- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOver the last few years, we’ve all heard a lot about vaping. Especially its popularity among teens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked 2,807 lung injuries to vaping as of February 2020. And the agency has also linked vaping to 68 deaths across 29 states and Washington, D.C. We’re shining a light on five things you need to know about this trend right now. Symptoms can vary. Coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, fever, chills or weight loss – all could be symptoms of vaping illness. Some symptoms can appear over a few days. Others might appear over a few weeks. Vaping affects more than your lungs. Defective e-cigarette batteries can cause injuries. Including severe burns, fires and explosions. E-cigarette liquid has also poisoned children and adults. Vaping continues to be growing in popularity among teens. Two years ago, more than 3.6 million kids were vaping. In one year, vaping by high school students increased 78 percent. And vaping by middle school students increased 48 percent. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine – which is highly addictive. Nicotine itself is not known to cause cancer. But it is a stimulant that can cause health problems. A person’s brain isn’t fully developed until age 25. Nicotine can lead to permanent changes in the brain – affecting memory, learning and cognition. And it could increase the risk of addiction to other substances. Remember, too, that e-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances. E-cigarettes contain at least 60 potentially toxic chemicals. These can irritate your lungs and can cause lasting lung damage and disease. There’s no safe level of vaping. Research shows that e-cigarette vapor caused DNA damage in the lungs and bladder in mice exposed to the equivalent of three to six years of vaping. We’ve also seen research that shows that e-cigarette users’ oral tissue looks like that of cigarette smokers with cancer. In Maryland, you have to be 21 to buy tobacco (unless you are 18 and serving in the military). Decades ago, the cigarette industry touted their products’ safety as they marketed to teens. The first studies that linked smoking to lung cancer appeared in the 1920s. But the U.S. Surgeon General didn’t release the first report connecting smoking to lung cancer and chronic bronchitis until 1964. We expect that we will also have to wait and see what the long-term effects of e-cigarettes will be. Until then, we encourage you to talk to your kids about the dangers of vaping. It is just not worth the risk. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD, is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of Thoracic Oncology at AAMC. Originally published Nov. 18, 2019. Last updated Nov. 9, 2020.0
- 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
- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBeing a caregiver is an important and demanding job. As the level of care your loved one needs increases, it may be time to consider whether a nursing home is the next logical step. “Each situation is unique,” says AAMC Associate Chair of Medicine Jeanette Abell, MD. “It depends a lot on the person, family, overall condition and symptoms. In general, it might be time if there are home safety issues, problems with falling or needs beyond what the caregiver can provide.” It may also be time to consider a nursing home or extra support if you are experiencing burnout as a caregiver. Caregiver burnout can include feelings of frustration or anxiety, physical illness or negative impacts on your other relationships. “These situations are never easy. One of the most important things is letting caregivers know that it’s OK to ask for help,” says Dr. Abell. It’s normal to feel stressed, guilty or anxious. It’s important to get appropriate support for what you need. You can’t continue to be a caregiver if you are not healthy yourself. If it doesn’t seem like quite the right time to move your loved one to care outside the home, Dr. Abell notes that there are several options to consider. She suggests adding support in “layers.” These could include making sure your house is safe, having someone to go grocery shopping or cook meals, or putting in place an alert system to notify the right people if your loved one falls. There are also adult daycare facilities, where older adults can go during the day for socialization, recreation, meals, and occupational or physical therapy. When possible, Dr. Abell suggests discussing your loved one’s wishes ahead of time. Have a conversation with your loved one and write down who should make healthcare decisions when he or she is unable to do so. Additionally, you may want to research and visit care facilities in your area, so you are prepared before a crisis strikes. “There is a real disconnect in the importance of these conversations and who is actually having them,” says Dr. Abell. “That’s why it’s important to have these conversations before a crisis. I like to refer to them as ‘kitchen table conversations.’” Author Jeanette Abell, MD, is the AAMC Associate Chair of Medicine. Originally published Dec. 5, 2016. Last updated Sept. 30, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have seen people walking around toting a gallon of water that they sip from all day long, in hopes of staying properly hydrated. Others believe they need to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Have you ever wondered if all that water is necessary for your body? It depends. Hydration is important. According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 60 to 70 percent of your body weight is made up of water, which is necessary for good kidney health. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration. This can make you feel tired, cause headaches and lead to other health problems, including kidney damage. Water also helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections, the Kidney Foundation says. Drinking enough water helps flush out bacteria that causes infections. The National Academy of Medicine recommends that men drink about 13 cups, or three liters, of fluids daily. Women should drink about nine cups, or 2.2 liters, each day. Doctors recommend more water when exercising. An extra 1.5 to 2.5 cups of water is fine for shorter rounds of exercise, though you’ll need more for exercise that lasts longer than an hour. You’ll also need to drink more water if you’re in a hot, humid environment, or if you’re experiencing fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Pregnant or breast-feeding women also need additional fluids, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Pregnant women should drink about 10 cups, or 2.3 liters, of water every day. Women who are breast-feeding need about 13 cups each day. You don’t have to drink only water – unsweetened juice or low-fat milk are other healthier options. But water is your best choice because it has no calories. If you’re in doubt about whether you are drinking enough water, look at your urine. Urine that is light yellow or clear indicates that you are properly hydrated. Dark yellow urine signals dehydration. Author By Lauren Parmer, DO, a primary care physician at AAMG Pasadena Primary Care. She can be reached at 443-270-8600. Originally published July 11, 2017. Last updated July 17, 2020.0
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