- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogConfidence. Balance. Adventure. Focus. Support. These are just a few key qualities kids need in order to develop the mental strength required to become strong, responsible adults. Mental strength isn’t about being strong-willed, defiant or tough. It’s about teaching kids how to cope with what life sends their way and giving them the courage and confidence to reach to their full potential. As a parent, how do you instill these values while navigating the changing tides of society? You’re told to make kids brave, but cautious. Raise them to be confident, but humble. Give them freedom, but not too much. Keep them active, but let them rest. In the coming months, we’ll explore the “how” with you. Our age-by-age conversation starters will help you foster open communication as your child grows. Our article “Is it puberty or something else?” will explore what’s within the normal range of emotions and behavior and help you determine when you should seek professional help. We’ll talk about creating a stimulus barrier for yourself and your children, how play is therapeutic and how to navigate the pressures of social media. Raising mentally strong kids also takes self-reflection. When you get emergency instructions on an airplane, the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first before attempting to help anyone else. It’s a metaphor that extends to all aspects of life — you need to take care of yourself in order to best take care of others. So as you read our upcoming articles, participate in online discussions and use our tools to help encourage better communication with your child, reflect on how you too handle difficult situations, show resiliency and communicate. Let’s build mental muscle together. We need to make caring for our minds, and the minds of the children looking up to us, a priority. Because ultimately, healthy minds need YOU. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast summer, Brandy Brooks, 39, was on a family vacation with her boyfriend and two children. Grabbing some ice cream to enjoy the cold treat in the hot weather, Brandy was having a great time. It wasn’t until she started laughing that she noticed something was off and had to urgently use the restroom. On their way back to the resort where they were staying, again she noticed something was wrong. But this time, she wasn’t able to hold it. Walking into the resort, she did it again. “Every time I would laugh or sneeze, I would pee myself,” Brandy recalls. “It was embarrassing.” Everything started in 2005, when Brandy had her first child. Like many women, Brandy experienced urine leakage during her pregnancy. But she continued to experience similar symptoms after giving birth to her daughter. “It was still a problem, but not huge,” Brandy says. “I didn’t have to wear protective garments so I didn’t pay much attention.” In 2013, Brandy had her second child. After having her son, she says things got worse. “It got progressively bad, to the point I had to wear adult protection all the time,” Brandy says. “Sometimes, I would wear two types at the same time. I was also having bad menstrual cycles.” Brandy remembers talking to a colleague about her concerns. Her colleague mentioned to schedule an appointment with the doctor that had helped her. Brandy was experiencing the symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder (PFD), a common problem many women experience, especially after giving birth. Almost one-quarter of women have pelvic floor disorders, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study revealed that pelvic floor disorders affect about 10 percent of women ages 20 to 39; 27 percent of women ages 40 to 59; 37 percent of women ages 60 to 79; and nearly half of women age 80 or older. “I was having more leakage over time and I decided to have a procedure to correct some of my symptoms,” says Brandy. Understanding pelvic floor health “The problem for women not knowing about pelvic health disorders is that they walk around with symptoms that they think are normal,” says Kay Hoskey, MD, urogynecologist with AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. “Most of the time, if women leak a little bit or feel different during intercourse, they write it off as normal. These are not always normal symptoms and if this is something women don’t want to deal with, there’s help.” When Brandy came to AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health, her complaint was having everyday issues with urinary incontinence. “We explored her history and did some diagnostic studies,” Dr. Hoskey says. Brandy had experienced symptoms for 11 years, while the average time that a woman takes to present with pelvic floor disorders is about seven years. “I would encourage women to not ignore the symptoms for that long,” Dr. Hoskey says. “You don’t have to deny, dismiss or disguise symptoms like these, there are options that can help women deal with PFDs.” At AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health, the practice primarily focuses on bowel issues, urinary issues and pelvic organ prolapse, among other areas. Taking a holistic approach, the practice offers a variety of treatments, including dietary recommendations, exercise, biofeedback, massage and surgery when necessary. Brandy required robotic surgery, an option that allowed her to heal faster with less pain and scarring. “She didn’t want to use the restroom as often and she didn’t want to have heavy periods,” Dr. Hoskey says. “She wanted to get back to her normal activities, like being able to play with her kids without having any concerns.” Regaining a carefree life Two weeks after surgery, Brandy went out with her boyfriend to the store. Joking around, Brandy started laughing. “I laughed and laughed and realized I wasn’t rushing to the restroom,” Brandy says. “I told my boyfriend and started to cry because I was able to laugh without any worries.” Brandy also noticed other big changes, such as not experiencing heavy, painful periods. For her, this was a new opportunity to regain a carefree life. After years of experiencing incontinence and worrying about leaving her house and having to take protection with her, she no longer has to think about where the nearest restroom is or if she will have an embarrassing moment in public. A full-time mom and employee gearing up to get her nursing degree, Brandy encourages other women to not be embarrassed and pay attention to their health. “I feel like a young woman whose bladder is working the way it is supposed to,” Brandy says. “Don’t be afraid to seek the treatment for it or worry about what others will say, you really need to worry about yourself and take care of yourself first.” If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain due to a pelvic condition, visit AAMC Women’s Center for Pelvic Health website and schedule a consultation.
- Cancer Care, GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBeth Prout Lennon remembers when her mother, Maureen Prout, was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2002. Maureen was told, “Only 5 percent of people make it.” Her response to the life-altering news was, “Well, somebody has to be that 5 percent!” For the next five years and throughout more than 100 chemotherapy treatments, Maureen’s enthusiasm was an inspiration to all who came in contact with her. Encouraged by her mother’s positive outlook after an aggressive ovarian cancer diagnosis, Beth is following in her mother’s footsteps, cofounding the DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation. In partnership with JoAnn DeCesaris Wellington, whose father Geaton DeCesaris was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, these daughters are on a mission to profoundly affect research on lung and ovarian cancer. They want to bring awareness to those who do not know they are at risk, and make a difference in these diseases through better treatment options. “Our hope is, with awareness, people can recognize the symptoms in the early stages of both these life-threatening diseases, and get the treatment they need,” says Beth. Beth, of Friendship, shared that her mother’s faith and close relationships with her family, friends and her care team helped her through her journey with cancer. During her treatment, Maureen was determined to support others battling cancer. She shared her experiences with others and made herself available to anyone who needed help or just an ear to listen. New ovarian cancer support program During Maureen’s care, she and her family met single moms who had to walk home after treatments because they didn’t have anyone to pick them up or didn’t have money for cab fare. They met other mothers who were worried about affording groceries for their children and still others who needed babysitters to watch their children during treatments. Despite facing her own disease, Maureen spent time and energy helping others she met along the way. In the fall of 2016, the DeCesaris/Prout Foundation provided initial funding for a new Ovarian Cancer Support Program for patients undergoing treatment at AAMC’s Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute. “This incredible gift will support a woman’s unique emotional, spiritual and social needs and has the power to help balance the everyday challenges women face while undergoing treatment and beyond,” says Cathy Copertino, AAMC’s vice president of Cancer Services. Beth feels that she is honoring her mother’s legacy of compassion and caring through the establishment of this new program. “We want this Survivors Fund to help those women and their families who need a bus ticket, grocery gift card, or other needed services during this difficult time,” says Beth. “My mom would be very happy today to know that her inspiration is helping other women manage their cancer journey.” To learn more about how you can make a difference in cancer survivorship programs at AAMC, contact 443-481-4747 or [email protected]. Originally published Sept. 11, 2017. Last updated Sept. 4, 2018.
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Weight Loss, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAging comes with certain advantages. As we reach retirement, life slows down a little. We have more time to spend with our spouses, our children and our grandchildren. We have the time and funds to take that vacation we never got around to, finish our “to do” lists or pick up that new hobby we always wanted to try. But aging also comes with certain disadvantages, most notably when it comes to our health. Our joints ache a little more than they used to. Our diabetes requires more and more insulin shots to control. Our hearts start to warn us about those years when we didn’t eat exactly as we should or exercise as much as we might have. Obesity can make these problems significantly worse for seniors. Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States in all age groups, and seniors are no different. In fact, the struggle to control weight can be harder for seniors as their metabolism slows down and their activity is limited by the inevitable effects of aging. Before many seniors realize it, they find themselves on handfuls of pills a day to control their blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, heartburn and general discomfort. Many overweight seniors experience frustration and hopelessness with their weight and associated medical conditions. They feel there is no way to stop this slippery slope of health issues. But there are options available to help patients over 65 control their weight, and one of the best tools is bariatric surgery. Bariatric, or weight loss, surgery decreases the size of the stomach and changes the body’s hormonal balance to curb appetite, teach appropriate portion control and help patients manage their weight. Studies show that obese seniors who undergo weight loss surgery can experience just as much weight loss as younger patients. Also, seniors do not suffer from any significant increases in complications from the surgery, meaning that it is safe even in an older population. Although many older patients have been told that they cannot qualify for this life saving operation because of their age, the truth is there is no age limit for weight loss surgery. Any patient who is healthy enough to undergo the operation is a candidate. Weight loss surgery can help patients lose more than half of their excess weight. This generally leads to a cure or remission of many medical conditions, or a significant reduction in medications. Because of the obvious health benefits, many insurance companies, including Medicare, pay for the operation. Maintaining a healthy weight and curing weight-related health conditions could help you live years longer than you might otherwise. You can take that vacation. You can try that new hobby. You can run after your grandchildren with more energy and less pain. You can have a new lease on life after retirement. AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery offers free weight loss surgery seminars in Easton and Annapolis. To learn more about what you can gain with weight loss surgery, visit askAAMC.org/ReadyToGain. Author Courtney Doyle, MD Courtney Jean Doyle,MD, is a bariatric surgeon with AAMC Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery. Originally published March 7, 2017. Last updated Sept. 4, 2018.
- 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.
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