Long COVID - Part 2 of 2, A Pulmonologist’s Long COVID Journey

In part two of this series, Dr. Stephanie LaBedz, a pulmonary and critical care physician at the University of Illinois at Chicago, joins Dr. Christina Wells, a family physician, also with UIC, to discuss her experience with long COVID.  She shares how it has helped in her approach to patients suffering from long COVID. They talk about what family physicians should understand about long COVID.

There are many ways that patients with long COVID can present.  We may not always know or recognize which conditions are related to long COVID.  As physicians, it is important to review a patient’s medical history in order to identify what may be causing the current symptoms. Topics Dr. LaBedz covers include:
·        Her symptoms, and others, associated with long COVID
·        Ways to treat patients in the absence of an overriding long COVID treatment
·        Suggestions for family physicians treating patients who may be presenting with symptoms suggestive of long COVID
·        Lessons she has learned since she first had COVID
·        The importance of helping patients listen to their bodies in order to get better
·        What makes diagnosing long COVID more difficult than other medical conditions

Objectives:
-          Identify how long COVID may present in patients
-          Understand what an “energy envelope” is and its importance in treating patients with long COVID
-          Recognize the distress long COVID patients may experience
-          Determine the best ways to assist your patients in their recovery

Meet the Faculty

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Resources:

• Illinois Vaccinates - www.Illinoisvaccinates.com
• CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html
• CDC 
  • Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with High Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers 
  • To share with your patients: People with Certain Medical Conditions at Increased Risk for Severe Illness 

Other terms that are used when discussing long COVID symptoms include PASC, post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, post-acute COVID-19,  chronic COVID-19,  post COVID-19 syndrome, long-haul COVID-19, post exertional fatigue,  post exertional malaise, POTS. postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome,

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