Although the pandemic stage of COVID-19 has ended, coronavirus is still here. While most people who get the disease recover within a few weeks, some people experience symptoms long after that due to Long COVID. What is Long COVID and what should you do if you’re not feeling well? Here’s what to know.
What is Long COVID?
Long COVID – officially called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) – occurs when COVID-19 symptoms continue even after the acute phase of the disease has passed. Long COVID symptoms can last for weeks or months and can have negative impacts on a person’s physical and mental health.
Symptoms of Long COVID
Symptoms differ from person to person, but common symptoms of long COVID include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Joint and muscle pain
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems (brain fog)
- Anxiety and depression
- Chest pain or heart palpitations
- Loss of smell or taste
- Difficulty sleeping
These symptoms may require ongoing management, especially if they are severe. Even if you have recovered from COVID-19, you may still experience Long COVID symptoms.
Who is at Risk of Developing Long COVID?
While scientists are still learning about Long COVID risk factors, they have found that some groups of people have a higher risk of developing Long COVID. These include people who had severe cases of COVID-19, especially people who were hospitalized; people with underlying health conditions, such as an autoimmune disease, asthma, diabetes, or obesity; people who experienced multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during or after COVID-19; and people who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine.
What to Do If You Have Long COVID
There is not yet a specific treatment for Long COVID, but your healthcare provider can work with you to create a personalized plan for managing symptoms[i]. When you talk to your health care provider, be sure to provide information like what symptoms you’re experiencing and how often you experience them, when your symptoms started, what causes your symptoms to get worse, and how your symptoms affect your daily life.
There are also lab tests that may help your healthcare provider get a better understanding of your condition, such as a liver function test, complete blood count test, chest X-rays, and others depending on your specific symptoms.
Get a Long COVID Evaluation
At Prana Health, our experienced team offers a full evaluation for Long COVID. We can also recommend treatment options and conduct long-term monitoring of Long COVID. Our Long COVID services include:
- Evaluation of lung function
- Evaluation for ongoing inflammation in the lungs
- Neurocognitive testing on the computer to assess memory affected by COVID
- At-home sleep evaluation
- Nutritional counseling on Long COVID
- Physical therapy
We’ll work with you to create a personalized care plan that addresses your specific symptoms, concerns, goals, and circumstances.
Schedule an Appointment with Prana Health
If you’re not feeling the same since having COVID, Prana Health can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
