Posted on

Effects of daylight savings time on sleep

Daylight Savings Time is upon us and Sleep Awareness Week is here, but your sleep problems may have stuck around after springing ahead into the next season. It may seem antiquated in the 2020s, as much of the country follows Daylight Savings Time to increase productivity in the sunlight, but until it’s gone, you are going to have to get used to it.

Your sleep cycle is essential to maintain, which is why we make sure that all of our patients can get their rest. An adult should get roughly 7 or more hours per night, according to the CDC, and that number is increased for children and teens based on your child’s age. Your circadian rhythm is vital to the overall restfulness you feel throughout the day – when you have abused it too much due to work, stress, or various other problems, it can take time to get yourself back on track.

Before you visit our facility, we recommend taking our sleep health quiz, which can indicate what type of sleeping disorders you may have. It is not a substitute for a diagnosis, but it can be a first step in determining what to talk about with your doctor before being treated for sleep disorders.

If you’re not sleeping well enough…

You may be dealing with insomnia, which can be caused by stress, mental health disorders, or various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea (which wakes you up in the middle of the night).

DOCS Medical Group offers a number of sleep tests that can be administered to you by our board-certified health professionals.

These tests include:

  • The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) – A test to measure your ability to stay awake throughout the day, with various sensors used to measure activity in your brain. You work to stay awake as long as you can for up to 40 minutes.
  • The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) – This test measures sleep latency. We believe that the sleepier a person is, the faster they fall asleep. This test can be helpful to determine how tired you are and whether your physical tiredness could be legitimate narcolepsy.
  • PAP-NAP Test – A test used to determine the comfort of a CPAP machine and its overall effectiveness in treating the breathing disorders that disrupt sleep.

We care about our clients’ health first. We highly recommend taking one of these tests if you think you have a clinical sleeping disorder. But if you are not comfortable taking a sleeping test quite yet, here are a few strategies you can use at home:

  • Avoid drugs and alcohol before bed – we elaborate on this later in the “If you’re sleeping too much” category.
  • Reach out to a psychiatrist or therapist if you are plagued with nightmares from mental health conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Make sure to have a set time for bed, putting away all electronics 15 minutes before it’s time to sleep – this may have been impacted by Daylight Savings Time, but one night of adjustable sleep should not have a lasting impact on your sleep health as long as you consistently keep that same bedtime.
  • Create the ideal environment for sleep as you see fit. Typically this involves cool air in the room, darkened curtains to block out sunlight until you wake up and open them, and more. If you’re more comfortable with tweaking these steps, that is perfectly up to you!

If you’re sleeping too much…

You may be dealing with hypersomnia, which can be caused by poor health, various sleep disorders, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and clinical depression.

Here are a few tips and tricks to avoid hypersomnia, according to The Sleep Foundation:

  • Get treatment for your mental health problems, and get to the root of your issues with a psychiatrist or psychologist.
  • Take steps to treat your sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea with the sleep tests listed above. Sleep apnea may cause you to nap throughout the day to catch up on sleep, while narcolepsy is a clinical condition where you may fall asleep regardless of tiredness.
  • Avoid alcohol or drugs before bed – while this may allow you to sleep, you are most likely not getting proper REM sleep if you are using illicit substances to fall asleep at night.

When you just can’t figure out what’s causing your sleep problems…

Even after you’ve taken our sleep quiz, you may be apprehensive about getting treatment for a sleep disorder. It can be embarrassing for some people to be studied when they can be incredibly vulnerable, and trying new strategies to sleep may take some time before something sticks.

Reach out to DOCS Medical Care if you are experiencing insomnia, hypersomnia, or overall restless sleep. Our primary care physicians will talk to you to determine the root cause of your issues and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

You can walk into any of our Urgent Care or Medical Care facilities to see a specialist that is right for you. Walk in or set up an appointment to get treatment for your sleep problems today! Most insurances are accepted.

Posted on

Why is Sleep Important for Our Health?

As work, friends and life stresses can make us neglect our sleep, it’s more imperative than ever to keep yourself on a good sleep routine. But why do we need it?

Sleep, in the modern age, can almost be an afterthought. In “hustle culture,” the lack of it can almost be championed in some circles. The point of sleep is to recharge your batteries and function more healthily throughout the day. Rest will give you the clarity you need to solve life’s hardest problems, and the strength to physically endure life’s stressors calmly.

The mental and physical health benefits to getting a “good” night’s sleep varies as people get older – some people can function okay with 6 hours, others may require 10. Generally, the sweet spot to aim for is 7-9 hours of sleep. At DOCS Urgent Care, we stress the importance of sleep to all of our clients, and our doctors are able to conduct a sleep study to help you. Sleep is necessary for every human being.

Mental Health: Functioning On Lack of Sleep

Have you ever “woken up on the wrong side of the bed?” Have you lashed out at people or were less willing to tolerate little grievances due to lack of sleep?

General crankiness is one of the most common signs that you are not sleeping well. This anger or impatience can seep through the little cracks of your brain throughout your day. This can lead to serious consequences when you’re at work, with your family, or in the car.

Mental health symptoms of insomnia may include:

  • Irritability
  • Lack of focus or concentration

Of course, the benefits of sleep don’t just end there. Sleep can help you to better manage mental health problems you may be living with. When your brain is sleep deprived, you may not be able to cope as effectively with obstacles throughout your day.

Sleep can help with the following mental health conditions:

  • Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, etc.)
  • Depression (including major depressive disorder and dysthymia)*
  • Bipolar disorder 1 and 2

*Depression can actually lead to too much sleep – keep an eye on how much rest you’re really getting and find ways to get yourself out of bed. If this is too much of a struggle for you, reach out to us through Telemedicine and we will get to work developing a plan on how to deal with your depression and get your sleep back on track.

Physical Health: Rest Is Important for the Body

Sleep can be rejuvenating for the body, not just for the mind. Your body needs restful sleep, otherwise it risks developing lifelong conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity.

Physical symptoms of lack of sleep include:

  • Tension headaches
  • Struggling to stay awake during the day (at work, while driving, etc.)
  • Constantly yawning
  • Reliance on caffeine to get through the day

Caffeine in particular is a popular method for people who are struggling to stay awake to get that ‘kick’, which can lead to caffeine dependence. Having a caffeine dependence has its own set of problems such as jitteriness and headaches when you do not have access to it.

It can be tempting to use alcohol, marijuana or other drugs to “make” yourself fall asleep, but without the REM sleep you get from clean and sober sleep, you will have more memory problems overall. We cannot stress this enough: do not use drugs or alcohol to help yourself fall asleep. It will only cause problems in the long run.

According to the Harvard Medical Journal, “When we are sleep deprived, our focus, attention, and vigilance drift, making it more difficult to receive information. Without adequate sleep and rest, overworked neurons can no longer function to coordinate information properly, and we lose our ability to access previously learned information.”

The Overall Healthier You

When the body and mind are properly rested, you are able to handle the stresses of life more effectively, which leads to healthier choices in your life overall. You won’t need sugary foods to keep you awake for quick energy, and can focus on maintaining a healthy diet. Your mind won’t be overwhelmed with feelings of sleepiness, so you can better handle your daily activities and anxieties that come with disorders such as GAD, OCD and PTSD.

When a person gets the sleep they need, they become the healthiest version of themselves.

There are a few ways to clean up your “sleep hygiene,” such as:

  • Limiting naps to 20 minutes per day, to avoid grogginess overall (fight the urge to make it last as long as possible)
  • Prioritizing sleep and making sure you stick to a sleep schedule daily
  • Sleeping in a room that is 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit, in a dark environment
  • Turning off blue-light 15-30 minutes before bed, so your brain is less likely to stay awake
  • Limiting the use of drugs or alcohol to induce sleep, as it may reduce the use of REM sleep overall

At DOCS Medical Group, we take pride in helping our clients and patients get the rest they need to lead healthy lives. We can set up a sleep study especially for you and can recommend sleep clinics in the area that can help you deal with the problem. No matter why you’re suffering from restless sleep or insomnia, we’re here for you.

Give us a call today or walk-in to one of our DOCS Urgent Care facilities to talk to one of our physicians. We look forward to speaking with you.

Posted on

Understanding Winter Allergies, Their Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Winter allergies are every bit the same as typical seasonal allergies with the primary difference being the obvious fact that the weather is harsher and much colder.  With the presence of the colder weather, people are more apt to spend a great deal more time indoors thereby exposing themselves to the many indoor allergens present.   There are a variety of indoor allergens that can activate winter allergies with some of the most common being:

  • Dust mites
  • Airborne dust particles
  • Mold spores
  • Pet dander

As is always the case with allergens, the best way to relieve symptoms is to take necessary preventive measures.  The team of highly skilled and experienced allergists and doctors here at DOCS Urgent Care wants to share some important insight on what indoor allergens to beware of, the symptoms they may present with, and steps you can take to both prevent and treat allergy symptoms.  We also want to share data on how individuals can identify the difference between winter allergies and the common cold. 

Indoor Allergens to Be on The Lookout For

There are a number of indoor allergens that can activate symptoms during the brisk winter months, especially if you find yourself spending more time indoors because of the winter weather conditions. 

  • Dust mites live in damp, warm atmospheres.  During the winter months they get into the bedding and carpets and their presence worsens because of the excessive use of heat in the winter months.

 

  • Pet dander from cats and dogs tends to stick to carpets, indoor surfaces and beds more so in the winter months because your pets tend to spend much more time indoors in your living space throughout the winter months.

 

  • Mold spores hide within and grow in moist areas of the home such as the basement and bathrooms.  The damp winter weather can easily enhance the growth of mold spores as well as the use of humidifiers and the presence of leaking faucets or plumbing pipes. 

 

  • Airborne dust particles are typically generated through the heating system in your home.  The dust particles live in the ductwork and ventilation system and are transmitted into your living space by way of your heating system.  It is important that you change out the filter on your heating system regularly to avoid spreading airborne dust particles throughout your home.  

Winter Allergy Symptoms

The most common allergy symptoms including, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Itchy eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Dry cough
  • Fever
  • Itchy throat
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Itchy ears
  • Lack of energy and strength
  • Feeling sick all over
  • Exhaustion
  • Wheezing

Know the Difference Between Allergies and The Common Cold

Often times people mistaken allergies for the common cold and vice versa.  Colds are typically the result of a virus that is spread to an individual from someone who has been previously infected with the cold.  Colds will end once your body is able to fight off the source of infection.  Colds can last from several days to a couple of weeks and can happen at any time during the year.  The onset of symptoms will appear a mere few days after an individual has been infected.  Colds will typically cause body aches, fevers, coughs, runny noses and a sore throat. 

Allergies, on the other hand, are the result of your own body releasing histamine that causes an inflammatory response to irritants or other forms of allergens that make their way into your respiratory tract.  The symptoms will not be alleviated until such time you stop breathing in the irritants or allergens causing the allergy symptoms.  Allergies can last several days to several months and can happen at any time of the year including the winter months.  Symptoms are quick to appear once an individual is exposed to the allergens, but present with no body aches or fever.  Allergies do, however, present with cough, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes and stuffiness.  Both allergies and the common cold can certainly cause a great deal of discomfort to those affected and depending upon how long they last can cause many physical challenges.

Treatments for Allergies

Individuals can easily treat their allergy symptoms at home with over-the-counter allergy medications that provide relief from symptoms almost immediately.  Our team of specialists can help you choose the right OTC medication to fight your allergy symptoms.  Further treatment options include a nasal irrigation treatment that consists of distilled water that is passed through your nasal passage to clear away annoying allergens.  Additionally, many people choose to use nasal sprays which help to relieve the runny nose symptoms and even the inflammation.  Finally, if all else fails, the team of allergy specialists here at DOCS highly recommends getting an allergy shot.  If you suffer with severe, ongoing symptoms, be sure to contact one of our allergy specialists and schedule your allergy shot.  Allergy shots help to build up your immunity to the allergens causing your severe symptoms and prove to provide much needed comfort.

Prevention

The best means of prevention is to simply minimize your overall exposure to those indoor allergens that frequent during the winter months.  The team of allergists here at DOCS Urgent Care recommends the following to aid in the prevention of winter allergies.

  • Use specialized bedding in order to keep dust mites away during the cold months. 
  • Be sure to regularly wash clothes and bedding in warm water to reduce any build up of dust mites or dander in your living space. 
  • Practice using a dehumidifier during the cold weather months to reduce the amount of moisture in the indoor air of your home. 
  • Vacuum regularly to remove any allergens from the surfaces in your home.  
  • Be sure to remove any mold buildup by using bleach and water. 
  • Identify any plumbing leaks and fix them to avoid moisture buildup from occurring. 
  • Try to minimize the amount of time your pets spend in your specialized areas such as the living room and bedroom.  Try to have your pets spend quality time outdoors.

The Professionals You Can Trust

The team of highly skilled and experienced allergists and specialists here at DOCS Urgent Care is steadfast in their commitment to provide the highest quality, comprehensive allergy treatments to all our valued patients.  Our team strives to deliver treatment options that are specific to the individual needs of patients and help patients to be able to minimize, prevent and treat winter allergy symptoms and be able to enjoy a more comfortable and healthy day to day living.  We strive to make a difference in the lives of our patients by providing effective treatment options to alleviate uncomfortable allergy symptoms.  For more information about our allergists, our personalized treatment options or to schedule an appointment, reach out to one of our dedicated allergy staff members today!

Posted on

Tips for Preventing the Common Cold this Winter

As the winter months are upon us, it is important to take these actions to help prevent yourself from catching the common cold this season. 

Among the many ways to help prevent getting a cold, the most important is to wash your hands regularly. By washing your hands often, you are destroying bugs that you can pick up from touching surfaces that are touched or used by other people that could have potentially being carrying a bug. Light switches and door handles are the areas in an office or school that are touched the most and you should pay careful attention to hand washing after coming in contact with them and other surfaces. Here is a helpful article explaining how to appropriately wash your hands. 

It is also vital that you keep your house and any household items such as cups, glasses, and towels clean, especially if someone in your house has been ill. 

Unsure if you have the common cold or something more serious? Here are some of the symptoms of the common cold can include:

  • Blocked or runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Headaches
  • Muscle aches 
  • Coughs 
  • Sneezing
  • Raised temperature 
  • Pressure in your ears and face 
  • Loss of taste and smell 

Treating a cold usually includes some at home-remedies or medications from your local pharmacist. Rest and sleep are very important to getting over a cold as well as drinking plenty of water and fluids such as fruit juice. Home-remedies to relieve any discomfort can include gargling with salt water for sore throat relief, hot tea with honey and lemon for congestion relief, and layers of clothing to help stay warm while fighting off a cold. 

Your local pharmacist can help you find cold medicines to help any symptoms of your cold. There are many types of decongestant sprays or tablets as well as lower the temperature you may have by taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. 

There is also evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic can help prevent colds or speed up the recovery process. 

If your symptoms do not get better after a few days, it is time to see your primary care physician for further diagnosis and treatments. 

Posted on

When and Why Should I Visit Urgent Care?

Hundreds of millions of Americans use Emergency Rooms every year, often for simple injuries and illnesses. If these Americans knew about urgent cares then many of these unnecessary visits could have been prevented, clearing up hospitals and saving each patient hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Why Should You Use Urgent Care?

There are two main reasons you should use urgent care over the emergency room when there is not a medical emergency.

Cost

Emergency Room visits are not cheap. According to a 2013 National Institute of Health Study the median cost of a visit is $1,233 but some other estimates put it closer to $2,000.

Urgent care visits are far more affordable. A visit to urgent care ranges from $50 to $200 on average, varying slightly based on insurance and the type of treatment. Outside of life threatening situations urgent care is always the more inexpensive option.

Time

Urgent care visits are also quicker and rarely last much longer than an hour. Often they can even be less than 30 minutes. Since emergency rooms focus on treating critical patients first the average time of a visit is around 2 hours. The wait for an emergency room can be quite long if your need is not immediate.

When Should You Visit The Emergency Room?

Why would you ever visit the emergency room if urgent care is so much faster and more affordable?

While urgent care is indeed the best option in many circumstances, in a dedicated emergency an Emergency Room will still be the superior option as they are fully equipped to handle dire injuries and illnesses.

If you have received injuries that are potentially life threatening or have symptoms that could indicate a potentially life threatening disease, you should always visit the Emergency Room and call 911 if necessary.

Symptoms That May Require An Emergency Room Visit

While it is impossible to account for every situation and illness, here are some symptoms that might require a visit to the ER:

*Intense chest pain

*Severe abdominal pain

*Wheezing, shortness of breath, or any other difficulty breathing

*Paralysis

*Intestinal bleeding

*High fevers or rash, particularly in children

*Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy

*Repeated vomiting

*Poisoning

*Severe injuries to the head or eyes

*Allergic reactions

*Unconsciousness

When Should You Use Urgent Care?

Urgent cares arose as a way for patients to receive treatment outside of the normal hours of their doctor’s office without visiting the emergency room. Therefore, any issue that your primary care doctor could address can probably be dealt with by an urgent care as well. If your issue is not life threatening then urgent care is normally the best and most affordable option.

Symptoms That Can Be Addressed By Urgent Care

Cases where you might want to use urgent care include:

*Fevers (without a rash) and the symptoms of flu or cold

*Ear Pain

*Painful Urination

*Persistent diarrhea

*Sore throat

*Vomiting

*Minor injuries such as a common sprain or shallow cut

What Should You Do?

In the case of life threatening emergencies the emergency room is where you should go. However, urgent care is a quicker, cheaper, and just as effective solution in almost all other circumstances.

At Docs Urgent Care we pride ourselves on our ability to offer the treatment and services that you need at an affordable price. If you want to know more call us at (203) 617-0319.

Posted on

Natural Solutions For Seasonal Allergies

As spring begins, unfortunately so does allergy season. Testing for what kind of allergies you have and seeking treatment is your best option to manage your allergies all together.

For people with mild allergies these remedies can give you some quick relief. Here are a few tips on how to suppress seasonal allergy symptoms.

Stay Hydrated

Seasonal allergies put a strain on your body’s ability to stay hydrated. If you keep up with the proper amount of water every day, then your body can react better to your allergens and fight them off. By staying hydrated, you’re essentially thinning out the mucus in your nasal passages and helping with sinus drainage. If you cut down on other fluids such as juice, soda, and coffee it will be very beneficial to your health.

Get Steamy

Allergies can make it difficult to breathe from all the congestion you’re experiencing. Inhaling steam is a simple trick to help you breathe easier. Taking a hot shower or holding your head over a warm bowl of water will definitely give you some fast relief. Showers also offer an added benefit for springtime allergy sufferers. A quick rinse after spending time outdoors can help remove allergens from your skin and hair.

Probiotics

Probiotics or “good bacteria” can help relieve your allergies by breaking down food for digestion. The purpose of taking a probiotic is to to help you contain a healthy gut. When our bodies take in this healthy bacterium, we’re able to develop a healthy immune system which is vital to the prevention and treatment of allergies.

Add More To Your Fiber

Fiber has many health benefits because it works as an all-natural detox. It helps eliminate toxins from your body. Fiber can help food passing regularly through the digestive system. Also, increasing your daily intake of grains and vegetables improves detoxification and helps to prevent chronic disease later on in life.

Exercise Daily

Allergies often bring out congestion and sinus pressure. When you exercise, you’re naturally smoothing your body by helping to open the blood vessels in your nose and easing your congestion. Honestly, sweating is one of the best ways to exert toxins. Exercise will also help improve sleep quality, stamina, and mood—even when all that sniffling and sneezing has you drained.

Honey

Believe it or not eating honey produced in your local area can help relieve allergies. Taking a tablespoon of local, raw honey every day will help your body build a tolerance to the local pollen that is attacking your sinuses. The main reason honey is so powerful in fighting allergies is because it contains bee pollen, which is known to fight off infections, allergies and boost your immune system.

Get Allergy Tested Today

It’s important to know the safest way to fight your allergies is to get properly tested and figure out a treatment plan that works best for you. DOCS allergy test can provide a service to help you with your allergies such as allergy shots(immunotherapy). This is an effective treatment for a broad range of allergens. Call us today to schedule your appointment. In the meantime, use these quick tricks to give you some relief!