Author: Luis Soler Rivera

Luis Soler Rivera cut his teeth writing for the medical field working on educational content and CME cases for WebMD and Medscape. A transplant from the Northeast, Luis enjoys music, art and reading in addition to writing.

Posts by Luis Soler Rivera

A man and woman are forming a heart shape with their hands. She is on his back. They're smiling.

Knowing Your Heart: Common Heart Problems

Luis Soler Rivera | 2/20/2020 | General Health

We all know a friend, family member or colleague with heart problems. Yet, most people don’t think much about their actual, physical, beating heart. What do you know about common heart problems? We spoke with two UVA heart health providers for more insight into heart health.

A container with several different packets of sugar substitutes.

Are Sugar Substitutes Toxic for Your Gut?

Luis Soler Rivera | 2/6/2020 | General Health

Are sugar substitutes toxic for your gut? Recent research suggests that they may be. But is this the final word? We spoke with Amy Doran, MD, to learn more about sugar substitutes and gut toxicity.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Parkinson’s Disease: A Hard Road

Luis Soler Rivera | 1/31/2020 | News & Events

Ozzy Osbourne, rock star and TV personality, recently revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. This movement disorder affects about 10 million people worldwide. Learn about Parkinson's disease, parkinsonism and getting support.

meet UVA doctors in Charlottesville, VA through our 7 Quick Questions series

7 Quick Questions with Urologic Oncologist Kirsten Greene

Luis Soler Rivera | 1/23/2020 | People of UVA

Urologic oncologist Kirsten L Greene, MD, helps patients with urologic cancer by focusing on minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques.

Effects of Sugar on the Brain: Cravings and Inflammation

Luis Soler Rivera | 1/15/2020 | General Health

We’ve got a pretty good idea of what happens to our bodies when we eat too much sugar. But what about our brains? What are the effects of sugar on the brain?

Samantha Dabney sitting and smiling while holding her daughter in her lap, who is also smiling.

Surviving a Stroke For Her Daughter: Inside the Summer Vim & Vigor

Luis Soler Rivera | 7/26/2019 | News & Events

AVMs are snarled tangles of blood vessels that sometimes form in your body. They may affect up to 6 million Americans, but most don’t experience any negative effects. Samantha Dabney survived her AVM-caused stroke by focusing on her daughter.

Measles Outbreaks 2019: This is Why We Get Vaccinated

Luis Soler Rivera | 5/10/2019 | General Health

There was a record number of measles outbreaks in the US in 2018, with ongoing outbreaks into 2019. Should you be concerned?

In Bloom: Should I Be Worried About Mold Exposure Symptoms?

Luis Soler Rivera | 5/1/2019 | General Health

Spring's wet weather brings with it the growth of mold. How dangerous is it? What about "toxic mold"? Explore our FAQ about mold and mold exposure symptoms.

John Singleton’s Stroke & Death Highlight the Need for Advance Directives

Luis Soler Rivera | 5/1/2019 | General Health

John Singleton's stroke and passing, and his family's fight over his healthcare decisions, highlight the need to think about medical interventions and who would make healthcare decisions on your behalf if something happened. Learn what to do and get the appropriate forms.

A woman discussing her medical issues with her new primary care provider.

How to Change Doctors: 5 Helpful Tips for a Smooth Move

Luis Soler Rivera | 2/28/2019 | General Health

Sometimes, whether we plan to or not, we have to switch healthcare providers. Whatever the reason, there are a few important things to remember about how to change doctors. We spoke with Mohan Nadkarni, MD, who gave us some tips for a smooth transition.

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