- Community, News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3Blog[Information updated February 10, 2022] Having a strong blood supply is more important than ever, especially as we continue to monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Blood Donor Center is taking these steps for the health and safety of our community: We are practicing social distancing by keeping blood donors separate. We are also keeping a safe distance between blood donors and technicians. This includes decreasing the number of donations happening at the same time on our bloodmobile. Our donor interview process identifies healthy blood donors. We added several screening questions that are specific to coronavirus to our donor interview process. We also added a two-question telephone pre-screen for potential donors. This will disqualify anyone with symptoms or possible coronavirus exposure. There is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through a blood transfusion. For more details, you can check out the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks). Additionally, we’d like to help make it clear that people who have had COVID and are fully recovered can donate blood. Per the Food and Drug Administration guidelines, individuals are eligible to donate blood 10 days after complete resolution of symptoms. Our mission is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve and we ask for help in this endeavor. Every year, LHAAMC’s blood bank helps around 3,000 people heal from medical conditions and surgical procedures. Patients with cancer and other serious illnesses need transfusion support. And having a strong blood supply could save their lives. Healthy individuals should schedule an appointment to donate for those in need. The Blood Donor Center is located inside LHAAMC’s Wayson Pavilion, suite 450. Donation times are Monday through Wednesday from 8:15 am – 3:45 pm and Thursday and Friday from 7:15 am – 2:45 pm. You can call 443-481-4215 to schedule a time to donate. If you’re interested in hosting a blood drive, please contact the mobile coordinator at the LHAAMC Blood Donor Center at 443-481-4272 or [email protected]. Check out our donor center web page for more information and to see upcoming blood drives. Thank you for your support in keeping our community healthy!
- Community, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s reasonable for your child to feel anxious, stressed or sad about what’s happening around them. Their daily routine is being interrupted and it might be difficult for your child to understand what they’re seeing online, on TV or hearing from those around them. Times like this call for having open, supportive discussions that can help them understand, digest and cope. Ask open-ended questions and listen carefully. Start by letting them know you’re willing to talk about the issue and find out what’s on their mind. Allow your child to talk freely in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Remember, don’t underestimate their concerns or worries. Acknowledge their feelings and let them know it’s normal to feel scared. Show that you’re listening by giving them your full attention. Remind them that they can talk to you any time they need to. Tell them the truth in a way they can understand. Share with your child information that is truthful and appropriate for their age. Let your child know that some information online isn’t accurate and some stories are only based on rumors. If there are questions to which you don’t know the answer, try researching the answer together from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO). Show them how they can best protect themselves and their friends. One of the best ways to keep your child safe is by encouraging them to wash their hands regularly. Try using this WHO guide to clean hands or dance while lathering upto make learning fun. Remain calm and give them reassurance. Children will react to what you say and how you say it, whether you’re having a conversation directly with them or others. When a child sees certain images on TV or online, it can sometimes feel like the crisis is all around us at all times. This can make it hard for your child to distinguish between images on screen and their own reality. You can help your child cope with the stress by carving out time for them to play and relax. Keep regular routines and adhere to schedules as much as possible. Let them know that there are many people working hard to keep everyone safe. Help them look for the good. Let your child know there are scientists, doctors, health workers and many others who are working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. Let them know you’re there for them. Don’t leave your child in a state of worry. Try to watch their body language by measuring their tone of voice and watching their breathing. Remind your child that you’re there for them and available whenever they have concerns. Author Jennifer Evans is a mental health clinician with Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Psychiatric Day Hospital.
- General Page Tier 3BlogSupporters claim that intermittent fasting helps with weight loss faster than traditional diets. While most diets call for you to take in less food than your body burns, intermittent fasting ranges from 16 to over 24 hours. Let’s take a look at the benefits and consequences of this food trend. Benefits Weight loss. Fasting can be a useful weight loss tool for some. But although research has shown success, studies have been small, few and mostly done on animals. Health. Intermittent fasting can help reduce triglycerides and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which can lower the risk of heart disease. It can also reduce the chances of developing other diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Convenience. You might find it easier to follow intermittent fasting over a long period instead of keeping food records and restricting calories. There are companies that promote packaged meal plans but these can be expensive, ranging around $300 for a week of food. Consequences Physical side effects. Some research participants experienced headaches, constipation and lack of energy. Some also reported developing a bad temper and lack of concentration. One study found that those fasting became more preoccupied with food, which could be an issue if you are predisposed to eating disorders. Sustainability. Living in a food-centered environment – like attending social gatherings – can make fasting extremely difficult to sustain. You should talk to your doctor if you are considering intermittent fasting. Skipping meals and severely restricting calories can be dangerous if you are pregnant, have a history of eating disorders or certain conditions, like diabetes and hypoglycemia. If you take medications for blood pressure or heart disease this can also lead to electrolyte imbalances. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough research. There are many approaches to weight loss and healthy eating you might consider instead. Talk to your doctor to find the best approach to meet your individual needs. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCertain people are at a higher risk of getting very sick from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), including older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include: People aged 65 years and older People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma People who have serious heart conditions People who are immunocompromised, including patients who are being treated for cancer People of any age with severe obesity (Body Mass Index of 40 or higher) People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well-controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, though to date, data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk This is an evolving situation, and we encourage you to check back with the CDC regularly for updates. If I am a high-risk individual, how should I protect myself? In order to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19, we recommend taking the following precautions: Practice social distancing and remain in your home Consider working from home, if you are able Arrange to have your groceries delivered Stock up on necessities, including medicine Avoid crowds as much as you can Keep away from others who are sick Wash your hands frequently READ MORE: Coronavirus: What you need to know
- Community, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHow can you keep your high-energy child occupied when you can’t leave the house? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are nine things you can do to keep your child entertained. Play games. The first few days – or maybe even hours – might seem easy. But your child will eventually say the famous words, “I’m bored!” Games can become your go-to solution. Puzzles are great to keep kids—and adults—entertained for hours. Puzzles stimulate problem-solving skills and boost memory. You should also consider science kits. These are fun and a great way for kids to learn about how things work. Get creative with play dough. This one never fails. Play dough is actually easy to make at home. You probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. It’s a great way to get kids’ imaginations going. You can challenge them to make something specific or let them get creative on their own. Create your own coloring books. You can’t go wrong with coloring books. If you need a last minute coloring book, you can download and print images from home. Coloring reduces stress and anxiety, improves motor skills, helps with better sleep and increases focus. Read books. Staying home for long periods of time is a great opportunity to grab a book and get reading. Revisit your book library and choose a couple of books together with your child. To make it more fun, you can set aside time each day to go over what your child has learned during their reading time. Build toys. LEGO, of course, is the classic go-to. But consider other safe things around your home that kids can use to build structures for a few hours of fun. Building activities help kids with critical thinking and can teach important lessons about engineering. Use a tablet. Whether you like to admit it, there will be a lot of screen time happening during your child’s time off. Instead of cringing at the thought of your child spending a large amount of time with their tablet, think of ways you can leverage this. You can download Amazon FreeTime Unlimited or other educational apps so that you don’t have to feel guilty about letting your kids zone out in front of a screen. Bring out the art supplies. This is a good time to bring out the markers, crayons and other art supplies to keep a child busy for long stretches of time. Art supplies can spark creativity and get them excited about completing an activity. Pair the supplies with a couple of white sheets and watch the magic happen. Do activities together. Cooking is a great opportunity to teach kids a new skill and get them involved. Give them their own tools, ask them to help you find the right ingredients and let them do some kitchen experimenting for delicious creations. Like cooking, cleaning as a group can also become a fun task when done together. Get active. At some point, you will all want to get moving. It’s easy to feel frustrated or bored if you’re not being physically active. Try some creative exercise ideas, like setting up an obstacle course in the backyard or in your living room. You can also try some micro-exercises, such as jumping jacks, running up and down the stairs or dancing around to music. For whatever reason you might be stuck indoors, it can be challenging for individuals and families. But this time can also be an opportunity to find new ways of enjoying the simple things in life — for both you and your child.
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