The Med & Mic™ 03.17.22
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MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
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Concern for Another Wave
Cases of COVID are spiking in Europe, and U.S. wastewater surveillance sites are picking up increased virus levels. At the same time, restrictions across the country are easing as case numbers and hospitalizations come down. This has public health experts concerned for a possible resurgence, especially with the Omicron subvariant BA.2 gaining steam. BA.2 is 30% more transmissible than Omicron BA.1. (the original). Vaccination and prior infection have been protective, though breakthrough infections are possible. More in STAT News.
Heart-related Guidance on Long COVID
The American College of Cardiology has issued guidance on heart-related issues accompanying long COVID. Depending on symptoms, individuals should get bloodwork, heart rhythm tests, and breathing tests. People with rapid heart rate and an inability to exercise should maintain physical activity. “There appears to be a ‘downward spiral’ for long COVID patients,” Nicole Bhave, MD, is quoted in an article from MedPage Today. For heart inflammation, hospitalization is recommended. Athletes recovering from illness should have some basic tests, proceeding to cardiac MRI only if the initial evaluation is abnormal. The ACC also advises that any symptoms go away before athletes return to play. If myocarditis is diagnosed, the athlete should abstain from exercise for 3 to 6 months.
Type 1 Diabetes Up with the Pandemic
Emerging evidence show coronavirus can attack the insulin producing cells of the pancreas, which could lead to Type 1 diabetes. With Type 1 diabetes, tha pancreas produces little or no insulin, and people with this disease must take insulin injections. Researchers from a San Diego Children’s Hospital found a 60% jump in Type 1 diabetes in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior. While only 2% of the children with the new diagnosis had documented COVID, the increase was striking. “Clearly there’s a lot more work to be done to try to answer why this is happening,” says study co-author Dr. Jane Kim in an article from the AP.
Sleep Medicine Supports Permanent Standard Time
The U.S. Senate voted to make daylight saving time permanent. There would be benefits to this, such as increased safety. Accidents and medical errors increase in the week following the spring clock change. While the American Academy of Sleep Medicine supports a fixed clock schedule without springing forward and falling back, it favors a permanent standard time. Standard time provides more light in the morning and less light at night would better synchronize with human circadian rhythms. “It more closely aligns with our bodies’ internal clock and is the best choice for our overall health and safety,” says AASM spokesperson Dr. Shalini Paruthi in an article from MedPage Today.
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