Multi-talented artist Solange Knowles (38) normally doesn’t reveal her personal life, however the singer recently talked concerning the serious health problems she has been fighting since 2018.

The news broke when musician Shaun Ross posted a video on Instagram about his ongoing battle with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) because of this of Covid. POTS is a disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates functions over which now we have no conscious control, comparable to heart rate, body temperature, and sweating. Common symptoms include severe fatigue, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea and heart palpitations.

Solange replied to Ross’s post, writing, “Sending you so much love and strength, Shaun, and to everyone in the comments struggling with the debilitating, confusing, and lonely symptoms of POTS!”

The singer continued, “I was diagnosed with POTS, Sjogrens and Mcas in 2018 and I really don’t want your health to be your identity.”

Knowles also boasted in her note International dysautonomya nonprofit organization that, in accordance with its website, “seeks to improve the lives of people with autonomic nervous system disorders through research, physician education, public awareness and patient empowerment programs.”

“The good people at @dysautonomiaintl have been a truly amazing resource for me, and I’m truly grateful to the Sponie community for supporting me in a time of complete uncertainty! Sending lots of love your way!” Knowles concluded.

Ross replied: “Thank you so much, Solange. You’ve known me since I was a teenager and you know my energy. It has definitely changed my whole perspective on so many things, and I’m trying to fully embrace it. I appreciate you very much. Sending love ❤️.”

For those unfamiliar with Sjogrens, it’s a chronic autoimmune disease that causes dominant symptoms comparable to dry eyes and dry mouth. Fatigue and joint pain are other potential symptoms of the disease. On the opposite hand, MCAS, or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, occurs when mast cells mistakenly release too many chemicals. Symptoms related to the syndrome include hives, low blood pressure, respiration problems, severe diarrhea and swelling.

Fans empathized with Knowles and sent her love and support as she revealed her health issues. Ross also commented on Solange’s news, saying, “It’s very interesting to look back at Solange in 2017, when she revealed she had pots, and see her profession decelerate and alter pace. I’m wondering if it’s due to rush on the road and the whole lot else. I do know my first show on my second tour was when it really hit me hard.

It’s the season for trick or treating.

Halloween is the start of a season stuffed with a number of sweets. People refill on candy, give a few of it to trick-or-treaters, and most of it stays for a couple of weeks after the vacations to feast on it. But before you spend your coins on a literal medley of treats, did you already know that there are many Black-owned candy and chocolate brands you will help?

Most black chocolatiers are known for his or her chocolate production; some play with candy apples and trick fruits. Everyone is making their mark in a competitive, delicious space. If you ought to try some Black-owned treats, listed below are a couple of to try.

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From decorative chocolates with unique flavors like blood orange and pumpkin spice caramel to bourbon chocolate pecan popcorn and wealthy turtles, James Beard-nominated master chocolatier Phillip Ashley creates luxurious chocolates that not only taste amazing, but in addition look unbelievable .

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Tropical-flavored pickles? Candy apples? Strawberries and cream bark? You can find all of it on the web site of T’Juanna’s creator, Lizzie Lu Luxury Treats, an organization that pays tribute to her grandmother. At its Texas locations (Irving and Dallas), your sweet tooth will be satisfied with additional treats like candy grapes, cookie flavors like banana pudding, jarred cakes (like cheesecake), ice cream and more.

Desire: Red Velvet Charlie’s Chow

Did anyone else grow up eating something called “puppy food” in school? Maybe you knew them as “muddy buddies”? Regardless of your chosen name, it is a delicious combination of cereal (like Chex), often chocolate, powdered sugar, and perhaps a bit of peanut butter. You can still buy this snack from a Black-owned brand called Uncle Charlie’s from creator Clayton. Available flavors include Brownie Truffle, Banana Split, Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Cup, Key Lime Pie and Cotton Candy. If you try the variability pack, you may get a six-pack with a wide selection of flavors to check out and provides away this holiday season.

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Made from Ghanaian cocoa and inspired by the continent, Midunu Selassie Atadika chocolates are opulent and beautifully crafted. In addition to handmade chocolate truffles, it sells dark drinking chocolate blends, chocolate bars and chai nib cacao tea.

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Dairy-free, naturally sweetened treats are the specialty of the Good Girl Chocolate brand, owned by neuropathic doctor Tabatha. She created this delicious movement after her own health transformation, because of which individuals can eat good sweets without feeling bad. Even Tabitha Brown is a fan! Delicious creations include Candied Walnut Brownie Bars, Caramel Cakes, Coconut Shots, and even Keto Fudge. It has every little thing a plant-based chocolate lover desires.

Doctors who diagnosed Lyndsay Levingston with breast cancer on the age of 37 modified all the pieces. It was a moment, now that Levingston is on the opposite side, and he says it was a blessing. It was while battling stage 2B triple negative breast cancer that she was inspired to start out her nonprofit SurviveHER.

“The diagnosis … really forced me to look at life differently,” Levingston said. “Who would have thought that a breast cancer diagnosis would change the trajectory and course of my life? But I’ll have to be honest. It was a very blessed diagnosis because I was at a point in my life where God needed to shake things up, and he did, but it was all for the better.”

Levingston founded the nonprofit organization in October 2020. SurviveHER goals to tell, encourage and empower breast cancer survivors and people supporting them. Organizers educate women by hosting events and workshops with doctors to show them in regards to the signs, symptoms and risks of breast cancer. The organization also strives to be honest and create an area where women can share their opinions about women undergoing treatment. There can also be an empowerment pillar by which organizers and volunteers charge women to schedule mammograms and make breast health a priority.

“The work we do is about saving women’s lives. We teach, we help and we really serve the community,” Levingston says. “(For women), breast cancer or breast health is not even at the center of their concerns; this is where I feel like we are really making a huge difference.”

What’s next for SurviveHER

Levingston said she is currently in talks with several local policymakers about regulations regarding testing for triple-negative breast cancer, which is probably the most aggressive type of testing. It also focuses on 12 months-round breast health education, especially among the many Black community.

“If you have a family history of breast cancer, I recommend starting mammography 10 years before your family member is diagnosed,” Levingston said. “The sooner you start early detection and prevention, the sooner you can start treatment if a positive diagnosis is made.”

SurviveHER doesn’t just give attention to women. Levingston is launching a brand new men’s initiative, SIRvivor, to bring men into the conversation.

“Men are not exempt from breast cancer,” she said. “Men should look for discharge of blood from the nipples, stains on shirts or underwear, and check the tissues.”