- Cancer Care, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere’s a good chance you’ve never heard of a Juul or “juuling.” But it’s likely your son or daughter has. A Juul, a type of e-cigarette, is a new device popular among those in middle school, high school and college. A Juul looks like a USB flash drive and you can even charge it through a laptop. At first glance, it seems like a harmless device. The reality, however, is far worse. One Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Children who use these devices are apt to become addicted to nicotine, and they are much more likely to smoke cigarettes as adults than kids who don’t use these products. Equally as alarming, you can fill the device with homemade substances including “wax,” a concentrated and more potent form of marijuana. It comes in a variety of fruity flavors, making it appealing to children. And its small design makes it easy to hide, allowing children to bring it to school and even smoke it during class. The proliferation of Juuls has caused some schools to take measures against its use on campus, including removing bathroom stall doors and taking disciplinary action against students caught using them. Adolescence is often a difficult time full of uncertainty and insecurity. As parents and concerned citizens, it’s important to be educated on how companies take advantage of this vulnerable time to entice kids into behaviors that will have lasting effects on their health. Talk to your children and don’t let them fall victim. Take our pledge to love your lungs, and be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! To learn more about smoking cessation resources at AAMC, call 443-481-5366. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD, is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of Thoracic Oncology at AAMC.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour body goes through several changes over the course of pregnancy. But it doesn’t stop with delivery. Changes continue post-delivery and it’s critical to closely monitor the physical and mental changes you experience. Some aches and pains are a normal part of the process, such as nipple pain. Others could be a sign that something is wrong. You should not ignore warning signs — they can be fatal. Here’s what new moms can expect, and where to go if you have concerns. SEE MORE: What you need to know about high blood pressure during pregnancy Normal Signs for New Moms Common postpartum symptoms include vaginal soreness, slight bleeding, breast engorgement, and after birth cramps. Labor takes a major toll on the body. It’s normal to feel sore after birth and bleed for a few days. Post birth cramps are caused by the uterus shrinking to its usual size. As your body prepares for breastfeeding, many notice breast engorgement and tenderness. Other normal symptoms are incontinence (accidentally peeing a bit), constipation, stretch marks, swelling of hands or feet, and hair loss. Some women feel sad or angry, and may be experiencing the “baby blues.” If these feelings don’t go away within two weeks, you should call your doctor to talk about postpartum depression. “Women often ask me about vaginal discharge after pregnancy,” says Chasheryl Leslie, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Premier OB-GYN. “What you’ll notice is, over time, the flow lessens and the color changes to a much lighter version. For some it lasts a few weeks, while it lasts a month or more for others. I always encourage my patients to give me a call if they ever feel concerned.” Warning Signs While most of the changes your body goes through after delivering a baby are normal and natural, it is important to be aware of warning signs. Use the acronym POST-BIRTH to help you remember what symptoms require further medical attention. Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms: Pain in the chest Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath Seizures Thoughts of harm or suicide Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: Bleeding (more than 1 pad an hour or blood clots larger than the size of an egg) Incision that isn’t healing Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher Headaches that change vision or won’t go away with medicine “Don’t ever feel like you’re bothering your doctor by calling them with any questions or concerns after you’ve delivered,” says Leslie. “Your health is our number one priority. We want you feeling your best so you can enjoy every second with your newest addition!” SEE MORE: Treatment for high risk pregnancy The first month after delivering a baby is challenging, yet extremely rewarding. As much as new moms are caring for their newest additions, it’s important to not lose sight of your own health and wellbeing.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re celebrating Easter today, we hope the Easter Bunny filled your basket with all your favorite treats! Did you know that some of the most popular kinds of Easter candy actually have some major health benefits? Here are a few sweet examples: Orange jelly beans are loaded with Vitamin C* Vitamin C may help to ward off cold symptoms and boost your immune system — and research indicates it could also protect against heart disease and several types of cancer. You probably know that oranges are a rich source of Vitamin C. Well, so are orange jelly beans! About 25 orange jelly beans contain 50 percent of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C. Enjoy several handfuls today to get the most out of this Easter favorite. Chocolate eggs are high in protein* Just like real eggs, chocolate eggs are packed with protein — six grams of protein per ounce serving! Chocolate peanut butter eggs contain even more — around eight grams per egg. Protein helps build strong bones and muscles, so have an egg or two with your Easter breakfast. Chocolate bunnies are a good source of iron* Not getting enough iron in your diet can cause anemia, along with symptoms such as fatigue. To prevent this, make sure you eat all of your chocolate bunnies, which are high in iron. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, so we recommend that you eat these with a side of orange jelly beans. *Wait a minute… Does this all sound too good to be true? It is — because today is not just Easter, it’s also April Fools’ Day! While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in some candy today, remember to do so in moderation, and enjoy these sweets as part of a balanced diet. Happy Easter!
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) has re-designated Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) as a Level III Perinatal Referral Center for the state of Maryland. AAMC has maintained this certification since 2002. Evaluating measures including quality performance and patient safety, MEIMSS certified that AAMC continues to meet complex medical needs of premature and critically ill infants with state-of-the-art technology, a patient- and family-centered approach, and a multidisciplinary care team. AAMC also continues to meet performance standards to accept maternal and neonatal transports from states in the mid-Atlantic region. Re-certification will be effective until 2022. “Receiving this re-designation as a Level III Perinatal Referral Center is a testament to our commitment to offering the highest quality services and care in the region,” says Monica Jones, MD, chair of Women’s and Children’s Services at AAMC. “Whether a baby is born early or experiences difficulties during or soon after birth, it’s critical they receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” says Carol Lacher, clinical director of the NICU at AAMC. “We are proud to offer comprehensive services, provided by neonatal experts and nurses with extensive neonatal training, to meet some of the most complex perinatal needs.” AAMC ranks second in Maryland for number of births annually, with over 5,500 births a year. The NICU team consists of neonatologists, a pediatrician, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists who provide life-supporting care to more than 500 premature and critically ill infants each year. AAMC’s multidisciplinary perinatal care team includes four board-certified maternal-fetal medicine physicians, board-certified OB/GYNs and specialized nurses, all certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM), giving expectant mothers across the region access to highly skilled, around-the-clock expert care. Related support services in the NICU include a nurse navigator, lactation consultants, dietitians, physical and speech therapists, a pediatric pharmacist, and patient family advisors. The Perinatal Referral Center re-verification process is part of efforts by MIEMSS and its Office of Perinatal Programs to ensure high-quality perinatal health care is available and provided to the citizens of Maryland.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen fourth grader Campbell Goodburn broke her ankle, her mom wanted the very best care — Campbell just wanted to get back to swimming and dancing as quickly as possible. Campbell loves to dance and when she’s not spending time with her friends, she’s in the ballet studio practicing her pliés. Imagine the disappointment the 10-year-old felt when she broke her ankle the week before summer vacation began. It was the last week of school and Campbell and her friends were enjoying the warm weather and a game of tag. “I rolled my ankle and fell down on the pavement,” explains Campbell. Initially Campbell thought she only sprained it, but after the swelling didn’t go down, her mother decided she needed to see a physician. Luckily, Dawn Goodburn is an employee of Anne Arundel Medical Center and quickly thought to make Campbell an appointment at AAMC Orthopedics. “My husband and I didn’t want to take Campbell to the emergency room or urgent care for her injury. We are fortunate to have AAMC Orthopedics in our community. It’s a convenient solution when you need somewhere to have a broken bone looked at and treated by orthopedic specialists, “shares Dawn. Following the visit with Robert Verklin, MD, their concerns lessened, especially Campbell’s worries. “It made a difference that Dr. Verklin spoke directly to Campbell, not at her or about her. It put her at ease and her fears of missing out on an entire summer were diminished when he delivered the news that her cast would most likely only have to be on for four weeks. ” Dawn continued. Campbell was determined to dance in the upcoming Nutcracker, with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, managing to keep up with some of her ballet exercises while in a cast. Four weeks flew by and as soon as Campbell’s cast was off she began the physical therapy exercises that were recommended to strengthen her ankle. Thanks to excellent care from the entire team at AAMC Orthopedic Campbell was able to perform at the Lyric Theater this past December and have an experience to last a lifetime. Campbell is featured in commercials for AAMC Orthopedics for its Your Comeback Starts Here campaign. Contributor Robert Verklin is an orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862.
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