Doctor Column
Peptic Ulcers, H. pylori and Two Australians
May 5, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
For many years, peptic ulcers were considered to be caused by too much acid in the stomach, as well as, being a psychosomatic problem (a physical disease) brought on by mental stress and anxiety.
Earth Day, Fasting and Hypoglycemia — Low Blood Sugar
April 22, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Earth Day, first observed in 1970, is expected to energize a billion people in over 180 countries on April 22 to dramatize the need to protect our environment.
Clinical Trials: “Are They Safe or Dangerous?”
April 10, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
In the late 1950/s and early 1960’s, pregnant women worldwide used a “wonder drug” promoted to combat a variety of conditions including morning sickness, insomnia and depression. Thousands of women who took the drug were horrified when they gave birth to babies with misshapen hands, feet, arms or legs.
Five Alarming Food-Drug Interactions
March 28, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Medications have cured many sick people. However, medications when combined with certain foods have made many healthy people sick. Some foods decrease the absorption of drugs in the body and make them less effective, because not enough drugs get into the blood stream. On the other hand, certain foods can interfere with the excretion of drugs increasing the amount of them in the body. The more drugs in the system, the greater the possibility of toxic side reactions.
The Significance of Waist To Hip Ratio — Are You An Apple or A Pear?
March 8, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Smoking is presently the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States However, obesity is in position to overtake that cancer enabler and become the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S.
Special Needs of Vegetarians. ‘What You May Be Lacking in Your Diet’
February 24, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
People can be passionate about their diets. At times, it seems that on one side of the fence someone is opining, “In order to be healthy, your body needs beef, fish or chicken.” On the other side, another is screeching, “You’re crazy. A vegetarian diet is perfectly healthy.” There is room for both of these attitudes but is a vegan diet perfectly healthy?
What You Need To Know About Vegetarian and Semi-Vegetarian Diets
February 10, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Several years ago, in one of Angelina Jolie’s press conferences about her movie SALT, she reportedly said: “A big juicy steak is my beauty secret. But seriously, I love red meat. I was a vegan for a long time and it nearly killed me. I found I was not getting enough nutrition,” Jolie’s remarks caused passionate responses from vegans. For example, “The vegan diet saved my life. I’ve lost weight, my blood pressure is down, my cholesterol is lower and I have more energy.”
STROKE! Need to ACT FAST and ACT IN TIME
January 27, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Ron is a 67 year old man who was feeling fine one minute and the next minute was on the floor of the living room of his apartment with his head against the sofa. His wife came out of the kitchen and said, “What are you doing on the floor? Get up.”
Metabolic syndrome and wellness — ‘Stay off the farm!’
January 15, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Early on in my medical education, part of my internship was spent in the E.R. and with doctors who specialized in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. There was one Cardiologist I particularly enjoyed working with and noted how he cared for his patients.
Decoding Your Doctor’s Precriptions
January 8, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
“Why do doctors have such terrible handwriting? I can barely read a word on my prescription slip. Take a look at this:” Sig. 1 po 45 min ac breakfast qd. Look familiar? The truth is many doctors do have horrible handwriting but most likely you cannot understand what’s written because they write in code. Doctors combine words and abbreviations, a medical short-hand, allowing for communication between pharmacists and physicians.
