Homeopathic Treatment

Dr. Elizabeth Rice, associate professor and department chair of homeopathy and pharmacology at SCNM, is the principal investigator of a clinical trial investigating the homeopathic treatment of post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome. For more information or to book an appointment with Dr. Rice, visit us here or give us a call at 480-970-0000, select option 2.

Post-acute Covid-19 Syndrome or Long Covid is a syndrome with a broad range of symptoms that lasts four or more weeks after first getting infected with the coronavirus.  In 2020, an international survey gathered data from people with Long Covid in 56 countries and theses researchers saw over 200 different symptoms of Long Covid stemming from 10 different organ systems within the body.¹  The symptoms of Long Covid most often include debilitating fatigue and brain fog but patients are also experiencing muscle and joint pains, headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping and many other respiratory, digestive, and heart problems.  Mood disturbances are common in Long Covid patients with depression and anxiety ranking high in the symptom list of patients.

The exact cause of Long Covid is not known and there are several theories involving a dysfunctional immune -inflammatory response, micro-clots, mast cell disturbances, chronic viral infection, as well as other potential causes.  Currently, there is no conventionally accepted treatment for Long Covid. Most patients in Long Covid Care Centers are referred to a variety of different specialists to treat their symptoms:  a neurologist for cognitive problems and headaches, a cardiologist for heart palpitations, physical therapists for post-exertional fatigue and even pain specialists for the varieties of pain patients are experiencing.  The severity of your initial Covid-19 infection does not make an impact on developing Long Covid, even patients with very mild Covid-19 infections can develop symptoms of Long Covid.

The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ is sponsoring a clinical trial investigating the homeopathic treatment of Long Covid. The ultimate goal is to determine whether an individually prescribed homeopathic medicine has an effect greater than a placebo and is a good treatment option to improve fatigue and quality of life for patients suffering from Long Covid.  There are previous research studies that have shown homeopathy to be better than placebo in treating chronic diseases with symptoms similar to long COVID, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.^2,3   Because homeopathy is a system that treats the whole person, taking into account physical, emotional, and mental symptoms, it is likely to be of particular value to people suffering from the myriad symptoms associated with Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome.  You can find more information about the study at Longhaulstudy.com

Even though every person is different and all people should ask their doctor’s advice for treatment, there are a few recommendations to help navigate the symptoms of Long Covid.

1. Be realistic about energy expenditure. In recovering from Long Covid you will be less able to complete your normal activities of daily living.  Look for ways to reduce your workload at home or in the office – ask for help, rest often and take breaks as necessary. Exercise should be gentle and non-strenuous.  If you need additional temporary accommodations at work, talk to your physician.
2. Ensure good nutritional intake. This can be challenging with debilitating fatigue but strive for adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your plate each day.  A quick smoothie or frozen veggies are great options, too.  Consider a comprehensive multivitamin that contains adequate B vitamins and antioxidant support.  Vitamin D is essential for proper immune function and research has shown that temporary larger doses of Vitamin D are safe.⁴  Speak with your doctor about the safest way for you to reach Vit D levels in your blood between 60-80ng/mL.
3. Decrease inflammation. The best way to decrease inflammation is to avoid inflammatory foods.  Other nutrients are helpful at decreasing inflammation such as fish oil, Quercitin, and Curcumin.  Speak with a naturopathic physician to determine the best supplementation and dosage for you.
4. Take care of your mental health. While I always recommend speaking with a professional counselor to help manage mood disorders or refer to a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment, there are simple strategies to help balance moods.  Start a meditation or mindfulness practice – a few minutes a day can have a tremendous impact in the long run.  Avoid too much social media and screen time, especially before bed. Immerse yourself in nature – get your feet on the ground or spend as much time outdoors when you can.

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References:

1. Hannah E. Davis, Gina S. Assaf, Lisa McCorkell, et al. Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;38(101019-). doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101019
2. Bell IR, Lewis DA, Brooks AJ, et al. Improved clinical status in fibromyalgia patients treated with individualized homeopathic remedies versus placebo. Rheumatology 2004;43:577-582.
3. Weatherly-Jones E, Nicholl JP, Thomas KJ, et al. A randomised, controlled, triple-blind trial of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosomatic Research 2004;56:189-197.
4. Billington EO, Burt LA, Rose MS, et al. Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2020;105(4). doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz212

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For more information or to book an appointment with Dr. Rice, visit us here or give us a call at 480-970-0000, select option 2.