The phrase “long haul” originated around 1873 as a way to determine the cost of transporting goods and people great distances by rail. The longer the haul, the less was charged per mile. That’s the opposite of what many survivors of COVID-19 mean when they use the phrase to describe their residual health challenges after recovering from the virus.
One “long haul” effect of COVID-19 that docs have been struggling to understand is the persistence of chronic pain or numbness in hands and feet. Now a new study, published in the journal Radiology, suggests two causes of this lingering symptom. The body’s own immune response to the virus may trigger widespread inflammation that attacks the nerves, or the sensations may be caused by reaction to blood thinners. In that case, blood collects outside of the blood vessels, forming a hematoma, and puts pressure on the nerves. Knowing these potential causes can allow doctors to more accurately determine which treatments will be most effective.
The researchers, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, also stress the importance of knowing where in the body the pain originates. That’s possible using advanced imaging technology. They suggest anyone with such post-COVID nerve sensations see about having ultra-high-resolution ultrasound and magnetic resonance neurography (MRI of peripheral nerves). Then your docs will have a shot at knowing the cause and where the sensations originate from (not always where you feel ‘em!).
So don’t suffer in silence. Make sure your docs know about these new insights and approaches to treating your COVID-19-related nerve damage.
The latest -- and tastiest -- wrinkle fighter
Sesame Street’s Telly Monster loves to eat a mango, and his friend Rosita loves to tango. So they sing and dance a daffy duet called “Mango Tango.” Turns out lots of folks like to tango with a mango. More than 40 million metric tons are grown annually -- delivering health benefits with every bite. Each 3/4 cup delivers 8% of your daily vitamins A and B6, half your daily vitamin C, 7% of your daily fiber, 15% of your daily folate and 15% of your daily copper requirements. Mangoes also contain other bioactive compounds that may have antidiabetes and anticancer benefits.
Until now, however, no one knew what fancy footwork mangoes employ in the fight against wrinkles. Now a pilot study published in Nutrients reveals that when postmenopausal women with skin that sunburns rather than tans eat half a cup of Ataulfo (aka Champagne) mangoes four times a week, they decrease their deep wrinkles by 23% after two months. The severity, length and width of fine and emerging wrinkles improve too.
But listen up! More is less when it comes to mangoes. Women who ate a cup and a half of mangoes four times a week for two months saw a measurable increase in wrinkles. The researchers from University of California, Davis, suggest the skin damage from eating more mangoes may be a result of an inflammatory overload of sugar delivered with the higher intake.
So, for a tasty way to improve your health and appearance, make mango salsa and dance the tango!
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer Emeritus at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.
