Long Hauler Bear

UPDATED July 2024 If you get Covid, your might be tempted to just let things resolve on their own. But any Covid infection can result in post-viral symptoms that can last for weeks, months or longer. You may be able to avoid the worst lingering symptoms if you act swiftly to reduce the duration and severity of illness. According to Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, Yale immunologist: " the quicker one can eliminate the virus , the less likelihood of developing persistent virus or autoimmunity, which may drive long Covid." If you're confirmed Covid positive This advice is based-on what I've learned through reading science journals. Click on a link to read the source. Don't just "ride it out." Contact your health provider and ask for treatment, even if it needs to be done remotely. If your provider tells you to "wait and see," tell them you want to be proactive to reduce illness severity and duration and avoid long term problems. Find treatment In the U.S., you

[This article was written with the help of ChatGPT.] Navigating the world of probiotics can be daunting, especially when you're looking for a product that's both effective and budget-friendly. Flore, a custom probiotic subscription service, offers a unique approach to gut health, but there are a few insider tips to keep in mind to get the most out of their service. See also:  Probiotics can be an important part of healing after Covid Tip #1: The Monthly Subscription Flore offers a monthly probiotic subscription at $79. This subscription isn't just a standard probiotic blend; it's fully personalized to meet your specific gut biome needs. It starts with a free test to tailor the probiotic specifically for you. You have the flexibility to cancel at any time, but generally, a duration of 3 to 4 months is recommended to see significant results. A little-known tip for Flore subscribers is the potential for a discounted rate. After your first month, call and ask to speak with

[This article was written with assistance from ChatGPT.] Introduction Advancements in wearable technology have provided valuable tools to monitor and manage biometric data. One such device is the Garmin VivoSmart 4, an affordable smartwatch with Stress Tracking, instant heart rate alerts and Body Battery score. The Affordable and Feature-Rich Garmin VivoSmart 4 Among Garmin's wide variety of devices, the VivoSmart 4 stands out among as an affordable and feature-rich smartwatch. (Side note: a newer model is available at a higher price: the VivoSmart 5. Aside from a larger display and improved touchscreen, the the differences are relatively minor. Both models offer the features mentioned in this article.) It's important to distinguish VivoSmart with other similarly-named models that Garmin offers, such as VivoFit, VivoActive, and VivoMove, in addition to a more advanced line of smartwatches. However I steer people toward the VivoSmart for its balance of price, features, and impr

I'd hoped to add more to this article, but for now, here are some tips to get started. Get Educated Read A Practical Guide to Long Haul Covid by Anisha Sekar. It's really good. Subscribe to email updates from HealthRising.org . They do a fantastic job of summarizing new research. Learn about POTS Syndrome . Read the article How to spot the signs of long Covid on Vox. Watch this video by Dr. Leo Galland. Enroll in a Post Covid care clinic ASAP If you suspect you may have Long Covid symptoms, enroll in a Post Covid care clinic. Many of these clinics offer telehealth appointments, accept insurance, and will work with your existing doctor. It's best to apply as soon as you suspect post Covid symptoms because there are already long waiting lists to speak with a doctor. It's important to note that some of these clinics are more effective at others. Because this is a relatively new syndrome, the scientific data is still incomplete. There may not be a quick fix. Find a Post

Someone told me that they weren't worried about Omicron because they were fully boosted, and that they'd heard Omicron is milder. Omicron is a real problem, not only because the sheer number of infections (over 1 million new cases per day in the U.S. and climbing) has the potential to cause a lot of disruption. My own initial Covid infection did not require hospitalization -- ergo, it was “mild.” However I have not recovered. Nearly 2 years later and I am still not able to return to work. We must not get comfortable with this virus yet. More reasons why Omicron isn't mild: Omicron isn't mild for hospitals . An overstretched system could ironically mask the extent of Omicron’s impact: When hospitals are full, they cannot accept more patients, artificially deflating recorded rates of severe disease, even as total cases continue to rise. The term "mild" is often used to describe cases that don't need hospitalization. That doesn't necessarily mean the acu

Over the last year, a number of studies have shown that Covid causes microclots of the blood, which are not detected by standard imaging or blood tests. Microclots are a problem because they make blood sticky, preventing proper blood flow. This means that blood cells (along with vital oxygen and nutrients) are not able to reach all parts of the body, especially in capillaries. This can have huge effects on any part of the body, including heart, lungs, brain and many others. (Dr. Asad Kahn, a respiratory practitioner that is also a long hauler, purports to have a photograph of microclotted blood . I do not have a way to verify the authenticity of the photo, but wow -- it's really something.) When the body is functioning normally, clots are routinely cleared from your system. But for many with Long Covid, this process is impaired. A study  published in December 2021 shows how these microclots might be treated. Researchers found that anticoagulant/anti-platelet therapy dissolved micro

Researchers are finding that Covid can disrupt your gut bacteria, and this can have many downstream effects. The gut microbiome is an important part of the immune system. Consider taking this probiotic Multiple studies have shown that Covid can significantly reduce the presence of  Lactobacillus Rhamnosus , a "friendly" bacterial strain.  Research suggests  that taking a course of this probiotic can help modulate your immune system and reduce inflammation. This probiotic is widely available with a well-established safety profile, spanning many years. It's important to read the ingredients to ensure Lactobacillus Rhamnosus specifically is in there. (Any brand should work, but check ingredients carefully because there are many other types of the Lactobacillus family.) You can find it commonly at online stores including here or here . Take the probiotic for 6 weeks, but not longer. Covid causes gut microbiome disruption A recent study published in the scientific journal Gut

I got Covid months ago. I’m still not right. I am a long hauler . Please take some time to listen . Omicron is going to hit this planet — hard . We must dispense with calling it a mild illness, because *any* Covid infection can cause Long Covid . Don't panic. But step-up your game to protect yourself.