In Episode 25 of Dr. Dave On Call, we discuss the neurological effects of COVID-19 with Neurocritical care specialist, Dr. Eric Liotta of Northwestern Medicine.

Many individuals who have experienced COVID-19 have encountered neurological symptoms. For example, loss of taste and smell have been pathognomonic for the disease. However, many patients have experienced other neurological symptoms such as stroke, malaise, numbness, "brain fog", weakness, etc.

We have received much feedback from our listeners regarding their neurological symptoms and thought it would be best to discuss these symptoms with a Neurological specialist, Dr. Eric Liotta. Dr. Liotta is Assistant Professor of Neurocritical Care and Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine. He has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, treating severely ill patients in the Neurocritical ICU. Further, he has had the opportunity to follow both severely and mildly ill patients in his clinic throughout the pandemic and has valuable insight into the neurological sequelae of COVID-19. We are honored to speak with him.

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In Episode 24 of Dr. Dave On Call, we discuss sleep and COVID-19 with sleep specialist, Dr. Beth Malow, Director of the Vanderbilt University Sleep Division.

Many individuals suffer from sleep disturbances. Sleep is critical to physical health, our immune system and a key promotor for our emotional and mental health. Adequate sleep can help combat stress, depression and anxiety.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a "perfect storm" to cause sleep disturbances. Our routines have been disrupted, increase in anxiety/worry, depression, isolation, combined with greater family and work stress. Not to mention all of the excess screen time.

We are privileged to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is affecting our sleep with Dr. Beth Malow, who is a Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is also the Director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division and has tremendous experience treating both children and adults with sleep disorders.

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In Episode 23, we discuss the importance of wearing a mask after being vaccinated.

A mask is the single most important mitigating technique to prevent the spread of COVID-19, even after being vaccinated. There are 3 central reasons to continue to wear a mask after being fully vaccinated. There are many variants circulating throughout the US, and as predicted the UK variant will be the dominant mutation in the US very soon. Some variants like the South African and Brazilian variant, the vaccine is less effective as protecting ourselves. Therefore, in order to decrease the ability for these variants to spread, we must continue to wear masks after being fully vaccinated.

The vaccine does not necessarily protect you from experiencing COVID, it will likely help reduce symptoms. By wearing a mask, you could prevent spreading COVID to other populations who have not been vaccinated yet.

Finally, a mask can help prevent the spread of other respiratory droplet illnesses like the influenza that are more common during cold/flu season. We have seen during this Winter 2020, a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of influenza, a large part due to the general population wearing masks.

It is extremely important to wear a mask during the pandemic, especially after being fully vaccinated.

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