Loading Page
Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP is a nurse in Baltimore, MD specializing in pediatrics (child & adolescent medicine). Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP is affiliated with MedStar Health.
MedStar Health
Heart Problems
The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.
Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.
Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.
Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.
Lung Issues
Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.
Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.
COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.
Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.
Sleep Study
A sleep study reveals important insights about a patient's sleep patterns by measuring brain activity, breathing, and movement. There are five types of sleep studies: a polysomnogram, titration sleep study, split night sleep study, multiple sleep latency test, and at-home sleep study. Sleep studies may help identify conditions such as:
The most widely performed sleep test is the traditional polysomnogram (PSG). This test is typically used to determine whether patients have sleep apnea (lapses in breathing while asleep). Polysomnograms are conducted overnight in a specialized sleep clinic or sleep center, where a patient enters the sleep center and is assigned to a room with a bed, medical equipment, and monitoring system. An overnight sleep technician attaches electrodes to the patient's head, chest, and legs. This application process lasts for around an hour. A sleep technician watches and evaluates the patient as they sleep. Objects such as a comfortable pillow from home, toiletries, and small personal items may be helpful in easing patients into sleep in unfamiliar surroundings.
Patients receive their physician-interpreted sleep study results within a few weeks of the test. If sleep apnea is detected, patients may be asked to return for a titration sleep study. A titration study involves the same procedures and electrode placement of a polysomnogram, but also includes a mask attached to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The CPAP machine brings pressurized air to the patient. The technician may monitor and adjust the CPAP's air pressure throughout the night. The purpose of a titration study is to determine the appropriate air pressure for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (blocked upper airway).
A split night study combines the polysomnogram and titration sleep studies into two sessions on the same night. Split night studies enable patients to complete both studies quickly instead of waiting weeks in between tests and may expedite the interpretation of results and treatment.
Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) measures how fast someone is able to fall asleep. Unlike other sleep tests, this test is performed during the day. It may take place after an overnight sleep study. The MSLT test monitors napping and potential for daytime sleepiness and exhaustion.
At-home sleep tests are fully conducted by patients in their own homes. Patients attach fewer electrodes, a breathing sensor, a microphone, and a data collection device to themselves and sleep in their own beds. The following morning, patients gather the data collection device and return it to their medical providers. While at-home sleep tests are convenient, they are not recommended for patients with severe sleep problems. At-home sleep tests are less precise than clinical tests and do not measure brain activity.
Sleep studies are essential to helping patients receive accurate sleep disorder diagnoses and proper treatment. A sleep study can be the first step towards higher quality sleep and physical health.
She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, Pediatrics and has a state license in Pennsylvania.
Board Certification: Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, Pediatrics
Licensed In: Pennsylvania
Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP appears to accept the following insurance providers: MultiPlan, Optimum Choice, Optima Health, MAMSI, Magellan Health Services, United Healthcare Choice Plus, United Healthcare Choice, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Anthem, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, Aetna Medicare PFFS, CIGNA Indemnity, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, Coventry National Network PPO, Highmark, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Sentara Health Plans, WellPoint, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, CIGNA PPO Plus, HealthyBlue PPO, Aetna Premier 200PD, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), M.D. IPA Preferred (POS), CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, IH-PPO, Aetna Advantage 6350PD, DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans, CareFirst EPO, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, Optimum Choice Preferred (POS), OCI Direct (HMO), Medicare Direct, Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans, Aetna Open Choice (PPO), OA Plus, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, IH-Network Only Plus, IH-POS, Aetna Classic 5000, Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA, CareFirst Community Health Plan of Maryland, Healthy Blue (HMO, POS), IH-POS Plus, Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA, CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Choice POS II, CareFirst Blue Card Program, Choice Fund PPO, IH-EPO Plus, Aetna VA Exchange, Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS), Aetna Better Health of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced, Aetna Worker's Compensation Network, Options PPO Cardiac Global, Uniformed Services Family Health Plan, Aetna Advantage 5750, IH-Open HMO Option, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, Aetna Basic, CareFirst FEP Blue Focus, Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, IH-Open EPO Plus, IH-Open POS Plus, Core Essential (HMO), Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO, Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network, MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global, CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO, Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS), IH-Open HMO, Aetna Advantage 6350, M.D. IPA (HMO), Erickson Advantage Plans, Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund), POS OA, Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS), IH-Open POS II, Aetna Classic 5000PD, Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO, CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Aetna Student Health Insurance, Private Health Care Systems (PPO), Choice POS, Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account, IH-Indemnity, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO), United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, IH-HMO, IH-Open Network Only Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO), Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO, Medicare FFS, Maryland Physicians Care MCO, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, Advantra Platinum (PPO), Aetna Better Health of Maryland, BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage), Employee Health Plan, Choice POS II Open Access, Navigate, Police and Fire Clinic, Network OA, Aetna Classic 3500 and CareFirst MedStar Select PPO.
According to our sources, Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP accepts the following insurance providers:
Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 187 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Wynnona Engle-Pratt, CRNP from all over the web to help you find the right in Baltimore, MD.
Areas of expertise for Ms. Wynnona Engle-Pratt include depression, ear pain, and elbow pain. Ms. Engle-Pratt's patients gave her an average rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). She is in-network for several insurance carriers, including Blue California, Coventry, and Coventry Health Care Plans. She is affiliated with MedStar Health. According to Doctor.com, new patients are welcome to contact Ms. Engle-Pratt's office in Baltimore, MD.
