- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Senior Care, Women's Health, Uncategorized, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOsteoporosis is called the silent disease because many people do not know they have it until they suffer a fracture. Ninety percent of adult bone mass is in place by the end of adolescence, then bone mass begins to decline in adulthood. Studies show that one out of every two women and up to one in four men over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. According to registered dietitian Ann Caldwell, the following nutrients—and the foods that contain them—hold particular promise in promoting peak bone health: Calcium is a mineral essential for both building bones and keeping them healthy. However, the majority of Americans are not getting enough. Ideal food sources include milk and enriched milk alternatives such as soy or almond milk, cheese, and yogurt. Other sources include bok choy, kale, turnip greens, almonds, white beans, tofu, and fortified orange juice. The recommended daily allowance for adults over 50 is 1,200 mg per day. Vitamin D also is important for bone health, as it promotes calcium absorption. There are a few sources of vitamin D in food, such as fatty fish, cheese, egg yolk, fortified milk, orange juice, and cereals. Vitamin D can also be obtained through sunlight, but with the use of sunscreen, it is usually not an adequate source. The best advice is usually to get vitamins from foods, but with vitamin D, supplementation is often required. The recommended daily allowance is 600 IUs, but for people who are deficient, the dose can be much higher. Other nutrients have been linked with bone health, including vitamins C and K, and magnesium. Eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants—such as watermelon, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, bell peppers, and guava—may protect bones. AAMC registered dietitians can help you meet your health goals. Visit the Eat Healthy section of our website for more information. Author Ann Caldwell, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To make an appointment for nutrition counseling, call 443-481-5555. Originally posted September 2015. Last updated January 2020.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere’s often nothing more nerve racking to a parent than dealing with a sick or injured child, especially when it happens after the pediatrician’s office closes. Who do you call? Where should you go? What’s open? These are key questions that race through your mind. One of the best ways to prepare for these unexpected situations is to know your options in advance. When you’re aware of what’s available in your area and how to best utilize each, it eliminates some of the stress felt in the moment. You can then focus your attention on identifying what’s wrong and deciding on the best place to take your child to get the help they need. At Anne Arundel Medical Center, we’re fortunate to have a full-service Pediatric Emergency Department, open 24-7 and supported by a range of specialty services and child-life specialists. Our dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers are trained specifically to treat children, including infants. But the emergency department isn’t always the right place to take your child. And it can be difficult to know when the emergency department is right and when urgent care is best. Here’s a quick guide on where to take your child based on their symptoms: Pediatric Emergency Department Any infant under three months who has a rectal temperature of 100.4˚ or higher Bleeding that can’t be stopped Head injury with loss of consciousness Injury that includes a deformity (such as a broken bone pushing through the skin) Mental health crisis Poisoning Seizures Severe asthma attacks Severe cuts Signs of dehydration (dry lips and mouth, absence of urination, lethargy and confusion) Trouble breathing Urgent Care Center Bumps, minor scrapes and cuts Cough and sore throat Flu and cold symptoms Low-grade fevers, for children over three months old Minor burns Minor earaches Mild vomiting and diarrhea Pink eye Rashes Sunburn Upset stomach Please remember, these are guidelines. If at any point you believe your child has a life threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. Originally published Jan. 22, 2018. Last updated Jan. 7, 2020.
- Behavioral Health, Community, Giving, Pediatrics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDogs really are man’s best friend. That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised if you see some walking the halls of our hospital and visiting patients in their rooms. At AAMC, we harness the healing power of pets with more than 25 volunteer pet therapy teams. Each team is made up of a volunteer from the community who owns a pre-trained and certified dog. Therapy dogs can help put people at ease both emotionally and physically. Their visits often create a happier, calmer atmosphere not only for patients, but for family and friends as well. Katherine Tighe and her dog, Suzie, along with fellow volunteer George Benoit and his dog, Kallie, have provided pet therapy at AAMC since 2015. They make frequent stops to the emergency room, as well as the pediatric, cancer, joint replacement and elderly care units. “My dad was in and out of hospitals and rehab centers for years before he died,” says Katherine, an animal-assisted therapist and social worker. “He was growing more and more depressed and unhappy.” Then she remembers one day she came to visit him in the rehab facility, and something was different. “There was this black lab there who had stolen my father’s slipper. He was going up and down the halls trying to get back his slipper,” she says. “My dad enjoyed it so much, and it made me happy to see him have a spark again.” Adds George, “One time we walked up to a woman who was waiting for a loved one in surgery.” She started petting Kallie and immediately began crying. “Somehow the dogs give people an emotional release.” “We’ll go in a room where a child is afraid and screaming in pain, and he will see the dog and calm down immediately,” Katherine says. “The whole demeanor changes, and it’s beautiful.” Dogs must go through basic obedience training and pass a canine good citizen test. The team receives an extra level of training that focuses on managing difficult situations and evaluating the dog’s temperament. We partner with five organizations to certify pet therapy teams: Caring Canines, Pets on Wheels, PAWS-AAC, Fidos for Freedom and Pet Therapy International. For information about our pet therapy team, or to learn how your dog can become certified to visit patients, call 443-481-5050. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Jan. 7, 2020.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSkiing and snowboarding are excellent recreational and competitive sports. Every year, these sports are becoming more and more popular. The good news is that the rate of injury in snow sports has declined every decade since the 1980s. This is in part due to advances in ski and snowboard equipment, boots and bindings. People are also more accepting of safety gear such as helmets. But even still, let’s not underestimate the dangers of snow sports. Snowboarders are more likely than skiers to sustain a more serious injury, including fracture and concussion. Snowboarders are also most likely to have an upper extremity injury like a broken wrist, collarbone or shoulder. Skiers are more likely to have lower extremity injuries like a sprained knee, ACL tear or fracture. And head and neck traumas in both sports remain the most common cause of fatality. So how do you stay safe on the mountain? Here are a few things you can do to dramatically reduce your chances of injury: Know your limits. Based on my experience as an orthopedist in Vail, Colo., there were very few injuries and broken bones before noon, while the afternoon was ripe with them. Many people want that “one last run” even if their legs are dead tired. This is a recipe for injury. Wear a helmet. In fact, if you don’t wear a helmet, you are the minority. Approximately 75 percent of skiers and snowboarders wear a helmet. They are not only comfortable and warm, they are effective at preventing head trauma. A helmet reduces minor to moderate head trauma by 30 to 50 percent. Wear other protective gear. For snowboarders the risk of wrist fracture is high. Wrist guards can dramatically reduce risk of injury. Proper clothing is also critical. Dress appropriately for the weather as you head out, and be prepared for changes. Respect your equipment. It’s important to have well-fitting and functioning equipment. If your bindings don’t release when needed, or release when not appropriate, this increases your risk of serious injury. A simple pre-season equipment tune up can keep you out of the hospital. It’s also very important to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol while on the slopes. When done correctly, snow sports are fun and safe. Every year is better than the last in safety numbers. Follow these simple, common sense recommendations and you will likely be able to have years of enjoyment. Author By Benjamin Petre, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at AAMC Orthopedics. He is also the team physician for the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboard Team, Baltimore Orioles, Bowie BaySox, and Annapolis High School. To reach him, call 410-268-8862. Originally published Jan. 28, 2018. Last updated Jan. 6, 2020.
- General Page Tier 3BlogDo you want to be healthier, lose weight or feel more energized? A good place to start is cooking more meals at home. Stocking your pantry, fridge and freezer with healthy foods that are both easy to prepare and ready to eat will set you up for success when it comes to eating healthy meals. One of the biggest barriers to cooking meals at home is the time it requires. For people with busy lifestyles, the convenient option often trumps the healthy one. Here are a few tricks to trim minutes from your kitchen routine: Buy pre-cut vegetables and fruits. A stir-fry is a quick option using pre-cut peppers, onions and pre-cooked chicken. Or add broccoli, carrots or cabbage slaw. The leftover slaw is versatile — add it to a soup or cold vegetable salad for later in the week. Plan ahead. Always have pantry basics on hand such as olive oil, canned beans, canned tomatoes, nuts, herbs and spices. Making extra trips to the grocery store just before cooking is a time waste, so be sure to replenish your stash. Food preparation is a nearly foolproof plan of action. Choose veggies that last longer. Keep these long-lasting vegetables in your vegetable drawer: onions, carrots, garlic, peppers, slaws and kale. From a cold salad to kabobs on the grill … ways you can use these veggies are limitless. Cook for the week ahead. Spend Sunday afternoon or any day off making nutritious soups, salads and casseroles. Be resourceful with your ingredients by using foods like leftover chicken in tacos, quesadillas, salads, sandwiches, soups and pasta dishes for more meals. Hard-boiled eggs are also easy add-ins. Choose frozen foods. When fresh foods aren’t available, choose frozen. During the winter, fruits and vegetables are picked before their peak and spend way too much time en route to the grocery store, losing nutritional value along the way. Have a backup plan. Of course there will be times when your intentions to cook healthy meals get interrupted. For these times, stock your cupboard, fridge and freezer with quick and healthy ingredients that you can throw together in a few minutes. Need an idea? Sauté pre-cut, frozen peppers and onions in low-sodium vegetable broth while heating up a can of black beans. Fill a corn tortilla or Bibb lettuce with the beans and veggies and garnish with Pico de Gallo. Getting meals on the table day in and day out isn’t easy, especially when you’re busy, tired or overwhelmed. Take a step toward a healthier you by trying some of these tips. They will fuel your body with nutritious foods without requiring too much time or money. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published Aug. 8, 2016. Last updated Jan. 6, 2020.
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