There are several hypotheses on what causes it. We still don’t know if it is one or more causes. Some believe its direct damage from the covid-19 virus; others believe it’s from the cytokine storm that covid-19 virus creates. There is some new evidence suggesting chronic inflammation around the olfactory nerve epithelium. One possible mechanism is the dysautonomia or autonomic nervous system dysfunction that maintains the chronic inflammation. This one explains most if not all of the symptoms exhibited. While it goes by many different names: Long Covid or long hauler’s or post-acute covid syndrome (PACS), they all refer to the same constellation of symptoms.
| General symptoms | Tiredness/exhaustionPost exertional malaise (PEM) – feeling tired after any physical or mental effortFeverFeeling cold or hot, poor temperature control |
| Cardiovascular/Pulmonary (lung)/respiratory | Palpitations/pounding heartHigh heart rateShortness of breathCoughDysphagia (trouble swallowing/painful swallowing)Chest painDizziness, lightheadedness |
| Neurological | Brain fog – difficulty in concentrating and thinkingInsomnia/trouble falling asleep or staying asleepAnosmia/hyposmia/parosmiaAgeusia/DysgeusiaVibration sensations throughout bodyBlurry visionNeuropathies/tingling/pins and needlesTinnitusVertigo |
| Psychiatric | DepressionAnxietyPTSD |
| Digestive | Abdominal painDiarrhea |
| Other | Abnormal sweat smell like onions or cheeseJoint or muscle painsSkin rashes |
Certain symptoms appear to occur from a low vagus nerve/parasympathetic tone, while other are more related to the high sympathetic nervous system tone.