https://www.mdvip.com/doctors/sunnysharmamd

Dr. Sunny Sharma, 1555 Barrington Road/Doctor's Building 1/Suite 310, Hoffman Estates, IL (2025)

10/15/2025

🩺 Ever feel like your doctor’s typing more than listening? You’re not alone — and it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here’s the thing: good medicine isn’t just about lab results and prescriptions — it’s about listening. Understanding you — your story, your stress, your sleep, your symptoms, and yes… even your gut feelings (literally and figuratively).

Here are a few ways to help make sure your symptoms don’t get brushed aside — and how I approach this in my own practice:
1. Choose a doctor who listens, not just looks. Medicine should be a partnership, not a power dynamic.
2. Show up prepared. Bring notes, questions, patterns you’ve noticed — it helps me connect the dots faster and personalize your care.
3. Speak up (seriously). If something feels off, say it. The best care happens when you’re part of the conversation, not just the patient.
4. Reflect after every visit. You should leave feeling heard and empowered, not confused or dismissed.

In my practice, I take time to actually sit with my patients — not just check boxes. Because the best care happens when we treat people, not problems.

💚 You deserve a doctor who listens as much as they diagnose.

10/14/2025

🧠 October is ADHD Awareness Month

This month, I want to pause and honor the millions of children and adults living with ADHD — Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
In the U.S. alone, that’s more than 6 million children and over 8 million adults. Yet, far too many still go undiagnosed, misunderstood, or unsupported.

For years, ADHD was dismissed as “just not paying attention” or “being hyper.” But we know better now.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition — not a character flaw. It affects focus, organization, time management, and emotional regulation. And when people receive understanding and access to care, they don’t just manage — they thrive.

Some say ADHD is being “overdiagnosed.”
In truth, it’s finally being recognized.
There’s more awareness. Better screening. And a growing acknowledgment of how ADHD can look different in adults, in women, and in people who’ve learned to mask their struggles for years.

This month, let’s do more than just spread awareness —
Let’s practice understanding, compassion, and acceptance of neurodiversity.
Every brain works differently, and that diversity is something to be valued, not stigmatized.

💛 If you know someone living with ADHD, offer support, not judgment.
Listen. Encourage. Believe them.
Because when we understand ADHD, we help people live up to their full potential — and that changes everything.

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Sunny Sharma

10/13/2025

🌎 Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day

Today, we honor and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across the United States and around the world.

Indigenous communities have long practiced holistic, sustainable approaches to health, food, and the environment—values that continue to inspire modern approaches to wellness and lifestyle medicine. Their deep respect for the land and interconnectedness of all living things reminds us that true health extends beyond the individual—it’s about community, environment, and balance.

As we reflect today, let’s take time to listen, learn, and express gratitude for the wisdom and resilience of Indigenous peoples. Their traditions and knowledge systems continue to guide us toward more mindful, sustainable ways of living and healing.

10/12/2025

🏃‍♂️ Today is the Chicago Marathon — one of my favorite days in this city. I’m so happy for all the runners, especially the first-timers, just like I was last year.

Running a marathon is an accomplishment in itself, but doing it through one of the most beautiful cities in the world makes it even more special. The energy, the skyline, the crowds cheering you on — it’s Chicago at its best.

I’ll be honest — I’ve got a little FOMO today. But this is a season where I’m learning to listen to my body. After finishing radiation, my priority is recovery. I’m grateful to be back to some activity — even if it’s just an incline walk on the treadmill (which definitely still counts as cardio… depending on the incline 😅).

I may not know if I’ll ever run another marathon, but I’ll never forget that experience — especially because my mindset to run it started the day after my brain surgery. 🧠💪

To everyone running today: soak it in — every cheer, every step, every emotion. You’ll never experience your first marathon again.

As for me, let’s see what my next challenge will be now that I’ve crossed another finish line — radiation.

10/12/2025

🏃‍♂️ Today is the Chicago Marathon — one of my favorite days in this city. I’m so happy for all the runners, especially the first-timers, just like I was last year.

Running a marathon is an accomplishment in itself, but doing it through one of the most beautiful cities in the world makes it even more special. The energy, the skyline, the crowds cheering you on — it’s Chicago at its best.

I’ll be honest — I’ve got a little FOMO today. But this is a season where I’m learning to listen to my body. After finishing radiation, my priority is recovery. I’m grateful to be back to some activity — even if it’s just an incline walk on the treadmill (which definitely still counts as cardio… depending on the incline 😅).

I may not know if I’ll ever run another marathon, but I’ll never forget that experience — especially because my mindset to run it started the day after my brain surgery. 🧠💪

To everyone running today: soak it in — every cheer, every step, every emotion. You’ll never experience your first marathon again.

As for me, let’s see what my next challenge will be now that I’ve crossed another finish line — radiation.

10/11/2025

🧠💤 Sometimes the hardest medicine to take… is your own advice.

I talk to my patients all the time about listening to their bodies. Rest when you need to. Don’t push through pain. Be kind to yourself. And yet, here I am — the doctor who needs that reminder most.

I’ll admit it: I’ve been frustrated that I haven’t been able to be as active as I usually am. I’m used to moving, working out, doing. But after my Gamma Knife procedure earlier this week, my body made it very clear — today is a rest day.

So, I did a little light housework to feel “productive” (because, of course, I had to test my limits 🙃). And now? I’m wiped. Pooped out. Out of gas.

Instead of pushing through or completely throwing in the towel, I’m choosing the middle ground:
✔️ Heating pad around my neck and shoulders for the tightness from the frame
✔️ Iced migraine cap over my head (and eyes) for the swelling and headache
✔️ Cozy blanket
✔️ And a little humility

Our bodies are always talking — we just have to listen. Today, mine said: “Lay down, doc.” And for once, I’m listening.

10/10/2025

🧠 Today is World Mental Health Day — a powerful reminder that mental health is health. It’s not “just” about stress, anxiety, or depression—it is the foundation on which everything else in life is built.

Mental health is not optional. It affects how we think, how we feel, how we show up for others, how we work, how we rest, how we heal. Every decision, every interaction, every moment of our day is filtered through the lens of our mental well-being. When the mind is burdened, every part of life feels heavier.

🌍 Since its first observance in 1992, World Mental Health Day has stood as a global call to raise awareness, fight stigma, and push mental health to the top of the agenda. Today, as we join voices around the world, let us commit to treating mental health with the same urgency, care, and respect as physical health.

⸻

💬 What I want you to remember today (and every day):
• You deserve the same care and attention for your mental health as you would give any physical ailment.
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, never weakness.
• Your mental wellness impacts your relationships, your work, your purpose—and it deserves ongoing attention, not just a moment of crisis.
• Small acts matter: a walk, a conversation, turning off the noise, breathing deeply, leaning into community.

⸻

❤️ To everyone reading this: you are not alone. You are worthy of compassion—for your mind, your heart, your spirit. If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out. Let’s normalize seeking support, checking in, and holding space for ourselves and one another.

Let’s make mental health a daily priority, not a checkbox. Because the strength of a society is measured by how well we care for our collective mind.

10/09/2025

🏈 It’s National Primary Care Week — so let’s talk about the quarterbacks of healthcare: primary care doctors.

We’re the ones calling the plays, reading the field, and making sure every part of your health team is working together. Sure, sometimes we hand things off — a cardiologist here, a neurologist there — but at the end of every play, the ball always comes back to the primary care doctor. That’s how good medicine works: teamwork, communication, and follow-through.

Even with everything I’ve personally been through — including my own brain tumor journey — I’ve always circled back to my P*P to make sure everything is aligned, coordinated, and that I’m cleared to keep pushing forward. (Because if you think a little radiation is gonna bench me, you don’t know me very well. 😉)

I chose primary care because I wanted to be the person who sees the whole field. The one who knows the big picture, has a pulse on everything, and makes sure nothing slips through the cracks. That’s exactly why I transitioned to a concierge model — so I can truly go all in with my patients. More time, more coordination, more care.

Today, I’m back at work — but I’m listening to my own primary care doctor and easing my way back in. Because it’ll take a lot more than a brain tumor to keep me from doing what I love. 💪

Being a primary care doc isn’t just my job… it’s my calling. 🩺

Here’s to all my fellow quarterbacks out there — keeping the team running and the patients winning. 🙌

10/08/2025

Yesterday was Gamma Knife Day — and what a day it was.

The morning started at 5:30 am check-in at NYU. Before I knew it, I was hooked up, IV in, and given a few meds to keep me calm (thank you, modern medicine). I also scored a new addition to my purple hospital grip sock collection — easily the highlight of my pre-procedure outfit.

Next came the frame fitting — the part that looks like something out of a haunted house prop closet but is actually a precision medical device. It attaches to the skull to make sure your head stays perfectly still for both the MRI and the Gamma Knife radiation. Not going to lie, it hurt for a minute — but once the local anesthesia kicked in, things got much more manageable.

(For those wondering: I’m not sharing the frame pics because they can be a bit intense and potentially triggering. Just picture me looking like a cyborg with great socks.)

From there, it was MRI time, followed by the neurosurgical team mapping out the radiation with incredible precision. They double- and triple-checked every detail. The actual radiation treatment lasted just 48 minutes — painless, quiet, and surreal. By 10:00 am, I was walking out the doors of NYU, feeling a strange mix of relief, gratitude, and disbelief at how smooth everything went.

Originally, I planned to fly home later that night, but once I was cleared and feeling great, Anjni and I caught an earlier standby flight. We made it home just in time for kiddie pickups — and yes, don’t worry, I wasn’t driving.

The night ended with me covered in peanut butter (courtesy of the kids), bandages still on my head, surrounded by hugs, snuggles, and the comfort of being home. I fell asleep with a smile on my face — grateful, grounded, and hopeful.

Now comes the waiting game: the true results unfold over months to years. But for now, I’m just thankful for an amazing team, a smooth procedure, and the chance to get back to my normal rhythm — diet, exercise, work, life, and love.

Taking it easy for a few days… then full steam ahead.

10/07/2025

I was recently interviewed as one of the experts for latest feature — “The Weight-Loss Drug Revolution.”

As someone who’s spent years helping patients understand metabolism, hormones, and sustainable health (and who also really likes food), this topic hits close to home.

⸻

💡 Here’s what I shared in the article — and what I tell my own patients:

1️⃣ Biology > Willpower.
If weight loss were purely about motivation, we’d all have six-packs by now. These GLP-1 medications are helping us finally see obesity for what it is — a complex, biological condition, not a character flaw.

2️⃣ Medications open doors — but lifestyle keeps them open.
Think of these drugs as a tool, not a trophy. Nutrition, movement, muscle-preserving strength training, and mindful habits still matter a lot. You can’t “out-medicate” an unbalanced lifestyle.

3️⃣ Muscle is your metabolic gold.
Because these meds suppress appetite, some patients end up under-eating and losing lean muscle. I always remind people: “You’re trying to lose fat, not your biceps.” 💪

4️⃣ We need to talk about access and equity.
These treatments are exciting, but not everyone can afford them. Health shouldn’t be a luxury brand.

5️⃣ Be mindful, not just lighter.
For some, appetite suppression can trigger disordered eating patterns. This is where personalized, physician-guided care matters — one size definitely does not fit all.

⸻

🚀 Big picture:

We’re witnessing a major shift in medicine — from blaming patients to understanding biology.
But as I said in the interview, there’s no substitute for human connection, education, and accountability.

⸻

I’m incredibly grateful to have been featured in this thoughtful piece and to share a balanced, Lifestyle Medicine perspective on a rapidly evolving topic.

And yes — if you were wondering — I still believe kale and strength training are the original “weight-loss drugs.” 🥬💪

You can read the full article here: chicagohealthonline.com/weight-loss-drug-revolution

10/06/2025

Same shirt. Different coast. Same fight.

Three years ago, I stood in front of UC San Diego, the day before my brain surgery. Today, I’m standing in front of NYU, the day before my gamma knife radiation.

Two hospitals, 3,000 miles apart, yet forever tied together in my story.
In between those two photos are over three years of healing, growth, and doing my best to thrive. But despite everything… the lifestyle changes, the mindset, the purpose… my tumor has slowly been growing again.

So here I am, back in the ring for another round.
It’s not easy to face another intervention, but I’m hopeful this will be the last one.

The same clothes I wore before my surgery now remind me not of fear, but of resilience. The person in that first photo didn’t know how much strength he had. The person in this one? He knows exactly what he’s made of.

West coast to east coast. Still standing. Still grateful. Still fighting. 💙

10/06/2025

🍷🤣 “Just one glass” — yeah right. If ABV was a math test, most of us are failing it.

Here’s the deal (in between sips of my totally modest cocktail):
• A “single drink” is 0.6 oz of pure alcohol — that’s about one 5-oz glass of wine, one 12-oz beer (at ~5% ABV), or 1.5 oz of spirits.
• But — and here’s where your “one drink” of Pinot Noir turns into a sneaky two — many beers, wines, and cocktails push way past that standard depending on ABV.
• Studies of 600,000+ people show that what we once thought was “safe drinking” is being reevaluated. Even modest amounts may carry risks.
• Pro tip: cut your intake in half and you might just buy yourself 1–2 extra years of life. 🧮

Moral of the story: check the label, do the math, and maybe keep a “drink diary” (because yes, that’s now an adulting thing).

Dr. Sunny Sharma

10/15/2025

10/14/2025

10/13/2025

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

10/11/2025

10/10/2025

10/09/2025

10/08/2025

10/07/2025

10/06/2025

10/06/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category