March is National Sleep Awareness Month. This month, most of the country moved the clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time-- an event that can often disrupt sleep and impact our work and school days. At times like this, it's important for us to think about how good sleep -- or the lack of it -- can have an effect on our lives.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition wherein acidic stomach juices flow back up into the esophagus. GERD can have many causes and happen at any age, although it tends to be more common in adults.

“Always use sunscreen.” No doubt you will hear this advice sometime over the summer, and for good reason. Using sunscreen is one of the most important things you can do for your health, skin-related or otherwise. But did you know that not all sunscreen is created equal, or that “sunscreen” does not always mean an application of lotion or cream? Here are some sunscreen facts that could make a huge difference in your health.

Those suffering from allergies must overcome the daily challenges they cause. Whether patients know the specific allergens to avoid or not, one of the most important questions they seek an answer to is who should they turn to for help.

If you’re currently in the market for a hearing aid, you may find yourself tempted by some of the inexpensive models available on the Internet or advertisements in newspapers. Unfortunately, taking an online hearing test or buying an inexpensive device online is very unlikely to get you the hearing assistance you need and deserve and can be a waste of your finances as well. Hearing aids have become very technical and advanced.  This guide will walk you through the steps of choosing, buying, and getting fitted for a hearing aid that will offer you the best possible results -- not just the lowest price.

Many people will suffer an episode of mild vertigo in their lives: a moment of dizziness or disorientation that passes in a few minutes. In most cases, this is nothing to worry about. For some, however, this condition can be ongoing, inconvenient, and even dangerous. Vertigo, and its many forms, is not life-threatening by itself, but can create difficulties with mobility and daily life.

If you live in Richmond, Virginia, you know it is spring when friends and family start to complain about itchy, watering eyes, sneezing, and scratchy throats. While seasonal allergies are often just accepted and handled here, there’s more to it for many people.

Here’s how allergies attack your body, and how they can interfere with other medical conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, upper respiratory infections, and chronic sinus infection.

It can sometimes be challenging to determine the exact cause of ear pressure. It could be from a sinus infection or an ear infection. But in some cases, ear pressure could also be caused by hearing loss.

It's important to diagnose the correct cause of the ear pressure, as the potential treatment options are vastly different.

If you are about to be fit with your first set of hearing aids, you may have questions regarding what to expect from your new aids and how to properly care for them. Let's take a look at a few tips for care and maintenance to get the most out of your hearing investment.

Summer is officially here, and along with it comes higher temperatures, sunny days, and fun in the sun, sand, surf, and sound! While you’re having fun this summer, remember to keep your ears and your hearing safe and protected.

Patients diagnosed with a deviated septum may not understand what this diagnosis entails and how a deviated septum may impact their lives. Whether a deviated septum can impact the sinuses is just one of the potential questions patients may have.

Here’s a look at how a deviated septum affects the function of other parts of the nose. We'll also discuss when and how we can fix a deviated septum.

Have you ever felt like you just can’t breathe through your nose because your nose feels stuffy? Many of us experience this sensation when we have a cold. But for patients experiencing chronic nasal congestion, that feeling doesn't go away.

When diagnosed with chronic nasal congestion, many patients try lifestyle modifications and medicine. But sometimes the cause is something that can’t be treated with medicine. Here’s a look at when patients should consider surgical treatment for chronic nasal congestion.

Hearing loss is never easy to deal with. Understanding what other people are saying in busy, noisy situations can be especially difficult. Environments with poor acoustics can also be challenging.

Let’s take a look at how you can overcome background noise with the right tools.

Sometimes it’s hard to know whether you are experiencing an ear infection or a sinus infection because of the similarities in symptoms. Both diagnoses involve significant pressure or pain in the head/neck area and both infections may trigger a fever response in your body.

So, why is it important to know whether you’re suffering from a sinus infection or an ear infection? Because the treatment option selected will only be effective if you have the right diagnosis.

A tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure where enlarged or infected tonsils are removed. It's normal to feel anxious about your child undergoing this type of surgery, but there are steps you can take to make it easier for you both.

As parents, considering surgery for our children can be daunting. However, it is sometimes the best option. Such is the case when discussing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for persistent infections or difficulty sleeping.

Snoring is an issue that affects many adults but with children, snoring should not be ignored, as it can be a sign or symptom of something more significant than just noisy sounds at night.

Let’s take a look at the underlying issues that snoring may indicate and then discuss other symptoms to look for that make it clear it is time to bring your child to the doctor.