How Post-Viral Illness Causes Post-Exertional Malaise

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In this episode, Haylie Pomroy is joined by Dr. Leonard Jason, Professor and Director in the Center for Community Research at DePaul University, to discuss the severe effects of long-lasting post-viral illnesses like post-COVID syndrome (also known as long COVID) and post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Dr. Jason, who has led research with over $47 million in funding, shares his knowledge on the persistent impact of these conditions and the importance of understanding the body’s reaction to viral infections.

Don’t miss out as Dr. Jason explains how to manage these illnesses holistically, with a focus on nutrition and lifestyle changes to help improve recovery and quality of life. Tune in to learn more about these complex health issues and discover helpful management strategies.

Key points:
00:00 Introduction
02:31 Persistent symptoms following viral infections.
03:52 What is long COVID?
06:31 The body’s natural responses to illness.
08:31 Post-viral conditions: symptoms
10:36 Challenges of diagnosing ME/CFS.
12:31 Challenges of diagnosing long COVID.
14:29 Real cases and the complexity of long COVID.
18:17 Ongoing research for understanding long COVID.
22:47 What healthcare needs to do about post-viral illnesses
29:02 The need for passion and community in healing
33:12 Dr. Jason's book for understanding long COVID.

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Dr. Leonard A. Jason, Ph.D., is a prominent psychologist and professor at DePaul University, where he also directs the Center for Community Research. His main research interests include myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which he began studying after being diagnosed in 1990, as well as violence prevention, smoking cessation, and substance abuse recovery. He has authored 28 books, published over 800 articles, and has been significantly involved in community psychology, holding editorial roles in several journals. Dr. Jason has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to psychology and community health.

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#MECFS #chronicfatigue #chronicillness #postexertionalmalaise #PEM #longCOVID

[JoRichards-en]

I was perfectly fit and healthy before getting Covid in March 2020. No underlying conditions, a very physical job in the fresh air, and swam 3-4 times a week.

I appreciate, as stated in the video, that pre-existing conditions like diabetes would make Long Covid / CFS / PEM more likely … but for people like myself who were perfectly fit and healthy before, and there are many, that is not the case.

I have spoken to fitness instructors, yoga teachers, runners, athletes, etc on Long Covid forums who were also perfectly fit and healthy pre-Covid.

Mostly those who are worst affected were infected right at the start of the pandemic or within the first few months.

Lots of us are now reaching the 5 year mark of illness but were perfectly healthy before.

I just think this is an important point to make.

It really upsets me that people with Long Covid get gaslit and “victim blamed” that “only old / ill / vulnerable” got Covid / Long Covid.

The presumption being that people with Long Covid got sicker because they were previously unhealthy (therefore their fault).

It’s simply not true! 😞

[maryr]

It's a pity that the research was delayed by decades (when ME/CFS was affecting mostly women) and only when covid came around that more researchers started looking at it.

[SuzannePowell-fblw]

Please we need help desperately we with fybromyalgia we are treated so badly by the medical fraternity, when I was young and sick I got ignored now iam older they like to blame it on old age, I won't even go near doctors now they have no clue help help help us thank you

[maryr]

The dr said thie research needs a connective approach. I wonder if the body's connective tissue, the mast cells being in the connective tissues and the mast cells moving in the blood and the brain blood barrier....since many ppl with genetic connective tissue disorders (Ehlers-Danlos, Hypermobility Spectrum, Marfans disorders) tend to get everything involved: POTS, ME/CFS, MCAS, Small fiber neuropathy, chronic pain, migraines, brain fog, chemical sensitivies, etc.

[FR]

We need Ai to boost research, it's going too slow. Lives are not being lived.

[lessons]

I got "pots " in 2016 after getting a hospital acquired superbug infection . Before covid . I have white matter hyperintensities on MRi. I am disabled . it's bad .

[SuzannePowell-fblw]

Why are doctors so ignorant and shut down to fybromyalgia chronic fatigue, we in Australia with fybromyalgia are treated like its all in our head even though I body is clearly breaking down, I have been a hard very active worker all my life bit by bit I have become so unwell I couldent care if I died ..A major hospital in Sydney dident even no about fybromyalgia

[maryr]

I appreciate you want to advertise the research studies and get patients to study and those who want to partipate but it is extremely distracting when you have them in the middle of the discussion. With our short term memory issues...by the time you do the "ad for the center", we have already forgotten what you were talking about. Maybe doing the ads befote the discussion starts...it would help us keep focused.

[SuzannePowell-fblw]

I have had fybromyalgia for over 30yrs I have also had covid I got very sick from infection for covid I have suffered from chronic fatigue so badly I could do nothing but sleep I feel like I am going to die, I often can't lift my arms I am to tired long Ovid is the same, I have had Epstein bar many other severe illnesses

[VanessaGray-be]

It's obvious that neither of these people have cfs/ME, I currently use 7mls of naltrexone every 2 to 3 hrs to keep calcium ion channels opened, plus every other alternative modality and have a basic life, at least not bedbound. Very irritating to say Passion is healing, sorry but you have no idea how debilitating this illness is and I hope you never do.

[VanessaGray-be]

Sorry but neither of you have any idea of what cfs/me is like, to say passion is healing is irritating, if it was that easy millions would be not missing. I currently use 7mls of naltrexone every 2 to 3 hours, to keep calcium ion channels opened, plus every other alternative treatment and have a basic life with minimal fatigue, pem, no pain, at least not bedbound. I am still not my old self, and I was very fit before ebv.

[VanessaGray-be]

Sorry but neither of you have any idea of what cfs/me is like, to say passion is healing is irritating, if it was that easy millions would be not missing. I currently use 7mls of naltrexone every 2 to 3 hours, to keep calcium ion channels opened, plus every other alternative treatment and have a basic life with minimal fatigue, pem, no pain, at least not bedbound. I am still not my old self, and I was very fit before ebv.

[VanessaGray-be]

Sorry but neither of you have any idea of what cfs/me is like, to say passion is healing is irritating, if it was that easy millions would be not missing. I currently use 7mls of naltrexone every 2 to 3 hours, to keep calcium ion channels opened, plus every other alternative treatment and have a basic life with minimal fatigue, pem, no pain, at least not bedbound. I am still not my old self, and I was very fit before ebv.

[VanessaGray-be]

Sorry but neither of you have any idea of what cfs/me is like, to say passion is healing is irritating, if it was that easy millions would be not missing. I currently use 7mls of naltrexone every 2 to 3 hours, to keep calcium ion channels opened, plus every other alternative treatment and have a basic life with minimal fatigue, pem, no pain, at least not bedbound. I am still not my old self, and I was very fit before ebv.