Long-Covid has emerged to be a clinical phenomenon with sufferers experiencing fatigue, headaches, breathing issues, reduced cognitive function (brain fog), poor attention span and poor concentration, and hair loss. However, there are many additional symptoms that have emerged including aches and pains in soft and hard tissues.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have prepared a definition of this post-viral state: “signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.”
Long COVID does not discriminate and seems to affect all age groups.
For those who are completely unaware of post viral fatigue syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM) and how this may affect one’s life, it may seem that the post-COVID symptoms make this SARS-COV-2 more of a diabolical virus. This is only likely to generate more fear and uncertainty.
However, for those practitioners who have long been supporting clients with the long-term consequences of other viruses, such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), and those who experienced glandular fever earlier in their life but have never been the same since, there is at least a degree of familiarity. The negative effects of CFS / FM are experienced by at least a quarter of a million people in the UK and are often caused by a viral infection. It is now more likely that doctors will take heed of the psychological and cognitive symptoms of their patients who had COVID and are now struggling with the cluster of post-viral symptoms.
There is an increasing number of pre and published papers on the subject of Long-COVID and yet, having read through many of these, there’s precious little practical advice on what can be done. I found myself very frustrated at the lack of possible solutions. I should not really be surprised though, since there has also been very little consistent and constructive advice for those with CFS / FM over the past 30 years.
So, I explored and researched and I have identified important information to help these “long-haulers” who may be seeking our help in the very near future, and if it turns out to be as chronic as other post-viral conditions have been, well into the future as well. Everyone is different, every case needs to be assessed on its own merits but it is hoped that the principles I will cover are worthy of consideration. The emerging model I present in the forthcoming webinar for helping Long-COVID sufferers is based on addressing mitochondrial dysfunction which is consistent in CFS / FM. This also involves the complex mechanisms of the nitric oxide / peroxynitrite cycle. There also appears to be a need to support a very specific enzyme pathway called NADPH involving vitamin B3. The model also incorporates abnormal histamine responses which are very similar to those experienced in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Antony has been in private practice for over 28 years and is one of the most experienced Registered Nutritional Therapists in the country. He is one of the first practitioners to implement the principles of Functional Medicine in the UK, since 1992.
Antony has been teaching for 28 years and regularly presents webinars to Nutritional Therapists and practitioners on a variety of different health topics.
Antony focuses on complex cases, particularly auto-immune conditions, but has wide experience with gut health incl SIBO, fatigue conditions, skin health, and reduced cognitive function. Antony has focused on viral infections of all kinds over the past 9 years in particular: EBV, HHV-6, VZV, HSV-1, HSV-2, HPV, parvovirus, coxsackie virus and others. He is known as the practitioners’ practitioner. He employs his clinical experience in managing the nutritional needs of his patients, which number in excess of 18,000, at his clinic, The Nutrition Clinic Ltd.
On Monday April 12th at 12 noon, Antony Haynes (Registered Nutritional Therapist) presents a webinar on the subject of Long-COVID – specific nutritional considerations for those suffering. Book your place to gain a greater understanding of first stage targeted support for Long-COVID
