Overview
While the global spread of severe COVID-19 infections has slowed, many people continue to experience symptoms for months or years. This is a condition known as Long COVID, which is COVID-19 symptoms that last generally more than 30 days, and manifest in the majority of symptoms that are ANS related. The most common autonomic nervous system illness associated with Long COVID is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which is strongly linked to a previous viral infection.
What is Dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia is a broad term that refers to a group of medical conditions with one thing in common: a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls the body’s automatic functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, breathing, body temperature, kidney and bladder function, and many others.
This nervous system branch is made up of two parts: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) (PNS). The SNS is called the “fight or flight” mode and is activated whenever your body needs to react quickly. It, therefore, raises your heart rate and stimulates blood flow to your muscles.
On the other hand, the PNS is in charge of bodily functions such as digestion. It is referred to as the “rest and digest” phase of the ANS and it regulates bladder function, lowers heart rate, and stimulates digestion.
Both components are in consistent flux during the day in healthy people. Therefore, if one of these components stops functioning correctly, it can affect your whole body. Those with Dysautonomia have difficulties regulating vital body functions like breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, urinary function, body temperature, and more.
Dysautonomia is not the same as POTS!
POTS and Dysautonomia are not the same things, but they are related. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a type of Dysautonomia in which patients’ heart rates increase when they stand up. Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) is a similar condition. Patients with OH experience a drop in blood pressure when they stand up. Both of these conditions are grouped as orthostatic intolerance.
How Does Long COVID Cause Dysautonomia?
COVID-19 illness, according to recent research, causes ANS dysfunction via a combination of the following mechanisms:
- Direct effect: Long COVID directly affects nervous system components, including the ANS. This virus can attack brain areas such as the brainstem, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and carotid body, all of which coordinate autonomic responses.
- Neurovascular coupling dysfunction may cause ANS dysfunction by over-activating the sympathetic nervous system.
- Pandemic stress: Stress and worry always put a person’s body on high alert. If this situation persists for long, the body may be unable to return to rest and digest response, resulting in Dysautonomia.
- Your immune system’s reaction is exaggerated: An uncontrolled cytokine storm may also attack the body’s autonomic nervous system.
- Bed rest for extended periods: Prolonged bed rest, particularly for patients who have spent several weeks in the hospital, can result in ANS dysfunction.
Symptoms of Long Covid Dysautonomia.
- Irregularities with temperature.
- Flushing or sweating.
- Cold extremities.
- Gastrointestinal issues.
- Food sensitivities.
- Vomiting, bloating, constipation.
- Heart rate issues.
- Heart palpitations.
- Aches and pains.
- Joint pain.
- Chronic pain.
- Headaches due to blood flow issues.
- Chest pain and irregular breathing.
Dysautonomia patients always experience symptoms in waves, just like some Long-COVID symptom behavior.
How to Manage Long COVID Dysautonomia at Home
- Exercise regularly.
Aerobic and resistance training should be done regularly. If standing for long periods bothers you, try using a rowing machine or an exercise bike.
- Increase your fluid and salt consumption.
Before making any dietary changes, consult your doctor or a healthcare professional.
- Consume Smaller Meals.
Eating a large meal causes a large amount of blood to be redirected to aid digestion. It may cause or worsen symptoms in POTS patients. Instead of three large meals, eat several smaller ones throughout the day.
- Sleep with your head elevated.
Patients with Dysautonomia should sleep with their heads slightly elevated to stimulate blood circulation.
- Compression garments should be worn.
Some patients may benefit from compression stockings and abdominal binders to increase blood circulation and pressure. Lower body parts, e.g., the calf, thigh, etc., must be compressed.
- Avoid standing for extended periods.
If you must stand for extended periods, try to squeeze your feet and legs every few minutes, or shift your weight from one foot to the other. This helps the lower half of the body move to improve circulation and assist your heart in pumping blood.
Treating Long COVID Dysautonomia
This type of treatment should begin with a functional neurocognitive imaging (fNCI) scan for all patients. This metric assesses how much the viral infection has weakened the connection between nerve cells and the blood vessels that supply them with oxygen and nutrients. It is known as neurovascular coupling (NVC) dysfunction. It seeks to restore normal neurovascular coupling in areas identified by the scan as dysfunctional.
To help re-regulate the autonomic nervous system, patients are also subjected to alternating aerobic exercise and rest. Treatments to help with autonomic nervous system dysfunction:
- Aerobic exercise can be performed on a stationary bike or a treadmill. During these sessions, therapists usually observe how patients react and adjust the duration and intensity of each activity as needed. For example, a therapist may advise you to switch to a stationary bike instead if you feel dizzy and lightheaded while running on the treadmill — a sure sign that your sympathetic nervous system is still in charge.
- Rest periods include breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, and Brainwaves sessions to promote parasympathetic nervous system activation and relaxation
- Neuromuscular massage: It is a type of physical therapy in which the therapist targets soft tissue to help patients relax and find relief from neck pain by turning the sympathetic nervous system “off” and the parasympathetic nervous system “on.”
Takeaway
Long COVID can cause Dysautonomia. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively deal with COVID-19 symptoms before they get out of hand and render you more prone to developing Dysautonomia!
