- What is TAVR?TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that delivers artificial valves using small catheters (tubes) to avoid the need for open-heart surgery. TAVR treats severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis (AS) is the narrowing of the aortic valve opening that results from stiff valve leaflets that don’t move easily or open fully.This can be caused by factors including: AgeBirth defectsRheumatic feverRadiationBuild-up on the leaflets of calcium, cholesterol, etc.Signs that you might have aortic stenosis include:Shortness of breathDizzinessFaintingChest painFeeling tiredSwelling in your legsRapid or fluttering heartbeatDifficulty walking even short distancesTrouble sleepingNeeding to sleep sitting upAvoiding activities you used to enjoyTreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageMinimally Invasive Heart CareAt Luminis Health, we take heart care seriously. Our dedicated structural heart team can diagnose and treat many heart conditions, such as valve disorders. Finding out that you need a heart valve replacement can be a shock — but rest assured you're in good hands with our team.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnother school year is here, and parents may ask, “Does my child need immunizations this year?” Immunizations are important because they keep our children safe, protecting them from certain infections and their complications by limiting the spread of illness. Kids usually receive immunizations when they see their pediatrician for an annual back-to-school wellness check-up. It’s a great time for your doctor to check your child’s progress and development and detect any potential problems. A child receives their very first vaccination at birth, an initial dose to protect against hepatitis B. For a complete guide on what ages children should receive vaccines, the CDC’s 2022 update of the “Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger,” is an excellent resource. Keep in mind that teenagers need immunizations, too. Each state decides which vaccines are required for your child’s enrollment and attendance at a childcare facility or school in that state. Polio Returns to the United States In July, the CDC reported a case of polio in an unvaccinated person in Rockland County, New York—the first case in nearly a decade in the United States—and the virus has been detected in that county’s wastewater. Polio is very contagious and can cause paralysis and even death. The CDC recommends children get four doses of polio vaccine, starting at two months. Keep track of your children’s vaccine record since the school where your child enrolls may require proof of vaccination. You can do this through your pediatrician’s office. Most electronic health records (EHRs) feature a patient portal to easily access or download this information. At Luminis Health, that portal is called MyChart. COVID-19 Is Here to Stay The recent appearance of polio in the U.S. has not reduced the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination for children. More than 1 million Americans have died from the virus, and almost 93 million cases have been reported. “We know that COVID-19 is here to stay,” a CDC epidemiologist said at a mid-August news briefing. The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months or older, and boosters for everyone years and older, if eligible. COVID-19 vaccinations for children are safe. The known risks of COVID-19 and possible severe complications outweigh the potential risks of having a rare, harmful reaction to the vaccination. “The vaccines meet the Food and Drug Administration’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality,” says the CDC. They also undergo the most intense safety monitoring efforts in our country’s history. Children 6 months to 4 years need a three-dose primary series—initial doses—of Pfizer-BioNTech, or two doses of Moderna. For kids 5 – 17 years, it’s two doses of both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The CDC says moderately or severely immunocompromised children ages five through 17 years will need a third dose to complete their primary series, then boosters if they’re eligible. Children and teens with a weakened immune system should get one booster for ages five through 11 years and two boosters for ages 12 years and older. Remember that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause short-term side effects such as headache, low fever, or flu-like symptoms.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNearly everyone has heartburn once in a while. But if your heartburn happens two or more times a week, it may be a symptom of something more serious. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a digestive disorder that affects up to one in five U.S. adults. It occurs when the valve in the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens or relaxes too often or for too long or becomes loose. This causes stomach contents to back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn and acid indigestion. In addition to getting heartburn two or more times a week, you should seek a doctor’s help if you have trouble or pain when swallowing, coughing or choking during the night and/or heartburn pain that interferes with your daily activities. These are symptoms of GERD. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, increased belching and bad breath. While there isn’t yet a cure for GERD, you can manage your symptoms. Doctors often recommend diet and lifestyle changes. Simple approaches include: Maintaining a healthy weight Avoiding tight-fitting clothing Avoiding trigger foods and drinks, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, garlic, onion and caffeine Eating smaller meals slowly Waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed Elevating the head of your bed Quitting smoking Chronic or refractory GERD In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor might also recommend prescription medication to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. While most patients respond well to these treatments, some might find that their symptoms persist. In this case, you may have chronic or refractory GERD. Refractory GERD can be debilitating and harm your quality of life. It’s important not to lose hope. There are minimally invasive surgical options available to treat refractory GERD. When left untreated, GERD can lead to more serious health problems over time, including esophageal cancer. If you’re currently taking antacids or over-the-counter medications, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor. These medicines may only mask symptoms. We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still on everyone’s mind. But your health may still require medical attention. Our medical offices have procedures in place to keep patients and staff safe. We sanitize exam rooms before and after each patient, patients and staff are screened for COVID-19 before they enter the building, and masks are required at all times. We are safe, ready and open to care for you during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Don’t let your GERD symptoms take away from your quality of life. Your doctor can direct you to an option that will ultimately provide you with relief. Author Adrian Park, MD, is chair of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Department of Surgery and an internationally recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery. To reach him, call 443-481-6699.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogNow more than ever, it’s important to do everything you can to stay healthy. And you may have wondered if there are ways to boost your immune system. There’s still much research to be done on the link between your nutrition and lifestyle choices, and your immune system. But here’s what we know now. Your Nutrition Choices You’ve probably seen supplements at the grocery store that claim to support your immune system. But remember this – nutrients work together, so having too much of one nutrient might undermine how effective another one is. Also, unless you are malnourished or have a disease affecting how you absorb nutrients, there’s no evidence that suggests adding extra supplements beyond what you already eat will help. Instead, stick to a healthy diet with a balanced amount of protein, vitamins and other minerals and nutrients. Protein. The body uses protein to build and repair tissues, plus make hormones and enzymes that promote the body’s daily functions. You can get protein from meats, fish, beans, cheeses, eggs, peanut butter, nuts and dairy products. Vitamin A. This fat-soluble vitamin also supports vision, reproduction and healthy organ function. You can get vitamin A from poultry, fish, potatoes, leafy green vegetables and non-citrus fruits. Vitamin C. This water-soluble vitamin supports wound healing and acts as an antioxidant to protect cells. You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits, tomato juice, broccoli, strawberries and cantaloupes. Folate and folic acid. These help create and repair cell’s DNA in your body. Folate and folic acid are in leafy green vegetables, beans, peas, Brussels sprouts and fortified cereals. Selenium. This is a mineral that also supports thyroid gland function and DNA production. You can find it in seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, meat and whole grains. Zinc. This nutrient supports cell creation and wound healing. Vitamins E, D, B6 and iron could also help support your immune system. Your Lifestyle Choices Your lifestyle can also play a role in how often you get sick. Here are some things you should do to help keep your immune system in top shape. Sleep. You need sleep to rest and recharge. Without it, you increase your risk for developing serious health problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and heart disease. Exercise. Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It improves your cardiovascular health, controls your weight, lowers your blood pressure, reduces your risk of many cancer types and protects you from a variety of other diseases. Exercise also promotes good circulation, which allows cells and substances to move through the body and do their job most effective. That helps your immune system. Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of infections such as pneumonia and flu. Studies show you could also be at greater risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 if you smoke or vape. Lower your stress. This year has been full of uncertainty. But it’s still important for you to take care of yourself, because your immune system can weaken when you’re stressed out. Focus on what you can control, instead of what you can’t. There is no magic food or nutrient that can stop you from getting sick. But a balanced diet will help support your immune system – which will help your body fight off infections and diseases. Butternut Squash and Kale Soup This hearty soup is full of vitamins A, C and B6. Ingredients 1 large sweet onion, cut into wedges 4 cups of cubed butternut squash (cut into 3/ 4 inch cubes) 1 tablespoon of olive oil Fresh ground black pepper to taste 1 teaspoon of dried thyme 1 14.5-oz. can of low sodium chicken broth 3/ 4 cup of water 3 cups of chopped kale Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and spread onion and squash over foil in a single layer. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and toss lightly to coat; then season with pepper and thyme. Place in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked through and starting to brown. Note: take vegetables out at least one during cooking to stir. Combine roasted vegetables, chicken broth and water in a large saucepan and use an immersion blender to blend ingredients together until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender to make this soup, you can use a regular blender to blend the vegetables and the liquid together. Heat blended soup over medium heat until heated through, then stir in kale and cook until wilted, about three minutes. Recipe courtesy of the Diabetes Food Hub. Author Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-5555.0
- Men's Health, Sleep, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you often wake up feeling unrested and groggy? You may be suffering from a common sleep disorder called sleeplessness, also known as insomnia. With insomnia, you can have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. You may wake up too early and find it difficult getting back to sleep. If left untreated, insomnia can lower your energy level and mood, and it can also affect your health and quality of life. Insomnia is not the same as sleep deprivation; it’s the inability to sleep despite the opportunity to sleep. Insomnia is more often a symptom than a disease. And it’s the most common sleep complaint among patients. Signs of insomnia can include: Difficulty falling asleep at night Waking up during the night Waking up too early Not feeling well-rested after a night’s sleep Daytime tiredness or sleepiness Irritability, depression or anxiety Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering There are two common types of insomnia, short-term and long-term. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, short-term insomnia is linked to stress or changes in your schedule or environment. It can last for a few days or weeks. Long-term or chronic insomnia occurs three or more nights a week and lasts more than three months. It can be linked to a health issue or poor sleep habits. Chronic insomnia, if left untreated, raises your risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes and/or cancer. Some common causes of insomnia are: Stress Acid reflux Urinary issues Irregular sleep patterns Mental health disorders Physical illness and chronic pain Medications Lifestyle Insomnia is experienced by all adults either acutely or chronically at some point. Poor sleep habits are a common perpetuator of insomnia. If you make better sleep choices nightly, you can avoid acute insomnia before it becomes a chronic problem. If you have experienced some of these symptoms or think you may have insomnia, talk to your primary care physician and schedule an evaluation with a sleep medicine specialist. Dr. Adil Degani is a pulmonary specialist at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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