Doctor Column

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. Osteoporosis Revisited September 25, 2021 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Lisa, a 73year old retired school teacher, went to a pastry shop to purchase a regular coffee and a plain donut. Before ordering, she turned around to pick up a few napkins. She slipped, fell, and landed on her buttocks. Get the Booster Shot — Being Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 is NOT Enough! September 5, 2021 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD John, a construction worker, got down from his truck and his left foot landed on a rusty nail. Ouch! When he took his shoe off, the foot was bleeding, and he couldn’t put pressure on it. Fellow workers took him to a nearby hospital where X-rays showed no evidence of a fracture. Why It Is Important to Understand the Different Stages of Cancer August 25, 2021 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2020 there will be 1.8 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 606,520 cancer deaths in the United States. Cancer staging and grading of these tumors are important guidelines for doctors and patients in dealing with the treatment and outcomes of this disease. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test — “AUDIT” August 15, 2021 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a global problem. World Health Organization estimates that 3 million deaths are directly attributable to the harmful use of alcohol. It’s linked to more than two hundred diseases and injuries. Mental problems, death and disabilities occur relatively early in life and there may be an association between alcohol misuse and infectious diseases Heat Stroke and Related Heat Illnesses — How To Keep Your ‘Cool’ During Heat Waves August 5, 2021 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD The National Weather Service reported that the average temperature for the month of June 2021 in the US was the hottest on record. “An Inconvenient Truth” is that climate change is real and its damaging medical and economic effects are real and intensifying. Head Trauma: “Shake It and You Break It!” Traumatic Brain Injury July 25, 2021 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Trauma is the most common cause of death in young people. And almost half of these trauma-related deaths are caused by head injury. It’s estimated that over 50,000 deaths a year in the United States is attributed to head injury.