Author Archives: Trudy

Are You at Risk for Developing Kidney Stones?

by Janice Rutkowski, M.D.

The lifetime risk of having kidney stones is about 12% in men and 7% in women. If one develops, another one is likely to occur at a rate of 40% within 5 years and 75% within 20. There is a 2-fold increase in the risk of stones in obese vs. normal weight individuals. Of all the kidney stones one can have, calcium oxalate is by far the most frequent. There are many factors which interplay in the development of this problem, some of which are amenable to correction.

Prevention of calcium oxalate kidney stones can be accomplished quite simply by increasing the water intake to over 2 quarts a day which can reduce the incidence by 50%! Avoiding foods which encourage stones such as vitamin C >1gm/day, a lot of protein (poultry, fish, meat, and dairy products), fructose which can occur in sodas (among other food items), spinach, nuts and rhubarb. Increased intake of calcium in supplements or in enhanced products such as orange juice does not seem to promote stone formation.

Janice Rutkowski, M.D.Dr. Rutkowski is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Limoges in 1981 and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at Maryland General Hospital in 1984.

Holidays Got You Anxious?

by Janice Rutkowski, M.D.

During the holidays, many people look forward to spending time with friends and family, but there is also a great deal of anxiety associated with various preparations, travel and time commitments. There may be an inability to sleep properly, exercise wanes and diets can be abandoned. How do we decide if this is “normal” stress from the holidays or is there more involved?

There are many kinds of anxiety disorders and these may have to be treated differently depending on the cause and symptoms. These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social phobia. Modalities of treatment may include medication and/or counseling. Your physician should be able to diagnose the condition and determine appropriate treatment.

When should you seek medical help? If the level of anxiety is interfering with your day-to-day activities, the symptoms have been present for over 2 weeks, symptoms are worsening over time or interpersonal relationships are suffering as a result, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss therapeutic options.

Janice Rutkowski, M.D.Dr. Rutkowski is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Limoges in 1981 and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at Maryland General Hospital in 1984.

A Healthier Weight: 3 Key Steps

qa-160Q & A with Dr. Falana Carter of MPCP, Arundel Mills

Q: What are the key challenges for patients who struggle with weight?

A: Given the demands of family, career, and social responsibilities, it’s no wonder many people find that their health is pushed to the end of the priority list. I tell patients who struggle with obesity that there are 3 simple steps to improve their cardiac health, lower cholesterol, and reduce BMI (Body Mass Index) through lifestyle changes:

    1. Eat 3-4 meals daily – don’t skip any meals! When you skip a meal, you slow your metabolism down – your body needs to eat every 4-6 hours.
    2. Exercise – schedule it into your daily routine.
    3. Be “selfish” for your health.

Q: How do you start the conversation with patients who need to lose weight?

A: As part of their exam, I ask, “So what are you doing for exercise?” Often patients tell me they don’t have time to exercise; this is where I encourage them to be selfish. If you set aside a regular time to exercise, and let your family and friends know, they’ll respect that schedule and not distract you from your goal.

Q: In addition to eating on a regular schedule, how big a part does nutrition play?

A: Nutrition plays a central role. I emphasize the importance of eating healthy – more protein, healthy snacks; less sugar and processed foods. I also recommend using myfitnesspal.com, a free online weight loss tool. And for patients willing to share their password, there’s even the capability for their doctor to see what they’re eating, and provide feedback and guidance in their weight loss process.

Q: How are you incorporating these principles into your practice

A: Soon, the Arundel Mills office will launch a program dedicated to improving patients’ health through lifestyle changes, so we’re excited about this opportunity to help more individuals achieve their goals.

Falana P. Carter, M.D. joined Maryland Primary Care Physicians, Arundel Mills in 2011 and is certified by the American Board of Family Physicians. She received her medical degree from University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2001 and completed her residency program in Family Medicine at Portsmouth Family Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2004.