- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen you think of breast cancer treatment, you may think surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or any combination of these treatments. You may not know that there are rehabilitation services available to help with various side effects from breast cancer treatment. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, rehab can improve your quality of life. Here are some things you should know: Specialists provide your breast cancer rehabilitation. Your team may include physical, occupational and speech-language therapists, based on your needs. They’re trained to provide you specialized care to help you before, during and after your treatment. They help you get back to your previous lifestyle in the best way possible. After chemotherapy you may notice a change in your sensation. A common side effect of chemotherapy is peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in your arms and legs (typically in your hands and feet) are damaged. Breast cancer therapy can help desensitize nerves and improve your sensory feedback. This can help restore your balance if your legs and feet are affected. After breast surgery, you may experience limited reach and flexibility in your arm. A therapist assesses your range-of-motion and prescribes exercises and interventions, like massage and stretching, to safely improve your mobility and function. You may have surgery to remove underarm lymph nodes where cancer has spread. As a result, you may develop lymphedema. Lymphedema is abnormal swelling of your arm or other part of your body. Breast cancer rehab can help prevent development of lymphedema, or help treat lymphedema if you already have it. Rehab interventions to treat the condition may include: Specialized massage to help drain excess fluid. Compression bandaging and/or compression garments. Skin care strategies. Specialized exercise. Many experience muscle decline and weakness after breast cancer treatment. A therapist can help you with exercises, as well as energy conservation and fatigue management strategies to improve your tolerance for activity. The ultimate goal is to help you return to your prior level of function. Breast cancer rehabilitation ultimately helps improve your function and participation in daily activities. Rehab therapists are available to assist you with getting back to your personal best after the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Author Christy McLellan, PT, DPT, CLT-UE, is a physical therapist with AAMG Physical Therapy. To contact her practice, call 443-481-1140. Originally published Oct. 23, 2017. Last updated Oct. 11, 2019.0
- Women's Health, Uncategorized, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn March 14, 2016, Kelly Huber suddenly felt strange. She had spent the day doing yard work when her symptoms hit: sore, tired arms and tight shoulders. “It wasn’t a normal hurt. It felt like I’d been hit by a truck,” says Kelly, who was just three days away from her 51st birthday. “My arms were exhausted. I could barely move them.” At first, Kelly tried to ignore the symptoms. She went inside and got her 8-year-old twin boys ready for bed. But she couldn’t get rid of the heavy feeling in her arms and shoulders, and began to feel extremely hot. She didn’t understand what was happening and became confused and concerned. Kelly’s husband insisted they go to AAMC’s emergency room near her home in Grasonville, Md. There, tests showed the last thing Kelly expected at her age: She was having a heart attack. Women and Heart Disease Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths every year. Source: The American Heart Association Heart Attack in the Making Kelly was no stranger to AAMC. When her twins were born three months early, she was by the boys’ side for seven long weeks in AAMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Teddy’s Place. Now it was her turn to be the patient. “The artery to the front of Kelly’s heart had a major blockage, which was causing her symptoms,” says Elizabeth Reineck, MD, interventional cardiologist with AAMC. Dr. Reineck reopened Kelly’s artery with a stent. To Kelly, the heart attack felt like it came out of nowhere. But in reality, it was years in the making. “If you looked at her 10-year risk of heart problems one month before she had her heart attack, it would have been very high,” says Kelley Sullivan, MD, Kelly’s post-operative cardiologist with AAMC. Kelly had high cholesterol and a family history of heart problems. Her father had triple bypass surgery before age 50, and her mother was diagnosed with severe heart disease. On top of that, in the span of seven years, Kelly gave birth to her boys prematurely, which left one of them blind; lost her mother; and became separated from her husband. “It was a lot to handle,” she says. A New Lease on Life Kelly’s heart attack was the icing on a bitter cake. “I was scared to death. I prayed, ‘I have little boys. Please let me make it so I can be here for them,’” she says. Her prayers were answered when she left the hospital three days later on her birthday. That was just the beginning of Kelly’s recovery story. Post-operative care would be a partnership between Kelly and her doctors. “Even if we can open up the blocked artery, you have to take medications for the rest of your life and follow up with a cardiologist regularly,” says Dr. Reineck. “As doctors, we can only do so much. To be successful moving forward, patients need to make positive lifestyle changes, too.” Kelly was determined to do whatever it took to succeed. For her, that meant taking prescribed medications, improving her diet and exercising more often. Because she was terrified of another heart attack, exercising was especially hard. “You worry,” she says. “Every little ping and pain feels like it’s your heart.” Fortunately, three months of cardiac rehab at AAMC helped her recover physically and emotionally. “Kelly came to us scared and nervous. She was afraid for her kids,” says cardiac nurse Shannon Adkins. Her therapy with Kelly included nutritional counseling and supervised exercise, such as walking on a treadmill while connected to a heart monitor. “Our goal was to make her feel better about doing things so that when she went back into the real world, she would feel more confident.” Kelly’s twins were by her side at most of her appointments. They supported her a few steps away from where she’d first supported them at their birth. “My boys are my little advocates. They are my biggest motivation for getting healthy,” Kelly says. “I’ve changed everything so I can be here to watch them grow up.” Find out how you can help bring cardiac surgery to AAMC. Contributors Elizabeth Reineck, MD, is an interventional cardiologist with AAMC. Kelley Sullivan, MD, is a cardiologist with AAMC.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSometimes it’s hard for you to pinpoint the source of your pain when it comes to back and hip problems. This can lead to problems in diagnosis, and without the proper diagnosis, your treatment is often ineffective. It’s likely my hip causing me pain Most true hip problems are, surprisingly, felt in the groin. The common culprit is osteoarthritis in the hip joint. In addition to the groin pain, you’ll often experience: Pain when walking, pivoting and other physical activities. Relief when sitting, although you may have stiffness. Limping You’ll usually have a history of loss of motion at the hip, which can make it difficult for you to put on shoes and socks or to cut your toenails. You may also have difficulty getting in and out of cars, and going up and down steps. Your groin pain may extend down the front of the thigh as far as the knee. Hip arthritis may rarely present as knee pain rather than groin pain. But, if your pain radiates past your knee, there’s numbness or tingling in the leg, or weakness such as dragging your foot, hip arthritis is not the cause. It’s likely my back causing me pain When the pain is in the middle of the lower back, or when your back tightens up so that you can hardly move, there is generally no problem with the diagnosis. This is particularly true when the pain radiates into the leg, especially below the knee, and is associated with numbness, tingling or weakness. However, not all back symptoms are so straightforward. I often see patients with pain in one or the other buttock, and they almost always tell me they have a hip problem, but most of the time pain in the buttock actually originates in the lower spine. This is called referred pain, similar to when a heart attack patient complains of pain in the left arm. Your lower back can refer pain from an impinged nerve to both your buttocks and legs. And, where it refers the pain to depends on which joint in your spine is causing the issue. A lot of lower back problems that show as hip pain are caused by a herniated disc that presses on nerves in the spinal column. This produces pain known as sciatica, which you’ll often feel in the hip. You may have a herniated disc in your lower back if your pain: Shoots down your leg below the knee, with numbness, tingling or weakness. Becomes worse when you sit or bend. Improves when you stand or walk. Treatment Both back and hip pain may respond to anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen. Physical therapy often helps back pain, and a lightweight back support may also be useful. If these initial measures fail to provide relief, targeted cortisone injections may be helpful. This is where a correct diagnosis is so important. You’ll often feel no relief if the wrong area is injected. If you’re experiencing back and neck pain, you can find out what factors may play a role and get recommendations for follow-up steps by taking a free back pain assessment at askAAMC.org/SpineHealth. Author Stephen Faust, MD, is the Co-Director of AAMC Orthopedics where he specializes in total joint replacements and spine care. You can reach his practice at 410-268-8862. Originally published October 9 , 2017. Last updated July 5, 2018.0
- Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFrom Zumba® to barre to breakdancing, the fitness industry has seen a growing trend in dance fitness. Whatever dance fitness trend you choose, you can lose or maintain weight, become more active and have tons of fun with this type of exercise. But dance fitness can also cause injury if you aren’t careful. Problems like shin splints, knee pain, back strains and ankle sprains can take the spring out of your step. The good news: You can take steps to prevent injuries with these tips, says Apryl Riggins, physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. GO EASY. “Always start slow. Try one class, or even half of a class, and see how your body responds,” Apryl says. “Injuries don’t typically occur from a single movement or class. Injuries more often occur as a result of repetitive movements over several days or weeks, and especially when you’re tired.” If you experience pain or fatigue, take a day or two off, make sure you’re pain-free, then resume your dance class to make sure you’re comfortable. WARM UP WISELY. Warm-ups should include a cardio component. Start with gentle arm and leg movements for five to 10 minutes, gradually picking up your pace. Once your muscles are warm, try some dynamic stretches, such as high knees, butt kicks or leg swings. COOL DOWN CORRECTLY. Slow your dance movements for five to 10 minutes. Then stretch your body, including your arms and legs, holding each stretch for 30 seconds to one minute. MIX THINGS UP. Try cross-training, or doing more than one form of exercise. Doing other types of exercise in addition to dance works different muscle groups. Cross-training can help you avoid overuse injuries. “Pilates and yoga are excellent additions to dance training,” says Apryl. “They focus on core strengthening and stabilization of your abdominal, pelvic and back muscles, which helps prevent injury.” TREAT YOURSELF RIGHT. “General muscle soreness is normal after a workout, but sharp pain is not,” Apryl says. “If you experience intense pain, talk to your doctor.” Conditioning and physical therapy can help relieve pain and prevent injuries from returning. For more information, call 443-481-1140 or visit AAMGPhysicalTherapy.com. Author Apryl Riggins is a physical therapist at AAMG Physical Therapy. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Jan. 7, 2019.0
- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAfter a year of lockdown, quarantine and social distancing, you’ve never been more ready to take advantage of the long summer days. We get it. But before you grab your grilling apron, beach towel or hiking boots, it’s important to know that with many outdoor activities and beloved holiday traditions comes a spike in accidents and injuries. In fact, every year emergency departments across the country prepare for an annual surge in visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 130 million emergency room visits in 2018, with a third of them happening during the summer months. Learn more about what calls for a Band-Aid and a Popsicle — but also when emergency medical care is needed. Bites The more time you spend outside, the more susceptible you are to bites from beasts and bugs of all shapes and sizes. Dog bites A dog bite may need stitches if it’s deep. Consider seeking medical advice if it begins to show these signs of infection, even after washing it regularly: Redness Swelling Warmth Whitish-yellow discharge Insect bites For some people, insect bites and stings can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. Watch for symptoms, such as: Difficulty breathing Dizziness Swelling of the face Nausea Hives Diarrhea, stomach cramps Broken bones and sprains Whether you’re on the bike trail, trampoline or ballfield, there are endless ways to take a fall that results in a nasty twist or break. Get to your local emergency department if you: Are unable to move fingers with an arm injury or toes with a leg injury Experience heavy bleeding Have bone pushing through your skin or a visually out-of-place or misshapen limb Burns Grills, fire pits, campfires and, no surprise, fireworks are all hot spots for summertime burns. Any activity that involves fire or extreme heat in any form requires vigilance, distance and extreme caution.Serious burns, burns to your eyes, mouth and hands, or burns that cover a large area, need emergency care. A few important notes before you head there: Do not remove clothing stuck to burned skin Do not put anything on the burn Keep burned areas elevated until you get to the emergency department to reduce swelling Sunburn Some sunburns can be severe (often referred to as “sun poisoning”). Watch for these symptoms: Dehydration Chills Confusion Headache High fever Nausea Severe pain Cuts Running barefoot? Chopping a salad or summer fruits? A deep cut can happen in an instant. A wound likely needs a stitch or two if it’s: Bleeding enough to soak through bandages, even after applying direct pressure for five to 10 minutes Filled with debris like glass or gravel More than a half an inch long Ragged (rather than what looks like a clean cut) Other wounds — such as animal or human bites or wounds with a dirty, rusty or pointed object — that go deep into the skin may not need stitches but could require other treatments such as a tetanus booster shot. Falls While most falls don’t land you in the emergency department, they can leave you with more than a goose egg. Be on the lookout for head injuries that may not be visible. Go to the emergency department if you see signs, such as: Balance problems Confusion, disorientation Loss of consciousness Nausea or vomiting Seizure Food poisoning Heat can wreak havoc on picnic food favorites. If cold foods aren’t kept cold and hot foods hot, dangerous bacteria invite themselves to things like potato salad and burgers. Signs of food poisoning can show up within hours of eating contaminated foods and will likely include: Abdominal pain and cramps Fever Nausea Vomiting Watery or bloody diarrhea If you are having severe or prolonged symptoms, it’s time to go to the emergency department. When to forget about finding your keys and call an ambulance Every second counts with certain injuries or conditions. Call an ambulance if you or a loved one experience: When to forget about finding your keys and call an ambulanceEvery second counts with certain injuries or conditions. Call an ambulance if you or a loved one experience: Chest pain Difficulty breathing Slurred speech Spinal injuries, such as from diving or jumping in water Swelling of the tongue or face from an allergic reaction Stroke symptoms, such as any new numbness or tingling Having trained medical personnel come to you can make a lifesaving difference. Don’t forget to look for the closest emergency department in your community and have the address handy. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center 8118 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD 20706 Author Amber Marshall, MD is Assistant Medical Director of LHDCMC’s Adult Emergency Department Author Michael Remoll, MD is Medical Director of LHAAMC’s Adult Emergency Department0
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