- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour child’s sinuses are not fully developed until late in the teen years, but the child can still develop a sinus infection. Although small, the maxillary (behind the cheek) and ethmoid (between the eyes) sinuses are present at birth. Childhood sinus problems may be difficult to diagnose, because symptoms may be caused by other problems, such as a viral illness or allergy. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, these symptoms may indicate a sinus infection: Cold-like symptoms lasting more than 14 days, sometimes with a low-grade fever. Thick nasal drainage, which may be yellow or green. Post-nasal drip, sometimes leading to a sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea or upset stomach. Headache, usually in children 6 years or older. Irritability or exhaustion. Inflammation near the eyes. Which children are at risk for sinus infection? A sinus infection sometimes happens after an upper respiratory infection or common cold. The cold causes swelling that can block the opening of the sinuses. This can cause a sinus infection. Allergies can also lead to sinusitis because of swelling and increased mucus. Other possible conditions that can lead to sinusitis include: Abnormal shape of the nose. Infection from a tooth. Nose injury. Foreign object in the nose. Birth defect with abnormality of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). Problem with stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD). What can I do to prevent sinusitis in my child? There are things that can help your child avoid sinusitis. They include: Have your child use saline sprays, washes, or both. Use these often to keep the nose as moist as possible. Use a humidifier in dry indoor environments. Keep your child away from cigarette and cigar smoke. Keep your child away from things that cause allergy symptoms. Don’t force water into the sinuses. For example, your child should not jump into water. Limit time in chlorinated pools. The chlorine can irritate the nose and sinuses. Practice good hand hygiene. Keep you and your child up to date with immunizations. Avoid close contact with people who have colds or others upper respiratory infections. Are you looking for a primary care doctor? Search our Find A Doc directory. Originally published Jan. 29, 2018. Last updated Nov. 14, 2019.
- Plastic Surgery & Skin CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWinter is right around the corner. That means it’s time to pack away your shorts and t-shirts for sweaters and scarfs. And just like you would protect your body from the cold temperatures, it’s important that you remember to protect your skin too. The truth of the matter is our skin is our largest organ system and our first layer of defense from the outside world. It’s easy to forget that the skin is constantly resurfacing itself and it’s important to take care of it because it’s interacting with the environment at all times. Let’s debunk some of the misconceptions when it comes to taking care of your skin during the colder months of the year: Myth: I need to apply moisturizer, lots of it. Yes, you should moisturize. However, you should be cautious with some moisturizers that have a high percentage of alcohol as this could further dry your skin. Try using moisturizers with hyaluronic acids or natural oils, like avocado oil, as these can really help hydrate your skin. Myth: I don’t need sunscreen. Even when it’s cloudy, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation reaches the earth. Clouds will not protect you and snow reflects light and, over time, this can contribute to sunburn, wrinkles and even skin cancer. You should be using at least SPF30 sunscreen every day, even if you work inside an office. Don’t forget to protect your ears and lips because skin cancers can develop on these areas too. Myth: I should exfoliate my dry, flaky skin. A lot of people like to exfoliate in the winter to address dry, flaky skin, but that can irritate and dry out your skin even more. Before exfoliating, try using a good moisturizer first. Winter skincare doesn’t need to be intimidating. It is best to just continue your regular skincare routine and make small adjustments as needed along the way. For people with sensitive, dry skin, small changes – like keeping your showers short, showering in warm (not hot) water or using gentle soaps – can help prevent over drying your skin during the cold winter months. If you’re exploring new skincare products, consider consulting with a professional. There are medical offices, like Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery, who offer a variety of services and products, including skincare, to help you look and feel your best. Skincare is really an investment into your future and the time to prevent wrinkles and skin cancer is when you’re young. However, it’s never too late and never too early to start taking care of your skin. READ MORE: What’s the best way to have younger-looking skin? Luminis Health Plastic Surgery offers nonsurgical and surgical cosmetic procedures to women and men. Choosing cosmetic plastic surgery is a deeply personal choice. To learn more about what’s the best fit for you, check out www.luminishealth.org/en/services/plastic-surgery.
- 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.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center and Doctors Community Hospital, part of the newly formed Luminis Health system, are meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S., according to The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade report out this November. Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades are assigned to over 2,600 general acute-care hospitals across the nation twice annually. The grade is becoming the gold standard measure of patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses national performance measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and other supplemental data sources to produce a single letter grade. The grade represents a hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. Its methodology has been peer reviewed and published in the Journal of Patient Safety. With the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, The Leapfrog Group aims to educate and encourage consumers to consider safety when selecting a hospital for themselves or their families. The report provides data and research to help patients make informed decisions about a critical aspect of their hospital stay – safety. For details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3Blog‘Tis the season to be jolly… and healthy! When you think of the holidays and health, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s all the food you intend on eating with your family. Or finally getting that gym membership you’ve been putting off. Or, maybe you don’t think these two terms go hand-in-hand at all. Well, they can. And they should! The holiday season is a great time to enjoy time with family and friends, celebrate life, be grateful and take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you. It’s also a time to appreciate the gift of health. As this year ends and the next one begins, we encourage you to think about health and how you can help others make this essential part of life a priority. Health is described as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” If you could take that sentence, put it in a box and wrap it as a gift to give to someone you love or care about, would you? Brighten this holiday season by giving the gift of health to loved ones. How? We asked our experts for their ideas on how you can accomplish this and here’s what they had to say: Together time. Especially for our older population, giving the gift of time and ensuring you schedule dates to see them can bring them a great deal of joy (more than you know). Go pay a visit to your grandparents, uncles or check out nearby nursing homes. Bring along young children or pets (if appropriate) when you visit. Health-tech gadgets. In an age where everything revolves around technology, this might just be one of the best gifts to give this holiday season. There’s an endless supply of devices on the market that you can give to a person you know who has been concerned about their health. Whether they’ve been experiencing heart palpitations, poor sleep or fatigue, capturing these episodes can help their doctor make a diagnosis. For example, think of a Fitbit, Apple Watch or an AliveCor Kardia heart monitor. Gym membership or sessions with a trainer. No more excuses! It’s time to make that one stop you’ve been postponing for months. The gym has all the necessary equipment for getting in shape. As we get older, weight training becomes important. But, if you’d rather do cardio, there are plenty of other options. The elliptical, stationary bike and rowing machine mitigate the amount of repetitive forces on the knees that come with long distance running, even on a treadmill. Training sessions, on the other hand, are helpful in that they are an appointment – you have someone expecting you to be there and have allotted a certain amount of time to a given task. Sign up for a heart-healthy cooking class. This is certainly a more creative option. You can prevent, or even essentially cure, many of the chronic diseases present in society today, including heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, through appropriate diet. A heart-healthy cooking class can show people how to make delicious and healthy foods on a budget. Get your own equipment. Don’t like the gym? Think about purchasing TRX straps, an ab mat or even a bike. These relatively low cost options still can give you a great workout while using just your body weight. Adopt (not buy) a dog! The benefits of having a pet, especially a dog, are myriad. There are benefits to blood pressure and stress levels. From an activity standpoint, a responsible dog owner will make sure his or her pooch gets enough exercise and in turn will get some exercise himself or herself. In this case, you are improving and saving two lives – yours and your new pal’s! When thinking of what to get family, friends and loved ones this year, prioritize their wellbeing. You’re providing them with the gift that keeps on giving – good health. Authors Baran Kilical, MD, cardiologist and electrophysiologist with Luminis Health Cardiology. Lil Banchero, senior director of the Institute for Healthy Aging at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
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