COVID-19 continues to present with mysterious symptoms and sequelae (ongoing health issues caused by the virus), and even after two years, we still know little about it. Researchers have made some progress, but more resources are needed to speed up the process.

The US now has a plan to organize thoughts and goals for new research on Long COVID. We are still years away from a solution, but every step forward is progress.

Summary

Memorandum has been issued on Addressing the Long-Term Effects of COVID-⁠19 outlining actions needed to support the American people in addressing the longer- term effects of COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with federal partners, plans to develop two reports:

• Services and Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Report (Services Report)

• National Research Action Plan on Long COVID (the Plan).

The Services Report outlines federal services and mechanisms of support available to the American public in addressing the longer-term effects of COVID-19. The Plan will provide a U.S. government-wide national research agenda focused on advancing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and provision of services and supports for individuals and families experiencing Long COVID.

The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency will not signal the end of the effects of the pandemic. These lingering effects may impact the health of the nation for years to come. Recovery from infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can vary from person to person.

Most individuals seem to recover quickly and completely. However, some report symptoms that persist or emerge weeks or even months after the initial phase of the infection has passed, even when the infection was asymptomatic. These sets of conditions are often referred to as “Long COVID.”

The Plan recognizes the importance of two technical terms, Post- COVID-19 conditions, or PCC, broadly equivalent to Long COVID, and Post-acute Sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, focused on the direct effects of the virus.

Research into the causes and consequences of Long COVID and associated conditions, the underlying biological mechanisms, the therapies that work, and services and supports needed for persons experiencing Long COVID are necessary to develop strategies to prevent, treat, and support those with Long COVID.

The Plan was developed with four guiding principles: orienting research towards improving patient care and outcomes, health equity, accelerating and expanding existing research, and partner engagement. The Plan ensures an effective, comprehensive, and equitable research strategy to inform the national response to Long COVID’s impacts on individuals, families, communities, and all of society, inclusive of age, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic location, socioeconomic status, insurance coverage status, pregnancy status, and disability status.

The actions in the plan will require federal investment. Action that can be taken with current funding are underway. Additional funding proposed in the fiscal year 2023 budget and beyond will enable expansion the implementation of this Plan.

Read the full memorandum here:

US National Research Action Plan on Long COVID

Things you can do to help yourself

Nutrition: Try to eat protein and vitamin rich foods daily.
Avoid chemicals, preservatives, sugars, fast foods, prepared foods and high histamine foods. Don’t skip meals. Your body needs protein , vitamin C, and vitamin D to heal from any injury or illness. A low histamine or low carbohydrate (sugar) diet is recommended by doctors treating Long COVID (PASC), and many people report a reduction in symptoms within 1-3 days of the diet change, including decreases in sneezing, itching or hives, irritable bowel syndrome, body pain, along with a reduction in swelling and inflammation.
Hydration: A minimum of eight 8 oz glasses of plain water daily is recommended.
Avoid drinks with chemical additives. You can easily make a fresh electrolyte drink yourself by adding a dash of mineral rich Epsom salt and a piece a fruit like a raspberry for flavor instead of spending money on commercial drinks like Gatorade that contain chemicals and sit in plastic bottles for long periods of time.
Sleep hygiene: Getting 7-9 hours of sleep so your body can repair itself. You need at least 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep to get into the restorative phase of sleep.
Avoid stimulating activities after dinner like thrilling movies or books, arguments, negative news or frustrating stimuli.
If you wake up frequently or with a startle, you may be experiencing drops in your oxygen level, which signal your brain to release adrenaline to force you to take a breath. This could be a temporary inflammation issue or more enduring sleep apnea. Ask your doctor for a sleep study to evaluate your need for a CPAP or BiPAP, a machine that forced air into your lungs when it senses an apneic episode.
Stress management: Stress effects every component of your life.
The only thing you can control about stress is your reaction to it. Try to avoid or minimize your exposure to stressful situations: Turn off the news, make family visits that end unpleasantly short, wait for the morning to have intense discussions, let go of things that annoy you but don’t really matter in the big scheme of things, avoid intense conversations or entertainment in the evening.
Exercise within tolerance: Pace yourself and do not push your body to extremes in any way.
For some this may mean seated breathing exercises, walking to the mailbox. Rest when your body says to slow down. Gradually build on your activity endurance as your body cues you to progress.
Breathwork: You can literally stop the fight or flight reaction by taking slow deep breaths.
Deep slow breathing shuts down the adrenaline flow, slows your heart rate, lowers your blood pressure and decreases stress related histamine release. When you do this, your blood reroutes back to your brain and nervous system to allow you to think clearly. It also allows your body to use its energy and oxygen to heal your inflamed nerves and organs.

Long COVID Solutions

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Keep moving, keep breathing!

Brought to you by covidCAREgroup, connecting the dots of long COVID through education, research &resources.

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