San Diego Health

Acne is the most common skin condition and affects up to 50 million Americans every year. Though acne is commonly associated with the teenage years, it’s a problem that can continue to rear its ugly head well into adulthood. While acne can be troublesome and can take a toll on a person’s self-esteem, dermatologists say it’s a treatable condition. It just takes time and consistency. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Sophia Akhiyat, MD, a Scripps Clinic dermatologist, discuss the different types of acne and their causes. Dr. Akhiyat also outlines different acne treatment options, ranging from over-the-counter topical creams to prescription medication to dermatologist-provided chemical peels and laser therapy.

Sun, stress, and gravity take a toll on our appearance as we age. But there are ways to reverse the visible signs of aging and get rid of wrinkles and sagging skin. A mini facelift could help turn back the hands of time and restore a more youthful appearance. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Victor Ross, MD, discuss how a mini facelift is performed, how it differs from a traditional facelift, and who’s a candidate. Dr. Ross also covers the risks and recovery time.

Guns are the leading cause of death for children in the US. A startling stat: On average, 13 kids die each day due to gun violence. It’s important to take steps to keep your child as safe as can be in the face of this disheartening epidemic. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Walter Biffl, MD, medical director of trauma and acute care surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, discuss ways to protect your kids from gun violence. Dr. Biffl outlines how to properly store guns and why it should be a part of the childproofing conversation, how parents can talk to their kids about gun safety, and how to address the issue with friends and family members before trusting them to care for your child.

One pill can kill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 150 deaths per day are caused by synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 stronger than morphine, is fueling the opioid crisis and in just the past year alone, more than 110,000 people in the US have died from synthetic opioid overdoses. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Roneet Lev, MD, an emergency medicine physician and the director of the emergency department at Scripps Mercy Hospital, talk about ways to protect your loved ones from a potentially deadly fentanyl overdose. Dr. Lev also explains how illicit fentanyl could be masquerading as other medications, which could land users in the hospital—or worse.

A startling stat: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42 percent of adults and nearly 20 percent of children are obese—that’s around 115 million people. Weight loss medication and/or bariatric surgery may be options for some of those whose health is at risk due to their weight and lifestyle. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guests Scripps Clinic endocrinologist Jennie Luna, MD, and Scripps Clinic bariatric surgeon Mark Takata, MD, discuss the genetic and societal causes of obesity, why diet and exercise just aren’t enough for some people, and how weight loss medication and bariatric surgery work to help people lose weight when other methods are ineffective. Dr. Luna and Dr. Takata also outline the health risks that come with obesity.

Life can take a toll on the skin in the form of sun damage, acne scars, wrinkles, and sagging—and believe it or not, volume loss can start at just 28 years old. But it’s possible to look younger without resorting to invasive surgery. Cosmetic procedures, such as injectables and laser treatments, can freshen up your look with minimal downtime. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Rawaa Almukhtar, MD, discuss what causes your skin to age in the first place, how to soften and fill in fine lines, the types of cosmetic injectables on the market, and the latest trends in cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Almukhtar also explains how visiting a board-certified dermatologist for your cosmetic treatments can help you avoid a frozen, overdone look.

In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps pediatrician Brian Scull, MD, discuss what dads-to-be (or any partner of someone about to have a baby) can be doing to get ready for their new baby. Dr. Scull covers parenting and childbirth classes, picking a pediatrician, babyproofing, parental leave, common concerns, and more. He also stresses the importance of being flexible, since babies aren’t exactly known for sticking to their parents’ well-intentioned plans. There’s a ton of information available for moms-to-be on how to prepare for the arrival of a new baby. But what should soon-to-be dads be doing? There are lots of unknowns and new experiences in store for new parents, but there are also steps you can take to be as ready as possible for the arrival of your bundle of joy.

Becoming a parent is a goal that many of us share, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Fortunately, thanks to advances in medical science, LGBTQ+ people have more options than ever to make their dreams of starting a family come true. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps OB-GYN DeAnna Young, MD, discuss various ways to have a baby if you’re LGBTQ+. Dr. Young covers artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, adoption, and fostering. She also introduces the possibility of twins created using sperm or an egg from each parent.

It turns out there’s some truth to the adage “You are what you eat.” Replacing the foods we eat with healthier alternatives and removing processed foods can help detoxify the body and improve health. And perhaps the best part is, making healthier choices doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic internist Mitch Biermann, MD, discuss how food can be used as medicine, the top healing foods, and how to structure your daily diet for the most bang for your caloric buck. Dr. Biermann also shares the top five foods that should be on everybody’s grocery list.

In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps allergist and immunologist Hannah Wangberg, MD, about food allergies and intolerances. Choosing to not eat peanuts or shellfish is a matter of personal taste for some people, but for those with food allergies, it’s a much more serious decision. Reactions to food allergies can range from hives and itching to difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. 

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.7 million kids and teens—roughly 20 percent—are obese, which can put their health at risk if left untreated. Childhood obesity has been linked to numerous health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and joint and back problems. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic pediatrician Ann MacQuarrie, MD, discuss the possible causes of the childhood obesity epidemic in America, factors that increase a child’s likelihood of developing obesity, and what parents can do to help keep their child healthy. Dr. MacQuarrie also outlines what kids and teens can do to create healthy habits and take charge of their health.

Autism spectrum disorder affects 1 in 59 children in the US. Symptoms of the neurodevelopmental disorder develop in very early childhood and can include limited eye contact, not smiling, not responding to their name, and difficulty speaking. ASD is a lifelong condition and can also trigger issues with social interactions, communication, and behavior. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic pediatrician Megan Craig, MD, discuss autism spectrum disorder in children, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options. Dr. Craig also and debunks some common misconceptions about autism and outlines the importance of early intervention.

A chronic cough, persistent shortness of breath, and difficulty exhaling are all signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The chronic lung condition, which can be triggered by smoking, infection, or even asthma, is relatively common and occurs in 20 to 30 percent of people who have an underlying lung disease. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Samir Makani, MD, director of interventional pulmonology at bronchoscopy at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, discuss what causes COPD, who’s at risk, and treatment options. Dr. Makani also explains how COPD differs from other common lung conditions like asthma and emphysema.

For minor health problems like muscle aches or slightly elevated blood pressure, lifestyle changes may be more beneficial than medication. Lifestyle changes, which can include adopting a healthier diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress, may also have the power to prevent chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, before they start. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Kosha Nathwani, MD, a Scripps Clinic family medicine doctor, discuss how physicians use lifestyle medicine to improve patients’ health and quality of life, and how meaningful and long-lasting changes can treat, reverse, and even prevent lifestyle-related diseases. Dr. Nathwani also outlines the roles of specialists and support personnel like dietitians, physical therapists, social workers, and mental health professionals, in a comprehensive lifestyle medicine team.

Individuals with Medicare part B or a Medicare Advantage plan are eligible for free annual Medicare Wellness visits. Scripps partners with patients’ primary care doctors to perform these annual healthy aging wellness assessments. Doctors develop or update the patient’s personal care plan based on their current health and risk factors to help prevent diseases or disabilities. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Kaitlyn Bertrand, a physician assistant with Scripps’ Annual Health Assessment Clinic, discuss  Medicare Wellness visits and how they differ from annual physical exams, who’s eligible, how to prepare, and how to schedule one. Bertrand also covers what happens during the visit and how providers screen for conditions like depression.

The gallbladder is part of the digestive system and when working properly, helps break down fats in the body. However, the gallbladder can become inflamed and develop gallstones, both of which can hinder its functionality. Surgery can treat many gallbladder conditions and recent advances in technology can mean less invasive procedures and quicker recovery times. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps surgeon Dan Giurgiu, MD, discuss conditions that can affect the gallbladder, their symptoms, and treatment options. Dr. Giurgiu also outlines how certain foods can trigger a gallbladder condition to flare up and when you should seek medical attention.

Does your child is having difficulties focusing, paying attention, or controlling impulses? Or perhaps they tend to fidget, interrupt conversations, or grab things from other people. These are all signs that they may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The neurodevelopmental disorder affects 3 to 5 percent of children and if left untreated, can impact self-esteem, mental health, academic performance, and more. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest, Scripps pediatrician Nicholas Levy, MD, discuss the signs of ADHD, its symptoms, the diagnosis process, and treatment options. Dr. Levy also explains why ADHD isn’t always necessarily a negative.

For many people, getting rid of belly fat can be harder than it seems. Those last few pounds tend to hang around despite a healthy diet and exercise. Those with stubborn belly fat do have options though. Physicians can guide patients to beat belly fat for good via lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic endocrinologist and weight-management specialist Samantha Harris, MD, discuss what causes fat to accumulate around the waistline, what belly fat can mean for your health in the long run, and various ways to get rid of it. Dr. Harris also shares why supplements that claim to burn belly fat aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV and about 36,000 more are diagnosed every year. HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If not treated, it can lead to AIDS, which puts the body at higher risk for life-threatening infections and cancer. HIV stays in the body for life, and while there is no cure, it can be controlled. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps family medicine physician Brian Kim, MD, discuss HIV, its symptoms, and who’s most at risk for contracting HIV. Dr. Kim also outlines treatment options that can prolong a patient’s life and stop HIV from spreading. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7542p