- Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere is a variety of skin care products on the market, and many of us have several products at home for everything from acne to dark circles. Our goal is to have healthy skin, but what does that really mean? Telisha Johnson, a plastic surgery nurse practitioner at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, explains what to look for in healthy skin. Healthy skin is smooth, firm/tight, even in color, hydrated, tolerant and free from disease. Smooth skin has a soft and compact outer layer that has unbroken cell renewal and a regulated skin repair cycle Firm/tight skin is full and has an abundance of optimally functioning collagen and elastin Even in color skin has properly functioning pigment with even production and distribution Hydrated skin has a barrier function that produces natural moisturizing factors that are formed within the structural proteins of the skin Tolerant skin has a functional barrier that is tolerant to the surrounding environment Free from disease skin is not sensitive nor does it have pre-cancer or cancerous lesions It doesn’t take dozens of products to address skin-care concerns. “I cannot stress enough the importance of having a few simple products like a cleanser, exfoliator, toner and sunscreen. That’s only four products!” says Johnson. Cleansers remove oils, dirt and makeup without damaging the skin Exfoliators are necessary to remove dead skin cells and increase new cell regeneration—this helps produce more even skin, helping to ensure better distribution of your other skin care products Toners help to balance the pH of your skin, remove impurities, reduce pores, and keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated Finally, daily use of sunscreen (30 SPF or higher) will decrease the risk of sunspots, skin cancers and wrinkled skin Those core products will build a solid foundation of basic skin care. To request a consultation about specific skin concerns, visit Luminis.Health/PlasticSurgery Authors Telisha Johnson is a plastic surgery nurse practitioner at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has been named one of the best hospitals in the United States. Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospital List recognized only 414 hospitals across the country. “We’re honored to be ranked among the top 100 hospitals in the nation,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Our teammates in every role demonstrate exemplary knowledge and caring care in every mission of the patient experience. We thank our community for the trust they have put in our hospital for 120 years.” Newsweek collaborated with Statista Inc. to rank leading hospitals, based on three data sources: medical experts, patient experience surveys and medical key performance indicators including: patient safety, hygiene measures and quality of treatment. “The responses from our patients mean the world to us caregivers,” said Dr. Stephen Cattaneo, president of the medical staff at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “This recognition highlights the level of care and compassion shown by our team members, and demonstrates the on-going commitment of our mission, which is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve.”
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHeart disease affects lots of people and can be fatal. In fact, it is for over 600,000 people in the U.S. every year. That’s a scary number, made scarier still when you consider that many people who are at risk for acquired heart disease don’t know it. Here is what you should know: What causes it? There are many kinds of heart disease, from arrhythmias that affect your heartbeat to heart infections and more. But when it comes to acquired heart disease, the most common culprit is plaque (a substance that can build up in arteries.) If enough plaque sticks to the sides of your arteries, the passages for blood through your arteries can narrow, causing blood to reach your heart less easily. Plaque buildup is the leading cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and of heart attack. Who is at risk? Heart disease can affect anyone at any age. You likely already know that having other chronic health issues, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, can increase your risk of developing heart disease — and that your age, gender and family history are also contributing factors. However, you may be surprised to learn that lifestyle choices, such as unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity, are the leading cause. What are the symptoms? Heart disease is sometimes referred to as a “silent” disease. That’s because heart disease and the conditions that lead to it, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, often have no symptoms. And that means that, sometimes, the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. Signs of a heart attack may include: Cold sweats Discomfort or pain in the chest, jaw, neck or back Feeling dizzy, weak or lightheaded Feeling sick to your stomach Shortness of breath If you think that you or someone else is having a heart attack, don’t wait — call 9-1-1 right away. Is it diagnosable? Sometimes acquired heart disease can be diagnosed by a doctor through a series of chest x-rays, exercise stress tests and other diagnostic tools. If you’re concerned about heart disease, talk with your doctor about what tests might be right for you. Is it preventable? Making healthy lifestyle choices can lower your chances of acquiring heart disease. Quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular physical activity (150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week) are a great place to start. If you have another condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, make sure to talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your health. Your doctor may be able to recommend lifestyle changes you can make right away to start living healthier. They can also recommend medication to treat heart disease or its cause, if necessary. This post originally ran in the Enquirer-Gazette. Authors Leighton Forrester, MD, is a cardiologist at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S., you know all about green eggs and beer. In fact, according to a Nielson survey from 2019, bars and restaurants make more sales on St. Patrick’s Day than any other day of the year. So, what do you do if you don’t drink alcohol? Luckily, there are plenty of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while maintaining your sobriety – even during a pandemic. Attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade, festival or run Most cities and towns host an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade or festival. A few popular ones include this parade in Annapolis and the Shamrock Fest in Washington, D.C. There also are several marathons and 5Ks for St. Patrick’s Day if you’re looking to be more active. And even if COVID-19 keeps you from attending a parade in person, you can usually watch them virtually from home. Make a non-alcoholic green drink Who says you have to put alcohol in a green beverage? There are tons of fun recipes for mocktails, green lemonade and punch. It’s also the season for Shamrock shakes. For healthier options, make a green smoothie, green juice or even green tea. Cook an Irish dish There are a lot of options for making tasty Irish dishes, including shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew. Many recipes are meat and potatoes-based, so remember to add a vegetable like carrots or parsnips. There are plenty of kid-friendly options too, including green eggs, green Jell-O and even sweet treats made with Lucky Charms cereal. Learn about Irish heritage Look for a culture club or Irish Heritage Center near you (for example, the Emerald Isle Club in Towson). These centers often have events or other online resources to help you learn more about Ireland. You also can celebrate Irish heritage by listening to Irish music or watching Irish movies. There’s more traditional Irish music, with the fiddle, pipes, flute and harp. But there’s also rock – U2, Flogging Molly, the Dubliners, the Cranberries and many others. For movies, streaming services, like Netflix, have an Irish section. Pick a movie at random to watch. You can also rent movies from the library. There are old and new films, including Oscar-nominated “Belfast,” “Brooklyn,” “Song of the Sea” and many more. Practice Irish step dance Learn a traditional Irish step dance, such as Irish Ceili (“kay-lee”), which involves keeping your upper body still as you move your feet in different patterns. Find a video online and give it a try with your family. Wishing you a healthy and happy St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day began as a Catholic holiday that marked the end of Catholic parishioners fasting for Lent. But today, at least in the U.S., it’s become a widespread holiday for all — and alcohol usually plays a role in the celebration. But it doesn’t have to. If you’re planning to drink or host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, we encourage you to put a plan in place to keep everyone safe. And if you, or someone you know, needs help with alcohol addiction, our team is here to help. Authors Daniel Watkins is the Sr. Director, Mental Health Operations and Nursing at Luminis Health.
- Behavioral Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFrom the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew to be concerned about our physical health. But what we didn’t think as much about — especially since we couldn’t have foreseen the true impact it would have on our lives or the length of time it would last — is how it could affect our mental health. And today, we’re still learning. In general, we know the disruption we’ve all faced — from fear of the virus and drastic changes to our daily routines to complete isolation — isn’t good for us. And while some effects were already known, others reveal themselves every day. For example, we’re just now beginning to understand the connections between the pandemic and mental health issues that often plague teenagers, including eating disorders. Check out these recent observations: According to the National Eating Disorders Association, calls, texts and online chats to their helpline increased 58% from March 2020 to October 2021. A recent study shows a 25% jump in eating disorder-related hospitalizations for 12-18-year-olds overall. Girls 12-18 years old were hospitalized for eating disorders 30% more during the pandemic. The numbers are clear. And that means parents have a reason to be concerned. Learn more, so you can be ready if your teen needs help. What are eating disorders? Eating disorders are serious but treatable illness that affects people mentally and physically — and there are many types. People are most familiar with anorexia nervosa (self-starvation by severely reducing calories to lose weight) and bulimia (purging after eating an excessive amount of food). But other eating disorders can involve binge eating, obsessing over healthy eating, abusing laxatives and compulsive exercising. What’s behind the jump in eating disorders in teenagers? The pandemic pummeled teens’ daily routine and structure: Schools closed their doors and extracurricular activities, including beloved sports, came to a halt. But what hit them the hardest? Hanging with friends — a teen’s lifeblood — wasn’t an option (or was limited at best). Eating disorders are often related to control, so it makes sense that the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic could be a powerful trigger. When life feels turned upside down, someone with a tendency toward disordered eating could easily turn to controlling food — how much, what or when they eat — to feel like they’re in control of something. For example, stuck at home with less structure and more access to food, teens may binge-eat to deal with anxiety and stress. Then, if weight gain hits, they may go to the other extreme, restricting food and becoming overly focused on exercise. It’s no surprise: Social media fuels the fire. With school and activities limited, teens turned to their phones to feel connected to someone. They spent more time than ever scrolling through sites such as Instagram and TikTok. And although teens may feel less alone when they’re online, excess screen time exposes them to negative messages. What are signs of an eating disorder? Even today, with most schools and activities up and running again, stress and uncertainty still linger. Teens, like everyone else, are trying to live with the reality that COVID-19 is here to stay. Unfortunately, eating disorders continue to be how many teens try to cope. Changes in your teen’s regular eating and exercise habits are signs your teen may be struggling. Keep an eye out for these signs and take action if you notice: Defensiveness about food Obsessive workouts Preoccupation with counting calories Refusal to eat specific categories of food Skipped meals Sudden weight loss Also pay attention to what your teen’s saying. For example, comments about food — feeling guilt or anxiety about what they’re eating or not eating — or unhappiness about their body are red flags of a brewing eating disorder. Know how to help your teen Talking with teens can be tricky, but it’s the place to start if you suspect they’re using food or eating in an unhealthy way. Be direct and ask what’s going on without launching into a lecture. They’ll be more receptive to discussions in small doses. Focus on your concerns for their health, not body shape or size. Stumped for what those conversations should cover? Start with: Emotional eating. Help your teen understand how food can be a way people deal with emotions. Explain how talking through problems with friends, family or a counselor is a more effective (and healthy) way to cope with a problem. Healthy eating habits. Talk about eating when hungry and how to fuel their body to be healthy and strong. Make regular meals together a habit. Media messages. Help your teen understand that social media, television shows and movies portray unrealistic (and often “doctored”) body types as normal. Positive body image. Ask your teen how they feel about how they look, and explain how healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Remember, as a parent, you’re setting an example. Practice the attitudes about food, eating and body image you want them to have. Reaching for ice cream for comfort after a tough day at work or bashing your “thunder thighs” every time you put on shorts is a message you’re sending that eventually sticks. You may think your teen isn’t listening or watching, but they are. Finally, don’t assume eating issues are “just a phase” your teen will grow out of. Research shows dealing with concerns about an eating disorder early and getting professional help are key to successfully treating it. Start by scheduling an appointment with your teen’s primary care provider. Sometimes it takes hearing something from someone other than mom and dad for a message to get through. But it may take more. If so, your doctor can offer the appropriate support or referral your teen needs. This article originally ran in the Enquirer Gazette. Authors Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, medical director, Luminis Health Pediatric Emergency Department.
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