- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBetween the backyard, soccer field and gym; your kids are active, and nothing slows them down. But no matter how invincible they seem, children are prone to injuries, especially during sports seasons. Even under the calmest of circumstances, it can be hard to figure out exactly what’s wrong. Especially when they’re writhing in pain. So, how do you know if it’s a sprain, strain or fracture? We’re here to help you tell the difference — and get your athlete back up and running.Learn to recognize the signsPrepare for your child’s sports season by knowing the most common injures, how they happen, and the signs and symptoms that can help you distinguish between them. It’s also important to pass along this knowledge to the young athletes in your family, so they can relay details to help you make good care decisions. Common sports injuries among student athletes include strains, sprains and breaks.StrainsA strain is a muscle injury and is most commonly a partial tear. One way to pinpoint a strain is recognizing that your child’s pain is in a muscle that does heavy lifting, like back muscles, a hamstring or a quad. The resulting symptoms, include muscle pain, weakness, spasms, cramps and swelling. Your child may have difficulty moving the affected muscle.SprainsSprains are an injury to ligaments and are found around joints. A sprain is a tear of a ligament. Common joints that are sprained include the ankle, knee, shoulder and fingers. Another tell-tale sign of a sprain is hearing a pop or tear when the injury happens. Your child may also experience pain around the affected area, with bruising and swelling.FracturesA fracture is just another term for a broken bone. Most breaks happen when kids fall awkwardly, like with outstretched arms. Of all these injuries, fractures are usually the easiest to spot. In more severe cases, the break will be visible, with the bone either appearing to be placed at an awkward angle or breaking through the skin. Milder fractures, on the other hand, may not be visible to the naked eye, but there could be bruising and swelling around the site.With any fracture, your child will likely also feel throbbing pain, tenderness around the site, numbness or tingling. It may also be difficult — or impossible — to put weight on the broken bone.Know when to get treatmentBehind every goal, touchdown and home run is rest — and lots of it. And that goes double when your student athlete is injured. Doctors recommend the “RICE” method (Rest; Ice, Compress and Elevate), as the best remedy for strains and sprains.When a broken bone is suspected, however, it’s time to see a doctor for an X-Ray and a cast or other type of brace. No matter the type of injury, an accident means no sports for a few weeks or months. And while it can be hard for your young athlete to allow the time they need to recover, it’s important to remind them the goal is total healing — and that they won’t be on the sidelines forever. Your one-stop shop for youth sports injuriesWhen pain takes your athlete out of the game, you may need help making the next move. Luminis Health experts diagnose and treat children in our same-day and next-day clinics, with appointments available seven days a week, including evenings. We also offer imaging and second opinions to give you peace of mind. Sudden injuries deserve immediate care, and to us, it’s about more than just treating injuries—it’s about getting your athlete back to scoring goals, hitting home runs, and, most importantly, being a kid. And that’s a win for everyone. Book an appointment today. Daniel Redziniak, MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe new year offers a chance to set goals, refocus, and try something new. Dry January—a month of abstaining from alcohol—is a popular challenge for those looking to reset their relationship with drinking. While the benefits of this commitment can include improved physical health, better sleep and mental clarity, staying sober in social settings and managing stress without alcohol can feel overwhelming. Here are practical tips from Luminis Health Behavioral Health to make your Dry January successful. 1. Find Alternative Ways to Reduce Stress One of the biggest reasons people turn to alcohol is to unwind, but there are plenty of healthier ways to manage stress. You could try physical activity such as a brisk walk or yoga, meditation exercises with an app like Headspace or Calm, or decompress with something creative like painting or cooking. It may take a few tries to find the stress reliever that works for you, but once you have it, it can become a lifelong tool. 2. Staying Sober at Parties Social situations are often where the pressure to drink is strongest, but with preparation, you can navigate them with confidence. If you are meeting at someone’s home, bring your own alcohol-free drink such as sparkling water or a mocktail. If you are going to a restaurant, check the menu ahead of time to pick out a non-alcoholic drink. Look to see if others are abstaining and spend time with those people so you can support each other. Engage in conversation and games to distract from the focus on drinking. 3. What to Do If You Need Support Dry January might reveal deeper challenges with alcohol, and that’s okay. Recognizing this is the first step toward positive change. If you feel like you’re struggling, here’s how to get support: Reach out to trusted friends or family: Talking to someone you trust can help you process your feelings and develop a plan. Explore community groups: Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery offer judgment-free support from people who understand your journey. Consult a professional: Therapists and counselors trained in addiction can provide tailored guidance to help you address underlying issues. Luminis Health has several options for treating substance use concerns, including a behavioral health urgent care if needed. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and it can lead to profound personal growth. Dry January is an opportunity to build healthier habits and reflect on your relationship with alcohol. By embracing alternative ways to reduce stress, confidently navigating social settings, and seeking support when needed, you’ll not only survive the challenge but thrive. Whatever your reasons for taking on Dry January, celebrate every small victory and enjoy the clarity and energy that comes with life without alcohol.0
- Location232106tel:(410) 760-88401630 Main St, Ste 217, Chester, MD 216190
- News & Press Releases, CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt was an extraordinary year for Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC). In 2024, we celebrated five years since joining Luminis Health, during which more than $140 million has been invested to enhance services and ensuring exceptional care remains accessible in our neighborhoods. As we reflect on our achievements, we look forward to exciting growth opportunities in 2025, particularly the 50th Anniversary of our hospital in Lanham. Our team is dedicated to improving the health of Prince George’s County residents by expanding services, addressing health disparities, and advancing health equity. As president of a non-profit hospital, I am extremely proud of our commitment to tackling the maternal health crisis. Over the past year, we launched CenteringPregnancy® in Greenbelt, a nationally recognized program that offers group sessions for expectant mothers and personalized consultations with trusted Ob-Gyns or midwives. We also finalized design plans and began the permit process to add inpatient obstetric services, labor, delivery, and postpartum care with rooms designed for a family-centered birth experience. These additional women’s health services are scheduled to launch in 2028, and once fully operational, we look forward to delivering 2,000 babies each year. Since 80 percent of babies are born outside the county, this major initiative will help address a health disparity by providing quality care close to home and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Prince George’s County. In September, we celebrated another significant achievement: the second anniversary of our Behavioral Health Pavilion on our campus. To date, we have facilitated approximately 8,000 visits through our behavioral health walk-in urgent care, outpatient mental health therapy, a psychiatric day program, and an adult inpatient psychiatric unit. To meet the growing demand for mental health services among young people, Luminis Health received a state grant to provide comprehensive mental health support services at several high schools in the County. Building on this commitment to enhancing the health of the people and communities we serve, we launched a Virtual Nursing Program. By installing cameras in select rooms, patients can opt to receive both-in person and virtual nursing support. This combination of technology and personal touch has already benefited more than 5,000 patients; reducing hospital readmission and boosting patient satisfaction. Plans are underway to install cameras in every patient room to further enhance the patient experience. Our commitment to nursing has earned us the prestigious Pathway to Excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This honor contributes to higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and the quality of care we provide to our patients. Research from Prince George’s County shows residents seek 42 percent of their healthcare outside the county. To tackle this disparity, we’ve hired additional breast, vascular, bariatric, Ob-Gyn, and orthopedic surgeons. We also opened a new primary care practice in District Heights and another in Greenbelt, which currently offers primary care and Endocrinology services.To improve access, our Community Health Team regularly visits underserved communities to provide free health screenings, education, and vaccines. In the last fiscal year, we screened 662 residents in Prince George’s County, many of whom lack a primary physician or the financial resources for care. Thanks to several state grants, Luminis Health provides no cost breast cancer and colon cancer screenings to county residents. As a colon cancer survivor, I encourage everyone aged 45 and older, or those with a family history, to get screened. As we gear up to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, LHDCMC is excited to host a series of events throughout the year, culminating in a Gala in April dedicated to Black Maternal Health. This milestone not only honors our legacy of service but also highlights our commitment to the future of healthcare in our community. In conjunction with our anniversary celebrations, we are launching a major fundraising campaign aimed at supporting our maternal health initiatives, ensuring that we continue to provide vital care and resources for expectant mothers and their families. Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion as we work together to shape a healthier future for Prince George’s County!Deneen Richmond is the president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Location232121tel:(410) 760-88401630 Main St, Ste. 217, Chester, MD 216190
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