- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a parent, you are the most important influence on your child. You can do many things to help your child develop healthy eating habits for life. Start healthy eating habits by introducing your child to a variety of foods. Children need nutrients from a variety of food groups to support their growing bodies and minds. They are more likely to try new foods, and to like more foods, if they are exposed at an early age. But don’t stop there. Here are some additional tips to get your child on a path to a lifetime of healthy habits. Lead by example. Let your child see you indulge in fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks. Go grocery shopping together. Use a trip to the grocery store to teach your child about food and nutrition. Discuss where foods come from and let them add their own healthy choices to your cart. Be creative in the kitchen and let your child help. Cut fruits into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Try a simple, healthy recipe like a trail mix with dry whole-grain cereals, nuts and dried fruits. And name a food your child helps make, like “Sarah’s zucchini noodles!” Prepare one meal for all. Avoid becoming a short order cook by accommodating different preferences or pickiness. This will expose your child to new foods and help to avert a picky eater. Plus, it is easier and cheaper to serve one meal to everyone in your family. Reward your child with a fun activity, not food. Celebrate with activities, such as a trip to the pool, a bike ride or family hike. When you use candy or dessert, especially as a reward, your child might think of those foods as better options. Eat dinner at a table and focus on each other. Pleasant topics at mealtime will help make dinner that much more enjoyable. Limit screen time. TV viewing has a direct correlation to obesity. Aim for less than two hours of TV per day. Listen to your child. If they are hungry, serve fruits or vegetables as between-meal snacks. Encourage physical activity. Play with your child and encourage outside activities. And, be an example. Research shows that children of parents who exercise are more likely to exercise as they grow up. Be sure to use safety gear such as bike helmets or other sport- specific gear. Don’t force it. Offer one new food at a time. Serve something your child likes along with the new food. Avoid lecturing or forcing your child to eat. Cook together, eat together, talk together and make mealtime family time! You can find more information on childhood eating at EllynSatterinstitute.org or at choosemyplate.gov. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published Sept. 11, 2017. Last updated Oct. 23, 2019.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“…People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” … Maya Angelou This is how patients feel about Arianna Graziadei as their nurse. When a daughter’s mother was in the hospital and nearing end of life, she knew her mom was in good hands – those of Arianna. The daughter framed the quote and presented it to Arianna. That’s the moment Arianna knew she made the right decision to be a nurse. Every day, she makes a difference. She cares for her patients physically and mentally, while also providing support to families. At Luminis Health, we’re delighted to share Arianna’s story during National Nurses Week, a time to pay tribute to the super-human work nurses perform for patients and families every day. It’s also important to acknowledge the vital role nurses play in society. Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare, according to Arianna, BSN, RN, GERO-BC, MEDSURG-BC at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she’s worked in the elderly unit since 2013. “Nursing is my passion,” says Arianna. “I put my entire soul into my work. I treat my patients as loved ones. I form connections with them, and I go above and beyond for them.” In 2017, Arianna received The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses for compassionate care of her patients. She’s been nominated 20 times by patients, family members, other nurses, doctors and staff. She holds two board certifications in Gerontology and Medical-Surgical Nursing, as well as an expertise in Geriatrics. It’s all thanks to her grandmother When Arianna was 18 and determining what to do in life, her grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. After assisting and watching the nurses, she was inspired by the kindness and empathy they shared with her grandma. “Seeing that, it was my calling. It was the end of her life, but that’s what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to help other elderly people,” says Arianna, who became a Registered Nurse by age 20. “It’s very rewarding to take care of those who have paved the way for us, and to help them at this time in their lives,” Arianna continues. “My heart is at the bedside” It’s at the bedside where Arianna forms those special connections. She comforts, holds hands and peruses photo albums. “Listening, talking and getting to know my patients. It means the world to them,” says Arianna. “I will give the best care to my patients and ensure their needs are met.” It was at the bedside of a patient during COVID that she held his hand at the end of his life while his family stood outside. “It’s truly a blessing to touch someone at the end of their life. It’s one of the most intimate moments you can truly share with a person,” Arianna says. “It means so much to the families.” Arianna’s advice for aspiring nurses: “This is the best job, the best career. You will be so happy. You’ll never stop learning, and you’ll be glad you chose to be a nurse,” Arianna says. “I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life.” “I come to work every day happy and excited to care for people,” concludes Arianna. “It brings me so much joy.”0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have heard a friend talking about her pelvic floor or you’ve seen a pelvic exercise printable on Pinterest. Maybe your doctor mentioned it during a routine exam. But what exactly is the pelvic floor? Where is it, what does it do — or in many cases not do? Your pelvic floor supports several organs and when it is weakened or not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of uncomfortable and inconvenient disorders. If you are one of the millions of women getting up several times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, wearing pads every day, having painful sex, feeling heaviness and vaginal bulging, or sprinting to the bathroom, here’s what you need to know. What is the pelvic floor? Your pelvis is a bone, so you may assume the pelvic floor is also made of bone; however, the pelvic floor is an area of muscles that resembles a hammock spanning from the pubic bone to the bottom of the spine. These muscles support and help to control the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra and rectum. When the pelvic floor weakens, those organs can drop and may have trouble functioning normally. Imagine a trampoline taut and sturdy, holding up and supporting the weight of your body as you jump. The base of the trampoline expands and contracts based on your movement and control. Now, picture the trampoline fibers beginning to wane, the middle sags, the function worsens and control becomes difficult. The pelvic floor can weaken like this. That’s why it’s important to watch for symptoms that, while common, can mean you have a pelvic floor disorder. How do I know my pelvic floor isn’t doing its job? Because the pelvic floor is supporting several different organs, you may experience a variety of symptoms depending on how the structure of the pelvic floor has shifted. Many women will experience incontinence, which is the leaking of urine. Others may have trouble emptying their bladder or bowels. Some are always running to the bathroom, are up going at 3 am or have pain during sex. Often as the pelvic floor weakens, a woman may start to feel a heaviness down below and eventually even a physical bulging of tissue presents itself externally, which is a sign of pelvic organ prolapse. Any and all of these symptoms can happen separately or together. How did this happen? There is often no single cause for pelvic floor disorders, but childbirth, age, hormonal changes, obesity, smoking, constipation and chronic heavy lifting are usually factors. Is there anything I can do? Yes! Talk to your health care provider about all of your symptoms. Don’t be embarrassed; pelvic floor disorders are very common. Chances are you know several other women experiencing the same issues as you, they’re just not talking about it. Solutions can include physical therapy, home exercises, medication or non-invasive surgery. The takeaway is that these inconvenient and uncomfortable changes in your body, though very common, deserve treatment. You don’t have to live with pelvic floor issues. Who can help? As part of a relatively new field of medicine, a urogynecologist is an OB-GYN with additional training and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs, as well as the muscles and tissue that support these organs. The Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center has a fellowship-trained team of doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in the care of female pelvic health disorders. Team members collaborate on care for patients of all ages, from those with minor issues to individuals suffering from complex conditions requiring advanced surgery and care. For each patient, they will conduct a thorough review of medical history, conduct a physical exam, lab studies and advanced imaging and testing to develop individualized treatment plans based on your needs and goals. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Contact the Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at 443-481-1199 to schedule a consultation to help guide you to the right solutions to meet your needs and health goals. Originally published April 23, 2018. Last updated May 14, 2019.0
- 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
- 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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