Doctor Column
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.
Antiviral COVID-19 Pill — Molnupiravir
November 5, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Pharmaceutical companies spend a great amount of time, effort, and money in their quest to cre-ate effective drugs to combat viral, and infectious diseases. There have been notable antibiotic successes, but less so concerning antiviral medications.
Dr. Katalin Kariko — Will the mRNA Messenger Be Awarded the Nobel Prize?
October 25, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Over time many people have received huge recognition for their life’s work posthumously. These innovators have died with neither fame nor financial gain. Nevertheless, their work is breathing and palpable today.
Bone Density: What Do the Numbers Mean?
October 15, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
The adult human skeleton has a total of 213 bones. Each bone goes through a lifelong process of making new, healthy bone tissue called bone modeling, and removing of old bone tissue labeled bone resorption. Bone loss happens when the body resorbs more bone than it makes.
Can Phytochemical (Phyto) Plant Foods Reduce Cancer Risk?
October 5, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
“One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.;” reports the American Cancer Society (ACS). We can cut down on the odds of getting cancer by incorporating colorful, “phyto” foods into our diet.
