LongCovid [+ CFS/ME]

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Thread by @BlakeMMurdoch on Thread Reader App
Thread by @BlakeMMurdoch on Thread Reader App
@BlakeMMurdoch: RETRACTION: The @JAMAPediatrics study claiming “strikingly low” incidence of Long Covid (PCC) in kids, retracted due to multiple errors whereby incidence was underestimated by a factor over 2.5. But ...…
·threadreaderapp.com·
Thread by @BlakeMMurdoch on Thread Reader App
What is POTS, the disease affecting Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky?
What is POTS, the disease affecting Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky?
After nearly a decade of keeping it under wraps, Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky has shared her POTS diagnosis with the world. Experts discussed details of the disorder.
"reclined aerobic exercise, such as swimming, and strengthening your core, can provide relief." Seeking care from a cardiologist and a physical therapist is essential,
"Things like proper hydration, extra electrolytes, and being able to keep cool can also help manage symptoms,"
The disease can often cause a flu-like feeling after exercise, something called post-exertional malaise/post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PEM/PESE).
"This can pose an issue in the sense of rigorous exercise for an Olympic athlete — or in other cases, exertion may be as simple as getting out of bed and walking to the kitchen."
·yahoo.com·
What is POTS, the disease affecting Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky?
Comparison of Electrolyte Supplements for Dysautonomia
Comparison of Electrolyte Supplements for Dysautonomia
Intended Audience: Patients seen in the Tulane Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Clinic, who have been diagnosed with Dysautonomia or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and patients who have been instructed by their provider to consume oral electrolyte supplementation.   Article by Catherine Kingry, MD Many patients seen in the Tulane Hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Clinic experience some degree
·fasciainstitute.org·
Comparison of Electrolyte Supplements for Dysautonomia
What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic
What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic
Millions of people now live with the debilitating disorder, which can be triggered by viral illnesses like COVID-19. And many say the recommended treatment—exercise—has backfired.
For patients with PEM, pushing past their physical limits—often encouraged in POTS recovery exercise protocols—can lead to major crashes. As a result, many patients with POTS and ME/CFS report being given inappropriate guidance on exercise, the consequences of which can be severe.
Although exercise is considered to be a first-line treatment for POTS, in a survey of long COVID patients 89.5 percent of patients reported relapses after exertion, while other patients report difficulties with following some of the exercise protocols. As a result, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence cautions against using graded exercise therapy for treating post-COVID fatigue.
As a recent study has shown, although the majority of POTS patients use non-pharmaceutical treatments, such as exercise, to manage their symptoms, they are not as effective as pharmaceutical treatments. Still, many patients report being expected to prove that exercise alone is not enough to treat their symptoms, before their doctors will consider putting them on medication.
“A lot of doctors think that salt, fluid, and exercise is the only treatment patients need,” says Lauren Stiles, the founder of Dysautonomia International and a research professor in neurology at SUNY Stony Brook, who developed POTS in 2010. “That is very outdated thinking.”
However, just as with any medication, there are nuances to the benefits of exercise, whether it’s figuring out the right amount and intensity, or screening for conditions that are often associated with POTS, for which exercise may be contraindicated. For other conditions, such as ME/CFS, exercise can lead to debilitating crashes.
·nationalgeographic.com·
What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and COVID-19: Harmless companions or disease intensifier?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and COVID-19: Harmless companions or disease intensifier?
The pandemics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) coexist. Elevated liver function tests are frequent in COVID-19 and may influence liver damage in NAFLD, while preexisting liver damage from NAFLD may influence ...
Elevated liver function tests are frequent in COVID-19 and may influence liver damage in NAFLD,
In a comprehensive review, it was shown that COVID-19 leads to elevations in liver enzymes in approximately 17%-58% of patients[19]
·ncbi.nlm.nih.gov·
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and COVID-19: Harmless companions or disease intensifier?
The impact of COVID-19 on liver injury in various age
The impact of COVID-19 on liver injury in various age
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. This disease is currently one of the most important global health problems. The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, that has caused a ...
Liver dysfunction has been reported in 54% of hospitalized patients affected by COVID-19 disease, most of which are more severe in COVID-19[11]. Liver injuries have been documented in patients affected by COVID-19, and commonly have mild increasing liver enzymes range from 14% to 53%[12]. Patients with severe disease, especially those hospitalized in ICU, have shown a higher increase in transaminase enzymes than patients with mild to moderate severity[13]. Furthermore, few studies investigated the dynamic change of liver function during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, no study to date has documented the incidence of a simultaneous increase in liver transaminases and total bilirubin levels in COVID-19 patients[14].
Some extrapulmonary involvement of SARS-CoV-2 disease is in organs like the liver, heart, or kidneys[10]. Many studies throughout the world have demonstrated that the liver is injured to differing degrees in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 disease[8,9].
·ncbi.nlm.nih.gov·
The impact of COVID-19 on liver injury in various age
Long COVID: a clinical update
Long COVID: a clinical update
Post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID) is generally defined as symptoms persisting for 3 months or more after acute COVID-19. Long COVID can affect multiple organ systems and lead to severe and protracted impairment of function as a result of organ damage. The burden of this disease, both on the individual and on health systems and national economies, is high. In this interdisciplinary Review, with a coauthor with lived experience of severe long COVID, we sought to bring together multiple streams of literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology (including the hypothesised mechanisms of organ damage), lived experience and clinical manifestations, and clinical investigation and management of long COVID.
·thelancet.com·
Long COVID: a clinical update
What is POTS and why is it more common now?
What is POTS and why is it more common now?
The condition affecting young women
There has been a recent slew of diagnoses in teens and adults who were otherwise healthy.
extreme fatigue, dizziness, headache, inability to exercise and some are unable to work
In addition, some POTS patients also have a "condition called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which is characterized by post-exertional malaise (PEM) — a situation in which symptoms worsen after exercise,"
·theweek.com·
What is POTS and why is it more common now?
What is POTS? And how is it related to long COVID?
What is POTS? And how is it related to long COVID?
Everyday tasks, such as washing your hair, become impossible.
Now, more research is showing how long COVID resembles POTS. Many people with long COVID show similar symptoms.
Increasing fluid and salt intake (under the supervision of your GP), and using full-length compression tights is recommended. These help control heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce dizziness.
Avoiding triggers is important. These include avoiding standing still for extended periods, hot showers, large meals high in carbohydrates, and hot environments.
·theconversation.com·
What is POTS? And how is it related to long COVID?
Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A brief review
Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A brief review
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has been recognized since at least 1940. A review of the literature identifies differences in the definition for this condition and wide variations in treatment and outcomes. This syndrome appears to describe ...
The levels of renin and aldosterone in some POTS sufferers are found to be low. These hormones increase plasma volume by promoting sodium retention.[25] Thus, increasing sodium intake by taking salt tablets or an electrolyte solution helps expand blood volume, which will alleviate the hypotension some POTS patients suffer.
Conversely, a randomized, crossover, controlled study showed low-dose oral propranolol significantly benefited POTS patients by attenuating tachycardia and improving their symptoms.
5.6. Ivabradine Due to the presence of sinus tachycardia in some POTS patients, usage of a sinus node blocker, in particular, Ivabradine, was reported to improve their symptoms. Ivabradine may be preferable to beta-blockers as it reduces the heart rate without sexual disturbance, negative ionotropic effects and vasodilation, which are commonly associated with beta-blocker.[37]
5.10. NSAIDs POTS patients who suffer postprandial hypotension might benefit from ibuprofen or indomethacin[50] since these medications reduce prostaglandin effects, hence blocking its effect in decreasing blood pressure.[51
·ncbi.nlm.nih.gov·
Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A brief review
Electrolytes for POTS and Dysautonomia: A Comprehensive Guide - EDS Nutrition
Electrolytes for POTS and Dysautonomia: A Comprehensive Guide - EDS Nutrition
The guide on electrolytes and POTS: why they help people with POTS, how much people need, and which electrolyte supplements are best
First, it’s easy to make the mistake of assuming that a certain amount of salt is equal to a certain amount of sodium! Salt is 50% sodium because it’s made up of 50% sodium and 50% chloride ions. So, 1 teaspoon of salt is technically half a teaspoon of sodium
here are about 2,325 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon of salt.
recommends that people with POTS have about 3,000-10,000 milligrams of sodium per day
·edsnutrition.com·
Electrolytes for POTS and Dysautonomia: A Comprehensive Guide - EDS Nutrition
Dysautonomia International: Lifestyle Adaptations for POTS
Dysautonomia International: Lifestyle Adaptations for POTS
There are a number of non-pharmacological treatments and lifestyle adaptations that may help POTS patients reduce and cope with their symptoms. The following are a list of the most commonly recommended measures. It is important to remember that treatment, pharmacological or non-pharmacological, should be individualized as POTS patients may react differently to treatments depending on POTS subtype and individual responses.1 Speak with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan. Increase Fluid and Salt Intake It is often recommended to increase both fluid and salt intake in order to increase blood volume, which is typically low in POTS patients. This has proven to be particularly helpful in patients with blood pooling, hypovolemia, or hypotension.2 Except for the hyperadrenergic subtype of POTS, a fluid intake of approximately two liters and an intake of three to five grams of salt is typically recommended per day.3 Note that salt includes sodium and chloride. One gram of table salt contains approximately .393 grams (393 milligrams) of sodium. That means that five grams of salt contains approximately 1.965 grams (1965 milligrams) of sodium. This number can be useful when tracking salt in food with nutrition labels, which often list sodium content. Smaller Meals After eating a large meal, much of our blood is redirected to aid in the digestion process, which, for POTS patients, can increase symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended to eat several smaller meals throughout the day in lieu of two or three large ones.2 Lower Carbs/Lean Protein Patient who notice a worsening of symptoms after eating may want to try consuming fewer simple carbohydrates (like refined sugars and flours) and consuming healthy protein with each meal (such as skinned chicken breasts, salmon, skim milk or low fat yogurt). Examine Your Reaction To Gluten Patients who have gastrontestinal symptoms may want to speak to their doctor about getting tested for Celiac Disease. Some of the blood tests for Celiac Disease require the person to have been eating gluten for several weeks prior to the test, so don't switch to a gluten free diet until you have spoken with your doctor about a possible Celiac blood test. Even if you don't have Celiac Disease, there appears to be a second group of people who have non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. There is no definitive test for this, so the best way to determine if non-Celiac gluten sensitivity is causing or contributing to your gastointenstinal symptoms is to eat a gluten free diet on a trial basis. Some individuals notice a benefit within a short period of time, while other people take about two or three months to notice a benefit. Of course, some people do not notice a benefit or change in symptoms at all when avoiding gluten. Examine Your Reaction To Dairy Similar to gluten, some individuals have a lactose intolerance, while others can have a true allergy to milk protein. Some POTS patients report feeling less symptomatic consuming fewer or no dairy products. Note, if you do have a lactose intolerance, you can still consume some dairy products that contain little or no lactose depending on your sensitivity. There are also supplements available now that contain the lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose containing dairy products (such as Lactaid). If you eliminate dairy from your diet, be sure to include another healthy source of calcium in your diet. Examine Your Reaction to Caffeine Caffeine is helpful to some POTS patients and exacerbates symptoms in others. It is therefore useful to figure out if it helps you or if you should avoid it.4 Avoid Alcohol Alcohol can worsen symptoms for POTS patients. Alcohol is dehydrating and can lead to increased hypotension through dilation of the veins and thus should be avoided by most POTS patients.5 6 Elevate Head During Sleep It is recommended to slightly elevate the patient's head during sleep. This is done in order to help (re)condition the patient's body to orthostatic stress,6 and this can also help patients that may be experiencing gastric motility problems that result in acid reflux or G.E.R.D. The best way to do this is to raise the head of the bed with a few bricks or large books. A wedge pillow is not very helpful for this. Elevating the whole body and having the feet be lower than the hip area is needed to get the intended benefit. A wedge pillow only elevates the shoulders and head, but does nothing to change the position of the hips or the lower legs. Try Compression Garments Compression support hose and abdominal binders can be helpful for some POTS patients by lessening the peripheral venous pooling and hypotension.6 The most effective compression hose are 30 mm Hg of ankle counter pressure and go waist high.3 There are many different varieties such as closed toe and open toe, knee high and waist high. All varieties are available for each gender and may be subsidized through some insurance plans as a durable medical good with a doctor's script. There are new variety of colors and patterns available for the fashion conscious patient. Some brands are more comfortable and breathable than others, so don't give up on compression stockings simply because the first pair you try are not comfortable. Getting a professional fitting at a medical supply store may help, and you may even be allowed to try on a few pairs before purchasing them. Exercise Exercise should be considered an essential part of treatment for almost all POTS patients. Reclined aerobic exercise, such as swimming, rowing and recumbent bicycling, as well as strengthening of the abdomen and legs, have been found to be most beneficial.3 See Exercises for Dysautonomia Patients for more information. Counter-Maneuvers Counter-maneuvers such as tensing the leg muscles or crossing your legs while standing have been shown to reduce symptoms of postural stress, cerebral perfusion, and oxygenation.7 This rarely stops POTS from acting, but may reduce symptoms and/or slow the effects of standing down. If you are feeling faint or very dizzy, sit or lay down to prevent injury from a fall. Scheduling POTS may require you to reduce your activity load, get more sleep, and change your schedule. It is helpful to plan activities for the time of day that is best for you; for many POTS patients, the morning is particularly difficult.5 It is also helpful to keep your schedule flexible as symptoms can flare-up without much notice or forewarning. Morning Routine As previously stated mornings can be especially symptomatic times for many POTS patients. There are a few things you can do to help mitigate these symptoms. It is helpful to drink a large glass of water or other hydrating fluid before you get up in the morning.6 It is also recommended to break down the standing up process into stages: supine to seated to standing.1 Avoid Prolonged Standing It is important to avoid prolonged standing as standing precipitates a worsening of POTS symptoms in most patients. If you must stand for a long time, try flexing and squeezing your feet, leg and gluteus maxiumus muscles, or shifting your weight from one foot to the other. The more you can move your lower half while standing, the better your blood will pump back to your heart. Showering Use of a shower chair can be very helpful for some patients, as it eliminates the need to stand, making showering less likely to trigger an exacerbation of POTS symptoms. It is also helpful to use lukewarm water as either hot or cold can trigger POTS symptoms. Some patients also find it better to shower just before bed, since showering can leave some POTS patinets very tired. Another technique is to avoid putting your hands above your head to wash your hair, by bending forwards and flipping your head upside down in the shower, as if you were washing your hair in the sink. This can help ward off orthostatic symptoms while allowing you to wash your hair. Disability Parking Placard Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be eligible for a disability parking placard, which for some can mean the difference between being able to partake in more daily activities and not by shortening the walk. The requirements and forms vary by state and can be located on your state's DMV website. Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair POTS may make some patients bed or wheelchair-bound.8 While it is important to try to exercise as much as your physical condition allows you to, the inability to stand or walk very far does not have to preclude you from all daily activities. In such cases, a wheelchair or mobility scooter can be very helpful for POTS patients to engage in daily life activities even while very sick or while having a flare-up. Maintaining an Even Temperature It is important for POTS patients to maintain an even temperature as extremes, particularly heat, can exacerbate symptoms.8 Air conditioning, body cooling vests, sun shirts, handheld misters/personal fans, hats, layers in case of temperature fluctuation, and quick drying clothing and sheets can all be helpful in maintaining an even temperature. Some patients use an old fashioned bag of frozen peas as an ice pack during extreme heat. The peas mold to the body, and can be used and re-frozen over and over again (but don't accidentally eat them after they have been thawed and refrozen!). Find Your Triggers POTS symptoms can be exacerbated by a variety of situations and activities. It's helpful to find out what exacerbates your symptoms so you can avoid or mitigate a flare-up and plan ahead. Have A Go Bag Since POTS patients may use many tools to help manage their symtoms, it can be challenging getting packed to leave the house. Sometimes just gathering all of your things together can be exhausting in itself, leaving you less energy to enjoy whatever activity you were going to attend. It may be helpful to have a large purse or knapsack containing all of the items you are likely to ne
This has proven to be particularly helpful in patients with blood pooling, hypovolemia, or hypotension
Examine Your Reaction to Caffeine Caffeine is helpful to some POTS patients and exacerbates symptoms in others. It is therefore useful to figure out if it helps you or if you should avoid it.4
There are a few things you can do to help mitigate these symptoms. It is helpful to drink a large glass of water or other hydrating fluid before you get up in the morning.6 It is also recommended to break down the standing up process into stages: supine to seated to standing.1
Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair POTS may make some patients bed or wheelchair-bound.8 While it is important to try to exercise as much as your physical condition allows you to, the inability to stand or walk very far does not have to preclude you from all daily activities. In such cases, a wheelchair or mobility scooter can be very helpful for POTS patients to engage in daily life activities even while very sick or while having a flare-up.
Some patients use an old fashioned bag of frozen peas as an ice pack during extreme heat. The peas mold to the body, and can be used and re-frozen over and over again (but don't accidentally eat them after they have been thawed and refrozen!).
water bottle, your salty snack, your medications and your hand held fan
Since many EMTs and ER doctors do not know what POTS is, you may want to list it as "POTS/autonomic dysfunction.
·dysautonomiainternational.org·
Dysautonomia International: Lifestyle Adaptations for POTS
Salt and Dysautonomia
Salt and Dysautonomia
Salt and dysautonomia go hand and hand for many autonomic disorder patients. Learn more about this nonpharmacological treatment.
In POTS patients, low blood pressure and tachycardia are common. Doctors have recommended increasing sodium intake to address concerns such as hypovolemia (low blood volume) and elevated plasma norepinephrine that contribute to tachycardia. In 2021, the Journal of American College of Cardiology published a study on the effect of high dietary sodium intake in patients with POTS. It suggests that increasing sodium intake can reduce POTS symptoms including increased heart rate when standing and increasing norepinephrine (pre-adrenaline) levels.  * Hypovolemia: A condition in which the volume of blood plasma is low. This causes rapid heartbeat, weak pulse, confusion, and sometimes loss of consciousness.
(approximately two teaspoons)
it’s recommended that patients also consume 2-4 liters of fluid daily (up to half should be electrolyte rich. Ex. Gatorade, juice, lemonade, and electrolyte supplements).
·thedysautonomiaproject.org·
Salt and Dysautonomia
Water Ingestion in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Feasible Treatment Option?
Water Ingestion in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Feasible Treatment Option?
Blue: Is this also true for patient with PEM?
Hypovolemia or excessive lower-extremity and splanchnic venous pooling results in inadequate venous return, which may possibly explain some of the manifestations of POTS
In some POTS patients with concomitant conditions causing MAST cell activation, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and rash may also be present.
Low intravascular volume can be clinically diagnosed by the presence of dry mucosa; a narrow upright pulse pressure; and concentrated urine despite adequate water ingestion, which may be suggestive of insensible fluid and electrolyte loss. As such, avoiding overheating,
nonselective β-blocker (propranolol23) or ivabradine24
In the present case, Ziffra et al. report a fairly novel strategy of acute water (eight ounces) ingestion for heart rate reduction and symptom amelioration in POTS patients. This appears to be an effective, simple, easy, and safe strategy to implement.
POTS is defined as an increase in the heart rate of ≥ 30 bpm, within 10 minutes of standing, in the absence of orthostatic hypotension
POTS is sometimes associated with chronic fatigue syndrome
n the clinical setting, tachycardia was reproduced with an upright posture, confirming the diagnosis of POTS. Acute water ingestion performed in the clinic setting demonstrated reproducible suppression of her upright tachycardia based on real-time loop-recorder interrogation.
Interestingly, in this same study, the use of a clear soup had a worse outcome on orthostatic tolerance in both multiple system atrophy and POTS patients.
Exercise in a recumbent or semirecumbent position for 20 minutes to 30 minutes three times a week has been proven to be effective in improving orthostatic tolerance.
The current guidelines consider recommending a daily ingestion of 10 g to 12 g of sodium and 2 L to 3 L of water.1
In the present case, there was immediate positive feedback that suggested acute water ingestion improved the patient’s upright heart rate and, presumably, her symptoms. However, a question remains—was this enough positive feedback to encourage repeated water ingestion before standing and continued long-term improvement?
In patients without syncope, smartwatches, rather than implanted monitors, would allow patients to see the real-time the effects of a simple intervention, thereby providing enough positive feedback to encourage long-term compliance with nonpharmacologic recommendations. Using smartwatches in the management of POTS is a potential application of this technology not previously entertained. Whether this will be adapted for future research or not, however, remains to be seen.
·ncbi.nlm.nih.gov·
Water Ingestion in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Feasible Treatment Option?
Behandeling van ME/CVS en Long Covid met Low Dose Naltrexon
Behandeling van ME/CVS en Long Covid met Low Dose Naltrexon
Behandeling van ME/CVS en Long COVID met Lage Doses NaltrexonNaast auto-immuunziekten is er ook interesse in het gebruik van lage doses naltrexon (LDN) voor de behandeling van het chronisch vermoeidheidssyndroom (ME/CVS) en Long COVID. Hoewel de exacte oorzaak van ME/CVS en Long COVID nog niet volledig begrepen is, wordt gedacht dat immuun disregulatie en ontsteking
·cvsmemc.nl·
Behandeling van ME/CVS en Long Covid met Low Dose Naltrexon
Exercise
Exercise
In this video we describe exercise and how it is not the right medicine for many people living with Long COVID and other complex chronic and energy limiting conditions like ME/CFS.
·youtube.com·
Exercise
MortenGroupOxford op X: 'Could an upset liver be a key clue in ME/CFS? Our recent results using a large metabolomics screen of 250 plasma samples from ME/CFS, MS and healthy controls has identified a consistent liver issue in mild, mod and severe patients. See last slide https://t.co/BgVo3uD5Lj #pwme' / X
MortenGroupOxford op X: 'Could an upset liver be a key clue in ME/CFS? Our recent results using a large metabolomics screen of 250 plasma samples from ME/CFS, MS and healthy controls has identified a consistent liver issue in mild, mod and severe patients. See last slide https://t.co/BgVo3uD5Lj #pwme' / X
Our recent results using a large metabolomics screen of 250 plasma samples from ME/CFS, MS and healthy controls has identified a consistent liver issue in mild, mod and severe patients. See last slide — MortenGroupOxford (@OxMEDiscovery)
Could an upset liver be a key clue in ME/CFS? Our recent results using a large metabolomics screen of 250 plasma samples from ME/CFS, MS and healthy controls has identified a consistent liver issue in mild, mod and severe patients. See last slide https://bit.ly/3OvT6jy
·twitter.com·
MortenGroupOxford op X: 'Could an upset liver be a key clue in ME/CFS? Our recent results using a large metabolomics screen of 250 plasma samples from ME/CFS, MS and healthy controls has identified a consistent liver issue in mild, mod and severe patients. See last slide https://t.co/BgVo3uD5Lj #pwme' / X
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) | Circulation
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) | Circulation
eLetters should relate to an article recently published in the journal and are not a forum for providing unpublished data. Comments are reviewed for appropriate use of tone and language. Comments are not peer-reviewed. Acceptable comments are posted to the journal website only. Comments are not published in an issue and are not indexed in PubMed. Comments should be no longer than 500 words and will only be posted online. References are limited to 10. Authors of the article cited in the comment will be invited to reply, as appropriate.
Her episodes of tachycardia were primarily associated with upright posture. In addition to rapid palpitations, she complained of lightheadedness and presyncope on standing, intermittent stabbing chest pains (typically on standing), mental clouding with an inability to concentrate, severe fatigue, and exercise intolerance. Orthostatic vital signs recorded a supine heart rate (HR) of 73 bpm with a blood pressure (BP) of 103/72 mm Hg. After standing for 1 minute, her HR increased to 106 bpm with a BP of 109/80 mm Hg, and after 5 minutes, her HR was 122 bpm with a BP of 118/75 mm Hg. She was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that can produce substantial disability among previously healthy people. Patients with POTS demonstrate an HR increase of ≥30 bpm within 10 minutes of standing (or higher in children), are often hyperadrenergic, and tend to have a low blood volume. Therapies targeting the hypovolemia and the excess sympathetic nervous system activation may help relieve symptoms.
Exercise has routinely been recommended as part of the treatment regimen for many years. Unfortunately, POTS patients report feeling debilitated for days after exertion, limiting compliance. Anecdotally, patients who exercise seem to have a better long-term prognosis, but it is not certain if this is a result of the exercise or of their ability to exercise.
·ahajournals.org·
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) | Circulation
Clinical Effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Results of a Preliminary Study
Clinical Effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Results of a Preliminary Study
Anatomical and physiological considerations indicate that the oral cavity is a primary source of the lung microbiota community, and recent studies have shown that the microbiota in the lungs contributes to immunological homeostasis, potentially altering ...
·ncbi.nlm.nih.gov·
Clinical Effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Results of a Preliminary Study
Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies
Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented morbidity, mortality and global disruption. Following the initial surge of infections, focus shifted to managing the longer-term sequelae of illness in survivors. ‘Post-acute COVID’ ...
Fluid and salt repletion Ensuring fluid repletion (2–3 litres water per day and avoiding caffeine and alcohol) and ensuring one to two teaspoons of salt supplementation per day helps maintain plasma volume and avoid hypovolaemia.
·ncbi.nlm.nih.gov·
Autonomic dysfunction in ‘long COVID’: rationale, physiology and management strategies
Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction: What Do We Know?
Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction: What Do We Know?
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or long COVID syndrome, is emerging as a major health issue in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms commonly experienced by patients include fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance, and “brain fog”. Additionally, symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and syncope suggest the involvement of the autonomic nervous system. Signs of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction appear to be common in PASC and are similar to those observed in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and inappropriate sinus tachycardia. In this review, we report on the epidemiology of PASC, discuss current evidence and possible mechanisms underpinning the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, and suggest nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions to treat and relieve symptoms of PASC-associated dysautonomia.
Hypovolemia has been widely recognized in PASC patients with dysautonomic features [25,52]. Hypovolemia may trigger hyperadrenergic POTS and lead to cerebral hypoperfusion and the impairment of central autonomic networks [56]. Preliminary evidence on post-COVID POTS supports the correction of hypovolemia by the liberal intake of water and salt
·mdpi.com·
Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction: What Do We Know?
Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – the picture is unsettling
Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – the picture is unsettling
A new study finds the risks of developing long COVID declined over the first two years of the pandemic. But unvaccinated adults were more than twice as likely to get long COVID compared with those who were vaccinated.
·theconversation.com·
Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – the picture is unsettling
False divisions and dubious equivalencies
False divisions and dubious equivalencies
This chapter examines the causes and consequences of the current crisis in children’s rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically how and why children’s fundamental rights to life, health, and safety are besieged in the context of education and schooling. It scrutinizes the laissez-faire pandemic response of minimal mitigations in comparative global perspective, with the United States exemplifying this model and faring worst among peer nations, alongside the United Kingdom and Sweden. Using an intersectional framework regarding systemic inequities, it analyzes policies regarding school reopenings and pandemic mitigations through a review of relevant news media, surveys, statistical data, and public discourse. The master narrative regarding childhood education during the pandemic has created false divisions and dubious equivalencies between different sets of children’s rights to justify in-person schooling with inadequate mitigations. Political officials, economic elites, contrarian “experts,” and aligned technocrats advanced laissez-faire policy fueled by disinformation campaigns, moral panic, and political violence, to overpower scientific consensus, public opinion, and human rights, which disproportionately harms working-class and racial minority children.
·manchesterhive.com·
False divisions and dubious equivalencies