- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a prevention education coordinator at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance use and mental health treatment center, Mandy Larkins is in the community daily. She works to prevent anyone from having to deal with the devastating disease of addiction. “It can affect anyone, any age, any socioeconomic group, any gender and any race,” she says. Senior citizens are at greater risk for addiction if they take multiple medications and take prescription pain medications. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, up to 17 percent of adults age 60 and over abuse prescription drugs. Common medications of abuse include narcotic pain killers, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. To help prevent prescription addiction, Mandy reminds seniors to ask questions when talking to their doctors about certain medications. Questions to ask include: Does this medication have an addictive tendency? What are the side effects and will it interact with my current medications? What is the least amount of time I will need to take this medicine? Are there other options for this medication? Social drinking while taking medications can also cause a negative reaction, especially if someone is taking several prescriptions. “Social drinking could mean one glass of wine a night or it could mean five beers on a weekend, and these can certainly interact differently with medications,” says Mandy. “Have a conversation with your doctor about social drinking and what the problems would be with drinking and taking new medication.” The warning signs of addiction are sometimes hard to separate from the side effects experienced from the medications. Mandy notes that a drug side effect will show up soon after the patient starts taking the new medication. In contrast, addiction might take some time to display its symptoms. You might not see symptoms until the patient stops taking the drug. Signs of addiction include: Differences in sleep Changes in appetite Fluctuations in mood or unusual behavior Taking more than the prescribed dose of medication Taking medication for reasons other than what it is prescribed “It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have been treated for any addiction earlier in life,” says Mandy. “Certain medications could be trigger points for some people.” If you believe an elderly loved one may have an addiction problem, alert his or her physician. The right type of treatment will vary depending on the individual and the situation. AAMC’s Pathways Treatment Center offers individualized substance abuse and mental health treatment. Call 410-573-5449 for more information. Contributor Mandy Larkins is a prevention education coordinator at Pathways and can be reached at 410-573-5428.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMore than 60 million adults in the U.S. experience heartburn, the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive condition that causes indigestion and acid reflux. If you feel a burning sensation below your ribs or a sour taste at the back of your mouth after you eat, GERD may be to blame. But GERD causes more than discomfort. It increases your risk of stomach and esophageal cancers. Fortunately, GERD symptoms are often treatable with diet and lifestyle changes. Obesity, smoking and drinking alcohol all increase your risk of GERD and make symptoms worse. And if you’re overweight, the extra weight pushes the contents of your stomach back up to your throat. The most effective ways to prevent GERD include losing weight and not smoking or drinking. In addition to these lifestyle changes, here are some other tips to avoid GERD: 1. Don’t lie down after eating. Think of your stomach as a cup of hydrochloric acid (which the stomach produces), combined with the food you eat. Standing or sitting upright, the acid is more likely to stay in your stomach. Lying down, the contents of your stomach can spill and move up to your throat and the back of your mouth. Allow gravity to do its part in preventing GERD by standing or sitting upright after a meal. Walking can also help encourage proper digestion. 2. Finish eating meals 2-3 hours before sleeping. This allows the stomach acid to move out of your stomach before lying down for the night or taking a nap. 3. Avoid trigger foods. Trigger foods can include chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, vinegar and pepper. Coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks can also make symptoms worse. 4. Eat smaller portions. Large meals fill the stomach, causing pressure that pushes stomach fluid up toward the throat. 5. Raise the upper body while sleeping. Use six-inch blocks or a special wedge-shaped pillow to keep acid in the stomach by raising your entire upper body while you sleep. This decreases pressure on your stomach and relieves symptoms. 6. Be wise about antacids. If you’re currently taking antacids or over-the-counter medications, or have in the past, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor. These medicines may wrongly mask symptoms of stomach and esophageal cancers. While GERD is not life-threatening, it’s important to talk to your primary care doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor can help you change behaviors and manage medication based on your individual needs. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a surgeon.
- Behavioral Health, Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIs vaping a safe smoking alternative? No! Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are commonly advertised as a “healthier” and cheaper alternative to cigarette smoking. However, smoking e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, is not an approved method for smoking cessation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Inhaling a vaporized liquid solution rather than smoke from burning tobacco may sound safer, but it is important to remember e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and the amount can vary widely among brands. The FDA found that even some e-cigarette cartridges that claimed to be nicotine-free contained varying amounts of nicotine, as well as known carcinogens such as diethylene glycol (an ingredient found in anti-freeze) and nitrosamines. Also, the long-term effects of vaping and secondhand vapor inhalation are unknown. Additionally, there is concern that e-cigarette usage will reverse the progress made in teenage smoking prevention and may normalize smoking behaviors. Virtually anyone can sell or buy e-cigarettes. Convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores offer the most popular brands. And, unlike traditional tobacco products, there are no restrictions on Internet sales, which makes it relatively easy for young people to make online purchases. Without scientific data establishing the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes, there is no basis for recommending them as an alternative to cigarette smoking. Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking. If you have teenagers, talk to them about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. Get Screened Are you a longtime smoker age 55 to 80? You may meet the criteria for lung cancer screening. Yearly low-dose CT scans are effective at finding lung abnormalities and detecting cancers early. To find out if you are a candidate, call AAMC’s Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. Listen to a Living Well with Cancer interview with Dr. Cattaneo and learn more about lung cancer screenings. Author By Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach him, call 443-481-5838.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn Anne Arundel County, one in four youth ages 12-20 reported alcohol use in the past 30 days, according to the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. That’s higher than both the state and national averages. Even more troubling is parents’ role in underage drinking. “Parents are giving alcohol to their child and their child’s friends because they think it’s safer for kids to drink under parental supervision,” says Sandy Smolnicky, prevention specialist for the Anne Arundel County Health Department. “In reality, it’s illegal and dangerous for everyone involved.” A recipe for disaster Regardless of intention, providing alcohol to your child’s friends is prohibited by law. Parents can be prosecuted, fined and sued. Alcohol also puts kids at risk for sexual assault, violence, alcohol poisoning, drunk driving, addiction, and delayed brain development. But the outcomes don’t have to be extreme to warrant parents’ attention. “Your child might just wake up the next morning feeling sick or embarrassed, but you still don’t want that for them,” says Mandy Larkins, prevention education coordinator for Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) substance use and mental health treatment center. “With social media, kids are posting embarrassing pictures and videos online for everyone to see. These pictures don’t disappear, and they can really affect kids’ future plans.” Parents and prevention Preventing the consequences of underage drinking begins by changing the attitudes that justify it, and the perceptions that perpetuate it. That’s the idea behind the county-wide campaign, “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most,” funded by a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Aimed at addressing parents’ roles in preventing underage drinking, the campaign is promoted especially during times when parents are more likely to host parties, such as homecoming and prom seasons. “We need to change the way kids think about drinking, and that starts with parents,” says Mandy. “There’s no prescription for parenting, but there are things parents can do to create a positive, healthy culture for their kids that doesn’t involve alcohol.” Tips for parents Communication is key. Take initiative to talk to your child about the risks of drinking. Know where your child is and establish times for them to call (not text) you. Set up a contract with your child to form clear guidelines and expectations. If your child gets into trouble, maintain an open line of communication, avoid accusatory language and establish a consequence together. Offer alternatives. Engage your child in activities that don’t involve alcohol. Host alcohol-free parties and encourage other parents to do the same. To anonymously report a party, call the Anne Arundel County Police Department tip line at 443-390-8477. Encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities. Celebrate your child’s achievements. Be involved. Stay informed. Play an active role in your child’s life. Know your child. Choose strategies that work for their personality. Get to know your child’s friends. Get to know their parents. Educate yourself on current trends and lingo related to teen partying so you can identify warning signs when you see them. Set an example. Be aware of how you use alcohol in front of your child. If you depend on alcohol to cope with stress or have fun at social events, your child may learn to imitate those habits. If you keep alcohol in your home, ensure your child cannot access it. For more information on AAMC’s Pathways, visit PathwaysProgram.org. Contributor Mandy Larkins is a prevention education coordinator at Pathways and can be reached at 410-573-5428. Sources: Anne Arundel County Health Department Drug Free Action Alliance
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile many patients have success with safe, long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery, there are instances when revision of the surgery may be required. For those who are experiencing recurring complications, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe gastric reflux, or malnutrition, a qualified bariatric surgeon with expertise in revisional procedures can determine if corrective surgery is the right course of action. Candidates for revisional bariatric surgery may no longer be comfortable socializing or exercising, and they may be in pain or malnourished. In the case of severe gastric reflux, they may also be at high risk of esophageal cancer. The goal of revisional bariatric surgery is to correct the underlying problem by adjusting or removing an original bariatric device, such as a lap-band, and in some cases performing a new bariatric procedure that is more appropriate for the patient’s body and current condition. These include sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. Patients should expect revisional surgery to be more complex than their original bariatric surgery, which may include a longer recovery time; however, the revision should enhance their overall quality of life. Read the inspiring story of a patient who underwent revisional bariatric surgery. Author By Alex Gandsas, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach him, call 443-924-2900.
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