- 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
- 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
- NutritionGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith the holiday season in full swing, you’re likely to be surrounded by food for the next month or so. Family get-togethers, office potlucks and holiday parties offer opportunities to indulge in your favorite holiday treats. You can celebrate with a little less guilt by bringing healthier baked goods to the spread, says Devon Forbes, RDN, bariatric dietitian at AAMC. “When you contribute your own dish that is healthier and lower in fat, you’ll know there is something you can go to if you’re leery of the other baked goods,” Devon says. Fortunately, there are some tricks to preparing delicious, heart-healthy baked goods. One trick is to substitute ingredients in your favorite recipes with healthier alternatives. If you’re concerned about how these substitutions will affect the taste of your favorite desserts, Devon says not to worry. “I’ve used applesauce in place of fats before. The substitutions can actually make for better consistency and provide more nutrients,” she says. “You might have to play around with the recipe to get it right, but cutting the calories, sugar and fat makes it worth trying.” Author Devon Forbes, RDN, is a bariatric dietitian at AAMC. Originally published Dec. 2, 2016. Last updated Nov. 19, 2018.0
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen diagnosed with breast cancer can face many different choices for treatment. With new advancements in technology and breast cancer therapies, it can be difficult to know what choices give the best chance for a cure and high quality of life. A lumpectomy or mastectomy? Chemo before surgery or after surgery? How will these decisions affect personal, family and career priorities? Oftentimes, there is no right or wrong answer. Each woman is at a different stage in life and every woman’s breasts mean something different to her. Although breast surgeons aim to educate and guide patients, patients must ultimately make the decisions about treatment. This model is known as “shared decision making.” For some women, identifying a personal “best” treatment may involve the support of a friend or mentor — such as volunteer with a peer-to-peer mentorship program, like Survivors Offering Support (SOS). Hospitals across the nation offer programs like SOS, which pair a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient with a breast cancer survivor to offer educated support and encouragement. SOS peer mentors don’t offer medical advice, but as breast cancer survivors themselves, they can relate to the worries and fears that women with breast cancer often experience. Here are just a few of the benefits that women with breast cancer can find from peer-to-peer mentorship programs: Support from friends or family members who survived breast cancer can be comforting, but unlike peer mentors, these people aren’t trained to remain objective. They mean well, but they don’t understand that their story is just that – their story. A woman needs to focus on her story, which peer mentors understand. Peer mentors can also help women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer cut through information overload, which can result from researching online for hours. Mentors can help other women turn their concerns into questions for their surgeon. These conversations empower women to make informed decisions. Knowing that she has made her decision with the support of a trusted SOS mentor can help a woman minimize second-guessing herself, which means one less thing to worry about. Connecting with a mentor makes the cancer journey less lonely. Even if women have a strong social support system, it makes a huge difference to have someone who has been through the breast cancer journey themselves. Confiding in a mentor helps cut through the loneliness that can occur during the breast cancer journey. In fact, many women form lifelong friendships through these types of programs. Going through breast cancer can be both physically and emotionally taxing. To get through rough times, women can lean on the support of their mentor. Getting to know someone who has come through a breast cancer battle on the other side can give inspiration and motivation for women in their fight against cancer. No one has to go through something like this alone. Read more about Survivors Offering Support (SOS), including the personal story of a volunteer who discovered storm chasing in her recovery from a rare form of breast cancer. Author Lorraine Tafra, MD, is a breast surgeon and the medical director of AAMC’s Rebecca Fortney Breast Center.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogZoom has made it easier for us to attend meetings and stay connected, but it may also be contributing to burnout. So, why does Zoom burn us out? A 2021 study observed video conferencing communication increased the cognitive demands of participants. This happens because users have to coordinate the conference call, create the illusion of eye contact and physical presence, read incoming messages, and process the content on the call simultaneously. Here are some practices that can help you prevent fatigue. Ground Yourself Take a moment for you. Try moisturizing your hands, having a snack, filling a water bottle, or taking a breath break before you log into your Zoom meeting. Take Breaks Schedule mini buffers between meetings. Use that time to stretch, take a lap around your house, or do a few desk exercises. It’s Okay to Cancel Advocate for your mental and emotional wellbeing because only you know what you need. Ask if you are a “need to have” or a “nice to have” at the meeting. If you don’t need to be there, it’s okay to ask for notes in lieu of attending. You can also ask someone else to take notes for you, request a recording to watch later, or ask if you can reschedule for another day. Finally, before adding another Zoom to the schedule, ask yourself a few questions: Could this be an email? Could this be a phone call? If you answer yes, it’s okay to suggest or schedule an alternative way to get the work done. Authors Anne Gotimer is manager of WellBeing and Engagement for Luminis Health.0
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