As the world slowly reopens and COVID circumstances are leveling in lots of areas, the virus continues to be very a lot a risk. The pandemic is not over and there are nonetheless precautions individuals ought to be taking so as to assist stop the unfold of COVID. Eat This, Not That! Health talked to Robert G. Lahita MD, Ph.D. (“Dr. Bob”), Director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Disease at Saint Joseph Health and creator of the upcoming e book Immunity Strong about 5 issues to learn about COVID. Read on—and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
“COVID is an extremely effective respiratory virus,” says Dr. Bob. “It is like glitter — it spreads very easily, and seems to be everywhere. It also infects people in different ways — some people seem to be more susceptible than others. A lot of people get very, very sick but never go to the hospital, while others wind up on a ventilator and sometimes die. It seems to be particularly deadly for people with pre-existing comorbidities like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, obesity, etc.”
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We’ve been listening to extra about lengthy haulers—individuals who have had COVID and their signs linger for weeks or months. Signs of lengthy haul COVID embody forgetfulness, coughing, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, complications and issue sleeping. According to Dr. Bob, “COVID has long term effects. You can recover but have long term “sequelae” – disturbed brain function, muscle aches and joint pains, abnormal blood tests, feelings of exhaustion and tiredness, etc. Lack of taste and smell can also continue sometimes for 6-8 months.”
Dr. William Li, doctor, scientist, president and medical director of the Angiogenesis Foundation, and creator of Eat To Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself, provides, “Brand new research shows that as many as 54% of people who recover from COVID suffer from some symptom of long haulers. That should be everyone’s reason to get fully vaccinated and boosted and keep taking the right precautions to protect yourself from getting COVID. Although the cause of long COVID is not fully understood, we see long term damage to blood vessels and nerves, and inflammation in the body. So, while there are no pharmaceutical treatments yet for long COVID, you can eat foods that help repair your blood vessels, lower inflammation, and promote regenerative healing. These include dark chocolate, white beans and tomatoes.”
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Many metropolis counties have relaxed the masks carrying tips, however Dr. Bob says it is necessary to maintain carrying them. “Continuing to wear masks in crowds is important – restaurants, gyms, on trains and buses, in airplanes, etc. Masks should be worn unless eating or drinking. People should also social distance when possible, even if they are vaccinated.”
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Fake information has been a difficulty for fairly a while relating to COVID and Dr. Bob explains, “wild conspiracy theories passing as “information” on social media surrounding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines in general fueled vaccine resistance. This “information” has been misleading, highly exaggerated, or patently false, making the subject of vaccines polarizing for reasons that are anything but scientific. In addition, many stories from well-respected sources focus on the negative instead of the good vaccines do. A 2021 NPR analysis found that “articles connecting vaccines and dying have been among the many most extremely engaged with content material on-line this 12 months, going viral in a means that might hinder individuals’s capability to guage the true threat in getting a shot.” These stories fuel our emotions, and emotions more than science or facts rule our behavior. They are also fueling the supposed facts behind the growing anti-vaccine or anti-vaxxer movement, which cites an autism-vaccine link that is worthless, medically and otherwise. The vaccine is extremely important to get. It’s effective and safe. These new pills that are coming out now are acute treatments and do not replace the vaccine. Any of the three vaccines are acceptable.”
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Maintaining a powerful immune system is all the time necessary for good well being, however particularly proper now. Dr. Bob explains, “Particularly during COVID, it’s important to boost your immune system. If you get sick with COVID, in addition to quarantining, you should have Vitamin C and zinc. In general, remember everything you ingest affects your biology for better or worse, but it particularly affects your immune system. For better, prebiotics and probiotics should be included in your diet several times per week. For worse is not just about diets high in trans fats and processed foods, but also includes the indiscriminate use of antibiotics that can make you very sick and even kill you if left untreated.”
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Follow the general public well being fundamentals and assist finish this pandemic, irrespective of the place you reside—get vaccinated ASAP; should you stay in an space with low vaccination charges, put on an N95 face masks, do not journey, social distance, keep away from giant crowds, do not go indoors with individuals you are not sheltering with (particularly in bars), observe good hand hygiene, and to guard your life and the lives of others, do not go to any of those 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.