Long COVID Treatment Using TCM and 6 Tips to Ease Symptoms

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While new variants of COVID-19 continue to emerge, some people infected by COVID-19 long ago are still suffering from the effects of “long COVID.” From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, symptoms of long COVID can be quickly alleviated by adjusting the gastrointestinal system. Making simple changes to everyday life can also help to reduce these symptoms.

Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID, refers to the after-effects of COVID-19, where symptoms persist for at least two to three months after the onset of the disease. Common symptoms include brain fog, headaches, coughing, asthma, chest pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches. Some people may experience only one symptom, while others may have multiple symptoms.

Some patients who did not have asthma before may develop it after contracting COVID-19. Prolonged coughing can lead to asthma and wheezing due to phlegm production in the airways. Asthma is difficult to treat and requires a longer period of treatment.

Treatment for Long COVID

In my experience treating COVID-19 patients, the virus takes about a week to turn a negative test result. However, treating long COVID takes about two to three weeks before symptoms improve.

Because of the chronic nature of the disease, most of the patients are weak. I add codonopsis and some medicine that regulates the stomach and intestines during the treatment. These patients will soon get better.

There is a saying in traditional Chinese medicine that “if the nine orifices are blocked, it is all due to gastrointestinal problems.” This means that gastrointestinal problems can cause symptoms such as ear blockage, blurred vision or tearing eyes, and discomfort in the throat. These symptoms are called “blocked nine orifices,” which can be treated by adjusting the gastrointestinal system.

Some patients may also have a concurrent deficiency heat or wind-cold syndrome. If it is a wind-cold syndrome, add some cold medicine. If it is deficiency heat, use herbs for treating COVID-19, such as honeysuckle flower, indigo woad root, houttuynia, lonicera, or forsythia powder.

6 Tips to Ease Symptoms of Long COVID

1. Appropriate Exercise

Go for a walk in the countryside or a park, go jogging, or do some gentle exercises. Such exercises can help strengthen the body’s immune system, promote faster recovery, and improve mood.

2. Relieve Psychological Stress

Some people experience significant psychological stress after being infected with COVID-19. Suffering from long COVID, patients often worry about their prolonged coughing and whether it will develop into asthma. They also worry about whether brain fog will cause their minds to deteriorate and age or if chest pain indicates a heart problem. These worries increase their psychological stress, making it more difficult to recover from the illness.

Addressing these worries and implementing appropriate remedies can contribute to their overall well-being and aid in their recovery:

• Stay informed through reliable sources, communicate openly with health care professionals, and focus on the positive aspects of recovery progress.
• Communicate regularly with friends, family, and support groups through virtual platforms. Virtual mental health support and counseling can also provide an outlet for emotional expression.
• Try mind-body techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation to manage stress and promote overall well-being.

3. Avoid Cold Food or Drinks

Generally speaking, it takes a long time for young people to get rid of their cough after contracting COVID-19 because they like to consume cold food. Some patients didn’t realize that certain foods are cold in nature, for example, watermelon and pear. If you have too much of it, it will hurt your stomach, thus making it difficult for your symptoms to recover. So it is important that you avoid eating cold food or food cold in nature in order to get better quickly.

4. Maintain Indoor Ventilation

Sometimes when it is windy outside, people close their windows tightly, or when it is hot outside, they keep the air conditioning on all day indoors. It is important to open windows frequently for ventilation, as good indoor ventilation can improve one’s mood by allowing for better air circulation and oxygen flow. This can prevent drowsiness during the day and improve sleep quality at night.

5. Drink Plenty of Water

It is important to drink plenty of water, preferably warm water, as this helps maintain adequate hydration levels and prevents fatigue while improving metabolism. Drinking water is also the simplest way to refresh one’s mind and eliminate fatigue, dizziness, and sleepiness.

6. Seek Medical Attention Promptly

If you experience a high fever or severe chest pain or have been coughing for a long time without improvement. it is important that you seek medical attention from a qualified physician instead of self-medicating.

Note: Some herbs mentioned above may be unfamiliar, but many are available in health food and Asian grocery stores. In addition, each person’s body type is different, so the corresponding treatment method is also different. Please consult a doctor for specific treatment options.