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https://theconversation.com/being-stressed-out-before-you-get-covid-increases-your-chances-of-long-covid-heres-why-190649>
"Stress is part and parcel of modern life. When we’re on the verge of a new
challenge or a significant event, we can experience stress mixed with
excitement and a sense of challenge. This form of “good” stress, or eustress,
is important for growth, development, and achievement.
However, prolonged stress and overwhelming or traumatic events can negatively
impact our health. These forms of “bad” stress – or distress – can make us
sick, depressed, anxious and over the long term, increase our risk of heart
disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia and even cancer.
Distress can also affect our ability to fully recover from COVID. Ongoing
symptoms for a month or more is referred to as long COVID. Those affected can
experience fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell,
difficulty sleeping, anxiety and/or depression. For some, these symptoms can
last for many months or even years, making it impossible to return to pre-COVID
life.
In a Harvard University study published last month, people suffering
psychological distress in the lead up to their COVID infection had a greater
chance of experiencing long COVID. The researchers found those with two types
of distress (depression, probable anxiety, perceived stress, worry about COVID,
and loneliness) had an almost 50% greater risk of long COVID than other
participants.
So how might distress impact the body’s ability to fight infection?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
