Fall is here and the holidays are just around the corner. Most American holiday traditions involve food, and fall and winter foods tend to be more calorie dense "comfort foods." We stuff ourselves during the fall while also being less active, staying indoors out of the cold. Then January 1st rolls around and we have to make a new year's resolution to get healthy again. It's a vicious (yet delicious) cycle, full of candy, pies, breads and smoked meats.

What can be done to avoid the classic fall weight gain? It's not as bad as you might think. Avoiding overeating and making some subtle changes to your holiday recipes can go a long way. Also, don't forget to stay active during the fall and winter. Find ways to get outside when the weather permits, bundle up and go for a walk, just keep moving! A more active lifestyle will keep your metabolism burning through some of those extra holiday treats. The website Livestrong.com provides us with some healthy eating tips to avoid fall weight gain.

Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling frustrated? Like you didn't get answers to your questions, or even worse like the doctor wasn't really listening to you? It's a common problem for patients to walk away from an appointment feeling passed over and unheard.

At Orchard Hospital we want our patients to have the best experience possible and leave feeling understood and empowered. Our fantastic staff help make that happen every day. There are also steps a patient can take to make their experience better. Below are some tips on how to turn a potentially frustrating experience into a successful one and get the answers you're looking for.

There are two main types of diabetes, known as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is far more rare and results from the pancreas ceasing to function. Usually Type 1 diabetes will appear in a child by age 5, but in some cases it's onset can be delayed until adulthood. There is no "cure" for Type 1 diabetes, there is only treatment and management of the condition.

Type 2 diabetes on the other hand often does not appear until adulthood, most commonly in the 45 - 64 age demographic. For this reason, Type 2 diabetes was often referred to as "Adult-Onset diabetes," a term that is being used less now that Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in children and teens. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 95% of all diabetes cases in the US. 

So what exactly is Type 2 diabetes? What causes it and how can it be prevented or managed? Harvard Medical School lays it out very clearly in the article below.

The term "Flu" is used to describe a range of influenza viruses that cause contagious respiratory infections. The symptoms also include headache, muscle soreness and fever. There are actually 3 different types of flu viruses, A, B and C.

Types A and B are the most common and are the cause of the influenza epidemics that flare up at certain times. Flu vaccines are formulated to protect against both type A and B viruses and are your best defense against infection. So what are the major differences between types A, B, and C?

Now that the kids are back to school that can mean only one thing...flu season is coming. Yep, that's right, there is a spike in flu in the fall that coincides with back to school, but don't despair, there is still hope!

Another year has gone by and you get that call from your doctor’s office, it is time for your annual check-up. However, you feel fine and start to think, “Why every year?” When we are currently healthy we tend to neglect going to the doctor, but a proactive mindset is the key to long-term health. Here are four reasons why regularly scheduled check-ups are important. 

Kids are resilient. If you have them, you know this! They bounce back from illness quickly, heal from injuries at a rapid pace, and don’t seem to give a second thought to their body’s limitations because…well, they’re rambunctious! Youth is fun, as it should be for them.

Sleep is an essential tool for our body. Sleep is what makes us stay healthy and alert for day-to-day life. The CDC recommends you get at least 7 hours of sleep, for adults ranging from 18- 60 years old. This amount of sleep is the optimal amount to stay healthy. If a person is not receiving this amount of sleep on a regular basis than there are some symptoms that may appear. Below is a list of a few things that can happen when we don’t get enough sleep.

It’s a common occurrence to have your blood pressure taken just about every time you visit a clinic or doctor’s office. You sit in the chair with the cuff around your arm, patiently waiting while the cuff contracts and expands. Once it’s finished, the doctor or nurse gives you a couple of numbers. Have you ever wondered what they mean? If you’ve ever been afraid to ask, or just want to understand your blood pressure better, the quick guide below can help.

The weather is getting sunnier, the days are getting longer, and the temperature is rising. The hot summer months are upon us, and living in Northern California means they stick around well into the fall. Because you’re exposed to the sun and heat for a good part of the year, it’s important that you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Learn the 3 most important things you can do to protect your health and body.