From primary care physicians to cardiologists and dermatologists, explore answers to common questions from verified healthcare experts. Ask your non-emergency health questions and find informed answers from verified doctors like Aaron Baggish, Jordan Metzl, and Katherine Wojnowich. 

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Lara K. Butler, M.D. is a Harvard trained, board-certified Dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. She also specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. She is a diplomate of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and American Society of Dermatological Surgery. Following her Dermatology residency, she completed a fellowship in cutaneous oncology, Mohs micrographic, and reconstructive surgery with the Harvard Medical School Department of Dermatology at the Lahey Medical Center. She has been a researcher at the Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai Hospitals and has published numerous articles and chapters on skin cancer, scar revision and cosmetic surgery in leading medical journals. She has taught at the Harvard Medical School Department of Dermatology, and is a lecturer on complex reconstruction techniques after Mohs surgery.

Mallika Marshall, MD, is an Emmy-winning journalist and physician. She is Medical Director at WBZ-TV in Boston, and a practicing physician at MGH's Chelsea Urgent Care Clinic and MGH Revere Health Center. Marshall is a Contributing Editor for Harvard Health Publishing and host of HHP's e-learning courses. She has nearly 15 years of media experience. She graduated cum laude from Harvard College and received her medical degree with honors from UCSF. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society and various medical associations. She has served on the Board of Trustees for the Urgent Care Foundation and the Board of Directors for Dress for Success Boston. She was an Associate Editor of the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide.

Katie Morganti Stewart, CNP, MS, is a nurse practitioner in the Cardiovascular Performance Program (CPP) at Massachusetts General Hospital, specializing in the cardiovascular care of athletes and highly active individuals. Katie works closely with patients along the continuum of their care, from initial screening to longitudinal follow-up, and is a program coordinator for the Athletes with Arrhythmias Clinic. Katie completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Boston College and then earned her Master of Science degree at the University of California San Francisco. She is nationally board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as an acute care nurse practitioner. Katie is dedicated to health and wellness, both personally and professionally, with a passion for yoga and cycling. When she is not engaging with patients in the CPP, she delights in spending time with her husband and three young children. 

Dr. Dean Xerras is from the greater Boston area and attended Tufts University, where he majored in Spanish and received his medical degree. He completed his residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and currently practices general internal medicine at MGH Chelsea Healthcare Center, where he has been the medical director since 2009. He is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and is active in various committees, including the Partners HealthCare Engagement and Communications team of the NIH's All of Us Research Program. Awarded a National Health Service Corps Scholarship, he is committed to reducing disparities in healthcare delivery, evidenced by his 15 years of service on the Board of Health in Chelsea, MA, where he helped develop stricter tobacco and trans fat regulations.

Infectious Disease Physician, Brigham & Women’s Hospital  

Dr. Cindy Chang is a specialist in primary care sports medicine with almost 3 decades of experience. She has served as head team physician at UC Berkeley, chief medical officer for Team USA in 2008 & 2012 Olympics, and assisted in the WNBA COVID "Wubble." Chang takes an individualized approach to care, seeing athletes of all ages. She is Program Director of UCSF's Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, board of trustees for the American College of Sports Medicine, chairs the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the California Interscholastic Federation & National Federation of State High School Associations, and past president of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Ohio State Univ. College of Medicine, followed by a residency in family medicine at UCLA Medical Center & a fellowship in sports medicine at Ohio State Univ. Medical Center.

This is a very easy question. What secrets are there in the secret of cycling? Well, the only thing is, read it and you will know it!

Cycling is a great way to get fit, stay healthy, and have fun! The key is to find the right bike for you, learn how to ride safely and responsibly, and develop a regular riding routine. With a combination of proper technique, strength and endurance training, and a healthy diet, you’ll be on your way to enjoying the many benefits of cycling.

What are some secrets you share in "The Secret of Cycling"?

The Secret of Cycling Revealed: Read and Uncover!

In The Secret of Cycling, there are various secrets that are shared. To discover these secrets, the best way is to read the book yourself. It's an easy question with a simple answer: read it and you will find out!

Hey, it's Dr. Lisa Goodman. Are there any medical conditions or situations in which someone should avoid chiropractic care? I would say that potentially there may be some situations where you want to avoid certain types of adjustments or on certain parts of your body, but that doesn't necessarily throw the baby out with the bathwater. Chiropractic care is inclusive of many styles of adjustment, but the first thing that we do is the assessment. The diagnosis comes first. The treatment plan is then developed based around what the patient can and should tolerate, what their goals for treatment are, and any comorbidities or other conditions that they have. We have patients all the time who have areas of the body that need to be avoided due to other treatment or another surgery that they had. After a c-section, we still are seeing mom a week or two after and we're able to address the upper back and neck tension that comes along with having an underseen child. So we're probably going to avoid twisting or thrusting on the lower body because she's healing. So the answer actually is no. If you go to a reputable, knowledgeable, skilled chiropractor, the diagnosis comes first and the treatment plan is done in collaboration with the patient. There really aren't any conditions that would preclude you from seeing a chiropractor.

No, there are no medical conditions or situations in which someone should avoid chiropractic care. A reputable, knowledgeable, and skilled chiropractor will assess the patient and develop a treatment plan that takes into account any comorbidities or other conditions.

Are there any medical conditions or situations in which someone should avoid chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care: No conditions that should preclude it

Potentially, there may be situations where certain types of adjustments or specific areas of the body should be avoided in chiropractic care. However, this does not mean that chiropractic care should be completely avoided. The first step in chiropractic care is always the assessment and diagnosis. Based on this, a treatment plan is developed taking into consideration what the patient can tolerate, their treatment goals, and any other existing conditions they may have. It is common for patients to have areas that need to be avoided due to previous treatments or surgeries. For example, after a c-section, we can still address upper back and neck tension while avoiding twisting or thrusting on the lower body to allow for proper healing. So the answer is no. When you visit a reputable and knowledgeable chiropractor, they will prioritize the diagnosis and collaborate with you on your treatment plan. There are no specific medical conditions that would prevent you from seeking chiropractic care.

Hey there. So how can men optimize their mental health and prevent common issues, such as anxiety and depression? I'll start off by saying that there are many times where there's a genetic link to depression and anxiety. So we think of an environment, we think of situations that sometimes bring rise to anxiety and depressive disorders. There's just as much evidence to show that there's genetic links. So don't be hard on yourself. Sometimes it's not something that you can do to optimize your mental health. Sometimes it's really boils down to what your genes are. That said, there are things you can do. And certainly, living a healthy lifestyle with diet, exercise, not smoking, not drinking alcohol in excess, not using recreational drugs. There's a lot of things you can do to help optimize your mental health. And hopefully, these are some suggestions. And if you are feeling anxious or depressed, please go see your doctor.

Live a healthy lifestyle with diet, exercise, not smoking, not drinking alcohol in excess, and not using recreational drugs to help optimize your mental health. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, go see your doctor.

How can men optimize their mental health and prevent common issues such as anxiety and depression?

Unlocking the Key to Optimal Mental Health for Men

To optimize their mental health and prevent common issues like anxiety and depression, men can take certain steps. Firstly, it's important to recognize that there can be a genetic link to these disorders, meaning it may not solely be within one's control. So it's essential not to be too hard on oneself. However, there are actions that can be taken. Living a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as refraining from using recreational drugs, can all contribute to optimizing mental health. These are some suggestions that may help in this regard. If experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression, it is strongly recommended to seek professional medical assistance from a doctor.

So much of my job and our job as doctors does involve having really difficult conversations with patients and their families. And I think that my approach differs depending on the nature of the conversation. So for example, if I'm telling somebody that they have cancer for the first time or that there's been a really concerning finding on either their labs or a test that we've ordered, I try and make sure that they have their support system in their room with them when I tell them the news and that I've done my best to prepare the resources necessary to support them once they're moving forward with the next steps. I think most people in healthcare realize that once you say bad news, it's really tough for patients to process anything beyond that first second. And so often my approach involves coming back later once they've had some time to think as well. It's a little bit different than my approach when there's conflict between team members, and I would say that that approach is a little bit more nuanced, but that I try really hard to understand all perspectives, to understand what's driving the opinions and the thoughts of the patients versus the medical team and try really hard to find middle ground. Obviously it's sometimes easier said than done, but I try to take all those things into account.

My approach to difficult conversations with patients and their families differs depending on the nature of the conversation. For bad news, I try to make sure they have a support system in the room and that I have prepared resources for them. When there is conflict between team members, I try to understand all perspectives and find middle ground.

How do you handle difficult conversations with patients and family members?

Doctor reveals key strategies for handling difficult conversations

Handling difficult conversations with patients and family members is a significant part of my role as a doctor. My approach varies depending on the nature of the conversation. When delivering news like a cancer diagnosis or concerning test results, I ensure the patient has their support system present and that I have resources ready to assist them. I understand that processing bad news takes time, so I often revisit the topic later when they have had a chance to reflect. Dealing with conflicts between team members requires a more nuanced approach. I make an effort to understand all perspectives, including those of patients and the medical team, in order to find common ground. It's not always easy, but I consider all aspects involved in these situations.

Hi, I'm Dr. Rubin and I wanted to talk a little bit about breastfeeding challenges. I'd say the most common thing that I see patients for is breast or nipple pain and most commonly this is related to latch. So it's just really important to go back and make sure that you're getting a good deep latch by your baby with a wide mouth. Clenched lips are ideal but not absolutely necessary. And if you're seeing that and you're still having persistent pain or damage to your nipple then it is important to see a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding medicine doc to make sure everything's okay. Production issues are another big one and there are definitely ways that we can evaluate you and help you to solve those problems and get more answers as well. Have a great day.

Breast and nipple pain is usually related to latch and can be helped by a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding medicine doctor. Production issues can also be addressed.

What are some common challenges that mothers face when it comes to breastfeeding and how do you address them?

Addressing breastfeeding challenges: painful latch and low production

Breastfeeding challenges are common for mothers, and one of the most frequent issues is breast or nipple pain, often caused by an incorrect latch. Ensuring a good deep latch with a wide mouth is crucial, and although clenched lips are preferred, they are not absolutely necessary. If persistent pain or nipple damage persists despite a proper latch, it's important to seek assistance from a lactation consultant or breastfeeding medicine professional. Production issues can also arise, but there are ways to evaluate and address these problems to help mothers increase their milk supply. It's recommended to consult with a healthcare provider specializing in breastfeeding for further guidance and support.

Does Montezuma's revenge start with a fever? So the short answer is no, often not. Montezuma's revenge or traveler's diarrhea typically occurs within 4 to 14 days of travel and ingesting either contaminated water or fruits and vegetables that are contaminated and haven't been boiled or peeled or prepared appropriately. Most often in countries with opportunities as far as sanitation and clean water supply goes. The most common presentation of traveler's diarrhea or Montezuma's revenge is abdominal cramping, discomfort and sudden onset diarrhea and it's actually a fairly small chunk of people that have fever associated with that around 20%. So you know certainly I would cue into the travel and diarrhea onset more so than whether a fever is present. you

No, Montezuma's Revenge often does not start with a fever, however 20% of cases may present with it. Symptoms typically include abdominal cramping and sudden onset diarrhea.

Does Montezuma’s revenge start with a fever? 

Montezuma's Revenge: Fever Not Always a Symptom

Montezuma's revenge or traveler's diarrhea typically does not start with a fever. It usually occurs within 4 to 14 days after travel and is caused by consuming contaminated water or fruits and vegetables in countries with sanitation and water supply challenges. The most common symptoms are abdominal cramping, discomfort, and sudden onset diarrhea. Only around 20% of people experience fever along with these symptoms. So, it is more important to consider the travel history and onset of diarrhea rather than the presence of fever.