Chasing Life: Five Years Later – What We Know About Long Covid
Episode Release Date: March 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Podcast: Chasing Life by CNN
In this enlightening episode of Chasing Life, host Dr. Sanjay Gupta delves deep into the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, five years after its declaration by the World Health Organization. The episode primarily focuses on Long Covid, exploring its prevalence, symptoms, and ongoing societal discussions. Additionally, Dr. Gupta addresses listener concerns about the safety and necessity of conventional versus natural deodorants, providing clarity amidst widespread confusion.
Understanding Long Covid
Introduction to Long Covid
Dr. Gupta begins by addressing a timely question from Candy in Oregon, inquiring about the statistics of individuals experiencing persistent breathing problems post-COVID-19 infection (00:26). He defines Long Covid as a set of symptoms that linger for at least three months following the initial infection, though for some, symptoms persist for six months or longer.
Prevalence and Symptoms
Drawing from survey data, Dr. Gupta reveals that approximately 30% of COVID-19 infections result in Long Covid (00:48). This figure has remained consistent over the past five years. Among those experiencing Long Covid, up to 40% report persistent breathing issues, which range from mild exercise intolerance to severe difficulty in performing daily activities without breathlessness. Dr. Gupta emphasizes that symptoms extend beyond breathing problems, including fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and persistent loss of taste and smell.
Risk Factors and Societal Awareness
He notes a correlation between the severity of the initial COVID-19 illness and the likelihood of developing Long Covid. Individuals with underlying conditions, immune compromises, or those over 65 are at higher risk. However, Long Covid also affects young and previously healthy individuals. Dr. Gupta expresses concern over the lack of widespread societal discussion about Long Covid, advocating for increased awareness and understanding of this new disease class.
Management and Prevention
Addressing management strategies, Dr. Gupta highlights the benefits of breathing exercises in restoring lung capacity and mitigating some of the persistent symptoms. He also warns against reinfection, explaining that subsequent COVID-19 infections can lead to exponential increases in lung scarring and tissue thickening, exacerbating breathing difficulties (04:30).
Notable Quote:
"Even if you don't have some of the classic symptoms of long Covid, other conditions like migraines or lung disease can be worsened by a COVID infection." – Dr. Sanjay Gupta (03:15)
The Deodorant Dilemma: Conventional vs. Natural
Following the insightful discussion on Long Covid, Dr. Gupta transitions to another pressing listener concern: the safety and efficacy of conventional deodorants versus natural alternatives. This question is posed by Laura in Houston, Texas (07:29).
Distinguishing Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Dr. Gupta clarifies a common confusion by differentiating between deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants primarily target body odor by neutralizing skin bacteria and masking smells with fragrances, but they do not prevent sweating. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, contain aluminum salts that temporarily block sweat glands to reduce perspiration (08:14).
Health Concerns and Scientific Insights
Addressing widespread fears, Dr. Gupta discusses the alleged links between aluminum in antiperspirants and diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer's. He explains that extensive research has not established a direct causal relationship between antiperspirant use and these diseases. Major health organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer's Association, have reviewed available evidence and found no strong proof of increased disease risk from antiperspirant use (09:00).
Effectiveness of Natural Deodorants
Natural deodorants, which often use ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, and essential oils, focus solely on odor control without preventing sweating. Dr. Gupta notes that their effectiveness varies based on individual body chemistry and personal preferences. While some users find them satisfactory, particularly those who do not sweat excessively, others may not achieve the desired level of odor control provided by conventional products (10:45).
Deodorant Necessity and Personal Choice
A pivotal point in the discussion is the necessity of deodorant use. Dr. Gupta reveals that sweat itself is odorless; the unpleasant smell arises from bacteria breaking down sweat on the skin. Therefore, individuals who sweat minimally or are comfortable with natural body odor may choose to forgo deodorant altogether. He shares an anecdote from Dr. James Hamblin, who experimented with minimal personal hygiene routines to discover what works best for his lifestyle (11:31).
Notable Quote:
"Wearing deodorant is not a necessity because sweat itself doesn't actually smell. The odor happens when bacteria breaks down the sweat on your skin." – Dr. Sanjay Gupta (10:30)
Conclusion on Deodorant Choices
Dr. Gupta concludes that the decision to switch to natural deodorants should be based on personal preference and individual needs rather than health fears. He advises listeners to consider the effectiveness, cost, and ingredients of the products when making their choice, emphasizing that there is no scientific imperative to switch for health reasons (12:19).
Final Thoughts
In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta effectively addresses two significant health concerns raised by listeners: the enduring challenges of Long Covid and the considerations surrounding deodorant use. By providing clear definitions, current statistics, and evidence-based insights, he empowers listeners to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Call to Action:
Dr. Gupta encourages listeners to continue submitting their health questions for future episodes, fostering a community of informed and proactive individuals committed to chasing life with happiness and health at the forefront.
Notable Contributions:
- Medical Insight: Dr. Sanjay Gupta
- Listener Questions: Candy from Oregon, Laura from Houston
- Expert Opinion: Dr. James Hamblin on personal hygiene practices
Production Team:
- Producers: Aaron Mathewson, Jennifer Lai, Grace Walker, Lori Gallaretta, Jesse Remedios, Sofia Sanchez, Kira Dehring
- Medical Writer: Andrea Cain
- Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
- Showrunner: Amanda Seeley
- Technical Director: Dan Dezulla
- Executive Producer: Steve Lichti
Special thanks to Ben Tinker and Nadia Kunang of CNN Health and Katie Hinman.
For those interested in further exploring the topics discussed, additional resources and episode links are available in the show notes. Stay informed, stay healthy, and keep chasing life.