- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLife can be tough. There are the daily stresses, unexpected events and relentless responsibilities that can all be challenging. At times, we can feel overwhelmed and may need a little extra support. It may surprise you to hear one in five experience a diagnosed mental health condition each year. How can you help a loved one, friend, co-worker or family member who may be going through a hard time? Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s give you a mental health first-aid kit of sorts. Recognizing the Signs One way to provide support is to acknowledge when someone is going through a difficult time. Here are some common signs of mental health challenges: Excessive worrying or fear Feeling extremely sad or low Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning Severe mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” Persistent or strong feelings of irritability or anger Avoiding friends and social activities Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite Overuse of alcohol or drugs Vague and ongoing “aches and pains” without an obvious cause Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress How to Approach Difficult Conversations If you suspect that a friend or loved one might be going through a rough patch, trust your gut. Speak to them one-on-one. Start by saying how much you care, followed by your observations. You might say, “I care about you, and I’ve noticed you haven’t been yourself lately. You seem more frustrated than you’ve been in a while and I’m wondering how you’re doing.” Tell the person you understand and it’s normal to ask for help. If it’s a child or teenager, ask them who you should talk to because you should never handle someone else’s mental health crisis on your own. If granted permission, enlist help from someone they trust, such as a parent, caregivers, older siblings, other relatives or a teacher, even a coach. Is Your Loved One in Danger? Some behaviors may indicate that a person is at immediate risk for suicide. Here are some warning signs: Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or getting a gun Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live If someone you care about shows these behaviors, you should call or text 988 right away or call a mental health professional. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for anyone who is thinking about suicide, concerned about a loved one or needing emotional support. Helpful Resources The National Alliance of Mental Illness is a nationwide grassroots organization that offers support for those with mental illness and for their friends and loved ones. They have a number of helpful support groups, including some in Prince George’s County. Maryland Coalition of Families supports families who have loved ones with behavioral health conditions. In addition, Luminis Health offers Pathways Family Wellness Workshop, a program that brings together family members (such as parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or anyone else who is considered family) for an educational session, group therapy and personal growth. The program equips family members with communication skills, relapse prevention strategies and coping mechanisms for ongoing recovery. To register for an upcoming workshop, call 443-481-5449. Take Care of Yourself, Too If someone you are close to is working through mental health challenges, both you and the person in crisis are not alone. Reach out for support for yourself if you need it. Remember that it’s important to maintain boundaries between someone else’s experience and your own. You can empathize with what someone else is going through without owning responsibility for their experience.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen school is out for the summer, your whole family may be on a more relaxed schedule. That may include kids’ bed times. But with the new school year beginning, it’s time to get your children back on track so they are getting enough sleep to focus on their school work. A lack of sleep can lead to an array of problems for children and teenagers. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) says lack of sleep is linked to behavior and learning problems, and an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Some evidence also suggests a lack of sleep could lead to conditions including diabetes, obesity, hypertension and depression. Yet a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than two-thirds of high school students are sleeping less than eight hours every night. This could be because there is a shift in the body’s circadian clock during puberty, causing teens to naturally prefer a later bed time. Are you confused about how much shut-eye your children should be getting each night? It varies depending on how old they are, but the AASM says babies, children and teens need much more sleep than adults. Here are its sleep recommendations: 4-12 months: 12-16 hours 1-2 years: 11-14 hours 3-5 years: 10-13 hours 6-12 years: 9-12 hours 13-18 years: 8-10 hours It can be hard to tell when young children are tired. While adults slow down when they’re exhausted, children speed up, the National Sleep Foundation says. For that reason, it can be easy to confuse signs of sleepiness with signs of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Back-to-school sleep tips The National Sleep Foundation offers the following tips for helping your child develop good back-to-school sleep habits: Two weeks before school starts, start to help your child get on a school sleep schedule gradually. Every night, set a slightly earlier bedtime, and every morning, a slightly earlier wake-up time. Don’t use the weekend to catch up on sleep. Before bedtime, start a relaxing routine, such as bath and story time for younger children or reading time for older children. Limit screens, including TV and electronic devices, before bed time. Avoid big meals close to bed time, and caffeine six hours before bed time. A dark room, comfortable bed, and room temperature that is not too hot or cold make for the best sleeping environment for your child. Most importantly, follow these rules yourself so you can set a good example for your children. If you suspect your child isn’t sleeping enough, talk to your pediatrician. Author Rebecca Duncan, MD, is a primary care physician with AAMG Kent Island Primary Care. To reach her practice, call 410-604-6560. Originally published Aug. 22, 2017. Last updated Aug. 16, 2019.0
- Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs women move beyond the child-bearing years, their responsibilities and sources of stress can shift and even increase. But the transition from mommy to midlife shouldn’t be a crisis. Women in their forties and fifties are often called the sandwich generation for a reason. We’re still parenting, yet may find ourselves caring for aging parents. In that squeeze women must remember to put their oxygen mask on first because women who take the time to care for their own physical and emotional well being are better equipped to handle everything else on their plate. Midlife is the time to tackle those issues our younger selves may have been too busy to address or too embarrassed to talk about. What are some of the top uncomfortable conversations to have with your doctor? Intimacy Issues A lot of intimacy issues I see with midlife women stem from loss of libido, or sexual desire. There’s no little blue pill to prescribe, but your doctor can help you can help you get to the heart of the problem, uncovering possible medical reasons for the issue. Bladder Control Problems Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is common for women as they age—whether it’s the strong sudden urge to go out of nowhere or the type that come on when you sneeze, laugh or cough. But it is not something you have to live with. There are exercises and diet changes that can help, as well as procedures that can be done. Perimenopause/Menopause As an OB-GYN I help many women manage the symptoms of menopause. Things that help include exercise, controlling your weight and, in some cases, hormone replacement therapy. New therapies have emerged, too. Healthy Habits Your doctor can help you make those necessary lifestyle changes you’ve been meaning to do, like quitting smoking, eating healthier, getting enough sleep, and exercising. In some cases, these changes may go hand in hand with helping a medical issue you’ve been having. Abuse Your conversations with your doctor are confidential, yet crucial if you don’t know what to do about your situation. Stress/Depression Talk to your doctor to better understand the chaos hormones may be inserting into your life, plus to help you navigate your stresses. Stress and/or depression could be tied to some of the other issues above, so taking care of one may help the other. Your doctor can help you navigate these midlife matters, allowing you to put down the supermom cape and realize you’re not alone on your health journey. Author By Karen Hardart, MD, an OB-GYN at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She can be reached at 410-573-9530. Originally published May 4, 2015. Last updated Aug. 6, 2018.0
- Orthopedics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAfter nearly 20 years managing pain for my patients as an orthopedic surgeon, I recently found myself on the other side of the medical system. I was the patient in need of a major surgical procedure. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least, and I gained a new appreciation for how vulnerable a patient feels when it comes to pain management. Opioids, such as Percocet and hydrocodone, are strong medications that play an important role in managing pain before and after surgery. Over the past 15 years, many factors have led to a dramatic increase in opiate prescriptions. Orthopedic surgeons rank third after pain specialists and primary care doctors in the number of opioid prescriptions they issue. The increase in prescriptions has led to more patients who become dependent or addicted to these drugs. This crisis has affected every social and economic class. Nearly one out of every three people in Maryland knows someone who is, or was, addicted. The rate of opioid-related deaths due to accidental overdose has more than doubled. These drugs cause more deaths than motor vehicle crashes or suicide. They’re also responsible for more patient deaths than cocaine and heroin overdose combined. The United States uses more than 92 percent of the world’s opiates, and we consume 99 percent of the hydrocodone manufactured. Yet, studies haven’t shown any increase in patient-reported pain to warrant this use. We should address the societal acceptance for these medications. Unfortunately, there’s not an easy solution to this problem. Doctors must do a better job of teaching patients about the risks of using opiates. Patients trust and rely on their doctors to guide them in managing their pain. Most patients do not willingly start abusing or misusing their pain medications. Many believe they are only following their doctor’s instructions. Opioid alternatives For most conditions that don’t involve surgery, doctors can manage patients’ pain without opiates. Medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), certain anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, like Motrin, Advil or Aleve), and Tramadol (Ultram) are all alternatives to opiate medications. Doctors can help manage pain before and after surgery by carefully using opiates. However, more opiates don’t always lead to better pain control. In some cases, they can lead to opiate-induced hyperalgesia. This means the more opiate the body’s pain receptors see, the more they want. For chronic conditions, a pain specialist is the best person to help manage pain. Role of patients and families Patients and family members also play an important role in preventing misuse or abuse of opiates. It can be difficult to identify people at risk of addiction, but those with opioid dependency tend to have psychological distress and poor coping skills. Behaviors like losing prescriptions or getting early refills are clear indicators. If a doctor expresses concern about possible addiction to a patient, the patient may be more open to their doctor’s concerns if family members also voice concern. At this point, it may be helpful to get the assistance of a pain management specialist or even going to a drug rehabilitation program. During my recent surgery, I realized that if it was difficult for me to navigate the system of pain management, it must be terrifying for non-medical professionals. Fortunately, I came through with a great result and a new focus on making sure my patients are well informed about their pain management plan. While the opioid epidemic is a complex problem, it’s important for patients and doctors to have open conversations about pain management to help stop opioid addiction. Author Alessandro Speciale, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at The Spine Center at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogVirtual Urgent Care: A Fast and Convenient Alternative No one likes to wait, especially when you’re home sick, feeling miserable, and the last thing you want to do is leave the house for a doctor’s appointment. While traditional urgent care can be convenient, long wait times are often the norm. Why wait when there’s a faster option? Luminis Health is proud to introduce CareConnectNow, a virtual urgent care service that lets you receive high-quality care from the comfort of your home. All you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer to connect with a skilled Luminis Health provider in real-time. Since this is relatively a new service, you may have questions. Here are some answers to help you make the right decision for you and your family. What kinds of things can CareConnectNow providers diagnose and treat? For true emergencies, such as life-threatening injuries or conditions, call 911 or visit the nearest Emergency Department. Virtual urgent care is ideal for addressing many other health concerns, including: Acid reflux Constipation Cough, cold or sore throat COVID screenings Eye problems, such as pink eye Fever or flu Headaches or migraines Insect bites or poison ivy Seasonal allergies Shingles Sinus problems Skin rashes and infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Vertigo They can also prescribe medications or refer you to a specialist when needed. Is CareConnectNow available to everyone? Our CareConnectNow providers are ready to see patients 13 and older—and you don’t have to be an established Luminis Health patient to get virtual urgent care. Keep in mind, you must be in the state of Maryland at the time of service. Most insurance providers cover virtual urgent care appointments, but it is a good idea to confirm with your provider first. Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham also partners with Children’s National Hospital for emergency pediatric needs should your child require additional or complex care. The urgent care you need in the palm of your hands With CareConnectNow, accessing urgent care has never been easier. You can schedule an appointment with our providers weekdays from 8 am–9 pm ET and weekends from 9 am–4 pm ET. The best part? You can often see a provider in under an hour, often times within minutes. Get a diagnosis, personalized care plan, and prescription, all from the comfort of your home. Schedule a live visit today. Visit LuminisHealth.org and click “Find Care”, go directly to LuminisHealth.org/CareConnectNow or call us at 443-951-4270 from your smartphone. Authors Waseem Hussain, MD, is Associate Regional Director of Primary Care at Luminis Health with expertise in all areas of family medicine. He specializes in the management of neurologic, pulmonary, and cardiac diseases, as well as diabetes and gynecologic care.0
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