Buzzed Driving – Very Low Blood Alcohol Content Associated with Crashes

27760There is no safe combination of drinking and driving – even within the legal limits.

A recent study led by UC San Diego sociologist David Phillips found that drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.01 percent – well below the U.S. legal limit of 0.08 – are 46 percent more likely to be officially and solely blamed by accident investigators than are the sober drivers with whom they collide.

Dr. Phillips discusses the methodology behind these fascinating findings and how even minimally buzzed driving increases your chances of being in a fatal car accident.

Learn how buzzed driving is defined and how it impacts everyone on the road. Watch Buzzed Driving – Health Matters online now.

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Health Matters: Shared Medical Appointments and Hepatitis C Update

Shared Medical AppointmentsManaging a chronic condition can be difficult.

Medical appointments can be short and infrequent leaving patients on their own to deal with their health issues. How can you get increased face time with your doctor and get more in-depth information? The answer may lie in shared medical appointments. Small groups of patients and caregivers meet with a doctor together on a regular basis to learn from medical professionals as well as each other.

Tune in to Health Matters to hear Dr. Alexander Kuo discuss the ins and outs of these appointments and how they have impacted the lives of his liver disease patients. Dr. Kuo also discusses recent innovations in the treatment of Hepatitis C.

Watch this program and other Health Matters programs online.

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Combating Cardiac Arrest

What kills more people than AIDS, breast cancer, and lung cancer combined? Cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest is the heart’s inability to contract properly which causes the blood to stop circulating. When this occurs, the brain doesn’t receive oxygen which can lead to death in a matter of minutes. Cardiac arrest kills an average of 1,000 people every day.

In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. David Granet and his guest, Dr. Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, introduce the newest device called an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator that could help save lives.

Watch “Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Sudden Cardiac Death” to discover how it works in conjunction with the heart’s electrical system and learn tips for lowering your risk of cardiac arrest.

Check out other programs about cardiology on UCSD-TV.

Traveling Abroad? Then This 'Health Matters' Matters To You

A trip abroad can be the adventure of a lifetime but it can also wreak havoc on your immune system. How can travelers minimize health risks before heading out to the airport? If you do return home sick, how can you be sure to get an accurate diagnosis?

On the latest edition of “Health Matters,” travel medicine specialist Dr. Joseph Vinetz joins host Dr. David Granet to discuss the health needs of every traveler. Also, Dr. Sharon Reed takes us on a tour of the Microbiology and Virology Laboratories at UC San Diego, where diseases contracted both at home and abroad are diagnosed.

Watch “Travel Medicine — Health Matters,” premiering tonight (March 21) at 8pm and online now.

Don't Let a Shoulder Injury Get You Down

Ouch!

No injury is good, but a tweaked shoulder can be especially inconvenient and downright uncomfortable.

A complex and unstable joint like the shoulder is often prone to injury. Luckily, there are many options for treatment.

On the latest edition of “Health Matters,” host David Granet welcomes Dr. Matthew Meunier, clinical professor at UC San Diego, to discuss treatments that may return patients to full function – whether that means a casual round of golf or competitive swimming.

Watch “Shoulder Injury — Health Matters,” tonight at 8 on UCSD-TV, and online now.