By Dr. Amy Davis, MD.
Most people who get COVID-19 (coronavirus) recover completely within a few weeks. However, in some the symptoms may persist for months even when the initial case was mild.
There is a growing body of evidence of persistent symptoms in all age groups – young and old.
Most common symptoms include:
- Fatigue not improved with rest
- Shortness of breath
- Fast Heart rate
- Cough
- Joint Pain
- Chest Pain
Other long-term signs and symptoms may include:
- Muscle Pain
- Headaches
- Loss of sense of taste and smell
- Memory, concentration reduced
- Sleep problems
- Rash of hair loss
Although COVID-19 affects the lungs, it also can damage other organs including the:
- Heart – imaging is showing heart muscle damage that can result in heart failure. These changes are being seen even in young health college athletes.
- Lungs – the pneumonia seen in COVID-19 can cause long standing damage to the alveoli (air sacs) where oxygen is delivered resulting in long-term breathing problems.
- Brain – COVID can cause strokes, seizures and temporary paralysis (Guillain-Barre syndrome).
- Blood Vessels – blood clots causing strokes, heart attacks and deep vein thrombosis. Also, small clots can impact the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) damaging heart muscle, the liver and kidneys.
What Can you do?
Wear a Mask, Social Distance and Wash your Hands. The most infectious time is right before symptoms begin.
Avoid large groups. The surge in cases after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is clear evidence that large gatherings are a bad idea.
Eat Healthy – plenty of green vegetables and fruits to support your immune system
Get your Vitamin D levels checked. Optimize your vitamin D levels. One-half of the patients I see in my clinic are vitamin D deficient.
Get plenty of Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for a healthy immune system.
Reduce Stress: Stress is hard on the immune system. Breathe, stretch, meditate and laugh!
Probiotics support the intestinal microbiome. A healthy immune system begins with a healthy gut.
Digestive enzymes help nutrient breakdown and absorption.
Herbs like olive leaf, garlic, oregano oil, pau d arco and ginseng provide immune support.
Vitamins and minerals including Vitamins C, D, B6, folic acid and Zinc are essential for healthy immune function.
Phytonutrients and antioxidants boost immunity and can be taken as supplements or consumed in a healthy diet.
Medicinal mushrooms like shiitake and reishi varieties have immune enhancing properties.
Please sign up to get a COVID-19 Vaccine as soon as it is available. For those that are on the fence please consider how tricky this virus is and how frequent the complications are.
Stay Well!
We are accepting new patients.
Amy Davis M.D.
Crossing Back to Health
485 Wildwood Parkway Suite 2, Ballwin, MO 63011 New Location!!!
636 778-9158
www.crossingbacktohealth.com