Long Covid Tips

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) People who have not experienced a significant post-viral crash such as long-COVID may be surprised to learn that it is sometimes treated as if it were traumatic brain injury (TBI).   But anyone who has lived with long-COVID, or other causes of chronic brain fog, memory issues and fatigue will understand it.   Even though after COVID most people do not show physical damage to their brains, the symptoms are can be remarkably similar to those of traumatic brain injury, such as after a stroke or a blow to the head.   Where it gets weird, is that when many such people get lots of rest, avoid stress, and do not overwork their brains, they can function quite well at times, and someone who did not know them before their symptoms started would think they are “normal” if they meet them on a good day. It took me over a year of waiting before I was allowed into a great research hospital’s post COVID program.   But once I finally made it in, one o...

As previously discussed , it is believed that excess free radicals, oxidative stress, and insufficient antioxidant levels are bad for the nervous system (and really the entire body) and play a role in neurological disorders and long-COVID symptoms.  One of the ways I try to get enough antioxidants is to make a variety of easy to brew herbal teas or tisanes.   Useful Antioxidant Ingredients As someone who treasures variety, I keep the following items on hand to work with, mixing and matching them as the mood suits me: Dried Ginger Pieces Sweet and spicy, believed help with nausea, inflammation and boost serotonin and dopamine levels Dried Rose Hips Slightly tart, loaded in antioxidants, may reduce inflammation, boost immune system, fight type 2 diabetes, and potentially even fight sagging of skin Wild Blueberry Powder Very high in antioxidants, and may help regulate blood sugar, boost immunity, support eye health, reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and possibly ease UTI symptoms....

I recently shared an introductory article on the benefits of sound and music therapy for Long Covid.  It occurs to me that it would be helpful to share some specific examples of methods and music and tips for how to enjoy it. Spotify Playlists for Relaxation and Sleep Here are some Spotify playlists featuring hours of Singing Bowls and Binaural Beats.  If you are not a subscriber, Spotify offers free ad-supported accounts.  If you choose not to sign up for an account, the links below will still allow you to see the names of songs and performers so you can search for them elsewhere.   Tibetan Singing Bowls for Sleep https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lTadCehORo1j4XtjO6nki  Tibetan Bowls https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX3JNwc30ddaO   Binaural Beats: Sleep https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX8h3zQNo57xG Binaural Beats: Deeper Sleep https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWYILo9WhOOw6 YouTube Videos for Relaxation and Sleep While videos...

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid produced within your brain, liver and kidneys to help in the conversion of fat into energy.   It is necessary for many of your bodies processes, and is believed to improve mood, memory and learning.  It is used to help with a variety of issues, such as boosting mental function, fighting Alzheimer’s symptoms, decreasing depression, reducing nerve pain, and more. I first came across this for possible help with neurological issues related to low energy, low mood, and memory difficulties.  I mistakenly tried L-Carnitine (without the Acetyl) for my symptoms, but it did not seem to help as much as hoped and I was informed by my long COVID neurology team that Acetyl-L-Carnitine was the preferred formulation.  Since then, I have been taking it daily as part of my morning regimen with good results.  After trying it for about 6 weeks, I stopped it for a couple of days and noticed an immediate decline. While on it...