Doctor Column
Nobel Prize 2020 Shines Light on Science and Hepatitis C — Understanding the ABC’s of Viral Hepatitis
November 15, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
On October 5, 2020 three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for their pioneering work in discovering the Hepatitis C virus. Two Americans and one British-born scientist will share this prestigious award as announced by the Nobel Committee at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.
Monoclonal Antibodies: A COVID’-19 Nemesis?
November 5, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
When President Donald J. Trump contracted COVID-19 in October of 2020, he was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with a cornucopia of drugs to combat his sickness. They included, as far as we know, Remdesivir, dexamethasone, a monoclonal antibody cocktail plus other medications and supplements to fight off the infection.
Pain 101 — The Basics: How Can We Make Sense of Pain?
October 25, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Pain tells us that there’s something’s wrong in the body. It has a peculiar way of speaking to us. Whether we complain about a mild headache or the intense, agonizing pain of a fractured thigh bone, it seems to say: “Listen up. It’s for your own good. There may be something terribly wrong going on in the body and you better act quickly to correct the problem.”
Coronaphobia: The Emotional Effects of COVID-19 and Mrs. Michelle Obama
October 15, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Former First Lady Michelle Obama announced in her podcast on August 5 that she’s suffering from “low-grade” depression. She said it this way: “I know I’m dealing with some form of low-grade depression because of the quarantine, because of the racial strife.” It’s “dispiriting” watching the day-in and day-out hypocrisy of this administration. She had difficulty sleeping and there were periods “where I’ve felt too low” and “where you just don’t feel yourself.”
Convalescent Plasma for COVID-19 — “What Are Plasma’s Benefits?”
October 5, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
COVID19 has had almost “carte blanche” to crisscross America from East to West leaving in its wake death and anguished families.
What You Need to Know About Knee Pain? What If It’s Not Arthritis?
September 25, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
People of all ages have experienced knee pain that varies from being a nuisance to incapacitating agony. We need healthy knees to walk, run, stand or jump. When injury or disease triggers knee pain, it’s critical to get pain relief, the right diagnosis and treatment as well as information on how to prevent future problems. To help understand knee pain or knee problems, it’s useful to be familiar with the knee joint.
“Pain-Speak” — One Crucial Way How the Body Communicates With Us
September 15, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. It’s the most common reason people make an appointment to see their doctor. More than 25 million Americans live with chronic pain and one in every four Americans have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours.
Could the Upcoming Flu Season be a “Double Whammy?” The “Twindemic” of COVID-19 and Influenza?
September 5, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Although the Flu virus has played second fiddle to COVID-19 this year, it too is a lethal virus. We’ve become conditioned to accepting the “statistic” that every flu season, the virus kills many thousands of Americans. Health officials say it’s particularly important this year to get the Flu shot because of the potential “double whammy” of the Flu and COVID-19 joining forces to cause widespread sickness and loss of lives.
Electrical Cardioversion for Heart Rhythm Problems
August 25, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
John is a 67 year old retired postal worker. He complained of being tired, lightheaded, having palpitations and being short of breath, the latter, especially after walking two or three blocks. A thorough cardiac evaluation pinpointed the problem. Calcium deposits formed on the heart’s aortic valve causing a narrowing of its opening and thereby reducing the flow of blood from the heart to his brain and the rest of the body.
What’s Wrong with Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Voice?
August 15, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
What’s causing Dr. Antony Fauci’s voice problem? In early April of this year, the respected infectious disease expert and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease was queried by Savanah Guthrie during a TV “Today” interview. She asked, “Are you OK? Your voice doesn’t sound great.”
