You likely know someone who has had chronic health problems since being infected with COVID-19. The terms used for this include post-COVID conditions, post-acute COVID syndrome, chronic COVID, long COVID, or long haulers. A person is considered to have a post-COVID condition when health issues last for more than four weeks after one is infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The long-term symptoms associated with COVID-19 have been acknowledged as a public health concern by the CDC. The prevalence of the condition from various data sources ranges between 5 to 80-%. The CDC reports that one survey found approximately two-thirds of respondents who had received a positive test experienced long-term symptoms.
According to Mayo Clinic, common signs and symptoms of long COVID may include:
In addition, there can be organ damage that occurs with COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 conditions. While the lungs are primarily affected, COVID-19 can also damage other organs, including the heart, kidneys, and brain. One can also develop blood clots, mood problems, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
If you are experiencing post-COVID signs and symptoms, then you should be evaluated by a medical professional. It is essential to rule out issues such as organ dysfunction, blood clots, autoimmune disease, and other problems. You may need the expertise of a specialist. Common examples include a cardiologist, internal medicine, rheumatologist (joint and autoimmunity), or pulmonologist (lung specialist).
May experts believe that people suffer from post-COVID in large part due to chronic inflammation and dysfunction of the immune system. While it is not well understood, the normal inflammatory response of the immune system does not calibrate. In addition to a modified Mediterranean Diet, our patients commonly use supplements such as our Quercetin Wellness, Inflam Fighter, Turmeric Wellness, and Fish oil Plus. These items act to help reduce inflammation naturally. For patients on anticoagulant therapy, one should check with their doctor first before using these supplements, which can have a mild blood-thinning effect. If one is experiencing joint symptoms such as arthritis, then our Joint Plus or Collagen Boost can be helpful.
In some instances, we may prescribe medications that safely reduce inflammation. Examples include Ivermectin and Low Dose Naltrexone. If hormone levels like thyroid, DHEA, testosterone, cortisol, and others are depleted, these hormones may be prescribed.
Low energy is a common symptom with post-COVID. The energy-producing factors in your cells, known as mitochondria, may not produce energy (ATP) like they once did pre-COVID. We have found that intravenous nutrient therapy using B vitamins and magnesium is helpful, as is the use of intravenous ozone therapy. Many patients report energy benefits from our Super B Complex and CoQ200. Another supplement used to help with energy production is NAD.
Your adrenal glands reside on top of your kidneys, and they produce and release a variety of stress hormones to help regulate inflammation, immunity, and energy. Our testing has shown that stress hormone imbalance is common for people with post-COVID. Herbal extracts that help to regulate stress hormones can be very beneficial. Examples include ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea, and eleutherococcus. We commonly have our patients with post-COVID take Adrenal Wellness daily for several months to aid in recovery.
In conclusion, work with health experts to properly diagnose what is happening in your body due to POST-COVID. Additionally, work with integrative doctors who can incorporate safe and effective natural therapies to help your body heal. At the Stengler Center For Integrative Medicine, we have been pleased with the response patients with POST-COVID have had with our approaches. Individualized treatment is best. To improve your health, you can get free meal planning ideas at https://www.markstengler.com/health-breakthroughs under "Meal Recipes". You can also review the supplements we commonly use to help patients recover at www.drstengler.com
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
The long haul: Forging a path through the lingering effects of COVID-19 | 2021 congressional testimony from CDC. (n.d.). Centers For Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/washington/testimony/2021/t20210428.htm
COVID-19 (coronavirus): Long-term effects. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351
Wanga, V. (2021, September 9). Long-Term symptoms among adults tested for SARS-CoV-2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7036a1.htm
