Lisa M. Cannon M.D

  As countries around the world eagerly await the inoculation of their citizens from any of the COVID-19 vaccines out there, governments still urge everyone to wear face masks and follow social distancing protocols in order to manage the current outbreak. Over time, we have seen different types of face mask products in markets, online ads, and on TV. According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., the type of mask you wear does impact the chances of you contracting the disease. Image source: wsj.com Let’s begin with the most common mask used around the world, the medical mask. Cheap but disposable, medical masks were previously used in medical situations inside a hospital or clinic. But today, they are one of the top choices for face mask users. While it is resistant to fluid and provides wearers protection from large bacterial droplets, it is very constricting. It wasn’t designed for prolonged use so it can get uncomfortable. Image source: the-scientist.com The N95 mask is conside...

  Many people struggle with sleep. And when sleep is compromised, many activities throughout the day are almost impossible to complete. For an individual to truly focus on their tasks and be present, good quality sleep is needed. On this blog post, Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., shares a few ways to positive sleeping habits. Image source: amerisleep.com Sleep and wake at same times . Confusing the body with different wake and sleep times offers no benefit to a person’s body clock. An erratic sleep schedule prevents one from getting proper rest. Say no to long and irregular naps . While power naps can enhance alertness throughout the day, naps that take a bit longer can disturb one’s body clock. Keep naps under thirty minutes for better daytime brain function. Quit the caffeine after 3pm . Consuming caffeine six to eight hours before going to bed messes up sleep as caffeine stimulates the nervous system and can prevent the body from relaxing naturally come nighttime. Take in s...

  As many people are still working from home and limiting their time outdoors, some suffer from erratic sleep patterns. Sleep medicine expert Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., shares more tips to help people get better sleep quality.  Image source: Unsplash.com Don't associate the bedroom with sleeplessness Sleep experts advise that the bed should be used only for rest and sex. If a person is unable to sleep for at least 20 minutes at the start of their bedtime, specialists like Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., suggest doing a relaxing activity in low light. Thinking about falling asleep might also cause anxiety, so it's best to try not to be conscious of the time but focus on feeling relaxed. Keep a sleep journal When trying new sleep-inducing methods, it is best to write about them in a sleep journal. This will allow one to see if these strategies are being helpful. Other experts meanwhile suggest writing worries and other thoughts down in a journal before bedtime. Lisa M. Cannon, ...

  Experts recommend adults to clock in seven to nine hours of sleep a night, which seems impossible to many given the tasks they need to accomplish in a day. While a struggle to many, getting to bed early and sleeping for the required number of hours can do wonders for one's health. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., shares a few tips on how to sleep early.  Image source: thestir.cafemom.com As much as possible, expend energy during daytime . Tiring oneself out from physical exercise offers better chances of getting to bed earlier. However, exercising too close to bedtime increases body temperature, stimulates the brain, and increases adrenaline levels, which may cause one to feel wide awake in the middle of the night. Break a sweat not later than six in the evening to get quality sleep at night.  Image source: thenewdaily.au Develop a nightly bedtime routine . Avoid thinking about going to sleep five minutes before the desired time. Start the routine an hour before the targe...

Image source: health.harvard.edu Most people do not perceive pneumonia as a deadly disease, but statistics prove otherwise. Often, pneumonia can be the complication that pushes a patient to the limit. According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., pneumonia can introduce complications that can be hard to spot but produce deadly effects. Here are some examples of these complications. Septic shock : Bacteria-caused pneumonia can sometimes enter the bloodstream, especially if treatments were ignored. This condition is called Bacteremia, which can lead to septic shock. Septic shock occurs as a reaction to an infection in the blood, which causes a person’s blood pressure to drop down to dangerous levels. It can starve a person’s organs of blood and force them to stop functioning altogether. Kidney failure : When a person’s kidneys don’t get enough blood, it can lead to kidney failure. Bacteremia or septic shock can cause this as it could prevent a person’s heart from pumping enough b...