- Surgery, Digestive CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you have a hernia, you may be dealing with an array of possible symptoms, including: A bulging lump in your abdomen Pain or discomfort A “heavy” feeling Heartburn or nausea Difficulty swallowing According to the National Institutes of Health, about 4.5 million Americans have a hernia. It’s a weakened spot in the tissues of the abdomen or groin area that allows organs to push through. While there are several types of hernias, they rarely disappear on their own, says AAMC hernia specialist Igor Belyansky, MD, who specializes in hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction. “A hernia can develop at any time in someone’s life,” Dr. Belyansky explains. “Once one develops, often it slowly gets bigger over time.” Although surgery is the only way to fix a hernia, not all hernias require surgical treatment. Some hernias don’t ever cause symptoms. Most hernias only need treatment if it’s causing significant discomfort or cutting into your enjoyment of daily living. Besides surgery, other treatment options include: Lifestyle changes such as weight control Medications such as heartburn relievers Abdominal support belts known as “binders” that help contain protruding tissue “Anyone with a bulge in their abdominal wall should visit a doctor for evaluation,” says Dr. Belyansky. Learn how James Savoy, Jr., underwent surgery to remove his hernia and cancerous prostate gland at the same time. Contributor Igor Belyansky, MD, is a hernia specialist at Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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- 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
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHealthcare scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting unsuspecting patients through various means, especially emails and other forms of communication. One area of concern is the MyChart Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, which is widely used for managing personal health information. At Luminis Health, we take cybersecurity concerns seriously and adhere to best practices to keep data safe. In addition to our security measures, there are steps you can take to safeguard your health data and personal information. As you review emails, texts and phone calls, here’s what you need to know: Understanding MyChart EMR Scams Scammers often exploit the trust and familiarity associated with well-known health systems and EMR platforms like MyChart. They aim to steal sensitive personal information or install malicious software on your devices. Here are the key red flags to watch out for: 1. Phishing Emails and Text Messages Phishing is a common method used by scammers. You might receive an email or text message that appears to be from your health system, prompting you to click a link or provide personal information. These messages often look legitimate but contain subtle errors or urgent language designed to create panic. Tip: Always verify the sender’s email address and look for grammatical errors or unfamiliar web addresses. If unsure, contact your healthcare provider directly using a trusted phone number. 2. Spoofed Caller ID Scammers can use technology to make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate healthcare provider’s phone number. During the call, they may ask for personal information or direct you to a fake website. Tip: If you receive an unsolicited call asking for personal information, hang up and call your healthcare provider back at a known, trusted number. 3. Fake Login Pages Scammers create fake websites that mimic the MyChart login page. When you enter your credentials, they capture your username and password, giving them access to your EMR. Tip: Ensure the website URL is correct before logging in. Genuine MyChart portals will have secure web addresses starting with “https://” and often include your healthcare provider’s name. 4. Unsolicited Requests for Personal Information Legitimate healthcare providers will never ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security number, password, or financial details via email or phone. Be wary of any unsolicited requests for such information. Tip: If you receive a suspicious call or message, do not provide any information. Instead, contact your healthcare provider to verify the request. 5. Unusual Account Activity Regularly monitoring your MyChart account can help you spot unauthorized access. If you notice any unfamiliar activity or changes, it could be a sign that your account has been compromised. Tip: Enable account notifications to receive alerts about any changes or logins. Report any suspicious activity to your healthcare provider immediately. Protecting Your Information Here are some steps to enhance the security of your personal information and communications: Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. A strong password includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or authentication app. Regularly Update Your Passwords: Change your passwords periodically to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Cybersecurity experts recommend changing your password every three months. Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing accounts with sensitive information, like MyChart, over public Wi-Fi networks which are often less secure. Verify Communications: Always verify the sender or contact of suspicious emails, text messages and phone calls. Look for signs of legitimacy, such as official logos, correct email addresses and proper grammar. Reporting and Responding to Scams If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam or that your MyChart account has been compromised, take immediate action: 1. Report the Incident: Contact your healthcare provider’s support team to report the issue. The Luminis Health MyChart Support team can be reached at (833) 254-3600 or [email protected]. Change Your Password: Update your MyChart password and any other accounts using the same credentials.3. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your medical and financial accounts for any unusual activity. For more information on recognizing and avoiding healthcare scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website on healthcare scams. By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can help protect your MyChart EMR and personal health information from scammers. Sources:• Federal Trade Commission, “Health Care Scams,” accessed May 17, 2024, FTC Healthcare Scams• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Protecting Personal Health Information in Electronic Health Records,” accessed May 17, 2024, HHS Protecting PHI0
- General Page - Tier 2Empowering Health With Community Events, Classes And Support GroupsKnowledge is powerful — especially when you can apply it to your day-to-day life. At Luminis Health, we offer free classes on numerous health topics, from quitting smoking to managing diabetes.We tailor our classes to the people in the room. We don't simply tell you to eat more veggies, we help you adapt the meals you already love, be it empanadas, barbecue or curry.In addition to health classes to help you avoid disease, we also offer guided workshops for those who are struggling with managing a new or chronic condition.At these support groups, you'll meet others living with the same challenges. You'll be amazed by how much collective wisdom there is in your community. And you'll feel empowered to share what you've learned with others.Our community educators come from a range of diverse backgrounds and embrace the rich cultures of the communities we serve. Bring a Luminis Health Speaker to Your CommunityAre you a leader at a community, faith-based or educational organization? Are you noticing many of the people you work with are struggling with the same health challenges? Maybe that's anxiety, eating healthy or managing a common health condition?Consider having one of our community health advocates speak with your organization. You help to spread the word about the event, and we'll bring the engaging talk or workshop to your community. We'll work with you to tailor the information we share to your community's specific needs. We even offer some classes in Spanish.If you're interested in organizing a speaker, please share more about your organization and your community's needs by filling out community outreach request form.0
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