- Men's Health, Women's Health, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHigh blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading cause of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. It’s called the “silent killer” because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don’t know they have it. So with one in three adults in the United States having high blood pressure, it’s natural for you to question if you should worry about it. My answer is yes, but with some qualification. It’s not necessary, and sometimes unhelpful, for people to take their blood pressure multiple times a day. The benefits of blood pressure control occur after many years of treatment and it’s the rare circumstance where normalizing one’s pressure requires a sense of urgency. Also, one or two elevated readings at home, at the drug store, or a doctor’s office does not mean you have high blood pressure—it is a diagnosis that generally requires weeks or months to establish. I personally don’t believe that patients should monitor their blood pressure at home unless specifically instructed to by their doctor. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. It’s important to know your blood pressure numbers and understand what they mean. This helps keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctor, so you can work in partnership toward the healthiest you. Understanding the Numbers Your blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers, but do you know what they are telling you? The top number is called your systolic blood pressure. This represents the force of blood through your blood vessels during your heartbeat. Normal: 119 or below is normal systolic blood pressure Prehypertension: 120-139 High blood pressure: 140 or greater High blood pressure in those over 60: 150 or greater The bottom number is called your diastolic blood pressure, representing the force of blood through your blood vessels when your heart is resting. Normal: 79 or below is normal diastolic blood pressure Prehypertension: 80-89 Hypertension: 90 and greater The good news is that it is possible to prevent and control high blood pressure through some simple lifestyle changes: Maintain a healthy weight Get physically active Follow a healthy eating plan Limit salt and sodium Limit alcohol consumption Lifestyle changes aren’t always enough depending on where you fall on the spectrum, in which case your doctor will work with you to incorporate blood pressure medication into your healthy lifestyle routine. We live in the age of fitness trackers and electronic health self-monitoring devices, so I understand the desire may still be there to check your blood pressure regularly on your own. If you can’t resist the temptation, or simply find peace of mind in more regular monitoring, I recommend taking your blood pressure once a week, at the same time of day, such as in the morning or evening, unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise. Listen to more about the numbers you should know for heart health from Dr. Jonathan Altschuler at AAMC’s docsTALK: Spring Screenings. Author By Jonathan Altschuler, MD, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThis year, National Cancer Survivors Day is celebrated on June 2. This is a day that recognizes cancer survivors and their loved ones. A day in which people share their journeys and experiences with others to give hope and inspire. But most importantly, it’s a day that raises awareness of a disease that has a major impact on society in the United States and across the world. A person is considered a cancer survivor from the day of diagnosis throughout the rest of their life. Cancer survivors face challenges during and after treatment. As a nurse navigator for cancer patients who has been working in the field for over 15 years, I am sure most of you know someone touched by the diagnosis of cancer. READ MORE: Conquering cancer: What’s next? Throughout my career, I’ve seen many people desperately wanting to help when a loved one is touched by cancer. It’s a challenging time. Drawing from my experiences, here are a few tips to keep in mind along the journey of cancer: Treat your friend or family member the same as you would normally. They are the same person they have always been. Try not to let the new diagnosis alter your relationship. Try to explore your own feelings and emotions ahead of time. It is very difficult to hear that a loved one has cancer. By processing your own feelings, you can better focus on your friend or family member. Listen to their thoughts and concerns. A cancer diagnosis is life changing. Your loved one will be trying to establish a “new normal”. Educate yourself. Take time to learn about and prepare for the cancer type that your friend or family member has experienced. Side effects and treatment results vary. Cancer treatments are not all the same. For example, a person treated for breast or prostate cancer will experience completely different side effects than someone with head and neck cancer. Learn about the diagnosis. What is predicted to be a significant side effect of the cancer or treatment? Head and neck cancer treatments result in significant swallowing difficulties and severe dry mouth. It can take quite some time for a person treated for head and neck cancer to complete a meal, if they are able to eat at all. Consider other ways of support rather than bringing them food, like spending time with them or helping with chores. Do not be afraid to ask how you can help them. Be patient. Keep in mind that long after treatment is complete, side effects can continue. Head and neck cancer can cause some patients to dread going out to dinner or participating in a shared meal. Often their tastes have changed and they no longer enjoy the foods they used to. Or as mentioned, a meal can take a long time to get through and friends and family have completed their meal long before they have. Sharing a meal is such a big part of our culture. Consider alternative ways to bond and connect. Be supportive. Often, the most difficult time for some survivors is after treatment is over. The routine of actively treating the cancer is complete. Waiting for the tests and imaging to determine if the cancer is gone is quite scary. When treatment is completed, survivors are no longer surrounded by their treatment team and can sometimes feel abandoned. There is often a perception from friends and family that treatment is over and life should go back to normal. Recovery from treatment can take up to a year or more. It is at this time when patients feel like “nothing is being done” that they may need you the most. READ MORE: Patient advisor helps fellow cancer survivors and patients Life does go on and survivors have the beautiful gift of being here to live it – probably with more intensity and appreciation for the little things in life. If you’re a survivor, be kind to yourself and give yourself, your family, and those around you time. Facing your feelings and learning how to cope with them is important. It took time to adjust to cancer, you should also give yourself time to adjust to life after cancer. But don’t forget, you’re a survivor and are now stronger than you were before. You will get through this. Author Jacqueline Shanahan is a nurse navigator at the DeCesaris Cancer Institute at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She can be reached at 443-481-5801. Originally published June 4, 2018. Last updated May 22, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPeople of different age groups can protect their bones and joints in a variety of ways: Kids and teensDon’t go straight from zero to 100. Avoid fractures by stretching and strengthening well before returning to seasonal sports. TeensStrengthen muscles and increase muscle mass with weight training to protect bones and joints in contact and high-impact sports. Teen girlsReplace the calories burned during high-intensity cardiovascular sports to avoid excessive fat loss that can lead to reduced bone density. AdultsUse stretching and light resistance strength training to keep stiff joints limber and reduce arthritis symptoms. Maintain a healthy weight to take pressure off the joints. WomenGet enough vitamin D and calcium, and participate in load-bearing activities such as walking, running, dancing or resistance training to keep bones strong. Ask your doctor about a bone density scan after menopause. Learn more about The Joint Center at AAMC, which performs more joint replacements than any other hospital in Maryland. Read about one athlete who swapped running for biking to save his knees.0
- Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you have high cholesterol? You’re not alone — millions of adults in the United States face this common but serious issue. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and other chronic health conditions. In Prince George’s County, heart disease is the leading cause of death, underscoring the urgency of managing cholesterol levels. But how can you take control? At Luminis Health, we understand it’s not always easy. That’s why we’re here to explore the difference between “good,” “bad” and even “stealthy” cholesterol, review lifestyle changes that can help, and weigh the pros and cons of statin medications. Good vs. bad cholesterol Believe it or not, cholesterol isn’t all bad. Cholesterol helps build cells, create hormones and vitamin D, and aid in digestion. Problems can develop, however, when you have too much bad cholesterol or not enough good cholesterol in your bloodstream. In your body, cholesterol and triglycerides (fats from food, such as butter) combine with proteins to form lipoproteins, which travel to cells through your bloodstream. It’s likely you’ve heard of these, although perhaps by nickname: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often referred to as “good cholesterol” because its job is to move the bad cholesterol out of your arteries and into your liver, where it breaks down. Good cholesterol can be found in foods like nuts, fruits and vegetables, avocados, olive oil, oatmeal, beans and whole grains. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad cholesterol,” causes fat to build up in your arteries, either restricting or blocking blood flow. Bad cholesterol is common in foods like red meats, processed meats and fried foods. Stealthy cholesterol is the common name for lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a). It’s often called “stealthy cholesterol” because high Lp(a) levels usually don’t cause symptoms and diet, exercise and cholesterol medication don’t affect it. It’s a genetic condition detected by a special blood test. You can have high cholesterol if you have too much LDL, too little HDL or a combination of both. Stealthy cholesterol is also quite common. According to the American Heart Association, one in five people worldwide has high levels of Lp(a). Whether you have high or stealthy cholesterol, you’re at an increased risk of experiencing heart pain (angina), a heart attack or a stroke. How to combat high cholesterol Certain lifestyle changes can help you keep your cholesterol in check, including: Eating a healthy diet that includes heart-healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and protein-rich foods such as fish and lean meats. Exercising regularly — aim for 150 minutes each week. Limiting your alcohol intake. Maintaining a healthy weight. Quitting smoking. If high cholesterol is an issue for you, your doctor may also prescribe medications to decrease your levels of bad cholesterol, increase your levels of good cholesterol and/or reduce your levels of triglycerides. One type of medication, called statins, can do all three. The pros and cons of statins Unfortunately, you can still have high cholesterol, even if you maintain a healthier lifestyle or have recently made some positive changes. Many of us now take a statin, which is a class of medication that helps lower cholesterol. Statins work by blocking a substance your body uses to produce cholesterol, helping to slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Statins are especially beneficial for people who have already had a heart attack or are at high risk due to conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. In addition to lowering cholesterol, statins may also have anti-inflammatory effects that further protect the heart and blood vessels. However, it’s important to be aware that statins can come with potential side effects, such as: Constipation Diarrhea Fatigue or sleep issues Headache Increased blood sugar Liver damage Muscle or stomach pain Nausea or vomiting Rash You’re more likely to experience side effects from statins if you’re female, take other cholesterol-lowering medications, drink excessive alcohol or have conditions like hypothyroidism, kidney disease or liver disease. Certain medications and even foods (such as grapefruit juice) can also interact with statins. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits to decide if statins are right for you. The support you need, close to home If you suspect you have high cholesterol or are experiencing concerning symptoms, it’s important to seek expert medical screening and treatment. The faster you get a diagnosis, the sooner we can take steps to help you lower your risk for serious health complications. Find a primary care provider at Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare or call 301-927-0088 to schedule an appointment at our Greenbelt location. The Luminis Health Community Health team also offers free community clinics with essential screenings, including A1C testing, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. For details about upcoming clinics, visit Luminis.Health/CommunityClinics. Authors Sufia Syed, MD is an internal medicine physician at Luminis Health.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is Better Hearing and Speech Month. It’s a time when speech-language pathologists (SLPs), like me, help raise awareness about how our profession can help with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders. More than help with stuttering For many years there has been confusion regarding speech therapy. People often only associate it with help for stuttering. When I first became a licensed speech therapist, I assumed the majority of people would know what I could do to help them. However, I quickly found that there was a need to expand our knowledge about speech therapy, even among the medical community. Not just for kids Also, it’s important to realize speech therapy benefits more than just children. SLPs treat patients of all ages, from birth through end-of-life care. In 2014, seniors over 65 represented 14.5 percent of the population. By 2040 their numbers are expected to grow to more than 21 percent of the population. As people age, normal changes occur in their speech, language, memory and swallowing. Plus, their chances of having a communication or swallowing disorder related to a disease increases. Ways adult speech therapy can help Adult speech therapy helps a wide range of conditions that affect speech, language and swallowing. It helps with progressive neurological diseases like primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia and Huntington’s disease, as well as stroke and traumatic brain injury. Speech therapy also helps with a broad range of other diagnoses, from oral and laryngeal cancer to developmental disorders. Here is a breakdown of the many facets of adult speech therapy: Cognitive therapy: memory; attention; executive functioning, including organization, planning, problem solving, etc.; functional/daily living tasks Speech therapy: voice; dysarthria (slow speech, weakness); apraxia (difficulty with executing/planning speech movements); accent reduction; stuttering; voice/communication for transgender clients Language therapy: aphasia, which is a language disorder that can result in difficulties with any combination of word retrieval or verbal expression, understanding what you hear, understanding what you read, and being able to write out your thoughts Swallowing therapy: dysphagia (difficulty swallowing); aspiration pneumonia; mouth, throat, lip, tongue or cheek weakness Communication options: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, tracheostomy/ventilator communication Speech therapists guide you and your family through life changes. We clinically challenge your skills using evidence-based practice techniques and support you through the rehabilitation process. Our goal is to improve your quality of life by helping you reach functional goals. If you think you or a loved one could benefit from a speech therapy consultation, please call 443-481-1140 to schedule an appointment with AAMG Physical Therapy. Our outpatient speech therapists are available in Crofton and Annapolis. Author Anusha Sivalingam, SLP, is a speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. To reach her office, call 443-481-1140.0
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