Long COVID

Long COVID Symptoms

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Long COVID (also referred to as Long-haul or Post-COVID) symptoms refer to the chronic health conditions that many are now experiencing as a result of COVID-19 infections. [1]

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Symptoms may include the following:

• Extreme fatigue

• Unexplained facial pain

• Unexplained headaches

• Difficulty sleeping

• Difficulty thinking or concentrating ("brain fog")

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Long-haul COVID Therapy Options

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Research is now linking Long COVID symptoms to Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) imbalance. In the head, neck, and face region, the Stellate Ganglion, the Sphenopalatine Ganglion and the Vagus Nerve all play important roles in ANS function and pain disorders. Current studies are showing that nerve blocks of the Stellate Ganglion [2] and stimulation of the Vagus Nerve [3] can be effective for reducing some types of Long COVID symptoms. The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) is the Stellate Ganglion's little cousin. Both are involved in regulating the ANS and the SPG plays a role in headache and facial pain disorders.

 

SPG Nerve Block

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The SPG is a small but mighty nerve relay station for the parasympathetic, sympathetic and Trigeminal sensory nerves in the face. The SPG nerve block has been well-studied for treating multiple pain conditions in the head and face region: migraines, cluster headaches, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and atypical facial pains. Unlike the Stellate Ganglion, the SPG nerve block can be easily and painlessly accessed using the Tx360® (an FDA-approved device for administering the SPG nerve block). Some of Dr. Wang's patients have reported improvement with Long COVID symptoms while being treated for other pain disorders with SPG blocks. Dr. Wang is excited to offer this non-invasive, pain-free, low side-effect therapy option for patients suffering from Long COVID symptoms.

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Disclaimer: Please note that there is no current literature supporting the SPG block specifically for the treatment of Long COVID symptoms.