- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSummer is finally here! The sun is out, the grass is green and you are likely to participate in many outdoor activities. Along with all this summer fun comes heat and humidity. So, as the mercury rises, you need to pay close attention to your hydration. Your body is 60 percent water by weight and proper hydration is essential for your overall health. Approximately 80 percent of our water intake comes from drinking water and other beverages, and the other 20 percent comes from food. The water you consume optimizes blood pressure, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints and aids in digestion. As your body works hard to keep you cool, you lose fluid through sweating and evaporation. How do you increase your water intake without feeling waterlogged or like you have to go to the bathroom all the time? Here are 10 tips to stay hydrated this summer: Make sure you drink enough. Fluid recommendations are based upon body weight but a good rule of thumb is to aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Purchase reusable water bottles. This is safer for you and the environment but also makes you mindful to drink if you carry it with you throughout the day. Infuse with flavor. Infusing your water with fruit slices, lemon or lime can make for a refreshing beverage without added sweeteners. Drink before you eat. Sometimes our brains confuse thirst for hunger, so next time the feeling strikes, hydrate before eating and your hunger pains may disappear. Fill up on electrolytes. A sports drink can replace minerals you lose while sweating. Avoid sugary ones that can lead to dehydration. Use caution with very cold beverages as these can lead to stomach cramps. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake. Heat acts as a diuretic, meaning it causes the body to lose more fluid through urine, resulting in dehydration. If alcohol is in the mix for your summer outing, alternate every drink with a water. Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables. Most fruits and veggies are 85-95 percent of water. So eat up! Exercise in the early morning hours or late evening. Pound the pavement when the sun is not out in full force and temperatures are cooler. If you do exercise in the heat for more than one hour, supplement water with a sports drink that contains 6 to 8 percent carbohydrates. This prevents hyponatremia, which dilutes your blood and could also lead to serious impairment or death. Know the warning signs of dehydration. Early signs include increased thirst, flushed skin, fatigue and concentrated urine. Later signs of more severe dehydration can be dizziness, weakness and labored breathing with exertion. If you notice these signs it is time to make hydrating a priority. Snack on dried fruits and nuts. For long hikes, when you will need food, dried fruit and nut mixtures contain high amounts of potassium, sodium, protein, carbohydrates and calories. However, continue to drink plenty of water. Water is truly the elixir of life. As you experience all the wonderful milestones of summer, remember to drink plenty of water and eat a diet rich in hydrating whole fruits and vegetables to keep you going strong all season long. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Luminis Health. To reach them, call 443-481-5555 or visit Luminis Health Nutrition Services. Originally published July 2018. Last updated July 2022.
- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTori Bayless, Luminis Health CEO, reflects on the meaning of Juneteenth and our journey ahead. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free by federal decree. While the Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, news of it traveled slowly to the outermost slave state. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, week, and month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. The past three weeks have been painful and unsettling but through it, our incredible community has created the space to mourn, learn from one another, show solidarity and think about what change for the future should entail. I am grateful to those who organized, facilitated, and participated in our virtual faith-based service; White Coats for Black Lives demonstration; “Coming to the Table” conversations about diversity and inclusion; and other much-needed leadership discussions about how to improve racial justice and equity throughout our health system and communities. While I am proud of the steps we have taken to date through our Health Equity Task Force to ensure equity, promote diversity and inclusion, and actively tackle issues of racism in our health system, I know there is so much work ahead. As the great American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” I am hopeful and passionate about re-convening a Health Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. This task force will bring together a diverse group of colleagues from our hospitals, our public health partners, and other community stakeholder groups. It will put into motion a new and lasting plan to guide the changes that we must undertake to be a more equitable and just health system. My own personal learning and resolve as CEO of Luminis Health has been strengthened by the outpouring of stories, reflections, and suggestions from so many of you across our health system. My high school motto was “actions, not words”—and I intend for that to guide our work ahead. We must be intentional and deliberate in our actions. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing further details about our specific initiatives, progress, and ways to get involved. Please continue to share your feedback and suggestions with me, so we can continue the conversation and make changes as we go. The road ahead will no doubt be challenging, but that’s how we’ll know it is worth it. To those for whom this day is especially meaningful – happy Juneteenth. Thank you for your resilience and continued dedication. Change is possible. I challenge each of us on this journey – instead of trying to change people to fit our organization, let’s work together to change our organization to fit and welcome all people.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogParents are often flooded with advice on how to care for their new baby. Much of that advice is on how to get them to go to sleep — including when, where and how. Sadly, about 3,500 infants die every year in the U.S. from sleep-related deaths, including deaths from accidental suffocation and strangulation, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To prevent this tragedy, it’s important you have the right information on recommended safe sleep practices. “The biggest misconception is that parents think it won’t happen to their baby,” says Charlotte Wallace, AAMC community health nurse and environmental health coordinator. “But it can.” Here are some other common myths — and truths — about infant safe sleep. Myth #1: It’s OK to fall asleep with your baby We’ve all seen the cute pictures of babies snuggled up on couches or in beds with their mothers or fathers. This is fine if the parents are awake and alert. Otherwise, there’s a risk of suffocation. When it comes to co-sleeping, there is a “survivor bias,” says Wallace. New parents hear from other parents who safely slept with their baby and then feel safe themselves. “We’re a really cozy society, with fluffy mattresses, comforters, and couches with a lot of cushions. That’s not a safe place for a baby to sleep,” Wallace says. AAP also cautions parents against using devices that claim to reduce the chance of sleep-related deaths. Those include positioners and other devices placed in your bed to separate you from your baby. Infants are safest sleeping in your room – but not in the same bed, AAP says. Myth #2: Babies need to be bundled up all the time In 2016, eight Anne Arundel County infants died due to unsafe sleeping practices, and Wallace says three of those deaths occurred over the summer. “Overheating is a real concern,” she says. “The general rule of thumb is you dress your baby in one more layer than what you would be comfortable wearing.” Avoid covering your baby’s face, as that could lead to suffocation. Myth #3: Sleep monitors will alert you to any danger “Baby monitors provide a false reassurance,” Wallace says. If a child is suffocating, there’s no noise for a monitor to detect that will alert the caregiver. Following the basic guidelines of no sleeping with your baby, always placing your baby on their back to sleep, and using a firm sleep surface will dramatically reduce your infant’s risk of a sleep related death. AAP also cautions against relying on cardiorespiratory monitors as a way to make sleep safer. There’s no data to prove these decrease the risk of infant sleep deaths. Myth #4: Sleep-related deaths can happen to babies at any age The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development says babies are at risk of sleep-related deaths only until they are a year old. Most deaths occur when babies are between a month and four months of age. If your baby rolls over on his or her own during sleep, you don’t need to turn the baby over, the Institute says. Most babies start rolling over on their own once they are four to six months old. Learn more about how to care for the new addition to your life at AAMC’s Newborn Care class. Originally published April 10, 2017. Last updated June 17, 2020.
- Men's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you know a man who is reluctant to go to the doctor for a routine checkup? Maybe you are that man who avoids seeking medical treatment unless it’s an emergency. Many studies show that men are less likely than women to seek help for medical problems – including physical and emotional health issues. It could be because they are afraid to seem weak, or because they want to stay independent and in control. But this means men may be missing opportunities to deal with minor health issues before they become major problems. Routine checkups and screenings are necessary for staying healthy. The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force encourages men to have the following regular health screenings. High cholesterol. Beginning at age 35, men should get their cholesterol checked at a minimum of every five years. Men younger than age 35 could benefit from cholesterol testing if they smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease. High blood pressure. All men should get their blood pressure checked at least every two years, or more often if recommended by a healthcare provider. Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure are silent diseases, meaning symptoms may not always be obvious. Diabetes. Men should schedule a blood glucose test for diabetes if they have raised cholesterol or high blood pressure. They should also have this test if they notice signs of diabetes, such as frequent thirst and urination, extreme tiredness and blurred vision. Healthy men should get screened every three years starting at age 45. Colorectal cancer. Screenings should begin at age 50, or earlier if there is a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or a family history of colorectal cancer. Cancer screenings READ MORE: Cancer Care and Coronavirus: Taking Care of Our Patients Now and Into the Future The American Cancer Society also recommends the following screenings for men: Prostate cancer. Starting at age 50, men should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer testing. Men at high risk, including African-American men and those with a family history of the disease, should talk to their doctor at age 40 or 45. Lung cancer. Men ages 55 to 74 who are or were heavy smokers should talk to a doctor about whether a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer is right for them. Skin cancer. Men should keep an eye on all moles and spots on their skin, and report changes to a doctor immediately. You should speak with your healthcare provider about the right method of screening for you. Author By Tim Romanoski, MD, a physician at AAMG Centreville Family Medicine. To reach him, call 410-758-3303. Originally published June 13, 2017. Last updated June 16, 2020.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWeekend warriors are people who only participate in activities in their spare time. They may or may not maintain a routine exercise program and then participate in vigorous activities over a short or abbreviated period of time. Does this sound like you? Frequently, this is a recipe for injury. Here are some of the most common injuries weekend warriors experience: Hamstring, Quadriceps and Calf Muscles These are often strained or torn when they’re forcefully moved while stiff or weak. Treatment: Rest, compression, elevation, gentle stretching, avoiding activity. Tendons Knee tendons are especially prone to injury if they haven’t been stretched properly before activity. Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medication, using a brace, activity modification, ice. However, if a tendon tears, the only treatment is surgery. Intra-articular Knee Injury (inside the knee) These include meniscal tears, ligament tears, and cartilage injuries. They can be prevented by strengthening the muscles around the joint. Treatment: Injuries can range widely in severity. Likewise treatment may range from rest, using a brace, or getting injections to physical therapy or surgery. Although the knee is often injured in the weekend warrior, this can be prevented. A good routine exercise and stretching program during the week can significantly reduce the likelihood of a major knee injury and either loss of playing time or need for surgery to reconstruct a knee. Author By Benjamin Petre, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Luminis Health Orthopedics. To reach him, call 410-268-8862. Originally published March 10, 2015. Last updated June 16, 2020.
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?