- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe all want to be healthy. But there is so much information out there when it comes to your health that it’s hard to know what to focus on. Routine doctor visits are important, but only account for 10 percent of what determines your health. Social and environmental factors are twice as important at 20 percent. And genetics (what you inherit from your family) comes in at 30 percent. The biggest factor, at 40 percent, is your health habits and behaviors. Here are six of the most important things you can do for good health, according to our experts. Be physically active. Exercise for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. Cardio is the most important type of exercise you can do. But it’s also important to incorporate resistance training, like weight lifting, into your routine. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, live longer, have less joint pain, are in a better mood, and are at less risk for cancer. Find an activity you can enjoy. This gives you the best chance to keep it going over time. Don’t smoke. Life is hard enough when you’re doing everything right. Smoking harms almost every organ in your body. Smoking causes cancer, and it can also cause heart disease, osteoporosis, cataracts, and even increases your chance of becoming diabetic. Don’t drink alcohol to excess. Moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Excessive drinking causes liver disease, high blood pressure, many types of cancer, and the empty calories increase your risk of obesity. Eat multiple servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This means about two cups of fruit and two cups of vegetables. The vitamins, minerals and fiber they provide reduce blood pressure and cholesterol as well as diseases of the intestines. They also help you repair injured tissues, reducing your risk of some cancers. Wear seatbelts. Your injuries from a car crash will be worse without a seatbelt. And not wearing one during a car crash can be fatal. More than half of people ages 13 to 44 who die in car accidents don’t have on seatbelts. Achieve a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of disease, most notably diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, arthritis, and many types of cancer. Being underweight is also a risk factor for disease. Ask your doctor about your BMI (your measure of body fat based on height and weight). A BMI of 19 to 25 is healthy. These six health habits may not seem all that difficult, but only three percent of Americans do them all. Talk with your doctor about your challenges. Write down your goals and post them where you can see them every day. If you achieve all six, you will have more energy, feel more focused and motivated, handle stress better, and have the best possible quality of life. Originally published June 12, 2017. Last updated Sept. 8, 2020.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2020. AAMC is one of only 140 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor. The award recognizes AAMC’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. AAMC has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart attack patients to the highest level of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. “We are extremely proud to be recognized for nationally for high standards cardiac care,” said Scott Katzen, MD, medical director of AAMC’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab. “This award demonstrates our commitment to providing optimal care for our cardiac patients and that the wellbeing of our community remains our priority.” To receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, AAMC has sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry for two consecutive years and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures. “As a Platinum Performance Award recipient, AAMC has established itself as a leader in setting the national standard for improving quality of care in patients with acute myocardial infarction,” said Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. “By meeting the award requirements set forth in the registry, AAMC has demonstrated a commitment to providing reliable, comprehensive treatment for heart attack patients based on current clinical guideline recommendations.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that almost 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others. Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery day, we are learning new things about coronavirus (COVID-19) and the way it spreads. The virus mainly spreads through people who are in close contact with each other. When someone who is infected (with or without symptoms) coughs, sneezes or speaks, they produce respiratory droplets that others can inhale. Or, they can get into their eyes, nose or mouth. This is why we recommend that you wear a mask in public spaces, and when you are around other people. And it’s especially important when you can’t stay at least six feet apart from others. If you are infected with COVID-19, wearing a mask may keep you from passing the virus to others. Likewise, other people’s masks may protect you. What type of mask should you wear? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people cover their faces with cloth masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cloth masks should have at least two layers of fabric. You should avoid wearing masks with exhalation valves or vents. These vents appear as a plastic clip on the outside of the mask. These types of masks allow the breath you exhale to come out through the holes unfiltered. This can allow your respiratory droplets to reach others and spread the virus. Personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks and N-95 respirators, should be saved for health care workers and others who are on the front lines of patient care. How to wear a mask It’s important to make sure you are wearing your mask properly. Here are some of the dos and don’ts of mask wearing: Do cover your mouth, nose and chin. Don’t leave gaps between your face and the mask. If the mask slips down over your nose, the mask is either loose or too big. A proper fitting mask should contour your face and minimize gapping along the nose, cheeks and chin. Don’t over-tighten your mask, as it may cause skin irritation, injury or difficulty breathing. Do handle the mask by its straps or ties when putting on and removing the mask. Don’t touch the front surface of the mask while wearing it. Adjust mask from the side edges to reposition it. If you do have to touch it, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after. Do wash your cloth mask daily or more frequently, if it becomes soiled. You can wash your masks with other laundry using regular detergent. Don’t wear a mask that is damp. Do put your used masks in a clean paper bag or container that allows moisture to escape. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after you touch them. Don’t remove the mask to speak to someone. The CDC doesn’t recommend that children under the age of two wear masks. People who have trouble breathing should consult with their doctor. You should wear masks while observing other safety precautions. Those include washing your hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer, staying at least six feet apart from others, and cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces. We all must do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are in this together. Author Jean Murray is the director of Infection Control for Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation has recognized Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), now part of Luminis Health, for the third year in a row. This time as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” after earning a top score of 100 on the 2020 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. “We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a leader in health equity,” said Shirley Knelly, chief compliance officer at Luminis Health and executive sponsor of the health system’s LGBTQIA Business Resource Group. “This designation recognizes our continued commitment to an equitable, inclusive environment for both our patients and workforce.” The HEI is the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. In 2020, more than 1,700 healthcare facilities were evaluated nationwide. Of those, 495 facilities earned the “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. In a message to designees, Alphonso David, HRC president, said, “The health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients. In addition, many have made strong statements on racial justice and equity and are engaging in efforts to address racial inequities in their institutions and their communities. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.” AAMC had previously been recognized by the HRC Foundation as a “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer.” “Earning the top score this year is a testament of how we are constantly working to identify opportunities to create a more inclusive culture,” said Knelly.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany patients ask how they can reduce their risk of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a topic of concern for women across the nation. Ranking fifth in cancer deaths among women, this type of cancer accounts for more deaths than any other type of cancer that forms in the female reproductive system, according to recent research by the American Cancer Society (ACS). More than 22,000 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer this year. Unfortunately, more than 13,000 will die from ovarian cancer. And although this cancer develops in older women – approximately 63 and older – it can happen to anyone regardless of their age. Luckily, research shows that the number of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the U.S. has been less over the last 20 years. But more needs to be done. There has been a lot of focus on researching effective screening tests and finding new ways for early detection, as that could change mortality rates. But as organizations continue to do the legwork of research, there are several things women can do to take care of themselves and their bodies. Although there is no direct method of preventing ovarian cancer, there are several prevention tips you can follow to reduce your risk. Consider genetic counseling. Especially as a woman with family history that suggests you could have a cancer syndrome that increases your risk of ovarian cancer. Genetic testing can help define if you (or even family members) carry certain gene mutations that lead to a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Take the pill. Taking a contraceptive pill for at least five years will reduce your chance of ovarian cancer by 50 percent. However, you should talk to your doctor first. Taking the pill can be beneficial in reducing the risk of ovarian cancer, but there are side effects you should know. According to the ACS, birth control pills may slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Make sure to discuss the possible risks and benefits associated with taking the pill with your doctor first. Talk to your doctor about surgery. There are surgical procedures that can help reduce the chance of developing different types of ovarian cancer. Hysterectomy, tubal ligation, as well as removal of the ovaries, the fallopian tubes or the whole fallopian tube can all reduce a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. However, these operations can have many side effects. Surgical interventions must be personalized based on personal and family medical history. Exercise regularly and eat nutritious foods. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating well can lower your risk of cancer. A good balance of fruits and vegetables can also contribute to a healthy weight, which is known to reduce the risk of developing cancer. There is no one specific symptom women experience, but the most typical are feeling bloated and noticing a change in bowel habits. Symptoms are very vague and can often be overlooked or dismissed. If something doesn’t feel right in your body, that’s probably because something isn’t right. Don’t ignore the signs, especially if you have been noticing symptoms for a while and they continue to recur. Talk to your doctor and don’t be afraid to seek specialty care. Gynecologic Specialty Surgeons provide preventive surgery for women at high risk of developing a hereditary type of gynecologic cancer. To book an appointment, call 443-481-3493. Originally published Sept. 23, 2019. Last updated Sept. 3, 2020.
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