- Uncategorized, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC’s Power of 2 Peer Mentorship Program matches recent stroke survivors with mentors who have also survived a stroke. After completing a training program, mentors work with recent stroke survivors. Mentors give survivors an opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges and confront emotions. They offer encouragement, hope and understanding. To learn more, call 443-481-4585.
- Cancer Care, Men's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat started as a casual conversation in a hospital waiting room ended up as a meaningful friendship and vital source of encouragement and support. John and Matt immediately bonded when they found out they were both at Anne Arundel Medical Center for prostate cancer treatment. As they continued to see each other at treatment appointments, the bond strengthened. Each man helped the other through treatment, and today they are both survivors. “Just to be able to talk to him in the morning time would chill me out and stop me from worrying about things,” says Matt. As for others going through cancer treatment, Matt has some advice. “Don’t be silent and sit in a corner. If there are people in there going through treatment, whatever it is, try to latch onto somebody because it’s going to help you.” For John and Matt, forming a friendship helped take their minds off cancer and keep calm during times of uncertainty. They both agree that while family members can be a great source of support, there’s a deeper level of understanding among fellow men going through similar treatment. “It was really encouraging to see each other,” says John. “You kind of feed off of that,” adds Matt. Learn more about prostate cancer treatment
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3Blog‘Tis the season for get-togethers, parties and, of course, festive foods. Unfortunately for many, indulging in holiday fatty foods and alcohol triggers heartburn. And if you find that over-the-counter medications only provide temporary reprieve, you may be experiencing something more serious. Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The digestive disorder affects up to one in five U.S. adults. GERD occurs when the muscle in the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens or relaxes too often or for too long. This causes stomach contents to back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn and acid indigestion. While heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, it is not the only one. Other symptoms of GERD include shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, chronic cough, sore throat, hoarseness and bad breath. Here are a few things you can do to bring symptoms under control this holiday season: Eat earlier in the day. By planning your holiday gatherings earlier in the day, the stomach acid from the foods you eat have time to move out of your stomach before lying down for the night or taking a nap. Limit your alcoholic drinks. Many believe alcohol leads to reflux because it can relax the valve at the bottom of the esophagus where it meets the stomach. Limiting your drinks can help. Also, acidic mixers like orange juice or soda can cause reflux. Use smaller plates. Overeating can fill your stomach, pushing stomach fluid up toward your throat. Using a smaller plate helps you avoid overindulging. Substitute water for soda. The acid and caffeine in sodas can cause reflux, but even the carbonation can cause problems. Carbonation bubbles can expand in the stomach, causing increased pressure that contributes to reflux. Pass on deep frying your turkey, as well as frying other foods. Fried foods are the single most recognized cause of reflux due to their high fat content. Avoid creamed or cheesy foods or soups. All high-fat foods can cause reflux, so skipping the dairy items can help. Check with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms continuously for more than two weeks even though you’re taking over-the-counter antacids. GERD is a recurrent and chronic disease. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious health conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus, an abnormal change in the cells of the lower portion of the esophagus, which can raise your risk of developing esophageal cancer. No one knows for sure why people get GERD. In some cases, a hiatal hernia may contribute. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm. The diaphragm, in concert with the LES, keep acid from coming up into the esophagus, but a hiatal hernia may make it easier for the acid to come up. It’s important that you talk to your primary care doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor can provide you with treatment options that are right for you. There is not yet a cure for the disease but with lifestyle modifications and/or medications, symptoms can be managed. If lifestyle changes and medication don’t help manage your GERD symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a surgeon. Surgery is an option when medicine and lifestyle changes do not work. Surgery may also be a reasonable alternative to a lifetime of drugs and discomfort. Author Adrian Park, MD, is chair of AAMC’s Department of Surgery and an internationally recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery. To reach him, call 443-481-6969.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNovember is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer, claiming more lives in Maryland yearly than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. With that said, we have made progress. Cigarette smoking — by far the biggest risk factor for lung cancer — has been declining over the past decade. About 16 percent of adult Marylanders currently smoke. Advances in lung cancer treatment, particularly targeted therapy, are also improving the outlook for those who develop this devastating disease. To decrease your risk of lung cancer, the most important decision is to try to quit smoking. Those who have already quit have overcome a major hurdle, but some remain at high risk of lung cancer. Lung cancer can be found early — before symptoms occur and when it’s most curable. It is recommended that current and former smokers (who have quit in the past 15 years) between the ages of 55 and 80 undergo yearly screening for lung cancer. Screening involves a low-dose chest computerized tomography scan, which should be done every year. The scan takes less than five minutes and doesn’t even require you to get undressed. Despite the yearly screening recommendation for high-risk current and former smokers, a major challenge is educating the public and health care providers about this important new way to fight lung cancer. Those at highest risk are often hardest to reach, since many people do not regularly see a doctor or health care provider. Ready to Quit for Good? If you think you may qualify for lung screening, talk to your doctor. For a lung screening, contact our Lung Screening Program at 443-481-5838. If you’re making the decision to quit smoking, help is also readily available. Contact our smoking cessation program at 443-481-5366. If you’re not at risk, you can help out during Lung Cancer Awareness Month by spreading the word to those who may be at risk. Together, we can continue to fight this deadly disease and potentially help save someone’s life. Author By Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of thoracic oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach him, call 443-481-5838.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Surgical Specialists today announced the temporary relocation of Easton-based general surgeon Kevin Stitely, MD, from Pintail Drive to 505 Dutchmans Lane, Suites A3-A4. The move is part of a two-step relocation plan that ultimately has Dr. Stitely’s office moving to the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Pavilion – Easton. The new healthcare pavilion was announced in October and is scheduled to open in Waterside Village next to BJs in 2018. “I was honored to be part of the team who recently announced to the Easton Town Council AAMC’s plans for our Easton pavilion,” says Dr. Stitely, who has served the Easton community since 1995. “Our temporary move to Dutchmans Lane positions our team with other AAMC specialists, including the new office of AAMG Cardiology Specialists, while we build out the larger facility.” Dr. Stitely’s practice focuses on general surgery, including advanced laparoscopic procedures of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, surgery of the gall bladder and bile ducts, and hernia surgery, among other procedures. He sees patients in Easton, Kent Island and Annapolis, and performs surgery at AAMC’s campus in Annapolis and outpatient surgery at the Surgery Center of Easton. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-822-2440.
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?