Covid-19

There is still a lot to understand about Covid-19, however we know that it affects each person differently. Most people develop a condition associated with this disease with mild symptoms, but there are also more severe cases that require immediate intervention and hospitalization, but the most common is the symptoms to disappear within 12 weeks after the infection.

A person infected with this virus can take between 5 to 6 days to start showing the first symptoms, but cases are also known in which the patient only began to feel symptoms after 14 days of incubation of the virus in the body.

Symptomatic covid– signs and symptoms within 4 to 12 weeks after infection;

Acute Covid– occurrence of symptoms within 4 weeks;

Post Acute Covid-19 – Includes Symptomatic Covid and Post-Covid Syndrome;

Post-Covid Syndrome – signs and symptoms after 12 weeks;

Symptoms

Most common symptoms reported by patients who have been infected:

Most common: tiredness, fever, pain;

Respiratory Symptoms: difficulty breathing, coughing;

Cardiovascular Symptoms: chest pressure, palpitations, acute myocardial infarction;

Neurological Symptoms:decreased ability to concentrate, memory failure, headaches, sleep disturbances, tingling, loss of smell/taste, strokes;

Gastrointestinal Symptoms:abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

Musculoskeletal Symptoms:joint pain, muscle pain;

Psychological /Psychiatric Symptoms:depression or anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder;

Throat, nose, ears: tinnitus, earache, sore throat, runny nose, dizziness;

Dermatological Problems: skin rashes, hair loss;

Post-Covid Syndrome

There are many patients who, after being infected by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, after a few months, present infection sequelae.

Over the past few months, the medical and scientific community has observed that the presence of the virus in the body can persist for an indefinite period, affecting quality of life and even when it disappears, there are many cases in which it leaves some sequelae.

This persistence of symptoms has been called Post-Covid-19 Syndrome.

The symptoms associated with this Syndrome are several and can affect, in different ways, different organs: heart, lungs, muscles, central nervous system, skin or gastrointestinal system among others. Psychological and neurological symptoms, including cognitive changes, are also very frequent.

The occurrence of Post Acute-Covid or Post-Covid Syndrome is not linked with the degree of symptoms developed early in the disease.

The British Society of Immunology suggests that it is our own immune system’s reaction to the virus that may be the source of the most frequent symptoms of Post Acute-Covid.

The response of the inflammatory system to the immune system can also aggravate pre-existing conditions.

There are ongoing studies suggesting that Covid-19 infection may, in previously and genetically predisposed individuals, be a starting point for the development of autoimmune diseases.

Covid-19 and the effects on menstruation

“Is it possible that the covid or the vaccine may have caused changes in menstruation?” – This is one of the questions that I get asked the most.

By the beginning of September, a study of more than 30,000 women out of 47 million already vaccinated in the UK, showed that some of these women suffered some changes in the menstrual cycle or even unexpected bleeding in the days following the vaccination.

This type of symptom is not on the list of side effects and most women say that the menstrual cycle has returned to normal in the following month.

However, while these symptoms may be associated with vaccination, there is no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines can affect fertilityas has been promoted by vaccine-rejecting groups.

More evident symptoms of depression and anxiety after COVID-19 infection

It is a fact that Covid-19 has aggravated states of anxiety and depression.

A study reports that 30% of patients infected with Covid-19 reported anxiety or depression, 1 to 3 months after infection.

It is not known yet if this manifestation happens due to emotional factors or if there is a really physiological response that is confused or overlaps with a psychological response.

Possible Causes of Ageusia and Anosmia in Covid-19 patients

The loss of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia) are very common in Covid-19 and their cause can be due to different origins.

It isestimated that 80% of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 manifest this loss of taste and smell as a symptom.

In most cases, the loss of smell and taste caused by Covid-19 is temporary, but it is also known that this loss persists even after a negative infection test is performed.

Although they are currently related symptoms within Covid-19, loss of smell and taste are not new disorders and may also have other causes.

Possible pathophysiological mechanisms involved

The first hypothesis suggests peripheral viral involvement. Studies show that the increased expression of ACE-2 receptors on nasal epithelial cells is responsible for the olfactory effects. The binding of the virus to these receptors causes degeneration of the epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa and subsequent inflammation and damage to the neural receptors responsible for the smell.

Another suggestion, and the most accepted, is that the direct alterations caused by the virus to the central nervous system may be the origin of the loss of smell and taste.

What can you do to reduce the symptoms?

As always, the first step is to change eating habits. It is important to maintain a conscious diet and bet on foods that help strengthen the immune system.

Try an anti-inflammatory diet!(see article)

Stay active, exercise so you can sleep well and give your body the rest it needs.

Seek psychological help to improve the anxiety and depression symptoms associated with this illness.

Sleep well, between 7 to 8 hours a day.

Don’t smoke and don’t drink alcohol.

What should I eat?

Increase the consumption of: Avocado, Saffron, Garlic, Blackberries, Almonds, Tuna, Olive Oil, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Spinach, Citrus Fruits, Honey, Blueberries, Strawberries, Nuts, Propolis, Quinoa, Salmon, Pumpkin Seeds;

Decrease, if possible, avoid the consumption of:Sugar, Fried Food, Chia, Tropical Fruits, Dairy Products, Flaxseed, Saturated Fats, Salads (in excess), Sardines, Soybeans;

Tea: Lemon, Ginger and Honey; Astragalus, Turmeric, Echinacea, Elderflower, Lúcia Lima, Black pepper, Green;

Prebiotics: Inulin, Oligofructose, Fructooligosaccharides, Polydextrose;

Probiotics:Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium

Techniques for stimulating the smell

Inhalation of strong smells

Start by separating 4 of these strong essences that I suggest:

Coffee, Clove, Vanilla essence, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Mint toothpaste, Rose, Tangerine juice, Vinegar;

Inhale the first essence for 10 seconds. Wait 15 seconds.

Now inhale the second essence for the same amount of time as the first one.

Repeat the same action with the third and fourth essences, always respecting an interval of 15 seconds between essences.

The period can be extended for as long as it takes to recover the sensation of smell and communication with the brain, as the therapy acts on the organ’s ability to reorganize itself to improve an injury or failure.

Inhalation with Rosemary

In a pan of boiling water, place a portion of rosemary. With the help of a towel over your head to obtain vapor absorption, inhale the vapor released. Perform this ritual, once in the morning and once at night.

Be careful not to burn yourself!

Inhalation with Essential Oils

Essential Oils of biological origin: Rosemary, Bergamot, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Ylang Ylang;

Choose one of these oils and several times a day, inhale directly from the bottle. Take 10 to 15 breaths, five times a day.

Start by breathing in slowly, holding the air for 2-3 seconds, and then exhaling.

Supplementation and Phytotherapy

Supplementation and herbal medicine, combined with good eating habits, physical exercise and acupuncture, can help reduce symptoms, respecting the natural process that develops in our body. At TMC Health you can find all the products indicated with the respective information for their recommended daily dosage.

Supplementation:

5-HTP

Advanced Acidophilus Plus