- Behavioral Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAll around the country—and right here in Anne Arundel County—doctors, nurses, technicians, social workers, and a myriad of others are caring for the sickest of the sick in trying and often heart-breaking conditions. Every day they—YOU—sacrifice time with loved ones in the service of others. Every day, you as frontline warrior don your armor and steel yourselves to do battle against not only COVID-19, but all the other ailments that haven’t taken a break simply because COVID is in town. But I wonder, what protection do you place on yourself for your mental and emotional health? As health care providers, we have to be strong—strong for our patients, and strong for each other. Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help because we have to be so strong all the time. But we are also human and subject to fatigue, fear, loneliness, frustration, and sadness. Just like everyone else. We can’t stop being strong, we can’t stop caring for people, and we can’t just walk away. So what can we do? How can we take care of our own mental and emotional needs, especially when our days are so long and time is at a premium? I’d like to offer some simple guidelines: Take time to breathe. It sounds really simple, almost too simple. But we get so busy and feel so rushed, that at times we have to remember the simple things. Take breaks. They don’t have to be long. Just a few minutes to listen to a favorite song, to read a chapter out of a favorite book, to play a game on your phone. Something different from the demands of the day. Get sleep. Yes, this one is tough. Days (and nights) are long, and there are often not enough hours in the day. But we know that a tired mind and body are not nearly as effective as a well-rested mind and body. Be sure to make sleep a priority. Exercise. This one is also tough, especially given the demands of the day. Even 15 minutes a day can go a long way to helping you feel refreshed and restored. You don’t have to go to the gym—take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go for a brisk walk. Do yoga. Keep a small set of weights in your workspace to use. Reach out to others and stay connected. Maybe this one needs to be first. We are so used to taking care of the needs of others that we need to remember to let trusted others know our needs, too. Call your family and friends—not just to check in on them, but to let them know how you are, too. Give people permission to check in on you. Seek help. There may come a time when all of these things don’t seem to help. You may feel in over your head, or burnt out, or unable to continue. Don’t be afraid to reach out or seek assistance. Help is just a walk down the hallway or phone call away. We are all in this together. We need you! As you take care of others, please be sure to take care of yourself, too. Your mental and emotional health are worth the investment. Author Eric Anderson, MD, is medical director of the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Patient & Family Advisors, Women's Health, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEarl Shellner had just completed a long course of chemotherapy to treat aggressive rectal cancer when he and his family began to notice something was seriously wrong: He was experiencing frequent memory lapses. Earl found himself forgetting basic life skills, such as how to use his toothbrush or write out certain letters. “I couldn’t remember how to make a cursive S or a J,” he recalls. “I had to look it up on the Internet, how to make the curves for those letters.” His family also noticed he was telling the same stories over and over again in the same day without realizing he was repeating himself. When Earl mentioned these lapses to his medical team, they told him the problem was very likely “chemo brain,” a term describing cancer-therapy-associated cognitive deficits. Basically, the strong drugs used to treat Earl’s cancer had disrupted some of the neural pathways in his brain. Reports indicate that as many as 70 percent of patients who receive chemotherapy experience symptoms anywhere from mental “fuzziness” to memory lapses to problems following through on tasks. Rebecca Gondak, a speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Cancer Rehabilitation program, worked with Earl, practicing exercises that helped him carry out tasks like shopping for groceries and recalling names. Earl was particularly excited when he and Rebecca worked out a clue for helping him remember the name of his 14-year-old neighbor. “I learned how to use a mnemonic device,” says Earl. “When I saw the young man, I would think of a calendar and the first letters of July-August-September-October-November to spell ‘JASON.’” Now, after making significant progress on his cognitive tests, Earl has become a patient and family advisor at AAMC. In this role, he is informing medical center staff, as well as cancer patients, friends and family—everyone he can—about chemo brain. “I have given a speech to hospital administrators,” he says. “And when I am at the infusion center, I ask patients if they know about chemo brain. A lot of them don’t, so I lead them in the right direction [to get help].” Read more about chemo brain and Earl’s experience. Learn more about Cancer Rehabilitation, a certified STAR Program® at AAMC, by calling 443-481-3805.0
- Weight Loss, NutritionGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMindful eating is an approach that examines our eating behaviors, focusing on how our eating patterns make us feel. Focusing on the experience of eating and becoming in touch with our hunger, fullness and satisfaction signals are all mindful eating strategies. This approach helps us enjoy food for the pleasure it provides. You can do this by eating slowly, savoring the flavor and not simultaneously watching a screen, walking around the kitchen or driving a car. Mindful eating apps can be a helpful resource in our quest for healthier eating habits, without putting all of the focus on calories consumed and burned. Let’s take a look at two that are currently available. Ate: This app is visual, easy to use and fast. You can set your own specific eating goals, such as “eat healthier,” and the app will select specific steps to take toward your goal from a variety of behavior-based recommendations. The basic plan is free and this app is ideal for those who prefer accountability that comes with keeping a food record or counting calories. Am I Hungry?: This app puts you in charge of your eating decisions without having to rely on restrictions and rules. It includes a hunger-fullness rating scale that lists strategies to help you understand why you might reach for foods without feeling hungry. With this knowledge, you can determine how to address the feeling, if necessary, with something other than food. For instance, perhaps you are thinking of eating food because you feel stressed. Here are some additional tips to help you become a mindful eater: It all begins with your grocery list. Plan meals and then make a list. Do not stray from the list and do not go to the store hungry. Chew slowly and pay attention to the food, portion, flavor and smell of what you are eating. Put utensils down between bites and engage in conversation, if possible. Eat at a designated place, preferably the kitchen table with no distractions. Do not eat on the run, in the car, standing or while simultaneously doing another activity. Pay attention to your fullness and hunger cues. Sometimes we think we are hungry when we are thirsty, or perhaps you want a break from your workspace, so eating is an excuse to pause. However, ask yourself if you are actually hungry. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full, so resist pushing away from the table full. Keep a food journal and note what you eat, how much and your level of hunger on a scale of one to 10. It is also important to not allow yourself to get famished, which can lead to accelerated eating and over consumption. Mindful eating takes a little bit of practice, but it’s not impossible. Over time, the more you do it, the easier it’ll become and the more health benefits you will gain. It’s a way of helping you appreciate food rather that restricting it. So go ahead, reduce the distractions in your surroundings and go savor each flavorful bite. Happy mindful eating! Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.0
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health hospitals, Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) and Doctors Community Hospital (DCH), have started a phased approach to resume non-emergent surgeries, starting with urgent, medically necessary procedures beginning this week. The decision was made following careful consideration of guidelines by the Maryland Department of Health, as outlined in Governor Hogan’s “Roadmap to Recovery” plan for the state. In phase one, AAMC and DCH are pre-screening cases for medical necessity — defined as non-life threatening issues but those that are likely to cause harm if they are delayed any further. The hospitals started with their backlog of cases since limiting surgeries and procedures to emergencies or urgent cases only on March 18 after the governor’s statewide order. Doctors’ offices began contacting patients last week so they could be scheduled for evaluations prior to surgery. “Now more than ever it’s important to stay on top of your health, which may require you to come in for a doctor’s appointment or procedure,” said Adrian Park, MD, chair of Surgery for Luminis Health. “An ‘I’ll wait it out’ attitude due to fear of COVID-19 could put your health at risk and cause long-term damage. Know that we are taking the precautions necessary for the safety of our patients and our providers.” The health system’s safety protocols include: Masking of all patients and employees Extensive cleaning of exam rooms before every appointment Frequent disinfection of common areas, including waiting rooms, elevators and bathrooms Daily screening of all staff, following CDC and state guidelines Daily screening of patients before coming to the office Protected check-in and check-out procedures “No Waiting Room” procedures to reduce exposure to other patients As an additional safety precaution, and as recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, patients are asked to self-isolate seven days prior to their scheduled procedure and complete a COVID-19 test two or three days prior to their surgery. As the health system plans for next phases beyond urgent, medically necessary procedures, information for resuming all other procedures, including elective, will be announced at a later date. “We will continue to monitor our supply chain, service needs and status of the pandemic to guide our decision making — all while keeping the safety of our patients at the forefront of our planning,” said Park. Find out more on additional services, including imaging and physical therapy, that are resuming this week at AAMC at askAAMC.org/SafeReadyOpen and at DCH at www.dchweb.org/safe-ready-open. Some Luminis Health services have remained opened and available to the community, including behavioral health inpatient and outpatient services. The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center and Pathways treatment center also implemented the health system’s measures to keep patients safe.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSince fall is here, it’s time to pull out the sweaters and fire pits, visit the pumpkin patch, watch your favorite football team, and breathe the crisp air as you enjoy fall foliage. Whatever the fall activity, chances are you’ll swing by your local coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte, cold brew, or cup of joe. But did you know that sweetened beverages account for nearly half of all added sugars consumed in our diets? Never fear! Minor adjustments to your drink order can cut back significantly on calories and added sugar. If you are trying to lose weight, every calorie counts. Empty Calories It’s easy to drink a lot of calories without realizing it, because beverages sweetened with sugar aren’t as filling as food. Sugary drinks may bring comfort, but they don’t offer nutritional benefits. That’s why we consider these drinks “empty calories.” A good tip? Everything in moderation. Too many sugary drinks can contribute to the development of many diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancers. Which Drink is Right for You? A plain cup of brewed cup of coffee has less than five calories and no fat. Cold brew coffee without any extras can be just as healthy as regular coffee. A general rule of thumb is lattes contain the most milk and are the highest in calories, fat, and protein. Cappuccinos contain a bit less milk but still provide a good amount of calories. Macchiatos contain only a splash of milk and are significantly lower in calories, fat, and protein. Tips for Reducing Sugar in Caffeinated Beverages There are simple ways you can reduce the amount of sugar you consume each day in your favorite coffee drink. Here are some ideas: Request less syrup. When ordering a latte, ask the barista to limit the syrup. A single pump of flavored syrup can provide more than five grams of added sugar. (For context, four grams of sugar is equal to about one teaspoon.) Try a smaller size. You can still enjoy your favorite drink, but with less sugar. Know your coffee shop lingo. Many coffee shops use terms like “lightly sweet” or “skinny” to refer to drinks with less added sugar. The skinny options usually include nonfat milk, the removal of whipped cream and the replacement of regular syrup with sugar free. For example a grande iced vanilla latte from Starbucks has 28 grams of sugar, while the skinny version has only ten grams of sugar. Ditch the toppings. While whipped cream, caramel and chocolate drizzle toppings are delicious, they add a heap of empty calories and added sugar. Mix it up. Consider occasionally switching up your sweet drink order with a seasonal unsweetened tea. You can enjoy it iced or hot. It has all the flavor and none of the sugar. And if your sweet tooth needs to be satisfied, use sugar substitutes to sweeten your tea. Tips for Less Sugar in Other Beverages In addition to coffee drinks and sodas, smoothies and bottled teas can also contain more sugar than you might expect. By making your smoothie or iced tea at home, you have more control over the sugar content. In smoothies, fruit is usually sweet enough that you don’t need any additional sugar or honey. Use plain yogurt, unsweetened milk or almond/soy milk or water instead of flavored yogurt or sweetened milk to help reduce sugar. For a festive fall smoothie, add a scoop of canned pumpkin and a dash of pumpkin spice or a cup of chopped apple with a sprinkle of cinnamon to unsweetened yogurt and milk. For iced tea, make a pot of caramel apple black tea or pumpkin spice black tea, let it cool and then serve over ice. Cut Back on Sugar Slowly No one expects you to quit cold turkey. It’s best to cut back on your sugar intake gradually so that your taste buds get used to less sugar. For some great alternatives, consider unsweetened sparkling water or seltzer. Whether at home or at the coffee shop, think about ways to reduce sugar in your drinks. These small steps can lead to big health benefits. To learn more, or to make an appointment for nutritional support, visit our webpage. Author Allison Maurer, RDN, LDN is a registered dietitian at Luminis Health0
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