What is Long COVID

So, let’s talk about long COVID and why it’s something we need to keep paying attention to even after the height of the pandemic…

Imagine dealing with a disease three months after it first hit…and once you go to your doctor, you leave without answers—no explanation for why it’s happening or guidance on how to heal. This is the reality a lot of people go through these days as they live with long COVID.

A condition with hundreds of possible symptoms, it’s a concern the medical community is still catching up to, which leaves many feeling isolated in their struggle. More often than not, people aren’t believed, and worse, they can’t find effective help.

That’s why in this episode, we’ll discuss long COVID, the hundreds of symptoms tied to it, who is most at risk, and the importance of physicians acknowledging and validating patients’ experiences.

Whether you’re living with long COVID, know someone who is, or are a healthcare provider looking to support your patients better, this episode will equip you with reasons why we need to listen, validate, and find solutions together—starting today. So, join us and discover how empathy, awareness, and better communication can be key to making a positive difference.

Why you need to check this episode:

– Understand what dealing with long COVID means, especially with its extensive range of symptoms; – Discover the key risk factors that put you at higher risk of having long COVID; and – Recognize the importance of patient-physician communication, especially understanding and validating patient experiences, and why long COVID isn’t something that should be dismissed

“It’s just one of those things where we really have to have open eyes and ears for our patients because it is clear that your patients aren’t making it up. It is not ‘in their head’ just because they had COVID. This is real, and the numbers are starting to show it.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

“Having a good conversation [and] a good rapport with your patients is going to be first in line to help diagnose a patient with this syndrome. Because again, there are no tests, and more importantly, because there are no tests, there really isn’t a one-stop treatment option either.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“Make sure we are very understanding and listening to our patients…As a healthcare provider, you almost got to be like a coach…Understand them, reiterate what their issues are, and then try to kind of at least lead them to this aspect of ‘Hey, I think I know what’s wrong’. Because if you tell the person ‘Hey, I don’t know what’s wrong with you, I’m not sure when this is going to be over, but take this medication here’, they’re not going to have their trust in you that you’re actually taking care of them.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“My healthcare providers, I don’t know if you know this, [but] a lot of people—a lot of your own patients—are seeking help online because they don’t think you can give it to them.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

Mentions:

• Understanding Long Covid: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
• CDC’s Definition of Long COVID
• Why Your Doctor Needs to be Your Health Coach

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