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- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has earned the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) 2020 Digital Health Most Wired designation. AAMC is recognized for applying core and advanced technologies into clinical and business programs to improve health and care in the community it serves. “Now more than ever the use of technology is vital in healthcare,” said Ron Nolte, associate chief information officer at AAMC. “We are using technology to keep our patients connected to their loved ones during this time, to enable access to expert care through telehealth visits and so much more. Anne Arundel Medical Center is proud to be recognized for the most advance technologies that help improve health outcomes for our patients, create efficiencies for our workforce and, ultimately, enhance the health of our community.” “Digital technology has been a driver of innovation in healthcare for many years now, but never to the degree that we saw in 2020 with the pandemic,” said CHIME President and CEO Russell P. Branzell. “The Digital Health Most Wired program underscores why healthcare organizations keep pushing themselves to be digital leaders and shows what amazing feats they can achieve. This certification recognizes their exemplary performance in 2020.” This is the third year that CHIME has conducted the survey and overseen the program. In each successive year, CHIME has expanded the survey to capture more types of organizations that serve patients across the continuum of care. CHIME also continues to promote the program internationally to provide a global overview of digital health advancements.
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith plant-based carbohydrates and belly-filling protein, this acorn squash recipe is ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The squash’s natural sugars are released while baking, making this no-sugar-added recipe perfect for people with diabetes. Plus, the vitamin A in squash will make your skin glow during these winter months. Enjoy with some decaffeinated chai tea to warm you up! Ingredients • 2 acorn squash • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 16 ounces fat-free cottage cheese • ¼ cup chopped/slivered almonds or pecans • ½ teaspoon nutmeg Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Cut each squash in half. Scoop out and discard seeds. 2. Pour olive oil onto baking sheet and spread over baking sheet with paper towel. Place squash face down on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 20–25 minutes. 3. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10–15 minutes. After squash have cooled, turn them over, cut side up. 4. Fill each squash half with ½ cup cottage cheese. Top each with 1/8 teaspoon(dash) of nutmeg and 1 tablespoon chopped nuts. Serves 4. READ MORE: More articles and tips in our Recipes + Nutrition section Originally published Nov. 17, 2015. Last updated Oct. 16, 2020.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhere care extends beyond treatment Navigating cancer treatment is about so much more than showing up for appointments. Your cancer journey can affect every aspect of your life — keeping you from work, from your favorite activities and sometimes even from your loved ones. And while it’s sometimes hard to admit you need help, help is always close by. In fact, the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute has built programs around all of your needs — physical, mental, financial, spiritual or emotional. Because we profoundly believe these programs will light the way to better outcomes. Learn more about our cancer support services and how they can help you. Genetic testing to help you find answers Your genes hold many secrets to your health. And we’re now better able to understand those secrets, thanks to genetic testing. Genetic testing and counseling services can help you and your family better understand cancer risks, allowing you to make informed and empowered healthcare decisions. You can count on us to help you decide if genetic testing is right for you and your loved ones. And our support won’t end after you get your test results. Together, we’ll review your options and give you the time, space and confidence you need to make the best decision for you. Financial counseling to help ease your worries Your most important job during cancer treatment is to get better. That can be hard when you’re worried about the financial impact of your care. Our financial counselors are here to lighten that burden. We’ll connect you and your family to financial assistance (if you qualify), explain confusing insurance requirements and benefits, and make a plan so you can stay focused on what really matters – getting back to all the people and activities you enjoy. Specialized care to help keep your body strong We’ll be at your side for every twist and turn — before, during and after treatment. Our physical, occupational and speech therapists will recommend safe and easy exercise and stretching routines to keep your muscles strong during treatment. And we’ll be here with proven rehabilitation programs to help you overcome any side effects after treatment, like lymphedema, swallowing trouble, pain and much more. What you eat and drink can also have a big impact on how you feel, but you may experience changes in your appetite and tastes that make it difficult to get the nutrition you need. Our registered dietitians and nutritionists are specially trained to help you overcome the unique obstacles that come with cancer treatment. Working closely with you, we’ll create a personalized eating plan that ensures you get all the nutrients your body needs. Social services to help support your unique needs Everyone copes with cancer a little differently. That means every patient needs different support. Our social services — which include financial assistance; connections to community resources or professional guidance for any of the physical, mental and emotional challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis — are far reaching and wide ranging, so you can find the help you need. Nurse navigators to help you keep it all straight Constantly navigating appointments, treatment plans and recommendations from your care team can become overwhelming. That’s why we’ll make sure you’re assigned a nurse navigator that can help you keep it all straight. Our team of nurse navigators will streamline your care and – just as importantly – offer up a comforting, consistent presence during a stressful time. We’ll take care of the details, while you focus on healing. Spiritual care to help your heart heal Spiritual health is so much more than religion. It’s about finding an inner peace that can help you and your loved ones achieve life balance. For you, that may include sitting in a chapel and praying. Or, it could mean meditation, volunteering, forgiveness or optimism. No matter your beliefs, our spiritual care team is here to help you and your family find that sense of calm. And we’ll start by listening to you and your needs. Palliative care to help you manage painful symptoms Sometimes, the hardest part of dealing with cancer is managing painful symptoms. And palliative care may be the answer. This important medical service helps relieve suffering and improve your quality of life during treatment. At the DeCesaris Cancer Institute, our palliative care team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers and chaplains who share the same goal: Helping you and your loved ones. That support can look very different depending on where you on your path to healing. We’ll work hard to help you: Find ways to ease your pain and discomfort from treatment Create realistic goals for your care Communicate openly and honestly with your entire care team and family Bring family members together for productive conversations Coordinate care among treatment teams Bring peace and comfort during end-of-life situations Survivorship and caregiver support to help lift your spirit Your care doesn’t end when your treatments do. Because, believe it or not, sometimes ending treatment can be a little jarring. After all, you and your loved one have grown accustomed to regular appointments, meeting with doctors and having a nurse just a phone call away. Take heart in knowing you’ll continue to work closely with your primary oncology provider and primary care provider to ensure you stay healthy, well and strong. Cancer is a journey, and everyone’s path is different. Sharing your story, whether it’s as a cancer survivor or caregiver, can also go a long way in helping you (and others in your group) heal. Here, as a part of our survivorship or caregiver support program, you can connect with people in similar situations; who understand the challenges you face and can give you the safe space you need to process your emotions. We offer many different types of support groups, including groups for patients, survivors, family members. We also have support groups for specific cancers, including head and neck, lung, prostate and breast. We’re here to meet you where you are Sometimes, asking for help is the hardest part. And during a challenging time like a cancer diagnosis, it can be hard to even know what you need. We’ve built our support services for patients just like you. If you’re not even sure where to begin, let your nurse navigator, doctor or any member of your care team know what’s on your mind. We’ll take it from there, help you find the solutions and support you need. Call us anytime at 443-481-5800.
- 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.