Treatment for Long Haul COVID
Adults who have been experiencing cognitive or psychological symptoms of long haul COVID may benefit from an innovative type of treatment for long haul COVID called electromagnetic pulse pulsing (EMBP).
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What is Long Haul COVID
Long haul COVID refers to a range of symptoms that persist for an extended period after person contracts COVID-19. Other terms for this condition include long COVID, post-COVID conditions (PCC), post-acute COVID, and chronic COVID.
COVID-19 symptoms typically begin to occur about five days after a person is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. For most people, these symptoms last a week or two. But individuals who develop long COVID may live with symptoms for months or even years.
Experts are not certain why some people are affected by long haul COVID, but they theorize that it could be due to factors such as:
- Organ damage: Some researchers have hypothesized that long COVID is the result of organ and tissue damage caused by a dysfunctional immune system response. This perspective is based on the belief that as the body attempts to fight back against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, some of the antibodies produced by the immune system attack healthy organ and tissue cells instead of the virus.
- Continued presence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: Though the body typically eliminates the virus that causes COVID-19 within about 14 days, some who study this condition have hypothesized that certain people may retain “hidden” remnants of the virus that continue to trigger the immune system.
- Activation of other viruses: The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, can remain in a person’s system even after their mono symptoms have subsided (or even if they never developed symptoms). Some scientists think that this or other dormant viruses could be reactivated by the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
People who seem to be at highest risk of long haul COVID include those who never received the COVID vaccine, those who had particularly severe cases of COVID-19, and those who have certain preexisting health conditions.
Signs and Symptoms of Long COVID
The signs and symptoms of long haul COVID can vary widely from one person to the next, and may include both physical and psychological distress. Variations among cases of long COVID can include which types of symptoms an individual develops, how severe these symptoms become, and how long they last.
Examples of physical signs of long haul COVID include:
- Loss of or altered sense of smell or taste (anosmia or dysgeusia).
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Muscle weakness
- Headaches
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Ringing in the ears
- Vision impairments
- Disrupted senses of taste and smell
- Fever and/or chills
- Dry mouth
- Persistent coughing
- Breathing difficulties
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Sexual dysfunction
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Insomnia
The most common psychological and cognitive symptoms of long COVID include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Brain fog (difficulty concentrating, focusing, and thinking)
- Memory problems
Diagnosing Long Haul COVID
According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers have identified more than 200 symptoms that are associated with long COVID. Of course, a person doesn’t have to develop anywhere near this many symptoms to be diagnosed with this condition.
Unfortunately there’s no universally agreed upon set of criteria to determine who has long haul COVID, nor are there any tests that can confirm if a person’s ongoing symptoms are related to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus exposure.
How, then, can a person be accurately diagnosed? The process can involve multiple assessment tools, including:
- Checking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level
- Chest x-rays and/or CT scans to identify lung damage
- Pulmonary tests to assess lung functioning
- Electrocardiograms (EKG) to evaluate heart health
- Cognitive and/or psychological screenings
One of the most important parts of the diagnostic process involves a conversation with the patient about the nature, severity, and duration of their symptoms; their experience with COVID-19, their vaccination history, and other relevant topics.
This conversation and the tests that follow can help the diagnostician identify or rule out other possible causes for the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment and Therapy Options for Long Haul COVID
Since long haul COVID can affect different people in so many different ways, there is no standard course of treatment. And since researchers have yet to identify a definitive cause, treatment typically focuses on addressing the specific symptoms that a person has been experiencing.
Depending on many individual factors, effective care for someone with long haul COVID may include:
- Various prescription medications
- Over-the-counter (OTC) meds
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Cardiac care
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Holistic therapies
- Psychotherapy
As the list above indicates, most treatment for long COVID focuses on physical symptoms. While attention to medical concerns is clearly necessary, it’s important to remember that this condition can also cause psychological and cognitive damage.
In addition to participating in individual and group psychotherapy sessions, patients who receive care for long COVID at Conscious Health in Los Angeles, CA, may also benefit from electromagnetic brain pulsing (EMBP) treatment.
EMBP is a research-supported service that uses electroencephalograms (EEGs) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to stimulate areas of the brain that may be linked with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns:
- An EEG is a noninvasive procedure that records the activity of electrical signals throughout a patient’s brain. This information is gathered via small electrodes that are placed on the patient’s scalp. At the end of this procedure, the patient’s treatment team will be able to identify specific brain regions that may not be functioning at full capacity.
- TMS uses a small coil placed on the patient’s scalp to deliver a series of brief electromagnetic pulses. These pulses penetrate the patient’s skull and reach a few centimeters into their brain. Once inside the brain, the pulses alter the activity of neurons in the targeted area. Over several sessions, TMS has proved to be effective at easing the symptoms of various mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.
When incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that may also include medication, psychotherapy, and other services, EMBP can be a source substantial relief for people with long COVID.
Contact Us to Begin Our EMBP Program to Overcome Long Haul COVID in Los Angeles
Your mental health is a priority, and it’s important to recognize that seeking help is an act of courage. Acute stress disorder may feel overwhelming, but remember that you have the power to heal here at our comprehensive treatment center in Los Angeles, CA. At Conscious Health Center, we’re dedicated to providing you with the tools, support, and expertise needed to overcome ASD and embrace a life of well-being. Your journey to recovery starts here – take that crucial step today. Start your journey to healing now by contacting us so we can begin a conversation about how to help you heal. Together, we’ll pave the way to a brighter, more resilient future.
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