Exploring the long term effects of COVID-19: can NAD+ help?

The UK Government is being asked to do more to recognise and support those affected by the long-term effects of COVID-19.

For those who contracted the virus, the majority of people only suffer from mild symptoms and even those who have a more severe reaction make a full recovery after a couple of weeks. However, thousands more have seen a longer recovery period, including the presence of certain issues for months after a positive test.

Information about long COVID isn’t extensive but the NHS and public health officials are now beginning to understand more about the long-term impact and how to react.

What is long COVID?

Currently the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines it as showing ‘signs and symptoms that develop during or following an infection consistent with COVID-19, which continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.’

So while people may be classed as “recovered” from their initial coronavirus infection, they actually end up suffering for a lot longer. 

How many people are affected by long-term COVID?

It’s thought that around 20% of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 go on to experience long term issues. While 12 weeks is the common length for people to experience long COVID symptoms, many people are still struggling 6 months on.

The symptoms of long COVID

The continuing symptoms of long COVID are so varied and wide ranging and affect people both physically and mentally, and it’s because of this that many people may be misdiagnosed or could struggle to understand what is happening to them.

Long COVID symptoms can include physical problems including fatigue and breathlessness to mental health concerns connected to depression and anxiety.

Whilst health professionals are still trying to fully understand the whole picture of long COVID, common symptoms include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Insomnia
• Brain fog
• Depression & anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Hair thinning & hair loss
• Chest pain & palpitations

Additionally, research from the US is showing indications that these long-term symptoms can contribute to lung function abnormalities, heart muscle inflammation, acute kidney injuries and neurological complaints.

Why do some people get long COVID?

Research is obviously still ongoing, and so the specifics of what causes long COVID and why some people get it and others don’t are still unknown, but there is some indication that an overactive immune response could be a potential trigger.

However, there’s still no clear indicators as to who is most at risk of suffering from long-term COVID symptoms. 

Could NAD+ help long COVID sufferers?

Clinical trials are currently underway to see how effective NAD+ IV therapy is at treating the effects of long COVID. But it makes sense when you look at the wide range of benefits of frequent NAD+ IV infusions and the effect they have on the body.

One working theory amongst scientists, researchers and doctors is that COVID-19 causes NAD+ depletion, and some people with vitamin deficiencies, existing NAD+ depletion or genetic deficits in energy metabolism have long term NAD+ dysfunction.

All we know at the minute is that it’s proven that increasing the levels of NAD+ in the body can help with a range of ailments, many of which are linked to long COVID symptoms such as brain fog, depression and anxiety and extreme fatigue.

Here at NADclinic we’ve been helping many long COVID sufferers ease their symptoms with our NAD+ IV therapy. If you’re looking for help, please contact us about booking in for a NAD+ IV infusion either here at the clinic or at your home.