What is Marfan syndrome?

Marfan syndrome is a rare medical condition affecting about one in 5,000 people – or approximately 200,000 in the United States. This genetic condition can have impacts on cardiovascular, skeletal and other systems of the body. In this Q & A, David Liang, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Hoag Marfan Syndrome & Related Conditions Program, … Read More

6 things to know about vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for overall health at all stages of life – particularly as a woman ages. Unfortunately, misinformation abounds. That’s why Dr. Jody Lai at Hoag Women’s Health Institute, frequently shares essential information about this important component of health with her patients. “People have heard about vitamin D deficiency, but I have found … Read More

How to Stay Healthy During Pregnancy

If someone with a runny nose and flushed cheeks asked to hold your newborn, you’d likely politely – but firmly – decline. Avoiding contact with people who are sick is just as important when you’re pregnant. February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, and, here, a perinatal nurse navigator at the Hoag Women’s Health Institute … Read More

4 health screenings you need to schedule this year

What health screenings to schedule this year?  Making plans for what you want to accomplish in the new year? Don’t forget to plan for your wellness. Call your doctor and get your annual wellness appointments on the books.  After checking your blood pressure, weight and other important health metrics, your doctor will let you know … Read More

Sustainable ways for weight loss and wellness: A dietitian’s guide

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

Hoag Helps Young Father Beat Cancer and Gives Life a New Direction

Hoag helped save Jason Semko’s life, then gave it new direction. A former film student, Jason moved to Los Angeles from El Paso, Texas in 2007 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He realized he needed more stability to fulfill his dream of starting a family, taught himself how to code and reinvented … Read More

Pain During Intercourse: No, It’s Not ‘Normal’

By Christine Burke,PT,DPT,PRPC, MHA and Alicia Meyer,PT,DPT,PRPC We have heard the same response many times when we ask a woman whether she experiences painful intercourse. “Not any more than normal.” At the Hoag Pelvic Health Program, we emphasize that no amount of pain with sex is normal. Temporary discomfort, particularly as a side effect of … Read More

Heartburn or GERD: What Your Symptoms Are Telling You

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

Diabetes Made Her Feel Alone. Hoag Helped Connect Her to a Community.

There have been so many health decisions to make in her life, and though she had the moral support of her family and friends, Jacqueline Ellis felt somewhat alone in making them. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four, Jacqueline grew up learning to read ingredients labels, plan errands around medication doses, … Read More

5 Tips for Teaching Sun Safety to Children

In sunny Southern California, our kids spend long summer days on the beach or by the pool. There’s no shortage of sunshine, but are your kids protecting their skin from the harsh sun’s rays? “Experts estimate that nearly 80% of one’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 20,” shared Dr. Steven Q. Wang, program director … Read More