Show 1254: Combating the Long-Term Effects of Post-COVID Syndrome
The People's Pharmacy
Joe and Terry Graedon
4.6 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 16 April 2021
⏱️ 60 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The experience of COVID is highly variable, as we have all learned by now. For some people, the infection is so mild they may not even notice the symptoms, while for others the virus wreaks devastating havoc. The post-COVID syndrome may afflict even those who had mild infections initially, and it can make life very difficult.
What Do We Know About POTS?
Among the possible complications that can affect people after recovery are frightening fatigue, brain fog and an autonomic nervous system problem known as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). Symptoms of POTS include racing heart, dizziness or even fainting, shortness of breath and inability to exercise normally. There is a substantial range of severity, with some people only mildly affected and others incapacitated.
POTS had been described before COVID-19, but it was considered uncommon and many doctors do not have much experience treating it. This dysautonomia may be an autoimmune disorder. Like many other autoimmune conditions, POTS appears to be more common among women. Treatments include simple measures to increase blood volume and raise blood pressure (eat more salt, drink more water and wear compression hose) as well as drugs that can tamp down the immune response.
What We Can Learn About Post-COVID Syndrome:
One of our guests is a psychiatrist, treating some patients for PTSD as they recover from COVID. She herself has post-COVID syndrome, including POTS, that limits her activity. Dr. Shannon Caspersen is an active participant in the online forum called Body Politic, especially the discussion group for people suffering long COVID. https://www.wearebodypolitic.com/covid19
We also check in with Dr. Christina Kokorelis, who has spent years treating patients with POTS. She describes this condition, the challenges of diagnosing it, and the most common treatments.
This Week’s Guests:
Shannon Caspersen, MD, is triple-boarded in Adult Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine.
Dr. Caspersen is an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her website is ShannonCaspersenMD.com
Christina Kokorelis, MD, is a member of the Johns Hopkins POTS program. She is a rehabilitation physician specializing in pediatric and adult postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), orthostatic intolerance and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. She takes a comprehensive, team-based approach to patient care. Dr. Kokorelis also treats children with concussions and chronic pain disorders. Dr. Kokorelis is an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Listen to the Podcast:
The podcast of this program will be available Monday, April 19, 2021, after broadcast on April 17. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I'm Joe Gradyton and I'm Terry Grady welcome to this podcast of the People's Pharmacy. |
| 0:06.1 | You can find previous podcasts and more information on a range of health topics at people's Pharmacy.com |
| 0:14.0 | Tens of millions of Americans were infected with the coronavirus. |
| 0:19.0 | Most have recovered, but many are now long haulers. This is the People's Pharmacy with Terry and Joe Grady. Post-Kovid syndrome can cause symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and shortness of breath. |
| 0:40.0 | Then there's a mysterious condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It's abbreviated POT. |
| 0:48.0 | Symptoms of pots include dizziness on standing, rapid increases in heart rate, headache, difficulty exercising, and poor concentration. |
| 0:57.0 | We'll talk with a physician who's suffering from pots and another who specializes in treating this condition. |
| 1:03.0 | Coming up on the People's Pharmacy, combating the FDA's action in pausing the |
| 1:19.7 | administration of the |
| 1:23.2 | Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine is controversial. |
| 1:24.3 | Approximately 7 million people have received this shot. |
| 1:28.8 | Six women have developed dangerous blood clots and one died. |
| 1:34.0 | The AstraZeneca vaccine, which is not approved or used in the U.S. is also associated |
| 1:39.2 | with serious blood clot reactions in rare cases. Both Johnson and Johnson and |
| 1:44.3 | and AstraZeneca use a viral vector, an inactive adenovirus in their |
| 1:49.3 | vaccine instead of MRNA like the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. |
| 1:55.0 | Many people are confused about why the health authorities would have stopped administration |
| 2:00.0 | of an effective vaccine in the face of a surge of cases. |
| 2:03.7 | The FDA has suggested that they're pausing out of an abundance of caution. |
| 2:08.7 | Some experts applaud the decision as prudent, bolstering public trust while the agency investigates. |
| 2:15.3 | The CDC believes this action will alert patients and health professionals to the clotting |
| 2:20.9 | concern and encourage them to report any additional cases. |
... |
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