FATIGUE - DIFFICULTY TO CONCENTRATE - INSOMNIA - MOOD DISORDERS
Covid has brought to light new health needs that manifest themselves even after recovery.
Many people, despite having come out of the acute phase of the disease and/or have not complained of significant symptoms during the infection, continue to report for a long time various ailments related to Covid ( LONG-COVID ) capable of very negatively affecting the quality of life, up to lead to a psychological malaise that can lead to mood disorders and depression.
Symptoms and characteristics of LONG COVID
The most common symptoms of this condition are:
- tiredness and fatigue,
- difficulty concentrating and remembering, difficulty making decisions,
- impaired sense of taste and/or smell
- lack of resistance to physical and mental stress, insomnia,
- mood disorders,
- anxiety, depression,
- weakness, muscle aches,
- shortness of breath and/or cough,
- gastrointestinal disorders.
Fortunately, not all of these symptoms work together and with the same intensity.
It seems that, up to the age of 60, Long Covid affects women more and that after this age the difference between the two sexes disappears. This difference can be explained by the increased immune response women have to the inflammatory activity of the virus. This difference is due to genetic and hormonal factors.
Unfortunately, cases of Long Covid have also been recorded in children.
Finally, if the first variants of Covid delta showed a greater risk of death due to serious respiratory complications, the current variants (omicron) seem to worsen the Long Covid phenomenon.
It is therefore very important not to neglect from the outset any states of psycho-physical malaise that persist or appear in the period following the infection.
It should also be remembered that many times the Covid infection is asymptomatic but this does not exclude the appearance of Long Covid symptoms .
If one of the symptoms mentioned above manifests itself spontaneously and the state of malaise persists over time, it would be advisable to carry out serological tests and respect a suitable convalescence condition, to avoid worsening one's state of health.
Once it has been ascertained that you have contracted Covid through the serological examination, a medical examination will be appropriate.
What to do?
First of all, take care and attention of your own person:
- avoid stressful and/or conflict situations,
- impose periods of rest trying to recover a restful sleep
- follow an adequate diet avoiding the use of alcohol and excessive stimulating drinks (smoking, alcohol, coffee, etc.)
- exercise, but avoid excessive physical effort.
Natural remedies for Long Covid
WITHANIA
| Withania has an effective contrasting activity against physical and mental tiredness (tonic-adaptogenic activity) caused by various causes, it facilitates and promotes relaxation and mental well-being. Furthermore, Withania effectively supports the body's natural defenses. It is indicated for the contrast and recovery from situations of physical and mental stress such as overwork, physical tiredness, performance stress, convalescence, long-covid and their consequences. |
RHODIOLA
| Rhodiola exerts a positive action in case of physical and mental fatigue and supports cognitive, cardiac, hepatic and muscular functions. It reduces the symptoms of fatigue and promotes recovery from physical exhaustion, counteracts the mild depressive symptoms associated with weakness and asthenia and increases sexual vigor in men. During slimming diets it reduces the feeling of hunger. |
ASTRAGALUS
| Astragalus supports the immune system and exerts a tonic-adaptogenic action. It is therefore particularly useful in all those situations that require psychophysical recovery and in those that require an increase in the immune system. Vitamin D has a modulating action against the inflammatory response and ensures the normal function of the immune system. Low levels of vitamin D3 are associated with ailments such as headaches, weakness, mood disturbances, healing difficulties, increased frequency of infections and autoimmune diseases. |
VITAMIN D
| Vitamin D has a modulating action against the inflammatory response and ensures the normal function of the immune system. Low levels of vitamin D3 are associated with ailments such as headaches, weakness, mood disturbances, healing difficulties, increased frequency of infections and autoimmune diseases. |
GINGKO
| Ginkgo extract contributes to memory, cognitive functions and the functionality of the cerebral microcirculation. |
BACOPA
| Bacopa appears to improve the transmission of nerve impulses through the balanced functions of several neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin, catecholamine, GABA and glutamate. Studies also show that among the actions of Bacopa there is that of increasing the proliferation of dendrites with a consequent improvement in the neuronal signal for the benefit of cognitive functions with improvement of memory and the ability to concentrate. It also has an ameliorative action on mood and anxiety states. |
COENZYME Q10
| Q10 is essential for the production of cellular energy and performs a stabilizing function on the membranes. It can exert neuroprotective, cardioprotective and cytoprotective effects |
ESCHOLZIA and PASSIFLORA
| The association with Escolzia and Passiflora promotes relaxation by contrasting nocturnal awakenings. This product is non-addictive, unlike many products used for insomnia. |
MELATONIN
| Melatonin is a very important hormone for human health as it regulates all the circadian cyclical rhythms of our life. Melatonin production decreases with age. Its integration contributes to the reduction of the time required to fall asleep, to facilitate sleep in the transition between day and night shifts, to promote sleep in Jet-lag (air travel across multiple time zones). Melatonin also has an antioxidant action and is able to inhibit the free radicals generated by the consumption of alcohol and nicotine. |
ADEMETHIONINE (SAME)
| Ademetionine is present ubiquitously in our body and takes part in numerous metabolic reactions. In particular, it is involved in the synthesis of some types of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, implicated in mood regulation mechanisms, but not only. Ademetionine also exerts interesting activities in the liver, where it is able to promote the synthesis of sulfur compounds involved in hepatic detoxification mechanisms. Adenosilmethionine is the active ingredient of the product Samyr from the Mylan company whose package insert contains the following indications: used against depression, which can cause sadness, loss of pleasure and interest in daily activities, tiredness and feeling unwell. |
GRIFFONIA (TRYPTOPHAN)
| The active ingredient of Griffonia is Tryptophan which is a precursor of Serotonin and therefore of Melatonin. The benefit of this plant is expressed on mood, mental well-being, sleep and the regulation of the sense of hunger. It also promotes relaxation. |
L-ACETYLCARNITINE
| L-Acetylcarnitine carries out a protective, nourishing and antioxidant action on the cells of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves (See Nicetile-Alfasigma). It manifests its usefulness in neuropathies from trauma or inflammation of the nervous system. Recent studies conducted on patients with Alzheimer's and senile dementia have demonstrated its role in delaying the progression of the disease, by controlling important cognitive functions such as logical intelligence, verbal memory and selective attention. The possibility of preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia is one of the challenges of modern research which is focusing precisely on the increasingly frequent use of a supplement based on Acetyl L-Carnitine, thanks to its on the cholinergic neural transmission and the ability to improve the neuronal metabolism of the mitochondria. The antioxidant properties of L-Acetylcarnitine also serve to preserve correct cardiac function. Due to its strong antioxidant activity, it can be used in anti-aging nutritional strategies and in the protection of oxidative damage induced by intense physical activity. |
TURMERIC
| Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving activity and contributes to joint function. It also has an antioxidant action, supports liver function by promoting its detoxification |
BOSWELIA
| Boswellia has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving action and counteracts muscle tension. |
VITAMIN B COMPLEX
| Vitamin B1 serves to ensure normal nerve function and normal heart function. Vitamin B2 is essential for the production of red blood cells, for the maintenance of membranes and mucous membranes and for the maintenance of vision. Vitamin PP (B3) is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system and for maintaining normal skin. Vitamin B5 is used for the synthesis of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. It also helps ensure normal mental performance. Vitamin B6 is required for red blood cell synthesis, normal psychological function, and also to maintain normal immune system function. Inositol (Vit. B7) is necessary for the functioning of the nervous system and to ensure normal psychological function and memory. . It also serves to maintain the well-being of skin and hair. It also stimulates the production of Lecithin, a substance useful for keeping the internal walls of the arteries clean, preventing damage from LDL. Biotin (Vit. B8) is important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It also improves the appearance of nails and hair. Vitamin B9, commonly known as folic acid, is an essential element for the production of red blood cells. Folic acid also contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. For this reason, its correct intake during the months of pregnancy is essential. PABA (Vit. B10) is used for the synthesis of folic acid, for protein metabolism and promotes the effectiveness of Vit. B5. Vitamin B12 promotes the functioning of the central nervous system and is involved in the production of red blood cells. |
Important:
While physical impairment (muscle weakness, pain, incoordination of movements), respiratory and gastrointestinal disturbances lead the patient to seek medical attention in good time, other types of disturbance, such as concentration or memory problems, difficulty making , insomnia are often underestimated leading to an escalation of the malaise which makes the clinical picture increasingly complicated and difficult to manage. If disturbances of this type persist, it would be advisable to consult the Neurologist.
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How to choose a supplement:
That of supplements is a vast world in which it is easy to get lost and make a wrong choice. How to make the right choice and be sure of making a good purchase? Here are some easy rules to follow: Once the substance or substances that meet the your needs, pay attention to: · prefer the formulation in capsules instead of tabletsThe capsules are formed by a gelatine shell (preferably vegetable) containing the active ingredients (plants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids). They allow for greater availability of the active principle compared to tablets, since once they reach the stomach or intestine (depending on the type of capsule) they dissolve, completely releasing the substances contained therein. The tablets, on the other hand, are formed by high-pressure compressed powders which, in order to be able to stay together, are added with a large number of excipients (normally half of the content of a tablet is represented by excipients). Furthermore, once the tablets reach the stomach or intestine, they must first break down and then release the active substances. The process of disintegration and release of the active ingredients is a very delicate process which is often not able to fully release the active substances, given the high number of binding excipients. In this regard, see: www.nutrientiesupplementi.it "Supplements: after a new investigation, the Ministry of Health focuses its attention on tablet disaggregation tests". This aspect is also very important from the point of view of the declared dosage of the active ingredients, which, although effective, does not guarantee 100% availability of the same. This problem does not exist in the case of the capsule form. The active ingredients and their quantities must be clearly indicated on the label. Prefer supplements that contain "titrated dry extracts" of a plant. This is the only way to know how much active ingredient is will have available. This means that the percentage of active ingredient must be indicated and not just the plant generically (e.g. Turmeric powder means nothing, Turmeric with 65% of Curcumin is instead significant information. Pay attention to the commas: Escholzia at 2.5% of Alkaloids is 10 times more active than at 0.25%) The name of the plant must be indicated with the Latin name among the ingredients, this is because there are different species of the same plant which can have different efficacy. The Latin name is unique. · If you are vegetarian or vegan and/or you don't want the supplement to contain animal gelatin, check in the ingredients section that the capsule is vegetable. It seems difficult and complicated but it is not. There are few rules, easy to follow.
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