- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn an increasingly fast-paced, technology-driven world, teen stress, depression and anxiety are on the rise. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that younger Americans report the highest level of stress among all age groups. In addition to peer, academic, social and family pressures, the holiday season can bring seasonal stressors. Less daylight. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common cause of the blues in the winter months due to a decrease in sunlight. Changes in schedules and routines. Teens are already overscheduled these days. Holiday festivities and family get-togethers can make for an even tighter schedule. Financial worries. Adults aren’t the only ones stressing over finances. Not only do teens pick up on our worries and react to them, they often have the same worries, like how to pay for college or what to do after graduation. And during the holiday season, there is the added financial strain of gift giving. Changes in diet and sleep routines. The holiday season comes with extra sweets and indulgences. In moderation that’s not usually a problem. But too much sugar can have a negative impact on blood sugar and mood. Increased grief about divorce, death, or other family changes. The holidays are often a reminder of loved ones that are no longer with us. Some stress, sadness and anxiety are normal feelings around the holidays. But sometimes seasonal stress can be enough to cause clinical signs of depression and anxiety. It can be hard to distinguish normal teenage angst from signs of something more serious. Here are some signs to look out for: General health complaints, especially frequent headaches and stomach aches. An increase in irritability or moodiness. Declining grades at school. Losing interest in things they used to enjoy. Changes in eating and hygiene habits. Behavioral changes such as acting out or isolating themselves. Good self-care can help combat stress and prevent it from becoming a more serious problem. Here are some things you and your teen can do: Get active. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. Something as simple as taking a walk helps. Rest. Teens need between eight to 10 hours of sleep a night but rarely get it. Creating a nightly routine is a good way to start better sleep habits. Eat well. The holidays can wreak havoc on a healthy diet. Remember to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and drink lots of water. A healthy diet can help regulate your mood. Meditation, breathing techniques and yoga are great stress relievers. Giving back can foster gratitude and help your teen gain perspective. Slow Down. Take time to slow down and enjoy the season. Stress isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can motivate us to work harder and be more efficient. However, prolonged stress can have a negative impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing. If you notice yourself or your teen continuing to feel overwhelmed with stress, sadness or anxiety beyond the holiday season, it is important to see a mental health professional. Originally published Dec. 28, 2017. Last updated Dec. 16, 2019.
- Behavioral Health, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogShorter days. Longer evenings. Colder temperatures. Winter is here. If you feel gloomy this time of year and perk up once spring and summer roll around, you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder – also known as SAD. It’s a type of depression that comes and goes with the fall and winter seasons. And it tends to disappear in spring and summer. This winter, we’re all staying home more because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Many events and activities have been canceled. So this season may be particularly challenging for those who suffer from SAD. Let’s take a closer look at SAD symptoms, who’s at risk and how to treat the disorder. Symptoms to look for Feelings of worthlessness, low energy, fatigue, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, and changes in your appetite or weight. If you are experiencing at least five of these symptoms for two or more weeks, talk to a mental health professional. Who is at risk? Women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than men. And younger adults are more likely to have it than older adults. What are the risk factors? The exact reasons for SAD are not known. But people with a family history of SAD or other forms of depression are at higher risk. If you have clinical depression or bipolar disorder, you may see your symptoms get worse as the seasons change. How do you treat SAD? Light therapy—exposure to full-spectrum lights bright enough to make a difference in brain chemistry—can treat SAD. It may get rid of symptoms for 50 to 80 percent of people who use it. Here’s how it works. You sit in front of a special fluorescent lamp that is encased in a box or mounted on a visor worn like a cap. The lamp gives off a bright white light, filters out ultraviolet radiation and diffuses the light to limit glare. Light therapy takes about 30 to 90 minutes a day. It’s best done in the morning and you should do it daily until natural sunlight returns in the spring. If you stop too early, your symptoms may come back. If necessary, you can also treat SAD with antidepressant medications. But there are other treatment options, including: Exercise daily in sunlight. This can help you sleep better at night and give you more energy. Take part in activities you love to boost your mood — like listening to music, reading, or visiting a park. Practice good sleep hygiene. Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily. Get into the habit of turning of all electronics and doing deep breathing and relaxation exercises before bed. Be grateful. Find one thing to be grateful for each day and reflect on its meaning. Be compassionate with yourself. It’s easy to be self-critical, but remember to be kind to yourself. Talk to yourself as you would a friend. Be mindful. Be fully present in the moment, with full awareness of your thoughts, feelings, sensations and surroundings – without judgment. You don’t have to struggle with SAD in silence. Reaching out to a mental health professional for help is a sign of strength – not weakness. If you are having suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help. The Anne Arundel Crisis Response System is a 24-hour hotline you can call at 410-768-5522. Authors Aruna Gogineni, Ph.D., LCSW-C, is a mental health professional at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists, located in Annapolis. To reach her, call 443-475-0621. Waseem Hussain, MD, is a primary care doctor with Doctors Community Medical Center.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLow back pain is one of the most common ailments in the United States. About 80 percent of people have at least one episode of low back pain during their lifetime. Factors that increase the risk of developing low back pain include smoking, obesity, older age, sedentary work, a stressful job, job dissatisfaction and psychological factors such as anxiety or depression. Physically strenuous work also contributes to low back pain. Most people with back pain have nonspecific back pain. Such people usually improve in a few weeks with conservative care. Less than one percent of people have serious causes, such as cancer or infection and less than 10 percent have less serious causes like fracture, pinched nerve, or narrowing of the spinal cord. Therefore, it’s important to see your primary care physician first, before seeking specialist care. Most of the time, a focused history and physical examination are enough to make a diagnosis of back pain. It is imperative to prevent back pain from developing in the first place. People can do a number of things to prevent back pain. 1. Exercise and stay active The most important thing you can do is exercise routinely and stay active. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular fitness and can be combined with specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of the hips and back. The abdominal muscles are particularly important in supporting the lower back and preventing back pain. Exercises can be as simple as walking every day. And other activities like Pilates, Yoga and aerobic exercises are also very helpful in preventing back pain. 2. Avoid high-impact activities It is important to avoid activities that involve repetitive bending or twisting and high-impact activities that increase stress in the spine. 3. Bend and lift correctly Bending and lifting correctly is also important. People with low back pain should learn the right way to bend and lift. For example, lift with the knees bent and the abdominal muscles tightened. This way you avoid straining the weaker muscles in the lower back. 4. Take a break People who sit or stand for long periods should change positions often and use a chair with appropriate support for the back. Readjust your office chair several times throughout the day to avoid sitting in the same position. Taking brief but frequent breaks to walk around will also prevent pain due to prolonged sitting or standing. People who stand in place for long periods can try placing a block of wood on the floor, stepping up and down every few minutes. Author Dr. Meetu Agrawal is a primary care physician with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Largo Primary Care. To reach her practice, call 301-925-7610. Originally published Dec. 19, 2016. Last updated Dec. 16, 2019.
- Behavioral Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogJuggling multiple commitments during the holidays might bring out the best in you. Or it might leave you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. These feelings go well beyond your mental health. They can have short-term and long-term effects on your whole body, especially your heart. Boaz Rosen, MD, a cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center, says it is important to find ways to manage the emotions the holidays bring out. “Stress and anxiety can affect the heart in a variety of ways, such as increasing blood pressure,” he explains. Tips to Relieve Holiday Stress When it comes to the holidays, finding the right balance between celebration and healthy habits will serve your heart well. Recognize your hot buttons. Think about the things that made you anxious or sad during previous holiday celebrations and develop a plan to cope with those stressors. Carve out some time for yourself. Exercise, meditation, yoga, prayer or time with a favorite book or movie can help you relieve stress. Practice moderation with sodium and alcohol. Repeated use of large amounts of sodium or alcohol can cause heart problems. More importantly, Dr. Rosen says, people may try to use food, smoking or alcohol to relieve stress, anxiety or depression. Weight gain from overeating can affect blood pressure and contribute to an increased risk of diabetes. Tobacco use has well-known short- and long-term effects on the heart and lungs. And while moderate intake of red wine (not more than one glass a day) can be beneficial, excessive alcohol use can affect heart, brain and liver function. Dr. Rosen also warns that it’s important to know the signs of a heart attack and to take any symptoms seriously. “A lot of people will ignore chest pain symptoms thinking it’s indigestion,” he says. “They describe a gassy feeling of pressure or discomfort in the chest. If there is any concern or if antacids don’t take care of that discomfort in minutes, think ‘heart’ and call 911. Even if it turns out to be indigestion, it’s better to be safe than sorry. On a positive note, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season!” Learn your “heart age” and risk for heart disease with AAMC’s free online heart risk assessment. Author Boaz Rosen, MD, is a cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Dec. 5, 2016. Last updated Dec. 12, 2019.
- Plastic Surgery & Skin CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLaugh lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles around the forehead are signs of a life well lived – and a natural part of the aging process. But take heart: While wrinkles are a fact of life, there are safe and effective ways to minimize their appearance and, in some cases, slow their progression. Botox® and fillers are two of the most common noninvasive procedures to address wrinkles today and have grown in popularity over the last five to ten years. However, many patients still have questions and, sometimes, misconceptions about these approaches. We often see patients wanting to learn more about how injections and fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help them look younger. The first thing we do is talk about the difference between these procedures and the benefits of each. Then, together, we can determine which may be the best for you. Myth #1: Botox and fillers are the same thing While many confuse Botox and fillers, it’s important to understand they aren’t the same thing. Botox paralyzes muscles temporarily, which can help prevent the overlying skin from developing wrinkles. Fillers, on the other hand, can soften and fill lines and areas of volume loss like the cheeks or lips. With Botox injections, small amounts of Botox are injected into these areas to block signals from nerves to the muscles. The muscles are then no longer able to contract so the face doesn’t wrinkle. The most common areas for Botox include forehead lines and crow’s feet. Fillers, like Juvéderm® and Voluma® XC, use an injectable gel to fill a wrinkle that is already apparent. Juvéderm can be used to target wrinkles around the eyes and lips. Voluma XC can lift and smooth the cheeks. Another key difference between fillers and Botox is that Botox is a very effective measure to prevent or delay the appearance of wrinkles. The best time to start Botox is actually in your late 20s or early 30s, before wrinkles become obvious. The less you use the muscles in your face, the slower wrinkles will form. Of course, Botox and fillers need to be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes no smoking, sun protection and other skincare routines. READ MORE: Understanding your winter skincare routine Myth 2: My Botox won’t last The effects of Botox are not permanent but you and your provider can work together on a timeline that works to keep wrinkles at bay. Typically, we recommend about six months between injections, but that can vary based on your age and preference. The first sign it’s time to come back to the office is when the muscle begins to loosen up and start to move again, which is an indication the paralysis is wearing off. Fillers, on the other hand, can last up to two years. Your provider can help you decide what approach is best for you. You can experiment with fillers and Botox, but you need an experienced provider to guide you through the options that are best for you to ensure that injections are effectively administered. Just because you can get Botox at a spa or the dentist doesn’t mean you should. You need to see a knowledgeable provider who will create a strategy that addresses your concerns. Myth #3: My results won’t look natural One of the biggest misconceptions about Botox is that, because the muscles are paralyzed, you won’t be able to express emotion. But the areas targeted with Botox aren’t really needed to share your thoughts and feelings. For example, you don’t need to express anything with the muscles on your forehead, not being able to squint your eyes isn’t going to keep your family and friends from knowing how you feel and you can still certainly smile, frown and laugh. Fillers are also a natural, subtle way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Myth #4: Once I start, I can’t stop Botox and fillers are elective procedures that you can stop at any time, but it’s always best to discuss your plans with your provider to create a schedule that’s right for you. Your provider can also address any concerns you may have about the procedure or recommend a different approach to better meet your goals. AAMG 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 aahs.org/cosmetic. Authors Tripp Holton, MD is a plastic surgeon at AAMG Plastic Surgery. Kathryn Sidrow is a certified physician assistant at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Plastic Surgery.
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