“I feel something come over me. It starts with a buzzing feeling, like my body is vibrating.”
MAY 22, 2020 | 9:00 AM
THE MORNING CALL – It’s been two months since Denise Russo-Caiazzo was diagnosed with the coronavirus and a few weeks since she’s tested negative for the infection. But she’s still suffering bizarre, lingering symptoms.
“I feel something come over me. My face gets bright red, almost purple,” she said. “It starts with a buzzing feeling, like my body is vibrating. My eyes get bloodshot.”
Since her diagnosis, Russo-Caiazzo, a 64-year-old competitive baker from Forks Township, also has had headaches every day, a condition she rarely suffered before getting sick with the coronavirus.
Headache and bloodshot eyes were among her early symptoms when she was diagnosed in March, along with diarrhea and stomach pain. Though she went to the emergency room after slipping in and out of consciousness, she wasn’t hospitalized.
Now Russo-Caiazzo is anxious and confused, wondering if the latest symptoms are from the coronavirus, or the lupus and other immune system disorder she’s been dealing with for years, or a mix of both.
The $2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill will help mitigate the economic damage the illness has inflicted on health care organizations.
People with mild coronavirus cases tend to recover in a few weeks, while it could take those who were hospitalized with the illness much longer.
No matter the severity, the virus seems to have lingering effects on some people. The symptoms range from tiredness and a persistent cough to lung and heart damage.
For those who can’t shake the sickness, the road to recovery can be rocky and intimidating, with little consolation from a medical community that is still learning about the novel virus.
Doctors are trying to understand the recovery process. And it remains unclear if someone who recovers can be reinfected. While there are no definitive studies published on coronavirus recovery yet … Read more.
Managing stress and anxiety during coronavirus
By Russell Toof, April 14, 2020
Army.mil | SEMBACH, Germany –The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has created new challenges for everyone. Normal routines have been replaced by unfamiliar isolation and adjustments to home-life, work, and school. Fear and anxiety about the disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.
How can you avoid becoming stressed and overwhelmed?
“I recommend you limit your exposure to social media and the news,” said Lt. Col. Emile Wijnans, the director of psychological health for Regional Health Command Europe. “You can alleviate stress by focusing on the things that are positive and what you can control.”
According to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, stressors during a period of social distancing/quarantine can include: frustration and boredom related to the isolation, inadequate supplies and access to regular medical care, insufficient information, and fears about becoming infected and/or infecting others.
“It’s important to get what rest you can, eat well and exercise when possible,” said Wijnans. “These are normal things we tell people, but they really do in fact help.”
It is also recommended to stick to a routine, take small breaks throughout the day and avoid a reliance on tobacco and alcohol.
“If someone is drinking heavily, it can suppress their immune system,” said Dr. Cheryl Owen, the regional manager for RHCE’s Substance Use Disorder Services. “We also know that people who drink often smoke, and that increases their risk of respiratory illness. The other issue is that drinking can also dampen your mood so if you’re already stressed out, it’s not going to help at all.”
According to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, common signs of distress include:
- feelings of numbness, disbelief, anxiety or fear; changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels;
- difficulty concentrating;
- difficulty sleeping or nightmares and upsetting thoughts and images;
- physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes;
- worsening of chronic health problems;
- anger or short-temper;
- increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
The isolation and stress can also create friction points for married couples and those with children.
“Each person will have moments when they will not be at their best,” Wijnans said. “A lot of cooped up time can bring out the worst in everyone. It is important to not hold grudges and continue disagreements. Focus on strengthening the connection with your children and just remember that we are all truly doing the best we can in an impossible situation.”
Psychologists also encourage you to reach out for help if needed.If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counselor. Have a plan of where to go and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.
While there have been reports of a global surge of domestic violence since coronavirus lockdowns began, that has not been the case for the military in Europe, according to Janique Parnell, the RHCE Family Advocacy Program Consultant.
“At this time we do not have evidence or data that would suggest an increase in domestic violence since restrictions were put in place,” said Parnell. Source.
