Lisa M. Cannon M.D

  For healthy people, getting quality sleep at night is already a challenge. For those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, the case is the same but much worse. Often marked with difficulty in breathing, coughing, and wheezing, the pain caused by COPD symptoms may prevent one from getting a good night's sleep. Image source: sclerodermanwes.com Every time symptoms persist, people are advised to consult with their doctor to receive proper treatment. According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., for those with COPD, side effects can wake one up at night, making it best for them to speak with their doctor before making any treatment adjustments. Sleeping can be tricky for the lungs, especially when the body isn't positioned properly. Slightly adjust one's sleeping position, with the head slightly higher than the body to prevent acid reflux. Image source: bioinfromant.com Anyone who seeks to have a quality sleep at night knows not to nap during the day. Naps longer th...

  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, ...

Many factors contribute to a good night's sleep. A person's diet, pre-existing health conditions, lifestyle habits, and even the environment can make or break a good shuteye. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., says that aside from these factors, allergens can usually affect the quality of a person's rest. Image source: Pixabay.com Image source: Pixabay.com While most consider ventilation and lighting as an important detail that contributes to a good sleep environment, the person's bed matters too. An old mattress can be a breeding ground for bacteria and trigger allergies. Despite covering it with beddings, these unseen elements can cause harm that can go unnoticed. It could cause interrupted sleep that can interfere with a person's condition during the day. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., notes that dust mites are a common allergy trigger in the bedroom. These microscopic allergens irritate the nasal passages that can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, and even ski...

There are many reasons why a person’s sleep cycle can be disrupted. Work shifts, time zone changes, and weather changes can lead to an erratic schedule. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., explains that to keep up with a healthy circadian rhythm, one must build up healthy habits that will allow the body to rest and wake at the most suitable time. Here are some tips for retuning the body’s sleep cycle. Image source: Verywellhealth.com   Image source: Pixabay.com Tweak the body’s sleep schedule bit by bit According to sleep experts, attempting to sleep an hour earlier than what the body has gotten used to might lead to more frustration. Starting the change by sleeping 15 minutes earlier might be easier to accomplish. For those who want to make long-term changes can add 15 more minutes every two or three days until their body gets used to sleeping at their desired time. Avoid naps Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., suggests skipping naps if one feels tired during midday. Some pe...

Image source: Everydayhealth.com Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 2,000 people. It causes excessive daytime sleepiness that can lead a person to fall asleep suddenly, even while doing other activities. According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., individuals need to consult with a sleep medicine specialist for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Aside from excessive daytime sleepiness, people with narcolepsy may sometimes experience cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, interrupted nighttime sleep, or even insomnia. Unlike others, those who have narcolepsy fall into the REM sleep within 15 minutes compared to the usual 60 to 90-minute interval. The disorder can be classified into two categories: Type 1 (with cataplexy) or Type 2 (without cataplexy). Those who have cataplexy may sometimes experience the sudden loss of voluntary muscle control due to strong emotions. This symptom may sometimes be misdiagnosed as a seizure. However, the difference b...

Image source: advancedcardiosleep.com As an expert in the subject matter with years of experience, Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., notes that many factors affect the longevity and quality of a person’s sleep. One of the most overlooked of which is the bedroom. To get that eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, the state of the bedroom plays a crucial role. On that note, Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., shares three essential tips on how to arrange the bedroom to be more sleep conducive. On the bed : The key fixture in the bedroom, of course, is the bed. A good mattress will do wonders for a person’s sleep. It should be comfortable enough to sleep in. Any bed that’s too hard, too soft, or lumpy, will only cause a person to toss and turn. Image source: runtastic.com On neatness : Generally, the bedroom is the ultimate place for rest and relaxation in a person’s home. As such, it should be as neat as can be. Avoid setting up the home office in the bedroom as it takes away the very ess...

One way for people to keep themselves healthy is to get regular good night’s sleep. And just like everyone else, children need a good night’s sleep to stay healthy. Parents know all too well just how much energy children expend throughout their day, which is why sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise.  According to Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., aside from affecting their physical health, when a child experiences inadequate or irregular sleep, they have higher risk of developing mental health problems (such as depression, anxiety, and moodiness) as well. The same has also been observed in many trials on adults. So as one can see, lack of a schedule conducive to quality sleep in children may have grave psychological and emotional implications later in life. For these and many other reasons, parents need to be vigilant and diligent with their children when it comes to sleep time. Parents also have to be observant, especially if they sense something not quite in place with the...