- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTo avoid injury, it’s best to match the exercise routine to a specific goal. Then, make sure you are doing the exercise the right way and not too often. If you’re not sure about which type of exercise is right for you, your doctor can help you choose what’s best for your lifestyle and health. If you do have an injury, like plantar fasciitis in your foot, the first step is good rehab. That could be as simple as putting a water bottle in the freezer, then rolling it on the foot to stretch out the plantar fascia. Hamstring stretches can help, as can stretching out the Achilles tendon, because it attaches to the heel, which goes to the plantar fascia. The recommendation is about 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. There is a limit, and once you go past that limit, you’re more prone to injuries. It all depends on level of activity and how you are progressing toward your goal. The idea is to be progressive, not aggressive. Let your body be your guide. Author By Tim Romanoski, MD, a board-certified family physician at AAMG Centreville Family Medicine specializing in primary care sports medicine. To reach him, call 410-758-3303.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile many patients have success with safe, long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery, there are instances when revision of the surgery may be required. For those who are experiencing recurring complications, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe gastric reflux, or malnutrition, a qualified bariatric surgeon with expertise in revisional procedures can determine if corrective surgery is the right course of action. Candidates for revisional bariatric surgery may no longer be comfortable socializing or exercising, and they may be in pain or malnourished. In the case of severe gastric reflux, they may also be at high risk of esophageal cancer. The goal of revisional bariatric surgery is to correct the underlying problem by adjusting or removing an original bariatric device, such as a lap-band, and in some cases performing a new bariatric procedure that is more appropriate for the patient’s body and current condition. These include sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. Patients should expect revisional surgery to be more complex than their original bariatric surgery, which may include a longer recovery time; however, the revision should enhance their overall quality of life. Read the inspiring story of a patient who underwent revisional bariatric surgery. Author By Alex Gandsas, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach him, call 443-924-2900.
- Women's Health, Uncategorized, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen are more likely than men to have atypical heart attack symptoms. Some women do not have chest pain at all. They may notice more subtle types of discomfort. Women’s heart attack symptoms may include: Nausea Pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, shoulder, neck, or back Shortness of breath Dizziness A cold sweat If you experience any of these symptoms, especially with exertion, call 911 immediately. Unfortunately, women are more likely to wait to get help, allowing more damage to be done to the heart. This is partly because many people are not aware of women’s heart attack symptoms, which can be mistaken for other illnesses or the effects of stress. But it’s also because women are so used to thinking of everyone else first, before ourselves. When we feel these symptoms, we continue multitasking and thinking of all the things we need to do—call the babysitter, the workplace, the petsitter—before we go to the emergency room to get help. And during this time period, more damage is being done. I tell women to take care of their tribe. An important part of that is knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, beyond the typical chest pain. This helps us to take care of ourselves and those around us. Author By Barbara A. Hutchinson, MD, a cardiologist at Chesapeake Cardiac Care in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9805.
- Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor premature and medically fragile babies, every milestone represents an emotionally packed triumph. The AAMC NICU–Teddy’s Place celebrates these victories with its Journey Bead necklace program. When a baby is first admitted, the mother receives a necklace with one bead—blue for a boy, pink for a girl. A bead is added for each milestone the baby achieves while at the hospital. A few of these significant events include the first diaper change, snuggling into kangaroo care, coming off oxygen, successfully breast-feeding, and the grandest bead of all, going home. “It’s a way to help parents recognize each accomplishment. But it’s also a way to keep them thinking positive thoughts,” says NICU Nurse Navigator Polly White, RN. “When I bring in a bead for baby’s first breast-feeding or coming off oxygen, it’s easy to open a conversation about what’s next—what we can look forward to. So I think in some ways this necklace that represents success softens negative emotions that can crop up during any parent’s journey.” They’re inexpensive beads on a black leather string, Polly adds, but mothers wear their necklace as if it holds precious jewels. “It’s physical proof that this tiny person, who may seem so fragile, is actually quite strong and courageous—moving forward in the best possible way.” Return to “A Tiny Miracle.”
- Women's Health, Pediatrics, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAdalyn Marie Shockley came into this world weighing 1 pound, 6.9 ounces and measuring 12.6 inches long. She took her first breath at 6:14pm on April 27, 2015, following an emergency C-section at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Immediately after delivery, she was transferred to AAMC’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit–Teddy’s Place. Photographer Leah Adkins captured specialmoments from the Shockleys’ early days in the NICU and wrote about her experience taking the photos on her blog. Addy, as her parents Meisha and Adrian Shockley call their itty-bitty miracle, was born at 27 weeks gestation. “Her skin was translucent—too sensitive to even touch,” Meisha recalls. An Unexpected Journey Today, Adalyn is home, although she continues to routinely see a series of pediatric specialists on the AAMC campus—including her cardiologist, pulmonologist, endocrinologist, and infants and toddlers therapist—to ensure continued healthy development. “Even though it’s a two-hour drive from my front door in Salisbury to AAMC in Annapolis, I am adamant that Adalyn stay with the same doctors who saved her life,” Meisha says. In fact, because of the 88-mile distance and Meisha’s history of a healthy, full-term pregnancy with her first daughter, the Shockleys never intended to deliver at AAMC. But as Meisha’s second pregnancy approached its third trimester, she developed a migraine that wouldn’t budge. She was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, which increases risk of maternal stroke and restricts blood flow to the placenta. Meisha’s preeclampsia was acute and required immediate 24/7 bed rest in a hospital with a Level III NICU, since the chances for a premature delivery were high and the baby would need skilled neonatal care. “No hospital close to home could provide the care we needed to protect our baby’s life,” Meisha says. “That’s when we decided to take our unexpected journey to AAMC.” LEARN MORE: Read about the Journey Bead necklace program at the AAMC-NICU-Teddy’s Place. Care Extraordinaire Meisha was admitted to AAMC at 25 weeks gestation to control her blood pressure and keep Adalyn inside her body for as long as possible. “The nurses went above and beyond their job description to help calm my fears,” Meisha says, which included celebrating every extra day that Adalyn stayed put. “I don’t know how I would have made it without the doctors’ and nurses’ constant reassurance,” Meisha says. “But at the same time, they never sugarcoated anything. Every question was answered as if it were the most important question in the world.” After three weeks at AAMC, it was time to deliver. The day before Meisha’s scheduled C-section, she received a full rundown of what to expect and spent time with the NICU staff. “They explained that my baby would be on a ventilator, and she wouldn’t look like my four-year-old daughter when she was born. Still though, the discussion was so personable and compassionate, I went into surgery feeling confident,” Meisha recalls. It took one full week before Addy could be held, which Meisha describes as “the longest week of my life.” When Addy was ready to leave her incubator for short periods of time, staff taught Meisha and Adrian kangaroo care, where parents hold their baby against their bare chests. As each day passed—and Addy grew stronger—Meisha and Adrian became more involved in their daughter’s care. “I feel the most important thing we can do is engage parents as soon as possible and help them feel comfortable taking care of their own child,” explains Suzanne Rindfleisch, DO, medical director of AAMC’s NICU–Teddy’s Place. “I’m very proud of our medical management and outstanding results, but our role is only the beginning of a baby’s story. So many studies tell us that the biggest indicator of a good outcome for a baby is going home to a family that’s prepared to engage with their baby and not treat this person as some fragile being.” Homeward Bound Three months after Adalyn’s birth, it was time to head home. The Shockleys left the hospital with more than a thriving baby daughter. They also brought home a positive and confident attitude, instilled in them by the staff. “Every moment at AAMC was filled with another celebration,” Meisha says. “Taking Addy off the ventilator and out of the incubator, getting her dressed, feeding her…those were milestones that we celebrated. Now that we’re home, we’re still celebrating. When we see our daughter making strides—one gram at a time—we’re so excited.” Learn more about our birth services and classes. Contributor Suzanne Rindfleisch, DO, is medical director of AAMC’s NICU-Teddy’s Place.
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