What to do if you have COVID-19-like symptoms

As we approach our fifth month dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19, it is apparent that this pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. While multiple countries including the US are working on a vaccine, Dr. Curtis Cripe believes that people shouldn’t rely on it and should learn how to care for patients with COVID-19 instead. And it all begins with knowing what to do if you have COVID-19-like symptoms.

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The first symptoms of COVID-19 are a high fever, dry cough, and a general feeling of tiredness. If you first exhibit these symptoms, you should self-isolate yourself for a minimum of 14 days before coming into contact with other people or go out of your house. Other less common symptoms include body pains and aches, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell, conjunctivitis, and skin rashes or discoloration in the fingers and toes.

During your self-isolation, you could ask family members to look after you. If this is the case, you should have your own isolated quarters such as your bedroom. Whenever interacting with a caregiver, both parties should be wearing face masks in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Have your clothes and eating apparatuses cleaned and disinfected after every use.

As you self-isolate, you should be mindful of your symptoms and inform your caregiver of any new symptoms that arise. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, if you experience trouble breathing, inability to stay awake, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, and bluish face or lips, ask that you be taken to the nearest medical facility immediately.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a diverse multidisciplinary background that includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. Dr. Curtis Cripe was asked to participate in a White House - NASA committee for TeleHealth/TeleMedicine during the COVID-19. His committee has been asked to spear head long term and on-going TeleHealth and TeleMedicine protocols and procedures that can be followed during the current and future Pandemics as well as TeleMedicine and TeleHealth even after the COVID-19 diminishes. The committee proposals have been accepted and is now moving forward Internationally with UN participation. Visit this website for more reads on COVID-19.

The link between physical trauma and drug addiction

Over the years, law enforcement together with doctors, researchers, scientists, therapists, and mental health professionals have recognized a lot of “gateways” into drug addiction. From cannabis to alcoholic beverages to pain killers, these seemingly less serious substances have led people into harder drugs such as crack, cocaine, and heroin.

In today’s blog, Dr. Curtis Cripe explores a rather unconventional gateway to drug addiction— trauma. It is important to note that while psychological and physical trauma are not substances that a person can take like marijuana or hard liquor, their effects are similar when it comes to leading a person into addiction and abuse.

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One of life’s most tragic realities is that many children experience physical and psychological trauma. From beatings to sexual assault, to witnessing violence between their parents, to even having to go through their parents’ divorce if a marriage becomes messy, all these events can have life-long effects on children.

People with childhood trauma who are not lucky enough to get therapy and treatment seek other ways to cope with the memories of their experiences. And as they grow older, they find ways to alter their consciousness through substances such as alcohol and medication, and then harder and more dangerous drugs.

A great deal of people in the world have been changed for the worse because of childhood trauma. And a huge percentage of drug addicts cite psychological and physical trauma early on in their lives as among the main factors that led them to substance abuse, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the creation of neuroengineering programs for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. For more reads on neurology, go to this page.

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Common neurological ailments caused by heavy substance abuse

Prolonged substance abuse, regardless if it involves illegal or legal substances, can have harrowing effects on the human mind and body.

This is why rehabilitation is such a crucial step in weaning people from drugs. Their dependence on substances could go beyond cravings and cause neurological disorders, which are more difficult to reverse.

Sometimes, these changes are permanent. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, a leading neurological expert, heavy substance abuse can easily cause damages to the human mind and body. Examples of such damages are:

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Seizures

Seizures are triggered in a variety of ways, and one of them is through substance abuse. Seizures usually result from erratic changes in the electrical activity produced by the brain. Taking substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy in high doses can trigger this phenomenon. Likewise, withdrawal from substances like benzodiazepine can also have similar results.

Encephalopathy

Encephalopathy is associated with altered mental stages due to brain damage. It is often a complication brought about by liver damage or oxygen deprivation of the brain. While encephalopathy has a chance of being reduced through early treatments, extensive damage is often permanent.

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Dementia

Although dementia is often used as an umbrella term for various neurological conditions, dementia caused by substance abuse is often associated with decrease in intellect, as well as cognitive levels, memory loss, and cognitive functions like speech, concentration, and judgment. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, heavy abuse of substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and benzodiazepines can cause dementia.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer with a diverse multidisciplinary background that includes software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. To read more about Dr. Cripe and his work, visit this website.