- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany young people are excited to return to normal after living in quarantine for over a year. The isolation and disruption to our lives has plagued Generation Z with chronic stress, leaving harmful effects like depression. Triggering thoughts such as, “Am I a risk to my friends and family?” or “When can I get back to work?” are especially distressing to this generation. When will life return to normal? Our experts have you covered with helpful facts. COVID-19 Immunity Does Not Last Forever Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study and found immunity lasts for a short amount of time. The study looked at 156 U.S. health care workers who had COVID-19. Participants received an antibody test about a month after developing symptoms, then a second one 60 days later. The study found 94% of the participants had fewer antibodies at the 60-day mark, while 28% experienced a major decrease in antibodies. Those who have had a mild case of COVID-19 often do not develop a detectable antibody response at all. Do not assume you might be immune to COVID-19 just because you have already had it. The Vaccine is Our Greatest Defense Against Variants Viruses are constantly changing. Mutations and new variants emerge over time. Now, at least four new variants are in the U.S. are cause for alarm. These new variants seem to spread easier and faster than the original strain. According to the CDC, most vaccines appear to be effective against these variants. Immunity from natural infection of COVID-19 might not be able to withstand these mutations the same way. Vaccination is our greatest weapon against mutated variants and long-term complications from the virus. Not to mention allowing you to visit and be out in public more safely. You Play a Role in Protecting Others from getting COVID-19 According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation is now seeing a large number of young people diagnosed with COVID-19. These cases are requiring hospitalization and occasionally lead to death. Young adults should do their part to help peers understand the importance of the vaccine and the impact of being vaccinated has not only you, but your friends and family as well. Staying away from other people is important when you are sick with COVID-19. Receiving the vaccine is also a huge benefit to you and others in your community. While we are all excited and anxious to return to our lives, we are not in the clear yet. Before things feel like they are back to normal, many more people need to be vaccinated. It’s important for all of us to get the vaccine to protect family members, society and ourselves. Together, all generations can come together and eliminate this deadly disease for good. In April, Maryland moved to phase three of its vaccination distribution plan, which means all Marylanders 16 and up are now eligible for vaccination. If you would like more information on how to make an appointment with Luminis Health, visit here. If you are a young adult who has questions or concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit CDC.gov for more information. Authors Jean Murray is system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Luminis Health.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is National Cancer Research Month, and clinical trials are an essential part of cancer research. But what are clinical trials and how will you know if one is right for you? Clinical trials are research studies that test new therapies to learn about their effects. Many medications we have today, such as chemotherapy and vaccines, would not exist without clinical trials. At Luminis Health, doctors will offer eligible cancer patients the option of participating in a clinical trial. If a patient is interested, they will meet with a clinical research nurse or coordinator to review the purpose of the study, schedule of treatments, and learn about potential risks and benefits. Here are a few questions you should ask before agreeing to take part in a trial: What are the risks and benefits of the trial, and how do they compare to standard treatment? How will the doctor know if the treatment is working? What is the purpose of the trial? How could the trial affect my daily life? What happens if I decide to leave the trial? Is there someone I can talk to who has been in the trial? Your doctor and the research team can answer these questions and help you make a decision. If you choose to enroll, the doctor will closely monitor your treatment throughout the trial. If you change your mind about the trial, you can leave at any time and continue to get the standard care available. Participating in a clinical trial can benefit you because it could mean access to new therapies that aren’t widely available yet. It also benefits the community because the research will help others in the future. “The idea that my participation in the trial could contribute to future improvements in breast cancer treatment was an important consideration to me,” says Maria Ulrich, a Luminis Health patient who recently participated in a trial. “Undergoing cancer treatment is a very difficult experience and any improvement in lessening its hard effects is a very worthwhile goal.” Luminis Health has ongoing clinical trials for breast, prostate, lung, ovarian, endometrial and hematologic cancers. Eligibility depends on many factors, such as: Age Race Gender Stage of cancer History of treatments Medical history If you are a cancer patient and have interest in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your doctor. Your provider can find out which ones would be safe for you and potentially beneficial, and will work with the research team to coordinate your care. There is never any pressure to join. If you are interested in participating in clinical trials but you don’t have cancer, there are many other clinical trials available. In fact, having data from healthy volunteers is a critical part of creating a comparison study. To join the Clinical Research Volunteer Program, please visit the National Institutes of Health website. To learn more, please visit Luminis.Health/CancerCare or call 443-481-1320. Authors Liz Egan is a Clinical Research Nurse at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, making it a good time to brush up on skin cancer facts. So, before you put dibs on your lounge chair for the pool season, learn more about how to spot — and prevent — skin cancer, using these tips from Dr. Walid El Ayass, medical oncologist at the Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. After months of doing more hiding than shining, the sun’s finally coming out to play. Sunshine in the right doses is good for us—it increases serotonin, the brain’s mood-boosting hormone that helps us feel calm and focused. It also boosts vitamin D, which helps keep bones strong. But heavy doses of sunshine? It turns out that “too much of a good thing” can cause skin cancer. What are the Types of Skin Cancer? There are several types of skin cancer. The most common ones are melanoma and basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, known as nonmelanoma skin cancer. These cancers develop in the top layer of skin (the epidermis), in areas that get the most sun exposure, like the face, ears, neck, arms and hands. Basal Cell Carcinoma About 80% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas. They start in the deeper part of the epidermis in those sun-exposed areas. They’re usually raised, pearly bumps that grow slowly. They rarely spread to other parts of the body, but without treatment, basal cell carcinoma can spread deeper into the skin to the bone. Squamous Cell Carcinoma These cancers start in the upper layer of the epidermis. Along with sun-exposed areas, squamous cell cancers can develop in scars or chronic skin sores. They often look like a rough, scaly, reddish patch. They’re more likely to grow faster and spread than basal cell cancer but can usually be removed or treated and cured. Melanoma Melanoma is less common than other cancers, and it’s more dangerous. If not caught early and treated, it’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma starts in the cells that give skin its tan or brown color, so time in the sun plays a big role. What Are the Risks of Developing Skin Cancer? Most people don’t realize that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the time they’re 70. Anyone can get skin cancer, but some factors put you at greater risk: A family history of melanoma A history of blistering sunburns as a child or teen Blond or red hair Blue or green eyes Certain types of moles Exposure to UV rays from sunlight or indoor tanning over a long period A light complexion What are the Signs of Skin Cancer? Skin cancer is the only type of cancer you can see. That means you can and should be on the lookout for it. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends doing head-to-toe self-exams every month. When it comes to looking for skin cancer, remember these three words as your guide: New: Look for new growths, moles or blemishes (especially if you’re over age 21). Changing: Check if growths are changing in size, color, shape or texture. Unusual: Keep an eye out for growths or moles with an unusual outline that itch, hurt, crust or bleed for more than three weeks. If you see something, do something – talk with your primary care provider. Remember, skin cancer is curable if found early. How can I Reduce my Risk of Skin Cancer? It’s no secret sun that exposure is the main culprit when it comes to pegging a cause of skin cancer. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86% of melanomas are linked to UV light exposure from the sun. The good news? Reducing your risk of skin cancer doesn’t mean giving up the great outdoors. You can reduce your risk with some simple habits: Don’t use tanning beds, booths or sunlamps. Enjoy the sun from under an umbrella, especially between 10:00 am – 2 pm when the sun is strongest. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher every day. (You get damaging UV rays even on cloudy days.) When you’re in the sun or water, reapply it every two hours. Wear sun-protective clothing, UVA- and UVB-blocking sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Authors Dr. Walid El Ayass is a medical oncologist at the Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. He specializes in treating breast and gastrointestinal malignancies. To make an appointment with Dr. El Ayass, please call 443-481-4884.
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHeart surgery is a major event, and the journey doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. Your diet plays an important role in helping you recover. Arianne Kirby, a dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Luminis Health, answers a few questions about post-surgery nutrition. Do I Need to Follow a Special Diet After Heart Surgery? Ask your cardiologist about dietary choices that are best for you. In general, it’s important to follow a heart-healthy diet to keep your arteries open and promote longevity. If I Feel Nauseous or Don’t Feel Hungry After Surgery, Can I Just Skip Meals? You need calories and protein to help your body recover. If you skip meals, you could delay your healing. You also need to drink enough fluids, ideally water, to prevent dehydration. Talk to your surgeon about fluid or other dietary restrictions you should follow. In general, eat a heart-healthy diet of light meals that are low in saturated fat. Should I Have a Glass of Red Wine Every Day? A 5 oz glass of red wine can be beneficial as long as you follow a heart-healthy diet. That means reducing or avoiding sugar and processed foods. A glass of red wine is not a “green light” to eat foods that aren’t otherwise recommended. Do I Need to Reduce My Sodium Intake? Everyone needs sodium from food, especially on hot days or after a work-out when you lose a lot of sodium from sweat. The recommended daily amount for most adults is 2300 mg, but talk to your cardiologist about what’s right for you. Is it Okay to Eat Red Meat? It’s OK to eat red meat in moderation. Serving size, frequency, type of red meat and the degree of health risk are all under debate within the dietary community. Although red meat is a source of protein, iron, vitamin B12, and zinc, it is also high in cholesterol and saturated fat. If you choose to eat red meat, you should limit or avoid other food sources that are high in cholesterol and saturated fat (foods like cheeses, whole-fat dairy, bacon, sausage, cream, etc.). One suggestion is to keep red meat to a 3-ounce cooked serving, 1-2 times a week and to trim away all visible fat. The rest of the week, replace red meat with chicken, turkey, fish, beans, legumes. If I Am Cutting Out Sugar, I Can Drink Diet Soda, Right? Just because something is sugar-free doesn’t mean it is a healthy food. Artificial sweeteners can cause insulin spikes, which over time can raise blood sugar levels. These drinks also do not contribute any nutritional value to your diet. Learn more about our heart surgery program at Luminis Health.
- Blood Donation, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor Debra Taylor, blood donations are critical to keeping her alive. Taylor was recently diagnosed with a rare condition called severe aplastic anemia, and since her bone marrow doesn’t make enough red blood cells, she needs regular blood transfusions. We spoke with Taylor, an occupational therapist, about what it’s like to need blood transfusions and how blood donations truly save lives. How Often do You Receive Blood Transfusions? I’ve been receiving either one or two units of blood, or one unit of platelets, every single week since September 2020. Each week, I get my blood drawn to determine where my red blood cell levels are and whether I need a transfusion. There’s never been a week where I didn’t need something. Some days, I even need two units of blood because my levels are so low. Why do You Need Blood Transfusions? I need transfusions to stay alive. With blood platelets, having between 150,000 and 400,000 platelets per microliter of blood is considered normal. Today, I was at 33,000 platelets. Two days ago, I was at 7,000. If my platelet levels go below 10,000, I get a platelet transfusion. I get a blood transfusion depending on my hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. If I don’t get a transfusion, I could die or bleed out with something as simple as a minor injury. What Message do You Have for People Thinking About Donating Blood? Without blood, I’ll die. And others like me will die. My message is simple: Please donate. Because millions of people need it. What Gives You Hope? A: People in my situation can get very depressed. Since I’m severely immunocompromised, I can’t go anywhere, especially with the risk of COVID-19. But I feel hope in the promise that I may be able to get a bone marrow transplant soon that will help me, or that someday, I will be healthy enough to even donate blood myself again. For now, the thing that’s kept joy, happiness and love in my life is my grandson. He just turned 6 months old. His face gives me a reason to keep going. I want to watch him go to kindergarten and high school and so on. I also try to treat my transfusions like a day at the spa. The transfusion center provides me with a heated chair that reclines. I have my own TV. Hot chocolate. They always ask if I need anything. It’s scary how low my levels get, but the transfusions keep me alive. Ways You Can Help Taylor and Others Like Taylor, many patients rely on life-saving blood donations. Our Blood Donor Center helps patients heal and recover from conditions, including fractures, pregnancy, lung disease and more. If you can’t give blood, there are other ways to help, including hosting a blood drive or spreading the word about the need for donations. To Donate Blood For an appointment to donate call the LHAAMC Blood Donor Center at 443-481-4215. To have a blood mobile drive at your next function (i.e., community or church function), call 443-481-4272.
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