Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and COVID Long Haulers Syndrome
As the pandemic drags on, the effects of the disease linger in a substantial number (between 10 to as much 30%) of patients for months. The vast majority of long–haulers test negative for COVID-19, despite having lingering symptoms. A recent review appearing Physiological Reports in February 2021 describes a significant role of tissue hypoxia and inflammation in creating these lasting symptoms. This review suggests that blood vessel damage and impaired oxygen delivery related to COVID-19 play a role in mood changes and cognitive difficulties that people with the disease face during illness and recovery
ARE YOU A LONG HAULER?
The symptoms of long haulers syndrome persisting following “recovery” from COVID-19 include:
- Persistent Cough
- Low grade fever
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Neurocognitive difficulties
- Muscle pains
- Muscular weakness
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Rashes
- Metabolic disruption
- Sleep disruption
- Depression
- Other mental health conditions
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a safe and effective method to improve tissue oxygenation.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been demonstrated to substantially attenuate inflammation throughout the body. HBOT drives increased levels of oxygen into the body, which travels through the plasma, subsequently reducing inflammation and pain.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF HBOT IN THE TREATMENT OF COVID LONG HAULERS SYNDROME
- Effects of Hypoxia and Inflammation in the Gut and Brain
- Decreases Fatigue
- Reduces the effects of depression brought about by hypoxia
- Enhances Stem Cell Mobilization and Proliferation
- Facilitates Neuroplasticity
- Improves Sleep Quality
- Preserves cellular metabolism
- Reverses the effects of ischemic reperfusion injury
- Enhances memory and mental performance
- Diminishes headaches
- Minimizes pain and discomfort
- Significantly improves physical, cognitive and mental health functioning
Video: (Patients) https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/some-covid-19-long-haulers-are-developing-a-devastating-syndrome-1.5415288
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2145365&jwsource=em
- Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials Newsletter, Infectious Disease, What it means to be a Coronavirus “Long-Hauler” Jan 28,2021
- Østergaard, Leif , SARS CoV-2 related microvascular damage and symptoms during and after COVID-19: Consequences of capillary transit-time changes, tissue hypoxia and inflammation, Physiological Reports. 2021;9:e14726.
- Kjellberg, Anders et al, Can hyperbaric oxygen safely serve as an anti-inflammatory treatment for COVID-19?, Med Hyp 144(2020)110224