- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe use of tobacco can often lead to nicotine dependence and other resulting health problems. However, people who smoke always have the option to quit. In fact, the number of former smokers has been greater than the number of current smokers since 2002, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have made the decision to quit smoking, you should be aware of a few common misconceptions. Getting the facts about quitting smoking is important in order to make your journey to a tobacco free life a little easier! Misconception: Today is the day! I quit smoking. Actually… you should have a plan. It is easy to be impulsive, wake up one day and decide to throw away your cigarettes. But making a huge lifestyle change like quitting smoking requires a plan. You want to set yourself up for success. It is important to be prepared for the triggers – those routines and habits that you built around smoking. You will need alternative activities when you stop smoking. Preparing for potential urges or cravings to smoke is critical to staying on track. If you are more comfortable when you quit smoking, you will be more likely to stay on track. You may experience “recovery symptoms”, (also known as nicotine withdrawal). Understanding why those symptoms are occurring and learning tools and strategies to manage them can help you cope and not be thrown off when they happen. Misconception: All I need to do is take a pill or put on a patch! Actually… your plan should include other strategies in addition to medication. There are seven FDA-approved products that can help you to quit smoking. Combining smoking cessation medication with some type of supportive classes or counseling can double your chances of quitting successfully. Try not to fall into the trap of a miracle cure or the latest novel product, like e-cigarettes. These have not been fully tested as an effective tool for quitting smoking. There are many options that have been tested and proven to be effective. Misconception: I won’t tell anyone I’m quitting…just in case I don’t! Actually… it’s good to have support. Don’t keep it a secret. Support is very important to your success. Find people who will celebrate your successes and will support you through the tough times. Let people know how they can help you in your journey to quit smoking. There are several options for getting the support you need – classes, individual counseling, online, smart phone apps, text-to-quit programs and Nicotine Anonymous groups. Misconception: I’ll never be able to quit, I have tried a thousand times! Actually… you’re doing a great job and you should be more forgiving of yourself. It’s easy to think that it’s one-and-done. Unfortunately, when you quit smoking, like any other addictive substance, slips and relapses are part of the process. Learning how to manage slips and avoiding relapses is important. Learn from your experience and apply it to your next quit attempt. It’s not an event, it’s a process. Be kind to yourself and keep trying! Misconception: Quitting smoking is all about willpower! Actually… not really. You may think it’s all about willpower and if you can’t do it on your own that it’s a personal failure or weakness, but quitting tobacco is a tall order. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical. Don’t forget about all the resources, support and medications available to you. You can do this! Misconception: This plan worked for my friend, surely, it’ll work for me too! Actually… plans are very individualized. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for you. Talk to your health care provider or a tobacco treatment specialist to discuss options and determine the best plan for you. Here are a few things you can do to keep moving ahead on the path to quitting smoking: Visualize yourself as a nonsmoker. If you’ve been smoking for many years, you may not remember a time when you did not smoke. Try picturing yourself as a non-smoker, going through your daily routines without a cigarette or using tobacco. Visualizing yourself as a non-smoker can prepare you for when you actually quit. When you first quit smoking, you may feel uncomfortable and awkward. You may feel like you don’t know what to do with your hands, during a work break, on the phone or when driving. Think about how you can handle these situations differently. Perhaps using a cinnamon stick or a straw if you need something to hold; replace your breaks with walks; doodling while you’re on the phone; and sipping on a water bottle in the car. These little tricks can help you get through those challenging times. Celebrate small successes. If you quit for two days or two weeks – those are wins! That means you can go without smoking and you can actually quit. Those small wins are huge. Reward yourself, you’re doing something really great! Identify your why. Examine the personal reasons you have for quitting smoking. Those reasons will drive you and keep you motivated to get you through the difficult times. Write your reasons down and carry them with you so you can pull them out when you need an extra boost of confidence and motivation. Constantly remind yourself why it is important to you to quit. Recognize that smoking has been a part of your life for a long time. Smoking has served some purpose in your life and that is one of the reasons you continue to smoke or use tobacco. Try to identify that purpose or need and fill that void with something else you enjoy and that will contribute to your overall health. Try to focus not on what you are giving up but what you are gaining by giving up tobacco. Celebrate quitting but don’t become too overconfident. Once you have quit smoking, try not to become too overconfident and think that you can enjoy the “occasional” cigarette. Once you have been dependent on nicotine, you will always be dependent on it. Remember — you’re a puff away from a pack a day! Think about how hard you worked to become tobacco free! It might take a few attempts to quit smoking, but there are many resources available to help you along the way. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, be kind to yourself and above all, don’t give up! Author Joanne Ebner is a Cancer Prevention Program manager at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). You can reach her office at 443-481-5366/67. Originally published Aug. 20, 2018. Last updated Sept. 30, 2019.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDid you know that 610,000 people in the United States die of heart disease every year? That’s one in every four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And did you know that every year about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack? There are many factors contributing to these statistics. There are more people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and who smoke, which are all key risks factors for heart disease. But among those are other factors like diabetes, excessive alcohol use, obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet that also take a toll. Focusing on the last three – obesity, exercise and diet – gardening could help you tackle these risk factors in one go while engaging in an activity that just requires a little bit of patience in exchange for a healthier life. “The trend in our society has been towards what is expedient, what is convenient, what is fast,” says Salvatore Lauria, MD, cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Cardiology Specialists. “Gardening provides somewhat of a counter-balance by slowing things down and getting back to what’s more natural, more organic and ultimately, healthier.” Dr. Lauria practices the healthy lifestyle changes he preaches to his patients. He himself lives in a rural neighborhood where he grows his own produce and raises chickens. And although he also leads a busy lifestyle, he enjoys using this time to slow down and harvest healthier, fresher food. Learn your risk for heart disease with our free online heart health profiler at askAAMC.org/HeartHealth and take the first step toward having a healthy heart for life. Clean eating When you buy frozen food or eat at restaurants regularly – especially fast-food restaurants – you end up consuming more processed foods. Yes, it’s convenient to have someone cook for us because of our busy schedules. But in doing what’s easy you pay the price of eating a lot of things that you don’t know about. “That speaks to the benefit of growing it yourself,” says Dr. Lauria. “When you plant your own produce – such as green peppers, carrots, kale, beets and spinach – you know what you’re eating. Plus, there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes in knowing that you put all the effort into growing it yourself.” You also get to choose the fertilizers you want to use, whether they are organic or not. When you garden, you’re in control of when to harvest your own food. Vegetables that ripen in your garden tend to have more nutrients and antioxidants compared to the ones you buy in a store. No gym? No problem It can be physically demanding. But between weeding, planting and harvesting, you’re getting a full-body workout and possibly getting more squatting done than at the gym, says Dr. Lauria. “Be mindful of staying well hydrated,” he adds. “But also know that just the act of gardening itself is a healthy habit to develop.” And all of this while you’re performing an activity that will further contribute to your health! In addition, backyard gardening can inspire you to learn more about the food you eat and help you make better choices about what you put on your plate. By being more aware of your choices, you’ll likely be eating more vegetables and fruits in general. You’ll become your family’s snack connoisseur This is just an added bonus, really. Instead of buying snack bags at the grocery store, full of trans fat, sodium and sugar, you can turn to your very own veggies. You can dry your carrots, beets or kale and divide portions into small bags as snacks for the week. This, in turn, can help you save money. Snacks labeled as organic or as containing less sodium tend to be more expensive. “Grab a few veggies from your backyard, dry them or bake them, bag them and you’re done,” says Dr. Lauria. “No need to keep spending money on snacks that you can make yourself at home, and you control the ingredients used.” It sounds laborious but in reality, it’s really simple. Anyone can grow his or her own tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other basic kitchen crops in their backyard. Growing your own food, with no additives, and using organic practices is a healthier way to go for you and your heart, according to Dr. Lauria. In addition, it provides a healthy balance to the frenetic paced lifestyle you may sometimes lead, and it gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you put the effort into creating our own produce. Year-round crops Planting crops can be done at any time, but there are fruits and vegetables that taste better when they’re in season. Here’s a list of the best crops to plant year-round, according to Maryland’s Best, a program managed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture: Cucumbers Herbs Lettuces Mushrooms Tomatoes Spinach Onions Radishes Author Salvatore Lauria, MD, is a cardiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Cardiology Specialists. To schedule an appointment, call 443-481-6700. Originally published March 2019. Last updated February 2020.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogChildren are extremely savvy when it comes to using electronic devices. Starting at a young age, they learn how to maneuver electronics better than some adults. In fact, some children know how to turn on their favorite YouTube channel before they learn how to properly speak. In today’s society, children are exposed to technology through tablets and computerized learning toys from infancy. Smartphones and tablets have become the go-to devices to keep infants and toddlers occupied to avoid public tantrums due to idle time. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before your child will want his or her own smartphone. As a parent, how do you respond to the constant nagging for a smartphone? And more importantly, how do you really know when your child is ready for one? Allowing your child to have a smartphone can be a great thing for both of you. You can instantly contact your child when you are running late for pickup; you can be contacted immediately if there is a problem at school; and you can use it as your own personal tracking device to keep tabs on your child’s location. However, before allowing children to dive headfirst into the smartphone world, be sure to have a conversation with them about appropriate use and responsibility. Here are some simple steps to help make sure you and your child are ready for the responsibility that comes with having a smartphone. Set up rules and expectations. Have a conversation about the rules and expectations of cellphone use. Create a cellphone contract with clear expectations for usage, and consequences if the contract is broken. It is extremely important that the contract is meaningful and enforceable at all times. If you treat it as another piece of paper, children will take it for granted. Set up time limits for phone use and rules around data usage. Make all rules clear! Do not assume that children “should have known” something. Have your child turn in the phone to you at night to ensure they are getting proper sleep and not messaging with friends throughout the night. Warn about inappropriate texts and pictures. You may not be prepared to have a conversation about sexual messages and pictures with your child. However, if they are old enough to have a smartphone, then you are trusting them enough to have a smart conversation about inappropriate behaviors. Sexting is real and it happens every day in the school environment. Make sure your child knows what to do if they get an inappropriate text or picture. Inform your child to not forward messages to friends and to immediately tell you or a teacher. Inform your child of the legal implications of sending nude pictures of themselves to someone or forwarding a sexually suggestive picture that he or she may have received from a classmate. Teach your child about cyberbullying and how NOT to be a cyberbully. A cellphone means 24/7 access to everyone. In a pre-cellphone and pre-social media era, bullies stayed at school and what happened at school most likely stayed at school. With round-the-clock electronic access, a bully is now hard to escape. Inform your child of the steps to take if he or she is bullied. Know the passwords of your child’s phone, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Kik and any other social media app he or she is using. READ MORE: Safeguard your child against cyberbullying Know who is sending direct messages to your child and the type of messages your child is sending to others. Social media platforms, games and group chats make it easy for kids to be bullied. Talk to them about the signs of and have open conversations with them on what you and the school will do about bullying when it is reported. Use it as an opportunity to teach responsibility. When children have a smartphone, they have a major responsibility. Smartphones are an expensive item. No matter if your child has the first version of an iPhone or the latest-and-greatest device, there are costs associated with having a smartphone. If your child earns an allowance, have your child contribute financially. As a household, brainstorm ways that you can use a cellphone as a teaching tool to increase personal responsibility. Always remember it is YOUR phone. If you buy a phone for your child, then you are allowing your child to use your phone. No matter what your child tells you, the phone is your property — you own it. It is your right to take it back, turn off the data and turn off the service if you feel your child cannot be responsible for your phone. Since it is your phone, it is important that you make sure you know how to use it. Children are smart and have amazing skills with using electronic devices, which can be dangerous for them. Don’t let your child outsmart you. When you give your child a cellphone, know what apps are downloaded and how to use them. Be aware of where they save pictures, texts, emails and messages so when you conduct daily searches of the phone, you know exactly what you are looking for. Always know passwords to unlock the phone. Be aware of the phone’s parental controls and safety measures. Smartphones are your child’s lifeline to the world. As a parent, you need to know what is going on in your child’s world to protect him or her from themselves and others. Teach and model putting the phone down. Have a set time each day for the family to unplug from electronic devices. Unplugging is an important habit that we all need to practice daily. For many of us, electronic devices are ringing, buzzing and pinging from the time we wake up in the morning to the time we go to bed at night. Set family time that is phone-free time. Create a phone box to put everyone’s phone in. Then, for at least 30 minutes to an hour each night, try to make your home a cellphone free zone. The use of electronic devices can quickly turn into an addictive behavior for some individuals. Allow children the ability to unplug from the electronic world so they can feel re-energized and refreshed the next day. Remember that you know your child best. You are aware of your child’s maturity level, friends and daily habits. When handing your child a device that requires a great level of responsibility, be sure to trust your instinct. A smartphone allows quick, instant access to everything in the real world. As a parent, do your best to monitor, protect and prepare your child so they can use their smartphone in a manner that is safe and responsible. Author Jennifer Williams (Walton), 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. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.0
- General Page - Tier 2Care Transformation Organization (CTO) Luminis Health, Collaborative Care Network, CTO Primary Contact Information for the CTO; Claire Jean-Simon | Director - Health Integration Programs & Services | [email protected] MDPCP Resources MCPCP website MDPCP Website Program Application Program Application CMS Portal CMS Portal CTO Comparison Tool CTO Comparison Tool CTO-Practice Arrangement / Service Offerings CTO-Practice Arrangement/Service Offerings Identification of all the CTO's MDPCP Partner Practices for the Applicable Performance Year; Luminis Health Medical Group Community Clinics Luminis Health Medical Group Annapolis Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group Cape St. Claire Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group Centreville Family Medicine Luminis Health Medical Group Crofton Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group Kent Island Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group Largo Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group N. Hanson Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group Pasadena Primary Care Luminis Health Medical Group River Family Physicians Luminis Health Medical Group South River Family Medicine Luminis Health Medical Group Waugh Chapel Family Medicine Metropolitan Medical Consulting, LLC Luminis Health Medical Group Laurel Luminis Health Medical Group Bowie B216 Luminis Health Medical Group District Heights Luminis Health Medical Group Metropolitan Medical Specialist Prime Medicine Oleg Shpak, MD Ford Medical Associates Identification of all Joint Ventures between or among the CTO and any of the CTO's MDPCP Partner Practices; N/A Identification of the CTO's Leadership and Management and the Name of any Entity or Entities that Employs Them; and Claire Jean-Simon, Director - Health Integration Programs & Services, Luminis Health Identification of Members of the CTO's Governing Body and the Name of Any Entity or Entities That Employs Them. Dr. Andrew McGlone, Luminis Health Medical Group Dr. Waseem Hussain, Luminis Health Medical Group Dr. Terry Everhart, Luminis Health Medical Group Roxanne Leiba Lawrence, VP Primary Care and Community Medicine Claire Jean-Simon, Director - Health Integration Programs & Services, Luminis Health Renee Kilroy, MA, Sr. Consultant, Value-based Models & Programs, Luminis Health Charles Connolly (Patient Advisor)0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSix years ago I became a first-time mom to a precious baby boy. I had waited 40 long weeks to meet this new little person. After he was born, I was in complete awe of what my body had accomplished and was excited to discover everything motherhood would bring. I was ready for dirty diapers, sleepless nights and showerless days. What I wasn’t prepared for was the challenge of breastfeeding. I didn’t know how time-consuming nursing would be. I remember thinking, “This isn’t what the books say!” Suddenly I felt like I was treading water. It was lonely and isolating. I had no one to talk to and felt like I was stuck at home all day and night, because surely the second I tried to leave the house it would be time for my baby to eat again. I was dedicated to make breastfeeding work for me and decided to attend the breastfeeding support group at AAMC. In walked the vibrant Kim Knight, board-certified lactation consultant, to a room full of breastfeeding moms who were all experiencing their own unique challenges. Suddenly I had hope! I left each group meeting with more confidence and joy. I learned to stress less, live life more and that the ‘books’ aren’t always right when it comes to breastfeeding. My baby’s nursing pattern was normal. In fact, his frequent nursing was encouraging my body to establish a good milk supply. I learned about the unique supply and demand milk production process. My body would learn to supply exactly what my baby was demanding. It’s amazing when you stop to think about it! This was my first lesson in trusting my body and my baby, and trusting myself as a mother. We knew what we were doing after all! I quickly learned that so many moms need to hear the message that nursing can be challenging, but you can do it if you want. You just need a little education and the right support and resources. Often, moms think their milk supply is low when it really isn’t. At that very first support group there was a sweet mom who just could not trust that her body was enough. She thought she had to pump every feed to make sure she had enough milk for her baby. She became exhausted, stressing over every ounce she did or did not pump. You don’t need to stress about the numbers and ounces. Your baby is your proof. As long as your baby is gaining weight on breast milk, then your supply is good. I’ve also learned along the way that the amount of milk you pump is not an accurate measure of how much your baby is getting when they feed directly from your breast. Your baby is much more efficient than your pump! I had no clue how many ounces of milk my baby was getting, but I saw him growing and thriving. I started to appreciate his sweet little rolls that I worked so hard to give him! That was my evidence. One of our first jobs as a mom is to be able to feed our baby. If you choose to breastfeed and it’s not going well, it can be devastating. I can’t stress enough the value of a support network, whether it’s an in-person group, a Facebook group or a couple of friends who understand. Also, determining your personal breastfeeding goals is such an important part of the journey. Everyone’s journey is different. Some women give pacifiers, some women exclusively pump, some women schedule feedings and some women nurse on demand. There are so many ways to breastfeed and they’re all OK! At the end of the day you have to know you are doing an amazing thing for your child, and you are always enough. Join an Online Support Group The Milk Makers Community Facebook group is a breastfeeding support group started by Carly Glover in 2010. The group started with six moms from AAMC’s breastfeeding support group, and has grown to almost 2,000 local moms. The group welcomes and supports ALL local moms regardless of their personal choices when it comes to feeding their baby. To join, send Carly and the administrators a message. The AAMC Smart Parents Facebook group is a place for Moms and Dads to ask questions about their journey through parenthood and get answers from local parents and AAMC experts. Author Carly Glover is the founder of Milk Makers Community, doula with Annapolis Area Doulas and mother of four. Through her business, Carly is committed to supporting moms in their journey through pregnancy, birthing and post-partum, and helping instill confidence in their breastfeeding relationship. 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 13, 2016. Last updated Aug. 26, 2019.0
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