Sleep is important for our overall health, it allows our body and mind to recharge. The amount of sleep that we need changes throughout our lifetime. The National Sleep Foundation has established guidelines for how much sleep babies, toddlers, adolescents and adults should sleep. These are the suggested total sleep requirements by the National Sleep Foundation:
In my family medicine practice, I often see patients that have trouble sleeping. Particularly difficulty falling asleep. In medicine, this is known as “initial insomnia”. I recommend a proper sleep hygiene routine to all my patients that are suffering from poor quality sleep. But I also talk with them about relaxation techniques for sleep. Trouble
In my family medicine practice, I often have patients come in with signs and symptoms of anxiety. They often ask “why do I feel anxious?” The truth is that anxiety, in part, is a normal human phenomenon. Everybody experiences anxiety to some extent. Anxiety is produced primarily in the brain, but because the brain is
When consumed in moderation, caffeine is safe and even has some health benefits. But because caffeine is psychoactive, the brain can develop a tolerance and physiological dependence in some people who consume large amounts. Current medical evidence supports that caffeine withdrawal symptoms can occur when stopping the use of caffeine after heavy and prolonged use. Cutting back or stopping
In my medical practice, I often have patients wondering if they have anxiety. I also have many patients that come with a variety of symptoms, whom are surprised to find that the cause of these symptoms are sometimes signs of anxiety. Anxiety is a normal human phenomenon that everybody experiences, but some people experience anxiety
Every year in December when the first signs of Christmas arise, the minds of many people fill with excitement, warmth and anticipation. Daydreams about festive activities, recipes to try, decorating, new family traditions, connecting with loved ones, & smiles. Images of family opening gifts with appreciation around the tree after sitting at the table enjoying plates of
Anxiety can be a common experience among new parents. Some anxiety is normal and as long as it is not impairing your functioning and is short-lived, it is nothing to be alarmed by. Anxiety disorders on the other hand are ongoing, interfere with your quality of life and your functioning. Maternal mental health has been
The past three months have been stressful since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. As a result, many people have been struggling with sleep. One for the first things I discuss with people who struggle with sleep is their sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene is a set of actions prior to bedtime that tend to improve and maintain
During my medical training, I thought breastfeeding was as simple as holding your baby up to your breast and baby would naturally just feed. I didn’t realize how stressful breastfeeding could be until I became a mother. I struggled with breastfeeding my daughter Madi and supplemented with formula for the first few weeks. I felt
There are many changes that come with motherhood – body changes, sleep changes, relationship changes, identity changes, emotional changes, routine changes, & psychological changes. Having some challenges adjusting to the changes that come with pregnancy or with the arrival of a new baby is normal! But struggling significantly is a lot more common than most people realize.