- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn an increasingly fast-paced, technology-driven world, teen stress, depression and anxiety are on the rise. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that younger Americans report the highest level of stress among all age groups. In addition to peer, academic, social and family pressures, the holiday season can bring seasonal stressors. Less daylight. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common cause of the blues in the winter months due to a decrease in sunlight. Changes in schedules and routines. Teens are already overscheduled these days. Holiday festivities and family get-togethers can make for an even tighter schedule. Financial worries. Adults aren’t the only ones stressing over finances. Not only do teens pick up on our worries and react to them, they often have the same worries, like how to pay for college or what to do after graduation. And during the holiday season, there is the added financial strain of gift giving. Changes in diet and sleep routines. The holiday season comes with extra sweets and indulgences. In moderation that’s not usually a problem. But too much sugar can have a negative impact on blood sugar and mood. Increased grief about divorce, death, or other family changes. The holidays are often a reminder of loved ones that are no longer with us. Some stress, sadness and anxiety are normal feelings around the holidays. But sometimes seasonal stress can be enough to cause clinical signs of depression and anxiety. It can be hard to distinguish normal teenage angst from signs of something more serious. Here are some signs to look out for: General health complaints, especially frequent headaches and stomach aches. An increase in irritability or moodiness. Declining grades at school. Losing interest in things they used to enjoy. Changes in eating and hygiene habits. Behavioral changes such as acting out or isolating themselves. Good self-care can help combat stress and prevent it from becoming a more serious problem. Here are some things you and your teen can do: Get active. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. Something as simple as taking a walk helps. Rest. Teens need between eight to 10 hours of sleep a night but rarely get it. Creating a nightly routine is a good way to start better sleep habits. Eat well. The holidays can wreak havoc on a healthy diet. Remember to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and drink lots of water. A healthy diet can help regulate your mood. Meditation, breathing techniques and yoga are great stress relievers. Giving back can foster gratitude and help your teen gain perspective. Slow Down. Take time to slow down and enjoy the season. Stress isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can motivate us to work harder and be more efficient. However, prolonged stress can have a negative impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing. If you notice yourself or your teen continuing to feel overwhelmed with stress, sadness or anxiety beyond the holiday season, it is important to see a mental health professional. Originally published Dec. 28, 2017. Last updated Dec. 16, 2019.0
- Why Put Your Pelvic Health in Our Hands?We'll work with your cancer surgeon, OB-GYN, radiation oncologist or other referring doctor to deliver the best possible care. Other reasons to trust us to provide pelvic physical therapy include:We're well-versed in multiple treatment methods. Our therapists use many treatment tools. These include different exercises, hands-on-techniques, pain science principles, biofeedback, modalities, stimulating muscles with small amounts of electricity, bladder retraining, counseling and education based on your unique history, goals and lifestyle.We have specialized experience. You don't want to see just any physical therapist for pelvic health issues. Our pelvic physical therapists have advanced, specialized training in treating complex problems involving the bladder, bowels, sexual health and pelvic mobility. That's why our therapists concentrate solely on treating problems such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Your pelvic therapist works with you to create a treatment plan that suits your individual goals and needs.We'll protect your privacy and dignity. We know it may feel embarrassing to talk about topics like incontinence and sex. That's why our clinics feature private treatment rooms. Plus, our therapists approach discussions with sensitivity and trauma awareness, making your consultation and treatment sessions as comfortable as possible.We have multiple locations close to you. Carving out time for weekly follow-up visits can be tricky. Being able to choose the clinic closest to you makes that a little easier.TreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe treat all kinds of problems in the pelvis related to prostate cancer treatment, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and other causes. This includes pain, bladder control, bowel problems, and incontinence (leakage of urine or stool) and its side effects.0
- Why Come to Us for Occupational Therapy?Our occupational therapy team helps you reach goals that are important to you. Other reasons to choose us include:We'll create a personalized treatment plan. You and your occupational therapist discuss which activities are highest on your list of priorities. Your therapist also assesses your physical abilities, like balance and strength. In some cases, we also test mental abilities like memory, too. But that's only part of the picture. We look at your support network and the setup of your home and workplace. Taking all these things into consideration, we create a treatment plan around your individual needs.We have therapists with highly specialized skills. Our occupational therapists have built expertise in specific areas. Take those on our stroke and neurological rehabilitation team. These therapists can help people who've suffered a brain injury optimize the brain's ability to rewire itself. Our pediatric occupational therapists use play to help children develop skills they need to learn and grow. We even have therapists who sub-specialize. Our therapists who specialize in hand therapy have undergone advanced training in treating hand and upper body problems. And they've met the demanding standards necessary to be certified by the American Society of Hand Therapists.We can help with a wide range of problems. Our therapists look at how your physical and cognitive changes or symptoms affect all areas of your life. From your leisure activities and social life to routine tasks like house cleaning and grooming. And we work on improving your ability to do these things. We can also assist in assessing safety with driving or provide information on how to safely return to driving.We make coming for treatment convenient. Let's face it: finding the time to attend regular appointments is hard even when you're well. You can choose from our multiple locations to cut down on your travel.TreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageOur occupational therapists help lessen the impact of physical and cognitive changes to maximize your ability to do meaningful activities.What is Occupational Therapy?Many injuries, operations and health conditions can impair your senses and your ability to move or even think. Suddenly you may have difficulty doing everyday activities from climbing stairs to dressing yourself.At Luminis Health, our occupational therapists are experts at finding ways for you to do the things you want and need to do. Not just job-related duties, but any tasks or pastimes that are meaningful to you.The members of our occupational therapy team can show you strategies for lessening symptoms like pain and fatigue. And we have the training and experience to help you make the most of your current abilities.Plus, we know the people close to you play a key role in helping you manage your condition. So we teach your care partners any new skills they may need to best support you.Together, we give you the tools to live a life that's as independent and rewarding as possible.We can help adults manage the effects of:Amputation.Arthritis.Brain injury.Cancer.Cognitive changes.Concussion.Diabetes.Fracture.Hand and upper body conditions.Hip replacement.Nerve injury and repair.Nervous system disorders.Shoulder surgery.Stroke.Tendon injuries and repair.Visual changes.And, we help children with:Brachial plexus injuries.Cerebral palsy.Coordination and muscular disorders.Developmental delay.Down syndrome.Fractures.Handwriting difficulties.Instability injuries.Learning impairment.Torticolis.Weakness and poor muscle tone.0
- NutritionGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you are feeling forgetful, it could be due to a number of different factors, such as lack of sleep, low physical activity, lifestyle, environment or genetic factors. Your diet could also be the culprit. Diet plays a role in your brain health. The best menu for boosting memory encourages good blood flow to the brain, similar to what is recommended to nourish and protect your heart. Research shows the Mediterranean diet helps to keep aging brains sharp, and a growing body of evidence links foods like those in the Mediterranean diet with better cognitive function, memory and alertness. To optimize brain health, here are a few suggestions to consider: Eat your vegetables. Eating adequate vegetables, especially cruciferous ones, including broccoli, cabbage and dark leafy greens, may help improve memory. Try a kale salad or substitute collard greens for a tortilla in your next sandwich wrap. Broccoli stir-fry is also an excellent option for lunch or dinner. Work in walnuts. Well known for a positive impact on heart health, walnuts may also improve working memory. Snack on a handful of walnuts to satisfy midday hunger. Add them to oatmeal or salad for a crunch or mix them into a vegetable stir-fry for extra protein. Be sweet on berries and cherries. Berries, especially dark ones such as blackberries, blueberries and cherries, are a rich source of anthocyanins (natural pigments with health-promoting properties) that may boost memory function. Enjoy a handful of berries for a snack. Mix berries into cereal or try baking them into a dessert. You can reap health benefits from fresh or frozen berries and cherries. Get adequate omega-3 fatty acids. Essential for good brain health, omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in particular, may help improve memory in healthy young adults. DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, essential for its growth and functional development. It makes sense that if you have higher levels of DHA in the blood, then the brain will operate more efficiently. Seafood, algae, and fatty fish, including salmon, Bluefin tuna, sardines and herring, are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Substitute fish for meat a few times a week to get a healthy dose. Grill, bake or broil fish for ultimate flavor and health. Try salmon tacos with red cabbage slaw. Snack on sardines or enjoy seared tuna on salad greens for dinner. If you don’t eat fish, try tofu, walnuts, chia seeds, kale, collards or spinach, which are also packed with DHA. These foods are not just good for brain health, they sustain a healthy heart and all parts of the body. While there is no guarantee that these foods will help you remember where you put your keys tomorrow, over time they can support lifelong good health. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published July 10, 2017. Last updated Feb. 3, 2020.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour heart works hard every day to keep blood moving through your body — and your heart valves play a big role in making that happen. When a valve isn’t opening or closing the way it should, it can affect how efficiently your heart pumps. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart valve disease (or are experiencing symptoms), understanding your options can help you feel more confident and prepared for what’s ahead. Types of heart valve disease Heart valve diseases in adults are typically categorized into two main types, regurgitation and stenosis. Understanding this is a crucial first step in making informed care decisions. A properly functioning valve allows the heart to pump blood forward and in one direction. Regurgitation occurs when the valve does not close completely, causing blood to flow backward as the heart pumps. Stenosis occurs when the valve is unable to open completely, limiting the amount of blood flowing through the heart. In both of these conditions, the heart needs to work harder than it needs to in order to maintain proper flow to the body. This inefficiency, if not treated, can lead to weakening of the heart muscle. Symptoms of heart valve diseases Many people live with a heart valve that do not work correctly, sometimes without ever experiencing problems. Still, it is important to seek medical guidance once a heart valve condition is discovered since it can worsen over time. Signs and symptoms may include: Feeling like you can’t get enough air (shortness of breath) Dizziness or fainting Chest pain when you’re physically active Fast or slow heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmia) Fullness in your belly (abdomen), ankles, feet or the veins in your neck Unexplained fatigue Treatments for heart valve disease If you have been diagnosed with a heart valve disease, it can be successfully managed with medicines and observation. Sometimes, surgical procedures may be needed to correct the valve to allow for efficient pumping of blood through the heart. There are several reasons your specialist may recommend heart valve surgery, including: Changes in your heart valve. Tests may indicate that the changes are impacting your heart function. Damage to your heart valve. If an infection (endocarditis) damages the valve, your doctor may advise surgery. Defects in your heart valve. These may cause severe heart symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, heart failure or fainting. During open-heart surgery for another reason. If you’re having surgery for another heart condition — coronary artery bypass graft surgery, for example — your doctor may want to treat your heart valve disease at the same time. Other problems appear. For instance, you may have received a new heart valve in the past, and it is no longer working properly, or there may be other problems requiring surgery, such as infection, bleeding or blood clots. There are two main types of surgery that you may have: Heart valve repair, where your surgeon reconstructs one or more of the valve’s components. Valve repair maintains as much of your valve reducing the amount of artificial material used in the heart. Heart valve replacement, where your surgeon removes the diseased valve and replaces it with an artificial valve. The right approach depends on your specific condition, overall health and how well your heart is functioning. An experienced heart specialist can walk you through your options and help guide you on which treatment is best for you. Find a specialist you can trust If you have a heart valve condition, you will want a care team you can count on to answer your questions, ease your fears and get you back to the activities and people you love. Luminis Health is known for emergency life-saving heart attack care, a dedicated heart center, and today’s most promising technologies and treatments. Learn more at Luminis.Health/HeartHealth. Authors Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation.0
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