Long Covid: Available Solutions

Millions of individuals continue to experience lingering symptoms—weeks, months, or even years—after initial infection with "The Virus" or post-vaccination. At present, the direct causes of these persistent symptoms remain unknown. Long Covid encompasses a diverse range of general and organ-specific symptoms, often causing significant functional impairment in daily life.

Symptoms Experienced Include:

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Chronic cough

• Joint pain

• Chest pain at rest or exertion

• Brain fog

• Depression

• Muscle pain

• Headaches

• Rapid heartbeat

• Intermittent fevers

• Tachycardia (Abnormally rapid heart rate >100 beats per minute) at rest or minimal exertion

• Syncope (loss of consciousness) on exertion

• Worsening anxiety or depression

• Thoughts of self-harm

At Om Integrative Medicine, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges. We've received numerous referrals from healthcare providers, including physicians at OHSU and other primary care specialists exclusively treating Long Covid. We are happy to say we have effective and lasting solutions.

Diagnostic Criteria outlined by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) include:

• Onset in or after January 2020

• Course may be constant or relapsing-remitting, potentially triggered by specific factors

• Fatigue exacerbated by minor exertion

• Functional impairment hindering normal daily activities or job performance

• Wide-ranging associated symptoms

Risk Factors Include:

• Occupational risks like healthcare work

• Female sex

• Age between 35-69

• Two or more pre-existing long-term conditions

Associated Symptoms Affecting Various Systems:

• Ear, nose, and throat issues such as tinnitus (ringing of ears), altered smell, and voice changes

• Skin and hair problems including hair loss and skin welts

• Mental health challenges like anxiety and depression

• Musculoskeletal pain

• Respiratory difficulties and altered breathing patterns

• Neurocognitive issues such as impaired executive function, memory problems, and headaches

• Gastrointestinal discomforts including reflux, bloating, swallowing difficulties, and diarrhea

• Cardiovascular symptoms like microvascular angina, dizziness, and abnormal heart rate

Red Flag Symptoms Requiring Urgent Attention:

• Cardiorespiratory concerns like chest pain, acute dyspnea, or oxygen saturation below 94%

• Neurological symptoms indicating confusion or stroke-like symptoms

• Deteriorating mental health with escalating anxiety, depression, or thoughts of self-harm

Suggested Investigations:

These may involve detailed/specialty blood work, specialized imaging, postural orthostatic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological assessments. Long Covid is complex, impacting individuals in multifaceted ways. Understanding and addressing these persistent symptoms require a comprehensive approach. At Om Integrative Medicine, we're committed to providing effective, tailored solutions for those experiencing the challenges of Long Covid.