stavudine, didanosine, or indinavir, you may be able to use alternative remedies.
3. General Anxiety Disorder
We all get anxious, but sometimes, it’s more. Generalized anxiety disorder refers to constant and often disruptive worrying about everyday things. These worries are out of proportion and can affect your ability to perform the normal ‘stuff’ you do and love.
It’s probably no wonder these issues would affect somebody with HIV. After all, you’ve got a lot on your plate! You’re thinking about issues with your health, your prognosis, and how you will manage your day-to-day life. You’re also likely considering any impacts on your friends and family.
If GAD is impacting you, consider support networks like the AIDS Healthcare Network and the CDC’s rich resources, as well as daily practices like mindfulness, stretching, and easy activities to clear your mind. You got this!
4. Lymphoma
Why is lymphoma so problematic among patients with HIV? Basically, HIV affects your immune system, making your cells more vulnerable to all ranges of ‘malignant conditions.’ In fact, one recent study found that from the years of 2004 to 2012, the Black HIV population showed the highest rates of Hodgkin lymphoma, comprising nearly half of all cases in 2012!
If you have this issue, the American Cancer Society has a good prognosis. Today’s HIV therapies are increasingly better at treating immune deficiency problems, so consult your doctor about potential treatments that boost your cellular defenses.
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5. Opportunistic Infections (OIs)
One of the main issues associated with HIV is immune suppression. In other words, this means that your body is more vulnerable to all kinds of infections, illnesses, and diseases that would normally not affect you to that degree. But here’s the good news. There is a whole spectrum of antibiotics, antivirals, and even antifungals that help with your immunosuppression.
The list is pretty long, so be sure to consult your doctor about specific remedies that may work for you.
6. Kidney Disease
While this sounds ominous, it isn’t the end-all-be-all. If you have an increased kidney disease risk due to HIV, dialysis and kidney transplants are not necessarily required. Simpler measures to reduce blood pressure, balance your fluid intake, and more standard HIV therapies may be all you need.
As always, speak to your physician for a personalized treatment plan. Living with HIV does not have to be a life-disrupting, life-upending condition. While the Black community may be at greater risk, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer more severe consequences.
Thanks to powerful new medications, many people are living with HIV with relatively minor trouble.