- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou’ve probably seen them at the gym, on social media or tucked in a friend’s purse — little packets promising hydration and energy. Electrolyte packets are everywhere these days, but what is in them, and do you really need them? Let’s break it down. What is an electrolyte? Electrolytes are minerals that help your body function properly. They carry an electric charge (hence the name electrolytes) and are essential for many body functions, like: Keeping your heart rhythm steady Maintaining fluid balance Supporting nerve and muscle function What ingredients are in electrolyte packets? Most electrolyte packets contain a blend of the following ingredients: Calcium, which is important for bones, muscles and nerves Flavors or colors, which are added for taste and appearance Magnesium, which helps with muscle relaxation and energy production Potassium, which supports muscle and heart function Sodium, which helps your body retain fluid and supports nerve function Sugar or sweeteners, which are added for taste or as a quick source of energy Some packets also contain B vitamins that support energy metabolism. But not all packets are created equal; some contain large amounts of sugar, while others use sugar-free alternatives. Be sure to read the label. Why do sugar and sodium levels matter? While a little sugar can help your body absorb electrolytes faster, too much can do more harm than good. Unless you're exercising for more than an hour or in extreme heat, you probably don’t need added sugar. Sodium is vital for hydration, but too much can be a concern. The sodium in electrolyte drinks is designed to replace sodium lost through sweat. If you haven’t lost a lot of sodium, this extra sodium isn’t good for you. Many electrolyte packets are designed for endurance athletes and have more sodium than the average person needs. To make sure you aren’t going overboard on sugar or salt, look for products that: Contain around 100-150 mg of sodium per 8-oz. serving Don’t have artificial colors or unnecessary fillers Have no more than 6g of sugar per 8-oz. serving If you have special sodium restrictions, you should consider how electrolyte packets fit into your diet and if you should use them at all. Keeping a food diary, like this one from the American Heart Association, that tracks sodium is an easy way to see how much you’re consuming each day. When is the best time to use electrolyte packets? They’re not just for professional athletes. You may benefit from added electrolytes if you: Exercise for more than an hour, especially in the heat Are recovering from fluid losses due to vomiting or diarrhea Follow a low-carb or keto diet Sweat heavily during workouts In any of these situations, use electrolyte packets by mixing according to the package instructions and sipping the solution over the course of 30-60 minutes. Why not just drink water? Water is great for daily hydration, but it doesn’t replace minerals lost through sweat or illness. Electrolyte drinks give your body a faster way to recover and stay balanced. Compared to plain water, they can help prevent muscle cramps, hydrate you faster and support energy and focus. The bottom line Electrolyte packets can be a useful tool for staying hydrated, especially during intense activity, illness or extreme temperatures. But be sure to check the label for sugar and sodium content, so you can select a product that’s right for you. Need help picking the right one? A Luminis Health registered dietitian can help you find the best electrolyte products for your needs and lifestyle. Authors Vincenza N. Garcia, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian for Luminis Health Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery.
- Heart Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile training for a marathon in 2007, David McKinney had a heart attack and needed a stent. Earlier this year, he began feeling pressure in his chest and, given his medical history, made an appointment with his primary care provider. That visit led to a cardiac catheterization, which revealed a nearly 100 percent blockage. McKinney was scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with Dr. David Caparrelli, chief of cardiac surgery at Luminis Health. During the procedure, Dr. Caparrelli used a novel technique called a cryo nerve block to eliminate postoperative pain. “We used the cryo nerve block to freeze David’s nerves, which blocked the pain signals to the brain and helped support his recovery from heart surgery,” says Dr. Caparrelli. McKinney says Dr. Caparrelli and his team explained everything clearly, including the procedure, its purpose and what to expect during recovery. “I can’t speak highly enough of the surgical team,” McKinney says. “It was a very positive experience from the moment I checked in to the day I was discharged.” Several weeks after surgery, McKinney has no pain and has not needed any narcotic medication. “With no pain, there’s no strong pharmaceutical medicines that are needed. Basically, I got discharged with Tylenol,” McKinney told CBS news when he was interviewed about his experience. Watch the CBS clip here. He and his wife walk together a few times a day. He enjoys hiking and camping, but for now he is sticking to local trails and walking at the mall when it’s too hot outside. To learn more about this cutting edge technique and heart surgery at Luminis Health, visit Luminis.Health/HeartSurgery. Watch David’s story on CBS
- Behavioral Health, Lung CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe back-to-school seasons brings excitement—from new teachers to new backpacks. But amid the preparation, it’s also a key moment to have honest conversations with your teen about the risks of vaping and using marijuana. First, a reality check: In Maryland, 14% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 30 days, according to the latest health data. While teen experimentation can be common, it doesn’t make it safe. That’s why it’s important to talk to your kids early and often. Sharing facts, not fear, can help them make informed, healthy choices. Marijuana’s impact on teenagers Marijuana is legal in Maryland, so it’s safe, right? Not for teens. Their brains are still developing and regular marijuana use can interfere with that growth in serious ways. Potential effects on children and adolescents include: Difficultly solving problems Impaired memory Poor physical coordination Slower reaction time Trouble focusing Increased irritability Increased risk of psychosis Interference with prescribed medication Still not convinced? Research shows that teens who start using pot before the age of 18 are seven times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder later in life—a condition where a person struggles to stop using marijuana, even when it negatively affects their health, school, or relationships. Vaping is more smoke and mirrors Vaping has become increasingly popular among young people. It’s often cheaper than cigarettes, comes in appealing flavors, and is heavily promoted on social media—which can make it especially attractive to teens. Many people assume that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking tobacco. But the reality is more complicated: Nicotine is still addictive. Most vapes contain nicotine—a highly addictive substance that can harm brain development in teens and increase the risk of future substance use. Harmful chemicals are still present. Vaping aerosols contain toxic substances like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein—chemicals linked to lung damage and cancer risk. Lung injury is real. Vaping has been linked to serious lung illnesses, including EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), which has led to hospitalizations and even deaths. Unknown long-term effects. Because vaping is relatively new, the full long-term health impacts are still unknown, but early research shows cause for concern. Tips for talking to teens about vaping and marijuana Having these conversations with your teen can feel uncomfortable at first. Here are some tips to get you started: Start early, talk often. Short, regular check-ins feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation. Lead with curiosity, not accusations. Ask open-ended questions: “What have you heard about vaping?” “How do kids get e-cigarettes?” Use facts, not fear. Share concrete data (e.g., nicotine addiction, lung injury, impaired brain development) instead of scare tactics. Connect to their goals. Explain how vaping or cannabis can hurt sports performance, concentration for classes, or driving safety. Model healthy coping skills. Discuss stressbusters such as exercise, music and journaling so nicotine or THC isn’t the default escape. Practice exit lines. Roleplay ways to say “no thanks” when offered a vape or joint (e.g., “I’ve got practice tomorrow,” “I’m good—don’t want the hassle”). Keep communication twoway. Listen without interrupting; validate feelings even if you disagree. Teens are more receptive when they feel heard. Set clear expectations and consequences. Explain family rules (e.g., no vaping, alcohol, or marijuana before 21) and what happens if they’re broken. Stay alert to peer influence and online marketing. Ask about social media trends or friends who vape; discuss how ads target teens. Revisit the topic. Trends, products, and pressures change quickly; schedule regular “checkins” rather than oneanddone talks. How Luminis Health can help Parenting can be tough, but you’re not alone. Luminis Health mental health providers, with expertise in adolescent care, have already laid the ground work. Through funding from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, behavioral health education and support services have been successfully delivered in six high schools in Prince George’s County. The program—developed in close partnership with local schools—has demonstrated meaningful impact in supporting student well-being. Due to its success, the state has renewed funding for the upcoming school year following a highly competitive grant process. This continued investment underscores the importance of school-based behavioral health initiatives and the strength of collaborative community partnerships. If you or your children need additional support, the Behavioral Health Urgent Care walk-in clinic at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham offers treatment for non-life- threatening mental health needs for ages four and up. No appointment is necessary. Thanks to the state grant, we will expand our hours later this fall to include weeknights and Saturdays. Authors Dr. Jesselina Curry is the system medical director for ambulatory behavioral health services at Luminis Health. Supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, the views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the Commission or Consortium.
- Patient Stories, Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“Going through cancer treatment can feel like a blur,” says Edward Clarke, a prostate cancer survivor. For him, having someone by his side made all the difference. His wife of more than 45 years joined him at every appointment. “She came with me to make sure we didn’t miss anything.” Clarke was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025. After researching his options and meeting with a surgeon, he chose to undergo radiation treatment at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. "When you have the right team, you will know it," he says. Clarke received care from Radiation Oncologist Dr. Angel “Ted” Torano. He says Nurse Navigator Alyson Figlioli also played a key role in his experience. “She was incredible. She relieved a lot of anxiety and stress. I can’t say enough about her.” Prostate cancer is common. One in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed during his lifetime, with most cases occurring in men 65 and older. LHAAMC has treated more than 750 men with prostate cancer in the last three years. The American Urological Association recommends that men ages 45 to 50 talk to their primary care provider about whether screening is right for them. Clarke’s cancer was detected through one of these routine screenings. A retired captain from the Montgomery County Police Department, Clarke served for more than 20 years. He later led the Maryland Center for School Safety and worked as the Director of School Safety and Security for Montgomery County Public Schools. Now retired, he remains open to consulting opportunities. This summer, Clarke traveled to the Outer Banks with his family for a weeklong vacation. He says he takes time to celebrate life’s milestones—especially his bell-ringing ceremony at the end of radiation. If you or someone you know needs prostate cancer treatment, click here to learn about options at Luminis Health.
- Women's Health, Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCervical cancer screenings play a vital role in catching cancer early, when it’s most treatable. With new testing options, including an at-home test recently approved in the U.S., more people find it easier to stay on top of their health. Here’s what you should know about cervical cancer tests, how they work and why regular screenings matter. The basics of cervical cancer screening According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 13,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The good news is that screenings—like a Pap smear, a human papillomavirus (HPV) test, or both—can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. Regular screenings give the best chance of catching problems early, when treatment works best. Over the past few decades, this has already helped lower cervical cancer rates significantly. In-office vs. at-home testing Traditionally, cervical cancer screening is done during a pelvic exam at a doctor’s office. During the visit, a health care provider collects cells from the cervix and sends the samples to a lab for testing. Now, a new at-home test provides another option. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), reports that the FDA recently approved a self-collection method for HPV testing, which may help expand access to cervical cancer screening. With this option, patients collect a sample at home using a simple kit, then mail it to a lab for analysis. While this option can be helpful for those with limited time, difficulty accessing appointments or discomfort with in-office exams, it’s important to know that it does not replace screenings with a provider. Key differences between at-home and in-office testing include: Comprehensive care: Office visits often include other important screenings and exams. Follow-up care: A doctor can immediately discuss next steps if any arise. Provider expertise: In-office tests are done by trained professionals who ensure proper sample collection. At-home tests can be a good starting point, especially for those overdue for screenings, but they should not entirely replace professional evaluations. When and why you should get screened ACOG recommends that cervical cancer screening begin at age 21. Screening guidelines by age: Ages 21 to 29: Get a Pap test every 3 years. Ages 30–65: Choose from a Pap test and HPV test every 5 years, a Pap test alone every 3 years, or an HPV test alone every 5 years. Age 65 and older: Screening is not needed unless there is a history of cervical changes, cervical cancer, or certain health conditions, such as being immunocompromised. It’s also important to note that those who are vaccinated against HPV still need screening, as the vaccine doesn’t protect against all cancer-causing HPV strains. Talk to your provider about the best screening schedule based on your age, health history and risk factors. What happens if you’re diagnosed with cervical cancer? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. The important thing to remember is that when it’s found early, treatment is often very successful, which is why regular screenings matter so much. The right treatment plan depends on the stage of cancer and your overall health. A dedicated care team will be there every step of the way to create a personalized plan and provide the support needed. Take charge of your health Whether you choose an at-home option or visit with a provider, what matters most is that you get screened. Regular cervical cancer testing is one of the most effective ways to protect your health. Cervical cancer is both preventable and treatable. This Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, take charge of your health. Call 240-241-7474 to schedule your annual well-woman exam at Luminis Health Primary Care Lanham. Authors Tormeika Sanford is a nurse practitioner at Luminis Health. To schedule an appointment, visit Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare.
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