- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe current coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on the community, changing our behaviors in many profound ways. Of all the behaviors the pandemic has changed, seeking care in the ER when you have a medical emergency should not be one of them. It’s troubling to think there may be people who are avoiding emergency rooms even though they may be suffering from serious injuries or illness not related to COVID-19. It’s unclear how many may be suffering at home instead of seeking the essential care they need, but we do know that this is occurring. Perhaps people are misunderstanding the shelter warning or are afraid to come in for fear of catching COVID-19. Or, there may be some who worry they’ll be an unnecessary burden on our health care system and altruistically want us to conserve our medical supplies and resources. No matter the reason, this is resulting in an “I’ll wait it out” mentality that puts your health at risk. Now is not the time to dismiss what could be the early warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. Receiving timely care is essential. Diagnosing and treating heart attacks and strokes as early as possible leads to the best possible outcomes. Don’t dismiss severe gastrointestinal issues, severe pain or shortness of breath. Or, skip seeking care for traumatic injuries and lacerations. Among the symptoms best evaluated in an emergency room are: Chest pain or difficulty breathing Weakness/numbness on one side Slurred speech Seizures Fainting/change in mental state Severe headache (the “worst headache of your life”) Serious burns Severe abdominal pain Head or eye injury Broken bones or dislocated joints Unexplained or persistent high fever Severe cuts that may require stitches Suicidal ideation Vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain with pregnancy When you delay necessary care, you come to us in the ER with a situation that could have been addressed earlier yet is now a much more complicated or debilitating injury or illness. It could be too late to prevent long-term damage or even death. I cannot emphasize enough how much care has been taken to ensure that you are not exposed to COVID-19 while being treated in the ER. Specific processes are in place to separate our non-coronavirus patients from those who are known or suspected to have COVID-19. If you think you may have a medical emergency, you should not hesitate to come to the ER. Your health is too important. Our area emergency rooms are open and ready to provide safe care for you. Author Michael Remoll, MD, is the director of emergency services at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis.0
- Plastic Surgery & Skin CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe all age, but you can take steps to keep your skin youthful. Transitioning your skin care regimen is only half the battle. As we age we lose volume in the skin around the upper lip and over the cheekbones and often gain volume around our neck, which can make us look older. Injectable remedies can help. Treatments should only be performed by licensed health care professionals. Here are some of the latest anti-aging trends: Injectable fillers can improve the appearance of nasolabial folds (lines that run down the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth) and marionette lines (lines run from the corners of the lips downward towards the jawline). Today’s commonly used fillers use a natural substance to plump up sunken areas and make the shadows in deep lines disappear. Juvèderm is the world’s top-selling filler and is used to fill lines, cheeks, vertical lip lines and lips. For example, Juvèderm Voluma XC can help add volume to your cheeks to lift and contour the area, lasting as long as two years. The procedures are done in office, and results are instant. Botox remains the best treatment for crow’s feet and the frown lines that appear between the eyebrows. Many physicians also use this to relax the lines that run across the forehead. By relaxing the muscles just below the skin’s surface, the lines smooth out and give you a more youthful look. Remember, there are also lifestyle habits you can adjust for healthy skin: Drink lots of water. While we hear this often when it comes to healthy skin, it is not cliché. Drinking water is good for your skin and overall health. An adequate amount of water daily keeps your body’s systems running properly and that includes your skin. A lack of hydration can make your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience, which makes it more prone to wrinkling. Protect your skin from the sun. Even in winter when skies are overcast, UVA and UVB radiation can damage your skin. And a significant amount of sun exposure can occur even when you’re not outside. Up to 60 percent of UVA radiation linked to premature aging (UVA) can penetrate glass. Sitting by a window for extended periods of time throughout the day, whether it is in a car or a building, can increase harmful sun exposure. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50) every day. Avoid smoking. The nicotine in cigarettes and the smoke itself is very harmful. Smoking not only deprives the skin of oxygen but damages collagen, which is a protein that holds your skin together. Smoking speeds up the development of wrinkles and leaves skin dry and discolored. But the best way to ensure youthful-looking skin is to prevent skin damage when you’re young. Melanoma, one of the more worrisome skin cancers, has been linked to sunburns before the age of 18. And there seems to be a connection between severe sun exposure as a child and damage to the weathered-appearing skin as an adult. Patients who have the worst skin as adults in terms of aesthetics and possible development of skin cancer had their worst sunburn before age 18. Learn more about Luminis Health Plastic Surgery’s cosmetic services.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNew health studies can be confusing, especially when it comes to certain foods and drinks that affect your health. A piece of chocolate or a glass of wine are common treats, and there’s lots of conflicting information about their health benefits. Some types of chocolate and wine offer more heart-healthy benefits than others, but that’s still not a green light to overindulge. Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate has gained a reputation as being a heart-healthy treat because cocoa beans are rich in flavonoids—a nutrient that protects plants from toxins and helps repair damage. The term ‘antioxidant’ is a reference to those benefits. Studies have shown when we eat foods rich in flavonoids, we also benefit from these antioxidant powers. Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in cocoa. In addition to their antioxidant qualities, research has shown other potential health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. But not all dark chocolate is created equal. The more processed chocolate is, the more flavanols are lost along the way. And flavanols are not a nutrient reported on food labels. For the most health benefits, choose a dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 percent or higher. And remember, chocolate is not a ‘health’ food. Enjoy dark chocolate as part of a well-balanced, heart-healthy diet. Think of it as a treat rather than a regular part of your diet. Red Wine Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. Those who drink moderate amounts of red wine seem to have a lower risk of heart disease. An antioxidant called resveratrol is the substance in red wine that has received a lot of attention. The ingredient may help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol’) and prevent blood clots. While those benefits might sound great if you enjoy a five-ounce glass of red wine with your evening meal, I would never encourage anyone to start drinking alcohol on the premise that it’s heart healthy. Too much alcohol has harmful effects on your health, such as raising your risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, obesity and certain types of cancer. Drinking too much regularly can actually weaken your heart muscle. If you truly want the health benefits of antioxidants, you should think outside of the wine and chocolate box. Stock your kitchen with antioxidant ‘super foods’ such as blueberries, strawberries, purple grapes, raw nuts, dark green veggies, salmon and green tea. Author Barbara Hutchinson, MD is a cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Feb. 16, 2016. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- Behavioral Health, Community, Giving, Pediatrics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDogs really are man’s best friend. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised if you see some walking the halls of our hospital and visiting patients in their rooms. At AAMC, we harness the healing power of pets with more than 25 volunteer pet therapy teams. Each team is made up of a volunteer from the community who owns a pre-trained and certified dog. Therapy dogs can help put people at ease both emotionally and physically. Their visits often create a happier, calmer atmosphere not only for patients, but for family and friends as well. Katherine Tighe and her dog, Suzie, along with fellow volunteer George Benoit and his dog, Kallie, have provided pet therapy at AAMC since 2015. They make frequent stops to the emergency room, as well as the pediatric, cancer, joint replacement and elderly care units. “My dad was in and out of hospitals and rehab centers for years before he died,” says Katherine, an animal-assisted therapist and social worker. “He was growing more and more depressed and unhappy.” Then she remembers one day she came to visit him in the rehab facility, and something was different. “There was this black lab there who had stolen my father’s slipper. He was going up and down the halls trying to get back his slipper,” she says. “My dad enjoyed it so much, and it made me happy to see him have a spark again.” Adds George, “One time we walked up to a woman who was waiting for a loved one in surgery.” She started petting Kallie and immediately began crying. “Somehow the dogs give people an emotional release.” “We’ll go in a room where a child is afraid and screaming in pain, and he will see the dog and calm down immediately,” Katherine says. “The whole demeanor changes, and it’s beautiful.” Dogs must go through basic obedience training and pass a canine good citizen test. The team receives an extra level of training that focuses on managing difficult situations and evaluating the dog’s temperament. We partner with five organizations to certify pet therapy teams: Caring Canines, Pets on Wheels, PAWS-AAC, Fidos for Freedom and Pet Therapy International. For information about our pet therapy team, or to learn how your dog can become certified to visit patients, call 443-481-5050. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Jan. 7, 2020.0
- 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
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