- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCancer and pregnancy. Two words many people would not put in the same sentence. But with a growing number of cancer survivors still in their reproductive years, many people are often considering cancer treatment and how it will affect their future ability to have kids. WATCH: Conquering cancer during pregnancy. Thanks to advances in cancer treatment, the rate of survival from childhood and adult cancers has increased steadily over the years. The five-year survival rate is greater than 80 percent for both childhood cancers and adult women of reproductive age. In fact, 1 in 400 adults are cancer survivors. Chemotherapy, radiation or surgery can affect the number and quality of eggs within the ovary. Treatment can also cause damage or loss of reproductive organs. The likelihood of a cancer survivor having a significant decrease or complete loss of fertility through ovarian failure depends on her age, type of cancer and specific treatment plan. Fertility preservation (FP) serves the purpose of preserving, expanding and restoring the reproductive future of cancer patients. Why is it important? Fertility issues are emotionally challenging, no matter the cause. One study found that 55 percent of cancer patients felt having a child was the most important event in their life. In addition, 64 percent said their fertility was the single most concerning issue about their treatment. These concerns are valid and understandable. In fact, the loss of fertility from cancer treatment is associated with depression, increased stress, sexual dysfunction and lower physical quality of life. To add to the burden, research shows that talking about the risk of cancer-related infertility is an important but inadequate part of the discussion at the time of diagnosis. A lack of information at the time of diagnosis and treatment planning are associated with negative mood and increased stress. Sadly, 33 percent of women report dissatisfaction with the quality and length of discussion about cancer-related effects on their reproductive health. And 73 percent of childhood cancer survivors say they received insufficient information when they were diagnosed. What options are available? The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that doctors assess all patients diagnosed with cancer for the risk of infertility. The ASCO also advises that interested patients at risk for treatment-induced infertility see a specialist to discuss their options. Cancer patients should talk openly about these things with their doctor. There are established methods of FP for adult women and adolescents who have undergone puberty. Egg and embryo cryopreservation, or freezing, are two options. For some patients, ovarian transposition and fertility-sparing surgeries may be available. For pre-pubertal children, investigational methods such as ovarian tissue freezing may be an option. For men, sperm preservation is a well-established method for FP and can be done through their local sperm bank or fertility specialist. FP decision-making Learning you have cancer is stressful and overwhelming. This is why making decisions about FP at the same time is challenging. Counseling about FP options is incredibly beneficial, even if women choose not to proceed with preservation before their cancer treatment. Studies show that counseling results in feelings of hope and profound relief while giving many patients a reason to live. Furthermore, those who proceed with FP treatment often feel it helps them cope and stay positive. READ MORE: Tips on supporting a loved one through cancer. There is still a lot to learn about FP and family building after cancer. Ongoing research is offering more information about the effects of cancer treatment and methods of FP. In addition, the cost of some treatments has historically been a barrier for many patients. However, Maryland recently became the third state to enact a fertility preservation law. Many factors affect the chance of becoming pregnant after fertility-sparing surgery or egg/embryo freezing. If you’re a cancer patient facing these decisions, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the FP options that are best for you. Authors Monica B. Jones, MD, MS, FACOG, FACS, is chair of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Women’s and Children’s services. Rebecca J. Chason, MD, specializes in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published June 18, 2018. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThank you. It’s a simple, yet powerful, phrase. One you probably taught to your children as soon as they could talk. And sometimes you probably have to remind them to use it when they get a gift or a compliment. But when you remind them to say thank you, you aren’t just teaching them to be nice. You’re teaching them how to be happy. Positive. Resilient. Did you know that more and more research is shining a light on a connection between gratitude and greater happiness? Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions. It helps to alleviate depression, improve health, build strong relationships and better manage adversity. Feeling grateful for even the smallest things in life can help you be more patient, too. That’s according to research from Northeastern University. Grateful teens are also building emotional resilience because it helps them look on the bright side. This is especially important for teens, who often see things in black and white. Looking for some guidance on how you can raise a grateful and generous teen? Here’s our advice. Walk your talk. It starts with you. Talk about what you are grateful for so your child has a good example to follow. Bonus – the more you do it, the more you’ll find reasons to give thanks. Start a gratitude conversation. Dinner is already the perfect time to catch up with your teen – why not ask them what they are grateful for? Feel free to come up with your own examples, as we mentioned earlier! Or consider making a gratitude jar. Support your teen during the hard times. Life can be challenging. If something difficult happens, acknowledge it. But then, bring them back to the present when they’re ready. Talk to them about what they can learn from the experience. How can they grow from it? Give them time and space – but also encourage them to view it as a learning experience. Encourage your teen to volunteer. Nothing beats real-world experience. When your child helps people in need, they will appreciate what they have even more. Adolescents are naturally entitled. That’s simply the way their brain works. But you can help them focus and build their gratitude muscle and emotional strength. Think of your teen’s emotions as a rubber band that you can stretch. Like a rubber band, they will return to their original shape. Even when pushed to their limit. Keeping that “gratitude muscle” in shape will help them bounce back and carry on. Want to start a gratitude conversation? Spread the positive vibes with our how-to guide on creating a gratitude jar. Authors Ruth Milsten, LCSWC, is a mental health specialist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists. To schedule an appointment with her, call 410-573-9000. Waseem Hussain, MD, is a primary care doctor with Doctors Community Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 19, 2018. Last updated Aug. 13, 2025.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOur bodies are made up of approximately 70 percent water. Water is the most abundant natural resource on earth. Yet, most of us do not drink enough of it, and our bodies suffer in many preventable ways. We become dehydrated when the amount of fluid we lose is greater than the fluid we take in. We routinely lose fluids in our sweat, exhaled air, urine and bowel movements. In a normal day, we have to drink a significant amount of water to replace this routine loss. If we are sick, we may also lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea. Warning signs of dehydration include: Thirst. It’s the first signal that you’re already dehydrated. Dehydration can also mask itself as hunger, particularly sugar cravings. Brain fog. You may have fatigue, lightheadedness, muscle cramping, headaches, dry mouth, darker urine and a feeling of confusion that some people call “brain fog.” Bad breath. When you’re dehydrated, you may not have as much saliva in your mouth. This allows bacteria to thrive, resulting in bad breath. Saliva has antibacterial properties. Stiff joints. Joints can be stiffer without the lubrication that water provides. Poor digestion. Water is vital for healthy digestion. It helps move food through the digestive tract and waste pass more smoothly. Along with fiber, water is important to eliminate waste from the colon and urine from the bladder. If you are not properly hydrated, you are also more likely to get a urinary infection. Dehydration may affect your ability to drive safely. Some research shows that driving errors doubled during a two-hour drive when drivers were dehydrated, similar to driving while intoxicated. With severe dehydration, heart palpitations, confusion and weakness can occur as the brain and other organs receive less blood. This can result in coma, and even death, if left untreated. Infants and elderly people are more likely to become dehydrated. It’s unusual for a baby to have a dry diaper for more than three hours. Over time, dehydration can make your skin lose elasticity and wrinkles appear deeper. You are more likely to get kidney stones. And you may not be able to regulate your body temperature, making you more prone to heat stroke. To avoid dehydration: A good rule is to drink water in between meals. Drink fewer caffeinated drinks. Caffeine may act as a diuretic causing you to lose fluids. If you’re feeling excessively tired in the middle of the day, try drinking water first. Avoid alcohol, including beer, especially when it is hot. Alcohol increases water loss and impairs your ability to notice early signs of dehydration. Replace calorie-filled beverages with water (provided you are eating three healthy meals a day). Bring extra water to all outdoor events where you might sweat more. Use warm water instead of hot water in the shower. Hot water can dry out your skin. The water you drink does not have to be bottled. The tap water in your home, whether from a well or public water system, may be perfectly fine to drink. To find out about your home drinking water quality, you can contact the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or the Maryland State Water Quality Laboratory at 800-300-TEST. The exact amount of water you need depends on your size, level of activity, general health and the weather. If you have a condition like congestive heart failure or late kidney disease, you may be on a fluid-restricted diet and need to consult your healthcare provider for those limitations. Author Marla Spring, FNP-BC, MSN CDE, is a medical provider at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists. To reach her office, call 443-481-4600 Originally published July 31, 2017. Last updated Sept 2, 2025.0
- Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic. That means a clot within a blood vessel blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Most ischemic strokes are caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Some chronic health conditions, if not managed well, can speed up atherosclerosis. Keeping on top of these conditions can help reduce risk for ischemic stroke and other arterial diseases, says Mark Peeler, MD, a vascular surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Coronary heart disease, triggered by hardening of the arteries, more than doubles your risk of stroke. “When artery disease blocks blood flow to the heart muscle, there’s likely artery disease elsewhere in the body. It’s the artery disease that increases stroke risk, not the heart attack itself,” explains Dr. Peeler. “So we offer free ultrasound screenings for artery disease and then take proper steps, whether that means medical intervention or helping people start to make lifestyle changes.” The screenings are offered through a program called Dare to C.A.R.E. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly one in three adults in the U.S. When uncontrolled, it increases your risk for having a stroke by four to six times. But with medication and lifestyle changes, hypertension is highly controllable. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by your liver and found in many foods. Although certain amounts of cholesterol are normal, high levels of some lipids in the blood can contribute to plaque in arteries and lead to a stroke. Depending on your levels, your primary care doctor may prescribe a medication such as a statin while guiding you toward healthy lifestyle changes. Statins are a class of drug that reduce fat levels in the blood (for example, Lipitor). Obesity is a major health problem in America. The severity of obesity is measured by the body mass index, a calculation relating your weight to height. As your BMI increases, so does your risk for rising blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides and blood sugar. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can reduce these stroke risk factors. Diabetes, when not properly managed, causes sugar to build up in the blood, which increases your risk for stroke. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight — conditions that further increase your risk for stroke. The Best Way to Reduce Stroke Risk Whether or not you have a chronic condition, Dr. Peeler stresses that not smoking is the single best way to reduce your risk of artery disease. “Cigarette smoking causes more deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke than from lung cancer,” he says. A simple screening using ultrasound can find a blockage in your arteries. If you are 60 or older, or in your 50s and at risk for vascular disease, you may be eligible for a free screening. Call 410-573-9483 to learn more. Author Mark Peeler, MD, is a vascular surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 28, 2016. Last updated Aug 25, 2025.0
- Cancer Care, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast year, I wrote about the popularity of the Juul device among middle school students, high school students and young adults. Juuls, which look like USB flash drives, are a type of e-cigarette used to inhale flavored “pods” that contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. While nicotine itself does not cause cancer, it is highly addictive and harmful to the developing brain. This puts young people, whose brains continue to develop into their mid 20s, at higher risk of developing mood disorders, issues with memory and learning and poor impulse control. They are also more likely to develop an addiction to other substances later in life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, many of these devices are also used for substances like marijuana. Over the past year, awareness of the risks associated with juuling has grown, and public health officials have cracked down on e-cigarette manufacturers’ sales to youth. Here are some of the major developments. Take our pledge to love your lungs, and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! Nicotine Use on the Rise The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 27 percent of high school teens used tobacco products in 2018, an increase of 38 percent over the past year. More specifically, e-cigarette use, also known as vaping, increased 78 percent among high school students, from almost 12 percent in 2017 to 21 percent in 2018. The use of other tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars did not really change. Therefore, we can reasonably attribute the increased nicotine use to e-cigarettes. READ MORE: Does your child Juul? Combatting Nicotine Use Thankfully, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), called teen vaping an epidemic and announced increasing restrictions for the industry. These measures include targeting retailers of Juuls through multiple undercover sting operations, taking action on flavored products that are appealing to youth, closing online sales to minors and curbing marketing of tobacco products to youth. The FDA also expanded its tobacco prevention campaign, “The Real Cost,” to educate teens on the dangers of e-cigarettes. Last September, the FDA conducted an unannounced inspection of Juul Labs’ headquarters in San Francisco, seizing over 1,000 pages of documents and ordering Juul to develop a youth prevention plan. In response, Juul improved its age verification system for purchases made on its website. Shoppers must now either provide the last four digits of their Social Security number or upload a valid government-issued ID for review. Juul also says it has increased its secret shopper program to verify that retailers are following the standards, while issuing fines for those that do not. Tobacco 21 Most recently, the Maryland General Assembly approved Tobacco 21, a bill that raises the age for purchasing tobacco products as well as e-cigarettes from 18 to 21. That law went into effect Oct. 1. Final Thoughts Learning more about the different types of e-cigarette products, including Juul, is an important first step in addressing youth vaping. It is also important to recognize the signs of e-cigarette use. The flavorings in the Juul and other tobacco products contain chemicals that may be safe to eat, but are not safe to inhale into the lungs. These chemicals can be irritating to the lungs and can cause coughing, wheezing and an increase in asthma symptoms. The secondhand vapor, much like secondhand smoke, contains chemicals and is not harmless water vapor. While I applaud the efforts of local and federal government to curb the use of e-cigarettes by our youth, parents and other influential adults must continue to talk to their children about the dangers of juuling. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD, is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of Thoracic Oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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