The parallels of ME/CFS and Long COVID, indeed, the diagnosis of many Long COVID patients with ME/CFS, has helped to validate the existence of Long COVID. Recognition of the impact of post-viral syndromes is strengthening efforts to find cures.
While attending “The Untreated Epidemic: Understanding and Treating Long COVID and ME/CFS” at DHMC in Lebanon, NH I discovered some valuable resources for professionals and patients that I wanted to share with you. Check out the link to find tools for diagnosis and self-care. This list of relevant resources was compiled by #MEAction New Hampshire Chapter and the Bateman Horne Center.
One useful resource addresses prevention of Post Exertional Malaise (PEM). It’s a simple 2 minute video that lays out the strategy of Stop-Rest-Pace. It’s a reminder to all of us to pay attention to our bodies.
Be aware of activities that can cause fatigue or stress; STOP before you become fatigued. Take the time needed to REST. As you strive to recover, PACE yourself. Allow yourself the time that is needed for recuperation.
Frustrating to me and I’m sure to others, was the hand wringing, regarding cause(s) and treatment of Long COVID and ME/CFS. Mitochondrial dysfunction, along with several other possible etiologies, was mentioned only briefly.
I’ve been reflecting on why PCPs aren’t discussing mitochondria with patients. First, some providers may find the topic too abstract or difficult to explain to patients. It also takes time, something that few providers have with their patients.
Providers are also often stymied by insurance industry limits on payment for tests needed to understand the genesis of many illnesses. Digging into overt symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction may fall into this category.
And then there is the issue of training. Historically, mitochondrial topics have been taught in early-stage medical school cell biology and biochemistry classes. Meanwhile, medical students have largely focused on clinical topics, learning to recognize and treat the symptoms of disease, not the causes.
Focusing on the full impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on specific diseases is more likely to occur in specialist training. Fortunately, the intense research following the global outbreak of COVID-19 has brought mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) from the silos of orphaned diseases into the limelight. Additionally, public interest in healthy aging has led to the recognition that many metabolic disorders and diseases of aging are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
In case you missed earlier posts that focused on mitochondria, here are links.
Long COVID: TLC for mitochondria
Long COVID: mitochondria are key
Long COVID: mitochondria get center stage
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Have you seen this paper?
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abq1533