- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLiving with arthritis can be distracting and difficult—quite literally a pain. More than 50 million people in the United States have some form of arthritis, with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, found in nearly 27 million. While the risk for developing osteoarthritis increases with age, there can be other contributing factors, such as: Previous joint injury; Certain infections in the joint; Occupations that involve a lot of squatting and bending of the knee; and Obesity. Here are six steps you can take that can make the difference between coping and living well with the pain from osteoarthritis: Maintain a Healthy Weight Did you know for every pound you lose, you take three pounds of force off your joints? Ease your pain by maintaining a healthy weight. Plus, excess weight can speed the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Adjust Your Diet In some cases your diet can help with inflammation that can cause joint pain. There are foods, like those with omega-3 fatty acids that can be beneficial. Also, cutting back on fried and processed foods can help reduce inflammation. Get Ample Sleep, But Watch the Naps If you’re having trouble sleeping, cutting caffeine and alcohol can help, too. Lack of sleep is a vicious cycle where pain keeps you awake and then sleeplessness leads to more fatigue and pain. Avoid naps and cut electronics before bed to help ensure a more restful night’s sleep. Stay Active Good nutrition, ample sleep and regular exercise are key to helping you live well with joint pain. You’ll be inclined to stop being active, but you must resist. Regular exercise helps maintain joint function while relieving stiffness and fatigue. Strong muscles help support your joints. Work with your doctor to determine the best exercise for your lifestyle and needs. Walking, swimming, yoga or resistance training are often good places to start. Know What Doesn’t Work Don’t be fooled by claims not backed by science. Two of the more common ones I hear from patients are that taking glucosamine or wearing a copper bracelet helps with joint pain. Neither has been shown effective for treating arthritis pain, so please save your money. Partner With Your Doctor Living well with pain isn’t easy, but it helps to have your doctor as your partner. Your doctor can help you diagnose the cause of the pain and develop strategies to improve your mobility. Often your doctor will start with conservative treatments, such as prescribing anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections, braces, or physical therapy. If you don’t respond to those treatments, your doctor can connect you with the latest advances in joint care. Author By Justin Hoover, MD, orthopedic surgeon at AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862. Originally published March 2015. Last updated August 2018.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour body goes through several changes over the course of pregnancy. But it doesn’t stop with delivery. Changes continue post-delivery and it’s critical to closely monitor the physical and mental changes you experience. Some aches and pains are a normal part of the process, such as nipple pain. Others could be a sign that something is wrong. You should not ignore warning signs — they can be fatal. Here’s what new moms can expect, and where to go if you have concerns. SEE MORE: What you need to know about high blood pressure during pregnancy Normal Signs for New Moms Common postpartum symptoms include vaginal soreness, slight bleeding, breast engorgement, and after birth cramps. Labor takes a major toll on the body. It’s normal to feel sore after birth and bleed for a few days. Post birth cramps are caused by the uterus shrinking to its usual size. As your body prepares for breastfeeding, many notice breast engorgement and tenderness. Other normal symptoms are incontinence (accidentally peeing a bit), constipation, stretch marks, swelling of hands or feet, and hair loss. Some women feel sad or angry, and may be experiencing the “baby blues.” If these feelings don’t go away within two weeks, you should call your doctor to talk about postpartum depression. “Women often ask me about vaginal discharge after pregnancy,” says Chasheryl Leslie, MD, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Premier OB-GYN. “What you’ll notice is, over time, the flow lessens and the color changes to a much lighter version. For some it lasts a few weeks, while it lasts a month or more for others. I always encourage my patients to give me a call if they ever feel concerned.” Warning Signs While most of the changes your body goes through after delivering a baby are normal and natural, it is important to be aware of warning signs. Use the acronym POST-BIRTH to help you remember what symptoms require further medical attention. Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms: Pain in the chest Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath Seizures Thoughts of harm or suicide Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: Bleeding (more than 1 pad an hour or blood clots larger than the size of an egg) Incision that isn’t healing Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher Headaches that change vision or won’t go away with medicine “Don’t ever feel like you’re bothering your doctor by calling them with any questions or concerns after you’ve delivered,” says Leslie. “Your health is our number one priority. We want you feeling your best so you can enjoy every second with your newest addition!” SEE MORE: Treatment for high risk pregnancy The first month after delivering a baby is challenging, yet extremely rewarding. As much as new moms are caring for their newest additions, it’s important to not lose sight of your own health and wellbeing.0
- Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTeko Sellman loves being alive. A tech in Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Emergency Department, he loves living every day to the fullest. So, when he found himself feeling sluggish, unmotivated and depressed last year, he knew he needed to make a change. “One day I walked up three flights of stairs and noticed I became winded and felt really tired,” said Teko. “In that moment I thought to myself ‘Only three flights? This cannot be good.’ I love being alive and want to stay around as long as I possibly can.” That was his turning point. “I was 39, and I had a pot belly. I realized my external appearance was a direct reflection of my internal reality and it had to change,” he added. Teko noticed the Energize signs posted around AAMC encouraging employees and visitors to take the stairs instead of the elevators, so he started climbing the stairs before and after his shift for exercise. “I tried my first 30-minute stair climb,” Teko said, “and instantly fell in love. After three months, I had lost 50 lbs. I started eating better and added strength training to my regimen. I look and feel healthier now than I have in many years. Three flights of stairs is just part of my warm up now.” “I believe working out and eating well makes my life better. It provides my mind, body and spirit with the motivation to achieve the unimaginable.” Teko, who works nights, finds time to run the stairs 3 to 4 days a week for 30 to 45 minutes. He varies his routine and keeps the intensity high. “I keep my exercise sessions short but intense. This allows me to fit in a workout anytime I have 15 to 20 minutes to spare. I meet a lot of interesting people on the stairs,” Teko said, “That’s one of the reasons I love doing it.” In addition to stairs, Teko works out at home by running sprints, doing yoga and Pilates and incorporating everyday objects, like those found in parks and playgrounds, into his workouts. “I use the monkey bars for pull ups, and benches for jumps and lunges. I enjoy being outside, and it reminds me of how important it is to play and have fun,” he said. Teko also keeps “danger foods” to a minimum, but doesn’t deny himself all together. “I eat small portions, prepare home-cooked meals, choose healthier options and drink a lot of water. I allow myself treats here and there as a reward for my hard work.” Teko encourages others to zero in on what they want from a fitness routine and figure out what works for them. “You must ask yourself the question: ‘What is my ultimate goal?’” he said. “Narrowing down what you really want allows you to fine tune your plan for success.” “We all possess great instincts for what works for us and what doesn’t. There’s no single plan that works for everyone, so be real with your body and true to yourself. If something does not work for you, try something else. Try a variation. Do not continue to do something that does not produce results just because you were told it works,” Teko added. In the end, Teko’s commitment to physical wellbeing comes down to his passion for living. “I believe working out and eating well makes my life better. It provides my mind, body and spirit with the motivation to achieve the unimaginable. I believe the energy I give off by looking good and feeling great attracts the same energy in return. I want to be surrounded by healthy and positive people.” AAMC offers classes, nutritional counseling and other resources through our Energize program.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDid you know that one woman in 75 will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime? Or that the Pap test doesn’t detect ovarian cancer? And did you know that when diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, five-year survival rate is over 90 percent? Women are nurturing and selfless by nature, but sometimes it’s important to remind them that they also need to take care of themselves and worry about their health first. Moms, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts – and all other wonderful women who have taught us how to look after ourselves – the same applies to you. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Unfortunately, many women don’t seek the help they need until the disease has developed and spread. Although there is no research showing what exactly causes most ovarian cancers, some of the risk factors that can lead to it include genetic predisposition, personal or family history, age, infertility and obesity, among others. An estimated 22,240 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer this year in the United States alone, according to ACS. Approximately 14,070 women will die from ovarian cancer. READ MORE: Tips on supporting a loved one through cancer. Research shows ovarian cancer mainly develops in older women, with half of the women diagnosed at 63 years or older. The good news is that the rate at which women are diagnosed with this cancer has been slowly falling over the last 20 years. There are ways you can reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to the ACS. Although there has been a lot of research to develop a screening test for ovarian cancer, there hasn’t been much success aside from a complete pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood test. Early cancers of the ovaries often cause no symptoms. However, paying attention to a few potential warning signs and symptoms may improve the odds of early diagnosis and successful treatment. Only about 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. Below is a list of warning symptoms that are linked to this cancer. If you feel these almost daily for more than a few weeks, report them right away to your health care professional. Potential signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer: You feel bloated You have pelvic or abdominal pain You have trouble eating or you feel like you’re full very quickly You feel like you need to urinate urgently or very often Other symptoms of ovarian cancer: You feel fatigued You have an upset stomach or feel heartburn You have back pain You experience pain during sex You have constipation or menstrual changes, such as heavier or irregular bleeding You have nausea, indigestion, gas or diarrhea You suffer shortness of breath You gain weight These symptoms might seem vague now, but they can persist and get more intense over time. If you are concerned about your risk of ovarian cancer or have experienced any of the symptoms listed above for an extended period, talk to your health care professional. Early detection increases survival rate. You’ve done a great job at looking after others, make sure you take some time to look after your health and put yourself first. Originally published Sept. 10, 2018. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- General Page - Tier 2Directivas Anticipadas en español Descargue nuestro paquete de información para directivas anticipadas en español.Prepare for the FutureWhile death is a natural part of life, many people find it hard to bring up end-of-life discussions with their loved ones and even their doctors. But it can save you and your family a lot of headaches and heartaches in the future., Support for End-of-Life IssuesIf you've been diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition, you may need help coping emotionally. Counseling helps many people. Anne Arundel Medical Center has professionals who are trained and experienced in helping people cope with end-of-life issues.A support group can offer a chance to share your feelings and concerns with others who understand. Many people find comfort and answers through a support group.If you're in crisis, call for help now. You can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available by dialing 9-8-8.The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency offers a Crisis Warmline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 410-768-5522. Other hotlines and resources are available for people facing all kinds of issues. Palliative Care or Hospice?Many people don't understand the difference between palliative care and hospice. Hospice provides care and support for people who are very near the end of life, when recovery is no longer possible. Patients and their families can often benefit from hospice care at home or in a health care facility.Palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness or condition, whether or not it's life threatening. It helps you cope with living with your condition, through pain control, medication management and other support. You can benefit from palliative care while you're being treated.0
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