- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAugust 30, 2018, started like most other mornings. I woke, showered and got dressed. As I stood at the kitchen counter making my lunch, I began to feel just a little bit odd. There was a hint of what I thought was heartburn that I noticed in the upper back part of my throat. I took an antacid pill and pressed forward with my salad chopping. I then noticed my left jaw. It didn’t hurt, really – I just knew it was there. I also began to feel a very slight fluttery feeling in my chest. The sensation was just below my clavicle and I could feel it just in the upper part of my chest. Overall, I thought I felt a bit anxious. I sat down on a bench in the kitchen and then moved to the couch to try to relax. Within another few moments, I felt a flushed feeling from my head down to my feet. A symptom I remember having felt before during bouts with a stomach bug: nausea and a sense of pending diarrhea, so off the bathroom I headed. I remember passing the desk in the living room, but the next instant I opened my eyes to find myself lying on the floor. Still trying to make haste to the bathroom, I got to my feet only to open my eyes again and find myself face-down on kitchen floor. I had lost consciousness twice! I was now drenched in sweat. About that time, my husband came in from having mowed the lawn and he insisted on calling 911. Good move, Rob! My husband was not typically home during this time, but someone, somewhere, was surely watching over me that day. I knew things weren’t right, but I honestly thought I was experiencing a stomach issue — heart attack was so far removed from my realm of reality. Within five to eight minutes the EMTs arrived. I really had no idea of the severity of the situation – just that I wanted the odd bodily sensations I was feeling to cease. When I arrived at Anne Arundel Medical Center, a team of about 15 was waiting for me (never a good sign). The team took me to the catheterization laboratory – what organized, efficient, saviors they were! Led by Dr. Eric Ginsberg, I was “fixed” and in a recovery room before it even hit me what had actually happened. A bit later, it finally sank in: I had a heart attack. But, how could that be? I am not a picture of health, admittedly; I am very overweight, and I am diabetic, but for the six or so months prior to this, I had been really focusing on my health. I was working with my primary care provider to get my blood pressure under control, and I was working on my diet and A1C (blood sugar test for diabetics) as well. I’d sworn off sugar and lost nearly 30 pounds. I thought I was “on it.” But, I have a family history of heart disease – my dad died at the age of 41 after having had two major heart attacks – and until recently, I didn’t take my diabetes too seriously. August 30, 2018, could have turned out way worse, but it also never could have happened at all. While I am grateful for the amazing care I received, if I could go back, I would tell my 35-year-old self to take into account my family history of heart disease now. Because while I eventually tried to do the right thing, I was too late. Remember, six months of being healthy won’t reverse a lifetime of bad choices. Don’t let “too late” be today. You’re not immune to the “facts of life” just because you think you’re on top of things. It’s important to take all health issues seriously regardless of how bullet-proof you think you are. At the end of the day, it’s better to be seen by a health care professional than to be viewed by grieving friends and family. I completed cardiac rehabilitation at AAMC, yet another wonderful group of caring and effective health care professionals. I have regular appointments with my endocrinologist and dietitian. I’m at the gym three times a week, and I’m focusing on my health. The most devastating recollection of the entire event was the look on the faces of my husband and my two daughters when they walked into my room after the stent procedure. I’m doing whatever I can these days to try and ward off the pain I saw in their eyes and set myself up for a better future. Learn your risk for heart disease with our free online heart health profiler at askAAMC.org/HeartHealth and take the first step toward having a healthy heart for life. Author Karen is a 62-year-old heart attack survivor from Annapolis. Originally published Feb. 21, 2019. Last updated Feb. 13, 2020.
- Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe heroin epidemic in Maryland continues to make headlines, with both Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Anne Arundel County officials having declared it a “public health emergency.” But as any parent would tell you, it’s not just heroin they worry about but a whole host of temptations that seem to be impacting kids at even younger ages. Parents are still the primary influence on their teens. According to research done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 93 percent of teens reported their parents would be disappointed if they used alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs. Education is definitely one of the biggest keys in the fight against adolescent drug use. The earlier we can teach them about the importance of decision making and what drugs and other substances can do to their body, the better chance we have of them not wanting to try them. Information changes every day. It will be hard to combat something you know very little about. Educate yourself and make sure that you are really listening to your child and talking to them without bias and judgement. Our children are informed of many things and it is our job to make sure that the information they get is valid. The Academy of Pediatrics calls it Purposeful Parenting. The National Institute on Drug Abuse cites the importance of family bonding saying it is the bedrock of the relationship between parents and children. Some tips to keep in mind: Be a parent to your child, not a friend. Educate yourself about what’s happening in your child’s school, in the community and about resources available to help. Be a positive role model and promote positive behaviors. Communicate effectively. Good communication helps reassure family members that they care about each other and appreciate each other’s efforts. Good everyday communication can also make it easier to bring up issues, make requests when needed and resolve conflict when it arises. Every family needs ongoing communication about shared interests and concerns, such as running the household, recreational activities and solving problems, to name just a few. Family members also need to be able to express feelings to each other and talk about motions such as happiness, anger, sadness, concern and anxiety. Learn more about the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults opening in March. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation offers these tips on things to remember for effective communication with your child: Expressing Positive Feelings We all feel good when our efforts are acknowledged. Try deliberately expressing positive feelings using these steps: Look at the person. Tell the person what he or she did that pleased you. Tell him or her how it made you feel. Expressing Negative Feelings To air negative feelings in a way that will help resolve them, try these steps: Look at the person and talk with a serious tone of voice. Tell the person what he or she did that displeased you. Tell him or her how you feel as a result and be specific. Make a request for change, if possible. Express Feelings Clearly with “I” Statements Describe your own feelings and avoid putting others on the defensive. For example, instead of saying “you really ticked me off when you were late for dinner last night,” try saying “I was angry when you came home late for dinner last night. I’d appreciate it if you’d be on time or call if you’re going to be late.” You will be surprised how comfortable a child is about talking about drugs, especially if it is something that is so prominent in their environment. A parent’s knowledge of drugs, positive influence and productive conversations with children can carry their child a long way in having a healthy and productive drug-free life. Author Keshia Brooks, BSPH, MBA, is supervisor of Prevention Education and Family Wellness at Pathways, Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. You can reach her office at 410-573-5422. Originally published Jan. 15, 2016. Last updated Feb. 11, 2020.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMost of us wouldn’t think twice about seeing our doctor for stomach pain, a sports injury or the flu. But many people don’t get help for mental health concerns. Sometimes it’s the fear of a label, cultural stigma or worry over not getting the right treatment. Whatever the hesitation, it’s important to see a doctor who will treat both your physical and mental healthcare needs. According to Raymond Hoffman, MD, medical director of the Division of Mental Health and Substance Use, your first call for mental health concerns can be to your primary care provider. “A primary care doctor can prescribe medications for many common mental health issues,” says Dr. Hoffman. He or she may also act as the point person for additional care, such as referring you to a therapist. Regardless of who ultimately treats you, Dr. Hoffman notes that addressing mental health concerns involves entering into a trusting relationship with your healthcare provider, who supports healing and recovery. Many of us think of mental healthcare as treating psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depression and psychosis. But it’s just as important to give attention to everyday concerns such as stress, seasonal depression and anxiety. Medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and heart disease can worsen depression or anxiety — and vice versa. That’s why it’s so important to seek treatment that takes your whole health into consideration. Erasing the Mental Health Stigma MYTH: Mental health conditions are uncommon. FACT: Mental illness is more common than most think. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five Americans will experience mental illness in their lifetime, and one in 25 will experience a serious mental illness that interferes with their life. MYTH: Mental health conditions are untreatable. FACT: Many mental health conditions are not lifelong challenges and might only require treatment for a short time. With advances in modern care, you can successfully manage even chronic mental health conditions. MYTH: Mental health conditions aren’t real medical conditions. FACT: Just like heart disease and diabetes, mental illnesses are medical conditions. Primary care doctors and specialists can effectively treat them. Where to start with mental health help You don’t need to suffer through a mental health condition alone. Unless you’re dealing with a severe mental health issue, a good place to start is your primary care doctor. Your doctor will review your medical records, talk with you about new symptoms or concerns, and work with you to create a treatment plan. If you already have a good relationship with your doctor, you may feel most comfortable talking to him or her. Your doctor may also better understand what stressors you’re dealing with at home and work, and how they affect your physical health. In many primary care offices, a medical assistant screens patients for depression as part of the yearly well visit using a standardized screening tool. This two-question tool can provide information for a doctor to follow up. Doctors can use a more in-depth tool if the initial screening points to depression. The good news for mental health The good news is that mental health conditions are treatable. If your doctor identifies a mental health condition, he or she may provide brief counseling in the office, prescribe medication or refer you to a specialist. Your doctor may also suggest individual or group therapy. According to Dr. Hoffman, “The evidence shows that if most people who are suffering because of symptoms from mental health problems or substance abuse get help, they can be in less distress and function better.” Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at AAMC AAMC offers a range of services, such as: The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults, is opening in March. Pathways, AAMC’s substance use and co-occurring mental health treatment facility Partnerships with the Department of Health and local mental health and substance use providers to connect patients to resources Anne Arundel Medical Group Mental Health Specialists, an outpatient mental health clinic for ages 3 and up AAMC Psychiatric Day Hospital, a partial hospitalization program The Recovery Navigator Program, which provides screenings and referrals in the primary care setting Introduction of mental health consultations in primary care offices Learn more about AAMC’s range of mental health and substance use services, from outpatient group therapy to partial hospitalization. Author Raymond Hoffman, MD, is the medical director of the Division of Mental Health and Substance Use. Originally published Dec. 5, 2016. Last updated Feb. 10, 2020.
- General Page Tier 3BlogThe brain is the body’s control center that is working day and night. As a result, it requires fuel to keep functioning. By eating higher quality foods — containing a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — your brain can better protect itself from oxidative stress, or the waste products produced by your metabolism. On the flip side, eating a lot of processed or refined foods can displace other nutrients and be harmful to your brain. High-sugar, high-fat and high-salt foods cause inflammation. For example, eating a lot of sugar and refined carbohydrates worsens your body’s regulation of insulin. Multiple studies found a link between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function. This included a worsening of mood disorders, such as depression. Here are some of the most studied problems caused by a poor diet that researchers have linked to mental health issues: Chronic low-grade inflammation. This is caused by lifestyle factors, including poor diet, smoking, lack of sleep and psychological stress. And it has been observed in people with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Elevated oxidative stress. Patients with depression experience this. Many people with a mental illness have lower levels of antioxidants in their system compared to control groups. Brain plasticity. Some research shows healthy dietary patterns improve brain plasticity, or the capacity of the brain to change with learning throughout life. Gastrointestinal microbiota. There is a link between mental illness and “gut flora,” or the microbe population living in our digestive tracts. When inflammation starts in the gut, paired with a poor combination of nutrients that affect the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria ratio, it can in turn cause brain inflammation. Ultimately, this causes our brain cells to die. Studies have shown that people taking probiotics have improved their anxiety levels, perception of stress and mental outlook. Mental illness is a top cause of global disability, and the problem continues to grow. Mental health is complex, and if you’re experiencing a problem you should work with a professional on a well-rounded solution. Learn more about the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults opening in March. Nutritional psychiatry supports the role of diet in mental health, and its potential role as a modifiable risk factor for mental illness. Some of the nutrients identified – such as magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, omega 3, b-vitamins and probiotics – are prevalent in a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is high in vegetables, fruits, unprocessed grains, fish and seafood, with modest amounts of lean meats and dairy. They are also void of processed foods, which are staples of the Western diet. If you’re interested in seeing how food affects your mood, start keeping a food record. Jot down how eating different foods make you feel, not just in the moment, but the next day. Make positive changes and compare how you feel . Your body — and brain — will benefit. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555. Originally published Dec. 3, 2018. Last updated Feb. 10, 2020.
- Behavioral Health, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s not a disease. It’s not a sign of a weak personality. And it’s not something to be ashamed of. Sure. Depression drains your energy. Depression makes you sad. Depression makes you feel powerless, tired, less hungry, more anxious. But depression is not always a “bad thing.” And it’s not “incurable.” Everyone goes through some sort of depression. In fact, depression is just part of being human. Of course, everyone experiences it differently, depending on the person, situation and circumstance. For some people, it’s clinical. But there shouldn’t be stigma associated with it. “Do I think it’s derogatory? Absolutely not,” says Donna Phillips, clinical director at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Psychiatric Day Hospital. “I think you can build strength from it. You can enjoy life and grow from it. Everyone experiences it and we all go through some form of it. You can learn from it. The key in getting better is to know what it is and how you can overcome it.” Learn more about the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a 16-bed mental health hospital for adults opening in March. What is depression? Depression is a common but serious mood disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating or working. Some forms of depression are slightly different or can develop under certain circumstances, like it happened to Kathy. After battling three cancers for seven years, including one that required a hip replacement after she developed a tumor in her pelvis, and going through a divorce amidst all of it, Kathy closed this chapter in 2015 after completing her leukemia treatment. But in August 2016, she got shingles – an event she says that pushed her over the edge. “I was really sad,” says Kathy, a 65-year-old retiree. “When I was five months into my shingles, the pain was relentless and it was really difficult to deal with.” Kathy wasn’t taking care of herself, only ate two meals a day and slept until noon. One day, she started to feel sick while driving on her way to meet with her sons for lunch. “I only had a tea for breakfast and felt really bad, so I pulled over,” she recalls. After calling one of her sons, she decided to go back home to meet them there. Noticing their mother wasn’t well, they encouraged her to go to the emergency room. “I admitted I wasn’t well and that I was very depressed,” she says. “I couldn’t turn it around myself, I needed help.” Seeking help is not a sign of weakness After an eight-day visit to Sheppard Pratt, followed by a hospital visit where she discovered she suffered from pneumonia, Kathy continued her mental health care at AAMC’s Psychiatric Day Hospital, an intensive day treatment program. “Seeking help is a good thing,” she says. “Sometimes you have circumstances, like I did, that push you into a depression where you need help to get out of it. I was ignoring the signs, not really accepting what has happening.” Kathy spent two weeks in AAMC’s program, which offers several mental health services. The program seeks to provide individuals with the necessary skills so they can continue to manage once they’re done, says Phillips. “A person who suffers from depression feels isolated, but they’re not alone,” she says. “There are a lot of support groups that can help individuals talk about their situation. Our program helps people develop what we call a wellness toolbox. We talk to our patients about the importance of staying active, socially and physically, having a schedule to adhere to, having good sleep hygiene, eating healthy, and being aware of one’s automatic negative thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that provoke depression.” Although it might seem like a simple approach, Phillips says she’s seen many patients overcome their depression and move on in life. “There are a lot of steps people can take to overcome depression,” she says. “But it’s important to note that seeking help when you can no longer cope by yourself is one of the first steps.” Lessons learned during depression apply to life in general Kathy says she since left treatment, things have changed for the better. “They taught me coping strategies that are helpful and now I set up an alarm to get up at 8 am or earlier,” she says. “I make breakfast for myself, I have lunch dates with my friends and now I’m looking to volunteer.” Kathy says the biggest change is that she feels better about herself and her future. “I feel good about my life,” she says. “I have a grandson that just turned one and I realize that I have so much to look forward to.” Although it was a challenging time for her, Kathy credits her faith and treatment for helping her look at things differently. Today, she hopes her experience can help others. She says no one should be embarrassed or afraid to seek help because there are a lot of places and organizations that are willing to help. “Depression is not an end, you can turn things around,” she says. “There is hope and life after depression.” MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): A nationwide grassroots advocacy group, NAMI represents people affected by mental illness and offers several support services, including education programs and a HelpLine. On Our Own: A statewide behavioral health consumer education and advocacy group, On Our Own of Maryland promotes equality in all aspects of society for people who receive behavioral health services and develops alternative, recovery-based behavioral health initiatives. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Help is always available. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help. Call 1-800-273-8255. AAMC: If you think AAMC’s Psychiatric Day Hospital can help you or a loved one, talk to your doctor. Your doctor must refer you before you can enroll. If you are looking for a doctor who specializes in mental health, call AAMG Mental Health Specialists at 410-573-9000. Originally published Dec. 31, 2018. Last updated Feb. 10, 2020.
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