- Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAmy Turpin, a Harwood resident, is unusual in some ways. At 50 years old, this grandmother of four is exceptionally fit, working as a strength and conditioning coach, and competing in marathons and triathlons. “I’m physical all day long, and then running or cycling is what I choose to do for fun,” she says. But there is one way in which Amy is not unusual. Just like almost a quarter of American women, she experienced a pelvic floor disorder. Pelvic floor disorders occur when the muscles or connective tissues that support a woman’s pelvic organs weaken or are injured. This is commonly a result of pregnancy and childbirth. But obesity, smoking and genetic predisposition are also risk factors. The most common problems are incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. In prolapse, organs such as the uterus, bladder or bowel collapse into the vagina. For many women with prolapse, there are no symptoms, other than some pressure or a vague feeling that something is different, until an organ begins to protrude out of the vagina. Physical and Mental Changes “For me, the changes were fairly subtle over a period of time,” says Amy. She began to feel pelvic pressure while jumping rope. On long runs she would feel the same pressure, plus numbness in her legs. Then, one day, the change became dramatic. “I was out for a run, and I just felt like, literally, the bottom fell out.” At this point, Amy had to change her training routine and avoid some activities she enjoyed. “It affected every aspect of my life physically,” she says. “Then there’s the mental pain when you can’t do the things that you’re used to doing.” Tips for a Stronger Pelvic Floor AAMC Urologist Mara Holton, MD, says it’s important for women to remember that pelvic health corresponds to overall health and wellness. This includes good nutrition, physical fitness and maintaining a proper body weight. Pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum, and help these organs function. The best way to maintain pelvic floor fitness is to do Kegel exercises. “Everyone has heard of them, but most women do them incorrectly,” she says. “Kegels are a dedicated exercise that need to be done properly to get the benefit. There are online resources, as well as physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor strengthening.” Dr. Holton advises women to do Kegels twice a day and says women who follow this regimen can see improvement in urinary continence and sexual comfort in six to 12 weeks. She says exercises that strengthen the core muscles, such as jumping jacks, crunches, wall squats and the bridge pose in yoga, can help strengthen the pelvic floor, too. Seeking Treatment Studies suggest that a woman has an 11 to 19 percent chance of needing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in her lifetime. While lifestyle changes or pelvic floor exercises (called Kegels) can help some women with early prolapse, often the degree of muscle damage or tissue relaxation requires other treatments. One option includes trying a pessary—an insertable device that supports the pelvic organs. But Amy’s active lifestyle demanded a more permanent solution. “For me, surgery was a very clear answer, because I just couldn’t perform at the level that I was used to performing,” she says. She ended up undergoing a minimally-invasive robotic procedure. This involved having small incisions put in her abdomen no wider than her pinky. The operation involved controlled robotic arms that worked through the incisions to move Amy’s pelvic organs back into place and secure them. Amy also had a mesh sling inserted under the urethra, the tube through which urine comes out, to prevent urine leakage. Back to Full Speed “With the great technology that we have, you don’t end up with huge scars, but that doesn’t mean the surgery should be minimized,” says Amy. After her surgery in May 2015, she was careful to follow instructions to avoid stairs and not drive or bend over for at least two weeks, then begin returning to regular activities slowly. Recovery time is typically about six weeks. “I think being compliant and not moving around as much as I’m used to was the most challenging part,” she says. “I feel amazing. I got my life back,” says Amy. “In fact, I recently did a triathlon.” Through her work, Amy meets a lot of women. “I know I’m not unusual,” she says. So she made a conscious decision to be open about the personal nature of her surgery, and she often hears, “Oh my goodness, I have the same thing.” Her advice to the millions of women experiencing a pelvic floor disorder is, “We can’t be quite so proud. If you have symptoms, you need to find out what your options are, because you don’t have to live that way.” Have a sensitive health question you’d like an answer to? Call The Smart Woman Connection, your new go-to health resource focused on one thing—your needs as a woman. Call 443-481-5995. Author Mara Holton, MD, is a urologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center.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
- GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen you make a donation to Anne Arundel Medical Center, your money goes directly to the programs you care most about and want to support. In 2016 alone, donations funded a campus-wide training program for nurses and technicians on the best ways to care for elderly patients, critical care training for the pediatric emergency department, and recovery chairs for joint replacement patients, just to name a few things. Donations also helped support more than $40 million in community benefits, including community health clinics, support groups, and more than 125 research studies to advance medical care in 15 different areas. “There are so many things that have contributed to AAMC’s growth and success, but our strong relationship with the community is one of which I am exceptionally proud,” says Jan Wood, president of the AAMC Foundation. “The community is not only our partner with regard to all the compassionate care provided within the hospital walls, but it’s also an example of the impact and power of philanthropy.” When you give to AAMC, you can direct your donation to support the area of care that matters most to you and your family. And it’s not just about large gifts – everyone and every dollar can make a difference. “Gifts ranging from $10 to $10 million have built our healthcare facilities, purchased equipment, funded education and training programs, hired leading caregivers, and so much more,” Jan says. “The generosity of our friends and neighbors — at every level — helps ensure the future of quality healthcare in our community.” If you’re looking to give back to AAMC this holiday season, here’s how. Ways to give to AAMC You can make a donation online, or mail your donation to the AAMC Foundation at 2000 Medical Parkway, Belcher Pavilion, Suite 604, Annapolis, Md., 21401. You also have the option of making monthly, quarterly or multi-year pledges. For more information, call the Foundation at 443-481-4747. The AAMC Foundation also accepts stock gifts, which might provide you a bigger tax benefit. Talk to your accountant or financial advisor to learn more. You can also give a planned gift. Examples include: Including AAMC in your will with a bequest. Establishing a charitable gift annuity to benefit you and/or a loved one. Naming AAMC as a beneficiary in your life insurance or retirement plan. Providing a gift of securities from your stock portfolio. The AAMC Foundation also has several societies for donors whose gifts reach a certain level. The Thomas I. and Peggy A. Baldwin Society is for individuals who make gifts of $10,000 or more each year to AAMC. For more information, call Briana Walsh at 443-481-4745. The Building Traditions Society is comprised of young donor members who give $1,000 per year. The society has raised more than $410,000 to support pediatric and NICU services, community clinic services, and behavioral health services. To join, call 443-481-4735. The Belcher Society is for those who make a planned gift of $100,000 or more to AAMC. For more information, call 443-481-4747. Corporate sponsorships AAMC partners with various organizations for programs and events every year. In 2016, AAMC received more than $700,000 in philanthropic support from community business partners across Maryland. To learn more about these partnership opportunities, contact Kelly Accinelli at [email protected]. Other ways to give this holiday season Donations don’t always have to be monetary. Another way to give back this year is by donating blood to AAMC’s Blood Donor Center. Every donation benefits patients at our hospital or in our community. Around 3,000 AAMC patients receive life-saving blood transfusions every year. If you’d like to donate, find an upcoming blood drive at www.facebook.com/AnneArundelMedicalCenter, or call the Blood Donor Center at 443-481-4215. You can also stay up to date on upcoming blood drives and events by joining the Blood Donor Center’s Facebook group. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/AAMCBloodDonorCenter and request to join the group. Originally published Nov. 27, 2017. Last updated Dec. 3, 2019.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogMay 5 is Cinco de Mayo, and you might be planning to eat Mexican food to celebrate. But a delicious Mexican meal doesn’t have to be high in fat, calories or salt, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Here are some of the Academy’s tips for how to stay healthy on Cinco de Mayo: Include avocados, peppers, tomatoes, mangoes or jicama in your meal. Dip into fresh salsa, and make a dessert with a berry or other fruit base. Skip the sour cream, cheese and other high-fat fare, in favor of tortillas filled with veggies, chicken and beans. Prepare dishes that are grilled, broiled, baked or stir-fried. Skip the fried tortilla shell for a taco salad, and ask for sauces and toppings to be served on the side. Choose soft corn tortillas. Season food with chilies, lime, cilantro and other fresh, natural flavors that don’t overpower with salt. Drink alcohol in moderation on Cinco de Mayo. Opt for a light beer or a margarita on the rocks, and skip the salt on the rim. Ann Caldwell, nutrition coordinator at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, says if you choose to indulge in guacamole on Cinco de Mayo, consider portion size. You can also dip veggies, such as thinly sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes or celery, instead of chips. Salsa is another healthy alternative, she says. Here’s her recipe for fresh, delicious salsa. Fresh Tomato Salsa for Cinco de Mayo Fresh salsa is easy to make and simply delicious to enjoy! Ingredients 3 ea. Tomatoes, fresh, chopped (3 cups) ½ ea. Red onion, finely chopped 1/3 c. Green pepper, finely chopped 1/3 c. Red pepper, finely chopped 1 ea. Jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1 ea. Juice of one lime ½ c. Cilantro, chopped Salt and pepper to taste (Add a pinch to ¼ tsp. of ground cumin for additional flavor) Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight before serving. Originally published May 3, 2017. Last updated May 3, 2021.0
- Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYears ago, doctors recommended rest and limited activity to expecting moms as they progressed through each stage of pregnancy. While you should always check with your health care provider on what would be best for you and your baby, staying active during your pregnancy has shown to ease back pain, improve your mood, and prevent the risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. Exercise will also help you maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy and may reduce your risk for a Cesarean section. Physical activity will not increase your risk of miscarriage, low birth weight or early delivery. But there are some safety tips you should keep in mind: If you’re new to exercise, your heart rate should stay below 150 bpm. Stay well hydrated before, during and after exercise. Eat a snack or drink juice 15-30 minutes before you exercise. Stop if you become dizzy, short of breath or experience any bleeding. Do not exercise outside when it is very hot or humid. As your body makes room for your growing baby, you may wonder which exercises are safe during each trimester. Learn your risk for heart disease with our free online heart health profiler and take the first step toward having a healthy heart for life. First Trimester I wouldn’t start training for a marathon just yet, but if you are able to work through the first-trimester morning sickness and fatigue, going for a brisk walk is a great exercise during this stage. But if you’re just getting started, walk 10-15 minutes a day and gradually increase to a 30-minute walk 3-5 times a week. For women without pre-existing health conditions, moderate activity does not have heart rate limitations. This is especially true for women who were exercising prior to pregnancy. If you were highly active before getting pregnant and remain healthy, you can continue. Second Trimester Has your morning sickness and fatigue decreased? You may find you have more energy in your second trimester. However, as your joints begin to loosen, you are at a greater risk for injury (like sprains and strains). At 14 weeks, we recommend avoiding activities like skiing, contact sports, karate and other activities that increase your risk of falling. You may continue with walking, swimming and pre-pregnancy exercise as long as it isn’t high-impact or lifting weight over 25 pounds. Prenatal yoga and stretching can also be very beneficial and help increase your strength and flexibility as you prepare for childbirth. Third Trimester The best workouts for your third trimester are swimming, walking and biking in a reclined exercise bike. Prenatal yoga is still a good option for this stage as you get ready to deliver your baby. If you’re continuing with weight resistance exercises, it’s okay to lighten the load. Modifying bicep curls to about 3-5 pounds will still help keep your arms toned. Some women work out through the end of their pregnancy, but some may stop. Either way, it’s important to listen to your body and talk with your doctor. Patients with the following conditions should especially ask their provider before starting exercise: heart and lung conditions, cervical problems, low-lying placenta, high blood pressure later in pregnancy, and vaginal bleeding and cramping. As always, it is best to discuss any questions or concerns with your obstetric provider. Need a reminder? Download your Safe Exercise During Pregnancy infographic now. Author Frederick Guckes, MD, is an OB-GYN at Luminis Health Ob-Gyn Annapolis. You can schedule an appointment with him by calling 410-573-9530. Originally published Jan. 28, 2019. Last updated Oct 21, 2024.0
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