BASS Health & Medicine Blog

Medical expertise, health tips, and wellness advice from Northern California’s top specialists.
Young girl receiving a vaccination while giving a thumbs-up, symbolizing confidence and support for immunization.
Primary Care

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.

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Recent Posts

Farm workers wearing face coverings in a dusty field to protect themselves from airborne particles.
Health Education
 | 
August 1, 2025
Valley Fever Is Spiking in California—Here’s What You Need to Know
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.
Illustration showing the connection between kidney health and Parkinson’s disease prevention.
Knowledge
 | 
July 27, 2025
How Do You Prevent Parkinson’s? Your Kidneys Might Be the Answer
New research reveals Parkinson’s disease may begin in the kidneys — here’s how protecting kidney health could reduce your risk.
Young kid running with a football in protective gear on a multi-purpose field.
Exercise
 | 
July 25, 2025
Spotting a Concussion in Your Child: What California Parents Should Know
Football, soccer, and cheer are back in full swing. Here's how to recognize a concussion before it becomes serious.
Sweating elderly person sitting in front of a fan, trying to cool off from extreme heat.
Health Tips
 | 
July 21, 2025
Heat Stroke Risk Rising in California: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe
California is entering peak heat season. Learn the signs of heat stroke, how to stay safe in triple-digit temps, and when to seek medical care.
Hand holding intestine-shaped cutout in front of their stomach.
Cancer
 | 
July 19, 2025
Why Are More Young Adults Getting Colon Cancer? What You Should Know
Colon cancer rates are rising in adults under 50. Learn why it’s happening, which symptoms to watch for, and when to talk to your doctor.
The illustration shows how a varicose vein forms in a leg. Figure A shows a normal vein with a working valve and normal blood flow. Figure B shows a varicose vein with a deformed valve, abnormal blood flow, and thin, stretched walls. The middle image shows
Vein
 | 
July 18, 2025
Chronic Venous Insufficiency: What the Trump Diagnosis Reveals & When to See a Vein Specialist
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is making headlines after President Trump’s recent diagnosis. Learn what CVI is, why it’s common in older adults, and how BASS Medical Group’s expert vein surgeons can help with advanced treatments and prevention.
A nurse preparing a measles vaccine at a clinic.
Primary Care
 | 
July 16, 2025
Measles Are on the Rise in California: What You Need to Know
California has already surpassed last year’s measles case total. Here’s why it's happening and how vaccination and herd immunity play a vital role.
A pediatrician talks to a teenage patient about her blood sugar test results
Kids Care
 | 
July 14, 2025
Nearly 1 in 3 Teens May Have Prediabetes—But Is the Data Accurate?
A recent CDC estimate says nearly one-third of U.S. adolescents have prediabetes. But with limited data and shifting methods, how worried should parents really be?
Close-up image of a cannabis plant, often used for medical and recreational purposes in California.
Primary Care
 | 
July 10, 2025
Is Weed Really That Bad for You? What California Doctors Want You to Know
Cannabis is legal in California—but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. Here's what the science (and your doctor) wants you to know.
Healthcare workers giving a measles vaccine to a child, reflecting the importance of immunization during the 2025 U.S. measles outbreak.
Primary Care
 | 
July 8, 2025
Understanding the Measles Emergency: 33-Year High Across 38 States
Learn why measles cases are surging in 2025, how it spreads, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
A clear glass of water with visible floating plastic particles, symbolizing microplastic contamination in drinking water.
Health Tips
 | 
July 5, 2025
How to Avoid Microplastics in Your Daily Life
What you can do today to limit microplastics in your body and home.
Fresh summer foods like cucumber, watermelon, pineapple, mango, coconut, mint, and lemon on a picnic table, ideal for staying cool and hydrated during hot weather.
Health Tips
 | 
July 2, 2025
What to Eat to Stay Cool in the Summer Heat
Discover hydrating, heat-fighting foods that help you stay refreshed and healthy during summer.
Man slicing medium-rare steaks on a wooden cutting board next to a grill during an outdoor summer BBQ
Knowledge
 | 
June 9, 2025
Grill Smart, Chill Smart: Summer Food Safety Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning
Nothing spoils a summer BBQ faster than food poisoning. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or heading to the park for a picnic, following simple food safety tips can keep your friends and family healthy all summer long.
Child holding ear with pain after swimming, a common sign of swimmer’s ear
Primary Care
 | 
June 7, 2025
Swimmer’s Ear: Causes, Symptoms, and When to See a Doctor
Summer means more time at the pool—but for many kids, it can also mean painful ear infections. Swimmer’s ear is one of the most common poolside problems parents face. Here’s how to spot it early and when to seek care.
Woman sneezing outdoors in a dry grass field, likely to due to allergic rhinitis.
Primary Care
 | 
June 5, 2025
Hay Fever vs. Summer Cold: How to Tell the Difference
Learn how to tell the difference between allergy symptoms and a viral cold.