- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSchool is out for summer. Excitement in the air! But soon, the sudden shift in routine causes kids and parents alike to wonder, “What are we going to do now?” With homework finally over for the time being and energy abundant, how can you as a parent channel your child’s energy into something positive and productive? Two words: summer camp. There is nothing like the experience of going to summer camp. Whether it’s a day camp environment or an overnight camp, there are many options available in our area to fit any child’s interests and developmental stage. There are camps that focus on sports, arts, science, computers, faith and religion, and much more. No matter what type of camp you are considering, children will be stimulated emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Summer camp can be a great way to facilitate, encourage and support your child’s growth: Self-esteem and confidence: Allowing children to engage in a safe environment that fosters the exploration of various activities and relationships without the pressure of academics. Spark new interest: Depending on the type of camp, most are likely to introduce something new to your child such as a game, craft or idea. Encourage new relationships: Introducing and encouraging children to engage in new friendships that can become life-long. In addition, building relationships with counselors can be a healthy way for your child to develop communication skills with adults. Independence: Regardless if a day camp or overnight camp is right for your child, giving them an opportunity to explore these avenues can be essential to their development. Resilience: Children learn decision-making skills, conflict management and stress relief techniques through experience in their daily interactions. So many kids are sucked into their electronic devices these days. Camp is a great way to get them outside and socializing with other kids—without parents around. When choosing a summer camp, here are some things to consider: What is my child currently interested in? In what activities or environments does my child thrive? Do I want a traditional camp that offers a variety of experiences or a specialty camp that focuses on a particular skill or activity? Would my child do better in a highly structured, scheduled environment, or one that allows him/her to choose activities? Would my child do best at a day camp, week-long overnight camp, or a summer-long camp? If this is your child’s first camp experience, you might start with a day camp in order to get them used to the idea of being temporarily separated from their family. If your child is older (about 12 is when most children are ready), an overnight camp might be right. How will I communicate with my child while at camp? Will I be allowed to visit, email, write? Does my child have special needs (physical, dietary) that need to be considered? What is my budget? Is the camp and staff properly accredited, certified and trained? Of course, be sure to include your child in the camp-choosing discussion. If you’re considering an overnight camp, talk to your child about it and get their thoughts and feelings so they don’t feel forced into a situation. With that said, it may take a little nudging from you. Summertime should be a mental break from the pressures of academics. Play is an important part of childhood that provides vital learning. As Mr. Rogers once said, “Play is the work of childhood.” Author Meghan Siegel is a child life specialist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published March 19, 2015. Last updated May 20, 2019.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany women are often nervous or even embarrassed to ask their doctor about personal health issues they start experiencing as they get older, specifically when it comes to their pelvic health. Pelvic health disorders can be uncomfortable and confusing. As a urogynecologist, I see women who have been dealing with symptoms on their own for far too long. Once we decide on the best treatment for them, they often wish they hadn’t waited to ask for help. Here are three questions you shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask. In fact, asking them is the first step in preventing more severe problems down the road. 1. Is ‘leakage’ normal? If you’re running to the bathroom multiple times a day or leaking when you exercise, you’re not alone. About 18 million American women suffer from urinary incontinence, which is when urine leaks unintentionally. There are many causes, including some medical conditions, medications, childbirth or age-related changes. Incontinence is common and many women think it’s just something they have to live with. That’s not true. Your doctor can offer a variety of solutions, such as changing certain habits, pelvic floor therapy, medication or minimally-invasive surgery. 2. Why does sex hurt sometimes? Like incontinence, pain during sex is a common issue. Menopause can cause issues with pain and dryness during sex. Your doctor can help identify or rule out any underlying problem as the cause of your discomfort. You should feel comfortable asking about symptoms related to your intimate health. Your doctor can prescribe or recommend a variety of solutions to help, such a prescription creams or therapy. Sex should never hurt. 3. I’m experiencing pelvic pain/pressure. What can I do about it? Pelvic pain can vary from woman to woman and range from mild to severe. Some women may even feel it in their abdomen, lower back and hips. The causes of this pain can be due to childbirth, hormonal changes or infection. If you’re feeling pelvic pressure and it’s worse when you’re standing, jumping or lifting but feels better when you’re lying down, you may be dealing with pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is the dropping of the pelvic organs caused by loss of support in the vagina. Similar to other pelvic health disorders, there are a variety of treatments for pelvic pain or pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic floor disorders are not a normal part of aging that you have to live with. They are medical conditions and they are treatable. By discussing your symptoms, your doctor will be able to correctly diagnose and treat the problem, helping you regain your confidence and quality of life. Author Dr. Yong Zheng is a urogynecologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Originally published March 29, 2016. Last updated May 15, 2019.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs women we often juggle many roles throughout the course of our lives, putting our personal time, interests and health on the back burner. But we want to encourage and remind women to make their health a priority. Here are some tips to lead a healthier life at any age. In your 20s This is the decade for setting good habits for a lifetime. It’s a time when you should be thinking about proper exercise, nutrition, good sleep habits and proper skincare. While long-term health might be the last thing on your mind, a healthy lifestyle in your 20s can reduce risk for certain diseases and conditions later in life. This is also why starting a relationship with a primary care doctor is important. A primary care doctor is one of your best allies in preventive care and early detection. In your 30s As you climb the corporate ladder, children may also be entering the picture. This can be an exciting time. It can also be a busy time in your life as you juggle kids, work and social obligations. If you started good habits in your 20s, it may be easy to forget them as you focus more on others. It’s important to set aside time for you and to de-stress. Pay attention to your mental health. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression. In your 40s Now is more important than ever to have regular medical checkups and basic screening tests, including a mammogram and cholesterol test. It’s also important to know your family history. Depending on your family health record, you may need to start some screenings in your 40s, like a colonoscopy. Your doctor will help you determine when and what screening is right for you. In your 50s+ Enjoy the fruits of your labor! If you’ve worked hard to establish healthy habits in your 20s, 30s and 40s, this is when it will pay off. Still, preventive care is key. Talk to your doctor about certain vaccines or immunizations you may need in your 50s and beyond. Women at this stage should also be aware of osteoporosis as bones become less dense. Osteoporosis screening or a bone density test can help you detect your risk. Women’s health is complex. You can find answers to questions you may have, and get the opportunity to connect with your peers through programs like Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Smart Woman Series. This informal health education program for women provides access to doctors and other health experts during monthly seminars in a fun networking environment. To get a complete schedule, visit www.askAAMC.org/events. Author Debbie Wasem is supervisor of Women’s Education at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). Originally published May 14, 2017. Last updated May 15, 2019.
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEarlier this year, Karyl Banks, supervisor of respiratory care, was assigned a responsibility requiring care, humility and strength — all characteristics that Karyl uniquely encompasses. “We had a patient who was very sick,” she recalls. “After a while, the family came to the conclusion that it was best to take her off the ventilator and understood the moment we took her off she would pass. Her children couldn’t bear being in the same room and I was the therapist to take her off. I was not going to let her pass alone.” Understanding how difficult it would be for the family to be present during this moment, Karyl stayed with the patient and talked her through it. “I held her hands and prayed with her,” Karyl says, helping the patient pass peacefully. Raised by a father who was a police officer and a mother who worked as a licensed practical nurse, Karyl wanted to follow her parents’ footsteps. And, although she went to school for auto mechanics, her desire to work with people reemerged soon after her brother had a massive stroke. “He was 35-years-old at the time and I remember he was laying in the hospital and was hooked to a ventilator,” she recalls. “I remember thinking I didn’t know if the doctors were doing what they were supposed to be doing. It was after that event I decided to go into the medical field because if anyone in my family ever got that sick, I wanted to know what was happening and be able to help.” Karyl started as a nurse assistant in shock trauma. She noticed that every time a patient would come in a room for treatment, nurses had to leave the room while doctors and their team stayed in. “When that happened, I also wanted to stay in the room with everyone else to save lives,” she says. “So I went to school, got all my prerequisites and became a respiratory therapist.” Nearly seven years ago, Karyl was working at Howard University Hospital as a new respiratory therapist. Her heart was set on traveling and, after some thought, she resigned her position to join a medical staffing agency that would help her fulfill her dream to work at different hospitals throughout the country. Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) happened to be her first assignment, and it didn’t take long for Karyl to fall in love – literally. “Once I got to AAMC I refused to leave this place,” she says. “It was a beautiful area, beautiful hospital and everyone was so friendly. I wanted to stay here.” READ MORE: AAMC Employee Spotlights When her three-month stint ended, Karyl was offered at full-time position at AAMC. Without hesitation, she said yes. Karyl, who is a mother of four and a proud grandmother of six, says her biggest reward is helping others and making them feel good. She splits her weekly 40 hours into working in the office, where she can manage her duties as a team supervisor and on the floor working one on one with patients. “I enjoy helping people and putting a smile on someone’s face every day, whether it’s a patient or a colleague,” she says. “When it comes to patients, I’m always going to be ready to help and make them feel better. When it comes to colleagues, I work to help my team feel like they come to work because they miss each other, not because they have to do something.” PRO TIP: “Any job you have should be a part of you and not just a job. If you like what you’re doing, you’re going to be more effective and happier.” If you know a great individual or a fantastic team going above and beyond to make a difference, make sure to let us know! Looking for a career in health care? We invite you to join a diverse and collaborative team of professionals working together to innovate the future of health care for our entire region. Check out our career opportunities.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have heard a friend talking about her pelvic floor or you’ve seen a pelvic exercise printable on Pinterest. Maybe your doctor mentioned it during a routine exam. But what exactly is the pelvic floor? Where is it, what does it do — or in many cases not do? Your pelvic floor supports several organs and when it is weakened or not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of uncomfortable and inconvenient disorders. If you are one of the millions of women getting up several times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, wearing pads every day, having painful sex, feeling heaviness and vaginal bulging, or sprinting to the bathroom, here’s what you need to know. What is the pelvic floor? Your pelvis is a bone, so you may assume the pelvic floor is also made of bone; however, the pelvic floor is an area of muscles that resembles a hammock spanning from the pubic bone to the bottom of the spine. These muscles support and help to control the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra and rectum. When the pelvic floor weakens, those organs can drop and may have trouble functioning normally. Imagine a trampoline taut and sturdy, holding up and supporting the weight of your body as you jump. The base of the trampoline expands and contracts based on your movement and control. Now, picture the trampoline fibers beginning to wane, the middle sags, the function worsens and control becomes difficult. The pelvic floor can weaken like this. That’s why it’s important to watch for symptoms that, while common, can mean you have a pelvic floor disorder. How do I know my pelvic floor isn’t doing its job? Because the pelvic floor is supporting several different organs, you may experience a variety of symptoms depending on how the structure of the pelvic floor has shifted. Many women will experience incontinence, which is the leaking of urine. Others may have trouble emptying their bladder or bowels. Some are always running to the bathroom, are up going at 3 am or have pain during sex. Often as the pelvic floor weakens, a woman may start to feel a heaviness down below and eventually even a physical bulging of tissue presents itself externally, which is a sign of pelvic organ prolapse. Any and all of these symptoms can happen separately or together. How did this happen? There is often no single cause for pelvic floor disorders, but childbirth, age, hormonal changes, obesity, smoking, constipation and chronic heavy lifting are usually factors. Is there anything I can do? Yes! Talk to your health care provider about all of your symptoms. Don’t be embarrassed; pelvic floor disorders are very common. Chances are you know several other women experiencing the same issues as you, they’re just not talking about it. Solutions can include physical therapy, home exercises, medication or non-invasive surgery. The takeaway is that these inconvenient and uncomfortable changes in your body, though very common, deserve treatment. You don’t have to live with pelvic floor issues. Who can help? As part of a relatively new field of medicine, a urogynecologist is an OB-GYN with additional training and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs, as well as the muscles and tissue that support these organs. The Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center has a fellowship-trained team of doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in the care of female pelvic health disorders. Team members collaborate on care for patients of all ages, from those with minor issues to individuals suffering from complex conditions requiring advanced surgery and care. For each patient, they will conduct a thorough review of medical history, conduct a physical exam, lab studies and advanced imaging and testing to develop individualized treatment plans based on your needs and goals. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Contact the Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at 443-481-1199 to schedule a consultation to help guide you to the right solutions to meet your needs and health goals. Originally published April 23, 2018. Last updated May 14, 2019.
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