Doctor Column
Parkinson Disease Treatment Options
February 25, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an adult onset, progressive, nerve wasting, movement disorder of the brain causing a depletion of the hormone dopamine. PD attacks a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces dopamine. This chemical messenger in the brain, dopamine, plays a key role in muscle tone and movement. Treatment is primarily focused on replenishing the brain with dopamine.
Colon Cancer Home Tests: “What To Know — What To Do?”
February 15, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Nick, a 20 year veteran of the Cleveland Fire Department said: “My family has a history of colon cancer. When I was 50 years old, I started to get routine colonoscopies. I told the nurses in my doctor’s office that I’m a healthy guy and don’t take any medicines. They told me to strictly follow the colonoscopy preparation instructions which went something like this:”
COVID Tests: “Which Is The Right One For Me?”
February 5, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
COVID-19 and its variants continue to dominate the news media and the front burners of medical researchers. There is confusion about COVID tests among the general population and there are differences of opinions among medical experts causing head-scratching — ‘What’s going on?’
Rib Fractures — Broken Ribs What to Know What to Do
January 15, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Rib fractures are common injuries, and ordinarily heal on their own after four to six weeks. However, if you, or someone you know has had a broken rib(s), you are familiar with severe pain.
Omicron Variant: COVID Rules Have Not Changed!
January 5, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
A variant of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24, 2021. The new, highly transmissible variant of concern, Omicron, was first detected in Botswana on November 11, 2021, three days later in South Africa and on December 1, the variant was confirmed in the United States.
Parkinson’s Disease Non-Motor Symptoms
December 25, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Parkinson disease is commonly referred to as a movement disorder of the nervous system that progresses slowly over time. The gradual reduction of dopamine in brain cells causes patients to typically experience motor (movement) symptoms of PD which include tremor (shakiness), rigid muscles, balance problems, difficulty walking and slowness or absence of movement.
Parkinson Disease 101 — Motor Symptoms
December 15, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Parkinson disease (PD) is a disorder within the brain that develops slowly over the years. This progressive, degenerative neurological disease happens when certain nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra (black substance) die earlier than normal and do not produce sufficient amounts of dopamine.
Havana Syndrome Needs to be De-mystified
December 5, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Years ago, Mike, an electric worker in his mid-forties complained of headaches, dizziness, ringing in his ears, and being tired. He thought it was related to his job. He worked in an industrial park filled with pollution including being exposed to high and low frequency wave emissions. The low keys on the piano have different frequencies compared to the high keys (see glossary below).
Alcohol Use Disorder in Women and the Elderly — A Worrisome Increase
November 25, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
There has been a worrisome increase in alcohol use among women and the elderly in the United States since 1999. Alcohol Use Disorder, AUD “is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using.” In 2017, 80,220 American deaths were associated with AUD.
Concierge Medicine in A Changing Medical Landscape
November 15, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Often, after checking into a hotel, people look for the concierge desk. The concierge is a hotel employee whose job it is to make your stay in the hotel as pleasant meaningful, and memorable as possible by improving the services the hotel offers. They arrange tours, make restaurant reservations and are helpful in obtaining tickets to the theater or sports events. People enjoy the personalized attention.
