- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAfter a year of lockdown, quarantine and social distancing, you’ve never been more ready to take advantage of the long summer days. We get it. But before you grab your grilling apron, beach towel or hiking boots, it’s important to know that with many outdoor activities and beloved holiday traditions comes a spike in accidents and injuries. In fact, every year emergency departments across the country prepare for an annual surge in visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 130 million emergency room visits in 2018, with a third of them happening during the summer months. Learn more about what calls for a Band-Aid and a Popsicle — but also when emergency medical care is needed. Bites The more time you spend outside, the more susceptible you are to bites from beasts and bugs of all shapes and sizes. Dog bites A dog bite may need stitches if it’s deep. Consider seeking medical advice if it begins to show these signs of infection, even after washing it regularly: Redness Swelling Warmth Whitish-yellow discharge Insect bites For some people, insect bites and stings can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. Watch for symptoms, such as: Difficulty breathing Dizziness Swelling of the face Nausea Hives Diarrhea, stomach cramps Broken bones and sprains Whether you’re on the bike trail, trampoline or ballfield, there are endless ways to take a fall that results in a nasty twist or break. Get to your local emergency department if you: Are unable to move fingers with an arm injury or toes with a leg injury Experience heavy bleeding Have bone pushing through your skin or a visually out-of-place or misshapen limb Burns Grills, fire pits, campfires and, no surprise, fireworks are all hot spots for summertime burns. Any activity that involves fire or extreme heat in any form requires vigilance, distance and extreme caution.Serious burns, burns to your eyes, mouth and hands, or burns that cover a large area, need emergency care. A few important notes before you head there: Do not remove clothing stuck to burned skin Do not put anything on the burn Keep burned areas elevated until you get to the emergency department to reduce swelling Sunburn Some sunburns can be severe (often referred to as “sun poisoning”). Watch for these symptoms: Dehydration Chills Confusion Headache High fever Nausea Severe pain Cuts Running barefoot? Chopping a salad or summer fruits? A deep cut can happen in an instant. A wound likely needs a stitch or two if it’s: Bleeding enough to soak through bandages, even after applying direct pressure for five to 10 minutes Filled with debris like glass or gravel More than a half an inch long Ragged (rather than what looks like a clean cut) Other wounds — such as animal or human bites or wounds with a dirty, rusty or pointed object — that go deep into the skin may not need stitches but could require other treatments such as a tetanus booster shot. Falls While most falls don’t land you in the emergency department, they can leave you with more than a goose egg. Be on the lookout for head injuries that may not be visible. Go to the emergency department if you see signs, such as: Balance problems Confusion, disorientation Loss of consciousness Nausea or vomiting Seizure Food poisoning Heat can wreak havoc on picnic food favorites. If cold foods aren’t kept cold and hot foods hot, dangerous bacteria invite themselves to things like potato salad and burgers. Signs of food poisoning can show up within hours of eating contaminated foods and will likely include: Abdominal pain and cramps Fever Nausea Vomiting Watery or bloody diarrhea If you are having severe or prolonged symptoms, it’s time to go to the emergency department. When to forget about finding your keys and call an ambulance Every second counts with certain injuries or conditions. Call an ambulance if you or a loved one experience: When to forget about finding your keys and call an ambulanceEvery second counts with certain injuries or conditions. Call an ambulance if you or a loved one experience: Chest pain Difficulty breathing Slurred speech Spinal injuries, such as from diving or jumping in water Swelling of the tongue or face from an allergic reaction Stroke symptoms, such as any new numbness or tingling Having trained medical personnel come to you can make a lifesaving difference. Don’t forget to look for the closest emergency department in your community and have the address handy. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center 8118 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD 20706 Author Amber Marshall, MD is Assistant Medical Director of LHDCMC’s Adult Emergency Department Author Michael Remoll, MD is Medical Director of LHAAMC’s Adult Emergency Department0
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThanks to awareness and education campaigns, breast cancer tops the list of well-known cancers. But, unfortunately, millions of women know about breast cancer firsthand — it’s the most common cancer in women. Women diagnosed with breast cancer are typically over the age of 50. But the Centers for Disease Control shares that there isn’t just one face to breast cancer. Breast cancer can and does develop in younger women. When it does, it’s known as early-onset breast cancer. What is early-onset breast cancer? Breast cancer is categorized as early-onset when diagnosed in someone age 45 and younger. And although breast cancer isn’t as common in younger women, one in 10 women diagnosed is under age 45. Black women tend to have a higher rate of early-onset breast cancer than other younger women. A few things set early-onset breast cancer apart from other cancers: It may include worries about body image, fertility, finances and isolation It’s more aggressive and challenging to treat It’s often hereditary (runs in your family) It’s usually at a later stage when found What increases your risk for breast cancer when you’re younger? While anyone with breasts is at risk for breast cancer (yes, even men), different factors increase your risk for breast cancer when you’re younger. If you’re under 45 years old, your risk may be higher if you: Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, which puts you at a higher risk for changes in genes that fight breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) Are Black, due to genetics, the biology of the cancer, and/or differences in health care. Are transgender, due to differences in hormones and gender affirmation surgeries. Have a mammogram that reveals you have dense breasts Had other breast health problems, such as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Had radiation to your breast or chest during early childhood or as a young adult Have changes in the BRCA genes or have close relatives with changes in the BRCA genes Have relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents on both sides) who had breast or ovarian cancer before age 45 What are the symptoms of breast cancer? Breast cancer symptoms can show up differently for everyone. Or you may not have any symptoms at all. In fact, many people don’t know they have breast cancer until it shows up on a mammogram. Some breast cancer warning signs are: A new lump in the breast or the armpit area Any change in the size or shape of the breast Irritation or dimpling of breast skin Nipple discharge (including blood) other than breast milk Nipple pulling in Pain in any area of the breast Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or breast Thickening or swelling of any part of the breast While these symptoms can also be a sign of something other than cancer, it’s crucial to talk with your doctor about these symptoms. How can you reduce your risk of early-onset breast cancer? If you have any risk for early-onset breast cancer, there’s good news. You don’t have to let cancer have the upper hand. You can take action and reduce your risk. Learn about your family’s history of breast and ovarian cancer Your family’s health history is one of those risk factors that’s out of your control. Learn about your family’s history of breast, ovarian and other cancer history (including your immediate family and extended family on both your mom’s and dad’s side). It gives you and your doctor a solid starting point for better understanding your risk for early-onset breast cancer and hereditary cancer. Consider genetic counseling and testing If your family history puts you at greater risk for cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic counseling. You’ll talk with a specialist who can help you and your family decide whether genetic testing for the changes in the BRCA and other inherited genes is right for you. If you have testing and learn you have a mutation (change) in a gene known to cause cancer, you have options that will make it less likely you’ll develop cancer. Those may include having mammograms, clinical breast exams and ovarian cancer screenings at a younger age. Medications to reduce your risk and surgery to remove your breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes are also options. Focus on a healthy lifestyle Reducing your breast cancer risk is just one of the many benefits of making a healthy lifestyle a priority. Take action and take care of your health. Lower your cancer risks by choosing to: Breastfeed your babies, if possible Exercise regularly Limit or eliminate alcohol Maintain a healthy weight Take charge of your breast health at every age Don’t assume you have to be a certain age to consider your risk for breast cancer. Prevention and early detection save lives. Talk with your primary care provider, or if you need a provider, call Luminis Health at 443-481-5800 to schedule an appointment. This post was originally published on the Enquirer Gazette. Authors Dr. Regina Hampton, Medical Director of the Breast Center at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. She is a breast surgeon with more than 15 years of experience.0
- Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMotherhood is one of the most beautiful and exciting experiences in the world. It can also be downright difficult! Especially in the beginning, moms need the love and support of their partner, family and friends. Here are six ways you can help support a new mom. Drop off a meal. There is one thing all moms have to do—eat! She may not want you to do her laundry. She may not ask you to do her grocery shopping. But, she will eat your food—especially if it’s her favorite. A pre-made dinner is the best gift on those days when mom’s exhausted, has been tending to a newborn all day and can’t find the time to prepare a meal. Help her reach her “mom goals”— like breastfeeding! Many moms want to breastfeed. It becomes an important goal for her. But once the baby arrives she may run into challenges. If you know it’s important to her, encourage her not to give up and to consult help from a lactation consultant. Helping her find her strength and confidence as a mom is probably the most important and powerful way you can support her. (See below for a full list of resources.) Remind her she’s more than her new role. Many moms feel they lose their identity as they transition into motherhood. Moms give their babies a ton of love and they may not leave enough for themselves. Remind her that SHE is just as important as her new baby. Encourage her to spare some moments for herself to do something she loves, something that makes her feel like herself! Offer to tag along with her and help her find her confidence. Getting out of the house can feel like an overwhelming task with a new baby. Offer to go with her as she ventures out. Having a buddy with her as she learns to boldly nurse in public or change a diaper almost anywhere can help boost her confidence and set the right tone for her future solo trips. Just listen. A new mom may want to gush about all the adorable things her new baby is doing, or may need to vent about her difficulties as she discovers motherhood. If she needs to get some things off her chest, just listen. An open ear, a kind smile and an understanding hug will go a long way. Remind mom she’s doing a great job. Being a mom is not as easy as she may make it look. While holding it together, she might feel like it’s all about to fall apart. She may feel like her efforts are being shadowed by the challenges of breastfeeding. She may still be getting used to the responsibility of a new child. Tell her she’s doing a great job! It will mean so much to her that her efforts are noticed and that she’s somehow figuring out this motherhood thing. Being a mother is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs in the world. Sometimes it’s hard for a new mom to recognize the rewards because of the many hurdles she faces every day. All new moms have to find out what works for them and their new family but she shouldn’t feel alone in that journey. Be there to offer support, encouragement, a break or just to listen. She deserves it and everyone wins when mom is happy! Author Lindsay Bittinger is a local mom, living in southern Anne Arundel County with her husband, two daughters and one crazy puppy. Breastfeeding Resources Breastfeeding Basics Class: Learn how to prepare for breastfeeding, how to hold your baby, how often and how long to feed, how to avoid common problems and much more. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Breastfeeding Support Group: Breastfeeding mothers are welcome to this gathering on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The group is led by Kim Knight, a board-certified lactation consultant. The group is very informal and welcoming to breastfeeding mothers regardless of experience or degree of commitment. Bring your baby! Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. Back to Work and Breastfeeding Support Group: Discuss questions and concerns common to nursing moms who returned to work. Share your experiences and hear new ideas on how to continue to work and breastfeed successfully. This group meets the first Friday of every month at the Big Vanilla in Pasadena. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Originally published April 14, 2016. Last updated May 2, 2019.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen the COVID-19 virus emerged in early 2020, we never imagined we’d be living in a masked, socially distanced world almost a year later. The changes to our lives — working and schooling from home, unemployment, limited contact with family and friends — have been challenging. Today, breakthrough vaccines offer hope for a return to “normal.” But continued spikes in positive cases of COVID-19 confirm the need to stay hunkered down to reduce the spread. Although there’s no doubt quarantining reduces the risk of spreading the virus, it can be tough on our mental health. Whether you’re locked down as part of a local or state-wide effort, quarantining after being exposed to someone with the virus — or choosing on your own to avoid people, possible exposure and spreading the virus — these tips can help you care for your mental health. Stick to a routine For millions of people, quarantine has meant working and going to school from home. The need to juggle client meetings over Zoom, walk your fifth-grader through dividing fractions and ignore the pull of all-day access to “Law and Order” reruns can make maintaining a routine seem unreachable. When so much is out of our control, maintaining a routine helps you manage anxiety and feel more in control. Routine also helps reduce “decision fatigue,” and the overwhelming feeling you can get from having too many options. While your pre-pandemic routine of heading off to work or school may be a thing of the past, you can establish a new—more flexible—routine. Try to maintain regular schedules for working, schooling, relaxing, eating and sleeping. Designate specific work areas as best you can to help you focus when you need to and relax when you don’t. Take care of your body Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep can not only help you stay physically healthy, they boost your mental health, too. Although a steady diet of Netflix, chips and cookie-baking can feel like good medicine if you’re feeling down, they can leave you feeling worse long term if you don’t limit them to a special treat. Make sure to get healthy, daily doses of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood and lean proteins. Also include physical activity every day, whether it’s bundling up for a brisk walk outside or taking advantage of the thousands of exercise options available online for free. Connect with others The pandemic may be keeping us physically apart from family and friends, but technology can help you close the gap. Make a list of family, friends, co-workers you can connect with. Work your way through the list with a daily phone call, text, video chat, or even an old-school hand-written letter to someone. You’ll maintain relationships, get support and offer support, too. Take breaks from the news Access to news 24/7 when you’re isolated can be addicting. Add social media commentary, and you have a recipe for fear and anxiety. It’s important to stay informed, but you need to find the sweet spot of being up to date on what you need to know without feeling overwhelmed. Limit your time to 20 minutes, once or twice a day. Follow trusted news sources and gather advice and information from national and local health and government authorities. Practice mindfulness Mindfulness is focusing on the present moment. That means ignoring the pull to worry about “what-if’s” in the future or beat yourself up over “why-didn’t-I’s” of the past. Meditation, yoga and prayer, or even taking time to focus on a single breath, can help reduce stress and shut down unproductive thoughts. Be kind to yourself Despite your best efforts to do everything right, there will be days when it all falls apart, with Disney+ marathons, Netflix bingeing or empty junk food bags leaving you feeling like a failure. When it does, give yourself a break. Perfection isn’t realistic, especially during a pandemic. Remember, you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world are like you — trying to make the best of a tough situation. Being mad at yourself doesn’t do any good. In fact, the best way to get back on track may even be an impromptu dance party and ice cream for lunch. Ask for help when you need it By now, we all know how challenging quarantining can be. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed despite your best efforts. The Centers for Disease Control says these common signs of distress signal you may need help: Changes in sleep or eating patterns Difficulty sleeping or concentrating Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on Increased use of tobacco or alcohol and other substances Worsening of chronic health problems Worsening of mental health conditions Don’t wait to get help. Talk with your primary care doctor or reach out to AAMG Mental Health Specialists. Author Jennifer Williams, MA, LPC, LCPC, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9000.0
- Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt was a typical evening as Amanda Brady chatted with her 16-year-old and eldest of three children, Lee. As the two sat in Lee’s room talking and sharing laughs, Amanda spotted a Post-It note stuck to the wall. Small, handwritten scribbles outlined some of the goals Lee wanted to accomplish that year. One goal in particular stood out to Amanda. It read, “Come out as pansexual by the end of the school year.” “I was totally confused because I had no idea what pansexual meant,” Amanda recalls. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), pansexual describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction of people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Soon after this, Lee asked his family to refer to him by the gender-neutral pronoun “they” while also noticeably becoming more isolated and depressed. The turning point It was during senior year of high school when Lee started self-harming and was eventually hospitalized because of suicidal ideation. “The hospitalization was rock bottom for our family, but it was also a blessing in disguise,” says Amanda. In talking with a counselor at the hospital, Lee opened up about identifying as transgender. While there, Lee, who was born female, also firmly stated that he wanted to be referred to as “he” or “they” and changed his name from Liana to Lee. “My husband and I were willing to support him in whatever he wanted to do,” says Amanda. “We told him that we loved him whether they were ‘her’ or ‘him.’” Amanda, who works as a clinical director of nursing at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), was determined to support her son and help him get through this dark time. Amanda says her family sought therapy, got Lee treatment for depression and anxiety and found an endocrinologist to start him on testosterone. “It hurt my feelings when I found out,” Amanda says admittedly, “but I never said I didn’t want him to be a boy. I always said I wanted him to be happy and that I would help the best way I could.” Amanda also joined AAMC’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender, Queer, Intersex or Asexual (LGBTQIA) Business Resource Group, a group of employees who joined together based on shared characteristics or life experiences. She wanted to glean from others ways she could better support her son. “The easiest part for me was when he cut his hair and started wearing male clothes because growing up I was a tomboy,” Amanda laughs as she reflects. “The hardest part was not knowing how to help him through the emotional state. He didn’t want to open up at all because he thought we wouldn’t understand.” Acceptance, communication and support Danny Watkins grew up in a small community in Allegany County and was raised in a traditional Catholic family. He told his parents he was gay when he was 15. To his dismay, he was faced with unacceptance and was unwillingly ‘outed’ to the rest of his family members. Traumatized, Danny tried not to be gay for the next two years to cope with pressure at home. At age 17, his family found out he was dating a boy and the family discord from years before resumed. “I felt very isolated and lonely,” he recalls. “It’s as if I were a giant air balloon that couldn’t fit in any situation. I was just barely functioning and trying to get through the day. I didn’t have the support I needed at home so I relied heavily on my friends. They became my support system I needed to survive until the relationship with my family started to slowly get better over the next couple years.” Danny pursued a career in nursing, moved out at 19 and worked at an inpatient psychiatric unit. He is now the director of clinical operations at Pathways, AAMC’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. “Working in mental health has really opened my eyes to suicidality in the LGBTQ community.” Four in 10 LGBT youth say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBT people, according to the HRC which surveyed more than 10,000 LGBT-identified youth ages 13-17. An estimated 26 percent of LGBT youth say problems they face include not feeling accepted by their family, having trouble at school or with bullying, and coming out or being open. Danny advises parents with an LGBTQ child to work on acceptance first. “You should always support your child and try to approach them from a non-judgmental place,” he says. He also recommends keeping the lines of communication open and meeting your child’s friends as important steps to take. “Reassure your child that you love them and that you support them, no matter who they are inside.” Danny also advises parents to find a good support system by joining local support groups and finding a counselor in the school or community who can provide support and resources. Silver lining Amanda and her husband have fully accepted their son’s decision to come out as transgender. Amanda is also observing Lee becoming more comfortable with himself. Lee is currently a freshman in college. She says he is growing facial hair for the first time. “He has really blossomed,” she adds. Even as someone who has an LGBT child, Amanda admits she still doesn’t know all there is to know about the community but is committed to furthering her understanding so she can continue to support her son. “If you isolate your child because you don’t see eye to eye, that’s a very boring and lonely existence to live,” she says. “Love your child for who they are, that’s the bottom line.” Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists offers care for diverse mental health needs for adults and children ages six years and older. For more information, visit myAAMG.org/mental-health-specialists.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
Go to MyChart
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?