Health Matters

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The race to figure out how to treat and prevent Long COVID

By Jamie Ducharme

Health Correspondent

Last year, I wrote about the startling number of people with Long COVID who experience suicidal thoughts. In multiple interviews for that story, people told me that any amount of hope for the future would make living with Long COVID easier. Since then, I’ve tried to spotlight positive news on Long COVID when I can.

It isn’t always easy, since there is still no proven way to treat or prevent Long COVID, and the number of people diagnosed with the often-debilitating condition continues to grow. But over the past few weeks, I noticed a few studies on promising therapies that may either help prevent Long COVID from developing or treat its symptoms. The most intriguing was on metformin, a Type 2 diabetes drug that slashed the risk of getting Long COVID by up to 60% in the trial.

It’s important to note that this finding is preliminary, and much more research is needed before we can get anywhere close to saying there’s a way to prevent or cure Long COVID. But in a field that can seem bleak, it's worth highlighting some cautious optimism.

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AN EXPERT VOICE

"I like to use somatic hugs when I'm having a bad day. Start by crossing your dominant arm over your chest and placing your hand near your opposite armpit. Then, cross your other arm and place your hand on your opposite shoulder.

It creates a sense of containment and safety, and you can do it at any time and for as long as you need."

—Sarah Rollins, clinical social worker in Michigan

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Today's newsletter was written by Jamie Ducharme and Angela Haupt, and edited by Mandy Oaklander.

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"I like to use somatic hugs when I'm having a bad day. Start by crossing your dominant arm over your chest and placing your hand near your opposite armpit. Then, cross your other arm and place your hand on your opposite shoulder.

It creates a sense of containment and safety, and you can do it at any time and for as long as you need."

—Sarah Rollins, clinical social worker in Michigan