Understanding the Ongoing Struggles of Long COVID
Long COVID has emerged as a puzzling and distressing health phenomenon affecting countless individuals worldwide. For those who have recovered from the acute phase of the disease, the persistence of lingering symptoms poses new challenges and uncertainties. These long-haulers often find themselves grappling with ongoing fatigue, respiratory issues, brain fog, and more, making a return to their former selves seemingly insurmountable.
Exploring Oxygen Therapy: A Promising Pathway to Long COVID Recovery
Treat symptoms of Long COVID with HBOT!
In the pursuit of effective treatments, medical researchers and professionals have been fervently exploring various avenues to bring relief and healing to those afflicted with this enigmatic condition. One such avenue that has been garnering increasing attention is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This intriguing approach has shown promise in alleviating the debilitating symptoms of Long COVID and facilitating a path towards recovery.
In this exclusive article, we delve deep into the research conducted by experts in the field, with a particular focus on an eye-opening study recently published in Forbes. Authored by esteemed medical journalist Anuradha Varanasi, the article explores the potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in helping people with Long COVID regain control over their lives and embark on a journey towards wellness.
Unraveling the Science: How Oxygen Therapy Can Help
As we unravel the science behind Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy’s mechanisms, we’ll gain insights into how this simple yet potentially revolutionary treatment can aid in oxygenating tissues, enhancing cellular function, and bolstering the body’s immune response. By delving into real-life experiences and testimonials from Long COVID patients who have undergone Oxygen Therapy, we’ll witness the tangible impact it can have on their quality of life.
Amidst the uncertainties that Long COVID has brought upon our global community, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy emerges as a beacon of hope, promising to illuminate the path towards recovery for those who are struggling. Join us as we delve into the world of medical innovation, compassion, and resilience, and embark on a journey that could change the lives of millions worldwide.
The heart’s ability to contract and relax with each breath determines if it is functioning normally. Doctors can measure this ability — also known as left ventricular global longitudinal strain — after conducting an echocardiography test. A healthy heart is supposed to have a value of -20% to demonstrate that the muscles are supplying sufficient oxygen by contracting and relaxing lengthwise.
In a recent study that included 60 long Covid patients, researchers observed that close to half of them or 48% had lower values that averaged at around -17.8% — proving that their cardiac function was impaired even three months after getting infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Long Covid is characterized by symptoms like chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis, breathing difficulties, brain fog, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, loss of smell and/or taste, persistent coughing, and body aches. In an attempt to address these issues, Israel-based researchers offered hyperbaric oxygen therapy to 60 long Covid patients in a randomized trial. This therapy involves being inside a pressurized environment while breathing 100% pure oxygen. That way, most of the body’s tissues get rejuvenated with sufficient oxygen supply. Following an infection that causes inflammation or an injury, tissues tend to receive insufficient or extremely low levels of oxygen which delays the body’s healing process.
The treatment is usually prescribed to those who experience decompression sickness after scuba diving. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also used for getting rid of bubbles of air in blood vessels and treating open wounds.
Out of the 29 patients who had impaired heart function, 16 underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The other 13 were in the “sham group” where they were only given 21% pure oxygen through a mask during their treatment.
The team found that the 16 long Covid patients experienced an improvement in their heart function. Each one of them received 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy spread over a span of eight weeks. Through a mask, they were exposed to 100% pure oxygen for 90 minutes. That included five-minute breaks following every 20 minutes of oxygen therapy.
After hyperbaric oxygen therapy, their left ventricular global longitudinal strain levels, which was previously 17.8%, shot up to -20.2 percent. Whereas those who were in the sham group reported an increase only up to -19.1 percent.
The findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes recovery of cardiac function in patients with post-COVID syndrome. More research is needed to collect long-term results and determine the optimal number of sessions for maximum therapeutic effect,” said Marina Leitman from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv University, Israel, in a press release.
The team presented their findings at the European Society of Cardiology’s 2023 conference called EACVI Congress in Barcelona on May 12.
“We used a sensitive measure of cardiac function which is not routinely performed in all centers. More studies are needed to determine which patients will benefit the most, but it may be that all long COVID patients should have an assessment of global longitudinal strain and be offered hyperbaric oxygen therapy if heart function is reduced,” added Leitman.
Cited by: Forbes
Discover New Hope with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Extivita
Extivita, located in the RDU area, specializes in treating patients with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
If you or a loved one is grappling with the persistent challenges of Long COVID, take heart – there is hope on the horizon. As we’ve explored the potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in alleviating the debilitating symptoms of this puzzling condition, we are thrilled to inform you that Extivita, our esteemed clinic, is at the forefront of offering an innovative treatment option: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
HBOT at Extivita involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, effectively saturating the body’s tissues and promoting accelerated healing. This non-invasive, painless procedure has shown promising results in boosting energy levels, reducing inflammation, and enhancing cognitive function – all critical aspects for those facing the lingering effects of Long COVID.
Our expert medical professionals at Extivita, armed with cutting-edge technology and compassionate care, are committed to helping you embark on your journey towards recovery. We understand the challenges posed by Long COVID, and our clinic is dedicated to providing a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
The research and experiences shared in this article highlight the potential of Oxygen Therapy in offering relief and newfound hope to those living with Long COVID. At Extivita, we believe in the power of HBOT to transform lives, and we invite you to reach out to us today to explore how our treatments can positively impact your journey back to wellness.
Don’t let Long COVID dim your spirit – choose hope, choose healing, choose Extivita’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Take that courageous step towards a brighter future, and let us stand by your side as you reclaim your life from the clutches of Long COVID.