- Community, Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWake-up calls come in all forms. For Tyraia Colbert, a tele-health assistant who works nights in the Communications Department at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), her wake-up call to get healthy came in the form of shoes. “I couldn’t wear my high heels,” Tyraia laughed. “I was too big, and they weren’t comfortable anymore. I had to wear flats to work every day, and I didn’t like it.” Her fashion limitations, coupled with a health scare the year before when she was hospitalized with cluster headaches, lead her to commit once and for all to achieving better health. In five months, the single mother of two boys, ages 7 and 10, has lost nearly 50 pounds and drastically changed her lifestyle and eating habits. “I was scared that if I didn’t change my life, I would die,” said Tyraia. “My children need their mother, and I needed to make sure I was there for them.” AAMC’s Energize Program Provides the Tools Tyraia began her journey by turning to AAMC’s Energize, the hospital’s wellness program. She began walking twice a week for 30 minutes on the Energize walking path in the basement of AAMC. Then, she took advantage of the various Energize fitness classes and workshops. In July, she started seeing a nutritionist weekly through AAMC’s nutrition coaching program – free to employees, yet available to the community for a fee – to improve her diet. “Before I started with Energize, I was lazy,” Tyraia said. “Now, I see Maureen [nutritionist] once a week for accountability, and she pushes me to work harder and helps me find new recipes and healthy foods to add to my diet.” Tyraia’s Journey to Better Health Becomes a Family Affair Now Tyraia’s mother, Kay, joins her daughter for Energize group fitness classes 4-5 days a week. “My mother is my support system,” said Tyraia. “She makes me get up and go to class when I don’t feel like it. We hold each other accountable.” “When Ty got serious about her health I wanted to support her,” Kay said. “During this year Ty has lost weight, completed her high school diploma and started college,” she added with pride. Both Colberts noticed that their whole family’s health has improved with their efforts, but when people ask Tyraia about her “secrets” to weight loss she is honest. “I tell people there is no magic trick to weight loss, no gimmicks. It’s about making lifestyle changes and I tell them they can do it, too. It’s easy to dismiss, but it’s true – it will make you feel better.” Tyraia’s journey isn’t over yet. Her long-term goal is to lose 100 pounds. “I’m halfway there,” she said, “and I can keep up with my boys now.” And, her high heels have come back out of the closet. For more inspiration and tips to help you meet your healthy weight goals, visit our Living Healthier Together website.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAlmost everyone suffers from the occasional bout of heartburn around Thanksgiving. But for millions of Americans, this discomfort isn’t just a holiday occurrence. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs most commonly when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, does not function properly. This allows stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus, causing frequent heartburn and acid indigestion. Less commonly, symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, dry cough, asthma, wheezing, sore throat, hoarseness, nausea, vomiting, dental erosion and bad breath. It’s highly advised that you consult with a physician if you experience any of these symptoms continuously for more than two weeks while taking over-the-counter antacids. In rare cases, GERD has been known to cause more serious health conditions such as esophageal cancer, when left untreated. Getting a Grip on GERD Lifestyle changes are often the first recommended course of treatment for managing GERD symptoms. These simple approaches include: Maintaining a healthy weight Avoiding tight-fitting clothing Avoiding certain trigger foods and drinks such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, garlic, onion, and caffeine Eating smaller meals slowly Waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed Elevating the head of your bed Quitting smoking When these approaches fail, your physician may suggest medication. Increased focus on GERD over the past decade has led to the development of many reliable over-the-counter and prescription options. These range from antacids to neutralize acid in the stomach to medications that actually block acid production or cause the stomach to empty faster. Your physician will work with you to determine which approach is best for your particular case. If lifestyle changes or medication don’t offer relief from your symptoms, then surgery may be the next course of action. For years, Nissen fundoplication has been the “go-to” surgery for GERD. During this laparoscopic procedure, the upper part of the stomach is used to create a new anti-reflux barrier around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This strengthens the sphincter and prevents acid reflux. A hiatal hernia, if present, is also repaired. Current long-term success rates for this procedure when performed by expert surgeons in dedicated centers are between 90 and 95 percent. The LINX ® Reflux Management System The LINX ® Reflux Management System – the latest surgical advance for treating GERD – achieves results approaching those of Nissen fundoplication, but with a tiny magnetic device. During this laparoscopic procedure, the bracelet-shaped magnet is inserted at the base of the esophagus where it works to close the LES immediately after swallowing, thereby restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux. While GERD can be persistent and it may take time to find the right treatment, it’s important not to lose hope. Your doctor should be able to direct you to an option that will ultimately provide you with relief. Author Adrian Park, MD, is the Chair of Surgery and an internationally recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery. He can be reached at Anne Arundel Medical Group Surgical Specialists at 443-481-6699. This article was published in The Capital on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014. See link.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen Nakeya Johnson had her third child in 2010 she knew something had to change. With three small children at home, her health and wellness had taken a back seat to family and work responsibilities. But, on January 1, 2013 Nakeya decided to make a serious commitment to getting healthier. I gave up soda,” said Nakeya, a medical secretary with AAMC Oncology and Hematology. “I started drinking water, eating a healthy breakfast and I got moving!” Nakeya made it a priority to visit the AAMC Employee Gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays when her schedule permitted, and when she couldn’t make it, she began getting up at 5 am to walk. “I realized that I could get up that early and fit in a work out,” Nakeya said. She still follows that routine – adding jogging and strength training to her routine – and to date she has lost more than 70 pounds! Nakeya credits technology with helping her get and stay fit. “I find so many workout routines on YouTube,” she said. “I have walking videos and weight lifting routines to help me strength train.” Nakeya also uses her FitBit to track the number of steps she takes every day and the My Fitness Pal app on her phone to help her keep track of the calories she eats. She participates in AAMC’s Weight Watchers at Work and focuses on portion control when it comes to eating. “I am a stress eater,” Nakeya said, “but now, when I feel stressed, I excuse myself from my kids and I go to my basement and do a five minute workout instead of eating a cookie. It’s amazing how much exercise helps reduce stress!” Staying active and making healthy choices is a family affair with the Johnsons. After seeing Nakeya’s progress, her husband started exercising regularly. Nakeya has become a role model for her children who are also more active and aware of the importance of making healthy choices. “My kids are always pointing out things that aren’t on our ‘healthy eating’ list,” laughs Nakeya. Asked what advice she has for others looking to improve their health and fitness, Nakeya stressed having faith in yourself. “You will get discouraged because it does take time to see results, but you have to have faith that you can do it. I kept telling myself I wasn’t turning back once I started and I didn’t.”
- Behavioral Health, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNearly one third of older people in the U.S. take sleeping pills. These drugs are called “sedative hypnotics” or “tranquilizers.” They affect the brain and spinal cord. “Doctors prescribe the drugs for sleep problems,” says Ira Weinstein, MD, a pulmonologist who specializes in sleep disorders. “The drugs are also used to treat other conditions, such as anxiety or alcohol withdrawal.” Usually older adults should try non-drug treatments first. According to the American Geriatrics Society, there are safer and better ways to improve sleep or reduce anxiety. Here’s why: Sleeping pills may not help much. Many ads say that sleeping pills help people get a full, restful night’s sleep. But studies show that this is not exactly true in real life. On average, people who take one of these drugs sleep only a little longer and better than those who don’t take a drug. Sleeping pills can have serious or even deadly side effects. All sedative-hypnotic drugs have special risks for older adults. Seniors are likely to be more sensitive to the drugs’ effects than younger adults. And these drugs may stay in their bodies longer. “The drugs can cause confusion and memory problems that more than double the risk of falls and hip fractures,” says Dr. Weinstein. These are common causes of hospitalization and death in older people. They also can increase the risk of car accidents. The new “Z” drugs also have risks. Most ads are for these new drugs. At first, they were thought to be safer. But recent studies suggest they have as much or more risk than the older sleep drugs. Try nondrug treatments first. Get a thorough medical exam. Sleep problems can be caused by depression or anxiety, pain, restless leg syndrome, and many other conditions. Even if an exam does not turn up an underlying cause, you should try other solutions before you try drugs. Over-the-counter drugs may not be a good choice. Side effects of some drugs can be especially bothersome for seniors: next-day drowsiness, confusion, constipation, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. Avoid these over-the-counter sleep drugs: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex, and generic) Doxylamine (Unisom and generic) Advil PM Tylenol PM When to try sedative hypnotic drugs “Consider these drugs if the sleep problems are affecting your quality of life and nothing else has helped,” says Dr. Weinstein. “But your healthcare provider should watch you carefully to make sure that the drug is helping and not causing bad side effects.” Kinds of sleeping pills (sedative-hypnotics) All of these pills have risks, especially for older adults: Barbiturates Secobarbital (Seconal and generic) Phenobarbital (Luminal and generic) Benzodiazepines for anxiety Alprazolam (Xanax and generic) Diazepam (Valium and generic) Lorazepam (Ativan and generic) Benzodiazepines for insomnia Estazolam (generic only) Flurazepam (Dalmane and generic) Quazepam (Doral) Temazepam (Restoril and generic) Triazolam (Halcion and generic) “Z” drugs Zolpidem (Ambien and generic) Eszopiclone (Lunesta) Zaleplon (Sonata and generic) Tips for better sleep Exercise. Physical activity helps people sleep better. But avoid vigorous activity for several hours before bedtime. Keep a routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day, even on weekends. Try not to eat right before bedtime. Eat three hours or more before going to bed. Avoid caffeine after 3 p.m. Some people need to avoid caffeine even earlier. Limit alcohol. Alcohol causes sleepiness at first, followed by wakefulness. Create the right environment. Keep the bedroom peaceful. And avoid mental excitement before bedtime. Avoid bright lights. Watching a bright screen can make you stay awake. Control pets. Pets disrupt sleep if they are on and off the bed, taking up space, or wanting to be let out. If you don’t fall asleep soon, get out of bed and do something that will make you sleepy, such as reading. Return to bed after you start to feel drowsy. Source: ChoosingWisely.org.
- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s made headlines lately—and grabbed the attention of more than a few understandably anxious parents. A respiratory illness called enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has sickened children around the nation. EV-D68 is one of many enteroviruses, which cause infections every year. But this specific strain hasn’t been linked to outbreaks before now, even though it’s been around since at least 1962. Children are more likely than adults to get sick from EV-D68, simply because they lack natural immunity from previous exposure to any of the enteroviruses. EV-D68 spreads like the flu—through close contact with an infected person or contaminated objects. It often causes only a mild illness, with symptoms similar to a cold or the flu: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, body and muscle aches, and fever. But EV-D68 can also trigger serious breathing problems in some children—especially those with asthma or a history of wheezing. How is it treated? EV-D68 is diagnosed with a lab test. While there’s no specific treatment for the virus, doctors may suggest pain and fever medicines to ease mild symptoms. People with severe respiratory complications may need to be hospitalized. It’s important to remember that not every illness this time of year is caused by EV-D68. But see a doctor right away if your child does get sick and has trouble breathing. You can also take steps to help reduce the risk of your family getting sick from EV-D68: If your child has asthma, be sure that his or her asthma is treated and well-controlled. Have everyone wash their hands often with soap and water. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs. Don’t kiss, hug, or share cups or eating utensils with anyone who is sick. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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