Doctor Column
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) — The “Chickenpox Sequel”
March 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Shingles is a common viral infection that targets the skin, and nerve fibers. It causes a painful rash-blister due to the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus usually remains dormant or inactive in the body for the rest of his life; but for an unknown reason it can become reactivated later in life causing shingles. The rash typically involves one side of the body, and takes the shape of a band-like pattern.
Thyroid Gland ... What Is It? What Does It Do? The Pituitary—Thyroid Connection
February 25, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland located in the neck below the Adam’s apple or thyroid cartilage, and in front of the windpipe (trachea). It consists of right and left thyroid lobes (wings), joined together by a narrow strip of thyroid tissue called the isthmus.
Glymphatic System: How Sleep Cleanses and Revitalizes the Brain — Its House Cleaning System
February 15, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
A good night’s sleep is a priceless gem. It restores, revitalizes, and energizes us. Lack of sleep impacts our memory, how we think, feel, and behave. We’re not alert, our job performance suffers, we’re often grumpy, and our behavior can be an embarrassment.
Precision Medicine (Personalized Medicine): “Is It Right For You?”
February 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Former President Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924. Few thought this 98 year old would be living today. In 2015 he was diagnosed with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer which had spread to his liver and brain.
Vasectomy: An Uptick In Demand
January 25, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
The United States Supreme Court in June of 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade and a woman’s choice concerning abortion. Subsequent to the Court’s “Dobbs” decision, over the past six months there has been an increase in requests for information about vasectomy, as well as an uptick in the number of vasectomies.
Damar Hamlin: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“Commotio Cordis”) and The Game of Life
January 15, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on January2, 2023 after tackling Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins in the first quarter of the game broadcasted on “Monday Night Football.” People in the stands at Paycor Stadium and those at home were stunned as they watched Hamlin stand up from the tackle and a few seconds later crumbled to the ground, stretched out on his back, lying motionless.
Seizure First Aid .. What ‘You’ Can Do to Help a Person Having a Seizure
January 5, 2023
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
When I was an undergraduate, the University organized an October field trip to Vermont for a long weekend. On the second day of the trip, a bunch of us were having lunch on wooden tables and benches. I was seated next to and chatting with Mike, whom I met for the first time the previous day. When I asked him a question and he didn’t answer, I turned, and saw a stiff body staring ahead. I caught him as he keeled over towards me.
‘Leaky Gut’ or Intestinal Hyperpermeability
December 25, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Digestion involves the intake and chewing of food, the passage of the food to the back of the mouth, and down the esophagus into the stomach. In the stomach, chemical juices break down the food into a semifluid mass (chyme) which the stomach passes on to the small intestine.
A Peek at Pee: What Do the 8 Urine Colors Mean?
December 15, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
The kidneys make urine when they filter your blood. Water makes up 95% of urine. The other 5% consists of materials such as creatinine, urea, ammonia and the ions of sodium, calcium and potassium. This ratio is noteworthy because too much or too little water, plus other factors, affect the color of your urine. What are the different colors of the urine? What do they mean? When should I see my doctor?
RSV Threat to Infants and Elderly
December 5, 2022
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Imagine looking at your 6 month old child or grandchild frantically gasping for air, breathing rapidly with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest, and the baby’s ribs pulling in and out, and stomach moving up and down. You rush the infant to the emergency department (ED) of your hospital in critical condition. When you get there, you discover that the ED is crowded, doctors scurry about, and other children are experiencing similar problems.
