Podcast Summary
Doctors Share Personal Experiences with Long-Haulers Syndrome: Doctors Tina Moore and Amber Belt, both naturopathic physicians, shared their personal experiences of dealing with long-haulers syndrome for decades, emphasizing it's not a new phenomenon and offering clinical pearls and knowledge to help those affected.
Long-haulers, or postviral syndrome, is not a new phenomenon, despite recent attention due to COVID-19. Doctors Tina Moore and Amber Belt, both naturopathic physicians, have dealt with it for decades. They shared their personal experiences of struggling with the condition and how it led them to naturopathic medicine. Long haulers can be debilitating, affecting various aspects of a person's health, including the brain. In the early 1990s, Tina contracted cytomegalovirus, which severely impacted her health and left her with chronic anxiety and depression. She was later diagnosed with a cytomegalovirus brain infection by her mentor, Rick Marinelli. Amber, who has been treating long haulers for over 15 years, emphasized that it's not a new phenomenon and that those who have experienced it are not alone. While they can't provide a cure, they shared their clinical pearls and knowledge to help those dealing with long haulers.
Symptoms of post viral syndrome: Post viral syndrome, also known as sequelae, can cause various symptoms including neurological issues, muscle pain, headaches, and brain fog. It's important to give the body time to recover and not jump to conclusions or labels too soon.
Post viral syndrome, also known as sequelae, refers to a collection of symptoms that can occur after an infection has passed. These symptoms can vary widely and include neurological issues, muscle pain, headaches, brain fog, and more. Post viral syndrome can be misdiagnosed or disregarded due to its many possible symptoms and the extended recovery period. The speaker, who has personal experience with post viral syndrome from influenza and Epstein Barr virus, emphasizes the importance of giving the body time to recover and not jumping to conclusions or labels too soon. The media and medical community's recent focus on long COVID or long haulers has brought attention to this issue, but it's important to remember that post viral syndrome is not a new phenomenon and has been studied extensively for many years. It's crucial to provide proper care and support for individuals experiencing post viral syndrome, rather than dismissing or gaslighting them.
Long-term health effects of COVID-19 and vaccines: Maintaining good health and a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of severe illness and potential long-term effects from COVID-19 or vaccines. Severe initial infections may increase the likelihood and severity of long-term symptoms.
The fear of long-term health effects, or long haulers, after getting COVID-19 or getting vaccinated against it, is valid. However, the severity of the initial infection seems to play a significant role in the likelihood and severity of long-term symptoms. The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining overall health and a healthy weight to reduce the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19 and potential long-term effects. Additionally, some studies suggest that those who experience severe illness during the initial infection may be more likely to develop long-term symptoms. The speaker also mentions a potential correlation between long-term symptoms and multiple vaccinations, but more research is needed on that topic. Overall, it's crucial to prioritize maintaining good health to reduce the risk of severe illness and potential long-term effects from COVID-19 or other viruses.
Early treatment of COVID-19 crucial for symptom severity and long-term effects: Early treatment during initial and inflammatory phases reduces symptom severity and potential long-term effects. Maintain low viral load and monitor inflammation closely during recovery.
Prompt and effective treatment of COVID-19 during the initial viral load phase and the inflammatory phase can significantly impact the severity of symptoms and potential long-term effects. Those who denied their infection or waited too long to seek treatment risked experiencing more severe symptoms and a longer recovery process. The importance of maintaining a low viral load during the initial phase and closely monitoring inflammation and potential complications during the inflammatory phase cannot be overstated. Additionally, overall wellness and vascular health during the recovery phase play a crucial role in minimizing the impact of COVID-19.
Subtle neurological effects of COVID-19: COVID-19 can cause hidden neurological symptoms like fatigue, depression, and insomnia. Seek help from a healthcare professional if these symptoms persist, and remember individualized care is crucial for recovery.
COVID-19 can have subtle neurological effects that may not be immediately apparent, such as fatigue, depression, and insomnia. These symptoms can be easily overlooked and dismissed as stress or normal life circumstances. However, it's essential to consider the possibility of neurological damage, especially if these symptoms persist for an extended period. Hormonal imbalances, particularly during perimenopause, can exacerbate these symptoms. It's crucial to remember that everyone's experience with COVID-19 and post-viral recovery is unique, and individualized care is necessary. If you're experiencing persistent symptoms, it's essential to seek help from a knowledgeable healthcare professional. Additionally, taking care of your body through proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management can help support your recovery process. It's important to be patient with yourself and accept that full recovery may take time, and some lingering symptoms may be a part of the healing process.
The importance of acknowledging the need for recovery: Recognize that recovery from illness takes time and prioritize self-care during this process.
Our modern culture has lost the concept of convalescence, or the recovery period after being sick, leading to unnecessary fear and pressure to return to normalcy too soon. Studies on COVID-19 long-haulers, which may be too soon to accurately represent the full picture, are adding to this anxiety. Historically, there were places called sanatoriums where people could go to recover, but this practice has largely disappeared. Instead, we're expected to bounce back quickly, which isn't realistic for everyone. It's important to remember that recovery takes time and to prioritize self-care during this process. Additionally, the speaker shares their belief that COVID-19 may have originated in a lab and was designed to target specific weak spots in the body. While this is a personal opinion, it highlights the importance of allowing time for recovery and acknowledging the complexity of viral illnesses.
Supporting Our Bodies During Virus Outbreaks: Focus on adrenal, hormonal, gut, immune, and brain health with supplements like Resilience, Bitch Be Gone, Labito Vitality, GI rebuild, First Defense, Vital Brain, Brain Calm, Brain Spark, Just Blue, and Relight.
While it's understandable to be concerned about potential long-term health effects of viruses like COVID-19, it's important not to let fear prevent us from living our lives. Instead, focusing on supporting our neurological, hormonal, gut, and immune systems can help mitigate any negative effects. Dr. Tina recommends supplements like Resilience for adrenal support, Bitch Be Gone for hormonal balance, Labito Vitality for androgen support, a GI rebuild product for gut health, and First Defense for immune support. For brain health, she suggests Vital Brain, Brain Calm, Brain Spark, and her favorite, Just Blue, a methylene blue product. Lastly, keeping electrolytes balanced with a product like Relight can also be beneficial. Remember, while these supplements can support overall health, they are not a substitute for medical treatment if you are experiencing symptoms.
Maintaining electrolyte balance, addressing hormonal imbalances, and mitigating inflammation are crucial for overall health: Neglecting electrolyte balance, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation can lead to severe and long-lasting health issues, including thyroid dysfunction, hormone disruption, and premature menopause, especially in individuals already stressed or recovering from viruses like COVID-19.
Maintaining electrolyte balance, addressing hormonal imbalances, and mitigating inflammation are crucial for combating fatigue and potential long-term health issues. The speaker, a naturopathic doctor, has observed a correlation between these factors and thyroid dysfunction, hormone disruption, and even premature menopause, especially in individuals already on the brink due to stress or post-viral infections like COVID-19. The virus itself, the inflammation it induces, and the spike protein it produces can all contribute to damage in various ways. It's essential to prioritize overall health and wellness to better withstand potential health challenges, as the consequences of neglecting these factors can be severe and long-lasting.
Impact of Pre-existing Conditions on COVID-19 Susceptibility and Recovery: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for reducing susceptibility and improving recovery from COVID-19. Pre-existing conditions increase the likelihood of long-term health issues and should be taken seriously. Hormonal changes, stress, and poor lifestyle choices can make individuals more susceptible to infection.
The state of our health significantly impacts our susceptibility and recovery from conditions like COVID-19. Pre-existing conditions increase the likelihood of long-term health issues. Doctors and the medical community need to take these conditions more seriously. The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management, cannot be overstated. Even wealthy individuals, who might be able to afford better healthcare, need to prioritize their health. Stress and poor lifestyle choices can tip people over hormonally and make them more susceptible to infection. Women, especially those approaching menopause, may experience longer recovery times due to hormonal changes. The virus itself can induce a low-grade diabetic state and affect insulin resistance and metabolic health. It's crucial for individuals to recognize the importance of their health and make necessary lifestyle changes before facing a serious health issue.
COVID-19's Impact on Diabetes Management: COVID-19 complicates diabetes management for both types, hospitals may lack insulin, virus can damage insulin-producing cells, pre-existing metabolic issues worsen impact, bring insulin when hospitalized, metabolic health and immune system interconnected.
COVID-19 can induce blood sugar dysregulation, making it more challenging for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics to manage their condition during infection. Hospitals may not carry all types of insulin, making it difficult for type 1 diabetics to maintain control. Moreover, the virus can directly attack the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, which can further complicate diabetes management. Pre-existing metabolic health issues can worsen the impact of COVID-19, making recovery more difficult. It's crucial for diabetics to bring their insulin with them if they need to be hospitalized. The connection between metabolic health and immune system is significant, and neglecting one can negatively impact the other. It's essential to understand that COVID-19, while having unique aspects, is not an alien entity, and scientific principles still apply. Treating it as such can lead to confusion and misinformation.
Lockdowns led to increased deaths from alcohol, opioids, suicides, and domestic violence: Lockdowns resulted in unintended consequences, including a significant increase in non-COVID related deaths and potential reactivation of infections in COVID survivors
The COVID-19 lockdowns have had devastating effects beyond the virus itself. A recent study revealed that young people had 2 to 3 times more deaths from alcohol, opioids, suicides, and domestic violence than COVID-related deaths. The isolation and self-medication during lockdowns likely contributed to these tragic outcomes. Additionally, there's evidence that COVID survivors, especially those with persistent lung symptoms, may have reactivated infections like mycoplasma pneumoniae or chlamydia pneumonia. Treatment involves addressing these infections with medications, supplements, and IVs, as well as using nebulized nutrients. The speaker, who has personally used a nebulizer extensively during and after her COVID infection, recommends keeping one handy for respiratory issues unrelated to COVID. The speaker's perspective is that lockdowns were not effective in preventing the spread of the virus and may have caused long-term harm.
Saline nebulization: A long-term lung health practice for the speaker: Saline nebulization has been a crucial part of the speaker's lung health management since childhood due to her history of lung issues. It provides relief and is less irritating than other solutions. Regular cardio exercises and gentle movement help recover from lung issues.
Saline nebulization has been a game-changer for the speaker's lung health, providing relief for her "picky lungs" since her childhood. She finds that using anything other than saline in a nebulizer can be irritating. The use of saline nebulization is not limited to COVID-19 recovery, but a long-term practice for her due to her history of lung issues, including repeated pneumonias and bronchitis. She grew up in an environment with significant secondhand smoke exposure, which further affected her lung health. The speaker believes that the lungs can become fibrotic due to infections and the immune system's response, and cardio exercises help her recover. She recommends gentle movement and increasing lung capacity through exercise after lung issues. Additionally, she mentions using a simple device with Himalayan sea salt to salinate the lungs. While she emphasizes that these practices are not a prevention, treatment, or cure for COVID-19, they have been beneficial for her post-lung issue recovery.
Improving cardiovascular health post-COVID with simple interventions: Walking, oxygen therapy, and sauna use can enhance cardiovascular health and alleviate breathing issues for individuals recovering from COVID-19. Monitor potential clotting risks.
For individuals recovering from COVID-19 or dealing with long-term symptoms, simple interventions like walking and using oxygen canisters can significantly improve their cardiovascular health and alleviate breathing issues. Additionally, sauna use can mimic a cardiovascular workout, decrease inflammation, and help the body clear out toxins. The speaker also mentioned that while they haven't seen many clotting issues post-COVID, they have seen more post-vaccination. It's essential to monitor and address any potential clotting risks. Overall, incorporating these practices into daily life can contribute to better health outcomes for those dealing with the long-term effects of COVID-19.
Long-term COVID-19 symptoms impact identity and well-being: Long-term COVID-19 symptoms can be distressing, but most resolve within a year. Self-advocacy, seeking a provider, and simple actions like accessing a sauna, eating real food, staying hydrated, and moving daily can help improve overall health and vitality.
Physical health and the ability to perform labor are important aspects of a person's identity and well-being, especially for those who take pride in their physical capabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have experienced long-term symptoms, often referred to as "long haulers." These symptoms can be devastating and may lead to fear and despair. However, hope is not lost, as most symptoms resolve within a year, and seeking out a provider who addresses the root cause can make a significant difference. For those who can, simple actions like accessing a sauna, eating actual food, staying hydrated, and moving every day can help improve overall health and vitality. It's crucial for individuals to advocate for themselves and not give in to the media's bleak portrayal of long-term symptoms.
Improve overall health with key practices: Regular sauna use, adequate sleep, adrenal support, real food, hydration, movement, and mindfulness can significantly improve health and well-being, especially for those dealing with health challenges.
Prioritizing certain practices can significantly improve overall health and well-being, especially for those dealing with health challenges. Regular sauna use, getting enough sleep, and providing adrenal support are key areas to focus on. Sauna use can help "turn on" the body and improve instincts, while adequate sleep is essential for healing. Adrenal support can help regulate the body's hormonal balance and improve sleep quality. Additionally, eating real food, staying hydrated, engaging in movement, and practicing mindfulness can all contribute to better health. Remember, belief in recovery is crucial, and taking small, consistent actions can lead to significant progress.
Believing in the body's ability to heal and taking small daily actions can lead to positive changes.: Imagine your mitochondria as gold, believe in your body's healing power, and practice daily mindfulness, meditation, and self-reflection for optimal health.
Our minds and bodies have the natural ability to heal, and simple practices like meditation, visualization, and self-reflection can significantly aid in this process. The speaker suggests imagining one's mitochondria as gold, emitting healing energy throughout the body. This belief in the body's ability to heal and taking small daily actions, such as asking oneself about diet, exercise, and mindfulness, can lead to positive changes. The speaker emphasizes that it's essential to believe in one's ability to heal and to take action, as the hard work is ultimately the patient's responsibility. Regular meditation, even for just a few minutes a day, can be a powerful tool in facilitating this healing process.
Focusing on foundational aspects of health: Practice self-care, prioritize whole-person treatment, identify root causes, and ensure daily sunlight for optimal health
When dealing with post viral syndrome or any health issue, it's essential to focus on the foundational aspects of health. This includes practicing self-care, such as affirmations, breathing exercises, and maintaining a positive mindset. Functional medicine and naturopathic medicine prioritize treating the individual as a whole, rather than just the condition or symptom picture. It's important to remember that there's art to medicine, and finding balance and homeostasis in the body is key. Just like a body of water, if it becomes stagnant, there will be overgrowth of unhealthy organisms, and the ecosystem will suffer. To reestablish health, we need to identify and address the root causes, not just treat the symptoms. Additionally, adequate sunlight every day is crucial for maintaining and restoring health.
Maximizing Sun Exposure and Improving Diet for Sun Sensitivity: Getting 10 minutes of sunlight before 9 AM without excessive sunscreen and improving diet, especially avoiding seed oils, can help reduce sun sensitivity and fear of sun damage.
Getting enough sunlight and maintaining a healthy diet can help improve sensitivity to sunlight and reduce the fear of sun damage. Dr. Amber Belt Sander recommends getting at least 10 minutes of sun exposure before 9 AM without excessive use of sunscreen. She also emphasizes that seed oils in unhealthy diets can contribute to sun sensitivity. For those who prefer to avoid sunlight, Dr. Belt Sander suggests focusing on dietary improvements and using natural first aid kits from her company, Sage Sirona. Overall, her approach emphasizes a holistic and diplomatic approach to health and wellness. You can find Dr. Belt Sander on Instagram as @doctor_belt_sander and learn more about her medical practice at aspenmedcenter.com and her natural first aid kit company at sage sirona.com.
