When the world saw the dramatic reactions happening in China during the earliest days of the pandemic, the medical, research, science, and pharmaceutical industries responded quickly to understand the virus. It appeared to be a mysterious disease with grave consequences. It has been approximately 2 years since the first reports. This represents a relatively short period of time, yet some progress has been made.
Through the middle of November 2021, there have been over 48 million cases in the United States. Most people with the virus survived, although 790,000 Americans have died. Age and pre-existing conditions are likely the underlying factors for most of those infections that resulted in death, but not all of them.
Most people infected with COVID-19 experience symptoms that eventually subside over several weeks. Still, health care providers have become aware of a subset of patients who have symptoms that continue even after their COVID-19 tests come back negative.
Are your COVID symptoms stubborn?
Certain symptoms such as lingering cough, shortness of breath, and body aches, can linger for a while after an infection. This is especially true for a person who required hospitalization. A significant number of people experience continuing brain-related symptoms like:
- Lost of taste and smell
- Intense fatigue
- Brain fog or difficulty thinking clearly
- Concentration and memory problems
- Headaches
- Sleep problems
- Depression or anxiety
At first, many doctors ascribed these ongoing symptoms to be a result of the psychological stress of having COVID-19. Not much research was conducted. However, with so many survivors having lingering symptoms, the scientific and medical community has recognized the severity of the problem. COVID long-haulers is now a term in our lexicon.
Approximately 10% of those who survived COVID-19 are in the long-hauler category, and many are not elderly with preexisting conditions. Many of these long-haulers are young and relatively healthy.
COVID brain is real
Physicians are seeing a growing number of “COVID long-haulers.” They have come in for evaluations because their brains aren’t working the same as they did prior to getting COVID. Brain scans show differences. Some COVID survivors show a bumpy pattern on the surface of their brain showing low blood flow typically consistent with toxic exposure and infections.
Other scans show dents or dimpled areas indicating low blood flow in the underside of the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes. These findings can help explain this patient’s concern about memory problems and other cognitive issues he has now but did not have prior to getting COVID-19 almost a year ago.
Research on COVID long haulers
The persistence of chronic COVID symptoms is a medical mystery. However, research is looking at the root causes since people all over the world are experiencing them. An increasing number of researchers and doctors have shared some of their investigations into the possible underlying mechanisms.
These include:
- COVID-19 may trigger the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis/CFS), in the same way certain other viruses can—such as Epstein-Barr and Lyme disease.
- COVID-19 could cause changes in the immune system that can be long-lasting—that the virus makes the immune system continue to overreact, even though COVID is no longer detectable through patients’ bloodwork.
- Some research has suggested that COVID-19 can cross the blood-brain barrier—which normally protects the brain from viruses and toxins—and cause inflammation in the brain.
While researchers are still seeking definitive answers about the underlying mechanisms for chronic COVID symptoms, those who suffer from the condition have few options.
Ways to support your brain and body
If you are one of the approximately 3 million people in the U.S. experiencing long-haul COVID symptoms, there are steps you can take now to help bolster your health.
Here are several support strategies to support your brain and body:
- Eliminate sugar from your diet as well as processed and fried foods because they increase inflammation, and after COVID-19, you don’t need anything promoting more inflammation.
- Avoid alcohol. It also promotes inflammation and can worsen fatigue, cognitive problems, and depressive symptoms.
- Eat a clean, healthy diet, with lots of fresh organic produce, lean protein, healthy fats (i.e., avocados and nuts), and low-glycemic carbs, such as sweet potatoes, legumes, and quinoa.
- Exercise and move within your individual range. Even if it’s just walking around your home or doing some yoga stretches, movement can still be helpful to your body, brain, and emotional stress.
- If you’re having trouble sleeping, turn off your electronic devices at least 1 hour before bedtime, since the blue light emitted from them is stimulating to the brain. Try reading a book.
- Support your immune system with an effective probiotic, vitamins D and C, as well as with certain types of mushrooms including shiitake, reishi, and lion’s mane.
Consider doing a brain detox that includes:
- Avoiding artificial sweeteners, dyes, and produce grown with pesticides
- Using household cleaners that have fewer chemicals. Try more natural alternatives.
- Switching to personal care products without harsh chemicals.
- If you smoke, there’s no better time than right now to stop. Your brain and body will do much better if you quit.
You might also consider an evaluation with a functional medicine physician like Dr. Jess. By utilizing the results from lab tests for inflammation and infection, cognitive assessments, and brain SPECT scans, a functional medicine physician can create a personalized treatment plan to help you regain your overall well-being.