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Home > MA Providers > Neurologists

Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD

Accepting New Patients

(3 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurology (Brain & Spinal Cord Disease)

Albany Medical College (1985)

Professional interests include: memory disorders, headache, seizure disorders

67 Belmont Street
Worcester, MA 01605

(508) 334-6641

Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD is a neurologist in Worcester, MA specializing in neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). She graduated from Albany Medical College in 1985 and has 40 years of experience. Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD is affiliated with UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Memorial Health and UMASS MEMORIAL MEDICAL GROUP INC.

Office Locations

Address:

67 Belmont Street
Worcester, MA 01605

Some issues Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD can help you with:

Headache

Headaches are dull or sharp pains that occur in regions of the head and face. Headaches occur in many different forms and vary in location, severity, and duration. They are not necessarily a sign of an underlying illness and often resolve on their own. However, headaches can present significant day-to-day discomfort. The most common forms of headaches include:

Migraines: one of the most prevalent types of headache, migraines typically last from two hours to three days, causing a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Nausea, sensitivity to bright lights, fatigue, and blurred vision all may accompany migraines. While migraines have no known cure, medications and lifestyle modifications may ease symptoms. Avoiding behaviors that may trigger migraines such as lack of sleep or loud, repetitive noises can improve headaches.
Tension headaches: also known as stress headaches, these headaches are characterized by pain in the upper top part of the head and behind the eyes. Tension headaches are common and have no exact cause; however, certain practices may increase the likelihood of developing them. For example, wearing one's hair up in a tight hairstyle or wearing a restrictive hat can put pressure on the scalp, leading to a tension headache. Other causes of tension headaches may include alcohol or nicotine use, caffeine, teeth grinding, stress, overexertion, and eye strain. Some people find posture improvement, alternating sleeping positions, and neck exercise can alleviate tension headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may also reduce tension-headache pain.
Sinus headaches: this type of headache causes pain in the sinuses, but may progress to pain and pressure in the eyes, forehead, and cheeks. These headaches are often accompanied by nasal congestion, fatigue, and ache in the upper teeth and may or may not be caused by sinus infections or sinusitis (sinus inflammation). Some sinus headaches are allergic headaches, which arise from allergic triggers such as seasonal allergies (pollen allergies) or hay fever, causing sinus pressure and facial pain. Other symptoms of allergic headaches include nasal congestion, irritated or watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Allergic headaches may be treated with antihistamine medications such as cetirizine (Zyrtec). Allergic headaches are common during pollen season, which is usually around springtime.
Cluster headaches: these headaches occur suddenly and cause stabbing, sharp pain from one eye down to the one side of the neck. They are often referred to as the most aggravating and painful type of headaches. Other symptoms of cluster headaches include nasal congestion, droopy eyelid, and enlarged pupil on one side of the face. In the past, it was widely believed that cluster headaches were caused by a bevy or "cluster" of multiple types of headaches, such as a combination of an allergic headache and a tension headache. Medical experts now recognize that cluster headaches are a separate and unique form of headache. Cluster headaches last for around twenty minutes to two hours. They may recur throughout the period of a day or several weeks, but usually dissipate within a month. Treatment for cluster headaches includes over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motren) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Prescription Prednisone can help with swelling and Verapamil may reduce pain by relaxing the blood vessels.

Living with headaches is challenging; headaches can prevent people from fully enjoying life. Medical treatment and care in avoiding certain triggers can help those with headaches begin to feel normal once again.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“presentation on memory loss: The Watermark at East Hill in Southbury will host a free lecture, "Why Can't I Remember" by Dr. Joan Puglia, neurologist, at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at 611 East Hill Road.”—"Senior calendar", Newstimes, March 2012

“Joan Puglia, M.D., a neurologist and outgoing president of the hospital's medical staff, said she objects strongly to any insinuation that the quality of care at New Milford Hospital is suspect, or...”—"New Milford Hospital statement: allegations are 'unsubstantiated and unprofessional"", Newstimes, November 2009

“Briana Wall of Woodbury said she was referred to Trowbridge by neurologist Joan Puglia for chronic neck and back pain.”—"Physiatrist helps combat pain, finds pleasure", Newstimes, November 2009

doctor visit	670
electroencephalography (EEG)	101
hospital care	73
inpatient care	73

**Gender**
Male	184
Female	252

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	420
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	131
From 75 to 84	160
85 and over	98
Less than 65	47

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	19
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	27
Dementia	31
Cancer	12

**Gender**
Male	177
Female	245

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	408
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	144
From 75 to 84	149
85 and over	79
Less than 65	50

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	19
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	28
Dementia	27
Cancer	10

doctor visit	475
electroencephalography (EEG)	38

**Gender**
Male	264
Female	368

**Age**
From 65 to 74	234
From 75 to 84	202
85 and over	108
Less than 65	88

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	27
Dementia	31
Cancer	13

doctor visit	330
electroencephalography (EEG)	37

**Gender**
Male	91
Female	161

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	212
Black	0
Hispanic	27
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	80
From 75 to 84	55
85 and over	23
Less than 65	94

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	53
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	29
Dementia	24
Cancer	11

doctor visit	505
electroencephalography (EEG)	24
hospital care	33
inpatient care	33

**Gender**
Male	130
Female	220

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	275
Black	15
Hispanic	39
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	128
From 75 to 84	84
85 and over	41
Less than 65	97

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	35
Dementia	32
Cancer	9

doctor visit	574
electroencephalography (EEG)	36
hospital care	39
inpatient care	39

**Gender**
Male	166
Female	263

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	332
Black	22
Hispanic	54
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	136
From 75 to 84	116
85 and over	39
Less than 65	138

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	34
Dementia	28
Cancer	10

doctor visit	515
electroencephalography (EEG)	35
hospital care	25
inpatient care	25

**Gender**
Male	145
Female	247

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	303
Black	0
Hispanic	55
Asian	0
Other	16
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	134
From 75 to 84	112
85 and over	36
Less than 65	110

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	31
Dementia	29
Cancer	11

doctor visit	497
electroencephalography (EEG)	33
hospital care	74
inpatient care	74

**Gender**
Male	200
Female	290

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	397
Black	0
Hispanic	50
Asian	0
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	172
From 75 to 84	145
85 and over	53
Less than 65	120

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	35
Dementia	33
Cancer	9

doctor visit	588
electroencephalography (EEG)	37
hospital care	108
inpatient care	108

**Gender**
Male	222
Female	293

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	415
Black	0
Hispanic	60
Asian	0
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	163
From 75 to 84	147
85 and over	69
Less than 65	136

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	33
Dementia	37
Cancer	11

doctor visit	478
electroencephalography (EEG)	57
hospital care	100
inpatient care	100

**Gender**
Male	185
Female	279

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	381
Black	0
Hispanic	45
Asian	0
Other	16
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	161
From 75 to 84	137
85 and over	53
Less than 65	113

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	23
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	32
Dementia	30
Cancer	16

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD treated as a neurologist in Worcester, MA were hospital care, inpatient care, electroencephalography (EEG) and diagnostic procedures.

diagnostic procedures	10
doctor visit	525
electroencephalography (EEG)	50
hospital care	61
inpatient care	61

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD.

**Gender**
Male	176
Female	261

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	3
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	314
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	33
Other	7

**Age**
75 to 84	130
85 and over	59
Less than 65	99
65 to 74	148

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD From 2013 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	14
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	31
Atrial Fibrillation	12
Cancer	11
Dementia	30

Education & Training

Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD graduated from Albany Medical College in 1985. She completed residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). She is certified by the Neurology and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Albany Medical College (1985)

Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)

Board Certification: Neurology

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UMass Memorial Medical Center

UMass Memorial Health

UMASS MEMORIAL MEDICAL GROUP INC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD has a high overall rating with an average of 3.67 out of 5 stars based on 3 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Worcester, MA.

3.67

Overall Rating

(3 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Joan Frances Puglia, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Questcor Pharmaceuticals	$79 ACTHAR $79
EISAI INC.	$72 Banzel $72
Biogen Idec Inc.	$37 TECFIDERA $37
EMD Serono, Inc.	$16 Rebif $16
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation	$11 Gilenya $11

**Types of Payments**
Education	$110
Food and Beverage	$106

Biography

Dr. Joan Puglia is a neurology (brain & spinal cord disease) specialist. She has indicated that her clinical interests include peripheral neuropathy, seizure disorders, and migraine. Dr. Puglia is affiliated with UMass Memorial Medical Center. Her practice in Worcester, MA is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com. Dr. Puglia is a graduate of Albany Medical College. She completed her residency training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).