“When people think about alcohol, they tend to think about two problems: addiction and drinking and driving. This [report] shows there is another big problem – you can die from alcohol itself.”
~ Dr. David Jernigan, PhD, Director, Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University

While the US drug crisis dominates the headlines, the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption are largely forgotten. And among those that DO remember, the conversation usually focuses on two subjects:

Alcoholism: According to the most-recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are over 15 million Americans age 12 and older who have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

Alcohol-Related Car Crashes: In 2016, 10,497 people died in car crashes involving alcohol.

And while these are huge issues indicative on the larger problem of problematic substance abuse, many people forget that it is also possible to die due to alcohol overdose—binge-drinking until the body shuts down.

An average of six Americans a day die because of alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol Poisoning Defined
Drinking a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time can overwhelm the body’s ability to safely metabolize that alcohol. Such a rapid increase in Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) can impair brain function to the point that it cannot regulate basic life-support functions.

Here’s the thing—BAC can continue to rise even after the person has passed out, because even in unconsciousness, alcohol that was in their stomach or small intestine will enter the bloodstream.

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is ALWAYS a medical emergency, and all of the conventional wisdoms on how to sober someone out – cold showers, coffee, walking them around – won’t help. 

Symptoms include:

• Extreme confusion
• Difficulty remaining conscious
• Breathing troubles
• Slowed heartbeat
• Cold, clammy skin
• Low body temperature
• Vomiting
• Impaired response – no gag reflex, unresponsive to pain, etc.

If you suspect someone is overdosing on alcohol, seek medical treatment immediately.

Approximately 88,000 Americans die because of alcohol-related causes every year. Lasting Recovery outpatient alcohol rehab in San Diego can help you and the people you care about safely regain their sobriety and return to a healthier, more productive life.

Sources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2016/NSDUH-FFR1-2016.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholOverdoseFactsheet/Overdosefact.htm

The next time you need to renew your insurance policies, consider taking these steps to help you get the most out of them:

• Meet with your agent.
Your insurance needs change
over time. Conducting a home insurance review with your agent at least once each year can help you determine if your policies still make sense for your current situation.

• Ask about discounts.
During your annual home insurance review, ask about policy discounts. Before you renew your policy, speak with your agent about discounts that may be available. You may qualify for discounts for alarm systems or higher deductibles. Commonly overlooked discounts include infrequent or safe driver discounts.

• Insure your home for the estimated cost to rebuild rather than the real estate value. 
State Farm® suggests you select a policy amount equal to at least 100% of the estimated replacement cost of your home, but the choice is yours. You also should make sure any replacement cost estimate reflects the actual characteristics of your home. Insuring your home for at least 100% of its estimated replacement cost — not the current market value — could give you the means to replace your home entirely in the event of a loss.

Carefully review the limitations on coverage and exclusions in your policy. Some items in your home might qualify for extra protection. For example, you may need more protection for jewelry and firearms. Business in the home coverage can protect furniture and equipment used for business purposes. Talk to your agent to make sure you’re not overlooking important add-ons to your policy.

Disclosure
Because insurance protection is a contract, any coverage descriptions in this article are general only and are not statements of contract. All coverages are subject to all policy provisions, including applicable endorsements.

Most of us know that more sun exposure means higher risk for skin cancer, right? Well, there are also other, more specific factors that can also contribute to skin cancer. 

• Fair skin (rarely tans but burns easily)
• History of bad sunburns as a child and teenager
• Family history of skin cancer
• Lots of moles and growths on body

If you are prone to sunburns and/or have a family history of skin cancer, then the latest I would recommend seeing a Dermatologist is at age 30.  

The risk of skin cancer decreases if you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum.

• Olive toned skin (rarely burns but tans easily)
• Avoids extended sun exposure now and as a child and teenager
• No family history of skin cancer
• Little to no moles or growths on body

The most important rule when it comes to skin cancer prevention is to ALWAYS have a suspicious mole or growth evaluated by a dermatologist. 

And remember your ABCDEs when doing self-evaluation for what is suspicious:

A - asymmetry (put an imaginary line in the middle of the mole or spot, the two sides should match, if not it is asymmetric)

B - border (should be smooth and not jagged)

C - color (should be uniform and even)

D - diameter (should be smaller than a pencil eraser)

E - evolution (watch out for any symptoms like itching, burning, and especially bleeding)

I hope this  helps to serve as a reminder to begin getting annual skin exams and regularly examine your moles and skin growths. You may end up saving your life.

Dr. Tess Mauricio is a Board-Certified Dermatologist. She is a graduate from Stanford University School of Medicine and is the founder of M Beauty Clinic by Dr. Tess. She currently has three clinics: Miramar, Chula Vista, and Beverly Hills. Dr. Tess grew up in San Diego and is a long time Scripps Ranch resident.

Regenerative Medicine is a revolutionary technology which uses OUR VERY OWN stem cells to repair degenerative conditions and signs of aging.  We start out with millions of stem cells when we are born, but that number decreases as we get older, which makes it more difficult for our bodies to heal when we are injured. Regenerative Medicine allows us to harvest and process our stem cells to reintroduce them to different areas of the body where the stem cells are needed.

There are numerous ways to obtain stem cells, but we prefer getting them from your own fat via liposuction since fat is rich in stem cells and people also like decreasing the amount of fat they have on their stomachs.

Some conditions that I have specifically treated are: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Knee Pain, Ankle Pain, Foot Pain, Tendonitis, Sports Injuries, Failed Back Surgery, Fractures, Raynaud’s Disease, Sciatica, Hair Loss, Sexual Dysfunction, Neurological & Autoimmune Conditions and general Anti-Aging of the Skin.

Individual results will vary and we cannot promise the extent of your results because this procedure depends on your own stem cell’s ability to repair and regenerate. However, ALL of our patients so far have reported a noticeable improvement with pain and their quality of life after the procedure.

Contact our clinic at (858) 689-4990 for more information about Regenerative Medicine.

Dr. Tess Mauricio is a Board-Certified Dermatologist and a leader in Regenerative Medicine, training other doctors all over the world on the latest anti-aging techniques. She is a graduate from Stanford University School of Medicine and is the founder of M Beauty Clinic by Dr. Tess. She currently has three clinics: Miramar, Eastlake, and Beverly Hills. Dr. Tess grew up in San Diego and is a long time Scripps Ranch resident.

Dr. Jennifer D. Santoro, DDS, owner of Village Center Dentistry, had a vision for her own dental office when she started out.

“I wanted it to be more about personal relationships and getting to know the people,” she said. “The motto that I like is: ‘Village Center Dentistry, where everyone is treated like family.’”

Dr. Santoro likes to learn about her patients as individuals. She enjoys learning about their children, their family and what they did last weekend. Most importantly, she wants her patients to feel comfortable and relaxed.

She said her team tries to make everyone feel as if they are at home, not in a white, sterile-looking office. A quick tour inside her office clearly reveals that she has accomplished her goal. The décor is clean but enjoyable. The overall feeling is pleasant, calm and positive.

“It’s a welcoming, homey environment where you can have quality dental work,” she explained. “We only use the best supplies. We have the best technology. Our team is awesome and we really like each other. It’s just a really good working environment.”

A trip to Village Center Dentistry doesn’t feel like a dentist appointment because Dr. Santoro’s philosophy is paying off.

“Dentistry is almost a side-affect,” Dr. Santoro said. “You do a good job, you have the skills to do that, but you want to make people comfortable because I know nobody likes going to the dentist.”

Adding to the relaxing atmosphere is the sound of laughter and jovial banter coming from the staff. It’s enough to put anyone at ease. “The team is perfect,” Dr. Santoro said.

Her staff consists of two dental hygienists, two people at the front desk and one assistant.

Village Center Dentistry provides an abundance of services including comprehensive and conservative care, fillings, crowns, cosmetic veneers, Invisalign (clear braces) and pediatric dentistry.

Dr. Santoro has updated most of the equipment since acquiring the practice in 2015. This includes a CEREC one-day crown machine. Patients needing a crown can simply come to their appointment and Dr. Santoro will scan the area rather than take an impression. After she designs the crown it is then fitted. Then the patient can relax for a half hour or even take a nap while the crown is baked before it is attached permanently. It’s almost too good to be true.

Dr. Santoro said her greatest pleasure is when a patient is done with their appointment and says, “Thank you, that didn’t feel like a dental appointment!”

Village Center Dentistry is currently welcoming new patients, including children, entire families and people of all ages. Patients may schedule appointments and fill out forms conveniently online at yourvillagedentistry.com. Or simply call the office, (858) 566-8510.

“We’re local, we’re in Scripps Ranch, and we love our patients like family!” Dr. Santoro said.

Village Center Dentistry
info@yourvillagedentistry.com
(858) 566-8510
yourvillagedentistry.com