- Infectious Disease, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe promise of a vaccine is our light of hope during this lockdown period. But there’s no denying a certain level of anxiety we still feel every day or that most of us are weary. As we continue to weather this disruption to our normal routines, it’s only natural to gravitate to the couch, our TV friends and comfort foods. And while those behaviors may make us feel warm and fuzzy in the moment, if you’re at increased risk for heart disease, your lifestyle has to be a high priority. Fortunately, with a few key lifestyle changes, it’s possible to stay heart-healthy while spending more time at home than ever before. Eat Healthier, Especially Takeout In recent months, you may have stocked up on huge frozen pizzas or ordered quite a bit of takeout from local favorites. We understand — after all, we’re all in the same boat. It’s quite common to try to quiet all the stress we’re experiencing with each bite. But the start of a new year is a perfect time to hit the reset button, make more careful food choices and get back on track with safeguarding your heart. Here are a few ideas: Ask questions: Restaurant workers are trained to explain ingredients, describe preparations and suggest substitutions. Choose wisely: Small tweaks to your meal, like selecting baked or grilled versus fried or adding more vegetables and whole foods, can go a long way. Also consider asking for dressings, sauces and condiments on the side. Dessert: Try fresh fruits instead of desserts packed with fat and sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth. Look for cues on menus: The American Heart Association’s “heart icon” and other symbols are used by restaurants to indicate heart healthy options. Nutritional information may also be posted online. Choose lowest sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and added sugars. Save some for later: Cutting big portions in half, and enjoying the leftovers later is a great way to ensure you’re eating healthier portions. Shop mindfully In 2020, we’ve all been forced to cook more than ever before. Even if it isn’t usually your thing, a simple shift in your thinking can make it fun. Use this time to teach yourself to cook and to try new things. When shopping for your heart healthy groceries, consider buying mostly fresh produce. Experts recommend filling the majority of your shopping cart with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole foods. Go for healthy basics, especially low-sodium choices. read nutrition labels carefully. Keep sugary treats under control. De-Stress with Exercise The pandemic has made us all face an uncomfortable level of uncertainty and living in lockdown has presented us with many new challenges — and anxiety, depression and anger are all normal emotional responses to stressors like job loss, financial burden, fear of the virus, separation from our friends and loved ones and managing children without schooling or childcare help. A little physical activity every day will help you cope and stay positive. Exercise with the TV: Walking is just fine, even if you’re walking in place during TV time. Steps are steps, and they relieve tension. If you’ve got a bike, get out there. Find what works for you and do it regularly — just a little every day. You can even lift weights, do push-ups or jog in place. Don’t forget your core: Try a few glute squeezes, pelvic floor exercises and abdominal contractions. Get the family out after dinner: Take a walk, get a sport going or play a game together after your meals. Don’t just head for the TV room. Get your garden going: All home projects — including yard work and gardening which give the added benefit of providing your family some much-needed vitamin D and fresh air — include healthy physical activity. Transform a piece of your yard, try container gardening or join a local community garden. Keep your kids active: It allows them to burn off pent-up energy and is good for your mental wellbeing. Active toys like balls, skateboards, jump ropes and hula hoops are timeless. Play with pets: With just a ball, stick or piece of string, you can satisfy almost any pet. Pamper Yourself To lighten your stress, it helps to indulge in a little self-care. You deserve to enjoy your life, even with basics like sleep. Your heart health will benefit from the positive slant, as will your mental health. It’s important to make sure you: Connect with your friends and family: Even if it can only be on the phone or laptop, those closest to you understand it’s a tough time and know how to best support you. Dance: Put on some music and take a dance break. Your kids will love it — and it will lift your spirits and ensure you keep your body moving throughout the day. Distract yourself: Take up a hobby, like learning the ukulele, or practice a new skill. You’ll feel good about it and will likely have stories to tell your friends. Kick bad habits: Use this time to cut back on your alcohol, caffeine or tobacco intake. It will be good for you physically and emotionally. Laugh a little: Find humor where you can. You’ll feel better, even if you’re alone, laughing out loud. Let yourself snooze: If you’re under stress, you need the rest. Don’t feel guilty getting seven to nine hours at night. If you need help with insomnia, remember that exercise can help. Organize your ‘to-do” list: Don’t get overwhelmed by big projects. Make “one step at a time” your motto. Slow down and plan: Allow yourself time to process your responsibilities and figure out what to do. Remember, Light is Everywhere At Luminis Health, our goal is to ensure every aspect of your health. If you feel stressed or alone in this, remember help is always nearby. Friends and family can lend a hand and are open to everything from simply listening to your concerns to caring for your kids when you need a break. And when it comes to your physical and mental wellbeing, we’ve also got your back. We’re happy to answer any questions and to provide medical guidance. Just let us know exactly how we can help. Call 443-481-1358 to talk with a member of our caring team who can guide you to the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who can best meet your needs. If you believe you are having a heart attack, go to your emergency room immediately. Don’t be concerned about COVID-19; you will be kept safe from infection. It’s critical that you don’t ignore symptoms like chest pain. Authors Juan Cordero, MD, is a physician with Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Uncategorized, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt wasn’t easy for Dwight Watkins to quit smoking. He’d been doing it for nearly 50 years. But he finally had enough. Dwight had been smoking since he was 12 years old, and he was up to a pack a day. It was hurting his body in major ways. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis made it hard to breathe. “I said, ‘I have to do this. I have to stop,’” says Dwight, who is 63. “And I started from there.” A Long Rough Road As any former smoker knows, the road to quitting can be a rough and long one. The nicotine found in tobacco products creates a sense of pleasure in your brain and causes you to crave more. That’s why it’s difficult to quit smoking. That was certainly the case for Dwight. Dwight’s primary care physician, Eman Al-Samrrai, MD, showed him the benefits if he quit smoking — and what could happen if he didn’t. “I told him, ‘You have the power in your hands,’” Dr. Al-Samrrai says. “It had to be his choice to quit.” She recommended that Dwight work with Tuesday Tynan, a tobacco treatment specialist and smoking cessation counselor at AAMC’s Morris Blum Community Clinic, where Dwight is a resident. AAMC offers a free program at Morris Blum that helps smokers quit for good. Dwight began working with Tuesday in January 2015. Since then, they’ve met nearly every week. “‘Dedicated’ is the word to describe Dwight,” Tuesday says. “I’ve never had anybody visit me every week for so long.” How You Can Quit Smoking AAMC offers a number of resources to help you quit smoking: Smoking cessation counselors One-on-one or group counseling sessions “Become Tobacco Free” classes Through AAMC’s smoking cessation program, tobacco treatment specialists, like Tuesday, and primary care doctors help patients quit smoking through counseling and creating a care plan. “We like to say that quitting tobacco is not an event but a journey. We are here to help people work through their specific barriers,” Tuesday says. When starting the program, each person receives a quit kit: a water bottle filled with cinnamon sticks, lollipops, coffee stirrers, stress balls, etc. The idea is for you to hold these items instead of a cigarette. The staff also gives patients over-the-counter nicotine replacement medications, such as patches, gum and lozenges. These replacements help satisfy the craving for nicotine and reduce the need to smoke. Nicotine replacement helped Dwight get down to about six cigarettes a week. But he still had trouble quitting completely. “There were a couple of times I got knocked down and got frustrated because I couldn’t do it,” Dwight says. “I’d stop for a day or two, then drift back and have another cigarette. It went on and on like that.” Dwight also faced a lot of peer pressure from friends and neighbors who would offer him cigarettes. “It was stressful because people didn’t understand why I didn’t want to smoke anymore,” he says. “I just told myself to hang in there.” The Benefits of Quitting Smoking 20 minutes after quitting: Your blood pressure and heart rate decrease. 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal. 2 weeks after quitting: Your circulation begins to improve. 1 year after quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. 5 years after quitting: Your risk of stroke is similar to that of a nonsmoker. Source: The American Heart Association The Winning Recipe To finally ditch smoking, Dwight began using Chantix, a prescription medication. He also kept up his weekly meetings with Tuesday. He’s been smoke-free since April 2016. “I just kept my mind determined,” he says. Recently, Dwight received a surprise for his hard work and dedication. He won a $250 Target gift card through AAMC’s “Breathe More Moments” contest, which promotes early lung cancer screening for people 55 years and older with a long history of smoking. “I thought Tuesday was trying to pull my leg when she told me I had won,” says Dwight, laughing. “I had never won anything before.” Dwight has changed his life dramatically. He gave up smoking, he makes fewer trips to the clinic for chronic bronchitis, his breathing has improved, and he has more energy, says Dr. Al-Samrrai. Dwight has even inspired others from his apartment building to meet with Tuesday and try to quit smoking. “If it could help someone else, I would recommend the program to them,” Dwight says. “I wouldn’t be where I am without Tuesday.” As for Tuesday, Dwight’s dedication and perseverance impressed and inspired her time and again. “I am so proud of Dwight,” she says. “Quitting tobacco was not an easy journey for him. He just wouldn’t give up, and that’s the key.” Contributors Eman Al-Samrrai, MD, is a primary care physician at AAMC’s Morris Blum Community Clinic. Tuesday Tynan is a tobacco treatment specialist and smoking cessation counselor at AAMC.0
- SpecialtyBreast cancer may be common, but there are many ways to lower the risk of developing it. At Luminis Health, we believe regular screenings and a healthy lifestyle are the best ways to lower your risk of breast cancer. Preventative Breast Care Breast health goes hand-in-hand with your overall health. Eating a healthy diet and managing your weight helps lower your risk of breast cancer. And the best way to detect breast cancer early is by having regular mammograms. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It can uncover abnormalities, like a lump, before you can feel them. Luminis Health offers: Convenient evening and weekend mammogram appointments. Quick results and short wait times. Radiologists with special training in breast imaging who interpret every mammogram. 3D screening mammograms that give a more accurate look at the breast, which is especially helpful for women with dense breasts. Earlier detection of breast cancer and fewer callbacks about harmless abnormalities. A Risk Assessment and Prevention Program (RAPP) to identify women at high risk of developing breast cancer. Minimally invasive breast surgical procedures. And we exceed the American College of Radiology's breast imaging requirements by also offering breast ultrasound and breast MRI. At Luminis Health, we ensure cost is not be a barrier to getting regular mammograms. We have programs and services for those who are uninsured and underinsured.0
- SpecialtyIf you have a breast condition that needs treatment — whether it's cancer or another problem — it's normal to feel apprehensive. But you're in the right hands with the specialists at Luminis Health. Here's what you should know about breast surgery at the Luminis Health Breast Center. What Is Breast Surgery? Surgery, along with radiation and medical oncology, is one of the standard treatments for breast cancer. We also perform breast surgery for many non-cancerous conditions. Meeting with our medical team is the first step to getting you the right treatment, whether that means surgery or something else. That surgery may be a mastectomy, which involves removing the whole breast. (A double mastectomy is the removal of both breasts.) Or it may be a breast-conserving surgery, where doctors remove some surrounding tissue. Reconstructive breast surgery rebuilds the breast after mastectomy. Plastic surgeons can often perform this surgery at the same time as the cancer surgery. It can also be delayed — or you may choose not to have reconstructive surgery at all., Why Choose Luminis Health for Breast Surgery? At Luminis Health, we are breast surgery specialists. Here are some reasons to choose Luminis Health when you're diagnosed with a breast condition. We'll point you in the right direction. You may or may not need breast surgery. We'll clearly explain the various treatment options available for your specific needs — and the pros and cons of each. We offer comprehensive care. We work with you before and after surgery to give you the best care. For instance, if you smoke — which greatly affects your ability to heal — we'll help you with strategies to quit. We take a team approach. Breast treatment and breast reconstruction require experts from different disciplines to work together — breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and other caregivers. Our navigators coordinate care so you know your next steps. There's no one size fits all. When it comes to breast surgery, your treatment plan is as unique as you are. Our expert medical team will help you design a treatment and recovery plan that's right for you.0
- Why Choose Luminis Health for Gynecologic Cancer Care?Our compassionate care team helps you through all phases of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.We offer:Knowledgeable, compassionate board-certified doctors. Our providers are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic diseases and work as a team to care for you.Technology that's at the forefront of care. Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques like the da Vinci surgical system. The da Vinci surgical system is a minimally invasive surgery method where the surgeon controls a robotic arm.A personalized treatment plan. Our reproductive specialists and cancer surgeons work together to create a treatment plan that's right for you.Genetic counseling. Gynecologic cancers can be related to genes passed through your family. We can test for these genes if you have a strong family history of the disease.Cancer support services to help your well-being. Cancer is a major life event. If you or a loved one has cancer, we're here to help you every step of the way. We offer many different services and resources designed to fit your needs and give you a better, more comfortable experience.Research. We are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and patient care. Our gynecological oncologists are members of NRG Oncology and work with doctors across the country on research trials, allowing us to offer promising new treatments that aren't widely available.Fertility-sparing treatment. For patients who wish to have children, we offer fertility-sparing treatment options.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageOur experienced and multidisciplinary team is here for you when you need gynecologic cancer treatment. Cancer doesn’t wait and you shouldn’t either. Our team is ready to meet you and discuss your treatment options using leading methods and tools. What Are Gynecologic Cancers?Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman's reproductive organs. These cancers happen when abnormal cells grow and spread. Screenings like your annual well woman visit are so important because gynecologic cancers sometimes go unnoticed in their early stages. These include:0
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