Locations
Sarasota County Health Department
Sarasota, FL
About
Bio
I am a board certified family physician who enjoys helping people live healthier lives. I hope experience has taught me to listen first, speak later. Hobbies include reading, bicycling, and swimming, especially with my golden retrievers.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Family Medicine
Licenses
United States: Florida, North Carolina, Virginia
GB
Doctor Q&A
1.4K Answers
2.6K Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See a doctor: The abdominal pain may or may not be related to eating the cheese. Persistent abdominal pain should be evaluated, as there are many possible causes, s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Pregnancy test: to answer the question, you will need a pregnancy test. If negative and menses does not appear, repeat the test in one to two weeks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Feeling well: If you "feel good all the time" this temperature is probably normal for you, and there is no need to raise it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Gravity: I suspect the effects of gravity are causing blood to pool in your head when you are upside down. Your body may be sending you a message that handstan... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Unprotected sex: Unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy, and all vaginal bleeding is not a period. Take a pregnancy test and see your doctor for any unusual bleeding.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Blood in stool: Blood in the stool is not normal and needs to needs to be explained. A normal colonoscopy does not rule out bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Edema: Benicar (olmesartan), like other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB's), can cause swelling of the face (facial edema) and lips as an allergic reaction... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
More info needed: The diagnosis of abdominal pain can be tricky, and can't be done over the internet. Possibilities include inflammation of the bowel, urinary tract inf... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Burning urination: Burning with urination is not normal and may signal injury, inflammation or infection. Best to see a health care provider for examination and appropri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Unprotected sex: Although ovulation ( release of an egg) is more likely to occur midcylcle is not always predictable. All vaginal bleeding is not a menstrual period, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Pregnancy test: Suggest a home pregnancy test if menses is late.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
More info needed: Without more information about history and medication adjustments, we can't speculate on the dosing of the Synthroid (thyroxine). TSH of 3.29 is in th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See gynecologist: Bleeding during or after sex could signal the presence of abnormal tissue, and may or may not represent a period. Either way, the irregular bleeding n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Depends on you: Treatment for ADD may help concentration, but it can not guarantee improved grades. You will determine how well you do in school.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Placebo pills: The placebo pills in a cycle of oral contraceptives are inactive. They are placed in the package to help you remember to take a pill every day of your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Breakfast: What are you doing in the three hours after you wake up? if not exercising after waking up, you should eat breakfast. For best results in your wei... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Infection possible: These symptoms are suggestive of a urinary tract infection or inflammation of the urethra ( tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside). Plea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Ovulation: In theory, pregnancy should not be possible 9 days before ovulation. In reality, ovulation is variable and may occur at any time, making it tricky to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Not too late: Having ED problems for years does not preclude getting effective treatment. Your doctor can help you and will explain the available options.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Rest: Supplements are not equivalent to rest. Best to listen to your body when you are tired and restore with sleep.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Maybe: Vaginal discharge with itch suggests infection, possibly yeast. See a health care provider for an examination.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Caffeine?: In some women, intake of caffeine ( in colas, coffee, tea, chocolate) can increase sensitivity of breast tissue. Limiting caffeine may help reduce bre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Maybe: Stress causes the body to release hormones that may increase blood sugar.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Infection: Your description suggests an infection that needs urgent treatment. Complicating this is your diabetes. Please see a doctor as soon as possible. The i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Exam needed: Moles don't usually fall off, so perhaps this was something else. Best to have your primary care doctor or dermatologist examine the area.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Eating disorder: You are describing symptoms of an eating disorder. The first thing to do is seek the counsel of a trusted adult who will listen to your concerns and g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possibly: Precise time of ovulation is difficult to predict, so unprotected sex may result in pregnancy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Probably not, but...: Unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy, and all vaginal bleeding is not a period. Take a pregnancy test if you are unsure or miss a period.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible infection: Strong vaginal malodor suggests an infection or retained foreign body, such as a tampon. Your health care provider can sort this out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Intact skin: HIV does not leave the body through intact skin. The key issue is whether the wound is completely healed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See a doctor: The back and chest pain with breathing suggest inflammation of ribs and possibly the lining of the lungs. I would have expected these symptoms sooner ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Late menses: Sex can result in pregnancy, so if your menses is late, suggest you do a pregnancy test
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Reference range: Laboratories establish reference ranges for test results which reflect the normal spectrum, from high to low, for results of most healthy people. The ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Pelvic pain: Persistent pelvic pain is not normal and needs evaluation. Possibilities include inflammation or infection, ovarian cysts, benign or malignant tumors.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
No: sperm can not migrate through multiple layers of clothing to reach the vagina.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See doctor ASAP: Chest pressure, jaw pain and back pain may be signs of a heart attack. If theses are new symptoms, call 911. You need to see a doctor ASAP.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See dermatologist: Any change in a mole should prompt a visit to a dermatologist for examination. Bleeding from a mole is a red flag for skin cancer. Please see a dermat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible infection: The emissions may signal an infection. See a health care provider for examination and appropriate tests.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Lifestyle, meds: Healthy lifestyle ( maintenance of normal weight, diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein , good fats, regular exercise, sufficie... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Unprotected sex: Unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to pregnancy. Not sure what you mean by dry sex.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Culture needed: Leukocytes in the urine indicate inflammation in the urinary tract or genital area. A urine culture is the definitive test to identify a UTI. We often... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible: Sex can result in pregnancy. If you miss a period, take a pregnancy test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See a doctor: The first step is to try to establish the cause of the pain. Your doctor will take a history, perform an examination and order appropriate tests to he... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possibly: Dizziness associated with treatment for HTN may be related to relative dehydration, changes in body position, or the blood pressure dropping too low f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See a doctor: Sever abdominal pain combined with blood and mucous appearing at the anus suggest significant illness, possibly inflammatory bowel disease ( colitis).... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Interaction: If kidney function is normal, I would not categorize the combination as dangerous, but monitoring of potassium levels is warranted with the use of los... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See a doctor: These symptoms are concerning for a possible neurologic or cardiac (heart) problem. More information is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
I want to stop a bleeding immediately witout side effects..its 7th day of period...iam so irritated?
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See doctor: if your period is unusually heavy or prolonged, it's wise to see a health care provider who will take a history perform an examination and order appro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Mirror: A mirror can help you see your genital area. Your health care provider can help you locate and identify the hymen
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrea Brandanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Identify cause: My first concern would be to identify the cause of the itching. Incessant itching can be a symptom of underlying disease. Suggest your see your doctor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
24
Recommendations
1.2K
Thank you notes
Aug 6, 2014
Dr.Brand gives very good information.Accurate and helpful.I learn a lot from her answers.Her real life patients are fortunate to have such a good and compassionate doctor.I recommend her highly.
Jul 20, 2014
I endorse Dr. Brand. The information she shares on Healthtap is understandable, compassionate, accurate & well, it just makes sense. She is providing a valuable service to the public.
May 12, 2015
Super helpful, collaborates well with colleagues and meet patients when they are in a warm, humane way. I learned a great deal from Dr. Brand, and HealthTap is lucky to have her!
HealthTap member
Carbs = Sugar. Fruit has way too much sugar in it. Sugar is sugar whether natural or not. Yolk eggs may certainly increase chloresterol. Whole grain toast turns into sugar though a little slower. Bye...Read More
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! I guess ill wait untill next month to check it out when i get my root canal i hope i dont die over stupid snuff. Good thing i didnt start when young!
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! i'm not for sure that I said able to give a better discription It sure is difficult to urinate when I have so much pain the lower abdomen doesnt help
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, NY
MD
Residency
SOUTHSIDE HOSPITAL
Completed 1977
Awards
American Cancer Society Media Award for newspaper column,"Life to 120"
"Rookie Small Business Person of the Year" award for my house call practice , Dr Brand at your Door
Top Doctor, First Place, Sarasota Region - Summer
2014
Affiliations
Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine Florida State University School of Medicine
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