Long Covid and Brain Inflammation

CRAIN'S COMMENTS

Prior research, discussed in earlier posts, shows that the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 can nest in any of several organs in the body and cause damage after the initial infection.

One of these organs is the brain. The virus can get there through the bloodstream and penetrate into the brain though weaknesses it causes by attacking the lining of blood vessels. Alternatively, in the presence of nasal congestion (thank you, allergies!) the virus can pass directly from the nose into the brain.

New research shows that people who exhibit symptoms of Long Covid have antibodies for the virus in their brain and spinal fluid. The classic Long Covid symptom is brain fog, and that may be caused directly by inflammation in brain cells.

The problem, of course, is that once the virus gets there, we don’t know how to get rid of it. Think of Lyme Disease, the tick-borne virus…

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Are We All Gullible?

Filosofa's Word

While conspiracy theories have always been around, they have seemingly run rampant of late, the one with the most adherents being the Big Lie that the election was “stolen” from the former guy.  And remember Margie Greene’s belief in the QAnon theory that it was Russian space lasers or some such nonsense that started the 2020 California wildfires?  Now, I and most of the people reading this blog are too intelligent to fall for these off-the-wall conspiracy theories, right?  Let’s find out!  The Washington Post has a short (just 6 multiple choice questions), fun quiz to see just how savvy we are about facts vs conspiracy theories.  I took this quiz … it really is short and only took less than 5 minutes … and I did miss one!  😱

Check it out here and let me know how you did … and see if you can guess which one…

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Working Wednesdays, Do Better, Chapter 8, section II. A.: 1/4 of a map for the early years of Phase II — Inspiring Critical Thinking and Community via Books, Lessons, and Story

This post is the kitchen sink version of the rough draft of  Chapter 8 of my non-fiction WiP, Do Better, fka Baby Floors.   This chapter will begin the early years of mapping out a path to get there for Phase II, with a potential new adulthood rite of passage. (the current version of Draft 3 […]

Working Wednesdays, Do Better, Chapter 8, section II. A.: 1/4 of a map for the early years of Phase II — Inspiring Critical Thinking and Community via Books, Lessons, and Story

A Framed Silence

yaskhan

Heartbreaking when friends don't talk anymore 
Makes your heart all achy and sore.

Writing poetry is not so much fun
When the words ,  they don't come.

It's like watching the slowly falling rain
You feel the tears, yet not lose the pain. 

I feel like a soul that's misunderstood 
Trying my best to make it look good.

I try to hide myself inside my woe
It's best not to let it show.

My hands are empty but filled with words
I cling to the words that can't be heard.

The ink will not dry, the time will not pass
Your forever presence in my life my life will surpass.

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Are Humans As Smart As We Think?

From Behind the Pen

Squirrel, Forest, Tree, Nature, Wild, Furry, The Park
Image credit: Evgeniadakar

Whenever I peer out the window, I always see something that makes me go, “hmmmmm.” As I watched the cardinals, bluebirds, wrens, and a few crows flying around in my backyard this morning, along with a family of squirrels hopping across the yard like they were running in an Olympic hurdle, I wonder how they become such smart, happy survivors.

Think about it. They don’t have to pay rent or a mortgage, and they can move to any place around the world with the most picturesque views without answering to a landlord. They don’t need to hire a carpenter or pay for supplies to make their home. They don’t need to hire an Uber for transportation, nor do they have to pay for food. They can go anywhere they want to throughout the country and around the world without a passport or an airline ticket. They don’t…

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Tinnitus

The Twisting Tail

In absolute silence I hear
multitudes
Of creatures
Mingled screeches
At a frequency
Just beyond perception.
A shrill sound
High pitched
Pulsating
Growing
Becoming
A deafening roar

It surrounds me
Penetrates me
Resonating
In my very skull
The commotion of life
Keeps the burden at bay
And I have peace
For a moment
From the screams
Of silence


Weekly Theme:

Archive weekly

First published:

31/05/19


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Quarantined Mac ‘n Cheese

snapshotsincursive

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Country Casual Cravings: Quarantined Mac ‘n Cheese! We all know the effects of social distancing and being quarantined at home. It can reek havoc on mental health and increase anxiety, that’s for sure. Rising costs of groceries can contribute to feelings of fear, worry, and frustration as well. That’s when comfort foods come to the rescue. I actually made this dish when my kitchen was being renovated during the pandemic and all I had was a counter microwave for cooking meals. This one-bowl meal eased the pain of feeling like things were out of control. Perhaps it may help you, too.

QUARANTINED MAC ‘N CHEESE

Ingredients For One:

1/2 cup dried macaroni pasta

1/2 cup water

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded

Everything But Bagel Seasoning, for garnish

Instructions:

In a deep microwave-safe dish, combine…

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