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‘Remember me?’: Dealing with an Aging Family Member
Home for the holidays? Here are a few ways to recognize signs of mental health decline As comforting as it may be to go home for the holidays, it can also be jarring to notice changes in your aging parents or relatives, especially if you haven’t seen them in a while. But how can you…
Read MoreAddiction Recovery: 10 Ways to Get Through the Holidays Sober
From daily affirmations to laughter and volunteering, find ways to stay on track with your recovery Michael B. Moore, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist at the Inova Behavioral Health Outpatient Center at Merrifield. Francis Kulesa, MSW, is a behavioral health program therapist. With the holiday season approaching, we often have the opportunity to spend time…
Read MoreRock-A-Bye Baby: Calming Tips to Soothe a Fussy Baby
These soothing techniques will calm your fussy infant When your baby comes home from the hospital, there will be times when you just aren’t sure why this remarkable bundle of joy is crying. What’s all the fuss? Sometimes the reason for tears is a simple fix — change a dirty diaper or feed a hungry…
Read More9 Tips for Healthy Eating During the Holidays
Erin Lopynski, RD, is a registered dietitian at Inova Well. Chocolate, cookies, cocktails, endless appetizers — it can feel like the holiday season was designed to derail your healthy eating habits. But holiday festivities don’t have to lead to holiday weight gain. These tricks can help you enjoy the treats of the season without going…
Read MoreTips for Holiday Traveling: The Long Haul
Practice self-care on lengthy trips to avoid blood clots The winter holidays are frequently a time for visits to faraway destinations. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure though, it is important not to lose focus on your health. Long trips by car, train or plane can mean a lengthy period seated in the…
Read MoreWhen Tech is a Pain in the Neck
How to alleviate neck strain while using a computer and tech devices When it comes to using tech devices, many people are concerned about eye strain, and while that can be an issue, neck pain also tops the list for tech-related injuries. As the usage of smartphones and tablets increases — in 2018, about 2.7…
Read MorePre-Conception Nutrition
Amanda Schaffer, MS, RD is a Clinical Dietitian at Inova Loudoun Hospital with more than 15 years of experience. She works with patients and families to improve their nutritional status during illnesses. Amanda’s clinical interests range from neonatal, pediatric and maternal nutrition to medical and surgical adult patients. Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Did…
Read MoreIt’s Not Too Late to Get Your Annual Flu Shot
Keep your family healthy this flu season According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anywhere from 9.3 million up to 49 million people contract the flu each year. Last year’s flu season was particularly virulent: The U.S. saw between 37.4 million and 42.9 million cases, of which unfortunately more than…
Read MoreShould your holiday fare be organic?
Erin Lopynski, RD, is a registered dietitian at Inova Well. The holidays are full of choices. Pumpkin spice latte or peppermint mocha? Pecan pie or apple? Eggnog or hot toddy? But for many savvy food consumers, there’s a bigger question to ponder: Should your foods (festive or otherwise) be organic? Here’s a look at the…
Read MoreSeasonal Affective Disorder: Why so SAD?
The time change can strike a blow to mental health Love it or hate it, we all have to do it — here in America, we push our clocks back an hour to resume standard time shortly before Thanksgiving. But for those prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the earlier sunset and longer period of…
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