Weekly Dose of Wellness

The MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center offers the latest in advanced technologies, nationally recognized physicians, and innovative treatments to provide the complete continuum of cardiovascular care. Why trust your heart to anyone less than the best?

As people age, the body begins to run less efficiently and problems start to become more frequent, both internally and externally. Aging is a part of life, but one can undergo different medical procedures and treatments to slow down their aging and prevent health related problems from arising.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season started earlier this year, most likely due to isolation experienced during the pandemic. Learn tips on how to identify if your child has RSV, how to manage it at home, and when to know if you should go to the hospital.

Oncoplastic procedures have really taken off, specifically, nipple- and areola preserving mastectomies. Find out the benefits of nipple and areola preserving mastectomies and learn which candidates are ideal for these procedures.

As one is reaching Medicare eligibility you are bound to have a lot of questions. How do you know which Medicare Part is right for you? MemorialCare’s Medicare Education Specialists have resources to educate you and help you determine what is best for you. Medicare open enrollment starts Oct 15, so it’s important to get this information out soon, and ends December 7.

As Halloween approaches, children will be out trick or treating again. There are tips for parents to help ensure their children stay safe and healthy while they are out enjoying the holiday festivities.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic condition that can lead to chronic lung, ear and sinus infections, along with other disorders in children and adults. Just a few hospitals in a few states offer dedicated treatment for PCD, with MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach containing the only PCD Center in Southern California. Learn about what PCD is and how PCD is...

According the CDC, people who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. Kitty Campuzano, BSN, ONC will discuss the benefits of quitting nicotine, not just on the lungs but the entire body.

Previously, it was less common for kids to get seriously ill from COVID-19, but with the recent Delta variant, there have been an increase in cases among children, as well as an increase in hospitalizations. Unvaccinated children can also spread COVID-19 to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 12 years and older get a COVID-19 vaccination to help protect again...

Dr. Evans discusses skin cancer symptoms, causes and prevention.

The CDC estimates that more than 15 million Americans suffer from severe joint pain. This pain can limit a person’s ability to perform basic functions and compromise their quality of life.

Dr. Sohn discusses new advancements in the treatment of shoulder arthritis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men in the United States, on average, die 5 years earlier than women and die at higher rates from the three leading causes of death, heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries.

Nationwide, thousands of people are experiencing strokes following a COVID-19 infection –especially younger people who don’t typically experience strokes. The experts in the Comprehensive Stroke Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center have learned to care for these patients and help reduce the inflammation of the brain and other “long-hauler” symptoms caused by COVID-19.

Researchers have learned that children who have been infected with COVID-19 can later experience cardiac effects due to Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), which can occur weeks after exposure to COVID-19, and in some cases without symptoms during the initial infection. MIS-C is a condition where multiple organ systems become inflamed, including the heart, which can cause damage to heart’s...

Essential Tremor (ET) affects about 10 million Americans. ET is a neurological condition causes shaking of the hands, head and voice, but it can also cause the legs and trunk to shake. It’s often confused with Parkinson’s disease, although it is eight times more common. MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center now offers a new, incisionless treatment for patients suffering from Essential Tremor (E...

Many illnesses affect kids differently, which is why a children’s hospital is so important. Children need health care designed for their unique needs that is delivered by specially trained clinicians in environments created just for kids. MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach is one of only eight free-standing children’s hospitals in California – treating more than 8,000 chi...

One in 13 individuals has asthma, and severe cases are increasing as more people develop allergies, which commonly trigger asthma. To address this rising health challenge, Miller Children’s & Women’s has a Severe Asthma Clinic that provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care to kids struggling with severe asthma.

Dr. Jennifer Gruenenfelderm discusses leaky bladders, their causes, and ways to treat them.

For expectant mothers, staying safe during the era of COVID-19 and flu season is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Though pregnant women do not seem to be at increased risk for contracting COVID-19, they should monitor their symptoms and seek medical attention when necessary to avoid severe respiratory infection. Listen in as Michael Nageotte, MD discusses a healthy pregnancy.

Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is a new option for patients with carotid artery disease considered to be at high-risk for the conventional operative approach. Antonio J Covarrubias, M.D., discusses how the TCAR procedure is performed, who is an ideal candidate, benefits of the procedure, and recovery and resources post-procedure.

Dr. Rachael Lopez discusses how couples should prepare for preconception planning.

Genetic Counselor Maggie McDuffee, MS, CGC and Genetic Counselor Taylor Cain, MS, CGC discuss why a patient may be referred to genetics, what to expect in a genetic counseling appointment, and the process of genetic testing.

Karen Forhane, DNP, RN, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Manager of the Neuroscience Institute and ICU Nurse Practitioner program, and Jana Swauger, RN Stroke Program Coordinator, discuss the signs of stroke, why response time is so critical for recovery and survival, and how the FAST acronym can be used as a quick reference tool for identifying stroke.