Doctor Column
Vaccinations Are Not Just for Kids. They’re Crucial to Your Health and Public Safety
February 25, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
You may think vaccinations are just for kids. Not so. Your need for vaccinations continues as you get older. For instance, you benefit by getting vaccinated against influenza annually during the fall or winter seasons. Moreover, you can benefit from newer vaccines which were not available when you were a youngster.
The 2019 New Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know — What to Do?
February 15, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities announced the discovery of a new coronavirus that has subsequently infected thousands of people worldwide, but primarily in China. The strain of this novel (new) coronavirus, also referred to as (2019-nCov), has never been previously found in humans.
Viruses 101 and the Body’s Battle Against These Relentless Invaders
February 5, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
In the film, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” several people in the fictitious small town of Mira, California visit psychiatrist, Dr. Miles Bennell. They have similar complaints: the personality of their loved ones have been hijacked by some outside force changing them eventually into emotionless, robotic humans.
Kidney Stones: “Drink Lots of Water!”
January 25, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Have you ever heard that passing a kidney stone is more painful than giving birth or having a heart attack? That’s what Veronica told her family doctor after being asked about her medical history. She has given birth to birth to three children, suffered a heart attack and was treated for kidney stones.
What’s Gout All About? Gouty Arthritis
January 15, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis causing attacks of severe pain and swelling in your joints. Ninety percent of the time it affects men over the age of 30 and when it affects women, it usually involves postmenopausal women.
Corticosteroids and Prednisone: Pros and Cons
January 5, 2020
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Corticosteroids (steroids) are a group of anti-inflammatory systemic medications produced naturally in the body or manufactured synthetically outside the body. They relieve redness and itchiness, reduce swelling, used to treat people in shock and are used to counteract severe allergic reactions.
Atrial Fibrillation (‘A Fib’) What is Holiday Heart?
December 25, 2019
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF, often causes the heart to beat faster with an abnormal rhythm. It is the most common chronic, irregular heart rhythm in the U. S. It strikes more than two and half million people in America and the incidence of AFib rises with age. It’s most prevalent in people over the age of 65 affecting about nine per cent of this population; and there isn’t a predictable pattern to the irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
How Does the Healthy Heart Work?
December 15, 2019
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Have you ever run to catch a bus, worked on a strenuous job, played sports or run up a flight of steps? Whether you’re exercising, stressed-out or working hard, the heart needs to adjust to the added physical or emotional stress.
Subdural Hematoma Hospitalizes Jimmy Carter. “What is It?”
December 5, 2019
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Former President Jimmy Carter was hospitalized and underwent surgery at Emory University Hospital in November, 2019 to relieve pressure in his brain. The 95 year old and 39th president of the U. S. suffered a head injury after falling which his doctors described as a subdural hematoma (SDH).
Floaters and Flashes of Light in Your Eye: “When Should You Worry?”
November 25, 2019
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
We recognize people and the world around us when light passes into the eye, travels across the vitreous material of the eye on its way to the retina. The vitreous is a clear, jelly-like substance that occupies about 80% of the space within the eye and is normally attached to the retina. The retina has light sensitive nerve cells in the back of the eye that relays signals to the brain so we can see.
