Hello Vitalize Community,
Now that we are two years into this COVID saga, here are the clinic we are becoming accustomed to seeing more and more patients who have had COVID and are still struggling with some lasting effects. Thankfully, we have found some tools that seem to be working well and fairly quickly for most.
First, to name a few of the common symptoms we are seeing as ‘long-haul’include; the seemingly permanent loss of smell and taste, ongoing nausea, loss of appetite, for some even vomiting, feelings of fatigue, heaviness in the lungs, and frequent headaches. For some, this is followed by a sense of emotional overwhelm. A few weeks or longer after the majority of the obvious COVID symptoms lift, these symptoms and others remain. Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting can be very debilitating and can keep someone from working or attending school.
We are using N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) comes from the amino acid L-Cystine. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein (WebMD summarizes here) and NAC has been shown to have a positive effect when tested by western science on various lung conditions and conditions of the chest including immunity, colds and flu.
We are also using Quercetin which is a flavonoid found in seeds, fruits and veg widely. When taken daily it is helpful to the body for the treatment of immunity and was previously used at Vitalize to treat allergies and other similar immune conditions.
Classical Pearls is a line of Chinese herbal formulas that many of you are familiar with, having taken them for their wide variety of applications. We carry the full line which allows for so many ways to treat the different manifestations of these longer term COVID effects. Many of you have Ease Pearls in your homes. For many long-haul COVID sufferers this is a very helpful formula. Cinnamon Pearls is another one that is particularly helpful when the gut is failing to come back onboard. For those who continue to test positive long after symptoms and illness appear to have passed I would recommend Dragon or Lightening Pearls, depending on pulse and other medical history information.
Additionally, for the ongoing heaviness in the lungs, fatigue and depressed mood, 1-3 weeks on a classical granule herbal formula, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, yep, nothing complicated, just a straight forward classic dosed at 8-9 grams a day for 7-21 days has been a game changer for many. Getting some energy back allows for more time outdoors in the fresh air which is also very helpful for many of these patients.
Acupuncture has been the savior for the loss of smell. So far, a full body face up treatment including some needles over the sinus at the scalp, forehead, eyebrows and along the nose (what we can access above the mask) is the ticket to 20% or more progress each week. Some patients report a full return of smell in as few as one treatment, most need at least 3 and those who went into COVID with a vulnerability, already having had poor smelling abilities, 6+ treatment. But it works which is thrilling to see people getting relief with.
If you need anything mailed to your home in order to assist you with COVID or the post COVID after care please call or email us and we will get you all set up. Once you are out of your quarantine period, come into the clinic so that we might assist you in addressing your symptoms and supporting your return to health.