- Behavioral Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou’ve probably heard about the nationwide debate on the safety of food dyes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed phasing out artificial food dyes by 2027. It has left parents with many questions. The hard truth? If you’ve noticed your child building up nervous energy or getting cranky after a bright red candy or neon-yellow sports drink, it’s likely a reaction to the dyes. In fact, studies have shown kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more sensitive to food dye compared to other children. But here’s the good news: Increasing awareness of how your kids respond to dyes, along with ideas for limiting exposure to them, can go a long way toward keeping your family healthy. What are food dyes? Food dyes are chemicals added to foods and drinks to enhance their color. You’ll often find them in candy, cereal, sodas, sports drinks, fruit snacks and even healthier foods like yogurt. In the United States, the most common food dyes include: Red 3 Red 40 Yellow 5 Yellow 6 Green 3 Blue 1 Blue 2 These dyes are usually made in a lab using synthetic materials such as petroleum. They don’t provide the body with any nutrients; they are there solely to make foods and beverages more visually appealing. How do food dyes affect behavior? Food dyes can affect a person at every age and stage of life, but they seem to affect growing children most significantly. According to researchers, there’s a strong connection between food dyes and behavior problems like hyperactivity. This means your children may have trouble sitting still, focusing on tasks or staying calm after eating foods with dye. It’s important to remember though, that all children are unique and react in different ways. Some feel fine after; others are more sensitive; and some have an actual allergy to dyes. For this reason, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your child’s behavior after eating or drinking foods with dyes. How do dyes affect the body? The link between food dyes and health is still being explored. But scientists suspect that food dyes affect several physiological functions, including brain function, hormone levels and the immune response. Children who are sensitive to food dyes may experience bothersome symptoms like: Anxiety Headache Hyperactivity Irritability Itchy rash Trouble focusing Some recent research also suggests that certain dyes can disrupt the balance in your child’s gut and cause inflammation, which is the body’s way of reacting to something it dislikes. Over time, this can make it harder to maintain good health. Children who are allergic to food dyes will experience more severe—and sometimes life-threatening—symptoms like: Breathing trouble Dizziness or fainting Feelings of impending doom Hives Low blood pressure Sudden and debilitating headache Swelling in the face, lips, tongue or throat Tightness in the chest If your child has mild reactions to food dyes, it’s important to talk with a doctor right away. A skilled care team can help you pinpoint the cause of your child’s symptoms and create a plan to help manage them. Your doctor may also connect you to an allergist for specialty care if needed. More severe and concerning reactions may point to a dye allergy. Seek emergency care right away or call 911 if your child has severe swelling, trouble breathing, faints or has chest pain. What can we do about it? Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your family. Start by: Increasing your awareness about food dyes and how your child responds. Planning meals and snacks around dye-free foods, such as fruits, veggies, eggs, oatmeal and other unprocessed foods. Reading labels on packaged foods and drinks to eliminate ingredients like Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1. Talking to your child’s school about offering snacks that don’t have artificial dyes. Trying dye-free brands of their favorite foods. Many companies are using natural colors like beet juice, turmeric or carrots. We’re in this together Food should help us feel good, both inside and out. If your child experiences symptoms after eating or drinking, and you suspect dyes may be the culprit, our team is here to help. Our dietitians can help you identify which foods work best for your family and support you in making informed, nourishing choices. If you’re concerned that food dyes may be affecting mental health or behavior, our behavioral health specialists can help you understand, manage and prevent related challenges. Authors Colleen Kiley, MS, RD, is a lead diabetes educator for Luminis Health Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists. To make an appointment, please call 443-481-6700.
- Behavioral Health, Lung CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe back-to-school seasons brings excitement—from new teachers to new backpacks. But amid the preparation, it’s also a key moment to have honest conversations with your teen about the risks of vaping and using marijuana. First, a reality check: In Maryland, 14% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 30 days, according to the latest health data. While teen experimentation can be common, it doesn’t make it safe. That’s why it’s important to talk to your kids early and often. Sharing facts, not fear, can help them make informed, healthy choices. Marijuana’s impact on teenagers Marijuana is legal in Maryland, so it’s safe, right? Not for teens. Their brains are still developing and regular marijuana use can interfere with that growth in serious ways. Potential effects on children and adolescents include: Difficultly solving problems Impaired memory Poor physical coordination Slower reaction time Trouble focusing Increased irritability Increased risk of psychosis Interference with prescribed medication Still not convinced? Research shows that teens who start using pot before the age of 18 are seven times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder later in life—a condition where a person struggles to stop using marijuana, even when it negatively affects their health, school, or relationships. Vaping is more smoke and mirrors Vaping has become increasingly popular among young people. It’s often cheaper than cigarettes, comes in appealing flavors, and is heavily promoted on social media—which can make it especially attractive to teens. Many people assume that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking tobacco. But the reality is more complicated: Nicotine is still addictive. Most vapes contain nicotine—a highly addictive substance that can harm brain development in teens and increase the risk of future substance use. Harmful chemicals are still present. Vaping aerosols contain toxic substances like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein—chemicals linked to lung damage and cancer risk. Lung injury is real. Vaping has been linked to serious lung illnesses, including EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), which has led to hospitalizations and even deaths. Unknown long-term effects. Because vaping is relatively new, the full long-term health impacts are still unknown, but early research shows cause for concern. Tips for talking to teens about vaping and marijuana Having these conversations with your teen can feel uncomfortable at first. Here are some tips to get you started: Start early, talk often. Short, regular check-ins feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation. Lead with curiosity, not accusations. Ask open-ended questions: “What have you heard about vaping?” “How do kids get e-cigarettes?” Use facts, not fear. Share concrete data (e.g., nicotine addiction, lung injury, impaired brain development) instead of scare tactics. Connect to their goals. Explain how vaping or cannabis can hurt sports performance, concentration for classes, or driving safety. Model healthy coping skills. Discuss stressbusters such as exercise, music and journaling so nicotine or THC isn’t the default escape. Practice exit lines. Roleplay ways to say “no thanks” when offered a vape or joint (e.g., “I’ve got practice tomorrow,” “I’m good—don’t want the hassle”). Keep communication twoway. Listen without interrupting; validate feelings even if you disagree. Teens are more receptive when they feel heard. Set clear expectations and consequences. Explain family rules (e.g., no vaping, alcohol, or marijuana before 21) and what happens if they’re broken. Stay alert to peer influence and online marketing. Ask about social media trends or friends who vape; discuss how ads target teens. Revisit the topic. Trends, products, and pressures change quickly; schedule regular “checkins” rather than oneanddone talks. How Luminis Health can help Parenting can be tough, but you’re not alone. Luminis Health mental health providers, with expertise in adolescent care, have already laid the ground work. Through funding from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, behavioral health education and support services have been successfully delivered in six high schools in Prince George’s County. The program—developed in close partnership with local schools—has demonstrated meaningful impact in supporting student well-being. Due to its success, the state has renewed funding for the upcoming school year following a highly competitive grant process. This continued investment underscores the importance of school-based behavioral health initiatives and the strength of collaborative community partnerships. If you or your children need additional support, the Behavioral Health Urgent Care walk-in clinic at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham offers treatment for non-life- threatening mental health needs for ages four and up. No appointment is necessary. Thanks to the state grant, we will expand our hours later this fall to include weeknights and Saturdays. Authors Dr. Jesselina Curry is the system medical director for ambulatory behavioral health services at Luminis Health. Supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, the views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the Commission or Consortium.
- Behavioral Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKids have busy lives…and so do you! If you and your children feel overwhelmed by summer activities like sports, camps, chores and more, it might be time for a mental health day. I like to call them ‘Family Skip Days.’ According to the most recent Prince George’s County Community Health Assessment, almost a third of middle and high school students felt sad or hopeless enough that it impeded their normal activities. That’s why mental health days are just as important for kids as for grown-ups. While it might feel challenging to fit one of these days into our busy schedules, it’s important to prioritize mental health and wellbeing to help the whole family recharge. What are the signs? While everyone feels down at times, you might consider a mental health day if your child is feeling persistent sadness or showing frustration that does not match the situation. Remember, summer should be fun. You can look out for these signs too: Changes in sleep or appetite Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks Increased irritability or anxiety Negative comments on social media Noticeable stress of feelings of being overwhelmed Physical complaints (like stomachaches) without a clear cause Withdrawal from social activities Threatens to harm or kill oneself Many of these signs may be more obvious in teens, but harder to spot in younger children. Watch for signs like frequent, unexplained temper tantrums, persistent nightmares, or ongoing disobedience and aggression. Whatever the signs, children of all ages can benefit from mental health days. Tips for a successful mental health day with your child Mental health days should be fun and relaxing, not stressful. Here’s how I make these days easy to schedule and fun for my own family: Schedule wisely: Pick a day when your family has the fewest obligations to reduce the stress of rescheduling other events. Start the day strong: Sleep in and help your children pick out or make their favorite breakfast in their pajamas. Pick enjoyable activities: It will feel more special if your kids can help decide the activity. Consider giving them options that are local and budget-friendly to make the day easy on your wallet. Connect with your kids: Ask your child if there’s anything on their mind or if something is bothering them. You can talk while you’re cooking, playing or walking to a park. Rotate the time: If you have multiple children, rotate activities so that each child has some one on one time with you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If your child expresses feelings of anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, you may consider reaching out to a behavioral health professional. It’s okay that your kids are not okay. If you think that your child could benefit from meeting with a behavioral health professional, you can book an appointment online without a referral at Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth. For urgent matters, visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham. At the urgent care, walk-in appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Lastly, the most important thing is to get out of the house and enjoy your time together. Put away the phones and turn off the TV and game consoles. A mental health day is not about checking out, it’s about checking in with your child and being present without any distractions. Authors Dr. Jesselina Curry is the System Medical Director for Ambulatory Behavioral Health Services at Luminis Health.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBetween what they see on TV, online and in video games, your kids can be bombarded with violent images. If you don’t address it, kids can become numb to real violence over time. Violent video games can especially lead to aggressive behavior and cause children to be less sensitive to other people’s pain and suffering. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that just 20 minutes of playing a violent video game can cause people to be less affected by real violence. Children younger than 8 are even more prone to desensitization, since the line between reality and fiction is still blurry in their developing brains. As a parent, you should set clear limits for video game content and the amount of time spent playing. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips to steer your kids toward age-appropriate video games: Get to know a video game’s content before giving the OK to play. Keep gaming in a common family area for easy supervision. Limit video game time to an hour a day, and encourage other activities like exercise, playing outside and reading. Turn gaming time into family time by choosing group sports or music activity video games that bring everyone together. It’s also helpful to learn and follow the Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) video game ratings. You can find them on game packaging or onscreen before downloading a game. Rating Categories Early Childhood: Content is intended for young children. Everyone: Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. Everyone 10+: Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. Teen: Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language. Mature: Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Adults Only: Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real currency. Learn how to talk to your kids about violence in the news and protect them from cyberbullying.
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThis may be the year you make changes in your life. Losing weight and keeping it off isn’t easy, no matter how hard you try. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, chances are you’ve tried changing your diet and exercise routines many times without seeing lasting results. In fact, if you have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 35, the chances of reaching a normal body weight for a lasting period of time is less than one percent, according to research by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Weight loss surgery could be the answer. If you’ve been wondering if you might be a candidate, we’re here to help you sort through some important considerations. You can start by finding answers to these questions: Do you meet the medical guidelines? Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, isn’t the right choice for everyone trying to lose weight. In fact, the National Institutes of Health has developed guidelines to help you decide. It’s worth looking into if: You have a BMI of 40 or more (you can calculate your BMI here). You have a BMI of at least 35 and a related health problem such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. You have a BMI of at least 35, and type 2 diabetes that’s difficult to control. Do you know the benefits and risks? Surgical weight loss changes how your digestive system works, reducing the amount of food your stomach can hold and calories your body can absorb. It also affects how some hormones work, which assists in weight loss. You should work with a multi-disciplinary team to choose the type of surgery that fits your needs, such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or a new option called SADI-S (single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve), which combines the restrictive power of a sleeve gastrectomy with the malabsorptive power of the gastric bypass. The results can be life changing. Weight loss surgery helps people lose as much as 77% of their excess weight 12 months later. It also helps people live longer healthier lives and can prevent or improve more than 40 obesity-related health issues, including: Heart disease High blood pressure Joint pain Sleep problems Type 2 diabetes Obesity related cancers What’s more, many people who’ve had weight loss surgery say they feel more energized, can move around more easily, and enjoy a better quality of life. For most people, these benefits far exceed the risks. But before signing up, you should talk to a surgeon to make sure you fully understand your risks. Are you ready to commit to a long-term change? It’s important to remember that the life-long benefits of surgery come along with a long-term commitment. You will need to meet program requirements, including nutrition classes, to be approved for your procedure. A bariatric optimization program, which includes physical therapy and nutritional guidance, can help. After your surgery, you will have to follow specific plans to best utilize the changes in your body and optimize for success. You’ll also need to carefully stick to a nutrition plan and attend follow-up appointments to keep your progress on track. Have you researched the specifics? Some insurance plans cover the costs of weight loss surgery, including Medicare and some Medicaid programs. As part of this coverage, be prepared with certain records to show why you need the procedure. Your medical team will help you understand your options for paying for your surgery and tell you about other information you need to know ahead of time. Some healthcare systems offer educational sessions, such as the free weight loss seminar hosted by Luminis Health, to help you get the process started and understand these details before you move forward. Luminis Health is hosting virtual seminars throughout January and February. Have you considered all you have to gain? If you’re interested in weight loss surgery, it’s worth taking the next step. Remember, it’s not about what you have to lose, it’s what you could gain with a strong team by your side: better health, a more active lifestyle and greater self-confidence. If you’re ready to take the next step, please call (443) 481-6699 or click here to sign up for a free webinar. Authors Dr. Alejandro Gandsas, Dr. Courtney Doyle, and Dr. Jilian Nicholas are bariatric surgeons at Luminis Health.
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