You are not alone! Around 65 million people around the world are currently suffering from the effects of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). These long-term symptoms have been named ‘Long Covid’. Persistence of RNA viruses, including Covid, can damage a wide range of body organs. This damage can be the cause of some of your lasting health concerns, including exhaustion, weakness, inflammation and mental health issues.
The ‘Reservoir Theory has been touted as a reason for Long Covid. This theory explains why the virus is not fully clearing, instead settling in tissues around your body and forming a ‘reservoir’ for chronic infection to take place. The covid virus uses ACE2 receptors to enter your body. These receptors are located throughout the body. Furthermore, spike proteins from the virus may enter your blood and circulate, causing damage to endothelium and clotting, which in turn may reduce oxygen delivery to tissues.
The covid virus disables signaling molecules, interferons, which will normally ‘interfere’ with viruses and keep them from multiplying. This makes it easier for other viruses to emerge from their dormant form. The Epstein Barr and the Herpes viruses are the most common to emerge. The emergence of these other viruses may cause fatigue, weakness and inflammation that we know as ‘long-covid’.
Covid can alter your gut microbiome. Your gut microbiota are responsible for a healthy immune response. Some long covid symptoms, therefore, may be directly linked to an imbalance in your gut microbiome. Dysbiosis (imbalance) of the gut microbiota after acute covid leaves an opening for continued systemic inflammation via gut endothelial disruption and a hyper-permeable gut lining (leaky gut). This hyperpermeability may also act as one of the triggers for autoimmunity, particularly if auto-antibodies and/or connective tissue disorders are present.
The excessive respiratory system response to Covid and its proximity to the brain can affect the brain, leaving you with brain fog, lost memory and depressive symptoms.
Natural Treatment for Long COVID symptoms:
As discussed above, causes of Long COVID are multi-faceted. Integrative treatment, therefore, should be directed towards finding that individual cause, through investigation of your symptoms and health history. At Louella Natural Health, I gather a detailed record of your current symptoms, health history, diet and lifestyle. I can then work with you to devise a holistic treatment plan just for you.
Testing may help to identify current causes of inflammation. The Organic Acid Test (OAT) will highlight any mitochondrial issues, presence of other infections, and the effect on nutrient status and brain neurotransmitters. This will ultimately direct us to a more successful treatment.
A gut test, such as the Complete Microbiome Test, will identify other pathogens that may be present, or have been contracted in the past, as well as highlighting weaknesses in the gut that need to be addressed first.
There are a multitude of natural treatments that can be used for long COVID treatment. The first port of call is to book a consultation. I’m here for you.
Louella
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8260991/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7804842/
