- Physical Therapy, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith warmer weather finally here, many of us try to maximize our time outdoors by having picnics and barbecues. And when surrounded by the smell of fresh grilled meat and the sight of homemade baked goods, who can resist? Summer months tend to bring out the indulger in us. But, as we enjoy the simple things in life and spoil ourselves with the third watermelon wedge, it’s also important to be mindful and pay attention. Did you know that one in five older adults suffer from difficulty swallowing? In medical terms, this is known as dysphagia. If you have difficulty swallowing, here are the top 10 swallow tips to help you this summer: Alternate sips of liquids and solids if you’re having trouble getting down dry foods, like a hot dog or hamburger on a bun. Try a slushy or a milkshake if you’re coughing on “thin” consistency drinks. Thicker consistencies can sometimes be easier to get down. If you’re a fast eater, take smaller bites and chew more often. You can try sitting back in your chair while you’re chewing to help you slow down or use a smaller utensil to help you take smaller bites. Use condiments and dressings on your foods to help keep things moist and to swallow easier. For example, add ketchup, mustard and/or mayo to your hamburger to help keep it moist. Watch your posture when you’re eating — laying in a hammock can cause havoc on your swallowing abilities! Sitting as close to a 90-degree angle is always best. If you’re choking, don’t try to wash it down, but instead, try to cough it back up. If you know you’re having issues with swallowing, try not to get distracted by various conversations. Stay focused on your meal. Avoid harder-to-eat textures, like chips and popcorn. Stick to the things that don’t crumble. For instance, instead of popcorn, try a soft cookie. Sit upright after your meals to make sure your food digests. If reflux is a problem, try to minimize acidic foods and caffeine at your cookout, like red sauces and chocolate. After taking two or three bites of food, swallow several times with nothing in your mouth to help clear the pathways and reduce residue before taking your next bite. Speech language pathologists help address dysphagia in a variety of conditions by providing mealtime strategies and evidence-based exercises to improve your swallow function. To make an appointment for an Outpatient Speech Therapy Evaluation, please call 443-481-1140. Author Sara Spivak, CCC-SLP, is speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. You can reach her office at 443-481-1140. Originally published May 4, 2018. Last updated July 6, 2020.0
- Men's Health, News & Press Releases, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogUnder normal circumstances, most people know it’s a bad idea to look directly at the sun. But with the Great American Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, people may be tempted to gaze upward. Not so fast, ophthalmologists say. Staring into the eclipse will burn your retina. “Even the slightly weaker sunlight during an eclipse is still very intense solar energy,” says Sam Boles, MD, an ophthalmologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center. “That energy focused directly on the retina can seriously damage your eyesight.” A total eclipse — when the moon completely covers the sun — will be visible across parts of the entire country. But other areas, including Maryland, will see a partial solar eclipse. The moon will cover about 80 percent of the sun in our area, according to news reports. John Avallone, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center, compares staring at the eclipse to using a magnifying glass to direct sun at an object on the ground, causing it to burn. It’s also the same as the burn that will come from shining a laser pointer into your eye. “The intense rays from the sun will burn your retina,” Dr. Avallone says. “You end up with a hole in your vision where that burn is.” So what can you do to safely witness this historic event? You have three choices: Both Dr. Avallone and Dr. Boles say you must use approved solar eclipse viewers. Look for solar filters that meet international standard ISO 12312-2. NASA and the American Astronomical Society have a list of recommended vendors who are selling approved glasses. Build a pinhole projector to watch the eclipse. This device will project the image of the eclipse onto another surface. NASA has instructions on how to do that. Enjoy images of the eclipse on TV or online. Dr. Avallone emphasizes the importance of closely supervising children who are wearing eclipse glasses. You want to make sure they’re looking through them, and not over or underneath the lenses. He adds that it is safe for people to be outside without the approved glasses if they’re not looking directly at the eclipse. The American Optometric Association and the American Astronomical Society also offer the following tips: Before you look at the sun, cover your eyes with the eclipse viewers while standing still. Glance at the sun, turn away and then take off your viewers. Don’t remove them while looking at the sun. If you normally wear glasses, you can keep them on, but put the eclipse glasses over them. If you happen to be in the “path of totality,” which stretches from Oregon to South Carolina, you can take off your eclipse glasses when the moon is fully covering the sun. But once the moon begins shifting and the sun reappears, you have to put them back on. See a doctor if you are experiencing discomfort or problems with your vision after viewing the eclipse.0
- Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRebecca “Becky” Benner has always been incredibly active. An avid gardener, she loves to dig, load up wheelbarrows and get her hands dirty. She enjoys cooking and baking too. Her life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with left tonsillar cancer in December 2021. The cancer had metastasized to her cervical lymph nodes. Before starting treatment, Becky’s oncologist referred her to Debra Piccirillo, speech language pathologist (SLP) at Luminis Health Physical Therapy in Annapolis. Debra assessed her swallowing skills and began Becky’s swallowing therapy. Prior to and throughout her radiation treatments, Becky practiced exercises to help to improve her ability to swallow. This work also protected her airway throughout the radiation treatments. Radiation may have long-term effects on swallowing abilities, so these exercises became a necessary daily routine indefinitely. Her care team performed a baseline modified barium swallow (MBS) study, an X-ray procedure performed that provides a look at the anatomic structures in the head and neck. This is essential to make sure these areas are working properly while chewing, drinking, and swallowing, and can help a care team make additional suggestions to keep swallowing safe. Debra quickly realized the need to refer her to physical therapy (PT) to address the impact of swelling on Becky’s health and swallowing skills. Becky describes her chemotherapy and radiation treatments as her “Big Adventure.” When she began treatment, she saw a sharp decline in her energy, balance and general strength. She went from being an active walker to needing support while moving around her house. Cancer-related fatigue and decline in strength and balance are real consequences of cancer treatment, especially in older adults who have a smaller reserve due to other medical diagnoses. Becky was extremely motivated to get back to her prior level of physical function. With physical therapy, she started making gradual progress. Her family provided excellent support, taking turns bringing her to therapy and encouraging her to practice exercises and strategies at home. At the beginning of May 2022, she needed a walker to walk and was able to stand on one leg for just a second. Her physical therapist, Runzun Shetye, provided walking and standing exercises to help with her mobility, as well as introducing lymphedema-reducing strategies. By December 2022, she was able to walk in her garden without any assistance, push a wheelbarrow filled with garden and yard trimmings, and was able to stand on one leg for 60 seconds! Becky also experienced significant pain and changes in her swallowing function, also known as dysphagia, requiring her to alter her diet to foods that were easier to manage. She found swallowing to require more effort, compared to pre-radiation where eating and drinking were automatic. She worked with an oncology dietician who assisted with optimal intake and food choices which helped her. Becky continues to have some difficulty with eating certain types of meats, pastas and breads and still does her numerous swallowing and jaw exercises. Her doctors and therapists continue to collaborate to provide the best care for her. Becky is building her physical endurance every day and has returned to gardening at her home and in the community and to volunteer work in the community. Becky recaps her “Big Adventure,” “I’ve really appreciated the exercises for my mouth and for balance and equilibrium. Debra and Runzun answered my questions, gently encouraged new exercises or resources to aid or speed recovery, accepted my occasional lack of progress, and, most importantly, allowed me to vent!”0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogI started feeling the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday, March 20. I remember it like it was yesterday. I went to work like always. By mid-day, I began to have a headache and felt sluggish. So I went home to rest. The next morning, I woke up to another headache and again tried to go about my day. But my head would not stop hurting. I put up with it for as long as I could, but once again had to go home early. I just chalked it up to allergies and thought I should tough it out. By Tuesday, I felt even worse. I still had a headache and a new symptom: A fever of 102 degrees. On top of my fever, I started having loose stools and could not keep food down for long. I decided to go to urgent care, where I was told that I needed to get a doctor’s referral before I could be tested for this new virus. I wanted to be brave for my wife and son. But I was getting weaker by the day and felt no relief. Besides, I wasn’t coughing, which is one of the symptoms of COVID-19. I only had a fever, diarrhea and a headache that wouldn’t go away. My wife took my temperature again, and it was still high. She wanted to take me to the hospital. I told her that if my fever didn’t change by the morning, then I would go. Needless to say, she won the argument. I was admitted to Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) 23 pounds lighter and nine days after my first signs of COVID-19. I was in very bad shape. I began my time at AAMC in the Observation Unit. I was initially diagnosed with pneumonia and given an MRI. The nurses and doctors took great care of me and checked on me every four hours. By my second day in the hospital, I could barely breathe and was given oxygen. I got weak and couldn’t walk more than a few steps to the bathroom. My oxygen levels dipped to the low 70s. By day four, I was moved to the ICU, and there was talk of putting me on a ventilator. But one doctor decided to try another oxygen machine, and I began to improve slowly. At one point, my fever was still high and the nurses placed packs of ice around my body to cool me down. After spending five days in the ICU, I was then released to the fifth floor, where I would remain for seven more days. My health care team did a great job meeting my medical needs. Because of the no-visitor policy, I could only talk to my family and friends on the phone. There was one man from Food Services who always checked on me before his shift ended. I appreciated him going above and beyond for me. I decided I wanted to thank the doctors and nurses, including those in the ICU and in the Emergency Department, who took such good care of me. So I treated them to Ledo’s Pizza a few days before I left AAMC. I didn’t expect to be so vulnerable. I’m in my early 50s and very active. But I knew I was in good hands and that reassured me that I could beat this virus. I went home after being in the hospital for 16 days. It took three more weeks to fully regain the strength in my legs. I can still feel a little difference in my breathing. But all in all, I am just about fully recovered. Author Anthony Dozier, 54, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland is a COVID-19 survivor.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour body goes through several changes over the course of pregnancy. But it doesn’t stop with delivery. Changes continue post-delivery and it’s critical to closely monitor the physical and mental changes you experience. Some aches and pains are a normal part of the process, such as nipple pain. Others could be a sign that something is wrong. You should not ignore warning signs — they can be fatal. Here’s what new moms can expect, and where to go if you have concerns. SEE MORE: What you need to know about high blood pressure during pregnancy Normal Signs for New Moms Common postpartum symptoms include vaginal soreness, slight bleeding, breast engorgement, and after birth cramps. Labor takes a major toll on the body. It’s normal to feel sore after birth and bleed for a few days. Post birth cramps are caused by the uterus shrinking to its usual size. As your body prepares for breastfeeding, many notice breast engorgement and tenderness. Other normal symptoms are incontinence (accidentally peeing a bit), constipation, stretch marks, swelling of hands or feet, and hair loss. Some women feel sad or angry, and may be experiencing the “baby blues.” If these feelings don’t go away within two weeks, you should call your doctor to talk about postpartum depression. “Women often ask me about vaginal discharge after pregnancy,” says Chasheryl Leslie, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Premier OB-GYN. “What you’ll notice is, over time, the flow lessens and the color changes to a much lighter version. For some it lasts a few weeks, while it lasts a month or more for others. I always encourage my patients to give me a call if they ever feel concerned.” Warning Signs While most of the changes your body goes through after delivering a baby are normal and natural, it is important to be aware of warning signs. Use the acronym POST-BIRTH to help you remember what symptoms require further medical attention. Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms: Pain in the chest Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath Seizures Thoughts of harm or suicide Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: Bleeding (more than 1 pad an hour or blood clots larger than the size of an egg) Incision that isn’t healing Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher Headaches that change vision or won’t go away with medicine “Don’t ever feel like you’re bothering your doctor by calling them with any questions or concerns after you’ve delivered,” says Leslie. “Your health is our number one priority. We want you feeling your best so you can enjoy every second with your newest addition!” SEE MORE: Treatment for high risk pregnancy The first month after delivering a baby is challenging, yet extremely rewarding. As much as new moms are caring for their newest additions, it’s important to not lose sight of your own health and wellbeing.0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?