- Cancer Care, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStacy Stewart was a healthy wife and mother of two—until she found out she had breast cancer. Unsure of what to do next, she went to Anne Arundel Medical Center for treatment. While there, she was assigned to Nurse Navigator Kim Stewart, RN, who helped guide her through the turbulent process of scheduling appointments and doctors’ visits. Here is Stacy’s story in her own words. When I first got the call informing me of my diagnosis, I was speechless. I had no idea what was next for me or my family and I was scared of what could happen. I called my husband sobbing and told him that our biggest fear came true—I had breast cancer. The diagnosis was very hard on my family. My youngest son was very emotional about it and we reassured him that I would be fine. My eldest son just wanted to make sure that I would be okay. At my first appointment at the Breast Center, I was introduced to my nurse navigator, Kim Stewart. In the very beginning, she helped point me in the right direction as to what was next. Without her, I would have been lost because there are so many appointments. Kim was there with me every step of the way, comforting me and making me feel at ease. It was reassuring to be able to go home and know that she had everything in line for me. All my appointments were set up and I didn’t have to worry or stress about it. This assistance helped me calm down so I could focus on my recovery—I didn’t have the time or energy to worry about planning every visit and every appointment. With Kim, I never had to. This feeling of ease became contagious among my family. Seeing how calm and comfortable I was helped settle the nerves of my husband and sons. I was going to be fine. I knew this and, with the support of my family and nurse navigator, I beat cancer. To learn more about Stacy’s story watch a video on our YouTube Channel here To learn more about breast cancer and treatment visit our Breast Center website0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the front of your neck and controls a lot of your bodily functions. As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid makes hormones that affect nearly every organ in your body. “The thyroid is actually one of the powerhouses of the body because it regulates your metabolism,” says Barbara Onumah, MD, medical director of AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists. But for how important it is, it’s not uncommon for something to go wrong. Lots of people have problems with their thyroid. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. And up to 60 percent of people with thyroid disease don’t know they have it. The thyroid can be overactive and make too much of the thyroid hormone. This is called hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, palpitations, feeling anxious or jittery, increased sweating, feeling hot and trouble sleeping. The thyroid can also be underactive, which happens when the gland does not make enough of the hormone. This is called hypothyroidism and can result in intolerance to cold, constipation, dry skin, dry hair, loss of hair, difficulty losing weight or even weight gain. Women may have irregular or heavy menstrual periods and may feel fatigue. And although thyroid problems are common, Dr. Onumah says they are difficult to identify. “The problem is that the symptoms associated with thyroid problems aren’t specific to thyroid disease,” explains Dr. Onumah. “They could all be due to something else.” So what can you do if you suspect you have a thyroid problem? Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. They can perform a simple blood test to identify any abnormal thyroid behavior. And for those who have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, Dr. Onumah says to make sure to take medications as prescribed. “If you have questions or concerns, or your doctor has any doubts about regulating your thyroid, it’s always best to see an endocrinologist,” says Dr. Onumah. “At AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, we’re ready to help.” Contributor Barbara Onumah, MD, is medical director of AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists. Originally published Feb. 23, 2016. Last updated Aug. 28, 2018.0
- Senior Care, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNutrition and bone, muscle and joint health are closely related. A healthy diet can help prevent and manage osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal disorders by assisting in the production and maintenance of bone. If you are not getting the right nutrients you are putting yourself at greater risk for bone, muscle and joint disease. Osteoporosis is called the silent disease because many people do not know they have it until they suffer a fracture. Ninety percent of adult bone mass is in place by the end of adolescence. Studies show if you are over 50, one out of every two women and up to one in four men will break a bone due to osteoporosis. The following nutrients, and the foods that contain them, hold particular promise in promoting optimal bone health: Calcium is a mineral essential for both building bones and keeping them healthy. Unfortunately the majority of Americans are not getting enough. Ideal food sources include milk, and enriched milk alternatives, such as soy or almond milk, cheese and yogurt. Other sources include bok choy, kale, turnip greens, almonds, white beans, tofu and fortified orange juice. The recommended daily allowance for adults over 50 is 1200 mg per day. Vitamin D also is important for bone health, as it promotes calcium absorption. There are a few sources of vitamin D in food, such as fatty fish, cheese, egg yolk, fortified milk, milk products, orange juice and cereals. Vitamin D can also be obtained through sunlight, but with the use of sunscreen this is not adequate. The best advice is to always get as much vitamin D from the diet, but supplementation is often required. The current RDA is 400 IU’s, but if you are deficient the dose can be much higher. Other nutrients have been linked with bone health, including vitamins C and K and magnesium. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may protect bones as these are rich in antioxidants—including watermelon, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, bell peppers and guava. Eating habits with a moderate intake of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains leads to a healthier lifestyle. High levels of protein, caffeine, sodas and sodium have been linked to calcium loss. Many Americans consume too much protein, which can increase the urinary excretion of calcium. Yet at older ages protein intake is often too low and this can lead to bone loss and fractures. It is important to have a balance. We should aim to have not too much but enough, which can be said for all nutrients. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and physical activity are key to prevent bone disease. Physical activity should combine weight-bearing activity, simply to carry the weight of your skeleton, such as walking. Strength training is helps improve the muscles that support your skeleton and exercise improves your balance to help prevent falls. Taking charge of nutritional health and exercise will help promote healthy bones as you age. Ever consider nutritional counseling? Learn more about this service from Anne Arundel Medical Center. Author By Ann Caldwell, nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her call 443-481-5555.0
- Blood Donation, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThis May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially implemented a series of individual risk-based questions that will be asked of every blood donor, regardless of their gender, sex or sexual orientation. This decision ends decades-old, discriminatory restrictions that prohibited gay and bisexual men from donating simply on the basis of their sexual orientation. As a vanguard of inclusion, the Luminis Health Blood Donor Center updated its history questionnaire accordingly to prioritize science over stigma and strengthen our vital blood supply. “The new guidelines are a step in the right direction for medical institutions to remove systemic rules that create stigma against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. New guidelines still have restrictions on donation for individuals with active, non-monogamous sexual relationships, but it’s my hope that future updates consider the tremendous benefit of PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medications, and their role in preventing the spread of HIV for our communities,” said Danny Watkins, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Luminis Health. What does this mean? Anyone interested in donating blood, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, must answer a new “risk-based” questionnaire that determines eligibility based on sexual history and various other factors. People who have had anal sex with one or more new sexual partners within the last three months will have to wait to donate. This means more sexually active gay and bisexual men who are in monogamous relationships no longer need to abstain from sex to donate blood. “There is ongoing research to learn more about the effects of PrEP/PEP on blood collection, testing, and transfusion-transmitted infections,” according to Megan Frisk, Blood Bank and Blood Donor Center Manager at Luminis Health. “Until further research is conducted to assess the potential risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, donors currently taking these medications will be temporarily deferred. It is our hope that further research will quantify this risk and open our donation centers to more people. LHAAMC has provided specialized training to the staff and engaged the community on the new blood donor eligibility requirements.” Why were these restrictions in place? In the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, restrictions on donating blood were designed to protect the blood supply from HIV. This policy was created at a time when it was believed that most people with HIV were gay or bisexual men, and when blood screenings and testing for HIV antibodies were extremely limited. “We welcome all members of our community who wish to donate blood or blood products. While some of these new questions may seem blunt and personally intrusive, the changes are a compromise developed by a panel of scientific experts. The goal is to strike a delicate balance between including new groups who were historically excluded due to a perceived increased risk of carrying transfusion-transmitted diseases and the paramount goal of doing everything possible based on existing scientific information and technology to keep our transfusion recipient population safe,” said Sanford H. Robbins III, M.D., Chief of Pathology at Luminis Health. Why defer anyone from donating if all units are already tested for transfusion-transmitted infections? There is a window period after a person becomes infected when it is not possible to detect the presence of infections like HIV and hepatitis. A donor with an early infection can unknowingly transmit a virus because even the most accurate testing methods available today cannot detect it. Our questionnaire helps assess the timeframe for potential infection and reduces the risk of transmission to a patient. We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning donors to our growing life-saving community. For more information about the FDA’s new guidance and eligibility, please visit our website or call (443) 481-4215.0
- Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs we approach the start of school sports seasons, it’s important for parents to understand concussion and how physical therapy can help. A concussion is a mild brain injury from direct or indirect trauma to the head. Concussion is known as an “invisible injury,” since it’s often not seen on an MRI or CT scan. Concussions can range in severity, and symptoms can include: Emotional/mood disturbances Light and noise sensitivity Cognitive impairment/memory loss Sleep disturbances Headaches and migraines Dizziness Motion sensitivity Visual impairment Neck disorders Pain You might assume that a concussion involves passing out or losing consciousness, but that’s not always the case. In many cases, a person with a concussion never loses consciousness. If your child suspects they’ve suffered a concussion while playing a sport, they should stop play immediately. Continuing to play or practice with a concussion is dangerous and can lead to longer recovery. It is important to allow the brain to heal after a concussion. But, this doesn’t mean you should do nothing. Staying still can make your brain more sensitive to movement. New research shows returning to a normal routine can aid in recovery. Modify your activities, but don’t avoid activity completely. Here are some things you can do to help with recovery: Do 30 minutes of daily low-impact aerobic exercise Get adequate hydration and nutrition Try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night Limit screen time Alternate short amounts of activity with rest periods, and use your symptoms as a guide. If symptoms get worse, decrease your activity level. Just as you would not run a marathon the day after knee surgery, you should not do too much too soon following a concussion. Physical therapy can also optimize recovery. Vestibular physical therapy, for instance, includes various head and eye exercises designed to improve your balance and reduce dizziness. A physical therapist can also prescribe other exercises to improve your coordination, endurance and tolerance for physical exertion. The first few sessions of physical therapy may make you feel worse but, over time, you will begin to feel better as your tolerance for activity improves. The time it takes to recover from a concussion varies. Different factors can include the severity of your injury, whether or not you’ve had a concussion before and your family history of migraine. Before returning to sports, get the okay from your doctor. Authors Emily Olsen, DPT, NCS is a physical therapist at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. For more information on vestibular physical therapy for treatment of concussion, or to schedule an appointment, call 443-481-1140. Originally published July 24, 2017. Last updated July 30, 2019.0
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