BASS Health & Medicine Blog

Medical expertise, health tips, and wellness advice from Northern California’s top specialists.
Close-up of a kissing bug (triatomine insect) against a brown and orange background, a known carrier of Chagas disease in California.
Health Education

Chagas Disease in California: What Residents Should Know

Chagas disease is increasingly a concern in California. Learn how it's spread, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and why early detection matters.

Learn More

Featured Posts

Farm workers wearing face coverings in a dusty field to protect themselves from airborne particles.
Health Education
August 1, 2025
Valley Fever Cases Hit Record High in California (2025)
Health Education
April 27, 2025
Why Did I Suddenly Lose My Sense of Taste or Smell?
Health Education
December 19, 2022
Debunking the Myth: Can You Sweat Out a Fever?
Health Education
November 7, 2022
Feeling Off Balance Lately? Here's What That Could Mean

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Recent Posts

A diverse group of adults (different ages and ethnicities) smiling after getting vaccinated at a clinic, each with a small bandage on their upper arm. Include a nurse or provider in the background giving a flu shot in a clean, friendly environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
 | 
September 10, 2025
Are Flu Shots Free With Insurance? Here’s What You Need to Know
Stay Protected This Flu Season—Without Paying Out of Pocket
Woman practicing yoga at home for pain relief.
Health Tips
 | 
September 8, 2025
5 Holistic Approaches to Managing Chronic Pain Without Medication
Natural, practical ways to ease chronic pain and improve quality of life.
Illustration of sickle-shaped blood cells.
Knowledge
 | 
September 6, 2025
The Genetics of Sickle Cell Disease: Why It Affects Some Communities More
Understanding how genetics shape who is most affected by sickle cell disease.
Man wearing blue t-shirt and holding a blue ribbon for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Cancer
 | 
September 4, 2025
When Should Men Start Prostate Cancer Screenings?
Screening guidelines, risk factors, and early detection tips every man should know.
Person journaling at a cozy desk with tea and soft lighting, representing a calming mental health routine.
Mental Health
 | 
August 31, 2025
How Journaling Can Help Improve Your Mental Health
Journaling is more than a hobby—it’s a powerful tool for emotional healing and mental clarity.
First responder assisting an unconscious person lying on a sidewalk, symbolizing emergency response to an opioid overdose.
Knowledge
 | 
August 28, 2025
How to Recognize an Opioid Overdose (and Why Carrying Narcan Can Save a Life)
Opioid overdoses can happen anywhere. Know the signs and how to use Narcan—even if you don’t use opioids yourself.
Middle-aged woman in a purple top holding her wrist, illustrating joint pain from osteoarthritis and the potential relief offered by Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT).
Health Education
 | 
August 26, 2025
Osteoarthritis Relief with Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT)
Learn how Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) offers safe, effective pain relief for osteoarthritis. Now available at Gregory Rhodes MD Cancer Center in Walnut Creek, CA.
Close-up of a tonsil with a visible white tonsil stone emerging from a tonsil crypt
Health Education
 | 
August 23, 2025
Can Tonsil Stones Go Away on Their Own?
Understand what tonsil stones are, why they form, and when they go away on their own—plus when to seek ENT care from BASS Medical Group.
Person in workout clothes holding a container of protein powder, suggesting a focus on fitness and supplementation.
Exercise
 | 
August 20, 2025
Creatine Isn’t Just for Your Muscles—It’s for Your Brain Too
Why creatine might be the simplest supplement to support both physical performance and brain power.
Adult woman eating popcorn from a classic striped popcorn bucket while seated in a dark movie theater.
Frequently Asked Questions
 | 
August 18, 2025
Why Does Your Tongue Lose Taste After Eating Too Much Salt?
Your taste buds might go numb after salty snacks—but here's why it's temporary and how to reset.
Young woman outdoors in a city, surrounded by air pollution—representing environmental lung cancer risk in non-smokers.
Cancer
 | 
August 15, 2025
Lung Cancer Is on the Rise in People Who Have Never Smoked
You don’t have to smoke to be at risk. Lung cancer in non-smokers is rising—here’s what to know.
Person experiencing ringing in one ear with visual soundwave.
Knowledge
 | 
August 13, 2025
Why Do I Hear Ringing in My Ears Only at Certain Frequencies?
If you’re only hearing ringing at specific tones or pitches, you may be experiencing early tinnitus. Learn what causes it and when to see a specialist.
BASS nurse practitioner fist-bumping a young girl in a medical exam room after a successful, stress-free annual checkup.
Primary Care
 | 
August 11, 2025
Annual Medical Checkup Day: A Timely Reminder to Prioritize Your Health
Preventive care saves lives—see why now is the time to schedule your annual checkup for you or your family.
Person rubbing their leg after it fell asleep from sitting cross-legged.
Frequently Asked Questions
 | 
August 8, 2025
Why Do My Legs Fall Asleep? Numbness, Circulation, and When to Worry
Tingling or numb legs might be harmless—or a sign of a bigger issue. Learn when it’s normal and when to talk to a doctor.
Close-up of granulated erythritol resembling white sugar crystals.
Health Tips
 | 
August 6, 2025
Erythritol: The Popular Keto Sweetener Now Under Scientific Scrutiny
The Hidden Risks of Erythritol: What New Research Reveals About This “Healthy” Sweetener
Mother holding a cooler bag and a bottle of expressed breastmilk, symbolizing working parent support for breastfeeding and proper milk storage.
OB-GYN
 | 
August 4, 2025
Breastfeeding Provides Powerful Benefits (And How to Make It Work When You're Away)
Discover the unmatched benefits of breastfeeding and get tips for storing milk when away from home.
Young girl receiving a vaccination while giving a thumbs-up, symbolizing confidence and support for immunization.
Primary Care
 | 
August 2, 2025
Do Vaccines Cause Autism? (And 5 Other Vaccine Myths Debunked)
We answer one of the most searched vaccine questions—and break down other common myths using science-backed facts.
Farm workers wearing face coverings in a dusty field to protect themselves from airborne particles.
Health Education
 | 
August 1, 2025
Valley Fever Cases Hit Record High in California (2025)
Dry, dusty air after a wet winter is fueling a rise in Valley Fever cases. Learn what it is, how it spreads, and how to protect yourself.
Jogger clutching their sore lower leg, believing lactic acid makes them sore.
Exercise
 | 
July 31, 2025
Does Lactic Acid Really Cause Muscle Soreness? Science Says No
Lactic acid isn’t responsible for post-workout soreness — here’s the real cause and how to recover faster.
Gloved hand holding a urine sample cup for laboratory testing.
Urology
 | 
July 28, 2025
Does Yellow Pee Mean You’re Dehydrated? Here’s What Your Urine Color Really Says
Yellow urine doesn’t always mean dehydration. Learn what your pee color reveals about your hydration, diet, and when to seek medical care.

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