Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

'I Never Recovered From That Crash': US Physicist Recalls Her Years-Long Battle With Long COVID

Dianna Cowern, the science communicator with more than two million YouTube subscribers, was at the peak of her career in 2022. Featuring millions of views, her YouTube channel ‘<span>Physics Girl</span>’, featured her travelling across the world filming science videos. She had also recently married her longtime partner, Kyle Kitzmiller.

Then, after contracting <span>COVID-19</span> during her honeymoon in Scotland, her life took a turn in ways she could not have anticipated.

What initially started off as a mild infection was followed by a sharp decline in her physical and mental health. A hike she had planned with her husband became an impossible task for her. After that rest no longer seemed to help her recover. 

Cowern's experience highlights the disabling effects of <span>Long COVID</span>, a condition that researchers are still trying to understand.

She recalled the time when her symptoms escalated, “Brain fog like I'd never experienced before. I couldn't walk. I couldn't think. I had nausea and headaches,” she said. “And I never recovered from that crash.”

<h2>From An Active Life To Confined To Bed</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/long-covid-mouth-and-lung-bacteria-may-offer-clues-article-156326350" data-type="tilCustomLink">Long COVID: Mouth And Lung Bacteria May Offer Clues</a>

According to KPBS, Cowern's initial <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/coronavirus" data-type="tilCustomLink">COVID-19</a> symptoms included a sore throat, cough and stuffy nose. After they subsided, she and Kitzmiller began a multiday hike they had planned for months. By the third day, she was struggling to recover even after resting and had to take a cab to the next location while her husband continued on foot.

The couple cut their honeymoon short and returned to San Diego. Her health continued to decline. She first lost the ability to run and hike, then struggled to work and walk. Eventually, she became unable to speak, read or use her phone.

Sensitivity to light and sound left her spending her days in a dark room, wearing dark glasses and noise-cancelling headphones to limit stimulation. Kitzmiller became her full-time caregiver.

He also recalled episodes in which her heart rate dropped into the 30s. He used a pulse monitor with an alarm and slept waiting for it to sound. “Every day I didn't know if she was just gonna die,” he said.

The couple sought medical help, but tests failed to provide clear answers. Kitzmiller described the response they had received from doctors. He said they said, “There's not a real disease here.”

<h2>Long COVID Is Part Of Post-Acute Infection Syndromes</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/long-covid-symptoms-are-closer-to-a-stroke-or-parkinsons-disease-than-fatigue-article-152520237" data-type="tilCustomLink">Long COVID Symptoms Are Closer To A Stroke Or Parkinson's Disease Than Fatigue</a>

Long COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/american-covid-drives-cases-and-deaths-up-in-uk-unusual-xfg-symptoms-to-watch-for-article-156374084" data-type="tilCustomLink">SARS-CoV-2</a> infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities.

Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives. 

Long COVID is also part of a bigger group of conditions known as post-acute infection syndromes, in which people continue to experience symptoms after an infection has gone.

Researchers are examining possible explanations behind <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/longest-covid-infection-reported-lasted-505-days-nonstop-what-are-persistent-infections-article-151673851" data-type="tilCustomLink">Long COVID</a>, including prolonged immune dysfunction and other changes triggered by infection.

<h2>Treatments Improved Symptoms But Road To Recovery Was Far</h2>

Nose Health Myths Busted: Nose Blowing, Nasal Hygiene & Mouth Breathing Explained

With few established treatment alternatives available, Cowern explored options suggested by researchers, although they were not approved for Long COVID. She reported a significant improvement after trying some of them.

“I was able to start looking at my phone again and reading and listening to music, which was amazing,” she said. “And then everything improved.”

After three years, she eventually returned to making science videos. But her return has not meant a full recovery. Cowern says that she is functioning at around 30% to 40% of her previous capacity.

She and Kitzmiller are now using their platform to raise awareness about chronic illness. Kitzmiller has also joined an advisory committee for clinical trials investigating a treatment that helped her.

“There’s still a lot to learn,” Cowern said. “There's so little that's understood about this disease, but I will say that everyone that has it is desperate to live again.”

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Dianna Cowern, the science communicator with more than two million YouTube subscribers, was at the peak of her career in 2022. Featuring millions of views, her YouTube channel ‘Physics Girl’, featured her travelling across the world filming science videos. She had also recently married her longtime partner, Kyle Kitzmiller.Then, after contracting COVID-19 during her honeymoon in Scotland, her life took a turn in ways she could not have anticipated.What initially started off as a mild infection was followed by a sharp decline in her physical and mental health. A hike she had planned with her husband became an impossible task for her. After that rest no longer seemed to help her recover. Cowern's experience highlights the disabling effects of Long COVID, a condition that researchers are still trying to understand.She recalled the time when her symptoms escalated, “Brain fog like I'd never experienced before. I couldn't walk. I couldn't think. I had nausea and headaches,” she said. “And I never recovered from that crash.”From An Active Life To Confined To BedAlso read: Long COVID: Mouth And Lung Bacteria May Offer CluesAccording to KPBS, Cowern's initial COVID-19 symptoms included a sore throat, cough and stuffy nose. After they subsided, she and Kitzmiller began a multiday hike they had planned for months. By the third day, she was struggling to recover even after resting and had to take a cab to the next location while her husband continued on foot.The couple cut their honeymoon short and returned to San Diego. Her health continued to decline. She first lost the ability to run and hike, then struggled to work and walk. Eventually, she became unable to speak, read or use her phone.Sensitivity to light and sound left her spending her days in a dark room, wearing dark glasses and noise-cancelling headphones to limit stimulation. Kitzmiller became her full-time caregiver.He also recalled episodes in which her heart rate dropped into the 30s. He used a pulse monitor with an alarm and slept waiting for it to sound. “Every day I didn't know if she was just gonna die,” he said.The couple sought medical help, but tests failed to provide clear answers. Kitzmiller described the response they had received from doctors. He said they said, “There's not a real disease here.”Long COVID Is Part Of Post-Acute Infection SyndromesAlso read: Long COVID Symptoms Are Closer To A Stroke Or Parkinson's Disease Than FatigueLong COVID refers to symptoms that occur after a SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by another diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, breathlessness, sleep disturbances and problems with everyday activities.Some people improve over time, while others experience prolonged illness that affects their ability to lead routine lives. Long COVID is also part of a bigger group of conditions known as post-acute infection syndromes, in which people continue to experience symptoms after an infection has gone.Researchers are examining possible explanations behind Long COVID, including prolonged immune dysfunction and other changes triggered by infection. Treatments Improved Symptoms But Road To Recovery Was Far             With few established treatment alternatives available, Cowern explored options suggested by researchers, although they were not approved for Long COVID. She reported a significant improvement after trying some of them.“I was able to start looking at my phone again and reading and listening to music, which was amazing,” she said. “And then everything improved.”After three years, she eventually returned to making science videos. But her return has not meant a full recovery. Cowern says that she is functioning at around 30% to 40% of her previous capacity.She and Kitzmiller are now using their platform to raise awareness about chronic illness. Kitzmiller has also joined an advisory committee for clinical trials investigating a treatment that helped her.“There’s still a lot to learn,” Cowern said. “There's so little that's understood about this disease, but I will say that everyone that has it is desperate to live again.”

'i never recovered from that crash': us physicist recalls her years-long battle with long covid

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