Digestive Health

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity are two of the most common health concerns today, and they are closely linked. As rates of obesity and abdominal weight gain rise, so does the prevalence of GERD. Understanding the connection between weight and reflux symptoms is a key step toward long-term relief and better health.  Obesity and … Read More

Understanding what’s behind your GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is the first step toward lasting relief, and that starts with identifying the root cause through the right diagnostic tools.   At Hoag, we believe that the first step to lasting relief is understanding the why behind your symptoms. Here’s a closer look at what causes GERD, and … Read More

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more than just a case of occasional heartburn, it’s a chronic condition that can affect everything from your sleep to your daily comfort. If you’ve ever dealt with persistent acid reflux, you know how disruptive it can be. But to truly understand GERD and find lasting relief, it helps to … Read More

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a common yet potentially serious condition affecting millions of people worldwide. GERD is defined as chronic acid reflux that occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows up into the esophagus, leading to inflammation and potential complications.   While occasional heartburn is common, poorly managed GERD can have significant consequences on your … Read More

Rick Letterman’s passion for golf spans decades. Now 77, he’s been perfecting his swing since high school, when he worked as a caddy at a local country club in Kentucky.  “Golf is a very self-challenging game,” he said. “You align with your target in the distance, and you take your shot. When I received the … Read More

For 17 years, Roz Hodgins struggled with what many of us take for granted; the ability to comfortably swallow food. “I always had to be very cognizant of what I was eating and where, and there were foods I loved that I just couldn’t eat,” she said. “Going to a restaurant was difficult because I’d … Read More

4 ways to make impactful weight, wellness changes  Are you starting 2025 with an extra 25 pounds? While you may be tempted to jump onto TikTok weight loss trends to slim down, Hoag Digestive Health Institute registered dietitian Chelsea Honrath, RN, cautions against setting unrealistic goals.  “This is the time of year when people think … Read More

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2025) – The Hoag Digestive Health Institute has become the first in Orange County, and one of the first in California, to introduce a revolutionary gastrointestinal ultrasound technology for the detection and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The non-invasive, zero-radiation technology is poised to change the way Hoag IBD … Read More

Feeling more stuffed than the Thanksgiving turkey? Maybe you’ve over gobbled at the holiday table. But it’s also possible that you are experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Unlike occasional heartburn, which is a mild burning sensation in the mid-chest that occurs after meals or when lying down, GERD is a chronic condition that damages … Read More

Shahin Shelechi, 72, is incredibly optimistic–so much so that it’s difficult to comprehend the magnitude of what she has endured throughout her 30-year cancer journey. “You have to have hope,” she said. “And whatever I can do to help even one person, I will do it.” First diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, the disease … Read More