- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re on a path to improve your mental health, you might have come across information about practicing gratitude. Gratitude… a concept so simple it leaves you wondering, ‘how can adopting a gratitude practice help my mental health?’ For this reason, we looked into the science that proves this is a real thing. What is gratitude? Gratitude is an appreciation or recognition of what one has beyond monetary value. What is practicing gratitude? Practicing gratitude involves taking a few moments each day to notice and appreciate what you’re thankful for. These don’t need to be big things, but rather the small, often overlooked aspects of daily life; such as mobility, a solid friend group, or a home. Developing an “attitude of gratitude” may sound silly, but its effectiveness and been proven and backed by research.The researchers behind the 2003 study titled “Counting blessings vs burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life,” from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that expressing gratitude in daily life positively impacted emotional well-being. How to maximize the effect? The most significant effect on your mental health will come from dedicating a few minutes to being mindful of the small, yet positive things in your life, then writing down why you’re grateful for them. Keeping a gratitude journal can effectively provide you with the time to reflect on the little blessings in your life. If a journal isn’t for you, try to adopt a gratitude practice in the shower, where you won’t have many distractions. Reflect on the smallest things you might ordinarily take for granted and consider why you’re grateful for them – like the warmth of hot water on your body or the soap that keeps you clean and healthy by washing away dirt and germs. How does that first sip of coffee in the morning make you feel? Be grateful for the little burst of energy it gives you, as well as the taste and smell of your favorite morning brew. And if you happen to be grateful for a person, the best way to practice gratitude is by letting them know. A video that demonstrates the effect of gratitude on happiness showed that the largest increase in happiness came from telling someone about the impact that person had on their life. Practicing gratitude doesn’t solve everything No, practicing gratitude won’t resolve significant mental health challenges like bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and similar conditions. However, that is not its purpose. Gratitude serves as a powerful tool to enhance your overall state of well-being, but it’s not meant to be a solution for every single mental health issue out there. In summary Incorporating gratitude into our daily lives doesn’t require grand gestures. Simple practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal, stealing moments throughout the day to or expressing appreciation to others, can pave the way for transformative mental health benefits. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, cultivating gratitude may well be the prescription for a healthier mind and a more fulfilling life. Author Tranesha Christie-Nance is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the Urgent Care Mental Health Clinician at the Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center Behavioral Health Pavilion located in Lanham, Maryland. Tranesha has over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field, specializing in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, grief and loss, parenting, behavioral issues, and social-emotional learning throughout the lifespan.0
- Lung CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the fall and winter, staying vigilant about our health becomes paramount during the peak of respiratory illness season. During this period, the convergence of various respiratory infections, such as the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, underscores the importance of knowing how to prevent the spread of germs and maintaining robust health practices. Through vaccination and rigorous hygiene measures, we can strengthen our defenses against these illnesses. Who’s at Risk Flu, RSV, and SARs CoV2 which causes COVID-19 disease are all viruses. High risk groups for all three viruses include, but aren’t limited to, adults over 65, very young children and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, neurologic issues, weakened immune systems and obesity. Women who are pregnant may also be at risk. About Vaccination Flu vaccines are available, so get yours, sooner rather than later. It takes two weeks for antibodies to be effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older receive a flu vaccine each year, with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important during pregnancy and for those at higher risk of serious complications such as pneumonia and even death. Flu can also cause problems that may result in inflammation of the heart, brain, muscle tissues, and multi-organ failure. The CDC recommends that everyone five years and older receive one dose of the updated COVID-19 omicron-specific booster, even if you had the original series. RSV vaccines are recommended for adults 60 years and older and pregnant women. There is also an RSV antibody shot that is recommended for babies at birth to 8 months old, but has been difficult for many health care providers to get adequate supply this season. RSV can inflame the small airways of the lungs or cause pneumonia—which is a lung infection—in children younger than one year. What You Can Do You’ve heard this before, but truthfully, these are the best ways to protect yourself from serious respiratory illness: Wash your hands often. Keep your hands off your face. Avoid close contact with sick people. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Clean and disinfect surfaces. Stay home when you are sick. In addition, experts agree that vaccination will keep you from being hospitalized for severe illness and keep you home with family this holiday season. Author Jean Murray is the system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at Luminis Health. She has over 26 years of experience in infection control, outbreak surveillance and epidemiology.0
- News & Press Releases, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogToday, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) received approval from the Maryland Health Care Commission to add inpatient obstetrics services to our comprehensive women’s health programs. This approval is a monumental stride forward in addressing critical health disparities in Prince George’s County, where 8 out of 10 women leave the county to deliver their babies due to a lack of obstetrical and other healthcare services. In 2024, LHDCMC will embark on a transformative journey of expansion that will unfold over the next several years. At the heart of this growth is the construction of a new patient care pavilion, designed to elevate the standard of healthcare in our community. A Family-Centered Approach Within the new pavilion will be a dedicated family birth center. This center will offer the new inpatient obstetrics services, covering everything from labor and delivery to postpartum care. We understand the importance of providing essential care close to home, giving women the option to welcome their babies right here in their own community. The family birth center is expected to open in 2028, and once fully operational, 2,000 babies are expected to be delivered each year. It will feature: Private rooms for labor and delivery and post-delivery suites Dedicated C-Section operating rooms A Level II Special Care Nursery Access to family planning, lactation, mental health and other maternal care support Comprehensive Surgical Care The new pavilion will also house state-of-the-art operating rooms for surgical procedures including gynecologic surgery, breast surgery, bariatric surgery and complex general surgery. Our commitment to comprehensive healthcare means that we’ll be able to provide advanced services right here in Prince George’s County. Campus Enhancements for a Better Experience In addition, the expansion will provide improved campus access, additional parking, and enhanced safety and security. There will also be a redesigned front entrance and lobby, new pharmacy, cafeteria and additional visitor facing services. As we approach the 50th anniversary of LHDCMC, these initiatives mark a significant leap forward in realizing our mission of enriching the health of the people and communities we serve. Since the inception of Luminis Health, we have pledged to elevate the standard of healthcare in Prince George’s County, and with your ongoing support, we are making these improvements possible. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress on this journey toward a brighter future.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHere’s some food for thought: Being overweight or obese can significantly increase your risk for many types of cancer. Obesity can also lead to a higher rate of cancer recurrence and a lower likelihood of survival. While this might be surprising news, it’s important to realize the reasons why, and with the help of Luminis Health Surgical Oncologist Dr. Naeem A. Newman, know how you can decrease your risk of developing cancer. Which cancers are associated with obesity? The 13 types of cancer for which obesity is known to increase the risk are: Breast cancer (in postmenopausal women) Multiple myeloma, a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell Meningioma, a type of brain cancer Cancers of the esophagus, colon and rectum, uterus, gallbladder, upper stomach, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas and thyroid The risk of getting cancer increases with the more excess weight a person has and the longer they are overweight. Experts believe being obese increases that risk largely due to the inflammation caused by the fat that surrounds your vital organs. This excess fat affects certain processes in the body, including how it manages hormones like insulin—the hormone that regulates blood sugar—and estrogen. How does inflammation cause damage? Inflammation caused by obesity can keep the body from properly responding to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. When the body doesn’t respond to insulin correctly, it produces more insulin to make up for that. The increase in insulin due to insulin resistance triggers an increase in the number of cells produced, which can lead to cancer. Increased insulin also affects how hormones like estrogen are controlled. More insulin can lead to more available estrogen, which also increases the risk for cancer. What’s wrong with excess estrogen? Estrogen is necessary for the body to function: In women, the ovaries are the main source of estrogen. In men, an enzyme converts testosterone to estrogen. Fat cells in both men and women can also make estrogen, which is why too much estrogen is often seen in obese people. In a nutshell, higher estrogen levels lead to increased cell production, which could result in the growth of a tumor. What is a healthy weight? Body mass index (BMI) is used as a screening tool for being overweight and obese. BMI is calculated using a ratio of a person’s weight in proportion to height. BMI calculators are readily available online. Adults with a BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 are considered overweight. A person with a BMI that is 30.0 or higher is considered obese. It’s estimated that about 21% of all cancers that are linked to obesity could be prevented if the American adult population had a BMI of less than 25. What you can do There are steps you can take to prevent obesity: Keep moving—Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week. Eat healthy—Fill at least two thirds of your plate with non-starchy vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes (beans and peas), and a third or less with protein. Evidence shows that exercise combined with healthy eating results in greater weight loss and the greatest impact on reducing inflammation in your body. Limit alcohol—Women should limit themselves to one alcoholic drink per day and men to two. Get plenty of rest—Fatigue can make you want to eat more and increases the chances of making unhealthy choices. When it comes to cancer, there are some risks we can’t control, but when we know more about the risks we can control, it gives us one more reason to make healthy choices. If you are interested in losing weight, create a weight loss plan with your doctor that works for you. Author Naeem A. Newman, MD, is a surgical oncologist/general surgeon at Luminis Health. He is dedicated to a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach to cancer care.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s impossible to separate Thanksgiving from the turkey, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. The big feast can be full of fats and calories, but celebrating the holidays doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite dishes. Some small tweaks can make a big difference. Let’s talk turkey The bird is the main dish so try these healthier tips: Choose a fresh bird rather than processed meat Roast the turkey in its own juices. Don’t deep fry Avoid butter; use cooking sprays instead Apply fresh herbs for seasoning to help reduce the amount of salt Eat white meat which is lower in calories and fat. Skip the dark meat in the thighs and legs Don’t eat the skin Fewer calories, more nutrients Since fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, fill half your plate with them. That can be easier said than done, so try for example, boosting the nutrition of your stuffing by adding celery, mushrooms, apples or cranberries. Mashed potatoes are another must-have on Thanksgiving, but typically have added butter and cream, increasing the amount of fat in an already starchy vegetable. Try using skim milk, light sour cream or Greek yogurt. Go a step further and mix some riced cauliflower with the mashed potatoes to lower the carbohydrate and sugar count. When making gravy, avoid the flour. Instead, make it with reduced-fat chicken broth or turkey stock. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and antioxidants. But on Thanksgiving, many of us spruce it up with butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. For a simple substitute for sugar, try plant based zero calorie sweeteners such as Stevia or Truvia. Green bean casserole is another popular side dish that is often topped with fried onions and made with condensed cream of mushroom soup, both of which add fats, carbohydrates and sodium to the very nutritious green bean. This year, keep it simple and just roast or steam fresh green beans. Tasty treats Take a break before dessert. A short walk will do you a lot of good. When whipping up your favorite baked goods or pie, you can decrease the amount of sugar in any recipe by 25 percent without compromising flavor. You can also use unsweetened applesauce in place of sugar in baking recipes. Replace the sugar with applesauce in a one-to-one ratio: For example, one cup of sugar would be replaced with one cup of applesauce. Sugar can exact a significant toll on our health when consumed excessively. Luminis Health sees the resulting effect in our medical practices with a 1-2 percent drop in diabetic control each year in January. When making pies, hold the crust. It’s full of fat and calories. If you must have crust, use one layer rather than on the bottom and top. For pumpkin pie lovers, you will be happy to learn pumpkin is one of nature’s season superfoods. Pumpkin is heart healthy. It’s rich in potassium, which can help regulate your blood sugar, and rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants—all of which help prevent heart disease. In addition, pumpkin can: improve your vision because it’s rich in beta carotene, an antioxidant that your body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps you see more clearly in low light. lower your cancer risk with its jam-packed combination of cancer-fighting nutrients and antioxidants. boost your immunity with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, folate and iron, all of which help your body be more effective at fighting off germs. leave you feeling full for longer because it’s high in fiber. Other Reminders Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Adding extra calories with alcohol, soda or juices isn’t worth it when you have so many tasty food options to put on your plate. Remember that Thanksgiving is only once a year, so enjoy your favorite family dishes while following portion size control and keeping leftovers to a minimum.0
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