Long Covid 

About

Long COVID is extremely complex, and many people are struggling to recover their health. Our functional medicine approach evaluates and addresses all interconnected body systems to help you heal. Long Covid is a rare condition where people experience symptoms for more than twelve weeks after the onset of initial symptoms. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, over one-third of Covid-19 patients continue to experience symptoms lasting longer than twelve weeks, with 2% reporting severe symptoms. 

Our approach to treating COVID-19 considers all interconnected body systems and uses evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic methods to support a healthy immune response and recovery. Beyond simply treating the symptoms, we help to correct immune dysfunction, reduce inflammation, restore hormone and nervous system balance, and support your metabolic pathways, to help you recover sooner.

Long Covid Symptoms

Long Covid is commonly associated with chest pain and fatigue that lingers after the initial infection has passed, but other symptoms of Long Covid as listed by the NHS include:

• Brain Fog
• Fever
• Earaches
• Muscle pain
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Pins and needles
• Problems sleeping (insomnia)
• Rashes

Long-term effects of coronavirus (Long Covid)

The long-term effects and complications of coronavirus are still not well understood.

Recent findings from the NIHR suggest that those individuals with five or more symptoms within the first month are four times as likely to develop long-Covid. King’s College London also found that females, those with excess weight and asthma sufferers were all at increased risk of developing long-Covid.

The long-term effects can include damage to the heart muscle, abnormal lung function, hair loss, sleep issues, anxiety, and mood disorders such as depression.

Organs most affected by Long Covid

The spleen, liver, heart, brain, and lungs are most affected by Long Covid.

Imaging tests taken months after COVID-19 recovery have shown that COVID-19 has been linked to heart muscle damage leaving you at an increased risk for further complications.

Long-lasting scarring can occur in the lungs following Pneumonia caused by COVID-19 causing long-term breathing issues.

COVID-19 may also increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

While these health complications are less common, it is important to take a proactive approach to your recovery from Long Covid to help lower your risk.

How long does it take to recover from Long Covid?

It's important to know that the length of time it takes for an infection to leave the body fully varies based on individual cases, and the same is the case for Covid-19.

Among patients who required hospital treatment for the initial illness, it is common for Long Covid to last five to six months, and there are also reports of a more extended period that lasts 12 months or more. As Long Covid is still relatively new, this recovery timeframe will become clearer over time.

From our extensive experience with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients, recovery can take some time and depending on your individual situation this can be anywhere from a few months to a year or more. This is why the sooner the recovery programme begins, the sooner the recovery can too. 

Support from multi-disciplinary teams such as ours at London Clinic of Nutrition is critical to achieve greater prevention strategies, rehabilitative techniques, and treatment plans that are customised for each patient's needs.

Tests for Long Covid in London

To provide you with the best recovery plan from Long COVID, a number of tests can be useful. The following tests are available for long Covid in London:

• Comprehensive full blood chemistry
• Kidney and liver function tests
• CRP and ferritin to check levels of inflammation
• Specialised tests for heart function
• Immune cell activity
• Mitochondrial Organic Acid testing
• Adrenal stress profile
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Oxidative stress profile

Long Covid Treatment London

At the London Clinic of Nutrition we can provide a rehabilitation programme for those who are suffering from Long Covid. As the virus can affect any organ, as well as have an impact on the patient’s mental health, this will be a holistic and unique programme. 

During your first consultation, your practitioner will carry out an assessment of your existing symptoms, considering both personal and family medical history. A full review of your current nutrition and lifestyle choices and a comprehensive review of how covid has impacted you and the systems in the body.

Your practitioner will from here be able to suggest the appropriate tests for your needs, some of which have been mentioned above.

Due to the wide ranging symptoms people are experiencing with Long Covid, treatment plans will be tailored to the individual and a wide range of approaches will be used. These include, but are not limited to:

• Tailored nutrition and lifestyle advice
• High quality supplements
• Bespoke herbal formulas
• Intravenous (IV) nutrient and/or ozone therapy
• Other therapies from our in-house team of integrative practitioners

Ongoing follow-up appointments will normally be required in order to monitor symptoms, effectiveness of treatment, and to make any necessary changes to your supplements. We recommend our optimal health package for maximum results.

Nutritional Support with Covid-19 Recovery in London

Diet and nutrition are essential in staying healthy and minimising symptoms from Covid-19. Nutritious foods from vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and unprocessed wholegrains provide the vitamins and minerals your body needs and will be the foundation of your Long Covid recovery programme. All of which can also reduce the chance of other long term complications.

Low histamine diets and Long Covid

Where there are similarities between ChronicFatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Long Covid, there are also similarities with histamine intolerance and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Long Covid too.

After a virus, histamine can become elevated and in some people it can cause an allergic-type reaction in the body, causing symptoms such as migraines, IBS, chronic fatigue, sinusitis, and shortness of breath.

More and more evidence shows us the therapeutic benefits of histamine blockers in reducing long-term symptoms of Covid-19 - which suggests a low-histamine diet might help reduce symptom intensity of Long Covid. 

The best way to trial a low histamine diet is to avoid high histamine foods for approximately 6 weeks, then gradually reintroduce foods and assess symptoms. It is worth noting that this can be restrictive and time-consuming and so should always be carried out under the supervision of a nutrition practitioner to ensure that it is followed safely and to minimise the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Book a consultation for Long Covid Treatment

For further information and to talk with a member of the team about your Long Covid symptoms and how we can help, get in touch or book a complimentary discovery call today. 

The quickest and easiest way to speak with a member of the team is to call us on 020 3332 0030.

Long Covid Testimonials