Articles

Yes, the holidays are a wonderful and merry time, but they are equally known for the stress it can trigger from unresolved familial issues, financial stress, loneliness and battling crowds who take over shopping malls, freeways and grocery stores.   But Hoag Hospital Wellness Consultant, Anusha Wijeyakumar, MA, CPC, E-RYT, has a simple tip for … Read More

When it comes to the holiday’s it’s a fair assumption that many, if not most people, will accept the fate “tis the season to overeat.” It’s not easy to stick to healthy eating when food is the center of holiday gatherings. How can you say no to your aunt’s traditional green bean casserole topped with … Read More

Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which a person experiences seizures that can look like staring spells, falling, shaking or losing awareness of what is going on. Just having a seizure does not mean you have epilepsy. Seizures can happen due to medical issues such as high fever, low blood sugar, or alcohol or drug … Read More

‘Twas the month before New Year’s when all through your mind, you realized: You’ve reached your deductible! Now is the time! Make your appointments, order your pills. And know that your health plan may pick up the bill. Your deductible is how much of your medical costs you pay (excluding premiums and copays or coinsurance) … Read More

Can socializing with friends be as healthy as going to the gym? As far as brain health is concerned, the research says “yes.” Moreover, maintaining social connections can help a person reduce their risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Conversely, research has shown that social isolation and loneliness are as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes … Read More

By David Ahn, M.D. Twenty years ago, the headlines were grim. It was common for studies to warn: “Rising Childhood Obesity Will Decrease Life Expectancy.” In large part, those predictions came true. The rise in obesity – both in children and adults – has correlated to a catastrophic rise in chronic disease that continues to … Read More

Two of Orange County’s biggest hospitals, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and Providence St. Joseph in Orange, today touted successful implants of the world’s first dual chamber leadless pacemaker in a patient. The FDA recently approved the Aveir DR, the world’s first dual chamber leadless pacemaker system made by medtech giant Abbott Laboratories. Newport Beach’s Hoag … Read More

Hoag Hospital officials are announcing plans for a center at the Newport Beach campus that will “pioneer new, whole family-centered approaches to brain health and healthy aging.” A “transformational” $50 million gift from Newport Beach philanthropist Richard Pickup is helping establish the center, which will not only work on research and to improve gaps in care for … Read More

As the seasons change, we often hear the familiar phrase “spring forward, fall back” to serve as a reminder to make better use of daylight by turning the clock ahead with warmer weather and back again with colder weather. The twice-a-year desynchronization of our body’s internal clocks means we get an “extra hour” to sleep. … Read More

Diabetes creates challenges for women before, during and after pregnancy. But the Ueberroth Family Program for Women with Diabetes at Hoag, also known as Sweet Success, provides access to expert diabetes care relating to pregnancy. While diabetes during pregnancy increases a baby’s risk of birth defects and a mother’s risk of complications, certified diabetes educators … Read More