by Anne Akers, Health & Wellness Editor

With 23% of the US population fully vaccinated….and 3 million “shots in arm” being administered daily….there are many reasons to be optimistic and/or hopeful in the days ahead.

However, at the same time,did you know that among the 27 million cases of Covid 19 in the US (as of mid February 2021), there are 2.7 million (and growing) people in the US currently dealing with “long hauler” symptoms?  Medical practitioners have become increasingly aware of a subset of patients who have symptoms that persist, even after their Covid tests are negative.

So we turned to Dr. Daniel Amen, Director of the Amen Clinics, to answer:  “What is a “long hauler”?  What research is being done to determine the underlying causes of this “medical mystery”?  Where can you go for treatment?  And what are some lifestyle strategies that can be adopted to booster health and protect the brain and body?

Remember Covid Brain is real and can’t wait!  During these uncertain times, your mental health is more important than ever.

Are Your COVID Symptoms Persisting?

One might expect that problems such as shortness of breath, lingering cough, and body aches— among others, could take a while to subside after catching the virus, especially if a person was hospitalized with COVID. But surprisingly, a significant number of people—even if they only had mild or moderate cases—are experiencing ongoing brain-related symptoms, such as:

·         Lost of taste and smell

·         Intense fatigue

·         Brain fog or difficulty thinking clearly

·         Concentration and memory problems

·         Headaches

·         Sleep problems

·         Depression or anxiety

Initially, many physicians attributed these lingering symptoms to the psychological stress of having been stricken with the illness, so they were largely overlooked. However, now that so many people have had symptoms that are lasting for many months, the medical community has acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and refers to these folks as “COVID long-haulers.” And these aren’t just older people with pre-existing conditions! It’s estimated that about 10% of those who have survived COVID are now dealing with chronic symptoms.

COVID Brain is Real

At Amen Clinics, we are seeing a growing number of “COVID long-haulers.” They have come in for evaluations because their brains aren’t working the same as they did prior to getting COVID. For example, in the recent post-COVID scan on the left below, notice the bumpy pattern on the surface of the brain. This indicates overall areas of low blood flow and is consistent with the pattern we commonly see with infections and toxic exposure.

In the scan on the right, the dents or dimpled areas indicate low blood flow in the underside of the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes. These findings can help explain this patient’s concern about memory problems and other cognitive issues he has now but did not have prior to getting COVID-19 almost a year ago.

Research on COVID Long Haulers is Underway

The persistence of chronic COVID symptoms is still a medical mystery, but the good news is that since people all over the world are experiencing them, there is much research going on to figure out what the underlying cause(s) are. An increasing number of researchers and doctors have shared some of their investigations into the possible underlying mechanisms.

These include:

1.    COVID-19 could cause changes in the immune system that can be long-lasting—that the virus makes the immune system continue to overreact, even though COVID is no longer detectable through patients’ bloodwork.

2.    COVID-19 may trigger the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis/CFS), in the same way certain other viruses can—such as Epstein-Barr and Lyme disease.

3.    Some research has suggested that COVID-19, like other coronaviruses, can cross the blood-brain barrier—which normally protects the brain from viruses and toxins—and cause inflammation in the brain.

Although there are no definitive answers yet about the underlying mechanisms for chronic COVID symptoms, more research is being undertaken to try to solve this puzzle as soon as possible.

7 Ways to Support Your Brain and Body Now

If you are one of the approximately 2.7 million (and growing!) people in the U.S. dealing with long-haul COVID symptoms, there are steps you can take now to help bolster your health.

Here are 7 lifestyle strategies to support your brain and body:

1.    Be sure to eat a clean and healthy diet, with lots of fresh organic produce, lean protein, healthy fats (i.e., avocados and nuts), and low-glycemic carbs, such as sweet potatoes, legumes, and quinoa.

2.    Abstain from sugar as well as processed and fried foods because they increase inflammation, and after COVID-19, you definitely don’t need any more of that.

3.    Avoid alcohol. It also promotes inflammation and can worsen fatigue, cognitive problems and depressive symptoms.

4.    Exercise and move—to the extent you can. Even if it’s just walking around your home or doing some yoga stretches, movement can still be helpful to your body, brain, and emotional stress.

5.    If you’re having trouble sleeping, turn off your electronic devices at least 1 hour before bedtime, since the blue light emitted from them is stimulating to the brain. Try reading a book instead (paper, not from a device!).

6.    Support your immune system with an effective probiotic, vitamins D and C, as well as with certain types of mushrooms including shiitake, reishi, and lion’s mane.

7.    Consider doing a brain detox that includes:

·         Avoiding artificial sweeteners, dyes, and produce grown with pesticides

·         Using household cleaners that have fewer chemicals. Try more natural alternatives.

·         Switching to personal care products without harsh chemicals. Did you know lipstick often has lead in it?

·         If you smoke, there’s no better time than right now to stop. Your brain and body will thank you for eliminating this harmful habit.

Also, consider getting an evaluation with a functional medicine physician, such as Dr. Mark Filidei, the Director of Integrative/Functional Medicine at Amen Clinics, who is treating patients with COVID long-haul symptoms. By utilizing the results from lab tests for inflammation and infection, cognitive assessments, and brain SPECT scans, Dr. Filidei creates personalized treatment plans to help patients regain their mental and physical health.

ABOUT DR DANIEL AMEN

Dr. Daniel Amen is a nationally recognized psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist and Director of the Amen Clinics.  He is also a 5 times New York Times best-selling author, including “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life”.

Amen Clinics  offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 833-955-1810 or visit our contact page here.