Doctor Column

‘COUGHING’ — IN ADULTS December 12, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD In the year 2010, there were one billion physician office visits in the United States. The most common reason for visiting the doctor was not headache, arthritis or diabetes. It wasn’t hypertension, sinusitis or the flu. It was “coughing.” The Cough Reflex — “Gatekeeper” of the lungs December 6, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Coughing is a common, somewhat perplexing complaint with a variety of causes. It’s a symptom — not a disease. Coughing can be a reaction to “cold air” or it can make the clinician suspicious of cancer. It can appear to be the only presenting symptom or in association with illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Hearing Loss and Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) November 21, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Have you ever notice people in the theater or in some other venue lining up to rent a listening device to improve their hearing? Some are wearing hearing aids, others are not. What are these listening devices? Why do people with hearing aids need them? Hearing Aids in Children and Adults November 14, 2015 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Individuals at times complain: “People mumble all the time. They don’t speak up.” Or they might say, “I can hear you, but I can’t get a grip on the words.” Adults can voice their disappointments but small children are dependent on alert parents and physicians to recognize their loss of hearing. How To Keep A Picky Child Healthy October 13, 2015 Natalie W. Geary, MD Some children will eat everything put in front of them, while others have a more selective palate. But what do you do when your child’s meals are so limited that they lack variety and color? You may have tried making things into cute and funny shapes and still these foods have been rejected. Here are some adjustments you can make to simple meals so that you know your child is getting as many nutrients as possible. Vitamin D October 5, 2015 Natalie W. Geary, MD The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled the recommended daily dose of vitamin D for children and teens up to 400 units per day, which is equivalent to drinking four cups of milk. The Facts About Carbohydrates October 1, 2015 Natalie W. Geary, MD Carbohydrates have gotten a bad wrap lately. But, actually they are a necessary and important part of your child’s diet. There really is no solid evidence to support the value of low-carb diets, especially for growing children and young adults.