COVID-19

Long-Haul Symptoms

Introduction	Current Variant	Rash
ATP	Long Haul COVID	Sleep
Adenosine	Allergies	Sodium
Citocoline	Blood Sugar	Taste & Smell
HMB	Cysts	Tremors
Phosphorus	Eyes	Vaccine
Ribose	Hearing	Summary
Alpha COVID	Kidney Disease	Shopping
Omicron COVID	Lymphedema

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Introduction

This webpage contains information I have collected about the "long haul" effects of COVID-19
I am interested in the subject because of the following:
- I have a Master's Degree in Chemistry, and can understand medical/research journals
- My COVID-19 history
  - Took the J&J vaccine in March
  - Contracted the Alpha (original?) version in May, and experienced long-haul symtoms
  - Contracted the Delta version in early fall
  - Took the J&J booster in December
  - Contracted the Omicron version in January
- I have a personal interest in "curing" my long-haul symptoms
This webpage should NOT be considered medical advice; it is just a collection of information
First, I will give you some basic information about some interesting chemicals
and symptoms, then I will relate them to long-haul COVID

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ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

ATP is the "universal" energy molecule in the body.
Adenosine Triphosphate @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
- ATP provides energy to drive many processes in living cells
- ATP is found in all known forms of life
- ATP is the "molecular unit of currency" in intracellular energy transfer
- Chemical processes regenerate ATP so that the human body recycles
  ITS OWN BODY WEIGHT worth of ATP each day; this is equivalent to a
  recycling rate of 1000-1500 times during a single day
- ATP is a precursor to DNA and RNA, and is used as a coenzyme
- ATP is composed on a nitrogenous base (adenine), the sugar ribose, and
  the triphosphate (the ATP molecule is shown above)
- ATP is also used in a form of signal transduction which is particularly important
  in brain function
- ADT is one of four monomers that are required in the synthesis of RNA
- ADT serves as a neurotransmitter in many parts of the nervous system
Adenosine @ draxe.com (01/22)
- Copper is essential for the synthesis of ATP
Adenosine and Sleep @ verywellhealth.com (01/22)

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Adenosine

Adenosine @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
- It consists of adenine attached to a ribose molecule
- It is one of the four building blocks of DNA and RNA
- Caffeine acts as an antagonist for adenosine receptors in the brain;
  this is true for coffee, tea, and chocolate
- Adenosine modulates many physiological processes
- In times of stress or injury, adenosine helps to prevent tissue damage
- Adenosine promotes the thickening of hair on people with thinning hair
- The principal component of THC induces sleep by increasing adenosine levels in
  the basal forebrain
Adenine @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
- Adenosine is adenine reacted with ribose, as used to form RNA and ATP
- Deoxyadenosine is adenine attached to deoxyribose, as used to form DNA
- In older literature, adenine was sometimes called Vitamin B4
- Two vitamins (niacin and riboflavin) bind with adenine to form essential cofactors
Vitamin B4 - Adenine @ caasn.com (01/22)
- It is a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and the three coenzymes --
  NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), NADH (a reduced form of NAD) and
  FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide)
- Brewer's (nutritional) yeast is the best food source of vitamin B4
- NAD (25-75 mg/day) is usually taken on an empty stomach; sometimes it is
  combined with 200 mg of ribose
Adenosine and Sleep @ verywellhealth.com (03/22)
- It forms ATP and ADP, and is an neurotransmitter within the brain
- Adenosine affects the initiation of sleep
- It acts as a depressant and inhibits many processes associated with wakefulness
- High levels of adenosine cause sleep
- Caffeine blocks your brain's adenosine processing, and sleep is inhibited
- The rate of adenosine metabolism seems to determine the quality of deep sleep
Adenosine @ youtube.com (good lecture) (03/22)
What is Vitamin B4 by Dr. Berg @ youtube.com (01/22)

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Citocoline

Citocoline @ wikipedia.org (01/23)
- Citocoline, also known as CDP-Choline
- Is an intermediate in the generation of phsophatidylcholine from choline
- Citicoline hydrolizes into choline and cytidine in the intestine
- When these cross the blood-brain barrier, it is reformed into citicoline
- Supplementation with citicoline can increase the amount of choline available
  in the brain
- Citicoline may increase the levels of neurotransmitters
- Citicoline may improve focus and attention
- Citicoline lowers increased glutamate concentrations in the brain
- Citicoline is water soluble, with more than 90% oral bioavailability
- Clinical doses of 2000 mg/day have been observed and approved
- Minor adverse effects are stomach pain and diarrhea
Neuroprotective Properties of Citicoline @ nih.gov (01/23)
- Usual daily therapeutic dosage of citicoline is 500-2,000 mg/day
- Citicoline stimulates the synthesis and increase in brain phsopholipids
- Citicoline is effective in certain slowly developing neurodegenerative
  diseases
- Citicoline is much less toxic that choline
Citicoline and COVID-19 Related Cognitive Complications @ nih.gov (01/23)
Endothelian Barrier Dysfunction can be Ameliorated by Citicoline @ nih.gov (01/23)
Citicoline and COVID-19: vis-a-vis conjectured @ nih.gov (01/23)
Effects of CDP-Citicoline on Coronavirus Replication @ aspengreymd.com (01/23)
Neuroprotective Effects of Citicoline on Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown @ nih.gov (01/23)
How This Doctor is Managing COVID-19 At Home @ brandrew.medium.com (01/23)
- He recommends Vit A, Vit C, Vit D, NAC, Quercetin, Selenium, Zinc and Citicoline
- He suggests 1000 mg Citicoline twice a day
- Citicoline will inhibit PLA2
- COVID-19 hijacks the PLA2 of invaded cells
- Inhibiting PLA2 impairs coronavirus replication
- Citicoline increases the secretion of surfactant in the lungs
A Secret Weapon Against COVID-19 @ zizania.com (01/23)
Organichemusic @ twitter.com (01/23)
I have COVID @ pharmd.substack.com (01/23)
- Sleep supplements that may also reduce the severity of COVID
  - Melatonin
  - Herbal tincture (valerian, passionflower, chamomile, hops strobile, and anise)
  - Diphenhydramine (last resort for sleep; e.g., Nytol)
- Lactoferrin
- EGCG (antioxidant found in green tea)
- EPA (omega-3 fatty acid)
- Paxlovid
- Mattokinase (safer alternative to aspirin)
- Metformin (gets an honorable mention)
- Metformin and berbine are similar in effect, but have different structures
- Metformin and Berberine @ nih.gov (01/23)

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HMB (Hydroxymethylbutyrate) and L-Leucine

HMB
- HMB @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  - It is a naturally produced substance that is used to promote wound healing and
    to provide support for people with muscle wasting due to cancer or HIV/AIDS
  - In healthy people, HMB will increase exercise-induced gains in muscle size,
    muscle strength, and lean body mass; it will also reduce damage from exercise
    and expedite recovery from exercise.
  - HMB supplementation helps to preserve or increase lean body mass and muscle
    strength in people exerpiencing age-related muscle loss.
  - HMB stimulates the production of proteins and inhibits the breakdown of proteins
    in muscle tissue.
  - No adverse effects from long-term use have been found.
  - HMB is sold as a dietary supplement at a cost of about US$30 50 per month
    when taking 3 grams per day.
  - HMB is also contained in several nutritional products, including certain
    formulations of Ensure, Juven, and Myoplex.
  - HMB is also present in insignificant quantities in certain foods, such as alfalfa,
    asparagus, avocados, cauliflower, grapefruit, and catfish.
  - Since only a small fraction of HMB's metabolic precursor, l-leucine, is
    metabolized into HMB, pharmacologically active concentrations of the
    compound in blood plasma and muscle can only be achieved by supplementing
    HMB directly.
  - A healthy adult produces approximately 0.3 grams per day, while supplemental
    HMB is usually taken in doses of 3 6 grams per day.
  - HMB does not appear to significantly affect fat mass in older adults.
  - HMB is eliminated via the kidneys, with roughly 10 40% of an ingested dose
    being excreted unchanged in urine.
  - HMB is synthesized in the human body through the metabolism of l-leucine,
    a branched-chain amino acid. In healthy individuals, approximately 60% of dietary
    l-leucine is metabolized after several hours, with roughly 5% (2 10% range) of
    dietary l-leucine being converted to HMB.
  - During biotin deficiency, HMB can be synthesized from MC-CoA via enoyl-CoA
    hydratase and an unknown thioesterase enzyme.
  - In healthy individuals, a minor pathway is the predominant route of HMB synthesis.
  - In the blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy adults, the average
    molar concentration of HMB has been measured at 4.0 micromolar. The average
    concentration of HMB in the intramuscular fluid of healthy men of ages 21 23 has
    been measured at 7.0 micromolar.
  - In a study where participants consumed 2.42 grams of pure HMB-FA while fasting,
    the average plasma HMB concentration increased from a basal level of 5.1 micromolar
    to 408 micromolar after 30 minutes. At 150 minutes post-ingestion, the average plasma
    HMB concentration among participants was 275 micromolar.
- HMB @ nih.gov (02/22)
  - 38 mg/(kg BM) daily of HMB has been demonstrated to enhance skeletal
    muscle hypertrophy, strength, and power
  - Two forms exist: Calcium HMB (HMB-Ca) and free-acid HMB (HMB-FA)
  - HMB will increase Lean Body Mass and functionality in elderly, sedentary populations
  - HMB is naturally produced in animals and humans from the amino acid Leucine
  - Only 5% of leucine is being converted into HMB
  - The typical dose of HMB is 3 grams per day
- HMB @ webmd.com (01/22)
- Vitamin D status affects strength gains in older adults @ nih.gov (01/22)
- Long Term Effects of HMB and Vitamin D @ nih.gov (01/22)
- HMB and Vitamin D3 Improves Muscle Function @ nutritioninsight.com (01/22)
- Tony Horton video @ nuscledefense.com (01/22)
  - Take 3000 mg HMB and 2,000 IU D3 per day
L-Leucine
- Leucine @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  - Leucine is an essential amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins
  - It is essential in humans, meaning the body cannot synthesize it; it must
    be obtained from the diet
  - A tolerable upper intake for leucine in healthy adult men can be suggested
    at 500 mg/kg/d or 35 g/d under acute dietary conditions
  - In healthy individuals, approximately 60% of dietary l-leucine is metabolized
    after several hours, with roughly 5% (2 10% range) of dietary l-leucine being
    converted to HMB

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Phosphorus

Phosphorus @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
- Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P
- Phosphorus is an element essential to life due to phosphate compounds
- Phosphates are a compoenent of DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipids
Phosphorus for Health Professionals @ ods.od.nih.gov (07/21)
- Phosphorus is a component of bones, teeth, DNA, and RNA
- Phosphorus in seeds is in the form of phytic acid, the storage form of
  phosphorus. Because human intestines lack the phytase enzyme, much
  phosphorus in this form is unavailable for absorption.
- Phosphorus and calcium make up hydroxyapatite
- In the United States, dairy products contribute about 20% of
  total phosphorus intake.
- The absorption rate for the phosphorus naturally contained in food is
  40% 70%; phosphorus from animal sources has a higher absorption rate
  than that from plants.
- In infants, phosphorus bioavailability ranges from 85% 90% for
  human milk to approximately 59% for soy-based formulas.
- Phosphorus is available in dietary supplements. Phosphorus in
  supplements is usually in the form of phosphate salts (e.g.,
  dipotassium phosphate or disodium phosphate) or phospholipids
  (e.g., phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylserine). Products typically
  provide 10% or less of the DV for phosphorus.
- The bioavailability of phosphate salts is approximately 70%.
- High phosphorus intakes rarely produce adverse effects in healthy people.
- Antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide, such as Maalox HRF and Rulox,
  bind phosphorus in the intestines.
Symptoms of Low Phosphorus
- MountSinai.org (01/22)
  - Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety,
    bone pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing,
    irritability, numbness, weakness, and weight change.
- Phosphorus @ homeoint.org (01/22)
  - Symptoms related to low phosphorus
    - Mind: great lowness of spirits, easily vexed, fearfullness, easily startled,
      loss of memory, brain feels tired
    - Head: vertigo, neuralgia, brain fog, losing hair
    - Eyes: eye fatigue, edema of eyes and eye lids

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Ribose

General Information
- Ribose @ wikipedia.org (01/22)
  - Ribose is a simple sugar (C5-H10-O5)
  - The naturally occuring form is D-ribose which is a component of RNA
  - ATP is derived from one ribose, 3 phosphate groups, and an adenine base
  - Ribose is referred to as the "moelcular currency" because it is involved in
    intracellular energy transfers
  - D-ribose has been used in management of heart disease and
    chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis)
- Ribose: Heart, Muscle and Energy Food @ coryholly.com (01/22)
- D-Ribose Article @ endfatigue.com (01/22)
  - Ribose is a constituent of riboflavin (vitamin B2) which helps our cells to
    utilize oxygen
- Four Ways to Maximum the Benefits of D-Ribose (01/2)
D-Ribose & Alzheimer's Disease
- D-Ribose and Alzheimer's (01/22)
D-Ribose & Leg Cramps
- The Cramp Paradox @ torqusa.com (02/22)
  - Could be caused by low calcium concentrations in the muscles
- Other websites suggest low magnesium is to blame
D-Ribose & Long-Haul COVID
- A Possible Approach to Long-Haulers @ nih.gov (02/22)
  - Mitoquinol mesylate (MitoQ)
    - MitoQ @ mitoq.com (02/22)
D-Ribose & Heart Disease
- D-Ribose: Energize Your Heart, Save Your Life @ lef.org (01/22)
D-Ribose & Fibromyalgia
- D-Ribose @ globalsweet.com
  - Ribose is a naturally occurring sugar that helps to generate and recover ATP levels
    (adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the body s primary energy carrying molecule).
  - ATP keeps your heart beating, muscles contracting and cells functioning. High levels
    of cellular energy are required to keep tissues running at peak performance.
  - Reports have also shown that Ribose can lower blood sugar levels.
  - There is no known reason for people developing Fibromyalgia. However we do know that
    people who have this condition also have low ATP levels and a reduced capacity to produce
    ATP in their muscles. Ribose fuels ATP synthesis which reduces muscle pain and enhances
    the quality of life for those suffering with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue.
- DoctorMyhill.co.uk (01/22)
  - D-Ribose @ DoctorMyhill.co.uk (01/22)
  - CFS is Low Output Heart Failure Secondary to Mitochondrial Failure - updated June 2008
    and January 2009 (01/22)
- D-Ribose Improves Pain and Quality of Life @ medicalnewstoday.com (01/19)
- D-Ribose Benefits Restless Legs Syndrome (01/19)

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Alpha Version of COVID (Original Version)

Symptoms of COVID
- Standard list
  - Fever or chills
  - Cough
  - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  - Fatigue
  - Muscle or body aches
  - Headache, vertigo
  - New loss of taste or smell <==
  - Sore throat
  - Congestion or runny nose
  - Nausea or vomiting
  - Diarrhea
- Symptoms of Long COVID @ www.who.int (01/22)
  - Shortness of breath
  - Cognitive dysfunction, which people call brain fog
  - Fatigue
  - Anxiety or depression
  - Muscle aches <==
  - Fever
  - Loss of smell, loss of taste <==
Phosphorus and COVID-19
- Low Serum Calcium and Phosphorus in Detecting COVID-19 Patients @ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (07/21)
  - Low calcium and low phosphorus are more prevalent in severe or critical
    COVID-19 patients than moderate COVID-19 patients
  - Calcium and phosphorus combined with lymphocyte count could obtain the best
    discriminative performance for the severe COVID-19 patients
- SARS-CoV-2: Influence of Phosphate and Magnesium @ journals.physiology.org (07/21)
  - SARS-CoV-2 may induce a cytokine storm that drains ATP whose regeneration
    requires phosphate and Mg
  - Symptoms observed in severe COVID-19 also fit well with those seen in classical
    hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia
  - "We, thus, argue that patients with COVID-19 should be monitored and treated
    for phosphate and Mg deficiencies, ideally already in the early phases of infection."
  - PDF Version of the Article (07/21)
    - Chloroquine is typically supplied as a phosphate salt (12% P), and can
      supply 10%-20% of the recommended dietary intake for phosphate.
- I had almost no sense of taste or smell after my original bout with COVID.
  When I started taking Phosphorus supplements, my taste and smell returned; I also
  had more energy and felt MUCH better.

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Omicron

Symptoms of Omicron
- Top 5 Symptoms of Omicron @ gavi.org (01/22)
  - Runny nose
  - Sore throat and/or cough
  - Lower back pain and myalgia
  - Fatigue and tiredness
- Back-breaking Pain after Omicron Recovery @ livemint.com (01/22)
- One Omicron Symptom that Distinguishes it from the Common Cold @ india.com (01/22)
  - Feeling nauseous as the early stages of infection
  - Along with feeling nauseous comes lower back pain
  - Lower-back pain is one of the most common symptoms; it can be seen in
    double-vaccinated people and people who have taken a booster shot.
I had mild symptoms, but developed back-breaking pain. When I started taking
D-Ribose powder (along with the PHOS-NaK), my pain levels dropped considerably.

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Current COVID Variant

Kraken (Jan 2023)
- What's Kraken, the new XBB.1.5 COVID Variant @ nebraskamed.com (Jan 2023) (01/24)
  - The kraken variant is a descendent of the XBB variant, nicknamed gryphon
  - Gryphon caused large outbreaks in Asia this past fall
  - It was the first documented example of a SARS-CoV-2 variant that evolved
    from two viruses combining genetic information
  - Regions of the United States affected early by kraken are experiencing a
    dramatic acceleration of hospital admissions
  - In persons aged 70 and above, rates are like those seen with the original
    COVID-19 virus and the omicron variant
  - The kraken variant appears to be more resistant to antibodies induced by
    prior infection and vaccines than previous variants
Current COVID Variant (Jan 2024)
- What COVID 19 Variants Are Going Around @ nebraskamed.com (01/24)
  - As of December 2023, transmission is considered uncontrolled
  - Dominant variant nationwide is HV.1 (29.6%), followed by JN.1 (21.4%), and
    EG.5 (8.8%)
  - Subvariants of Omicron are EG.5, XBB1.16.6, and XBB.1.16.11
- COIVD 19 Updates @ unmc.edu (01/24)
  - Updates on JN.1 Variant, Influenze, and RSV @ unmc.edu (01/24)
    - JN.1 appears to be doubling every two weeks
  - JN.1 COVID Variant @ echo360.org (01/24)

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Long-Haul COVID

Comments from real people
- Life as a Long Hauler @ technologynetworks.com (05/23)
- Heidi Moore @ twitter.com (05/23)
- Dan Schwartz @ twitter.com (05/23)
Pathological Sequelae of Long-Haul COVID
- Pathological Sequelae of Long-Haul COVID @ nature.com (08/22)
  - Persistent, prolonged and often debilitating sequelae are increasingly recognized
    in convalescent individuals, named "long-haul COVID"
  - Long-haul COVID is similar to the post-SARS and post-MERS syndromes
  - Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are reported in
    patients with post-COVID syndrome
  - Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain,
    are reported in 15 50% of patients
  - Patients with long COVID report aloss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss,
    altered bowel motility patterns and new or exacerbated irritable bowel syndrome
  - Patients who recovered from COVID-19 also showed significantly higher fasting insulin
    levels, resulting in persistent glycemic abnormalities in 35% of 551 patients for at least
    2 months after COVID-19
  - Up to 20% of patients may complain of persistent hair loss
  - Reports of improved clinical symptoms on administration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in
    patients with post-COVID syndrome have led to suggestions of a viral reservoir in patients
    with post-COVID syndrome
  - SARS-CoV-2 can potentially persist in specific tissues in a manner that would be
    consistent with the persistence of other nonretroviral RNA viruses
Reactivations or Reinfections
- Understanding the Outcomes of COVID-19 @ microbiologyresearch.org (05/22)
  - There is evidence for highly prolonged shedding of COVID-19 in respiratory and faecal
    samples, periodic recurrence of PCR positivity, and instances of reinfection associated
    with a lack of protective immunity
  - Prolonged shedding occurs irrespective of disease severity or development of
    virus-nuetralizing antibodies
  - COVID-19 shares characteristics with other RNA viruses such as hepatitis C; these
    are capable of long-term persistence
  - Initially it was found that COVID-19 shedding occurred for about 17-18 days,
    with 20 days for severe cases.
  - Immunocompetent subject remained PCR-positive for longer than 50 days, and in some
    cases were shedding virus for up to 104 days.
  - There is a frequent reactivation of virus shedding post-COVID-19.
  - Several studies document frequent reactivation after 50 days or longer.
  - Prolonged, reactivations or reinfections all occurred irrespective of the presense
    of neutralizing antibody to COVID-19.
  - The occurrence of prolonged infections was unrelated to the severity of COVID-19.
  - Reinfections iwth COVID-19 can be as pathogenic and prolonged as primary infections.
  - There is evidence for widespread systemic infection in the GI tract, heart, kidneys,
    and central nervous system.
  - A recent study had documented the presense of COVID-19 RNA in the olfactory
    neuroepitheium in patients 110-196 days after COVID-19. These subjects reported
    persistent or intermittent loss of smeel and taste dysfunctions.
  - A large number of coronaviruses are able to establish long-term infections in
    birds, bats, rodments, and domestic and companion animals.
  - A study of human seasonal coronaviruses have found diagnosed virus after 30-40;
    this indicates persistence or reactivation.
- Reactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Follow Recovery from COVID-19 @ sciencedirect.com (05/22)
  - Of the 109 patients, 27% experienced reactivation, and 24% of these were symptomatic
- Antibodies Mimicking the Virus May Explain Long Haul COVID-19, Rare Vaccine Side Effects @ health.ucdavid.edu (05/22)
  - Approximately one in four COVID-19 patients have lingering symptoms, even after
    recovering from the virus
- COVID-19 May Hide in Brains and Cause Relapses @ webmd.com (02/22)
  - The coronavirus may remain in people s brains after infection and trigger relapses
    in patients who thought they had recovered
  - Neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 in Mice @ mdpi.com (02/22)
    - Onset of severe disease in infected mice correlated with peak viral levels
      in the brain
- A Reinfection Red Flag @ erictopol.substack.com (08/22)
Post-COVID Webinar Series
- I: Overview @ youtube.com (01/22)
- II: Post-COVID Symtoms & the Cardiovascular System @ youtube.com (01/22)
- III: Neurologic Complications with Post-COVID Syndrome @ youtube.com (01/22)
- IV: Pulmonary Complications with Post-COVID Syndrome @ youtube.com (01/22)
- V: Hair Loss and Hives @ youtube.com (01/22)
  - Up to 20% of patients have skin findings related to COVID
  - Hives are raised, pale or skin-colored skin swelling, usually associated with redness
  - Lesions come and go and move around
  - COVID causes hair loss (hair shedding) (Telogen effluvium)
- VI: What Happened to My Sense of Smell? @ youtube.com (01/22)
- VII: Brain Fog, Insomnia, and Stress @ youtube.com (01/22)
- VIII: Did COVID Kick You in the Gut? @ youtube.com (01/22)
- IX: Post-COVID Syndrome & Your Primary Care Doctor @ youtube.com (01/22)
Covid-19 Long-Haul Symptoms May be Caused by Changes in Genes @ healthline.com (02/22)
- Spike proteins on the novel coronavirus may alter gene expressions after they
  infect healthy cells
- Novel coronavirus can cause long-term gene expression changes in otherwise
  healthy cells
- SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus
Long COVID Looks a Lot Like Chronic Fatigue @ hopkinsmedicine.org (02/22)
Some Light on Long COVID @ erictopol.substack.com (08/22)
- Levels of cortisol were "uniformly low" among the people with Long Covid
- Long Covid individuals have a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) dysfunction
- Low cortisol has been noted previously with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
- COVID-19 and the Pituitary @ nih.gov (08/22)
- Is There a Role for the Adrenal Glands in Long COVID @ nature.com (08/22)
- HPA Axis Dysfunction/Adrenal Fatigue @ mypuremd.com (08/22)
Long COVID @ harvardmagazine.com (08/22)
Could Low Vitamin D Influence Long-COVID Risk? @ neurosciencenews.com (05/23)

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Allergies

Food Allergies
- Post COVID Food Allergies @ covidcaregroup.org (10/23)
  - Many people with Long COVID are finding that they have new food allergies
    and sensitivities that bring on a lot of obvious allergy symptoms through
    mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
  - There is also the brain-gut connection causing vagus nerve inflammation
    and that ties into depression and anxiety
  - Mayo Clinic lists these anaphylaxis symptoms
    - WHOLE BODY: fainting, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, dizziness, or flushing
    - RESPIRATORY: difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing
    - SKIN: hives, swelling under the skin, blue skin from poor circulation, or rashes
    - GASTROINTESTINAL: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    - ALSO COMMON: tachycardia, fast heart rate, feeling of impending doom, itching,
      tongue swelling, difficulty swallowing, facial swelling, mental confusion,
      nasal congestion, or impaired voice
  - COVID is known to trigger MCAS and histamine over production in Long COVID
  - Many experience new food allergies and sensitivities as a result, wheat and
    gluten being the most common manifestations
- Developing Food Alleriges after Recent COVID @ reddit.com (10/23)
- Food Intolerance or Allergy After COVID @ reddit.com (10/23)
- Food Allergies Post COVID @ youtube.com (10/23)
Fragrance Allergies
- Why are COVID-10 Long-Haulers Developing Fragrance Allergies? @ verywellhealth.com (10/23)

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Blood Sugar Abnormalities

High Blood Sugar, Diabetes
- Can COVID-19 Cause Diabetes? @ goodrx.com (08/22)
- COVID 19 May Trigger Hyperglycemia by Harming Fat Cells @ news.weill.cornell.edu (08/22)
  - COVID-19, can induce hyperglycemia by disrupting fat cells' production of
    adiponectin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels
  - Doctors began finding evidence that COVID-19 is associated with hyperglycemia
    in patients who have no history of diabetes
  - Hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients is mainly caused by insulin resistance, in which
    insulin is present, but the tissues it normally acts upon are no longer sensitive to it
  - COVID-19 ARDS patients had severe declines in blood levels of adiponectin
  - COVID-19 can infect human fat cells
- What's the Link Between Covid and Diabetes? @ bloomberg.com (08/22)
High Blood Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
- Could Artificial Sweeteners Raise Your Blood Sugar @ webmd.com (08/22)
  - Saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame raised blood sugar levels by dramatically changing
    the makeup of the gut microorganisms, mainly bacteria, that are in the intestines
  - Mice who drank artifically-sweetened water had higher blood sugar levels than mice who
    drank sugar water -- no matter what diet the animals ate
  - Mice given artificially sweetened water "were almost diabetic"
  - People who used artificial sweeteners tended to have higher fasting blood sugar levels
    and a forerunner of type 2 diabetes called impaired blood-sugar tolerance
- Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Insulin Resistance @ nih.gov (08/22)
- How Artificial Sweeteners Affect Blood Sugar and Insulin @ healthline.com (08/22)
- How to Artificial Sweeteners Affect My Glucose Levels" @ levelshealth.com (08/22)
- Sucralose Affects Glycemic and Hormonal Responses to an Oral Glucose Load @ nih.gov (08/22)
  - Sucralose augments glucose absorption by increasing intestinal glucose transport
  - Chronic inclusion of NNS in the diet upregulates the expression of sodium-dependent
    glucose transporter isoform 1, which in turn increases the initial rate of Na+-dependent
    glucose uptake, and increases glycemic responses after an oral glucose tolerance test
High Blood Sugar and Vinegar
- Does Vinegar Really Lower Blood Sugar @ levelshealth.com (08/22)
  - The acetic acid in vinegar slows down the rate at which the stomach empties the
    food you ve eaten into the small intestine
  - Vinegar may act on the body s cells, increasing their ability to take in glucose
  - Vinegar may also work to balance blood sugar by interfering with disaccharidases
    (enzymes in the small intestine that break down carbohydrates)
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Diabetes @ meadicalnewstoday.com (08/22)
  - Groups taking apple cider vinegar saw significant improvement in blood glucose
    levels 30 minutes after consuming the vinegar
- Vinegar Comsumption Increases Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake by Forearm Muscle in
  Humans with Type 2 Diabetes @ nih.gov (08/22)
Adiponectin
- How to Increase Adiponectin @ fivejourneys.com (08/22)
  - Fish (or omega-3) oil increased adiponectin by 14-60%
  - Fiber increase adiponectin levels by 60-115%
  - Exercise, caffeine
  - Curcumin, Raspberry Ketones, cyanidin 3-glucoside (blueberries)
GABA
- GABA and Blood Sugar @ lifespa.com (08/22)
  - This study suggest that the body s natural production of GABA could, on one hand,
    be mitigating stress, but, on the other hand, inadvertently raise blood sugar in those
    who are diabetic or considered obese
  - When researchers chemically blocked the production of GABA, they saw a positive
    change in blood sugar regulation in just two days
  - The brain s response to the aggressive production of GABA from the liver is high blood sugar
  - Ashwagandha supports the body's healthy formation of GABA, calms the brain, and has
    also been shown to support healthy levels of blood sugar
  - Ashwangandha crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Hold the GABA @ nih.gov (08/22)
  - Gabapentin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue, has infrequently been reported
    to cause liver injury
  - Discontinuing gabapentin resulted in rapid reversal improvement in hepatocellular injury
- Increased GABA Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetes are Related to Lower Cognitive Functioning @ nih.gov (08/22)
- GABA and the Liver @ karger.com (08/22)
  - Mammalian liver contains high concentrations of GABA which are carefully regulated
    by a series of hepatic metabolic pathways and a specific sodium-dependent active
    transport system
- Critical Role of Hepatic GABA in the Metabolic Dysfunctions and Hyperphagia of Obesity @ sciencedirection.com (08/22)
- The Relevance of GABA for Diabetes @ sciencedaily.com (08/22)
- Study of GABA in Healthy Volunteers @ frontiersin.org (08/22)
  - GABA is produced by pancreatic Beta-cells in large quantities
  - Within an islet, GABA suppresses glucagon secretion by the Alpha-cells as a
    consequence of membrane hyperpolarization but, in contrast, it enhances insulin
    secretion by the Beta-cells through membrane depolarization
  - GABA also increased glucagon levels only under fasting conditions (1.3-fold,
    single dose, p < 0.05; 1.5-fold, repeated dose, p < 0.01). However, there were no
    significant differences in the insulin-to-glucagon ratio and no significant change
    in glucose levels in these healthy subjects during the study period.
- GABA Improves Liver Function and Insulin Resistance of Type 2 Diabetic Rats @ nature.com (08/22)

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Cysts

COVID-19 Causes Cysts
- Cutaneous Lesions and COVID-19 @ onlinelibrary.wiley.com (01/22)
  - An emerging area, in which there is little information, is the COVID-19-related
    cutaneous manifestations
  - Here, we report the case of a COVID-19 patient with painful cutaneous lesions
    on posterior auricular for the first time in the ear
  - Cutaneous lesions in the form of cystic eruptions appeared on his body
  - At the time of examination, the auricular lesion was tender and warm, and
    without any secretion or itching
  - We suspect that vesicular lesions can be the less common symptoms after SARS-CoV-2
    infection, or they might be late symptoms which could be neglected
What Is It
- Epidermoid Cyst @ everydayhealth.com (01/22)
  - True sebaceous cysts are caused by the glands that secrete the oily matter (sebum) that
    helps lubricate your skin and the hair. They are not as common as epidermoid cysts, which
    occur when skin cells accrue under the skin instead of being shed from its surface.
  - Epidermoid Cyst
    - Dome-shaped cysts can be pea-sized, or grow to a few inches or larger
    - They grow very slowly, and they re not painful
    - You should be able to move them around
    - They often have a central small black dot, or punctum, through which sebum accumulates
    - The cyst excretes a cheese-like liquid that has a foul smell
    - Cysts can disappear on their own without treatment
- Sebaceous Cysts @ clevelandclinic.org (01/22)
  - Sebaceous cysts are far less common than other types of similar cysts such as
    epidermoid cysts and pilar cysts
- Pilar Cyst @ healthline.com (01/22)
How to Remove
- How to Remove a Sebaceous Cyst @ wikihow.com (01/22)
  - Astringent herbs like aloe vera can be used to pull out the protein keratin, sebum,
    and other fluids in the cyst.
  - Apply apple cider vinegar to help dry out the cyst; apply it three to four times a day

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Eyes

Cornea Edema
- Corneal Edema @ healthline.com (08/21)
  - Cornea edemais caused by fluid buildup in the cornea
  - The edothelium pumps out any fluid that collects inside the eye
  - Endothelial cells can never regenerate
  - Cataract surgery can damage endothelial cells; this is called
    pseudophakic coreneal edema or pheudophakic bullous keratopathy
  - Symptoms include blurry vision, haloes around lights, eye pain
- Corneal Edema @ ccteyes.com (08/21)
  - Corneal edema can be caused by disease, injury or certain drugs
  - Mild corneal edema can be helped by salt water eye drops (Muro 128)
    that are used 3-4 times a day
  - A partial thickness cornea transplant is performed to replace the damaged
    cells and is curative for corneal edema
- Glaucoma and the Importance of the Eye's Drainage System @ brightfocus.org (08/21)
  - Good video
  - The trabecular meshwork is the eye's drainage system
  - Liquid flows through the trabecular meshwork, then through Schlemm's canal,
    into collector channels, then to veins, and eventually back into the body's circulatory system
- The Trabecular Meshwork @ nih.gov (08/21)
  - Very good description
- Vascular Effects of Dietary Salt @ nih.gov (08/21)
- Salt Awareness Week @ careoptics.co.uk (08/21)
  - High levels of salt can add to cateract formation and higher intraocular
    pressure
- Corneal Endotheliam Cells Over the Past Decade @ tvst.arvojournals.org (08/21)
- Ophthalmic Manifestations of Coronavirus @ nih.gov (08/21)
People have developed edema in/around the eyes with COVID. The simple
5% salt (Na Cl) solution is what is recommended; this does help.

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Hearing Loss & Tinnitus

Hearing Loss
- Hearing Loss and Tinnitus @ everydayhealth.com (01/24)
  - Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Are Lesser-Known Symptoms of COVID-19
  - COVID-19 can damage the nerves involved in hearing
  - People can become impaired months or years later as a symptom of long COVID
  - Issues range from hearing impairment to roaring or buzzing sounds in the ear
    due to tinnitus
  - Otologists are seeing a substantial number of people whose hearing has been
    impacted by COVID-19
  - Hearing loss from COVID-19 can include
    - Mild hearing problems where soft sounds are hard to discern
    - Moderate issues where normal speech volume is imperceptible
    - Severe or profound hearing loss where speech and sounds are inaudible
  - Almost 20 percent of patients who reported hearing impairment lacked a
    common reflex called the stapes reflex that happens in the middle ear in
    response to loud sounds
  - In many cases, COVID-19 likely speeds up the timetable for hearing problems
    a person was already developing
  - Tinnitus Is Another Symptom of Long COVID
    - Tinnitus is a constant sound in one or both ears that can resemble buzzing,
      yelling, a roaring engine, a loud wind, or other disruptive sounds
    - Tinnitus after COVID-19 is even more likely to occur than hearing loss,
      affecting 4.5 percent of patients
    - There is no cure for tinnitus
    - People have reported tinnitus after they got a COVID-19 vaccine
    - Tinnitus was a known potential side effect of the J7J vaccine back in 2021

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Kidney Disease

Symptoms of Kidney Disease
- 7 Warning Signs That Your Kidneys are Toxic by Dr. Eric Berg @ youtube.com (08/22)
  - Edema (fluid build-up) in legs or underneath eyes
  - Uremic frost (urea crystal deposits on the skin)
  - High blood pressure
  - Exhaustion
  - Excess protein in the urine
  - Acidic urine
  - Low vitamin D
- Kidney Disease: Signs & Symptoms @ youtube.com (08/22)
  - Urination Changes
    - Increased or decreased urine volume
    - Foamy urine (protein in the urine)
    - Blood in the Urine
  - Peripheral Edema
    - Swelling on the lower legs and feet (pitting edema; volume overload)
    - Loss of albumin
    - Also swelling under the eyes
  - Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  - Dyspnea (shortness of breath; some chest pain)
  - Difficulty sleeping
    - Not being able to get to sleep (do to increased toxins)
    - Being very tired during the day
  - Fatigue (due to increased toxins)
  - Muscle Twitching/Spasms (due to electrolyte imbalances)
  - Anemia (in chronic kidney disease)
  - Uremia (increased urea in the blood, due to the breakdown of proteins)
    - Uremic pericarditis (chest pains)
    - Uremic encephalopathy (altered mental states, delirium, confusion)
    - Asterixis (tremor flap at the wrist)
    - Pruritis (itching sensation; very itchy dry skin; also known as uremic pruritis)
    - Nausea and vomiting
    - Anorexia/weight loss; decreased appetite
    - Platelet dysfunction
      - Gingival bleeding
      - Increased cutaneous bleeding
      - Epistaxis
      - Petechiae/purpura
      - Easy bruising
- Kidney Failure: Don't Ignore These Symptoms @ youtube.com (08/22)
  - Changes in urine
  - Edema or inflammation (water in feet, legs, ankles, face)
  - Acne
  - Pain in the lower back
  - Nausea and vomiting
  - Dry skin
  - Dizziness
  - Lack of appetite
- Lifestyle Choices for Those with Chronic Kidney Disease (08/22)
  - Cramps, especially leg cramps, are common for those with kidney disease
- I Have Severe Leg Cramps, Especially at Night @ kidney.org (08/22)
  - Muscle cramps are very common in chronic kidney disease and unfortunately we do not
    have effective medication in many cases
How to Reverse Kidney Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease: Improve Kidney Function with Diet by Dr. KenDBerry @ youtube.com (08/22)
  - Leading cause of kidney disease is diabetes and hypertension (chronically high
    blood sugar and chronically high insulin levels in the blood)
  - Eating protein does not cause kidney damage
  - Your kidneys are supposed to filter out all the amino acids (conserve them)
  - Chronic kidney disease can be reversed by a low carb or ketogenic diet
  - A high fat diet does NOT damage your kidneys
  - A high protein diet does NOT damage your kidneys
  - Reversal of Diabetic Nephropathy by a Ketogenic Diet @ journals.plos.org (08/22)
  - Renal Functions Following Three Distincs Weight Loss Dietary Strategies @ diabetesjournals.org (08/22)
  - Comparative Effects of Low-Carb High-Protein versus Low-Fat Diets on the Kidneys @ nih.gov (08/22)
    - Low-carb high-protein diets did NOT harm the kidneys
- High Fat Diet May Be Able to Reverse Kidney Failure @ aarp.org (08/22)
- Is Potassium Good or Bad for Your Kidneys? by Dr. Eric Berg @ youtube.com (08/22)
Effects of COVID
- Kidney Damage Another Consequence of 'Long COVID' @ usnews.com (08/22)
  - Months after their initial infection, COVID survivors were at increased risk of
    various types of kidney damage
  - Even patients who were sick at home with COVID were at increased risk of kidney problems
  - Overall, COVID patients were more likely to show a substantial drop in the kidneys'
    glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of how well the organs are filtering waste
    from the blood
  - COVID patients were nearly twice as likely to develop acute kidney injury, though
    it varied according to initial COVID severity
  - Since adults naturally lose about 1% of their kidney function per year, a 30% decline
    in GFR is akin to losing 30 years of kidney function
  - People who'd been sick at home with COVID had a 30% higher risk of developing acute
    kidney failure, versus the non-COVID group
  - As for acute kidney injury, people can recover from it with no lasting harm
- Acute Kidney Injury is a Frequent Complication of COVID-19 @ biomerieux.com (08/22)
- Kidney Damage Caused by COVID-19 @ hopkinsmedicine.org (08/22)
- Kidney Outcomes in Long COVID @ jasn.asnjournals.org (08/22)

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Lymphedema

Lymphedema and COVID-19
- Lower Limb Lymphedema as a Complication of COVID-19 Vaccine@ nih.gov (05/23)
  - Patient developed lymphedema after a vaccination of Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) COVID-19 vaccine
  - Secondary lymphedema is a possible complication to the COVID-19 vaccination
- Lymphedema of the Arm after COVID-19 Vaccination @ nih.gov (05/23)
- Transient Lower Extremity Lymphedema following COVID-19 Vaccination @ journals.lww.com (05/23)
  - Lymphedema started after the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine
  - Patient received physiotheraph, complex decongestive physiotherapy, pneumatic pump compression,
    and a compressive bandage
  - Patient was given Entelon 150 (Hanlim Pharm Co), which consists of
    grape seed extract, known to improve lymphatic fluid stasis
  - Moderna and Pfizer use lipid nanoparticles as mRNA carriers
  - AstraZeneca uses adenovirus vectors
  - J&J Janssen uses a viral vector vaccine
  - The effectiveness of these vaccines depends on their delivery to lymph nodes
    through dendritic cells
  - Some antigens may be transferred directly to the lymph nodes
  - Our patients showed limited swelling patterns below the knees
Apis mellifica and other Homeopathic Remedies
- Homeopathic treatment of Lower Leg Edema @ nih.gov (05/23)
  - Recurrence of a swollen left ankle and lower leg, which had previously been
    treated by conventional medicine
  - Taking Apis mellifica 200c led to a fast improvement
  - Patient was free of symptoms within 24 hours and has remained so for 3 years
- Apis mellifica Preparations Effected Human Gene Expression Profiles @ nih.gov (05/23)
  - Diluted preparations of Apis mellifica are reported to have anti-inflammatory activity
  - Effects on global gene expression profiles of human cells were studied using Apis mellifica
    mother tincture (TM) and its 3C, 5C, 7C dynamized dilutions
  - Apis mellifica TM and its dynamized dilutions (3C, 5C, 7C) modulated hundreds of genes
  - Groups of genes were up- or down-regulated
  - Genes involved in cytokine expression, inflammatory processes, anti-oxidative
    responses and proteasome degradation were affected
- All About Apis mellifica @ boironusa.com (05/23)
- Homeopathic Medicines for Swollen Ankles @ drhomeo.com (05/23)
  - Apis Mellifica for dropsical swelling over ankles (waxy, pale, swollen ankles; water retention)
  - Apocynum for dropsical swelling after cardiac disease
  - Ledum Pal for swollen ankles due to arthritis
  - Arnica for swollen ankles caused by injury
  - Ruta for swollen ankles resulting from a sprain
  - Hamamelis for swollen ankles due to varicose veins
- Apis Mellifica @ drhomeo.com (05/23)
  - Complementary medicine is Natrum Mur, which completes its action
  - Antidote medicines are Carbolic Acid, Cantharis, Lachesis, and Ledum Pal as they
    neutralize the action of Apis
- Apis Mellifica @ materiamedica.info (05/23)
  - Homeopathic Materia Medica # homeoint.org (05/23)
- Homeopathic Remedies for Edema @ homeoresearch.com (05/23)
- Homeopathic Remedies for Swelling @ myupchar.com (05/23)
- Sources
  - RXHomeo Apis Mellifica 200C @ amazon.com (500 pellets; $15.00 + $5.00) (05/23)
  - WHP Apis mellifica 30C @ amazon.com (900 pellets; 11.49 + $4.99) (05/23)
  - Edema-Fluid Retentions Formula @ newtonlabs.net ($22.00) (05/23)
    - This has an interesting list of homeopathic ingredients
Herbs for Lymphedema
- Detox Your Lymphatic System @ schoolofba.com (05/23)
  - Calendula, echinacea, and dandelion are just a few of the many herbs that promote
    lymphatic drainage, reduce any swelling and pain, and boost your immune system.
What is Lymphedema?
- What is Lymphedema @ medicalnewstoday.com (05/23)
- Venuous Insufficiency and Lymphedema @ veincenterofarizona.com (05/23)
  - Lymphedema usually involves swelling of the foot, ankle, and leg
  - Venous insufficiency only involves the ankle and leg
  - It is not uncommon to have a combination of varicose veins, venous insufficiency,
    spider veins, and lymphedema all at the same time
- Exercise, Lifestyle and the Lymphatic System @ cpandr.co.uk (05/23)
  - The lymphatic system is our body s own waste removal service. It is the least
    talked about system in the body but is arguably the most vital.
  - A major component of the circulatory system, and twice as large as the arterial
    system, it comprises a network of tissues and vessels that transport and dispose
    of lymphatic waste and other fluids.
  - Its most important function is the role it plays in our immune response:
    lymphocytes (white blood cells) originate from and are transported in the lymphatic
    system to fight off diseases and infections.
  - The lymphatic system is 96% water. Dehydration causes the lymphatic system to
    slow down and inhibits waste removal from the body. This consequently leads to
    similar complications as brought about by sedentary behavior.
  - An alkaline environment in the body is the most optimal for the drainage of
    the lymphatic system.
Manual Drainage
- Reducing Fatigue-Related Symptoms in Long COIVD-19: lymphatic drainage intervention @ nih.gov (06/23)
  - Specific manual lymphatic drainage intervention may help to reduce fatigue symptoms
    related to Long COVID, perhaps preventing acute symptoms through early intervention
- Long COIVD-19 Treatment using Lympatic Drainage Massage @ youtube.com (06/23)
  - Lymphatic Drainage Massage -- Full Routine @ youtube.com (06/23)
- Theoretical Basis of Manual Lymph Drainage @ thieme.com (05/23)
- Self Manual Lymphatic Drainage for the Leg @ youtube.com (05/23)
- 10 Exercises for Leg Lymphedema @ youtube.com (05/23)
  - Comprilan Wrap, not Ace wraps
- Swollen, Bloated and Puffy by Kathleen Lisson @ amazon.com (05/23)
Varicose Veins
- How are Varicose Veins and Lymphedema Connected? @ tactilemedical.com (05/23)
  - Varicose veins are the result of a problem with the circulation of blood in the body
  - Lymphedema indicates a problem with the body s lymphatic system, which is
    responsible for circulating lymph fluid

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Rash

COVID Toes, Rashes @ aad.org (08/23)
- Some people develop painful raised bumps or areas of rough skin
- COVID rash can look like a patchy rash; itchy bumps; blisters;
  round, pinpoint spots on the skin; large patches; a lace-like pattern;
  flat spots and raised bumps that join together
COVID Rash in Adults @ medicalnewstoday.com (08/23)
Common Skin Signs of COVID-19 in Adults: an Update @ ccjm.org (08/23)
Petechiae @ goodRX.com (08/23)

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Sleep

Insomnia Information
- Insomnia @ Bonnie's Links (04/22)
- Supplement Guide @ jimstoppani.com (good reference) (04/22)
Birth Control Pills
- 6 Ways that Oral Contraceptive Pills Disrupts Sleep @ medium.com (03/22)
  - Altered sleep architecture -- women get less slow wave sleep and more REM sleep;
    REM sleep is lighter, and you can be more easily awakened from it
  - Anxiety -- generated chemicals don't interact with the GABA receptors to decrease
    the stress response, and calm the mind and adrenals
  - Depression -- increase monoamine oxidase which breaks down neurotransmitters
    (Serotonin, dopamine, and noraadrenaline; serotonin is used to make melatonin)
  - Can elevate your body temperature; a cooler core temperature makes you sleepy
  - Nutrient deficiencies -- B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium
  - Obstructive sleep apnoea
COVID-19
Supplements for Slow-Wave Sleep
- How Nutrition Affects Sleep @ runnersworld.com (03/22)
  - L-theanine (anxiety-reducing amino acid; works with GABA)
  - Zinc, Iron, Magnesium
  - Vitamin D (hormone that increases the amount of melatonin)
  - Taurine, Carnitine, 5-HTP
  - Phosphatidyl serine
  - Magnolia bark extract
- Magnolia Bark Affects Sleep @ thesleepdoctor.com (03/22)
  - Significantly increase slow-wave sleep
  - Is a GABA booster
  - Increases GABA activity
  - People with reduced GABA activity are prone to insomnia and other sleep problems
  - Activates the endocannabinoid system
  - Typical dose is 200-400 mg
  - Possible side effects include shaking hands, thyroid problems, tiredness,
    headache, dizziness
  - Might interact with St. John's Wort
  - Magnolia Bark Extract, the Natural Benzo @ reddit.com (03/22)
  - Swanson Standardized Magnolia Extract (200 mg; 30 caps; $5.09) (03/22)
- St. John's Wort can cause trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, restlessness;
  it has a plasma half-life of 24 hours
- L-theanine
  - Is not naturally produced by the body; found in green tea and mushrooms
  - Is responsible fore the unique taste known as umani
  - Induces brainwave paterns similar to those associated with meditation
  - Is readily able to cross into the brain
  - Helps to maintain healthy cortisol levels (reducing stress)
  - Promotes sleep latency; take at least 40 minues prior to going to sleep
  - 200 mg is the recommended dose of L-theanine (for sleep)
  - L-theanine works better with GABA (GABA @ 20 mg/kg and L-theanine @ 100 mg/kg)
  - GABA clinical dose is 100 mg
Supplements at Walmart
- Spring Valley GABA 750 mg @ walmart.com ($6.88) (03/22)
  - GABA only works if you have a "leaky" blood-brain barrier
- Spring Valley L-Theanine @ walmart.com (100 mg; $5.94) (03/22)

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Sodium

General Information about Sodium
- 1 tsp salt contains 2,325 mg sodium
- The recommended daily limit is 2,300 mg sodium
Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)
- 6 Dangers of Restricting Sodium Too Much @ healthline.com (08/22)
  - MAY INCREASE INSULIN RESISTANCE
  - No clear benefit for heart disease
  - Increased risk of death from heart failure
  - May raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides
  - Increased risk of death for people with diabetes
  - Higher risk of hyponatremia
- Hyponatremia @ healthline.com (08/22)
  - Your sodium level should be between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter
  - Common symptoms: weakness, fatigue or low energy, headache, nausea,
    muscle cramps, confusion, irritability
  - You are at risk if you eat a low-sodium diet
Low Sodium Diet and Insulin Resistance
- Low-Salt Diet Increases Insulin Resistance in Healthy Subjects @ nih.gov (08/22)
  - Low-salt diet is associated with an increase in Insulin Resistance
- Salt Intake and Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Human Volunteers @ nih.gov (08/22)
- Decreased Insulin Sensitivity During Dietary Sodium Restiction @ nih.gov (08/22)
Low Sodium Diet and Sleep
- Salt and Sleep @ nytimes.com (08/22)
  - Low-sodium diets can cause fitful sleep
  - Test subjects woke up more often during the night and slept less soundly when
    they were on low-sodium diets than when their diets included normal or high
    amounts of sodium
  - When the test subjects were on low-sodium diets (~500 milligrams/day), the men
    woke up during the night nearly twice as often and got about 10 percent less sleep
    than when they were on normal diets
  - When the test subjects were on a high-sodium diet (5,000 milligrams/day), the
    men slept longer and with slightly fewer nighttime wakings than when they were
    on normal diets
- How Salt Can Help You Get Better Sleep @ healyeatsreal.com (08/22)
  - Salt lowers stress
  - Salt raises Oxytocin levels (hormone that makes you feel calm and relaxed)
- Does a Low Salt Diet Trigger Insomina @ peoplespharmacy.com (08/22)
  - The low sodium diet was also associated with disturbed sleep patterns -- decreased
    rapid eye movement and slow wave sleep, and increased wakefulness
COVID-19 and Low Blood Sodium
- Hyponatremia in COVID-19 Patients @ nih.gov (08/22)
  - Patients with moderate COVID-19 disease had 2.15 (1.04-4.5) times higher
    odds of suffering from hyponatremia

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Taste & Smell

Taste
- Sugars, Sweet Taste Receptors, and Brain Responses @ ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (01/22)
  - Sweet taste receptors are composed of a heterodimer of Taste 1 Receptor
    member 2 (T1R2) and Taste 1 Receptor Member 3 (T1R3).
  - Four morphologic subtypes of TRCs have been identified.
  - Type I glial-like cells detect salty taste.
  - Type II cells express G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) to detect
    sweet, umami, and bitter tastes.
  - Type III cells sense sour stimuli.
  - Type IV cells likely represent stem or progenitor taste cells.
  - Type II cells do not form traditional synapses with afferent nerve fibers.
    Rather, these cells release ATP through hemichannels, which can then activate
    purinergic receptors (P2N2 and P2X3) present on the cranial nerve fibers
    innervating each taste bud.
  - Type I cells degrade or absorb neurotransmitters.
- Acid Stimulation (Sour Taste) Elicits GABA and Serotonin Release from Mouse Taste Cells
  @ journals.plos.org (01/22)
- Please notice that ATP is required for a person to taste something "sweet"
Loss of Taste with COVID
- When I had the Alpha version of COVID, the loss of taste and smell was the first
  symptom I noticed. I lost almost ALL sense of taste. However, my sense of "sweet"
  was affected the most.
- Taste Loss as a COVID-19 Symptom @ news-medical.net (01/22)
  - Some studies suggest that increased viral shedding in the saliva is linked to more taste loss
  - This may indicate direct viral damage to the taste cells
  - The taste receptors and the supporting cells of the taste buds on the tongue contains a
    a viral receptor on the host cell, and the protein required to produce the processed
    form of the viral spike
  - Direct viral effects on the brain can lead to taste alterations
  - Women notice this effect more than men
- How COVID-19 Affects Your Mouth @ webmd.com (01/22)
  - Folks with COVID can have a reduced sense of taste (hypogueusia); a distorted sense of
    taste (dysgeusia); or a total loss of all taste (ageusia)
  - These complications seemed to be more common among European COVID patients
  - Some COVID patients also reported lesions on or under their tongue or along the gums
    and sides of the mouth
- COVID 19-Inducted Smell and Taste Impairments@ frontiersin.org (01/22)
  - ACE2 is the main entrance receptor for SARS-Cov-2 interacting with its spike proteins
  - The highest density fo these proteins is in the olfactory eopthelium
  - ACE2 is mainly expressed in epithelian cells outside of taste papillae which contain
    the taste buds
  - A cytokine storm could make taste bud cells permissive to SARS-CoV-2
- Taste Dysfunction and Long COVID-19 @ frontiersin.org (01/22)
  - Multiple entry receptors makes taste bud cells highly susceptible for SARS-CoV-2
    infections
  - SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and replication has been shown to occur in human
    taste bud cells
  - Direct infection of the taste bud cells and consequent inflammation could affect
    taste perception
  - Inflammation could increase epithelial cell exfoliation and constitute potential
    sources of viral RNA in saliva
Genetics Related to Loss of Taste and Smell
- The UGT2A1/UGT2A2 Locus is Associated wtih COVID-19-related Loss of Smell or Taste @ nature.com (01/22)
  - Both genes are expressed in the olfactory epithelium, and play a role in metabolizing
    odorants
  - Loss of sense is smell is called anosmia
  - Loss of sense of taste is called ageusia
  - 68% of COVID-19-positive people reported a loss of smell or taste as a symptom
  - Females reported the symptom more than men
  - The genes relate to uridine diPHOSPHATE glycosyltransferases (enzymes)
  - These enzymes eliminate the odorants that enter the nasal cavity and bind to
    olfactory receptors (detoxification of the receptors)
  - This results in the clearance of the odorant to facilitate the transient experience
    of olfaction
  - The loss of smell is related to damage to the cilian and olfactory epithelium, but
    not infection of the olfactory neurons
Possible Treatments
- Turmeric as a Possible Treatment for COVID-19-Induced Anosmia and Ageusia @ nih.gov (09/22)

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Tremors

Vibrations, Tremors -- an Emerging long COVID-19 Symptom for Some Patients @ beckerhospitalreview.com (08/22)
- Some physicians who work with long COVID-19 patients are seeing patients with
  tremors and vibrating sensations
- Dr. Vanichkachorn estimates about 40 to 50 percent of long COVID-19 patients
  at Mayo (Minn) experience such symptoms in the first three months after their
  initial infection
- While health experts aren't exactly sure what causes the post COVID-19 tremors
  or vibrating sensations, some suspect it's related to autonomic nervous system
  dysfunction (which is common among long COVID-19 patients), nerve damage, or
  brain processing issues
COVID-19 on the Brain @ health.ucsd.edu (08/22)
- "These are folks who had no neurological problems before COVID-19, and now they
  have an incoordination of their body and possible incoordination of their thoughts"
Parkinsonism: An Emerging Post COVID Sequelae @ sciencedirect.com (08/22)
- "We report three cases of post COVID parkinsonism occurring in older adults,
  age 60 years and above"

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Vaccine

Vaccination Side Effects
- COVID Arm (Moderma Arm)
  - Latest Data on 'Moderna Arm' and Bleeding or Clots @ nydailynews.com (02/22)
    - "Moderma Arm" is a skin reaction which occurs days after the injection
    - Women have a stronger immune response due to the estrogen in their bodies
    - About 2% of the time, a skin reaction (rash, swelling, redness, hives) occurs
    - The "COVID vaccine arm" is a delayed skin reaction in the form of a large rash area
      near the site of injection that begins a week or so later
  - Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA-1273 Vaccine @ nejm.org (02/22)
Vaccines
- CoronaVac @ wikipedia.org (02/22)
  - It is an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech
  - The two-dose vaccine has an efficacy rate of 50% for preventing symptomatic infection
    (Brazilian trial)
  - Common side effects are fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle pain
  - A third dose is suggested
  - Sinovac Biotech @ wikipedia.org (02/22)

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Summary

ATP is used all over your body in thousands of chemical processes.
COVID-19 (original, Alpha, Delta, or Omicron) affects the amount of ATP in your body.
Many of the side effects of COVID (loss of taste, brain fog, muscle aches,
loss of hair, etc) can be directly related to low phosphorus or ribose
(which are used to make ATP).
You can reduce/eliminate your symptoms of "long-haul" COVID by increasing your
levels of ATP. That is done by taking the precursors of ATP (namely, phosphorus
and ribose). Other things (like minerals) are also important.
In many cases, the "length" of your "long-haul" symptoms is directly related to
your diet (your intake of phosphorus, ribose, minerals, etc).
Many people experience muscle loss/weakness and often look 10 years older after
contracting a case of COVID (even a mild case). Muscle loss is often considered to be
a normal part of "aging". This can be reversed by an intake of HMB and Vitamin D3.
The last section of this webpage lists a few places which sell the supplements
mentioned in this webpage. I just googled the items, and listed some of the best prices.

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Shopping

D-Ribose Powder
- Bulk Supplements D-Ribose Powder @ amazon.com (1 kgm (2.2 lbs); $34.96) (01/22)
  - This product comes in several different sizes
- NOW Sports D-Ribose Powder @ naturalgrocers.com (1 lb; $54.65) (01/22)
  - MUCH more expensive than Amazon.com
- D-Ribose Powder @ vitaminshoppe.com (200 gms; $27.99)
  - MUCH more expensive than Amazon.com
Phosphorus Supplements
- GeriCare Phosphorus Supplement
  - GeriCare Phosphorus Supplement @ amazon.com (100 1.5 g packets; $35.79; unavailable) (01/22)
    - Potassium Phosphate Monobasic, Potassium Phosphate Dibasic,
      Sodium Phosphate Monobasic, Sodium Phosphate Dibasic, Mannitol, Citric Acid,
      Natural & Artificial Strawberry Flavor, Sucralose and Silicon Dioxide
    - It contains 280 mg potassium, 160 mg sodium, and 250 mg phosphorus
    - Compare to the dietary ingredients in Phos-Nak
    - This is taken to prevent kidney stones; it acts as a uninary acidifier
    - It may be used as a mineral supplement to treat other conditions
  - GeriCare Phosphorus @ healthykin.com ($46.95; in stock) (08/21)
  - GeriCare Phosphorus @ lifeirl.com ($63.99; out of stock) (01/22)
- Cypress Pharmaceutical PHOS-NaK
  - PHOS-NaK @ amazon.com (100 pkts; $35.16) (01/22)
  - PHOS-Nak @ theonlinedrugstore.com ($36.80) (01/22)
  - PHOS-Nak @ ebay.com ($49.20 when buying 2 or more) (01/22)
  - PHOS-Nak @ ebay.com ($36.99) (01/22)
- Rugby Na K Phosphorus
  - Rugby Na K Phosphorus 100 packets @ ebay.com ($19.99) (01/22)
    - Seller has been on eBay since 2007
    - Based in the United States
Vitamin B4 - Adenine
- Adenine Powder @ amazon.com (2 oz; $44.99) (01/22)
NaCl Eye Drops
- Akorn NaCl Eye Drops, 5% solution @ theonlinedrugstore.com (0.5 fl oz; $8.25) (01/22)
- CVS Hypertonicity Eye Drops, 5% solution (0.5 fl oz; $23.49; buy 1 get 1 50% off) (01/22)
- Walgreens Eye Drops, 5% solution (0.5 fl oz; $19.99; buy 1 get 1 @ 50% off) (01/22)
  - Inactive Ingredients: Boric Acid, Hypromellose, Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol,
    Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Borate, Sodium Hydroxide
    and/or Hydrochloric Acid may be added to adjust pH
HMB Powder and Capsules
- Bulk Supplements HMB Powder @ amazon.com (1.1 lbs; $29.96) (01/22)
- Nutricost HMB capsules @ amazon.com (240 caps; 500 mg; $17.95) (01/22)
L-Leucine
- L-Leucine Powder @ amazon.com (500 gms (1.1 lbs); $23.96) (01/22)
Aloe Vera
- Meilssa's Aloe Leaves @ walmart.com (1 leaf; $1.98) (01/22)

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Bonnie's Links
created by Bonnie Lee Hill,

bonniehill@verizon.net

last modified on January 2, 2024

URL: http://www.bonniehill.net/pages/covid.html