- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOver the last few years, we’ve all heard a lot about vaping. Especially its popularity among teens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked 2,807 lung injuries to vaping as of February 2020. And the agency has also linked vaping to 68 deaths across 29 states and Washington, D.C. We’re shining a light on five things you need to know about this trend right now. Symptoms can vary. Coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, fever, chills or weight loss – all could be symptoms of vaping illness. Some symptoms can appear over a few days. Others might appear over a few weeks. Vaping affects more than your lungs. Defective e-cigarette batteries can cause injuries. Including severe burns, fires and explosions. E-cigarette liquid has also poisoned children and adults. Vaping continues to be growing in popularity among teens. Two years ago, more than 3.6 million kids were vaping. In one year, vaping by high school students increased 78 percent. And vaping by middle school students increased 48 percent. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine – which is highly addictive. Nicotine itself is not known to cause cancer. But it is a stimulant that can cause health problems. A person’s brain isn’t fully developed until age 25. Nicotine can lead to permanent changes in the brain – affecting memory, learning and cognition. And it could increase the risk of addiction to other substances. Remember, too, that e-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances. E-cigarettes contain at least 60 potentially toxic chemicals. These can irritate your lungs and can cause lasting lung damage and disease. There’s no safe level of vaping. Research shows that e-cigarette vapor caused DNA damage in the lungs and bladder in mice exposed to the equivalent of three to six years of vaping. We’ve also seen research that shows that e-cigarette users’ oral tissue looks like that of cigarette smokers with cancer. In Maryland, you have to be 21 to buy tobacco (unless you are 18 and serving in the military). Decades ago, the cigarette industry touted their products’ safety as they marketed to teens. The first studies that linked smoking to lung cancer appeared in the 1920s. But the U.S. Surgeon General didn’t release the first report connecting smoking to lung cancer and chronic bronchitis until 1964. We expect that we will also have to wait and see what the long-term effects of e-cigarettes will be. Until then, we encourage you to talk to your kids about the dangers of vaping. It is just not worth the risk. Author Stephen Cattaneo, MD, is a thoracic surgeon and medical director of Thoracic Oncology at AAMC. Originally published Nov. 18, 2019. Last updated Nov. 9, 2020.
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDid you know that the foods you choose to fuel your body today, affects your heart tomorrow? Studies have shown that up to 70 percent of heart disease cases are preventable with the right food choices. Here are a few recommendations for a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep your heart happy: Include Fruits and vegetables. Whole grains (fiber > 3gms per serving). Beans and legumes. Nuts and seeds. Fish (preferable oily fish that provide omega-3 fatty acids), skinless poultry, and plant-based alternatives. Healthier fats such as olive oil and non-tropical oils. Fat-free and low-fat dairy products. Limit Sodium and salt, pickled and smoked foods. Strive for < 1500mg Na/day. Saturated fat. Sweets and added sugars, including sugar-sweetened beverages. Red meats (if you choose to eat red meat, select lean cuts). High fructose foods. Avoid Trans fat and partially hydrogenated oils. Processed foods loaded with sugar, salt and fat. Tips Choose wisely, even with healthier foods. Ingredients and nutrient content can vary. Look for the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark in the grocery store to easily identify foods that can be part of an overall healthy diet. Learn more at heartcheck.org. Compare nutrition information on package labels and select foods with the lowest amounts of sodium, added sugars, saturated and trans fat, and no partially hydrogenated oils. Watch your calorie intake. To maintain weight, consume only as many calories as you use up through physical activity. If you need to lose weight, consume fewer calories and burn more. Eat reasonable portions. Often this is less than you are served. Avoid foods such as dips and finger-food snacks that are difficult to gauge amounts consumed. Prepare and eat healthy meals at home. You’ll have more control over ingredients and portion sizes. Eat a wide variety of foods to get all the nutrients your body needs, most of which are prevalent in fruits and vegetables. Deeply colored fruits and vegetables are highest in micronutrients. Do aerobic exercise four to five times a week and include strength training three to four times per week. For more heart-healthy diet options, consider the Mediterranean or Dash diet for a well-balanced eating plan. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555. Originally published March 4, 2018. Last updated Nov. 6, 2020.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThank you. It’s a simple, yet powerful, phrase. One you probably taught to your children as soon as they could talk. And sometimes you probably have to remind them to use it when they get a gift or a compliment. But when you remind them to say thank you, you aren’t just teaching them to be nice. You’re teaching them how to be happy. Positive. Resilient. Did you know that more and more research is shining a light on a connection between gratitude and greater happiness? Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions. It helps to alleviate depression, improve health, build strong relationships and better manage adversity. Feeling grateful for even the smallest things in life can help you be more patient, too. That’s according to research from Northeastern University. Grateful teens are also building emotional resilience because it helps them look on the bright side. This is especially important for teens, who often see things in black and white. Looking for some guidance on how you can raise a grateful and generous teen? Here’s our advice. Walk your talk. It starts with you. Talk about what you are grateful for so your child has a good example to follow. Bonus – the more you do it, the more you’ll find reasons to give thanks. Start a gratitude conversation. Dinner is already the perfect time to catch up with your teen – why not ask them what they are grateful for? Feel free to come up with your own examples, as we mentioned earlier! Or consider making a gratitude jar. Support your teen during the hard times. Life can be challenging. If something difficult happens, acknowledge it. But then, bring them back to the present when they’re ready. Talk to them about what they can learn from the experience. How can they grow from it? Give them time and space – but also encourage them to view it as a learning experience. Encourage your teen to volunteer. Nothing beats real-world experience. When your child helps people in need, they will appreciate what they have even more. Adolescents are naturally entitled. That’s simply the way their brain works. But you can help them focus and build their gratitude muscle and emotional strength. Think of your teen’s emotions as a rubber band that you can stretch. Like a rubber band, they will return to their original shape. Even when pushed to their limit. Keeping that “gratitude muscle” in shape will help them bounce back and carry on. Want to start a gratitude conversation? Spread the positive vibes with our how-to guide on creating a gratitude jar. Authors Ruth Milsten, LCSWC, is a mental health specialist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Mental Health Specialists. To schedule an appointment with her, call 410-573-9000. Waseem Hussain, MD, is a primary care doctor with Doctors Community Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 19, 2018. Last updated Nov. 4, 2020.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany of us have had a Snickers bar or two and could probably eat the candy bar every day. But, we know it’s not nourishing. A candy bar is not a hearty meal with vegetables, protein and fruits. Instead, it’s a quick sugar fix that wears off. Then, we want more and more of it. If we only ate candy bars – as tasty as they are – our health would deteriorate. Digital devices are very similar. The constant connection to others, and even the sound of a ringtone, give us instant gratification. But that gratification quickly wears off – just like a sugar fix – only to leave us wanting more. As a result, our health is impacted in more than just one way. We are spending more time than ever before watching videos, browsing social media and swiping screens on tablets and smartphones. Research shows the average American adult spends more than 11 hours per day interacting with media on digital devices. We are developing a digital addiction. Technology can have a negative impact on our mental and physical health. When we are constantly connected, it can cause psychological issues, such as distraction, expectation of instant gratification and even depression. Physically, it can cause vision problems, hearing loss and even neck strain. Here are a few steps you can take for a digital detox to recharge your mind and improve your quality of life: Plan quality time with others. Before sitting down at the dinner table, put your phone away and ask others to do the same. This will make room for conversation and, if practiced frequently, it can improve your relationships and quality of life. Change your ringtones. If you have to keep your phone around due to your work or profession once you get home, change the tone of your notifications to distinguish work-related calls over calls that can wait until later. Delete unnecessary apps. You’re likely hoarding apps. You need your phone for calls, texts and emails. Do you really need all those other apps? Be selective. Keep one or two that you absolutely need. Schedule some offline time. Make sure to put your phone down to relax for a couple of hours, especially before bedtime. Multiple studies have shown that blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, a hormone responsible for controlling your sleep-wake cycle. Set your phone on sleep mode and disable any buzzing, as that could also lead to distracting emotions and thoughts. It can even cause anxiety that can interrupt your sleep. Set the example. Don’t forget, if you’re a parent or have young children around, they’re paying attention to your every move. If you put your phone down, this will teach them to do the same. If you treat your phone as a luxury item instead of a necessity, you’ll soon realize that it’s meant to be enjoyed sometimes but not lived by. And just like you wouldn’t eat a candy bar every day, you should consider putting your digital devices away more often. This will help you build meaningful relationships and take care of your physical and mental health. Plus, it’s good to detoxify once in a while! Visit Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth to learn more about Luminis Behavioral Health Care or to schedule an appointment.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the information we hear and see about the coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s important to know that not all information is fact or from a reliable source. Misinformation spreads rapidly and adds complexity to our response. So, let’s look at some facts! Fact: Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot prevent or cure COVID-19. There has been a lot of press about certain micronutrients and COVID-19 prevention and/or cure. Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin D are critical for a healthy immune system and work to promote our overall health and nutritional needs of our diet. They do not prevent or cure the virus. The same is true for the use of green tea or Echinacea supplements that do not prevent individuals from getting the virus. Fact: Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19. The use of alcohol will not protect you from or cure COVID-19. The use of alcohol can increase your risk for health problems. It is important to drink responsibly. For those who choose to drink, in moderation, up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks a day for men – only adults of legal drinking age. Many individuals should not drink alcohol at all. Individuals taking certain over-the-counter medication or prescription medications or have certain medical conditions, those with alcoholism or women who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Fact: Garlic is not a treatment or prevention for COVID-19 We know garlic is a commonly used herb that may have some antimicrobial properties. It enhances the flavor of our food. Allicin is the predominant phytochemical in garlic and may provide some health benefits when used as part of a well-balanced diet. There is no evidence to suggest it can prevent or cure COVID-19. Fact: Adding pepper to our meals or soups does not prevent or cure COVID-19. Hot peppers and other related spices might help improve the taste of your meals, but will not help you avoid contracting COVID-19. Fact: Products containing colloidal silver or oleander do not prevent or treat COVID-19 and can be dangerous. While these products have been marketed as COVID-19 treatments, they are not safe or effective. Colloidal silver can cause serious side effects and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned it isn’t safe or effective for treating any disease or condition. The extract from the oleander plant is poisonous and shouldn’t be taken as a supplement or home remedy. Try your best not to draw conclusions based on incorrect or incomplete information. This can cause stress, create confusion and can prevent you from making informed decisions regarding your health. No food or supplement can protect you from the coronavirus. Nevertheless, having a well-balanced diet is important in supporting our immune function and may influence the body’s ability to fight infection. During the time of the pandemic it is important to take control of what we can to optimize our health. Focus on eating well, maintaining adequate hydration, exercise and practice proven stress management techniques. Be sure to social distance, wash your hands thoroughly and wear a mask. Author Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-5555.
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