- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhether it’s coffee to start the day, a cold soda to revive the afternoon, or a beloved pumpkin spice latte to embrace the season, caffeine is a popular pick-me-up for many. However, while these caffeinated drinks can provide a much-needed boost, excessive consumption can have negative effects on your health. In rare instances, it can even be fatal. That’s why it’s important to know the facts. What is caffeine? Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that affects your central nervous system, helping you feel more awake and alert. It’s found in coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana berry, and cacao beans. Safe limit for caffeine: How much is too much? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, most healthy adults can consume 400 milligrams of caffeine a day without any dangerous or negative health effects. If you are pregnant, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests keeping your caffeine intake below 200 milligrams a day. The amount of caffeine in beverages can vary greatly, making it easy to consume too much caffeine. Here are some typical caffeine ranges for beverages: An 8-ounce cup of coffee has between 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. An 8-ounce cup of green or black tea has between 30 to 50 milligrams. A 12-ounce/regular-size can of caffeinated soda has between 30 to 46 milligrams. An 8-ounce energy drink has between 40 to 300 milligrams. Many energy drinks only come in 12-ounce or 16-ounce cans that can contain up to 400 milligrams of caffeine—the safe daily limit. When adding up your caffeine intake for the day, make sure you include all caffeine sources. Caffeine can also be found in chocolate and baked goods, like cookies. It’s even in some medications, such as those for headaches. And decaffeinated coffees and teas may still contain between two to 15 milligrams of caffeine. Whenever possible, read all package labels to see how much caffeine a product contains. Side effects of too much caffeine Side effects that you have had too much caffeine include: Agitation or irritability. Fast heart rate. Feeling anxious or restless. Increased urination, which can lead to dehydration. Insomnia or trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Muscle twitches, such as eye twitches. Nausea or upset stomach. Can you overdose on caffeine? Consuming around 1,200 mg of caffeine at one time can cause toxic effects on your health, according to the FDA. While rare, it is possible to overdose on caffeine, which can lead to death. Severe side effects of too much caffeine include: Cardiac arrest. Disorientation. Hallucination or psychosis. Irregular heartbeat. Muscle breakdown, called rhabdomyolysis. Seizures. The overdose risk increases if you use dietary liquid or powdered caffeine supplements, which often contain high concentrations of caffeine. For example, just one teaspoon of powdered caffeine has the same amount of caffeine as 28 cups of coffee. Why you should space out your caffeine intake When you consume caffeine, it takes 45 to 60 minutes before you start to feel it. The stimulant effects can last between three to five hours. Consuming too much caffeine all at once or having caffeinated products too close together in your day can lead to bothersome and dangerous side effects. Remember, limit your caffeine intake to 400 mg a day. And when possible, space out your caffeine intake by three to five hours, to reduce the risk of side effects. To keep caffeine from interrupting your sleep, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends avoiding caffeine at least six hours before bedtime. So, if you go to bed at 10 p.m., stop consuming caffeine by 4 p.m. Who should avoid caffeine? Some medical conditions may make it more likely to have side effects from caffeine. Talk to your doctor about what amount of caffeine is safe for you if you have: Cardiovascular disease, especially irregular heartbeat. High blood pressure. Severe anxiety. Peptic ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Liver or kidney disease. Seizures. The bottom line on caffeine Different people can experience the effects of caffeine differently. If you experience side effects from caffeine, see the specialist team at Luminis Health. They can help figure out why you may be more sensitive to caffeine. Authors Waseem Hussain, MD,is Associate Regional Director of Primary Care at Luminis Health who has expertise in all areas of family medicine including intense management of neurologic, pulmonary and cardiac diseases as well as diabetes and gynecologic care.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe American Lung Association reports chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) claims nearly 135,000 American lives annually, making it the third deadliest disease after heart disease and cancer. COPD, characterized by shortness of breath, chronic cough, and chronic mucus production, is not curable, nor can you reverse lung damage linked to COPD. You can, however, treat and maintain the disease with these proactive steps. Medication Adherence “In the short term, medications help decrease COPD exacerbations. But there are long-term benefits, too,” explains Keith Goulet, DO, a critical care medicine and pulmonary disease specialist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Exacerbations increase lung damage. So every flare-up you prevent today slows down future disease progression.” Consult a Pulmonologist Typically, your primary care physician is the first doctor to assess symptoms associated with COPD. The next step is to consult a pulmonologist, a physician with advanced knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of lung conditions and diseases. “You need to make sure your COPD diagnosis is accurate and you’re on the right medications,” says Dr. Goulet. “Ask your doctor questions if you have them. COPD can be a scary disease because it’s not curable. But it is treatable. Learning everything you can about the disease often calms those fears, and ultimately improves your quality of life.” Be Your Own Advocate Anne Arundel Medical Center offers free classes and support groups to help people with COPD better understand disease symptoms, drug administration, lifestyle adjustments, and coping strategies. COPD 101 is a 90-minute class held monthly in the fall, winter and spring. The Better Breathers Club, a support group held every other month, emphasizes lifestyle changes, such as how to travel with COPD and how nutrition plays into COPD management. Visit AAMCevents.org or call 443-481-5555 for more information or to register. Quit Smoking Smoking is not the sole cause of COPD, but it is estimated that 80 percent of those diagnosed with COPD are either current or past smokers. Specific to COPD, cigarette smoke contains toxins that irritate the lungs and trigger symptoms. Take our pledge to love your lungs, and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! Stay Active For COPD patients, every breath taxes the breathing muscles. To keep these muscles in good shape, it’s essential that you stay active to the best of your ability and always follow your doctor’s recommendations. Author By Keith Goulet, DO, a critical care medicine and pulmonary disease specialist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He can be reached at 410-266-1644. Originally published Sept. 24, 2015. Last updated Nov. 11, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you suffer from back pain? Well, you’re not alone. About 90 percent of the population will experience lower back pain at some point. Symptoms can vary by cause, severity and duration, which can make treating back pain difficult. Symptoms of lower back pain can come on quickly, often unexpected. Back pain can interfere with sleep, work or even completing simple tasks like putting on your socks and shoes. Fortunately, in many cases back pain is due to a non-worrisome cause, even though the pain can feel intense and severe at times. Patients are often surprised to learn their pain could be due to a simple muscle strain or spasm, connective tissue inflammation, arthritis, or normal wear and tear of the structures in the spine. Even more surprising, it’s often difficult for doctors to identify the exact cause of pain. An X-ray and even an MRI can appear relatively normal despite severe pain, further clouding doctors’ understanding of back pain. If you experience back pain, don’t panic. Most episodes of low back pain will resolve within a few days, and 50 percent of people fully recover within two weeks. Here are some helpful tips to manage your symptoms: Keep moving. Staying in bed for more than 24 hours only prolongs your back pain. Walking and other low-impact movements can help your pain. While it may seem counter-intuitive, the more you move the better your back will feel. Just remember to not carry heavy objects, and lift everything with your legs, not your back. Use ice and heat over the site of your pain. Try alternating ice packs or heating pads—20 minutes at a time—to help reduce spasms and inflammation. Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are more effective than acetaminophen. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Check with your doctor to make sure these medications are safe for you to take. If you’re not yet experiencing back pain now, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it in the future: Maintain a regular exercise schedule. Patients with a sedentary life style are at higher risk for back pain. Strengthening your core muscle groups—your back, stomach, glutes and thigh muscles—will help support the mechanical structures in your lower back and reduce your chances of having pain. Maintain a healthy body weight. Excess weight puts additional stress on your back. Avoid smoking and nicotine products. The chemicals from smoking and nicotine products constrict the tiny blood vessels that bring nutrients to the mechanical structures in your lower back. This can wear on the discs in your lower back and prevent healing after an injury. Avoid prolonged sitting at work. If you have a desk job, stand up and move around every 30 to 60 minutes. Author By Chad Patton, MD, medical director of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Center for Spine Surgery and spine surgeon at AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his office, call 410-268-8862. Originally published May 2016. Last updated August 2018.0
- Physical Therapy, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith warmer weather finally here, many of us try to maximize our time outdoors by having picnics and barbecues. And when surrounded by the smell of fresh grilled meat and the sight of homemade baked goods, who can resist? Summer months tend to bring out the indulger in us. But, as we enjoy the simple things in life and spoil ourselves with the third watermelon wedge, it’s also important to be mindful and pay attention. Did you know that one in five older adults suffer from difficulty swallowing? In medical terms, this is known as dysphagia. If you have difficulty swallowing, here are the top 10 swallow tips to help you this summer: Alternate sips of liquids and solids if you’re having trouble getting down dry foods, like a hot dog or hamburger on a bun. Try a slushy or a milkshake if you’re coughing on “thin” consistency drinks. Thicker consistencies can sometimes be easier to get down. If you’re a fast eater, take smaller bites and chew more often. You can try sitting back in your chair while you’re chewing to help you slow down or use a smaller utensil to help you take smaller bites. Use condiments and dressings on your foods to help keep things moist and to swallow easier. For example, add ketchup, mustard and/or mayo to your hamburger to help keep it moist. Watch your posture when you’re eating — laying in a hammock can cause havoc on your swallowing abilities! Sitting as close to a 90-degree angle is always best. If you’re choking, don’t try to wash it down, but instead, try to cough it back up. If you know you’re having issues with swallowing, try not to get distracted by various conversations. Stay focused on your meal. Avoid harder-to-eat textures, like chips and popcorn. Stick to the things that don’t crumble. For instance, instead of popcorn, try a soft cookie. Sit upright after your meals to make sure your food digests. If reflux is a problem, try to minimize acidic foods and caffeine at your cookout, like red sauces and chocolate. After taking two or three bites of food, swallow several times with nothing in your mouth to help clear the pathways and reduce residue before taking your next bite. Speech language pathologists help address dysphagia in a variety of conditions by providing mealtime strategies and evidence-based exercises to improve your swallow function. To make an appointment for an Outpatient Speech Therapy Evaluation, please call 443-481-1140. Author Sara Spivak, CCC-SLP, is speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. You can reach her office at 443-481-1140. Originally published May 4, 2018. Last updated July 6, 2020.0
- Cancer Care, GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBeth Prout Lennon remembers when her mother, Maureen Prout, was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2002. Maureen was told, “Only 5 percent of people make it.” Her response to the life-altering news was, “Well, somebody has to be that 5 percent!” For the next five years and throughout more than 100 chemotherapy treatments, Maureen’s enthusiasm was an inspiration to all who came in contact with her. Encouraged by her mother’s positive outlook after an aggressive ovarian cancer diagnosis, Beth is following in her mother’s footsteps, cofounding the DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation. In partnership with JoAnn DeCesaris Wellington, whose father Geaton DeCesaris was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, these daughters are on a mission to profoundly affect research on lung and ovarian cancer. They want to bring awareness to those who do not know they are at risk, and make a difference in these diseases through better treatment options. “Our hope is, with awareness, people can recognize the symptoms in the early stages of both these life-threatening diseases, and get the treatment they need,” says Beth. Beth, of Friendship, shared that her mother’s faith and close relationships with her family, friends and her care team helped her through her journey with cancer. During her treatment, Maureen was determined to support others battling cancer. She shared her experiences with others and made herself available to anyone who needed help or just an ear to listen. New ovarian cancer support program During Maureen’s care, she and her family met single moms who had to walk home after treatments because they didn’t have anyone to pick them up or didn’t have money for cab fare. They met other mothers who were worried about affording groceries for their children and still others who needed babysitters to watch their children during treatments. Despite facing her own disease, Maureen spent time and energy helping others she met along the way. In the fall of 2016, the DeCesaris/Prout Foundation provided initial funding for a new Ovarian Cancer Support Program for patients undergoing treatment at AAMC’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. “This incredible gift will support a woman’s unique emotional, spiritual and social needs and has the power to help balance the everyday challenges women face while undergoing treatment and beyond,” says Cathy Copertino, AAMC’s vice president of Cancer Services. Beth feels that she is honoring her mother’s legacy of compassion and caring through the establishment of this new program. “We want this Survivors Fund to help those women and their families who need a bus ticket, grocery gift card, or other needed services during this difficult time,” says Beth. “My mom would be very happy today to know that her inspiration is helping other women manage their cancer journey.” To learn more about how you can make a difference in cancer survivorship programs at AAMC, contact 443-481-4747 or [email protected]. Originally published Sept. 11, 2017. Last updated Sept. 4, 2018.0
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