- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNew health studies can be confusing, especially when it comes to certain foods and drinks that affect your health. A piece of chocolate or a glass of wine are common treats, and there’s lots of conflicting information about their health benefits. Some types of chocolate and wine offer more heart-healthy benefits than others, but that’s still not a green light to overindulge. Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate has gained a reputation as being a heart-healthy treat because cocoa beans are rich in flavonoids—a nutrient that protects plants from toxins and helps repair damage. The term ‘antioxidant’ is a reference to those benefits. Studies have shown when we eat foods rich in flavonoids, we also benefit from these antioxidant powers. Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in cocoa. In addition to their antioxidant qualities, research has shown other potential health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. But not all dark chocolate is created equal. The more processed chocolate is, the more flavanols are lost along the way. And flavanols are not a nutrient reported on food labels. For the most health benefits, choose a dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 percent or higher. And remember, chocolate is not a ‘health’ food. Enjoy dark chocolate as part of a well-balanced, heart-healthy diet. Think of it as a treat rather than a regular part of your diet. Red Wine Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. Those who drink moderate amounts of red wine seem to have a lower risk of heart disease. An antioxidant called resveratrol is the substance in red wine that has received a lot of attention. The ingredient may help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol’) and prevent blood clots. While those benefits might sound great if you enjoy a five-ounce glass of red wine with your evening meal, I would never encourage anyone to start drinking alcohol on the premise that it’s heart healthy. Too much alcohol has harmful effects on your health, such as raising your risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, obesity and certain types of cancer. Drinking too much regularly can actually weaken your heart muscle. If you truly want the health benefits of antioxidants, you should think outside of the wine and chocolate box. Stock your kitchen with antioxidant ‘super foods’ such as blueberries, strawberries, purple grapes, raw nuts, dark green veggies, salmon and green tea. Author Barbara Hutchinson, MD is a cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Feb. 16, 2016. Last updated Oct. 21, 2020.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn one way, a bone fracture is similar to a heart attack — they are both a sign that something is wrong. Just like a heart attack triggers evaluation of cardiac risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure, a fracture should trigger a workup of risk factors for osteoporosis. Although you don’t feel it, your bones are constantly repairing and replacing old bone with new bone. But by the time you reach your mid-30s, you begin to lose bone faster than you replace it. For women, menopause speeds up this process. Over time, this leads to thinner, weaker bones and the potential for developing osteoporosis. READ MORE: No bones about it: Preventing osteoporosis with these diet and exercise habits Osteoporosis is a disease that happens when your body loses too much bone, makes too little bone or both, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. This leads to weaker bones that can easily break from a fall. And in severe cases, bones can break from sneezing or small bumps. Osteoporosis is a painless disease until a bone breaks. Bone breaks related to this disease are most likely to happen in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too. Loss of height can be a sign of a vertebra, or spine, fracture, which can also lead to a stooped or hunched posture. One in two women over the age of 50 has an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime. It’s important that you get a bone density scan (DEXA scan) to measure bone density and incorporate lifestyle habits that can slow down the weakening of bones. This helps reduce your risk of fractures. A DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan can diagnose osteoporosis. It uses very little radiation and produces detailed information about your bone density. Information is collected and compared to a reference group to determine your “T score.” A “T score” equal to or lower than -2.5 is considered osteoporosis. There’s also a Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®) for evaluating fracture risk. Using the results of the DEXA scan, a FRAX score estimates the risk of a fracture within 10 years. Unfortunately, many women don’t get screened. Even if they have a fragility fracture, many don’t realize that’s a sign they may have osteoporosis. Bones shouldn’t break with low-energy falls such as from standing height or less. When they do, your doctor may want to run blood and bone density tests to determine if you have osteoporosis. If diagnosed, you should learn about weight-bearing exercise, fall prevention, nutrition and medication options for healthy bones. Here are some tips to improve your bone health and reduce your risk of fragility fracture: Pay attention to your calcium intake. Calcium is essential to building strong, dense bones. In fact, over 90 percent of the calcium in our bodies is deposited in our bones and teeth. Try to get 1,200 mg of calcium a day, preferably from food. If you don’t get enough from food, add a 500-600 mg calcium pill. Get enough vitamin D. Like calcium, Vitamin D supports the maintenance of healthy bones at all ages. Many people benefit from a supplement of 800-1,000 iu per day. Incorporate weight-bearing exercise into your lifestyle. Try walking 30 minutes a day. Plus, lift weights two or three days per week when cleared by your doctor. Or, if you want to have a little fun, you can play tennis, dance or go for a hike. Evaluate your home. Throw rugs, slippery surfaces and poorly lit hallways can lead to falls and then fractures. Make sure you make your surroundings safe and make any changes that are necessary. Get your eyes checked. If your sight is impaired, your chance of falling is higher. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Eliminate vices. Alcohol and tobacco are two common vices that are detrimental to your bone health. Educate yourself. There are many good resources on the web, including the National Osteoporosis Foundation: www.nof.org. Although osteoporosis is common, it is still a serious, painful and costly disease that can sneak up on you and change your life completely. By talking to your doctor, getting screened and making small changes for your health, you could reduce the risk of developing weak bones. Be good to your bones and they will treat you right! Author Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Osteoporosis Program at Anne Arundel Medical Center Orthopedics. She can be reached at 410-268-8862. Originally published May 28, 2018. Last updated Oct. 19, 2020.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStarting in January 2021, Kaiser Permanente members can receive comprehensive maternity services at Anne Arundel Medical Center, in Annapolis, MD. The hospital has been a premier hospital partner to Kaiser Permanente, a health system with more than 770,000 members in the mid-Atlantic region, since 2015. “Our award-winning Permanente physicians look forward to delivering babies at Anne Arundel Medical Center. The hospital’s commitment to medical excellence matches ours,” said Richard McCarthy, MD, medical director for Kaiser Permanente. “Our Permanente physicians are able to provide exceptional inpatient care at Anne Arundel Medical Center, so we are thrilled to expand the hospital-based services we offer there.” For Kaiser Permanente members in Annapolis and surrounding areas, the Kaiser Permanente Annapolis Medical Center offers a full range of comprehensive outpatient services, including primary care, orthopedics, cardiology, podiatry, dermatology, radiology, laboratory and pharmacy. With Anne Arundel Medical Center nearby, Kaiser Permanente members have a convenient option when inpatient or other hospital-based services are needed. The addition of maternity services in January further expands the comprehensive hospital care available to Kaiser Permanente members at the facility. As part of Luminis Health, Anne Arundel Medical Center welcomes more than 5,000 babies into the world each year — the second most in the state of Maryland. It is also home to a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, which provides care to critically ill babies. “As the second busiest delivery site in the state, our ability to provide high quality, low cost, patient- and family-centered care has positioned us to deliver on the promise of high value maternal and neonatal services. We are excited to advance our partnership with Kaiser Permanente in this exciting new direction and proud to be recognized as a top-rated hospital,” said Monica Jones, MD, MSc, FACOG, FACS, system chair, Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s Services. Among its many accolades for quality care, Anne Arundel Medical Center has centers of excellence in cancer, heart, joint spine and women’s and children’s services. In 2020, AAMC was recognized by US News and World Report as a top five hospital in Maryland and in 2019 the American Hospital Association awarded AAMC the Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award. “Bringing a baby into the world is a special and sometimes stressful time for parents,” said Amy Banulis, MD, obstetrician and medical director for Women’s and Children’s Services at Kaiser Permanente. “Kaiser Permanente’s members can rest assured that our maternity teams and hospital partners are committed to helping to ensure a safe and comforting arrival for their bundles of joy. And, it is exciting to now offer this exceptional care at Anne Arundel Medical Center.” Kaiser Permanente currently has 12 premier hospital partners across the mid-Atlantic region. To qualify as a premier hospital, each hospital has been carefully evaluated—and is regularly reassessed—for the quality of care, comfort, and services it provides. Kaiser Permanente is rated No. 1 in the region for several clinical quality measures, including childhood immunizations and timeliness of prenatal and postpartum care for women by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The health system currently has 33 medical centers offering a range of convenient, comprehensive services in the mid-Atlantic region, and partners with hospitals for inpatient care.
- Orthopedics, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith a new school year about to start, I’ve been thinking a lot about kids and their bone health. Osteoporosis is a disease that happens when your body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. Many think osteoporosis only affects older people. But it’s actually a disease that begins in childhood, with symptoms that appear in adulthood. Experts believe most people reach their peak bone mass in their early 20s. After that, you are holding on to what you have and trying to keep a balance between removal and replacement of old bone – not adding new bone. So what can you do to help your children reach their optimal peak bone mass so they have healthy bones as adults? READ MORE: True Story: What I wish I had known about my bones when I was younger Develop healthy eating habits Healthy habits start in childhood, and getting enough calcium and vitamin D is key. Yes, your kids can develop a taste for leafy green vegetables, nuts like almonds, and water or milk to drink. Replace soft drinks with calcium-rich dairy drinks. If your child dislikes dairy products or is lactose-intolerant, consider almond milk or fortified orange juice. It’s also important that your child eats enough calories, especially if he or she is an athlete. Eating disorders are more common in kids than you might realize, and are a disaster for bone health during these formative years. Watch out for weight loss or low energy in your child, and seek out a dietitian if you aren’t sure if your kids are getting enough calories. Get active Get kids moving for the joy of moving, and they’ll develop a lifelong love of being active. Research shows that high-impact exercise, such as jumping, is the most powerful way to build bones and muscle. But it also has the highest risk of injury. A sprinkle of higher impact exercise along with lower intensity activities is a winning combination. For kids in elementary and middle school, it’s important for them to have time to chase, run, climb, and then rest when tired. This helps them develop independent thinking and neuromuscular coordination, all while having fun. Old-fashioned games like hopscotch and jumping rope are also great ways to build bone, balance and muscle. Walking as a family is a chance for both you and your kids to exercise and spend quality time with each other. I highly encourage you to fight to keep recess in schools. Let your local school board know that physical education is crucial not only for exercise, but to develop the skills necessary to lead an active, healthy lifestyle as adults. Organized sports are another opportunity for kids to get exercise and develop neuromuscular skills, but beware of overuse injuries. Avoid specializing in one sport until high school to make sure your child develops a well-rounded set of movement patterns and prevents repeatedly stressing the same body parts. Be careful with tournaments and other events that cram a lot of intensity into a short time, and beware of burning your kids out. The trick is getting children to develop a love of sports and other physical activity so exercise becomes a lifetime habit. READ MORE: Preventing osteoporosis: 7 tips for better bone health Limit screen time Phones, computers, TVs, video games – screens are a big part of our world, for both children and adults. Screen time can take a lot of time away from physical activity if you let it. I don’t think we have figured this out, but consider limiting screen time to allow your kids to get at least an hour of exercise every day. The great thing about nurturing good bone health is that these habits are good for the rest of your health, too. So, as kids head back to school, let’s think about ways to help them eat right and stay active to ensure a lifetime of healthy bones! Author Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Osteoporosis Program at AAMC Orthopedics. She can be reached at 410-268-8862. Originally published Aug. 26, 2019. Last updated Oct. 19, 2020.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOsteoporosis is a disease that happens when your body loses too much bone, makes too little bone or both. This leads to weaker bones that can break more easily. In honor of World Osteoporosis Day, Mandy Fawcett, a physician assistant in Luminis Health Orthopedics’ Osteoporosis Program, sat down for a Q&A to discuss her work treating patients with osteoporosis and why it’s so important to take good care of your bones. Mandy, you work with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Christina Morganti at Luminis Health Orthopedics in the Osteoporosis Program. What got you interested in the field? I was originally a finance major and, when I graduated, worked at Legg Mason in Baltimore. But I quickly became bored and decided I wanted to change careers. What better way to do that than to become a health professional? So I went back to school and became a physician assistant. I was hired to help Dr. Morganti with the Osteoporosis Program at Luminis Health Orthopedics as a new graduate, and got on-the-job training in osteoporosis. I have learned so much since I started here. Treating patients with osteoporosis is especially gratifying because osteoporosis is a disease that affects so many people. Fifty percent of women and 25 percent of men over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture. Unfortunately, the reality is that 80 percent of people who need treatment for osteoporosis do not receive it. READ MORE: True Story: What I wish I had known about my bones when I was younger What are some of the issues you see osteoporosis patients worry about the most? The biggest obstacle that we have to overcome is that many patients are very afraid of the side effects of the medications we prescribe. I find that there is a lot of misinformation in the general public about these adverse reactions. In fact, the chance of having one of these side effects is extremely rare. Some studies estimate it’s one in 100,000. However, the chance of having an osteoporotic fracture can be really high. What are some of the more interesting new things in osteoporosis treatment or nutrition? Dr. Morganti and I firmly believe that everyone should maximize non-pharmaceutical treatment for their bones. For example, all postmenopausal females should consume a total of 1200 milligrams of calcium, preferably from food sources. Many people also benefit from vitamin D supplements. We usually start with about 1,000 international units (IU) daily, and adjust the dose of vitamin D based on blood work. There is new medication on the market as well. Recently, a new bone-building drug came to market that may be a cheaper and promising alternative to the other two bone-building drugs now available. Dr. Morganti and I are monitoring it now that is on the market and will make a decision as to whether we think it is a good option for our patients. What type of exercise should patients do? Exercise is important. Everyone should do an enjoyable, lower-intensity exercise like walking at least 30 minutes daily, perform weight-bearing exercise two to three days per week, and balance train one to two days per week. Learning the proper technique to do exercise is extremely important in order to avoid injury. In general, you should avoid exercise that involves forward flexion of the spine, like when you do crunches, or too much rotation. Osteoporosis patients should only attempt higher-impact exercises like jumping with great caution, and only if good, strong muscle has been developed to protect the bones. Patients should be careful with contact sports or sports where you can slip, like skating, since falls can lead to fractures. What are some of the worst things you can do for your bones? Smoking cigarettes is very bad for your bones. Studies have also shown that drinking more than three units of alcohol a day or drinking excess caffeine can be harmful as well. Authors Mandy Fawcett is a physician assistant with the Osteoporosis Program at AAMC Orthopedics. She can be reached at 410-268-8862. Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Osteoporosis Program at Luminis Health Orthopedics. She can be reached at 410-268-8862. Originally published May 23, 2019. Last updated Oct. 19, 2020.
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