Blog Category: All

If the COVID-19 pandemic has you struggling to sleep well, you’re probably not alone. A recent study shows a 58% increase in internet searches about insomnia as the crisis drags on. This doesn’t come as a big surprise to Randip Singh, MD, board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Overlake Clinics Sleep Medicine.

Holidays often center around food and drink. Even as we limit our parties to virtual gatherings, you may still wonder how much is too much to drink. Overlake primary care physician Chae Lee, MD, offers ideas on how to be safe with drinking during holidays and beyond.

As the COVID-19 vaccine begins arriving in Washington and at Overlake Medical Center, there are several questions and misconceptions about the vaccine. So we brought these questions and concerns to Edward Leonard, MD, infectious disease specialist at Overlake.

Hand hygiene is an effective way to keep germs at bay, and it's important to wear a mask to avoid getting or spreading coronavirus. However, does our increased frequency of handwashing, sanitizing and mask-wearing have an effect on our skin? Christine Harris-Spinks, MD, MPH, with Overlake Clinics Primary Care Newcastle answers your questions on how to avoid skin irritation, if it's possible to overuse sanitizer and when to see your healthcare provider.

November is Hospice and Palliative Care month, reminding us of the importance of conversations about medical decision-making, even though they may be difficult to start. In this Q&A, Karen Knops, MD, Overlake's medical director of palliative medicine, shares guidance on how to talk with your family about end-of-life care preferences.

"When we found out we were pregnant again, we had about a month of excitement before COVID-19 shut the world down. We faced endless uncertainties, except for one: We would be delivering our second baby at the Overlake Childbirth Center. We knew we would be receiving excellent care at a time it mattered most."

Health officials warn that any in-person gathering is risky, as coronavirus cases surge. Yet, going without hugs or face-to-face contact can hurt our mental health. Ann Padilla, ARNP, with Overlake's Outpatient Psychiatry clinic suggests five ways to stay connected with loved ones during the holidays.

Nov. 18–24, 2020 is antibiotic awareness week. Overlake family physician, Olabode Akinsanya, MD, explains the types of illnesses antibiotics treat and why overuse can be harmful.

With people staying home due to COVID-19 restrictions, demand for grocery items has increased, which in turn has driven up their cost. To help navigate how to eat healthy on a budget, Overlake dietitian Stacy Trogdon shares tips on how to choose items that are both economical and healthy.