- Lung Care, Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery year, nearly 230,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer. While most people who develop the disease have a history of tobacco use, never-smokers (people who have never smoked) account for up to 20 percent of cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Lung Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder to understand your lung cancer risks and whether screening is right for you. Here’s what to know if you currently use tobacco, used to smoke tobacco, smoke marijuana, or vape. The changing face of lung cancer For decades, lung cancer was associated with older men with a long history of smoking. Today, lung cancer is increasingly found in women, those who have never smoked, and people at younger ages. These trends are concerning because people in these groups often miss the early warning signs. Many are treated for conditions such as adult-onset asthma, allergies, or pneumonia before discovering they actually have lung cancer. By that point, the disease is often advanced and harder to treat. Many lung cancers found in never-smokers also involve a genetic mutation or alteration in the cancer that affects treatment options. Who should get screened? A low-dose chest CT scan is the most effective way to detect lung cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. However, only the highest risk people are recommended to undergo screening. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have at least a 20 pack-year cigarette smoking history (a pack-year is the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for a year). Other factors that increase lung cancer risk include: Have a family history of lung cancer in first-degree relative Have a personal history of chronic lung disease (COPD, pulmonary fibrosis) Have been exposed to radon or asbestos Personal history of cancer or have received chest radiation previously Occupational exposures (coal smoke, diesel fumes, silica, and others) If you don’t meet criteria for lung cancer screening but have other risk factors, please discuss with your primary care provider as lung imaging may be indicated. What about marijuana and vaping? Cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor for lung cancer, but while research is still emerging, marijuana and vaping can also harm your lungs. Marijuana use has climbed more than 20 percent in states where it’s legal, including Maryland. Marijuana smoke contains many of the same chemicals found in cigarettes, such as ammonia, benzene, carbon monoxide, cyanide, and tar—all linked to higher cancer risk. It also irritates the lungs and can cause chronic bronchitis, which leads to more mucus, persistent coughing, and shortness of breath. Vaping liquids contain fewer chemicals than cigarettes, but some ingredients, such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and benzene, raise health concerns. Recent research connects vaping to biomarkers like DNA damage and cell death, which are associated with a higher cancer risk. Vaping also raises the risk of other lung diseases, including e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI), which causes lung scarring and inflammation. Chemicals that sweeten vaping liquids are also linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung,” a condition that narrows airways and makes breathing difficult. Protect your health Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, and according to the latest state data, 9 percent of adults in Maryland smoke cigarettes. While this rate has significantly decreased over the past decade, many Marylanders continue to smoke. If you use tobacco, please call 443-481-5366 to speak with a Luminis Health tobacco treatment specialist about free resources and medication available to help you quit. Whether you smoke or not, if you experience concerning symptoms such as recurring respiratory infections, trouble breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, or an enduring cough, talk to your primary care provider about options for you. You may not qualify for lung screening, but a more in-depth evaluation including a diagnostic CT scan can lead to earlier detection, more effective treatment, and better outcomes. Visit Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare to make an appointment today. Authors Stephen M. Cattaneo, MD, is the Medical Director of Thoracic Oncology and the Division Director of Surgical Oncology at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHere’s an age-old truth: Maryland’s population is aging slightly faster than the rest of the country, meaning more families here are navigating the complexities of caring for older loved ones. At Luminis Health, we are committed to Age-Friendly Care—an approach that centers on what matters most to older adults and their families. We follow the nationally recognized 4M’s framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. Aquí va una verdad de toda la sangre: La población de Maryland envejece ligeramente más rápido que en el resto del país, lo que significa que más familias aquí están enfrentándose a las complejidades del cuidado de seres queridos mayores. En Luminis Health, estamos comprometidos con la Atención Amigable con la Edad, un enfoque que se centra en lo que más importa para los adultos mayores y sus familias. Seguimos el marco nacionalmente reconocido las 4M: Lo que importa: medicación, mentalidad y movilidad. ¿Qué es la bacteriuria asintomática? Un tema importante que puede ser difícil de tratar y que causa confusión es la bacteriuria asintomática. Esto ocurre cuando se encuentran bacterias en la orina, pero no hay síntomas de infección. Esta condición es muy común en adultos mayores, especialmente en mujeres después de la menopausia, cuando niveles bajos de estrógeno reducen las bacterias protectoras. Desafortunadamente, la bacteriuria asintomática suele confundirse con una infección urinaria (ITU), lo que lleva a recetar antibióticos innecesariamente. Esto es lo que usted debería saber sobre la bacteriuria asintomática: No es una infección urinaria. La bacteriuria asintomática es diferente de una infección. Un cultivo de orina positivo o un recuento alto de glóbulos blancos no siempre significa que se necesiten antibióticos. No causa confusión, caídas ni debilidad. Si su ser querido experimenta estos síntomas, podría tratarse de deshidratación, desequilibrio electrolítico o medicación. Los antibióticos suelen ser innecesarios y pueden ser perjudiciales. El uso excesivo de antibióticos no aporta ningún beneficio para tratar esta condición y puede aumentar los riesgos de diarrea, colitis, reacciones alérgicas, interacciones farmacológicas e infecciones resistentes a fármacos y peores. Hay alternativas más seguras. Una buena higiene diaria con limpieza perineal, cremas vaginales y probióticos puede ayudar a restaurar las bacterias protectoras y el pH sin los riesgos de los antibióticos. Entonces, ¿cuándo tienen sentido los antibióticos? Solo cuando su profesional médico evalúe cuidadosamente los síntomas, revise el historial médico y determine que existen signos reales de infección. Aquí es donde las 4M guían nuestra atención centrada en el paciente. Las 4M a la atención centrada en el paciente Lo que importa Escuchar a los pacientes y a sus familias sobre sus objetivos, comodidad y preferencias. Medicamentos Evitar antibióticos innecesarios que pueden hacer más daño que bien. Actividad mental Reconocer que la confusión en los adultos mayores tiene muchas causas, no solo bacterias en la orina. Movilidad Ayudar a los adultos mayores a mantenerse activos y seguros, en lugar de quedar marginados por los efectos secundarios de tratamientos inadecuados. Siguiendo este enfoque basado en la evidencia, garantizamos que las personas mayores reciban la atención adecuada en el momento adecuado, protegiendo su salud, independencia y calidad de vida. Cuidados respetuosos con la edad Luminis Health está comprometida a defender la atención amiga de la edad para nuestra comunidad. Nos enorgullece que el Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center en Annapolis sea uno de los cinco hospitales a nivel nacional reconocidos como Pioneros en el Sistema de Salud Amigable con la Edad por el Institute for Healthcare Improvement. El Centro Médico Comunitario Luminis Health Doctors en Lanham, junto con nuestras consultas de atención primaria, han obtenido la distinción de Sistema Saludable Amigable con la Edad Nivel 2 – Compromiso con la Excelencia en la Atención. A medida que Maryland sigue envejeciendo más rápido que el promedio nacional, estas conversaciones importan más que nunca—para nuestros padres, abuelos y todos los que los queremos. Consulte y comparta nuestro folleto sobre antibióticos para mujeres mayores, que también está disponible en español. Authors Mary Clance, MD MPH es epidemióloga hospitalaria en Luminis Health.0
- SpecialtyThis page contains important information to help you get ready for your upcoming gastroenterology or endoscopic procedure. Please read all instructions carefully and follow them as directed to ensure a smooth process and accurate results. If you have any questions, our team is here to support you.0
- Location232211tel:(443) 481-12932001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 214010
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogShould you stress about stress? Stress is part of life, but its impact on your health can be more serious than you might think. While eliminating stress entirely may not be realistic, managing it effectively could be life-saving. It’s important to understand how stress affects your body—and what you can do to take control. Stress and your body’s systems Your body is equipped to handle stress in small doses. But heavy stress—especially over long periods of time—can take a toll on every aspect of your health, from your mental and emotional wellbeing to your physical condition. And physiologically speaking, stress can affect every one of your body’s systems in one way or another. Stress and your heart health When you become stressed, your heart rate increases and your heart muscle contracts—which means your blood vessels pump more blood to different parts of your body, temporarily raising your blood pressure. When your heart rate is consistently higher, and stress hormones increase your blood pressure on a regular basis, it can significantly multiply your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Stress and your gastrointestinal (GI) tract The neurons in your gut constantly communicate with your brain. Stress can affect this communication and trigger bloating, pain and other discomfort. And high levels of stress over time can often lead to chronic GI conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Stress and your musculoskeletal system When your body becomes stressed, your muscles tense up. Chronic (constant) stress causes your muscles to be in a continuous state of guardedness, which can cause stress-related disorders. For example, chronic muscle tension in your shoulders can lead to migraines and tension headaches. For many people who have chronic pain conditions related to musculoskeletal disorders though, stress-relieving activities can bring significant relief. Stress and your respiratory system Stress can manifest itself as shortness of breath and rapid breathing. While this isn’t typically a problem for people without respiratory disease, it can harm those who have conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In fact, some studies suggest that high amounts of stress can trigger asthma attacks. Stress and your nervous system Stress triggers your body’s “fight or flight” response, which signals your adrenal glands to release hormones. When the crisis is over, your body usually returns to its normal state. But chronic stress can cause a long-term drain on your body. Stress and your reproductive system For men, chronic stress can affect testosterone production, leading to a decreased sex drive and sometimes causing erectile dysfunction. It can also reduce sperm production. For women, stress can cause missing or delayed periods, which in turn affects their ability to conceive. In addition, it can make premenstrual syndrome (PMS) much worse. Managing your stress Stress management can be challenging, but it’s a necessity. The good news is that making small, incremental changes can pack a big punch. Consider trying these strategies: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleep has remarkable restorative power, and you’re more likely to be able to manage stress when you’re well-rested. Connect with others. Spending time with family and friends can be a pleasant distraction from life’s struggles. Loved ones can lend a listening ear and laughter is always good medicine. Eat a well-balanced diet. A healthy diet that’s heavy on fruits, vegetables and whole grains will go a long way toward helping you feel your best. Food is fuel for the mind and body. Exercise regularly. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Aim for 30-minutes of exercise a day at a minimum. Try proven relaxation techniques. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, music, art or journaling, relaxation techniques can help your mind—and body—find much-needed balance. Meet with a therapist. A therapist, counselor or other professional can help you understand the root of your stress and come up with long-term plans for stress relief. Support when you need it A Luminis Health Behavioral Health provider can help you figure out the cause of your stress and offer additional ways to manage it. If stress is disrupting your life or putting your health at risk, make an appointment with someone from our team today. Authors Crystal Osuchukwu, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor. To make an appointment with Crystal, please call 301-623-4352.0
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