Doctor Column
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.
Five Reasons Why COVID-19 Vaccine’s Injected in the Upper Arm — In the Deltoid Muscle
July 15, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Thousands of public service messages have encouraged American to roll up their sleeves and take a shot in the arm to become vaccinated against COVID-19. Despite different methods of administering vaccines, the aim of vaccinations is to protect people against specific diseases.
Centenarians, COVID and Grandpa
July 5, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
It was May of 2020 when Jeannine’s frustration spilled into anger. She fired blanks trying to get her grandfather vaccinated against COVID-19. Doctors’ offices, “We don’t have the vaccine.” Local health officials, “We’re working on it. I suggest you go to the internet (.gov) for the latest information.” The internet was unhelpful. Hospitals “nada.” As a last resort, “I called my congressman and explained the situation.” This is how the story unfolded.
When Will the COVID-19 Pandemic End?
June 25, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
As the incidence of COVID-19 slopes downward in the United States and the vaccination rates climb, a sense of relief and normalcy is returning to the country. You can make indoor restaurant reservations more easily, fly across the nation, take part in sporting events outdoors or indoors, attend religious services and in person schooling is set to resume at the end of the summer throughout the U. S.
Herpes Simplex: Reasons to Be Careful
June 15, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
According to the World Health Organization, a mind-boggling 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 (or 67% of the world’s population) are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (see below). If you ever have had a fever blister or cold sore, you have been most likely infected with the HSV-1 virus.
CDC and COVID-19: To Mask or Not To Mask?
June 5, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
The COVID-19 drama continues to have twists and confusions. Recent guidelines promulgated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on May 13, 2021 have raised questions concerning the appropriateness of wearing masks indoors and in public.
Keep Moving, Sit Less & Move More for Good Health!
May 25, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
“Exercise is “good for you.” How many times have you heard that? Others announce; you need a “balanced program” that includes muscle strengthening, bone strengthening stretching and aerobic—cardio activities. But how do you make sense of and begin a balanced exercise program? How many steps are enough, what muscle groups should be strengthened or how hard and how often should you work out? People opine about the many benefits of exercise; but what are they?
Nine (9) Tips for Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
May 15, 2021
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
There is a definite need for better control of high blood pressure in the United States. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), “roughly 39 million Americans are at risk for serious health issues due to uncontrolled high blood pressure,” which includes an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, vision loss and kidney disease.
