When Long COVID patients began reporting POTS-like symptoms such as dizziness, brain fog long covid, lightheadedness, tiredness, and rapid heart rate, the parallels to autonomic abnormalities were so striking that doctors began testing for the condition.

Several studies since have confirmed that prolonged COVID can lead to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, affecting nearly two-thirds of long-haulers. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and orthostatic hypotension (OH) are the most likely types of ANS dysfunction to be diagnosed in these patients.

This relationship is not surprising since several other viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpesviruses, flaviviruses, and human T-lymphotropic virus, also cause ANS dysfunction.

How Does Long COVID Cause Autonomic Disorders?

Researchers don't fully understand why long COVID often leads to autonomic dysfunction. It is also unclear whether autonomic dysfunction is more common in long-COVID patients than in patients with autonomic dysfunction of other origins, or if any mechanism is unique to long-haulers.

At LongCovidCareCenter, we suspect that the mechanism (or set of mechanisms) may be slightly different in Long COVID patients compared to patients with post-concussion syndrome. Although our PCS patients experience similar symptoms, we note that long-distance transporters tend to be more susceptible to ANS dysfunction.

According to new research How Long Will Symptoms Of Brain Fog Last After Being Infected With Covid-19?, COVID-19 disease causes ANS dysfunction through a combination of the following mechanisms:

Direct effects: There is some emerging evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can directly target components of the nervous system, including the ANS. Studies have shown that the virus can attack the area of the brain where ACE2 receptors are found. This includes the brainstem, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and carotid body, all of which are involved in coordinating autonomic responses.

Immune system overreaction: Uncontrolled cytokine storms - known to occur in long-haulers - may also trigger an attack on the body's autonomic nervous system.

Dysfunction of neurovascular coupling: Dysfunction of neurovascular coupling - which we have shown to occur in patients with Long COVID - may lead to ANS dysfunction through hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system. These patients have not been studied, but certain conditions such as hypertension are associated with increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to dysfunction of neurovascular coupling.

Stress from the pandemic: Stress and worry keep the body on high alert all the time. If this continues for an extended period of time, the body will most likely not be able to recover to rest and digestive responses, resulting in autonomic dysfunction.

Prolonged bed rest: Prolonged bed rest, especially in patients hospitalized for several weeks, can lead to ANS dysfunction. A 3-week break was enough to trigger some symptoms associated with autonomic dysfunction in otherwise healthy patients, according to one study.

What are the symptoms of long-term COVID autonomic impairment?

For some patients, the symptoms are constant, while for others they come and go in waves. Likewise, some COVID-19 symptoms tend to be more prevalent when you are anxious or stressed, while others are evident even when you are completely calm.

Some common symptoms of POTS or other autonomic disturbances after COVID-19 include: persistent fatigue (also known as post-viral fatigue or post-COVID fatigue), low energy levels and motivation, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, Dizziness, which may lead to fainting, feeling dizzy when standing up, brain fog, difficulty concentrating or remembering new information, palpitations or other abnormal heartbeats, among other symptoms.

The LongCovidCareCenter treatment program is designed to help post concussion patients recover from post covid brain symptoms. After just one week of treatment, 95% of our patients experience a statistically validated improvement in brain function. So far, we have seen similar results in a large number of long-term COVID patients. To discuss your specific COVID-19 symptoms and to find out if you would receive post covid brain fog treatment in our clinic please consult online.