- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you ever feel that your heartbeat is irregular, or slower or faster than normal? This describes an arrhythmia. Sean C. Beinart, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), answers a few common questions about this condition. What is an irregular heartbeat and how will I know if I have one? We refer to irregular heartbeats as arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. They range from very benign single premature beats to more dangerous arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac death. Some arrhythmias are becoming more common such as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is not life threatening, but it can increase your risk for stroke. It can also cause a wide range of symptoms including palpitations (a feeling of butterflies in the chest), shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe fatigue. What treatments are available to me? The wonderful thing about cardiology and the field of heart rhythm disorders is that we typically have many treatments available to patients. They include a variety of lifestyle modifications, medical treatments, or cardiac ablation. Cardiac ablation is a procedure where a specialist carefully places spaghetti-sized wires in the heart via the veins in the legs to identify and then eliminate the abnormal electrical signals. Will I need a pacemaker? Pacemakers are only necessary if someone has a very slow heart rate. This can sometimes occur in a patient who occasionally has a fast heart rate. Most treatments, however, do not require a pacemaker. How long does treatment take? Your provider will tailor treatments to your specific arrhythmia and associated symptom burden. I develop a strategy that involves a shared decision. I take into account the patient’s other medical problems. This ensures optimal health and quality of life. How can I make an appointment with an electrophysiologist? If you have symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness or near fainting, chest pain or shortness of breath, you could have an arrhythmia. Making an appointment is as simple as calling our cardiology office and asking for an electrophysiologist (heart rhythm specialist) or Dr. Beinart. Authors Sean C. Beinart, MD, is a cardiac electrophysiologist at LHAAMC. To make an appointment with him, please call 443-481-6700.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday, President and nurse Sherry Perkins praises today’s nurses for the incredible work they are doing. Today is the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday and the end of Nurses Week. The World Health Organization (WHO) named 2020 the Year of the Nurse in recognition of Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing. The WHO could not have predicted what nurses and their teammates would see this year with COVID-19, nor the new definitions of health care heroism. In a recent interview with the media about our nurses and the AAMC team, I was proud to tell our community, “They aren’t just heroes; they’re superheroes.” I am often asked to describe patient care; how to do that? In contemplating Nurses Week, I can think about important life events: emergency room visits, a parent in an ICU, the birth of a baby – a nurse is there with a team. A nurse is there knowing and caring, linking tenderness and mastery. Nurses know what it means for humans to be old, sick, weak, complex, and vulnerable. Nurses know how to prevent and treat infections, manage pain, teach, rescue, heal, console, and see problems before they occur. Nightingale was quoted as saying, “Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift – there is nothing small about it.” On my first day of work less than four months ago, I described the AAMC team this way – “the unique mixture of science and caring…progressive expertise of our physicians, the dedication of our nurses, the excellence of our interprofessional clinical support partners, the acumen of our leadership and administrative team, the compassion of our auxilians and volunteers, the devotion of our patient and family advisors, and the governance of our board.” Each of you makes AAMC a unique place for our patients and our community. Even more I am awed by what a team you are. Florence Nightingale would be proud. I know I am. Thank you for what you do for each other and for our patients and families.0
- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStudies show four out of five adults take over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat pain, fever, allergies, heartburn and other problems. Most of the thousands of OTC medications on the market are safe when taken as directed, as long as they do not interfere with other medications or health conditions. Many people who take OTC supplements may not realize the Food and Drug Administration does not directly monitor or approve these non-prescription drugs. It is important to do your own research to know what you are taking and why. Taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC medication can be dangerous. For example, taking too much acetaminophen, which can be found in pain relievers, can cause severe liver damage or acute liver failure. Read the labels on your OTC medications carefully to prevent accidental overdose. This is especially important if you take more than one medication at a time to relieve multiple symptoms. Know the ingredients, dosages, timing and other instructions. Along with carefully reading labels, you may want to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new OTC medication. Sometimes OTC drugs interact with medications you’ve been prescribed. Those with chronic health conditions are at greater risk of serious adverse reactions while taking OTC medications. Adults age 65 and older are likely to have additional health issues, and take roughly 40 percent of OTC medications consumed. Because of this, seniors should take extra precaution. In general, do not take OTC medications longer than 10 days for pain or longer than three days for fever without consulting your physician. If you have concerns about medications, it’s important to talk to your doctor. To find a primary care doctor near you, visit findadoc.aahs.org or call 443-481-5555. Originally published Jan. 28, 2016. Last updated April 25, 2018.0
- SpecialtyMuscle and connective tissue keep organs and fatty tissue in place. But sometimes, tissue or part of the bowel or another organ can push through a hole in the muscle or connective tissue. This bulge is called a hernia. For most hernias, doctors recommend surgery. That might sound like a big step, especially if you don't have much pain. But hernias can cause problems if they're not treated. They can get bigger, and weaken the muscles and connective tissue. Blood supply could get cut off to a hernia, putting your health at serious risk. Some hernias can also cause a painful blockage in the bowel. Fortunately, Luminis Health is home to experts in all types of hernia repair. People travel from all over the state, and even from nearby states, to access our renowned hernia repair surgeons. , Our experts have experience in complex cases, such as: Recurrent hernia – hernia that has been previously surgically addressed but returned. Those hernias can range in size and shape and often are complicated by previous mesh placement. Pain related to previous hernia repair – previous hernia surgeries can cause chronic pain. Another, more precise, surgery can help. Infected mesh – previous hernia surgeries can be complicated by infection, which may require another surgery. Bowel fistula and complex hernia – people can develop a bowel fistula, or a hole in the bowel, from a surgery complication or another reason. Bowel fistulas that lead to a hernia require more complex surgical repair than a simple hernia. , Why choose Luminis Health for hernia repair surgery? The field of hernia surgery has seen rapid advancements in the past decade. At Luminis Health, our hernia experts don’t just treat hernias occasionally – they dedicate 100 percent of their clinical time to fixing abdominal wall issues. Here are some of the benefits of choosing Luminis Health: Most of our hernia repairs are minimally invasive surgeries. The surgeon sends tools through a narrow opening in the skin and uses a tiny video camera to see inside the body. Compared to open surgery, you'll have little scarring and a fast recovery. There’s also less pain and less time needed in the hospital. Many patients go home the same day. Our surgeons have expertise in robotic surgery, where a surgeon guides surgical instruments using a robotic arm. This allows for smaller and more precise movements. Thanks to this technology, we can now perform advanced and complex reconstructive techniques without the need for large, open incisions. We are recognized by fellow doctors on an international level, and we are frequently asked to teach others about our techniques. We have one of the most sought out abdominal wall repair (AWR) fellowships in the country for training other surgeons in advanced hernia repair techniques. This allows us to strive for a high level of excellence and offer advanced techniques that aren't available in other centers. Our team can perform mesh and non-mesh surgery. Surgical mesh supports the abdominal wall and reduces the chance the hernia will happen again. For small hernias in younger people, however, non-mesh surgery may be a better option. It can mean a faster recovery time with less pain. The best surgery for you Our experts will carefully choose the best surgery for you, taking the time to explain the options. It's our goal to have you ready to take on the world again, as soon as possible. In fact, thanks to our advanced techniques, most of our patients can leave the hospital on the same day, or the day after their surgery. Have questions about your hernia symptoms? Wondering if hernia surgery is right for you? Reach out today. Patient Testimonial "It was a great experience…when I went home, I didn’t even have to take pain meds and I have very little scarring,” says Jeremy Davis, a hernia surgery patient of Dr. Paul Kim.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs access to electronics continues to grow among teens and preteens, there’s a disturbing trend that some have dubbed the “hate virus”: cyberbullying. “Cyber bullying is very dangerous because it often occurs in silence. Many times kids are cyber bullied starting at a young age and it can go on for years without parents being aware of the torment that their child is going through,” says Jennifer Williams (Walton), MA, LPC, LCPC, a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists. “It is extremely important for parents to be aware of their child’s online activities, including who they are speaking to, where they met these people, and do they know them in real life. “Parents should consistently check in with children regarding online activities to make sure they are safe, and to allow children an opportunity to share with them information about what is happening in their cyber world and if anything or anyone is causing them to feel depressed or anxious,” she says. “This is an epidemic,” concurs Doyle Batten, supervisor of school security for Anne Arundel County Schools. Doyle says that around-the-clock online access means victims can’t escape their tormentors after school, and that nearly all of the physical confrontations he sees at school can be traced to online interactions. “From a mental health standpoint and from a violence-prevention standpoint this is the most urgent thing I’ve seen.” Parents and guardians are the most important safeguards against cyberbullying fallout. That means being equipped to step in well before teasing, taunts or intimidation create a life-threatening problem. Here are some ways to keep on top of potential problems: How to help your child avoid cyberbullying • Awareness and access: As adolescents have near-universal online access, it may be more realistic to monitor their online use rather than to deny access. Be aware of the social media sites your child uses, and make sure you have passwords to accounts and devices. • Communicate: Have regular, open-ended conversations about online activities with your child, and discuss responsible online behavior, such as never sharing personal information and that what you post may stick around forever. • Encourage reporting: Young people should feel safe talking about cyberbullying, whether they are being victimized or someone they know is. Explain to younger children that reporting cyberbullying isn’t tattling. • Know the signs: A sudden drop in grades, frequent illness, withdrawing from friends or school activities, sleep and appetite changes, and extreme irritability are all warning signs that something is wrong. It could be cyberbullying. What to do if your child is a victim of cyberbullying • Listen: Some mean or hurtful attacks may not seem serious to an adult, but they can be very serious to a young person. Victims need to feel heard. • Question: Without judging, ask open-ended questions to understand the underlying cause. • Report: Contact a teacher, school counselor and/or administrator. If the bullying involves physical threats or is sexual in nature, it should be reported to the police. • Understand the law: Cyberbullying doesn’t always rise to the level of a crime. If you think it may, talk to the police or a school safety officer for guidance. In cases of sexually suggestive or explicit materials, kids and parents need to understand that both the bully and the victim may be implicated in a crime if the victim is a minor and willingly took or distributed explicit photos of himself or herself. • Seek help: Bullying can pose a serious threat to physical and mental health. Your child may need professional help developing coping mechanisms, social skills, assertiveness, or friendship skills to prevent and guard against cyberbullying. What to do if your child is the cyberbully • Teach empathy: Some bullies think it’s funny to tease or hurt someone online. In some cases they simply don’t realize the impact of their activity and need to be taught to empathy. • Seek help: Sometimes children bully because of low self-esteem or because they are being bullied. If your child is bullying as a way to cope with his or her own emotions, seek the help of a mental health professional. • Teach consequences: Parents need to stress that bullies may lose their phones or online accounts. They may face legal charges. If their bullying behavior is sexual in nature it can lead to the bully being registered as a sex offender. RESOURCES AAMG Mental Health Specialists AAMC’s outpatient mental health clinic on Riva Road offers mental health services, including a counseling group for kids from 12 to 17 to discuss issues such as bullying self-esteem, body image, family dynamics, school stress and more. 410-573-9000 Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency Warmline 24/7 information, assistance and referrals 410-768-5522 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Student Safety Hotline 877-676-9854 AACo PD Speak Out App Allows anyone to discretely contact Anne Arundel County school police officers http://aacopdspeakout.myapp.name Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline 800-422-0009 Author Jennifer Williams (Walton), MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000. Originally published Nov. 13, 2015. Last updated Sept. 30, 2019.0
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