In The News
Is Gaming Disorder a Real Addiction, and How Can I Tell if it's Affecting my Child?
Studies have shown that video games and other addictions, such as alcohol and nicotine, affect neural pathways in similar ways: They all lead to an increase in dopamine levels in specific pleasure centers of the brain. While drugs increase dopamine levels far more than video games, gaming can have a similar deleterious effect of “taking … Read More
Video Game 'Disorder' is a Real Thing, and Concern is Growing
Just when you thought it was OK to play violent video games like “Carmageddon” and “Manhunt” for endless hours, nanny state thinking wants to limit your Xbox activity. But it’s not about that last-century belief that gamers might turn into violent zombies. This time, the warnings are both sobering and serious. The World Health Organization … Read More
What It's Like To: Be Free From Epilepsy
Chris Marten of Santa Ana turned his life around after brain surgery stopped his daily seizures. This is his story: From age 18 on, I was a ticking time bomb. That year, while driving, I had an epileptic seizure. Neurons in your brain misfire, sending wild signals to muscles and nerves. I lost consciousness for … Read More
Hoag Experts Discuss Gaming & Device Addiction in Teens
Gaming and device addiction is becoming more common in teens. The World Health Organization recently recognized “gaming disorder” as a diagnosable condition. While the addiction is not the same as a chemical one via drugs or alcohol, it can cause similar psychological effects, such as irritability, depression, isolation and anxiety. Hoag invites the community to … Read More
Hoag Named a Top 100 Hospital and Health System with Great Neurosurgery and Spine Programs
Becker’s Healthcare named Hoag to its 2018 list of “100 hospitals and health systems with great neurosurgery and spine programs.” The organizations featured on this year’s list have extensive neuroscience and spine programs, providing treatment and cutting edge research into neurosurgical disorders. Many hospitals and health systems featured have earned top honors for medical excellence, … Read More
El Salvadorian Woman Walks After Life-Changing Surgery at Hoag Hospital
For Dalia Lopez, a lunge isn’t just a lunge and a kick isn’t just a kick. Because for the longest time – she couldn’t even walk. “Anyone else can do it so easily and you’re just sitting there wanting to do it but you can’t,” Lopez said. By the time she was 16, Dalia was … Read More
Tips for Better Sleep During the Holidays
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but between festive gatherings, last minute shopping, and family visits – it can be the busiest time of year as well. To ensure you have the happiest season of all, it’s important not to underestimate the importance of sleep. Research shows time and again that sleep protects … Read More
Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag First in Orange County to Offer New Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag is the first in Orange County to offer a new, cutting-edge treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy is the first implantable device for treating OSA. “At Hoag, we are always looking for state-of-the-art treatment options to benefit our patients,” said Jay Puangco, … Read More
There's New Hope of Not Only Delaying, but Reversing Symptoms of Dementia
New research suggests that if identified early, the molecule in the brain that leads to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease can possibly be removed, which could then result in the reversal of symptoms of dementia. The findings were a key part of a recent presentation from Dr. William Shankle, a neurologist and program director of … Read More
Stop Blaming 'Senior Moments'
“He’s having a senior moment.” That dismissive phrase seems harmless, but, in reality, it leads to devastating, debilitating disease. I firmly believe that a generation from now, people will not know the pain of watching a loved one slip into oblivion. But the only way we will get there is we stop dismissing memory loss … Read More