Ask an Expert: How Can Breast Cancer Patients Make the Best Treatment Choices?

Verywell Health: What are the main differences between the different surgical options for patients with metastatic breast cancer? How do you empower patients to make choices that are best for them? There does appear to be a subset of patients where surgery is beneficial and would be considered. Halfpoint Images / Getty Images Surgical treatment in stage 4 breast cancer is about informed discussion with the patient and assessment of treatment response....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 72 words · Karla Lewis

Ask an Expert: How Can I Avoid a Misdiagnosis When It Comes to My Skin Condition?

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: There are two main things you’ve got the option to do. For example, somedermatologiststreat a lot ofhair lossor see a lot ofpsoriasis, but others dont. Someone with specific expertise will be better suited to diagnose and treat your condition. Julie Bang / Verywell Doing that can help solidify the information you were given and confirm or refute a diagnosis.

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 61 words · Robert Collier

Ask an Expert: How Can I Find a Dermatologist Who Specializes in Skin of Color?

Dr Woolery-Lloyd: There are some great organizations that can help you finddermatologistswho specialize in treating skin of color. The first is theSkin of Color Society. On their website, theres a Find a Doctor database. Design by Julie Bang / Verywell

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 40 words · Stephanie Garcia

Ask an Expert: How Can I Find HIV Support Groups in My Community?

This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Julie Bang / Verywell Verywell Health: How can I find HIV support groups in my community? Dr. Elopre: Fortunately, a lot of advocates have come out of the HIV epidemic and movement. Julie Bang / Verywell Those resources oftentimes have funding to provide these services specifically for the community.

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 63 words · Jason Mendoza

Ask an Expert: How Can I Manage Uterine Fibroid Pain?

This article is part ofUterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. But others experience symptoms like painful cramps and heavy bleeding during periods that significantly interfere with daily life. Some people have pain during sex because of fibroids. Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell Because fibroids tend to grow, a person who didnt have symptoms initially may slowly start experiencing them. Cramps that were once “normal” and easy enough to cope with may become awful....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 561 words · Brian Thompson

Ask an Expert: How Can Someone Determine Their Risk of Heart Disease?

This article is part ofHealth Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Verywell Health: How can someone determine their risk of heart disease? Dr. Shepherd: Heart disease, like any other disease state, has both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell The factors that we don’t have control over are our genetics and family history. People should be aware of these risk factors for mitigate their risk as much as they can....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 146 words · Cody Gilbert

Ask an Expert: How Do I Stay Mentally Healthy With an HIV Diagnosis?

This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Julie Bang / Verywell Verywell Health: How do I stay mentally healthy with an HIV diagnosis? Dr. Elopre: Unfortunately, were still living in a time when HIV can be a very traumaticdiagnosis. Julie Bang / Verywell Most clinics, especially clinics that have Ryan White funding from theU.S. The other thing you might do to stay mentally healthy is to empower and educate yourself about HIV....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 96 words · Anthony Carrillo

Ask an Expert: How Do I Take My HIV Medication Correctly and Where Can I Get Support?

This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Julie Bang / Verywell Verywell Health: How do I double-check I am taking my HIV medication correctly? Dr. Elopre:HIV medicationcan be complicated, because theres so manynew medicationscoming out. Julie Bang / Verywell So always check with your provider. Talk about all other medications youre taking, including supplements. Verywell Health: Where can I get support with getting and taking medication?...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 88 words · Christopher Peterson

Ask an Expert: How Does Stress Impact Heart Disease Risk?

This article is part ofHealth Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Verywell Health: How does stress impact heart disease risk? Dr. Shepherd:Stressplays a big part in any disease state involving inflammation. Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell Therefore, stress is a big risk factor for a number of health conditions, including heart disease. This creates even more barriers to living heart-healthy. That disease then becomes a genetic risk factor over time....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 89 words · Amy Henderson

Ask an Expert: How Important Is Lifestyle for Managing Psoriasis?

Verywell Health: What are some helpful ways that people with psoriasis can avoid triggers and flare-ups? Dr. Garshick:Those withpsoriasiscan avoid triggers and flares by minimizing injury or trauma to the skin. This is why getting tattoos can actually trigger psoriasis in those who are susceptible. PixelsEffect / Getty Images Verywell Health: What other aspects of a person’s life are important in managing their condition? Dr. Garshick: Reducing alcohol intake and stopping smoking may help to reduce flare-ups and triggers....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 125 words · Kristine Hayden

Ask an Expert: How Often Do HS Patients Need to Try More Than One Treatment?

Singh: It is typical. There is a range of severity in HS. Generally, early diagnosis and intervention do modify the disease course. Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images There aredietary interventionsand topical, oral, and injectable medications that are demonstrated to help patients with HS. The parts of the body that HS affects tend to be covered and not visible. Many times, patients believe that they are the only person suffering through these challenging symptoms....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 91 words · Christopher Jackson

Ask an Expert: Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa Genetic?

Verywell Health: What are some clues that suspected boils or infections might actually behidradenitis suppurativa(HS)? When is an appropriate time to seek out expert care?Dr. Singh:HS has an anatomic distribution. dragana991 / Getty Images Classically, it affects the underarms, groin, and the upper part of the buttocks at the tailbone. HS is part of the so-called follicular occlusion triadthis is HS,nodulocystic acne, and dissectingcellulitisof the scalp. It is not uncommon to have some unique combination of locations affected....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 134 words · Robert Ibarra

Ask an Expert: Is It Ever Too Late to Start Preventive Care for Heart Disease?

This article is part ofHealth Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Julie Bang / Verywell Meet the Expert Gladys Velarde, M.D. Dr. Velarde’s clinical interests include heart disease in women and other populations along with preventive care. Julie Bang / Verywell Verywell Health: Is it ever too late to start preventive care for heart disease? Dr. Velarde: Its never too late. But the sooner you start, the better....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 147 words · Brian Paul