- 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.
- Behavioral Health, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn recent years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have increased substantially in popularity. They are commonly advertised as a “healthier” and cheaper alternative to cigarette smoking. Smoking e-cigarettes, an activity known as vaping, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a method for smoking cessation. It is important to remember that e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Unlike FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies, such as the patch, lozenge and gum, which contain regulated amounts of nicotine, the nicotine found in e-cigarette cartridges can vary widely among brands. Without large scale, well-designed research studies it is difficult to determine the real impact of e-cigarettes both now and in the future. Furthermore, by appealing to teenagers and young adults, there is the concern that e-cigarettes usage will reverse the progress made in smoking prevention, as well as normalize smoking behaviors. A Battery-Operated Nicotine Delivery Device Let’s look closer at what an e-cigarette is. An e-cigarette is a battery-operated nicotine delivery device. Rather than inhaling smoke from burning tobacco, users inhale a vaporized liquid solution. In 2009, the FDA published a study that identified varying levels of nicotine in these solutions, even in some e-cigarette cartridges that claimed to be nicotine free, and known carcinogens including diethylene glycol, an ingredient found in anti-freeze, and nitrosamines. Although sale to minors is prohibited in Maryland, virtually anyone can sell or buy e-cigarettes. Convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores offer the most popular brands. Unlike traditional tobacco products there are no restrictions on Internet sales, which makes it relatively easy for youths to make online purchases. This may account for teen use of e-cigarettes doubling between 2011 and 2012. While e-cigarette manufacturers may claim they do not market directly to young people, flavored cartridges such as bubble gum, caramel and chocolate clearly appeal to children. And the industry has exploded. Revenues for e-cigarette companies have doubled every year since 2008, and the market exceeded $2 billion in 2013. A Lot of Unknowns for E-Cigarette Safety So, are they safe? While it is widely believed e-cigarettes are less toxic than cigarette smoking, there are no scientific studies to support this belief. Furthermore, there is no information as to the future effects of vaping or the effects of second-hand vapor inhalation. Most importantly, the lack of regulations for the e-cigarette industry leads to a wide variation in e-cigarette nicotine levels and potentially toxic substances in the vapor. Without scientific data establishing the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes, there is no basis for recommending them as an alternative to cigarette smoking. Combining counseling and medications is proven to be an effective way to quit. The FDA has approved several forms of nicotine replacement therapies, including gum, lozenges, transdermal patches, inhalers and nasal spray, as well as bupropion and varenicline (Chantix). Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking. If you have teenagers, talk to them about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. Ready to quit smoking? Learn more about smoking cessation programs at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Courses and individual counseling are free if you live, work or attend school in Anne Arundel County. If you live elsewhere in the region, our staff may be able to navigate you to free resources in your area so please call 443-481-5366. Author By Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of Thoracic Oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He may be reached at 443-481-5838.
- Behavioral Health, Women's Health, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne Friday, after a long day at work at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Christina Delfendahl decided she was done with cigarettes. She was literally tired of smoking after 16 years of the habit. A quick stop after work at the local pharmacy to pick up nicotine patches, and she was on her way to a new beginning. Christina was certain it would work this time. She tried to quit the year before, first cold turkey, then by using a prescription, then a few months later using specialized gum. She also attended free employee smoking cessation counseling at AAMC. The counseling provided support and resources, and the counselors developed a personal plan to help Christina cope with the ups and downs of quitting. Before she wasn’t quite ready to kick the habit, but now this pack-a-day smoker really wanted to do it. “I knew it would work this time because I was ready. I really wanted it. I knew it would be a few weeks with the patches and that made it easier to know there was an end not far away. It ended up taking four months with the patches before I was smoke-free,” says Christina. Christina adds that having a support system made a difference. “My co-workers had been encouraging me to stop smoking for long time and once I decided to do it, they were there to help me stick with it,” she says. It’s been almost one year since Christina quit and she feels great. Christina is doing CrossFit classes and enjoys having more energy, a better sense of smell and an overall healthy living lifestyle. As an added bonus, Christina set aside the money she would have spent on cigarettes, saving enough to buy a new bedroom set. Ready to quit? Learn more about smoking cessation programs at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Courses and individual counseling are free if you live, work or attend school in Anne Arundel County. If you live elsewhere in the region, our staff may be able to navigate you to free resources in your area so please call 443-481-5366. If you’re an employee, we have specific resources for you, too.
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