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The American Academy of Pediatrics has made it a key policy to support and encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life. And to further emphasize the importance of breastfeeding, the academy suggests that mothers breastfeed for the child’s first year of life and beyond, if “mutually desired” by mother and infant.

With the celebration of American Heart Month underway, it’s the perfect time to talk about the benefits that eating fish can have on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lompoc Valley Medical Center joins the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health in recognizing the importance of protecting adolescents from dangerous diseases.

It is widely known that whole grains should compromise most of the grains consumed daily, but many people may find this a hard goal to achieve – largely because of the flavors associated with whole grains. 

When many pregnant women picture their future babies, they imagine being able to breastfeed their infants to provide them nourishment and to keep them healthy and growing. Unfortunately, breastfeeding issues can arise for many reasons, such as food allergies in the baby, milk supply issues in the mother, and health issues in the baby or mother. One roadblock to breastfeeding that is increasingly being recognized is that of tongue tie and lip tie.

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range (less than 120/80) is important for keeping your heart and kidneys healthy. But what is one key thing to do in order to achieve this? You can reach that healthy range by keeping an eye on your sodium or salt intake. When you eat foods with too much salt or sodium, you retain fluid, which makes your heart work harder.

Every year, there are annual reminders we must acknowledge -- gentle nudges to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when the time changes or get your finances and tax forms in order before April 15. Here's one from me: Don't forget your annual physical. As a family medicine practitioner, I treat patients at LVMC: Physician Services from infancy to the elder years.

The wildfires, mudslides, and flooding that Santa Barbara County residents have experienced recently have been traumatic and stressful for many. Although Lompoc is removed from the scene by some distance, we all have friends, co-workers and/or family members who have been directly affected.

Most of us spend a lot of time planning. From vacations to our financial future, careful versus haphazard planning can make the difference between a botched vacation and insufficient funds for a timely retirement. In the healthcare world, poor end-of-life care planning may result in pain and suffering for you and your loved ones.  

Through the years, people have routinely asked me for this recipe. Until now, that’s been a problem – like many of the things I prepare, I have to respond “The recipe is in my head.” When I make this tasty and filling soup, I use whatever I have in my fridge, freezer or cupboards at the time. Then I keep adjusting it until it tastes good.

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when many of us make resolutions. There’s no denying that making – and keeping – resolutions is difficult.

It takes courage to let go of the safe and familiar in order to try something new, but I encourage you to take that first step in the direction of something new and different. If you take that chance, there is the potential for amazing possibilities, excitement, and immense pride when you accomplish something you didn’t believe was possible.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I truly love the Christmas season: the cold temperatures, the lights, the activities, time with family, the feeling that comes over you when you think of and give to others.

The risk for exposure to influenza during travel depends somewhat on the time of year and destination, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to take precautions. In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season can begin as early as October and can last as long as into April or May. In the Southern Hemisphere, flu activity usually lasts from April to September.

Many people look forward to the holiday season as a break from the madness of everyday life. It’s a break from social media, emails and the pace of news in our world.

There are three key categories to maintaining good oral health. Good oral hygiene, routine oral checkups and cleanings, and management of diet, habits, and other health issues.