Giving
Rumford Hospital Annual Giving Campaign
Make a Lasting Difference Close to Home

Judy
Rumford, MEAcross the River Valley region of Maine, people of all ages are regaining strength and mobility, allowing them to return to the activities they love. Whether it’s enjoying a peaceful walk in the woods with their dogs, conquering a challenging ski run, playing tennis with lifelong friends, or participating in beloved team sports, these individuals are thriving thanks to the specialized orthopedic and therapy services care provided by Central Maine Healthcare.
Please support our Annual Campaign:
- Every dollar you donate helps us improve lives!
- Your contributions enable us to reach more residents of central Maine and make a lasting difference for years to come!
Every contribution, no matter the size, has a meaningful impact. Together, we can ensure that every patient receives the highest standard of orthopedic care and has the opportunity to get back to the activities they cherish.
Bridgton Hospital Annual Giving Campaign
Make a Lasting Difference Close to Home

Jacob
Bridgton, MEAcross the Lakes Region of Maine, people of all ages are regaining strength and mobility, allowing them to return to the activities they love. Whether it’s enjoying a peaceful walk in the woods with their dogs, conquering a challenging ski run, playing tennis with lifelong friends, or participating in beloved team sports, these individuals are thriving thanks to the specialized orthopedic and therapy services care provided by Central Maine Healthcare.
Please support our Annual Campaign:
- Every dollar you donate helps us improve lives!
- Your contributions enable us to reach more residents of central Maine and make a lasting difference for years to come!
Every contribution, no matter the size, has a meaningful impact. Together, we can ensure that every patient receives the highest standard of orthopedic care and has the opportunity to get back to the activities they cherish.
CMMC Annual Giving Campaign
Make a Lasting Difference Close to Home

Woody & Susan
Auburn, MEAcross central Maine, people of all ages are regaining strength and mobility, allowing them to return to the activities they love. Whether it’s enjoying a peaceful walk in the woods with their dogs, conquering a challenging ski run, playing tennis with lifelong friends, or participating in beloved team sports, these individuals are thriving thanks to the specialized orthopedic and therapy services care provided by Central Maine Healthcare.
Please support our Annual Campaign:
- Every dollar you donate helps us improve lives!
- Your contributions enable us to reach more residents of central Maine and make a lasting difference for years to come!
Every contribution, no matter the size, has a meaningful impact. Together, we can ensure that every patient receives the highest standard of orthopedic care and has the opportunity to get back to the activities they cherish.
For more information, please call the Office of Philanthropy at 207-795-2685.
Planned Giving
Planned giving is a way to contribute to Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital or Rumford Hospital through charitable donations made as part of your financial or estate planning. These gifts allow you to support our mission in a meaningful way, while also potentially providing financial benefits to you and your loved ones.
Please let us know if you have already included Central Maine Healthcare in your estate planning, or if you are considering doing so. Thank you.
Planned gifts can come in many forms, including:
Retirement Plans: You can designate a Central Maine Healthcare hospital as a beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement accounts, which may provide tax benefits to you or your estate.
Bequests: A gift made through your will or living trust. You can designate a specific amount or percentage of your estate to support one of our hospitals.
Charitable Gift Annuities: In exchange for a donation, you receive fixed, regular payments for life, and the remaining gift goes to one of our hospitals after your passing.
Charitable Remainder Trusts: These allow you to transfer assets into a trust, receive income during your lifetime, and designate the remainder to benefit one of our hospitals.
Life Insurance: By naming [Hospital Name] as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, you can make a significant future gift while maintaining your premiums during your lifetime.
How to Start Your Planned Giving Journey
Consult with Your Financial Advisor
We recommend working with your financial advisor to determine the best type of planned gift for your financial situation and goals.
Contact Our Office of Philanthropy
We can provide resources, including sample bequest language, and connect you with legal and financial professionals if needed.
Make Your Gift
Once you’ve decided how you’d like to give, we will work with you to ensure that your gift is set up in a way that fulfills your wishes and benefits the hospital.For more information on planned giving, including guidance on how to shape your bequest language, please reach out to:
Lisa LaVallee
Phone: (207) 795-2685
Email: giving@cmhc.org
Together, we can help you make a meaningful difference.
Corporate Partnerships
There are many meaningful opportunities for businesses of all sizes to support the non-profit hospitals that care for the communities of central and western Maine. Your support is vital to ensure that Bridgton Hospital, Central Maine Medical Center and Rumford Hospital continue to improve the health of our families, friends and neighbors.
We offer a range of partnerships for you to choose from. Whether you’re interested in supporting the Cancer Care Center, Central Maine Heart & Vascular Institute, Women & Children’s programs or the annual golf tournament benefitting Bridgton Hospital, we have options that will allow you to make a significant impact close to home.
We will work with you to determine the most appropriate ways to promote your partnership.
Some of the ways we may recognize your business include:
- Mention of your corporate partnership in CMH promotional materials including press releases, social posts, marketing pieces and weekly CMH newsletters
- Feature article, photo, and logo in one monthly e-newsletter
- Top listing in 2024 Annual Report and donor recognition panels in each hospital lobby
- Listing and linking to your business on the Corporate Partnership page on www.cmhc.org
- All corporate partners are recognized throughout the year.
Rumford Hospital Giving Tree Sponsors:
Thank you to the Rumford Hospital Auxiliary for managing the GIving Tree and our corporate sponsors. Proceeds from the 2024 Giving Tree will support Rumford Hospital’s Equipment Fund.
Silver Sponsors | Blue Sponsors | Red Sponsors |
Carlisle’s Apparel & Footwear | The Fitch Company | Towle’s Corner Store |
Mountain View Eyecare | ||
Naples Packing Co. | ||
Rumford Power | ||
Rumford Rotary Club |
For more information, please contact Lisa LaVallee in the Office of Philanthropy at giving@cmhc.org or 207-795-2685.
Community Benefits
Central Maine Community Benefits
As a non-profit healthcare system, all three hospitals are required to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) with community members within the service area. From there, a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is developed to address the top health priorities that came from the needs assessment. Below, you can find the links for the CHIPs developed for all three Central Maine Healthcare hospitals for the:
Central Maine Medical Center’s Community Health Implementation Plans
- Lewiston/Auburn Community Health Implementation Plan 2019-2022
- Lewiston/Auburn Community Health Implementation Plan 2022-2025
Bridgton Hospital’s Community Health Implementation Plans
- Lakes Region Community Implementation Plan 2019-2022
- Lakes Region Community Implementation Plan 2022-2025
Rumford Hospital’s Community Health Implementation Plans
- River Valley Community Implementation Plan 2019-2022
- River Valley Community Implementation Plan 2022-2025
Community Benefit Report: Each year, a Community Benefit Report is written to detail the accomplishments on all three hospital plans from the previous fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). This report also includes any community benefit activities throughout the hospitals that aren’t listed on the plans. Below you can read the Central Maine Healthcare Community Benefit Report from the previous three years.
Central Maine Healthcare Corporation FY 22 Community Benefit Report
Central Maine Healthcare Corporation FY 23 Community Benefit Report
About Maine’s Shared Community Health Needs Assessment (ME Shared CHNA): Every three years, a community health needs assessment must be completed. Maine’s Shared Community Health Needs Assessment is a collaborative effort between the Maine Centers for Disease and Control, Central Maine Healthcare, MaineHealth, MaineGeneral Health and Northern Light Health. In 2023, the Maine Community Action Partnership joined the collaborative. This process satisfies the IRS requirement for all non-profit (tax-exempt) hospitals to conduct needs assessments. The statewide collaboration helps to avoid duplication of efforts, and there is a far greater reach through all 16 counties.
The vision of the Maine Shared CHNA helps to turn data into action so that Maine will become the healthiest state in the United States. This unique public-private partnership is intended to assess the health needs of all who call Maine home. For more information on the MSCHNA:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/phdata/MaineCHNA/
Statewide and County Data Profiles-Maine Shared CHNA: Each cycle as the CHNA closes, resulting Data Profiles are created. These reports outline the reported data collection, and the top health priorities that come forward in each county following focus groups, county-wide forums, and a state-wide community survey.
Androscoggin County CHNA 2019-2021
Cumberland County CHNA 2019-2021
Oxford County CHNA 2019-2021
Androscoggin County CHNA 2022-2025
Cumberland County CHNA 2022-2025
Oxford County CHNA 2022-2025
All 16 Counties has a resulting Data Profile. These reports are available to the public, and can be viewed, downloaded, and printed on the Maine Shared CHNA website. Visit www.mainechna.org and click on “Final CHNA Reports” to view the reports.
The Maine Shared CHNA website also contains:
For information on community resources for CMMC, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital, please visit Community Engagement — Healthy Androscoggin
Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library
The Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library at Central Maine Medical Center offers dozens of links to websites that offer accurate medical and health information. It is a resource available to patients, the public and to medical staff.
Contact Us
Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library
Central Maine Medical Center
300 Main Street, P.O. Box 4500
Lewiston, ME 04240
Library Hours:
Public Access: Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hospital clinicians and team members: 24/7 access with badge
Librarian on-site as needed and by appointment
Library Staff:
Sarah Hudson, MLS, MBA call: 207-795-5956 or email: hudsonsa@cmhc.org
For more information call: 207-795-2560 or email: library@cmhc.org
Collections and Services: The Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library supports the health-related information needs of physicians, hospital team members and all affiliated students. Patients, their families and the public are welcome to use the library during staffed hours.
The Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library subscribes to medical and health-related journals. The majority of these are available online through our medical databases (see Professional Health Resources). CMH medical staff and students may contact the CMMC Library team members for online access instructions. Journals are indexed in PubMed with links out to the full text of journals in electronic format. Older issues may be available in storage or on microfilm. Print journals do not circulate but may be photocopied. (Photocopying is available.)
The library has a small print collection of medical reference books arranged by National Library of Medicine classification in many specialty areas. Check the CMMC online catalog for availability. Books in the circulating collection may be borrowed for two weeks and may be renewed. Electronic textbooks are also available through Nursing and Access Medicine on the Professional Health page.
Health Library Disclaimer: Please note: Information provided by the Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library or links on its web page, is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or care from a physician of other healthcare provider. Please call your healthcare provider if you have questions regarding your specific medical condition.
Patient and Public Health Resources
Medlineplus – MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.
CDC – CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.
ConsumerMedSafety – Developed by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), ConsumerMedSafety.org is designed exclusively to bring the message of medication error prevention directly to the consumers. Features of the site include:
- A Scrolling Marquee Top 10 List providing the latest drug safety warnings and advice from experts.
- The Medication Safety Toolbox offering various tools designed to help read a prescription, understand medicine labels, keep track of medications, measure liquid doses, or learn which medicines can’t be crushed.
- Medication Safety Alerts – special safety section along with critical information about drug recalls, drug shortages, and medication guides.
- Consumer Medication Errors Reporting Program, a section where consumers are invited to tell their stories about medication hazards or errors through a user-friendly, online reporting format.
Druginfonet.com – Official package inserts and pharmaceutical product and disease information for healthcare professionals and consumers.
Family Doctor.org – The Family Doctor website is operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a national medical organization representing more than 115,900 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students. All of the information on this site has been written and reviewed by physicians and patient education professionals at the AAFP.
US Food and Drug Administration
Healthfinder.gov – A gateway to reliable consumer health and human services information, sponsored by the DHHS.
Household Products Database – Information on the health effects of common household products under your sink, in the garage, in the bathroom and on the laundry room shelf.
KidsHealth.org – Doctor-approved health information about children, created by the Nemours Foundation.
Lab Test Online – Lab Tests Online has been designed to help you, as a patient or family caregiver, to better understand the many clinical lab tests that are part of routine care as well as diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of conditions and diseases. If you are a medical professional, this site can serve as a quick reference tool or as a resource for keeping up with advances in laboratory science.
Marvel – Free Maine databases including Academic Search Premiere, Business Source Premiere, Health Source: Consumer Edition, Proquest Newspaper Indexes
Mayo Clinic – Consumer website offering health and medical information and disease management, produced by the Mayo Foundation.
Nutrition.gov – A U.S. federal guide offering access to all government web sites with reliable and accurate information on nutrition and dietary guidance.
President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition – The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition mission is to engage, educate, and empower all Americans across the lifespan to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.
RxList – RxList is an online medical resource dedicated to offering detailed and current pharmaceutical information on brand and generic drugs. Founded by pharmacists in 1995, and acquired by WebMD in 2004, RxList is continuously reviewed and updated with articles written by pharmacists and physicians and data provided by credible and reliable sources like the FDA, Cerner Multum, and First Data Bank, Inc. to ensure the most accurate and beneficial information is provided.
NIH Senior Health – Health and wellness information for older adults from the National Institutes of Health.
NIH Tox Town – An interactive guide about how the environment, chemicals and toxic substances affect human health.
USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov – The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion lists the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA Food Guidance System, the Healthy Eating Index, and many other nutrition resources on Choose My Plate including U.S. Meal Plans.
Womenshealth.gov – The FDA’s leading resource for women’s health information.
State and Local:
State of Maine – Home page for links to Govenor’s office, State Agencies, Quasi-independent Agencies, Legislature (statutes, bills, House, Senate etc.).
Maine State Library – Home page for the Maine State Library and additional reference databases.
News:
USA Today
Lewiston Sun Journal
Portland Press Herald
Professional Health
The following databases are available for medical staff and students. Please contact the library to obtain access information.
Medical Databases
- AccessMedicine
- Cochrane Database
- DynaMedPlus
- Health Business Elite
- Lexi-Comp Online
- Medline with Full Text
- OVID
- Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection
- PubMed (includes links to CMMC Library full text)
- UpToDate
Nursing and Allied Health Databases
Rheumatology
Meet Our Rheumatology Providers
There are hundreds of diverse and sometimes unrelated rheumatic disorders, many are accompanied by inflammatory symptoms and most cause undue pain in the bones and joints. Though rheumatic conditions can vary greatly, the goals of treatment are largely the same: To reduce pain and inflammation, to slow or stop joint damage, and to help people feel better so they can stay active.
Preventive care includes immunizations, lead screening, developmental screening and vision screening. Wellness checks and routine physical are an essential part of preventive care. Treatment options for rheumatic disorders, like the conditions themselves, vary widely in style and scope. Therapies may include long-term lifestyle changes, exercise and diet regimens, drug therapies, surgical options, and of course education.
Many rheumatic disorders are difficult to identify in the earliest stages. Rheumatologists at Central Maine Healthcare have been specially trained to examine areas of pain and swelling and to discover the root cause. As some disorders respond better to treatment in their primary stages, it’s important to get a correct diagnosis as early as possible.
Conditions We Treat
Central Maine Healthcare offers comprehensive, high quality rheumatology care with board-certified Internal Medicine providers who are also board certified in Rheumatology. We are committed to providing our patients with advanced medical knowledge that will enable them to enjoy the best possible quality of life.
Conditions treated: Arthritis Bursitis Gout | Lupus Osteoporosis Psoriatic arthritis | Rheumatoid arthritis Tendonitis |
Arthritis
Arthritis, characterized by inflammation of the joints, is a disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and limited range of motion in any joint of the body. Anyone — including children — can be affected by arthritis, but the condition usually affects older people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 30% of people between the ages of 45 and 64, and almost half of those ages 65 and older, have arthritis.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the most common, by far, is osteoarthritis. Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is diagnosed when the cartilage — the cushiony cells that line the joints and protect the bones — breaks down. As a result, the bones can rub together, leading to damage that can reduce function and cause disability. The hips, knees and hands are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Other types of arthritis include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis — a progressive and debilitating autoimmune disorder that can impact multiple joints at one time
- Psoriatic arthritis — a type of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis
- Gout inflammatory arthritis that develops because of too much uric acid
- Lupus — an autoimmune disease that causes pain and inflammation in the joints, internal organs and skin
Risk Factors for Arthritis: Your risk for osteoarthritis increases as you age, and women are at a higher risk than men for the condition. Repetitive joint stress from work or sports, along with obesity, also increase the risk for osteoarthritis. Some bacterial and viral infections can cause joints to develop arthritis, and cigarette smoking can contribute to rheumatoid arthritis. Genetics also play a role in some forms of arthritis.
Arthritis symptoms: Joint pain (most common) Limited range of motion | Stiffness Swelling | Tenderness |
Diagnosis of Arthritis: Arthritis can often be diagnosed based on a symptoms review, but your provider may want you to get an imaging study — such as a CT, MRI, ultrasound or X-ray — to see the extent of the damage to your joints and track its progression. Blood work can also help determine the presence of inflammation.
Treatment for Arthritis: The frontline treatment for arthritis is medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, along with pain-reliever creams, may help. Your healthcare provider may also recommend prescription medications to relieve inflammation. Patients with autoimmune-related arthritis may need prescription immunosuppressants. When joint pain is severe, physical therapy and/or joint replacement surgery may be recommended. You can also do the following to manage arthritis:
- Talk to your provider about what types of exercises can help.
- Lose weight
- Quit smoking
- You may want to install grab bars in the bathroom and/or wear a brace or splint to support the joint. A cane or walker can help ease pain in your joints, too.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, which are small pouches of fluid in the joints that keep bones, muscles and other structures from rubbing during movement. The bursae helps prevent wear and tear. Often resulting from overuse, bursitis can be painful, but a variety of conservative treatments, including rest and exercises to stretch and strengthen nearby muscles, can provide relief.
Risk Factors for Bursitis: Anyone can get bursitis, but the bursae often become inflamed because of too much friction — as with repetitive use — or due to an injury. People who spend a lot of time at a computer, or those who perform manual labor on construction sites, for example, are at a higher risk for bursitis. Other risk factors include:
- Aging
- Gout
- Infection of the bursae
- Injury to a joint, especially if it alters movement patterns
- Overuse of a joint, such as performing repetitive motions during work or recreation
Symptoms of Bursitis: When the bursae are irritated, fluid collects at the site and causes swelling, redness and/or warmth. The area hurts consistently, but pain can increase when the affected joint moves or someone puts pressure on it.
Diagnosis of Bursitis: Your provider will start the process of diagnosing bursitis by asking about your medical history, including any chronic conditions or allergies you may have, the medications you take, and the nature of your symptoms and what you’ve done to treat them. The provider will conduct a physical exam, taking care to scrutinize your joints for swelling and other signs of bursitis. Other useful diagnostic tests include:
- Blood tests. Rarely, a bacterial infection can cause bursitis. Blood tests can determine whether an infection is present.
- Fluid samples. A sample of fluid from a swollen joint can reveal infection.
- Imaging studies. X-rays can rule out or reveal bone problems that could be causing your symptoms. An MRI or ultrasound can show inflammation of the bursae.
Treatment for Bursitis: Your provider may recommend rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) as an initial treatment for bursitis, and you may receive an antibiotic if an infection is the cause. If the RICE method doesn’t provide pain relief, other treatment options include:
- Bracing
- Corticosteroid injections
- Draining fluid from affected joints
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain-reliving medications
- Physical therapy
- Splinting
If other treatments do not work, surgery may be necessary to repair damage in affected joints.
Gout
Gout is a common, highly painful form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in the joints, often starting in the big toe. Uric acid is formed by the breakdown of purines, which are organic compounds found in soft tissues and certain foods. When there’s too much uric acid in your blood, it can collect as crystals in the joints. Gout alternates between periods of symptom flares and remission, with weeks to years separating the two. This condition has no cure, but medications can relieve symptoms and lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of flares.
Risk Factors for Gout: Men are much more likely than women to develop gout. Factors that can increase your risk include:
Diet of significant red meat, liver, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines, scallops, mussels and other purine-rich foods Family history of gout Alcohol consumption Congestive heart failure Diabetes High blood pressure | Insulin resistance Obesity Organ transplantation Reduced kidney function Use of aspirin/drugs with salicylate Use of diuretics Use of levodopa and cyclosporine Use of the vitamin niacin |
Symptoms of Gout: Gout can affect any joint, but it’s more common in the toes, ankle and knee. The condition rarely affects more than one joint at once. During flares, an affected joint may be painful, stiff and swollen, as well as red and warm to the touch.
Diagnosis of Gout: Your provider will ask about other medical conditions you may have and the medications you take. Be prepared to provide detailed information about your symptoms, including which joint is affected, what the pain feels like, when it began and how long it’s been going on.
- Physical exam. The provider will examine the affected joint signs of gout, such as swelling and heat.
- Imaging tests. An X-ray, ultrasound or MRI allows the provider to assess the condition of the joint and rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
- Blood test. High levels of uric acid in your blood are a clue that gout may be present.
- Fluid sample. The provider may wish to draw fluid from the affected joint to look for uric acid crystals.
Treatment for Gout: Most treatments for gout involve lifestyle changes that can help keep patients in remission as long as possible. If you have gout, you should avoid alcohol and foods that are high in purines and fructose. Drinking plenty of water can lower uric acid levels in the blood, and low-impact physical activity contributes to weight loss and can reduce joint pain. Stress can fuel flares, so try to reduce stress levels. Medical options to relieve pain and swelling include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, oral or injectable corticosteroids, and colchicine.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation throughout your entire body. Symptoms may cycle through periods of improvements and flare ups — but the chronic disease is not curable. However, medications, lifestyle changes and careful monitoring with the help of our providers can help you get back to feeling close to normal.
Risk Factors for Lupus: No one yet knows what causes lupus, although genetic factors are thought to be a factor. Around 90% of people with lupus are female, and most develop the disease between ages 15 to 44. People who are African American, Asian-American, Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander are slightly more likely to develop the disease, as are people who have a close family member with lupus or a different autoimmune disease.
Symptoms of Lupus: There are many different symptoms of lupus, and they vary from person to person. Symptoms can also change as the disease evolves or worsens. Some of the most common symptoms are:
Arthritis or joint pain Chest pain Fatigue Fever | Hair loss Low blood cell count Mouth sores Muscle pain | Sensitivity to sun Swollen glands Rashes, often butterfly-shaped on the face |
Diagnosis of Lupus: After we evaluate your medical history and symptoms, they will order blood and urine tests, as poor kidney function can be another sign of lupus. The blood will be screened for specific antibodies. If you test positive for the antinuclear antibody — a test that helps identify autoimmune disorders — you will undergo additional bloodwork that can help diagnose lupus. Your provider may also order a tissue biopsy of your skin or your kidney.
Treatment for Lupus: There is no cure for lupus, and your treatment plan will likely change throughout the course of your life, as symptoms flare and subside. We will help you decide what medications and other medical care you might need. Common medications used in lupus treatment include corticosteroids and the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine. You may also need medications to treat heart or kidney problems that lupus can cause.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis literally means “porous bone.” This disease weakens bone density and mass, leading to fragile bones that can easily be broken in a fall. Over 53 million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis or are at high risk for developing it, but the disease can be prevented and treated in most cases.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis: Women are far more likely to get osteoporosis than men, especially white and Asian women, and women who have smaller frames. Older people are significantly more likely to develop the disease. Other risk factors include a family history of osteoporosis, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, low activity levels, a diet low in calcium and Vitamin D, and longtime use of some medications, including glucocorticoids. Some chronic diseases can also lead to bone loss.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis often has no external symptoms and is not discovered until a person has a sudden fracture. Some patients with osteoporosis in their vertebrae have back pain or develop a hunched back.
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis: A bone mineral density test is the first step toward an osteoporosis diagnosis, after a general physical exam. A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) test, which works much like a normal X-ray, can measure bone mineral density at various points across your body, like your thigh, your hip and your spine. If the DXA shows possible osteoporosis, your provider may order more bloodwork or other scans.
Treatment for Osteoporosis: Prevention of osteoporosis is the best treatment. A healthy diet with good amounts of calcium and Vitamin D, along with regular exercise and strength-training, can go a long way toward helping prevent osteoporosis for many people. Post-menopausal women at risk may also want to consider taking estrogen supplements.
For patients where osteoporosis has already developed, nutrition and exercise will be a part of treatment. Certain medications like bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen and other hormones may be prescribed. Fall prevention will also be important, especially for older patients, and orthopedic shoes, canes or shower stools could be recommended to help maintain safe mobility.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a common condition that puts wear and tear on the tendons — tissues in the body that connect muscles to bones. Any type of repetitive motion, including playing sports like tennis or bowling, playing an instrument, or working in a factory, can cause tendonitis.
Tennis elbow is one of the most common types of tendonitis. Golfers often experience a similar repetitive injury called “golfer’s elbow.” Achilles tendonitis, another form of tendonitis, is common among runners, and basketball players are familiar with jumper’s knee. Other types of tendonitis include biceps tendonitis and rotator cuff tendonitis.
Risk Factors for Tendonitis: From athletes to office workers, anyone who engages in any type of repetitive movement on a regular basis can get tendonitis. If you have diabetes, arthritis, gout, overactive or underactive thyroid, you also have an increased risk of tendonitis.
Symptoms of Tendonitis: The first signs of tendonitis are usually pain and tenderness where the tendon attaches to the bone. The pain, often a dull ache, is usually present when the joint is moved. Tendonitis can also cause mild swelling around the sore joint.
Diagnosis of Tendonitis: If you think you have tendonitis, talk to your provider. Your provider will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam, where you can describe your symptoms and they will evaluate the area. Tendonitis can usually be diagnosed just based on the provider’s exam. However, these additional tests may be performed:
- An MRI to see if the tendon is inflamed
- Injecting an anesthetic into the area to see if the pain diminishes.
- Testing to see if there’s an infection. This is done by taking fluid from the area.
- X-rays to see if there are other injuries or problems in the area
Treatment for Tendonitis: The frontline method for treating tendonitis is usually the RICE technique: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Medications, such as aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
If you have tendonitis, you can prevent it from getting worse by strengthening the area with stretching exercises and wearing a brace, band or splint on the injured area. Patients who experience more severe tendonitis may need an injection that contains a steroid called cortisone and a numbing medication. Physical therapy and surgery may be recommended for more severe cases.
Contact Us:
Central Maine Rheumatology
685 Sabattus St.
Lewiston, ME
207-784-1699
Palliative Care
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other providers to give an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. The palliative care team spends as much time as necessary communicating with both you and your family and supports you every step of the way.
Close Communication, clarifying your goals
The palliative care team will also spend time talking to you and listening. They will make sure you understand all of your treatment options and choices. By deeply exploring your personal goals, the palliative care team will help you match those goals and options. They will also make sure that all of your providers are coordinated and know and understand what you want. This gives you more control over your care.
Improves Quality of Life
Palliative care teams specialize in treating people suffering from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses such as cancer, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and many more. This type of care treats pain, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and any other symptoms that may be causing distress, with the goal of helping you to improve your quality of life.
Reference: Get Palliative Care, The Center to Advance Palliative Care, CAPC, What is Palliative Care, viewed November 2018, https://getpalliativecare.org/whatis/
Advance Directives
It is your right to determine your own care. Make decisions ahead of time about the care that you would want to receive should you become unable to speak for yourself. Learn more about Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning Resources.
Bereavement & Grief
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grieving is an individual process with no specific timetable. It takes as long as it takes to adjust to the changes in your life. Grief is a natural and normal response to change and loss. It ebbs and flows, triggered by reminders, dates, & anniversaries.
Changes that May Occur
- Emotional
- Shock and Denial
- Anger and Blame
- Guilt and Shame
- Sadness and Depression
- Withdrawal & Loneliness
- Hopelessness and Helplessness
- Physical
- Nausea
- Lack of Energy
- Changes in Sleeping & Eating Patterns
- Cognitive
- Difficulty Focusing, Working, Making Decisions
- Spiritual Challenges:
- Questioning of Ones’ Value, Meaning, Purpose in Life.
Coping With Loss
- Embracing and honoring your thoughts and emotions provides a pathway through the grief.
- Be gentle, kind and forgiving of yourself.
- Allow yourself the gift of time.
- Nurture and “Refill the Well” with reading, movies, travel…
- Eat well, exercise/move, and get adequate rest.
- The only way out is through the grief. Avoid alcohol/drugs to mask grief.
- Reach out for help. Seek out friends. Attend a support group.
- Talk about your loss. Honor the memories.
- Use creativity, art, music, writing to help express your feelings.
- One Step at a Time. Set attainable goals. Reclaim a routine in life.
- Make meaning of the loss.
- Find Hope in New Direction
Bereavement Resources
- Maine Grief Support Centers (listed by County) download PDF
- Psychology Today: search for a grief therapist in Maine by city or county
- Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Bereavement Group and Support
- Bereavement and Grief Support: a guide for family and friends through Dana Farber
- Advanced Care Planning
- Spiritual Support
- Palliative Care Resources: Getpattiliativecare.org
Our Services
How do I get palliative care? The best way is to ask your healthcare provider if Palliative Care might help you and ask for a referral. Our team sees patients both in the hospital, and in certain outpatient venues.
Inpatient Consults: If you are hospitalized with a serious problem, your provider can consult our team to be part of your care in the hospital.
Outpatient Visits: If you are a patient seeing a specialist in the following practices, you can ask your provider to refer you for a palliative care consult right there in that office. In the future, we hope to grow the number of outpatient locations that we can serve.