Doctor Column
“The Boy in the Bubble” — Recurrent Infections in Children… “When Should I Worry?”
December 25, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
In the 1970’s, much notoriety was given to the “The Boy in the Bubble”. The youngster, David Vetter, lived alone for 12 years in a germ free plastic tent. His mother never held him in her arms. No one was allowed to touch him with their bare hands. The toll on his psyche and the heartache of his parents are immeasurable.
A Snapshot of the Immune System — Our Bodies’ Department of Defense
December 15, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Just as an apartment building uses a doorman and a surveillance system to identify and prevent unwanted visitors from entering the premises, the immune system uses an army of specialized cells, tissues and organs to survey and protect the body against foreign invaders.
Getting Old is Hard to Swallow — ‘Dysphagia in the Elderly’
December 5, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Trouble swallowing in the elderly has received keen interest in recent years. Oropharyngeal Dysphagia — “OD” involves difficulty moving food or liquids comfortably from the oral cavity, mouth and throat, to the esophagus (food pipe). Some have proposed to characterize OD as a geriatric syndrome, a clinical disorder especially prevalent in the elderly.
Dysphagia: “Why Do I Have Trouble Swallowing?”
November 25, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Dysphagia (dys difficulty — phagia eating) is the medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing. Something prevents the comfortable passage of food or liquids from the mouth to the stomach.
Medical Bills Can Ruin Your Life! Medical Debt and Bankruptcy
November 5, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report, “An estimated 1 in 3 Americans have trouble paying their medical bills. They are gradually paying medical bills over time or they have bills they can’t afford to pay at all.”
Script Shock Staggering Cost of Prescription Drugs
October 25, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Peggy is a 69 y/o lady who complained of an upset stomach and diarrhea. At first, she blamed it on what she ate the previous day. However, the diarrhea persisted, became more frequent and more explosive.
“I Feel Stressed Out” Stress, Weight Gain and Sleep Loss
October 17, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
James Comey Jr., former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made a “gut wrenching” decision that made him “feel nauseous”. He seemed tense, anxious and probably didn’t get his usual good night’s sleep.
The Basics of Medicare: The A, B, C, and Ds of Medicare
October 5, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
In 1965, Medicare was signed into law by President Lyndon Baines Johnson. It is a federal health care insurance program to help Americans 65 and older pay their medical expenses. At the same time, Medicaid was created for low income families.
Non-Pulmonary Chronic Cough: A Dangerous ‘Impostor’
September 26, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Chronic cough is a common and puzzling symptom. It hides behind many masks, some more deadly than others. Patients have bounced from one specialist to another in an unsuccessful and costly attempt to get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Fentanyl and the Chinese Connection: Prince of Opioids
September 16, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Cancer patients who require round the clock opioids (e.g. morphine drip) for excruciating pain can become opioid tolerant and experience “breakthrough” pain. In this situation, fentanyl has been useful to relieve severe pain.
