Image courtesy of iSO-FORM LLC.

Claire McWilliams, Ph.D., a Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Arizona State University, came down with COVID-19 in June 2022. Along with common symptoms, she experienced “crushing fatigue, brain fog, stomach upset, and nerve pain,” she said.

Even after recovering from the initial infection, these symptoms persisted. New ones appeared, like dizziness, blurry vision, and sudden changes in body temperature.

For a year, McWilliams sought answers from many doctors. She was misdiagnosed with conditions like hemochromatosis and autoimmune disease. Incorrect treatments only worsened her health.

Eventually, McWilliams finally found help through Banner Health’s Long COVID Program, led by Dr. Harvey Hsu. With the right diagnosis, her quality of life improved.

Still, she describes herself as a “two-scooper of energy,” fighting daily to keep her spark. Rest and support from family and friends have been vital to her recovery.

Unfortunately, McWilliams’ story is far from unique. Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world continue to face the harmful effects of Long COVID.

[Read more…]

Image courtesy of Miguel Arcanjo Saddi on Pexels.

Jacob Eberspacher, 28, an invasive species forester with the Arizona Department of Wildlife and Agriculture and Department of Forestry, has experienced the harmful effects of vaping firsthand.

“I had an addiction to it,” Eberspacher said. Symptoms included decreased cardiac capacity, difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness. He eventually realized he could no longer haul gear up mountains as easily for work.

Once, after using his vape, Eberspacher became so dizzy he almost lost control of his vehicle. When he quit, splitting headaches persisted for weeks. The high nicotine concentrations in disposable vapes forced him to wean off. Eberspacher turned to refillable, lower-dose vaporizers. Even then, the cravings lingered.

[Read more…]