Post viral illness and long haul Covid – ARE YOU OVER FEELING UNWELL? BY DIANA ARUNDELL, UNIVERSITY QUALIFIED NATUROPATH AND NUTRITIONIST
B.H.Sc (comp medicine) B.A., N.D., Dip. Nut, D.R.M.
Nutrition Herbal Medicine Fertility Management Children’s Health Wellness Programs 0410 465 900 avocanaturopath.com.au
The human body is an extraordinary, naturally health seeking, powerfully driven phenomena and this is especially the case when it comes to the immune system. When working well and given the right environment including nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices and when required medical intervention, more often than not, the body will come out on top.
naturopathdiana@gmail.com nutrition and wellness | herbal medicineThe | fertility | children’s health emergence of ‘long Covid’ has B.H.Sc (comp medicine) B.A., N.D, Dip. Nut, D.R.M. 118 Avoca Drive, Kincumber brought discussions of ‘post–viral
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syndrome’ back up to the surface. Post viral syndrome refers to symptoms that persist long after the acute phase of the viral infection has ended. The actual existence of such a thing as post viral syndrome has created debate amongst healthcare professionals for a long time, as accurate diagnosis is difficult without a specific biomarker diagnostic test. Naturopathic practitioners have often been the last port of call for sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), Lyme’s, Ross River Virus and other post–viral associated chronic conditions. This is due to orthodox medicine for the most part being reluctant to accept the reality/severity of these conditions (no diagnostic test), or not having substantial treatment options to offer to enable the sufferer to feel much better. The emergence of SARs–CoV–2 virus and subsequently ‘long covid’ has created real substance to the post–viral syndrome debate. Regardless of whether the acute covid infection phase experienced is mild or severe, once the acute infection clears, approximately 30% of people will experience a number of persistent symptoms and up to 80% may experience one persistent symptom. The presence
of persistent symptom/s is referred to as ‘long covid’. Symptoms of ‘long covid’ or post–acute SARS–CoV–2 include fatigue, headache/concentration issues/ brain fog, breathing issues, joint/muscle pain, loss of taste/smell, gastrointestinal disturbance, tinnitus, skin rashes and cardiovascular and central nervous system complaints. We are still learning so much about this virus and its impact both short and long term on our physiology. It appears that long covid may be associated with a reactivation of the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) which has infected but lays dormant in approximately 90% of the population. There are certainly similarities between EBV symptoms and long covid symptoms. Regardless of this connection, the challenge is to help people feel better as soon as possible so really understanding the key drivers behind post viral symptoms is where the focus needs to be. Research emerging suggests the three main areas that may be driving the long haul symptoms include 1) abnormal immune activation, 2) neuro–inflammation in the central nervous system and 3) oxidative stress at a cellular level which translates to impairment of normal energy production in the cells. It may not be possible currently to eliminate SARS–CoV–2 so we need to aim to reduce the viral load on the body and improve the dysfunction driving the chronic post viral symptoms. Naturopathically the treatment focus includes optimal diet/lifestyle and natural medicinal and/or therapeutic doses of nutrients to rebalance the immune response, reduce inflammation and support mitochondrial function to enhance cellular energy production. Treatment protocols for post viral syndrome will be driven by the symptom picture of the individual. For example, for some people it may be just ongoing
