Everything You Should Know About Long Haul COVID
What is Long Haul COVID Syndrome?
COVID long haul syndrome affects many people, including someone you may know. While many successfully overcome a COVID-19 infection, it marks only the beginning of their struggle for others. Those who survived a COVID-19 infection may find that their symptoms linger and persist long after they should have recovered.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Long Haul COVID Syndrome as coronavirus symptoms that persist or return three months after a person becomes ill from the infection. Long COVID symptoms display a wide variance, making it difficult to diagnose. However, those symptoms can include the following:
Fatigue
Brain fog
Cough
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dizziness
Stomach issues
Joint pain
Long COVID symptoms aren’t limited to the above; you or a loved one may experience symptoms beyond this list. Long COVID can significantly impact the daily lives of those suffering from it. However, new treatments are emerging to help long-haulers return their lives to normal. Find out if an individualized, holistic approach to treating long-haul COVID symptoms could be right for you or someone you love.
What Happens if Long COVID is Untreated?
Research has shown that a COVID-19 infection affects not only your lungs but multiple other organ systems. It triggers a systemic cascade of inflammatory reactions, leading to metabolic or physiological dysfunction. Long COVID may have similar effects on the body as an infection over an extended period. One well accepted theory is that Long COVID appears to arise from uncleared reservoirs of the virus in your body and mimics some of the symptoms of a full-blown infection. If left untreated, the disease may further develop and predispose patients to more severe conditions such as:
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Diabetes
Food hypersensitivity
Dysbiosis
Cognitive dysfunction
Scientists are still assessing the full scope of long COVID. However, current research indicates successfully treating the disease requires a full-spectrum approach to health and wellness.
Available Treatments for COVID-19 Long-Haulers
At Medical Acucare, we have developed effective protocols to help patients suffering from long COVID symptoms. We order individualized tests to explore the root cause of your illness. With this information, we can identify the treatments suitable for you that have the greatest potential for success.
Our treatment focuses on addressing the underlying causes of long COVID with functional medicine. With a better view of how the disease impacts your body, we can recommend a course of therapy to decrease your toxic burden and reduce systemic inflammation. In addition, we will recommend supplements that can provide your body with the antioxidants and essential nutrients it needs to recover. In the meantime, we recommend healthy lifestyle modifications to lay a solid foundation for your long-term health.