- General Page Tier 3BlogAs technology advances, we continue to search for ways to make life just a little easier. Over the past century, food has been at the center of this mission. While we have gained time and energy as a result of processed foods, we have also gained many health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The word “processed” often causes some confusion. Most foods we eat are processed in some way. Apples are cut from trees, ground beef has been ground in a machine and butter is cream separated from milk and churned. However, there is a difference between mechanical processing and chemical processing. If the food contains a single ingredient, with no added chemicals, it is still real food. On the other hand, food that have been chemically processed and made solely from refined ingredients and artificial substances are processed foods. Processed foods are addictive and designed to make you overeat. Studies show that the “reward system” in our brain can sometimes allow us to consume more of our favorite foods than our bodies need. Sugar, salt and fat are the ingredients that make these products highly rewarding, tempting us to go back for more. Below are the four food groups to avoid as much as possible: Deli meat, bacon, hot dogs and sausages. Processed meats have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Sodas and sweetened beverages. Sugary drinks contain more added sugar than you should consume in a day. Sodas are linked to an increased risk of heart, kidney and liver disease, stroke, diabetes, pancreatic cancer and osteoporosis. Quick meals. Jarred, canned, frozen and microwavable meals often contain too much sugar, sodium and preservatives. They also typically contain too little vegetables and too many refined carbohydrates. Commercially baked goods. Besides sugar and saturated fat content, packaged cookies, cakes and desserts often contain trans fats. So, let’s consider the benefits of shopping at farmers markets to minimize reliance on the grocery store and processed foods. You can taste real flavors. Fruits and vegetables ripen fully in the field and then brought directly to you. No long-distance shipping. No sitting for weeks in storage. No preservatives. They are simply fresh from the farm. You can enjoy seasonal food. Farmers markets allow for variety and perhaps a chance to try new fruits or vegetables including some “ugly produce” that may not look as nice as the produce we are accustomed to, but taste just as good. You can also find produce often not available in the grocery store, such as red carrots, a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower and much more. You can learn cooking tips, recipes and meal ideas. Farmers are often passionate cooks with plenty of free advice about how to cook the foods they are selling. READ MORE: 6 reasons to shop at a farmers market Enrich your healthy food options and explore local farmers markets by visiting www.aaedc.org. The AAMC Farmers Market is open Fridays from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm through Oct. 25. It is held in the Hospital Pavilion South (ground level) located at 2001 Medical Parkway. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThink you can only get lung cancer if you smoke? Unfortunately, that’s just not true. People who have gone their whole lives without smoking can still get lung cancer. And while quitting smoking is one of the best ways to improve your health and decrease your risk of lung cancer, you’re still at increased risk for decades after you smoke your last cigarette. Even if you have never smoked, other factors can increase your risk. The primary way you put your lungs at risk is simply by breathing the air around you. Everyone’s lungs are open to the environment, meaning they are affected by what you breathe in. This includes vapors, chemicals and pollutants that may be present in the air. The most common harmful substances are radon, asbestos, arsenic and chromium. You’ve probably heard of the dangers of second-hand smoke. Being around others who smoke can harm your lungs when you breathe in the vapors. If you live with someone who smokes, encourage them to smoke outside to limit your exposure to the fumes. If a family member such as a parent, sibling or child has had lung cancer, your risk may be higher due to similar smoking exposures or other environmental factors. Take our pledge to love your lungs, and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! Smoker or nonsmoker, completely avoiding any risk for lung cancer is nearly impossible. Fortunately, we can find lung cancer early with a screening. Similar to a mammography for breast cancer or a colonoscopy for colon cancer, a lung screening can help find early lung cancer before symptoms even develop. A yearly computerized tomography (CT) scan of your chest can detect lung cancer when it’s most curable. Who should get screened? We recommend a lung cancer screening for anyone between the ages of 55 and 80 who has smoked at least 30 pack years. To determine pack years, multiply the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoking. This includes people who currently smoke or quit smoking within the last 15 years. How often should someone get screened? Those at high risk for lung cancer should get screened once a year until they turn 80 years old or until it’s been 15 years since they quit smoking. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD is the medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published June 8, 2016. Last updated Aug. 1, 2019.0
- Behavioral Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere is a sense of comfort that comes with the feeling of certainty. As humans, we like to be in control and know what is happening at all times and when it’s happening. And when things feel uncertain or we don’t feel safe or in control, we feel stressed or anxious. This reaction is designed to protect us – like with a fight-or-flight response. But, it can cause mental havoc and ignite conflicting information around us that aggravate anxious feelings. With the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), it’s natural for many of us to feel stressed or anxious. But it’s also important to remember that, although you might not be in control of everything happening around you, you can always choose how you decide to respond. Focus on what you can do. Identify what is in your control and what is not. There are many things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus your energy on those. Wash your hands often, and remind others to wash theirs. Practice social distancing and limit your news consumption, as this can increase stress and reduce your overall wellbeing. Keep a healthy routine. Your immune system weakens when you’re stressed, making you more susceptible to illness. It’s important that you continue to look after yourself. Follow a consistent sleep schedule, consume a balanced diet, exercise, wash your clothes after coming back from outside and take warm showers to help you relax. Stay connected. Isolation doesn’t need to equal loneliness. Although it can be challenging to keep the dialogue going with your child when the day has been long for both of you, try these easy-to-remember conversation starters to help and plan for fun things you can do together. Set up virtual gatherings with friends and family or watch a movie through a Netflix Party. You can also find different ways you can get involved in your community, such as by showing your appreciation for health workers or helping your local hospital. Practice what feels right to you. Do what works for you, not others. Everyone has a different coping mechanism, so it’s important that you don’t compare yourself. It’s okay if you want to read a book all day or do a home workout because it gives you a sense of safety. Enjoy the fresh air. Being locked inside all day can make you feel trapped. Try opening a window, standing outside your balcony or going for a walk around your neighborhood to get some exercise and vitamin D. Be in the present. With so much uncertainty around us, it’s easy for you to worry about what is happening and start projecting into the future. Be mindful of when you catch yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet to slowly bring yourself back into the present moment. Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences around you at that moment and start naming them. Mindfulness can help you stay grounded when things feel beyond your control. Help is always available. If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. We are in this together. Author Daniel Watkins is the director of substance use services at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. You can reach him at 443-481-5434.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogKnowing what foods are good for you and which foods aren’t good for you can be a challenge. Studies seem to contradict each other, and misinformation is everywhere. To add fuel to the fire, some food companies work hard to disguise their food as a healthy choice, whether it is or not. When it comes to food, don’t be fooled by false health claims. From counseling people on health and nutrition, we’ve found that there are six foods in particular that have managed to gain a reputation as “health” foods, when in fact they often aren’t. Be wary of these six foods that often don’t include the health benefits they claim. Smoothies Drinking fruit that’s been blended into a sweet, liquefied concoction may sound more refreshing than chomping on a whole piece of fruit. The reason why most fruit smoothies are so delicious is because they may contain added sugars in the form of fruit, juice, frozen yogurt, agave, honey or dates. Some recipes add nut butters, seeds and coconut, which pack in a lot of calories for a drink. Make your own healthier smoothie with one serving of fruit (try freezing it for extra creaminess), unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk, greens, and vanilla extract or cinnamon for natural sweetness. Nutrition or protein bars Most protein bars lining the grocery aisles are glorified candy bars injected with whey or soy protein. Some are upwards of 350 calories with of a lot of fat and sugar, consumed in about three bites. If you’re looking for a high-protein snack, try a glass of low-fat milk or a handful of nuts and dried fruits. Granola Granola has somehow managed to make its mark in the health food industry. But this crunchy cereal is almost always loaded with calories and sugar. One cup of granola can contain a whopping 600 calories. Check the label before you buy and try adding fresh fruit to your granola. The added fiber will fill you up faster. Wraps Wraps look thinner than bread or bagels, but they can actually equate to eating four small slices of bread. Whole wheat or not, ordering your sandwich as a wrap isn’t your best choice, especially for people watching their weight or blood sugars. Spinach wraps are no better. Less than two percent of these wraps are made up of spinach. Gluten-free products Gluten-free diets are meant for people with celiac disease or who have sensitivity to gluten. Most gluten-free foods are higher in calories, lower in nutrients and heavily processed. Veggie and fruit “chips” Banana chips may look like a smart choice, but their calorie count, fat and sugar content is nothing to brag about. And there’s not a lot of veggie in “veggie chips.” There’s no need to swear off any of these foods for good. Lots of foods can fit into a healthy eating plan when you enjoy them in moderation. Just be sure to read labels so you know what you’re eating and aren’t fooled by advertising claims. And remember, the healthiest foods don’t come in packages. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published Sept. 6, 2016. Last updated Feb. 14, 2020.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere’s an easy fix for the muscle aches, high fevers, sore throats, stuffy noses and headaches the flu causes: it’s the flu shot. While the shot has been around for many years, some people still don’t take advantage of it and suffer nasty flu symptoms. Now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s especially important to make sure you get your flu shot because underlying conditions can increase your risk for infection. Vaccines are an effective way to protect you from other serious diseases, including the flu. READ MORE: Don’t neglect your immunizations during the pandemic There’s no question the flu shot is the best defense against the flu, but there’s a lot of confusing information out there. Here are five common myths about the flu vaccine explained. Looking for a primary care doctor? Our services focus on prevention and screening as well as treating illness. Find a primary care doctor today. Myth #1: The flu shot gives you the flu. You can’t get the flu from the flu shot. But it takes about two weeks for the shot to start working in your body, so you may still catch the flu after you have the shot. While most people feel fine after the shot, some may develop a mild fever or feel tired for a day or two. After you receive the shot, your body works to protect you against the virus, which can make you feel tired. Myth #2: The flu shot doesn’t work. Is it still possible to get the flu after you get the flu shot? Yes. Is it much less likely to happen? Yes. The flu shot is not 100 percent effective, but it does greatly lower your risk of getting the flu. There are many different types of the flu virus. The shot doesn’t protect you against all of them. Each year, the World Health Organization identifies three or four types to include in the flu shot. These are the types most likely to be spread for that year’s flu season. Myth #3: You don’t need the flu shot if you had it last year. Because the flu virus changes, your body needs the vaccine each year to protect you against each year’s most common flu type. Myth #4: If you’re a healthy, young adult, you don’t need the flu shot. The flu is most life-threatening for people age 50 and older, pregnant women, children under age 5 and people with a chronic medical condition. However, healthy adults can still become very sick, hospitalized or even die. Each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu. Myth #5: If you wash your hands, eat healthy and get lots of sleep, you can prevent the flu. These are all important and improve your overall health, but they can’t stop the flu. Germs in the air cause the flu, which means when a sick person coughs or sneezes, those germs in the air can make you sick. Each year, five to 20 percent of people in the U.S. get the flu. If you want to increase your chance of staying healthy this winter, the flu shot is an easy step to take. Minor discomfort from the shot is much better than a serious illness and the effects that can follow. Getting vaccinated will not only help keep you healthy, but prevent you from getting others sick as well. Author By Lauren Parmer, DO, a primary care physician at AAMG Pasadena Primary Care. She can be reached at 443-270-8600. Originally published Dec. 16, 2015. Last updated Sept. 25, 2020.0
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?