- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEverything looks different in 2020. That includes your holiday traditions. Like the annual visit from everyone’s favorite house guest, the Elf on the Shelf. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has kept us at home for the past nine months. And now, North Pole doctors have warned us that the virus is probably going to keep your Elf from moving around much this holiday season, too. (Kids don’t believe you? Not to worry. We’ve got you covered with our downloadable For-Elves-Only Doctor’s Notes.) Here are the top five reasons your Elf stayed in the same place for at least a few nights this year: 1. He was following social distancing guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone (including Elves!) stay at least six feet away from others who aren’t in your household. Remind your kids that by not moving, your Elf is doing their part to prevent the spread of germs. 2. She was binge watching Netflix and forgot to move. We’ve all been guilty of this while staying at home. Especially now, with all of the holiday movies that are available to stream. Before you know it, hours (even days) have gone by. We spoke with our mental health experts, who tell us this is a form of “elf-care” and to let your Elf ‘veg out’ for the time being. If several days go by, you may need to give her a friendly nudge off the couch. 3. He ate way too many holiday cookies. If you’ve been spending a lot of time baking with your little ones, you can’t blame your Elf for wanting to indulge, too. Our dietitians suggest plopping him in the fruit bowl for a full day. That’s a healthier way to satisfy his sweet tooth. 4. She sprained her ankle after too much rockin’ around the Christmas tree. Maybe she was trying to entertain herself with an at-home dance party. Still much safer than a crowded gathering, but not without risks! Our orthopedic specialists who have treated other Elves say the only real cure is to hang out in a stocking for about 48 hours. 5. He fell and hit his head while hanging Christmas lights. Ouch! If your Elf was trying to make your home look especially festive this year and took a tumble, he needs to rest. Stick him under the tree where he can sit safely until his head feels better. Don’t forget, your kids (and Santa) are going to want to see an official doctor’s note as proof of any of these situations! Download your printable doctor’s note and share them with us by tagging Luminis Health on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! From our Luminis Health family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday! Originally published Dec. 7, 2016. Last updated Nov. 30, 2020.
- Cancer Care, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put lung health into the spotlight. Now more than ever, it’s important to keep your lungs in good shape to reduce your risk of developing severe illness. Here are some things you can do to keep your lungs healthy. Quit smoking and vaping Quitting these habits is challenging in the best of times. Add in the stress and boredom from the pandemic, and it’s even harder. But if you smoke or vape, it’s especially important to quit now. Smoking and vaping increases your risk of deadly infections, such as the flu, pneumonia and now, COVID-19. Studies show you could also be at greater risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19 if you smoke or vape. We continue to see cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury, known as EVALI. The symptoms of EVALI, including low oxygen levels and inflammation of the lungs, can be similar to the symptoms of COVID-19. While the FDA has cracked down on the makers of the Juul e-cigarette for marketing to teenagers, now we’re seeing devices such as the Puff Bar. This is similar to the Juul, but because it’s disposable, manufacturers can get around the regulations. But we are also seeing more people who want to quit. People are scared about getting COVID-19, so they are more invested in quitting smoking and vaping. And we’re offering more virtual programs than ever before. To learn more, call Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Nicotine Dependence Program at 443-481-5366. Get lung screenings About eight years ago, we started yearly lung screenings for people who are at highest risk of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common and deadliest form of cancer – about one in four cancer deaths are from lung cancer. These screenings are low dose chest CT scans. We recommend screening if you’re between the ages of 55 and 80 and you smoke, or you quit within the last 15 years. If you’ve smoked at least 30 “pack years” – a pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years – you should come in for a screening. Don’t hesitate if you think you are at risk. Lung cancer can develop at any time. Contact our Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. Test for indoor pollutants Radon is a natural gas that is found throughout the country – and it is thought to be responsible for 10 percent of lung cancers nationwide. When combined with tobacco smoke, it’s especially risky. Unfortunately, there is no way to smell or see radon. And it won’t make you feel sick. So the only way to know if radon is present in your home is through a radon test. If you have an older home, or you are concerned about the foundation of your home, we suggest getting it tested. Maintain overall good health There are no specific exercises you can do to make your lungs healthier. But we recommend making good lifestyle choices and maintaining a healthy body overall. That means eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep – and exercising. We want to encourage you to get outside, and enjoy sunshine and fresh air – while keeping your physical distance from others. Also, stay up to date on your vaccinations, including the flu vaccine. These are an essential part of maintaining good lung health. Our lungs do a lot for us. Let’s make sure we take good care of them, too. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD, is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of Thoracic Oncology at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Author Adil Degani, MD, is a pulmonologist and sleep specialist with AAMG Pulmonary Specialists. Author Joanne Ebner is manager of the Cancer Prevention Department and Nicotine Dependence Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may know someone who has diabetes. In fact, nearly 34 million children and adults in the U.S. have the disease. But as common as it is, there are plenty of misconceptions about diabetes. Before we break some of those down, let’s look at the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Your genetics can influence whether you have type 1 diabetes, which happens when the body’s immune system kills the cells that make insulin (the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your body.) Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, happens when the body can’t use the insulin it makes effectively, or it needs too much. Though genetics can also play a role in type 2 diabetes, so do lifestyle factors, such as being overweight and eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Here are the facts about diabetes. Myth #1: You can’t prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. There’s actually a lot you can do, including eating healthy and exercising regularly. Did you know losing about seven percent of your body weight can lower your risk of diabetes by nearly 60 percent? If you’re at risk, I have a simple actual plan for you to follow – start walking five days a week for 30 minutes and watch what you eat. Myth #2: You can eat whatever you want if you take insulin. While insulin will help control your blood sugar levels, it’s not a magic bullet. White breads, pastas, rice – all of these are refined carbs that will require you to take more insulin. They can also cause you to gain weight and make it harder to control your blood sugar. If you are diabetic, limit your carb intake (even healthy carbs such as fruit, yogurt and milk.) Talk to your doctor or nutritionist to learn more. Myth #3: Saying no to carbs will prevent diabetes. Remember that genetics can cause diabetes, as well as other lifestyle factors. Still, limiting carbs will help. While many of us love soda, fruit punch and sweet tea, it’s best to avoid these empty calories if you’re at risk of diabetes. A 12-ounce can of soda has 40 grams of carbs. That’s equal to the amount in 10 teaspoons of sugar. Myth #4: If you use insulin, you failed to manage your blood sugar levels on your own. When you are first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may have been able to manage your blood sugar levels with oral medications. But this is a disease that will affect your body more over time. As you get older, your body will make less insulin and the medications may not be enough. Or, if you start off on insulin because you have high blood sugar, you may be able to be weaned off of it eventually, depending on how your pancreas responds. Bottom line, insulin is just another tool in your toolbox to help you manage your disease. Author By Marisha Newton, MD, endocrinologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her practice at AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, call 443-481-4600.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you plan to prepare a Thanksgiving meal this year, make your grocery store trip well in advance of the holiday. The CDC advises against going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving. This recommendation is to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) among large crowds in grocery stores. Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe when shopping for the big day. Make a shopping list. Efficiency is key. Prepare a shopping list before your trip to the grocery store and get out as quickly as possible. This limits your exposure to others in the store. We know the positivity rate continues to increase in the community. This means there is a higher risk of encountering someone who has COVID-19, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. Wear a mask and practice good hand hygiene. Use hand sanitizer frequently during your grocery store trip. This is important because multiple people are touching the same items in the store. Wear a mask and avoid touching the front of it while shopping. When you leave the store, use hand sanitizer before and after removing your mask. Consider curbside pickup or grocery delivery options. Checkout lines in the grocery store may be long the closer you get to Thanksgiving. There are other ways to avoid the holiday crowd. Curbside pickup and grocery store delivery are safer options. Avoiding large crowds is especially important if you have a pre-existing medical condition or a medical condition that puts you at greater risk of infection. Leave the kids at home. If possible, leave kids at home or use a delivery option. Many younger children don’t think about hand hygiene. Others may not be able to wear a mask because they are under two years old. Young children often touch items during the shopping trip and then put their fingers in their mouths. This puts them at risk for exposure. Consider grandparents’ risk. After you’ve cooked your hearty Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings, package some for grandparents and deliver it to their home. This is a safer option instead of inviting them inside your home for dinner. A multiple generation gathering makes grandparents more vulnerable to infection. Authors Jean Murray is the director of Infection Control at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Rajesh Shah is the director of Quality/Regulatory Affairs and Infection Prevention at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. Thanksgiving Recipe: Roast Turkey and Orange Spice Rub Start to finish: 1 hour and 45 minutes Servings: 11 1 tablespoon grated orange zest ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon ground allspice or ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 5 pounds turkey breast with bone and skin 1 can of nonstick cooking spray Preheat the oven to 325° F. Lightly spray a roasting pan and baking rack with cooking spray. In a small bowl, stir together all of the ingredients except the turkey. Put the turkey on a cutting board or flat work surface. Carefully loosen the skin from the turkey breast by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and the meat, making a pocket for the orange zest mixture. Don’t break the skin. Discard any fat beneath the skin. Still working carefully, spread the orange zest mixture under the loosened skin as evenly as possible. Transfer the turkey to the rack in the pan. Roast the turkey for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 170° F. Be sure the thermometer doesn’t touch the bone. Remove the turkey from the oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Discard the skin and all visible fat. Slice the turkey and serve. Recipe from Diabetes Food Hub.
- Physical TherapyGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe way we breathe can either induce stress or encourage healing and calmness. Inhaling and exhaling properly affects us mentally and physically. What’s in a breath? Breathing is not only taking in oxygen. It’s also about managing the levels of carbon dioxide, a gas released when exhaling, that contributes to our respiratory function. The longer you practice exhaling through your nose, the more relaxed your body will feel as it releases more carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a potentially toxic gas when it builds up in the body. What impacts my breathing? Seasonal allergies, along with irritants such as smoke, dust, pollen and fragrances effect the efficiency of breathing. These pollutants cause internal swelling, excessive mucous, coughing and a host of other health issues. What can I do to breathe better? Deep breathing lowers blood pressure and promotes the body’s balance. Diaphragmatic breathing is a form of deep breathing. Also known as “abdominal breathing or belly breathing,” it encourages full oxygen exchange as you inhale air into the deepest parts of the lungs while engaging your abdominal muscles. Practice deep breathing by lying on your back with a pillow under your head with your knees bent. Place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Inhale or breathe through your nose, allow your belly and chest to rise and then exhale out of your mouth. This technique is most effective when the stomach rises higher than the chest. How will intentional breathing and wearing a mask improve my health? Walking and taking deep breathes on a regular basis helps keep you healthy. The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 50 minutes of exercise daily to promote respiratory strength. Wearing a mask reduces the risk of transmitting COVID-19, the flu and other contagious diseases. Some ways to minimize the discomfort and anxiety of wearing a mask include: Using essential oils (placing a drop of lavender oil in your mask), chewing gum or wearing lip balm. Ultimately, wearing a mask is a form of self-care and shows respect for others. Luminis Health Physical Therapy is opening a new location in Upper Marlboro on Nov. 12. Authors Rhonda Fowler PT, MS, CLT, CWS, is a physical therapist at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. Clarissa M. Ocampo, MM MA CCC-SLP, CLSVT LOUD, is a speech language pathologist at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
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