handy can help you be prepared for unexpected emergencies. What’s something to always have on hand? Water! One of the most common conditions kids experience in the summer is heat illness. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms of heat exhaustion, you should get immediate medical care: Severe thirst Nausea Fast and shallow breathing Headache Cool, clammy skin You can prevent heat exhaustion by being proactive about making sure your child stays hydrated. Have them drink cool water or sports drinks early and often. If they’re going out to play or to a sports practice, make sure they’re fully hydrated before leaving and then make sure they take regular breaks to drink—even if they aren’t thirsty. READ MORE: Summer travel tips: See your doctor and plan ahead Besides refillable water bottles, what else should your kit include? Hand sanitizer to clean your hands before providing first-aid Antiseptic wipes to clean scrapes and cut Cotton balls, plus multi-sized band-aids, gauze and adhesive tape Antibacterial cream, like Neosporin, to prevent infection Bug repellant containing DEET or picaridin to prevent bites Tweezers for splinters and removing ticks Plastic gloves for removing a tick or handling poison ivy Small plastic bag for keeping a tick removed for identification Hydrocortisone cream for rashes and bug bites Instant ice packs for inflammation Saline solution to clean out eyes Sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent burns Aloe Vera gel to soothe sunburn Small doses of over-the-counter medications—children’s versions when appropriate—such as Tylenol, Benadryl, Pepto-Bismol and Dramamine, or their generic equivalents. Thermometer Healthy snack items to refuel your kids on the go, including non-perishable items like trail mix, nuts or granola bars. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges or grapes are great options, too, but since they’re perishable they should be added to your kit the day you’ll use them. Cell phone to use if needed, preprogrammed with doctor contact and health insurance information; also handy to take photos of a plant you may suspect of being poison ivy or an unusual insect or snake that bites a member of your family. You should also consider the items that are specific to your family needs such as baby wipes, allergy and asthma medications, or an Epi-Pen. Keep your kit stored somewhere convenient but always out of the reach of young children. When you’re toting your on-the-go kit, make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating the medications inside. Finally, be aware of any heat or air quality advisories and adjust your outdoor plans accordingly. If your child must be outside during a heat advisory, you should be extra vigilant. Also, if you plan to swim in a local river or the Bay, don’t do so within 48 hours of a heavy rain (1/2 inch or more) and check to see if there are additional water-quality advisories for that body of water. Author Michelle Skinner, DO, is a family medicine physician at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Waugh Chapel Pavilion. You can reach her office at 410-721-1507. Originally published May 29, 2015. Last updated June 10, 2019.0
- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a prevention education coordinator at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance use and mental health treatment center, Mandy Larkins is in the community daily. She works to prevent anyone from having to deal with the devastating disease of addiction. “It can affect anyone, any age, any socioeconomic group, any gender and any race,” she says. Senior citizens are at greater risk for addiction if they take multiple medications and take prescription pain medications. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, up to 17 percent of adults age 60 and over abuse prescription drugs. Common medications of abuse include narcotic pain killers, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. To help prevent prescription addiction, Mandy reminds seniors to ask questions when talking to their doctors about certain medications. Questions to ask include: Does this medication have an addictive tendency? What are the side effects and will it interact with my current medications? What is the least amount of time I will need to take this medicine? Are there other options for this medication? Social drinking while taking medications can also cause a negative reaction, especially if someone is taking several prescriptions. “Social drinking could mean one glass of wine a night or it could mean five beers on a weekend, and these can certainly interact differently with medications,” says Mandy. “Have a conversation with your doctor about social drinking and what the problems would be with drinking and taking new medication.” The warning signs of addiction are sometimes hard to separate from the side effects experienced from the medications. Mandy notes that a drug side effect will show up soon after the patient starts taking the new medication. In contrast, addiction might take some time to display its symptoms. You might not see symptoms until the patient stops taking the drug. Signs of addiction include: Differences in sleep Changes in appetite Fluctuations in mood or unusual behavior Taking more than the prescribed dose of medication Taking medication for reasons other than what it is prescribed “It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have been treated for any addiction earlier in life,” says Mandy. “Certain medications could be trigger points for some people.” If you believe an elderly loved one may have an addiction problem, alert his or her physician. The right type of treatment will vary depending on the individual and the situation. AAMC’s Pathways Treatment Center offers individualized substance abuse and mental health treatment. Call 410-573-5449 for more information. Contributor Mandy Larkins is a prevention education coordinator at Pathways and can be reached at 410-573-5428.0
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