Do you have Long Covid Symptoms (Covid Long Hauler)?
So many people have gotten sick with covid over the last 2 years only to recover but still have lingering symptoms for many months (post-intensive care syndrome – PICS). Out in the world, they are calling this long covid or being a covid long hauler. In this post, we are going to talk about what these symptoms are and how Chinese/naturopathic/functional medicine not only has the tools to help you feel better, but can allow you to fully recover.
Below are the symptoms most associated with long covid:
- Tiredness or fatigue (top 5 symptoms)
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Change in taste and smell
- Chest or stomach pain
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Joint or muscle pain
- Fast-beating heart (heart palpitations)
- Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities
- Pins-and-needles feeling
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Dizziness or lightheaded when standing up
- Difficulty sleeping
- Rash
- Headache
- Changes in menstrual period cycles
Why are people getting these symptoms?
Covid puts a tremendous strain on the body’s existing resources. If those resources are depleted and not restored, you are going to feel these lingering symptoms. “The spike protein binds to the ACE2 receptor on cells, down regulates their function, and causes damage to the endothelial cells that line lung tissue and blood vessels. The damage is apparently caused by effects on the mitochondria (energy producing organelles) in the cells – they change their shape and have reduced function.”
Mitochondria are found in each cell and are known as the powerhouse of each cell, responsible for turning our food into usable energy. This is why fatigue is the primary symptom of long covid. Mitochondria also promote new cell growth, cell multiplication and detoxification.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, the liver is responsible for Wei Qi (defensive energy), our immune system. Therefore, it is critical the detoxification pathways are clear, detoxifying agents are consumed and the body has sufficient resources to be able to mount an adequate defense (nutrients). The liver also control neurology (loss of taste and smell, pins and needles, headache, depression, joint pain, rash, dizziness, insomnia). Therefore, it is imperative with long covid and covid long haulers to eat foods that are nutrient rich foods (vegetables and fruits) that don’t cause the digestive system (refined sugar, wheat, white rice) or liver (too much fat, good or bad) to work too hard.
I am convinced that most people are already dealing with chronic viral infections (Epstein Barr). What covid does is just stress out an already stressed system, taxing the body of those that were already dealing with a chronic viral issue. This study confirms this suspicion. Viruses in the herpes family feed on heavy metals and chemicals (which people are loaded with), which is why it is so important to cleanse the body of metals and chemicals, while also stimulating the immune system with lots of nutrients (methylated B-12, immune boosters, minerals, detoxifiers, digestive aids, etc…).
What can Western medicine do for long covid (covid long haul) symptoms?
The honest answer is…not much. Drugs will never strengthen the system. Drugs won’t remove metals and chemicals. Drugs wont provide the nutrients the body need to regulate itself naturally. Ivermectin is perhaps one of the only drugs that can help people to feel better after getting covid.
What are some naturally blood thinning agents?
Western drugs (like Eloquis) for acute blood clots work very well. Baby aspirin can also help. On the natural side of things the following things have mild blood thinning properties: turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, vitamin E (from wheat germ oil), garlic, cinnamon, ginkgo biloba, grape seed extract, dong quai, bromelain and nattokinaise.
What else can be done?
I have seen acupuncture being very helpful in helping people to feel better. This study highlights that “our findings suggested that acupuncture treatment of COVID-19 was associated with suppression of inflammatory stress, improving immunity and regulating nervous system function, including activation of neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway, cancer pathway, viral carcinogenesis, Staphylococcus aureus infection, etc.”
I would also stay away from The Nasty Nine food list. These foods will only make you feel much worse.
If you have extreme fatigue or other symptoms from long covid (covid long hauler), we can help you heal and recover naturally. Please give us a call or feel free to schedule here (http://calendly.com/drscottgraves.)
