Mayan´s - The first Dental Implantologists?

The Mayans were inventors, scientists, farmers and craftsmen who developed astronomy, a calendar system, and hieroglyphic writing just to name a few. The Mayans resume is extensive and impressive including building highly decorated ceremonial architecture, such as temple-pyramids, palaces and observatories, all without the use of metal tools and can boast of being skilled farmers, clearing large sections of tropical rain forest and, where groundwater was scarce, building sizable underground reservoirs for the storage of rainwater. The Mayans were equally skilled as weavers and potters, clearing routes through jungles and swamps to create extensive trade networks with distant peoples.  It should really be of no surprise we´ve discovered they were dentist as well.

 When I first heard of the young Mayan woman discovered with the first known dental implants I immediately pictured in my mind a young woman in her early 20´s from a wealthy Mayan family with a  simply desire to be beautiful, just like any modern girl her age.  I wondered would she stroll by the water to see her reflection desperately wishing she had a beautiful smile to flirt with the boys or did she avoid her reflection and act shy around the young men her age?  Did her father search out a medicine man for his daughter or did a man of vision approach the family with his revolutionary idea.  It was around 600 AD when the woman I think of as Lilly had three dental implants placed in her lower jaw, small shells to replace her missing teeth, she must have been quite the rage after that, at least for a time, she didn´t survive past her twenties.

We´ve come a long way baby! It wasn´t until 1952 when Swedish orthopedic surgeon, P Irånemark  was experimenting, studying bone and regeneration when he discovered the osteo-integration process that makes dental implants possible today, and then, it wasn´t until 1965 when the first titanium dental implant was placed on a Swedish volunteer, Gösta Larrson.  

Today at Costadental we have on staff,  highly experienced personnel specializing in dental implants and full mouth restoration at affordable prices ready to give you the smile you have always dreamed of and to think it all began with the Mayans. 

Dengue in Cozumel

With the mosquito season upon us and the recent outbreak in Dengue in our area I want to encourage everyone to wear mosquito repellent when going out. If you plan to visit our beautiful Island we want you to enjoy it to the fullest and being prepared brings you one step closer to doing so.  If you live in Cozumel make sure your home is properly secure from mosquito breeding sites such as standing water. 

To help out our community during this season CMC has put together a Dengue package so if you or someone you love needs medical care you know you will be getting top quality care at an affordable price. Most strains of dengue are mild and don´t need hospitalization but if you are one of the few that do you know where you can get affordable treatment.  If you have muscle and joint pain, headache and a fever come in to CMC for testing.  With the different strains around it is better to be safe than sorry, and remember with all strains of Dengue you need a doctor’s prescription for treatment, ALL cases are NOT the same and you should consult with a doctor and NOT try to self medicate, it could cause further complications in those rare cases. 

 Dengue package $9900 Pesos

3 night’s hospital stay

Medical Treatment

Medicine
Labs

Price excludes any unforeseen complications or additional diseases.

To your health,

Julie Chamberlain

Director Medical Tourism 

international@costamed.com.mx

CMC (Costamed)

What is Dengue?

What is Dengue? 

Dengue fever a is a widespread infectious disease endemic all over the world including the southern border of the US which is more frequent in a location during rainy season It is an acute disease caused by a virus transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. .

It is usually of short duration and the patient has no complications (Classic Dengue), however, you may develop a severe form of disease known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. 
Classic Dengue (DC) 
Individuals who develop Dengue Fever can experience, a high temperature, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, rash or hives, on the neck and chest mostly. 
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) 
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a complication of dengue, characterized by reduction of platelets in the blood. 

Do all serotypes cause disease? 

Yes, all four serotypes are capable of producing disease to humans. 

Which are more common serotypes? 

Some references say that DENV-2 is the most common but it is not so easy to determine serotype in most of the locations where the disease is present. 

Is there a cure for Dengue? 

Dengue is usually self-limited disease. What is important is the care you receive in each phase of illness, so it is important for you to go to your clinic if you suspect you have dengue. 

How do you know if I have Dengue? 

If you have a fever or live in an areas where dengue occurs go to a clinic to be seen by a physician to determine if you have Dengue. 

How long is the disease? 

The incubation period of dengue is 4 to 7 days after contact with the virus; the disease can last up to 15 days. 

How is Dengue transmitted? 

It is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. 

Can spread from person to person? 

No, a sick person cannot spread from one to another unless there are flies in the same place that bite both people. 
How do I know if I've suffered Dengue? 

You can go to your clinic and if necessary the doctor will need to conduct laboratory studies to identify previous exposure to dengue virus. 

Where does dengue hemorrhage occur in the body? 

Dengue Hemorrhage can occur anywhere in the body, and be as small as bruising or as severe as internal bleeding. 

Can I die of dengue? 

If medical help is not received in time, the disease can be complicated and increases the risk of dying. 

If I am sick with dengue, can I infect someone? 

No, Dengue is not transmitted from person to person. 

What drugs must be taken in case of Dengue? 

Only those medications indicated by your doctor. 

Can I take medicine that I have at home? 

No, it is best to go to a clinic to see what kind of medicine you need. 

Why can’t I take aspirin for a headache when I have Dengue? 

Because aspirin has an anticoagulant effect (not clots in the blood) and DHF cases would increase bleeding. 

Is there a vaccine against Dengue? 

At this point there is still no vaccine against dengue; however, laboratories are working on one. 

Can you get Dengue repeatedly? 

Yes, remember that there are 4 serotypes of Dengue and you can get all but one of the same serotype again.  
How is the virus inactivated? 

There is no way to control the virus, it is important to know that many laboratories worldwide are studying the process for controlling the virus. 

Is there cross-immunity between dengue and other arboviruses VON? 

Studies have confirmed there may be cross-immunity with all arboviruses, but further research is needed. 
Where did Dengue originate? 

The first cases were reported as dengue were in Asia. Currently it occurs in tropical areas.

The mosquito

Aedes aegypti has two distinct stages in its life cycle: aquatic phase with three different evolutionary forms (egg, larva and pupa) and adult stage or air or imago. 

Can any mosquito transmit dengue? 

No. Only the genus Aedes, which has breeding sites shared with other mosquitoes such as Anopheles responsible for transmitting malaria. 

How is a mosquito infected? 

By biting a person suffering from Dengue. 

At what altitude can the mosquito survive? 

The average altitude where is below 1.200 m, although there has been at elevations around 2,400 in Africa. 

Do mosquitoes hatch in the bush? 

Yes they are born in the bush but that does effect the transmission of dengue. 

Does the mosquito that transmits dengue breed in puddles? 

No, because it prefers containers where their eggs can be fixed 

Does chlorine kills the larvae (acrobat, tadpoles, cortatripa, brads)? 

No. It has been observed that chlorine has no effect as a larvicide. 

What types of areas do the mosquitoes with dengue like to live?

Usually artificial containers found in external housing such as:  cans, tires, around homes, it is very common to find larvae in aquatic plants in vases, as well as in places where water is stored (batteries, sinks, tubs, tanks, water tanks, tanks). 


How long are larvae after cleaning the container where you store water? 

After five to six days. 

Do the mosquitoes die of the virus? 

No, mosquitoes do not get sick or die. 

How can I help prevent mosquitoes? 

It is recommend cleaning your patios by removing all artificial containers that hold water and are not useful; control boats, buckets, tubs, changing the water in vases and batteries and cleaning pools at least once a week, eliminating the vegetation found outside the home and avoiding puddles in the yard. 
Insecticide 

Does the use of repellent protects me? 

Yes, mainly in places where there are lots of mosquitoes and the risk of infectious illness. Before applying the repellent it is necessary to read the product instructions for proper use. 
More information on prevention 

With Temephos can larvae hatch? 

Any container that has been treated with granular Temephos the correct dosage of 20 grams per 100 liters of water must be free of larvae, unless the dose is not adequate or bag of insecticide has not been pierced. 

Does Vitamin B12 to repel mosquitoes? 

There is no evidence that guarantees protection of Vitamin B12 as a mosquito repellent, so it is recommended to apply insect repellent to avoid commercial mosquito bites, particularly where there is risk of transmission of dengue virus. 

Are the insecticides toxic? 

All insecticides are toxic; however, they have a safety margin calculated to the appropriate dose to target and kill various insects and prevent damage to human health. 

What areas are sprayed? 

Fogging is done in areas at risk of transmission of dengue disease, concurrent with physical activity and control larval mosquitoes in rapid cycling only in case of emergency or outbreak notice to the community for their participation. 
Why do some insecticides not smell? 

Because they are biodegradable pyrethroid insecticides in the environment, odorless, non-staining, does not corrode and low toxicity to mammals and no damage to the environment. 
How long is the insecticide in the environment? 

Approximately two hours, depending on environmental conditions like temperature, wind or rain, this can degrade faster. 

How many insecticides are to fight Dengue? 

In public health using various insecticides approved by the CICLOPLAFEST, particularly the Ministry of Health, which authorized are used exclusively as: larvicides (Temephos grain of sand to 1% or 5% in capsule, liquid Temephos 50%). To control adults (permethrin, and piperonyl butoxide Esbiol). 

Is the water treated withTemephos safe for drinking, washing, etc? 

Yes, it can be used for human consumption because of its low toxicity, provided that when used in proper dosage. 

How long does the effect of Temephos? 

Its average duration is 60 days to maintain the effectiveness of the product, due to constant use of domestic water.