Tag Archive for: fatigue

The COVID-19 Long-Haulers

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I’ve spent most of my time on COVID-19 talking about how to prevent getting the infection, but I haven’t talked about what happens if you get the infection and recover from it. I hope you have a mild case, and in a week or two, you’re back in business. Your body has built up antibodies, so research shows you should be in good shape at least for a while.

However, some people are experiencing symptoms long after they’ve recovered from the initial infection. They call themselves long-haulers. The path of the disease is unpredictable; people feel better and think they’re on the mend and then get walloped by the symptoms again. The top five symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, chest pain, and cough. For some people, the after-effects of having COVID-19 are actually worse than the initial infection. Fatigue and shortness of breath seemed to occur in over half the people who’ve had confirmed COVID-19 infections, and they last for several months.

Paula and I, and actually the entire family here at home, probably had the virus. This happened way back in January and early February, before we were really aware the virus existed. Paula had other complicating factors and still has unexplained fatigue. What can we do about it? There’s no research to guide us, but I’ll give it my best effort in Saturday’s Memo.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

References:
1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-tragedy-of-the-post-COVID-long-haulers-2020101521173
2. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12603.

The Simplest Solution for Fatigue

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One of the basic tenets of health and disease that I’ve learned is this: often the simplest solution is the correct one. Think of it this way. Whether we want to be the healthiest we can be or we have something that afflicts us, we think in terms of elaborate solutions. Instead, think of building a foundation to prevent or cure what ails us.

Let’s begin with something that can affect us all at times and that’s fatigue. The possibilities include an underactive thyroid, an adrenal issue, or pre-diabetes. But before we look at the complex, start with the obvious: drink more fluids. It may be a simple case of chronic dehydration. The lack of fluid can change the ionic balance inside cells, which can inhibit the production of energy by just about every cell including the brain and the muscles. Those two organ systems are most associated with fatigue.

Symptoms of dehydration vary. If an elderly parent seems unusually confused or a small child is drowsy and irritable when he or she is usually going full blast, try fluids first.

Before you try the elaborate solution, begin with the simplest. Drink more fluids, whether coffee, tea, plain water, or even eating more vegetables instead of refined carbohydrates. The simplest solution for fatigue may just be a glass away.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet