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Health related questions answered by our local doctors and healthcare professionals
What treatment can help my anxiety, besides medications and psychotherapy?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms by 50%. SGB is an injection of local anesthetic along the nerve in the neck that controls the sympathetic nervous system—the “fight-or-flight” system—which can be inappropriately elevated in many people with anxiety. SGB is not new. This safe, simple injection has been used to treat pain since the 1920s and has been used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for the past decade as well as concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). SGB has been used increasingly to provide significant relief of anxiety symptoms too. SGB takes less than 15 minutes to perform, and benefits are seen in as little as 30 minutes.
James Lynch, MD | Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)
2401 Brandermill Blvd, Suite 200, Gambrills, MD | 410-626-4577 | drjameslynch.com
Should I use flea and tick medication on my pet since it is still cold in Maryland?
Even though it’s cold in Maryland, don’t skip your pet’s flea and tick prevention! Fleas can become active when temperatures are just 50°F for 2-3 consecutive days, and ticks are even hardier, surviving in freezing weather by hiding in leaf litter or on warm hosts. Maryland’s fluctuating temperatures create the perfect conditions for these pests to persist year-round. Skipping prevention can lead to infestations in your home, as fleas lay eggs that can hatch weeks later when indoor temperatures are warm. Ticks also carry diseases like Lyme and can latch onto pets—and even you—any time they’re active. Keeping your pet on a year-round flea and tick prevention plan is the best way to protect them (and your home) from these persistent pests. Ask your veterinarian about the best option for your pet!
Lisa Beagan, DVM | Mobile Pet Vet
Learn more: www.mobilepetvet.com | 410-544-8300
Should I only see a surgeon if I think I need surgery?
At Annapolis Hand to Shoulder Center, the answer is No. Our surgeons use their many years of experience and expertise to evaluate your condition and create an individualized plan of care that may include surgical or non-surgical treatment. Because you always see one of our board certified, fellowship trained physicians at every visit, you can be assured that if surgery is indicated that option will be discussed. However, we can treat many conditions conservatively with therapy or with steroid or biologic (PRP) injections with great success. We are truly, and uniquely, a practice that can treat all your upper extremity injuries and conditions, chronic or acute, whether it is with therapy, injection, or surgery.
Dr. Kelly Kilcoyne | Annapolis Hand to Shoulder Center
Learn more: www.annapolishandcenter.com | 410-544-4263
Who should I see for non-surgical treatment options for orthopedic or spine injury or chronic pain such as arthritis?
Start with a physician with appropriate postresidency training, (i.e. a sports medicine or pain medicine fellowship). They should be an expert in both ultrasound-guided injections, (which are critical for both accurate diagnosis and treatment), and fluoroscopically guided injections, (which are critical for some spine treatments). The physician should use FDA approved equipment and orthobiologic techniques that utilize the patient’s own blood or cells. A physician with academic medicine credentials who is actively publishing and lecturing in this field will generally have the most up-to-date knowledge. Finally, check on-line reviews.
Sean Mulvaney, MD | Regenerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Annapolis
Annapolis & Easton locations | 410-505-0530 | www.rosm.org
Can I screen for colon cancer at home?
If you’re at average risk—meaning you have no personal or family history of colon cancer and are not having any symptoms such as blood in your stool—an at-home test like Cologuard or FIT may be an option. These tests must be repeated every one to three years, depending on the type and your results. Any positive testing will require further evaluation with a colonoscopy procedure. While at-home tests are convenient, they may not be right for everyone. Talk to your provider to determine the best screening option based on your health history and risk factors.
Andrew McGlone, MD | Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare
Learn more: Luminis.Health/PrimaryCare | 443-481-1150
