In 2020 we were anticipating the excitement of a new decade. What we experienced was a historical pandemic that caused more loss that we want to remember. One of the many important lessons learned during this time is that life is unexpected and that we should prepare as best we can.
The world is embracing getting back to a new normal with graduations, travel, and creating wonderful memories with loved ones. This seems hopeful but COVID-19 is still here. Some people who have been diagnosed and survived, are now facing more medical challenges due to long COVID. This can impact people who had a previous medical condition prior to getting COVID-19, or no medical condition at all. Symptoms of long-COVID can range from four months to a year after the initial disease goes away, and for some it is permanent.
Long term preparation is important. This article will share some of the symptoms of long COVID and what you can do to protect yourself and family.
What is long-COVID?
When a person had COVID-19 and it has passed through the system, there are new medical conditions that can arise. The common name is long COVID. Other terms include long-term COVID, post-COVID syndrome, or “long haulers.”
The effects of long COVID creates a lot of unexpected health conditions and complications. There are no clear reasons why this happens, and it is causing issues for many people. Since July of 2021, long COVID can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
According to the CDC, some of the symptoms of long COVID include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Neurological issues
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities (also known as post-exertional malaise)
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Chest or stomach pain
- Headache
- Fast-beating or pounding heart (heart palpitations)
- Joint or muscle pain
- Sleep problems
- Dizziness on standing (lightheadedness)
- Change in smell or taste
- Changes in menstrual period cycles
In addition, long COVID can cause some serious health conditions such as heart complications and kidney damage. This can happen even if a person didn’t have a heart or kidney related issue prior to COVID-19. For some, it can lead to other medical conditions, long term illness, and even death.
Mental illness is another effect of long COVID. People are a lot more open to seek help for their mental health. In March of 2020 two psychologists Steven Taylor. Ph.D and Gordon Asmunsdon, Ph.D , coined the term coronaphobia. This is the “intolerance of uncertainty, perceived vulnerability to disease, and anxiety (worry) proneness associated with COVID-19”.
If you or someone you know are having symptoms of COVID-19 and/or long COVID contact your healthcare professional.
Prepare for protection
With both a COVID-19 diagnosis and long COVID, it is important to plan accordingly. Medical professionals are still learning about the best treatment options for long COVID. This is a condition that can impact people of all ages, even children and teenagers.
What you can do to help you and your family is to protect yourself from the disease and protect your legacy with life insurance.
Leave your loved ones a lifeline that will last a lifetime. At AssuredCHOICE we can structure policies that are tailored to your specific needs. After all, just like life is not once size fit’s all, neither is insurance.
Let us help you protect what matters most, contact us for a free quote.
Sources:
Post COVID Conditions. cdc.gov. (2021)
COVID ‘Long Haulers’: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19. Hopkinsmedicine.org. (2022).
Coronavirus: Kidney Damage Caused by COVID-19. Hopkinsmedicine.org. (2022).
Long COVID and Mental Health. Psychology Today. (2022).
