- Pregnancy & Birth, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGroup prenatal care like CenteringPregnancy® can be an excellent way for new moms to build friendships and make connections. Beyond this emotional support, however, you may be wondering how group prenatal care will affect your baby’s health. Over the last couple of decades, there have been many studies comparing the benefits of group prenatal care to the benefits of one-on-one prenatal care with a provider. While more research needs to be done, the data gathered so far shows that group prenatal care can have a positive impact on pregnancy and birth outcomes. Here’s what the research has to say. Group Prenatal Programs Like CenteringPregnancy® Often Result in Better Health Outcomes for Mom and Baby Healthier Newborns While we’re just beginning to understand the impact of group programs versus traditional one-on-one prenatal care, initial study results indicate that group prenatal care programs lead to the same — if not better — outcomes for newborns. Since birth weight is one of the most important health factors for a newborn baby — low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) can lead to serious health problems and was one of the first measures closely studied. CenteringPregnancy® has been shown to have a positive effect on newborn outcomes, including birth weight and preterm delivery. A 2015 Yale School of Public Health study showed that group prenatal care resulted in: Babies with higher birth weights compared to those receiving individual prenatal care Less babies that were small for their gestational age Shorter neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays, when that level of care was needed Study results also suggest that group prenatal care promotes breastfeeding, and more women are likely to initiate breastfeeding if they participate in a program like CenteringPregnancy®, especially adolescent moms. Breastfeeding can have many benefits including: Helping to protect your baby from infection Reducing the risk of your baby developing a chronic illness later in life Supporting your baby’s development Healthier Pregnancies With the group discussion and provider-led activities in each CenteringPregnancy® visit, there are more opportunities to reinforce healthy behaviors among the women in the group — and a healthier mom often translates to a healthier baby. Women participating in group care, such as CenteringPregnancy® meetings were: At less risk for a preterm birth Less likely to get pregnant quickly after giving birth Less likely to go to the emergency room, especially in the third trimester More likely to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as eating healthy, exercising and abstaining from alcohol, nicotine and drugs More likely to maintain a healthier weight throughout their pregnancy When it comes to prenatal care, women enrolled in CenteringPregnancy® programs attended more prenatal visits and were more likely to attend both prenatal and postpartum appointments. And, because of the structure of each CenteringPregnancy® meeting, you can enjoy up to 10 times the support, time and pregnancy knowledge compared to individual visits with an OB-GYN or midwife. Learn More, Talk With Our Team Today When you’re deciding the right type of prenatal care for you, it’s important you find a program that fits your personal needs and preferences, whether it’s with a group or one-on-one with your provider. If you have more questions about CenteringPregnancy® please visit our program website.0
- Behavioral Health, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogShorter days. Longer evenings. Colder temperatures. Winter is here. If you feel gloomy this time of year and perk up once spring and summer roll around, you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder – also known as SAD. It’s a type of depression that comes and goes with the fall and winter seasons. And it tends to disappear in spring and summer. This winter, we’re all staying home more because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many events and activities have been canceled. So this season may be particularly challenging for those who suffer from SAD. Let’s take a closer look at SAD symptoms, who’s at risk and how to treat the disorder. Symptoms to look for Feelings of worthlessness, low energy, fatigue, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and changes in your appetite or weight. If you are experiencing at least five of these symptoms for two or more weeks, talk to a mental health professional. Who is at risk? Women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than men. And younger adults are more likely to have it than older adults. What are the risk factors? The exact reasons for SAD are not known. But people with a family history of SAD or other forms of depression are at higher risk. If you have clinical depression or bipolar disorder, you may see your symptoms get worse as the seasons change. How do you treat SAD? Light therapy—exposure to full-spectrum lights bright enough to make a difference in brain chemistry—can treat SAD. It may get rid of symptoms for 50 to 80 percent of people who use it. Here’s how it works. You sit in front of a special fluorescent lamp that is encased in a box or mounted on a visor worn like a cap. The lamp gives off a bright white light, filters out ultraviolet radiation and diffuses the light to limit glare. Light therapy takes about 30 to 90 minutes a day. It’s best done in the morning and you should do it daily until natural sunlight returns in the spring. If you stop too early, your symptoms may come back. If necessary, you can also treat SAD with antidepressant medications. But there are other treatment options, including: Exercise daily in sunlight. This can help you sleep better at night and give you more energy. Take part in activities you love to boost your mood — like listening to music, reading, or visiting a park. Practice good sleep hygiene. Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily. Get into the habit of turning of all electronics and doing deep breathing and relaxation exercises before bed. Be grateful. Find one thing to be grateful for each day and reflect on its meaning. Be compassionate with yourself. It’s easy to be self-critical, but remember to be kind to yourself. Talk to yourself as you would a friend. Be mindful. Be fully present in the moment, with full awareness of your thoughts, feelings, sensations and surroundings – without judgment. You don’t have to struggle with SAD in silence. Reaching out to a mental health professional for help is a sign of strength – not weakness. If you are having suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help. The Anne Arundel Crisis Response System is a 24-hour hotline you can call at 410-768-5522. Authors Aruna Gogineni, Ph.D., LCSW-C, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 443-475-0621. Waseem Hussain, MD, is a primary care doctor with Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn today’s world, the pressures of being a teenager can be overwhelming. Not only are teens consistently pressured to do well academically and excel in extracurricular activities, but they also face pressure to be part of the crowd. On top of that, add in the struggles of peer harassment or even being the subject of online harassment. Life can quickly become one of misery. A school day can feel like an eternity and, at home, the effects of that day are far from over. Teenage peer-to-peer harassment occurs frequently, but the conversation at home and in school is rare. It can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, school refusal and depression. You and your teen should know how to identify harassment. Here are some important things to know: Harassing behaviors often start in childhood. These behaviors among young children are often characterized as “boys will be boys” or as children just being playful. Harassment does not start in a day. It is a behavior that develops over time. Correcting the behavior early on will lead to more appropriate behaviors during your child’s teenage years. Harassment is also verbal. Jokes, innuendos, slurs, name-calling and insults can have a traumatic and lasting effect. Oftentimes, verbal abuse starts in the home. Assess your family’s communication and stop using names and negative labels. It is important to model appropriate language and actions. Boys face harassment, too. We often think about harassment when it comes to girls, but boys do fall victim. Boys are less likely to talk about harassment or even consider the actions that have been taken against them as a form of harassment. Look for changes in behaviors, like becoming solitary or avoiding people or places they used to enjoy. Be sure to keep an open dialogue. Here are some tips to help you: Don’t dismiss your teenager’s concerns. Make them feel comfortable to talk to you if someone is repeating negative behavior toward them. Knowing that you are on their side will ease pain and embarrassment. Talk about social media. Smartphones, online messaging and social media sites make it easy for people to harass. You should also talk to your teenager about unwanted sexual advances, which can happen on any digital platform. Know the policies of your teenager’s school. Contact the school if your son or daughter is being harassed. Be sure to talk regularly with your child and with school staff to see whether the bullying has stopped and not increased. Teens are likely to feel that some behaviors are just normal teenage behavior that they have to deal with. Yet, the behaviors are truly making them feel uncomfortable and negatively affecting their self-esteem and sense of belonging. If your child comes to you with concerns of harassment, be sure to listen, come from a place of understanding and then, together, formulate a plan to stop it. Author For more information about Behavioral Health Care at Luminis Health or to schedule an appointment visit Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth.0
- 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.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnn Caldwell, a nutritionist and registered dietitian at AAMC, breaks down five common heart health misconceptions. Myth #1 – Eggs and other foods high in cholesterol are unhealthy and to be avoided. The cholesterol in foods actually has little effect on most people’s cholesterol levels. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s recent finding is that cholesterol in the diet need no longer be considered a “nutrient of concern.” The bigger concern continues to be too many servings of foods high in saturated fats and trans fats, such as fatty meats, whole milk dairy products, fried foods, and butter. Try focusing instead on less processed foods and a more plant-based diet. Myth #2 – If I had high blood pressure, I would know. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because you don’t usually know you have it. You may never experience symptoms, so don’t wait for your body to alert you there is a problem. The way to know if you have high blood pressure is to check your numbers with a simple blood pressure test. Early treatment of high blood pressure is critical because, if left untreated, it can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and other serious health problems. Myth #3– If I don’t have an hour to do cardio, it is not worth it. Sedentary lifestyle is a major risk for heart disease. Compared with people who exercise regularly, inactive people have nearly twice the risk of heart disease. After checking with your physician, set yourself a weekly exercise goal and start gradually. Do not wait to find time—be proactive by setting aside time for daily exercise. Being more active isn’t just about heart health; exercise improves our sleep, emotional health, reduces stress, and improves agility and balance. Myth #4 – Drink wine, eat dark chocolate and live forever. Wouldn’t it be great if we had to eat chocolate and drink wine to stay healthy? Unfortunately, this is not the case. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is not conclusive evidence that either of these indulgences have any health benefits. Although a few small studies have pointed to some benefit, the fat, sugar and alcohol outweigh the benefit. Myth #5 – I am too young to worry about heart disease. How you live now affects your risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. As early as childhood and adolescence, plaque can start accumulating in the arteries and later lead to clogged arteries. One in three Americans has cardiovascular disease, but not all of them are senior citizens. Even young and middle-aged people can develop heart problems, especially now that obesity, type 2 diabetes and other risk factors are becoming more common at a younger age. Author Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Feb. 27, 2015. Last updated March 25, 2019.0
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