ask
theexperts
Q&A
Health and Wellness Advice From AAMC
Q
What’s the difference between
palliative care and hospice care?
A
Palliative and hospice programs are
both designed to improve the quality
of life for people with serious illness.
Dignity and comfort are at the center of
both hospice and palliative care programs.
The goal of both is to relieve suffering and
to support patients and their families.
Palliative care is a way of caring for people
who have a serious illness. The goal is to
help people be as comfortable as possible by
managing symptoms such as pain or trouble
breathing. It can also help people deal with
the side effects of treatments.
A doctor can recommend palliative care
anytime during a person’s illness—he or
she doesn’t need to be at the end of life to
receive this type of care.
Hospice is a special way of caring
for people who have a terminal illness.
It focuses on care, not cure, helping
patients spend their remaining days as
comfortable and pain-free as possible.
Hospice is typically for people whose life
expectancy—certified by a doctor—is six
months or less.
Most insurance plans cover both
palliative care and hospice care.
PALLIATIVE CARE
IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT
CONCUSSIONS
Lou Lukas, MD,
is
medical director of
Chesapeake Palliative
Medicine. For a
consultation, call
877-920-5472.
Michael S.
Goldstein, MD,
of
Cardiology Associates,
is board-certified
in clinical cardiac
electrophysiology and
cardiovascular disease.
For an appointment, call
410-573-6480.
Sources: American Geriatrics Society; National
Institute of Nursing Research
Q
What is atrial fibrillation (AF)?
A
In AF, the electrical signal that
sets your heart’s pumping action
into motion misfires. The signal
spreads through the atria rapidly and
chaotically, causing the chambers to
quiver (fibrillate). The ventricles respond
in kind. And the heart’s upper and lower
sections fall out of sync.
The result: Blood doesn’t move
efficiently through the heart and out
to the rest of the body. The two most
serious complications of AF are stroke
and heart failure. Symptoms include
chest pain, heart fluttering, shortness of
breath, weakness and fatigue, dizziness
or fainting, and confusion.
This condition can be diagnosed with:
• 
an electrocardiogram (EKG)
• 
an exercise stress test
• 
a wearable home heart rhythm monitor
Treatment can include:
• 
medications such as blood thinners to
prevent stroke and clots, and those to
control your heart rate and rhythm
• 
lifestyle changes, such as following a
heart-healthy diet, avoiding alcohol
and tobacco, and minimizing
stimulants, such as caffeine
• 
medical procedures, such as implanting
a pacemaker or performing an ablation.
Q
My child bumped her head playing
sports. How do I know if she has
a concussion?
A
A concussion is a type of traumatic
brain injury. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, signs and symptoms of a
concussion include:
• 
confusion
• 
prolonged headache
• 
memory problems
• 
loss of consciousness
• 
nausea and vomiting
• 
trouble with speaking, balance, muscle
coordination, or reflexes
• 
problems concentrating or learning
• 
sensitivity to light
• 
irritability, sadness or nervousness
• 
loss of smell or taste
A concussion usually gets better in two
to six weeks. In the meantime, recovering
requires rest for the mind and the body.
That means:
• 
avoiding strenuous activities
• 
getting lots of sleep at night and resting
often during the day
• 
forgoing activities that require a lot of
mental concentration
See a doctor if your child has any signs
or symptoms of a concussion.
Sarah Clay Jamieson, MD,
of the Comprehensive
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Center at AAMC, is a physical
rehabilitation specialist
focusing on concussion
care. For an appointment,
call
443-481-1140.
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or call
443-481-1688
.