- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’ve ever dreaded laughing at a good joke or sneezing for fear of an “oops” moment, then you know what it’s like to live with urinary incontinence. You may be hanging back from doing things you love, worried you can’t get to a bathroom and embarrassed about leakage you can’t control. Here’s a start to learning more about the condition — its causes and treatments — so you can see that it’s possible to get back to living your best life. Incontinence is more common than you think. An estimated 15 to 25 million Americans deal with incontinence. But it’s hard to put a firm number on it because so many people are too embarrassed to talk about it. We do know women are two times more likely than men to develop urinary incontinence — and that physiology plays a part. The structure of a woman’s internal organs, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause all have an effect. Aging does too because pelvic floor muscles that support the urinary tract muscles weaken as you age, making it harder to hold in urine — though it’s not necessarily a normal part of getting older. There are different types of incontinence. The most common types of incontinence in women are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and a mix of the two. Stress Incontinence Stress incontinence makes having fun unpredictable. Things like laughing, dancing and exercise put pressure on your bladder, causing uncontrollable leakage. You don’t feel an urge to urinate; it just happens. Weak pelvic floor muscles or the bladder out of its normal position are usually the culprits. Urge Incontinence A “gotta go” feeling you can’t ignore is urge incontinence, or overactive bladder (OAB). OAB can happen when certain nerves and bladder muscles don’t work together. Your brain tells your body you need to go to the bathroom, even if your bladder isn’t full. That signals the bladder muscle to contract, and the sphincter — the muscle that controls urine flow — relaxes. The urge comes on suddenly, even if you’ve recently emptied your bladder, and you may not make it to the bathroom. Some people have a frequent urge to go — up to eight times a day — and then barely go when they get to the bathroom. Mixed Incontinence Having more than one type of incontinence isn’t uncommon. If you do, stress and urge incontinence are usually the two that combine and lead to leakage. You don’t have to live with it Too many people stay silent about incontinence, assuming events like pregnancy, childbirth and aging make it an inevitable part of life you have to get used to. Not true. It’s very treatable, and often with self-help methods you can do it yourself. Lifestyle Changes For some people, reducing the risk of leakage is as simple as making lifestyle changes, such as: Avoiding lifting heavy objects Avoiding liquids in the evening Limiting caffeine and alcohol, which make you produce more urine Losing weight to relieve pressure on the bladder Kegel Exercises Weak pelvic floor muscles — those that support the bladder — are often at the root of leakage problems. Kegel exercises involve strengthening the muscles that control urine flow by tightening and relaxing them. Doctors often recommend women do Kegels during pregnancy to prevent incontinency problems. You can work with a physical therapist to learn how to do Kegels effectively. Bladder Retraining Timing is everything when it comes to staying dry. Finding the sweet spot takes practice. It may involve making sure your bladder is empty to prevent the urge to go. Make a pit stop every two hours if you know the urge to go hits every 2 ½. But you may have to retrain your bladder if the urge to go too often is a problem. That involves gradually extending the time between bathroom visits. For instance, if you go to the bathroom every hour, stretch it to an hour and 15 minutes, increasing the time over a few weeks. Medications, Devices or Medical Procedures If self-help approaches don’t help, your provider may suggest other options, such as: Medications that can help relax bladder muscles or block nerve signals that cause an urge to go Vaginal inserts available over the counter can be used to reduce stress incontinence A pessary, a ring-like device your doctor fits you for to support pelvic floor muscles and reduce stress incontinence Injections of a bulking agent in tissues around the bladder to help keep the opening closed and prevent leaks Pelvic floor stimulation to nerves and muscles to strengthen them and to reduce the urge to go A sling is a small piece of synthetic material surgically placed to support the urethra to improve leaking from stress incontinence Incontinence doesn’t have to control your life. Yes, it can feel awkward to talk with your doctor about bathroom habits. But incontinence is a very treatable condition. A full evaluation with a pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeon can help you determine the best treatment for you. Asking for help can get you back to a life free of worries about leakage. Authors Aparna Ramaseshan, MD, is a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon (FPMRS), at the Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. To make an appointment, call 443-481-1199.
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus (also called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is a disease that effects 1.5 million people in the U.S., according to the Lupus Foundation of America. A 2019 survey found that 63% of Americans have never heard of lupus or have little information about the chronic illness. Here is what you need to know: Lupus is an autoimmune disease Lupus causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs in the body. The body creates antibodies which attack your own cells. The chronic disease most commonly attacks your kidneys, skin, joints, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus may not affect all of these in each patient. Lupus symptoms Lupus is often tough to identify because its symptoms are similar to other illnesses. Here are the most common signs and symptoms from the Mayo Clinic: Fatigue Fever Joint pain, stiffness and swelling Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods Dry eyes Headaches, confusion and memory loss It is important to remember that these symptoms may also occur with other illnesses. A doctor can perform an examination and tests to see whether a patient has lupus or a different condition. Risks for developing lupus Lupus is more common in women. A lupus diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 15-45 years old. African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans account for the majority of lupus diagnoses. If fact, lupus diagnoses are two to three times more likely in African Americans compared to whites. You may also be at a greater risk if you have a family member with lupus. The disease may become more active during pregnancy, and require close monitoring. Causes of lupus In most cases, the cause of lupus is unknown. Experts believe it is possible to trigger lupus if you have a genetic predisposition for the disease, by hormonal changes, or by environmental factors. Treatment options There is currently no cure for lupus. You can manage lupus symptoms through a proper treatment plan created by your doctor. Treatment includes monitoring regularly. It may also include medications to help with symptoms, prevent worsening, and block the disease process. Health providers choose medicines very carefully. Medication selection depends on what other conditions a patient has, how severe the lupus is, and which features of lupus are the most active. Medications might include plaquenil, prednisone, imuran or benlysta. Author Susan Berger, MD, is a rheumatologist with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has some of the lowest rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the United States, according to data from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In total, 335 hospitals across the country, including LHDCMC, had an infection ratio of zero. “To be among the top hospitals in the country to receive this recognition speaks volumes to the high-quality care we provide to the communities we serve,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “I applaud every member of our team for their hard-work and commitment, as well as the precautions taken to ensure our patients are safe during their stay.” The measures are developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collected through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). They provide information on infections that occur while the patient is in the hospital. The figures represent data collected from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. “Patient safety is our top priority,” said Jean Murray, director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at Luminis Health. “Nationally, 75% of urinary tract infections of hospitalized patients are associated with urinary catheters. The greatest risk is the length of time the catheter is in place. That is why it is important to remove catheters as soon as they are no longer medically necessary. We keep the utilization of these devices low to help enhance the safety of our patients,” said Murray.
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGetting ready to hit the pavement? Whether you are a first-time runner or completing an in-person or virtual 5k race, here are some tips you need to know to make sure you have the best experience. Wear a Good Pair of Shoes Your feet should feel comfortable during your run. Ideally, you should purchase new shoes for running every 350 miles or every six months. After this time, shoe foam tends to wear down. This makes your feet less stable during your run. Running a 5K in worn shoes may also cause painful blisters. Pay Attention to Aches and Pains When you are training, pay attention to any discomfort. You should be able to run consecutively for 20 minutes without aches or pains. If you are running and something doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to start walking. If the pain persists and affects your everyday activities, see a doctor. Know Your Hydration Needs Hydration during your run is very important. Water intake needs depend on the runner. You may be fine running for 30 minutes without water based on your level of training. Others may need to take a water bottle along during their run. Do what works best for you. Be Aware of Your Surroundings If you wear headphones while running, only wear them in one ear. You want to be aware of your surroundings. In addition to being an important safety measure, this keeps you mindful of other runners or bikers around you. Be OK with Shifting Your Running Goal On race day, make sure you take the time to do it well. You are not competing against anyone, especially during a virtual 5K. Even if you have the best training plan and the best shoes, your run may not go as you planned. When you are running on race day, be OK with doing the best you can. For more advice from physical therapists or to learn more about Luminis Health Physical Therapy visit: Luminis.Health/PhysicalTherapy.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMelanie Lee, clinical director of nursing at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), keeps a handmade card from a young girl above her desk. When the girl was a patient on her unit, she told Melanie a secret that changed the course of her young life. The child told her that someone was abusing her. Melanie contacted authorities immediately and the girl was removed from her abusive environment. The note inside the girl’s handmade card was simple. But it brought tears to Melanie’s eyes the day she read it. “Thank you for saving me,” she wrote. “I keep the card as a reminder of how you can make such a difference in someone’s life,” Melanie said. Making a difference in the lives of patients like the young girl and other children at LHAAMC is something that Melanie does every day. She is being recognized by the Washington Post and American Nurses Association as a finalist in the 2021 Star Nurses award program. The award highlights nurses who are “the best of the best — in the DMV area.” Finalists will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony later this month. What are your thoughts about being a Star Nurse finalist? I’m humbled and greatly honored by this Star Nurse nomination. In my 18 years of nursing, I have always felt it a privilege to be able to care for ill or injured children, comfort their families, and advocate for the most vulnerable. I would never have been able to receive this honor if it weren’t for the caring and compassionate team members that I work with every day. Explain your current role at LHAAMC? As clinical director of nursing, I manage daily operations of the pediatric emergency department and inpatient unit. One of my top priorities is throughput, which means ensuring that kids get in and out of the emergency department as fast as possible with great care. Why did you decide to pursue nursing as a career? When I was 13 years old, my grandfather got very sick and my family spent a lot of time in the hospital. The nurses treated us like they had known us forever. They provided a lot of support to my family during that time. I remember thinking, if I can be that for someone else, I would feel so fulfilled. From that experience, I decided I was going to be a nurse. What do you like most about working in pediatrics? Pediatrics is 17 and under. You really get a variety of children to take care of every day and there is something special about each group. You can cuddle with the infant. The toddlers are funny and very honest. Our school-age children are really into learning. Often, we can relate to our adolescents by talking about the latest music. We get a huge variety of children from all walks of life. Pro tip: Nursing has evolved into so many different roles. There is something so admirable about being a bedside nurse and taking care of the patient. There is also a lot of hard work that goes into creating policies that improve quality of care through safety. You could also teach. Once you decide on your nursing focus, don’t give up. There is always a way to get where you want to be.
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