Long Covid
A Functional Medicine Approach to Long Covid
The term “Long COVID’ or “Long Haul Covid” is commonly used to describe the symptoms that continue after one month of having COVID-19.
Those that have had confirmed COVID-19 will experience symptoms for up to 14 days. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or acute.
Most patients will make a full recovery from the Covid infection with adequate rest and recuperation unless there is an underlying illness or they are in a vulnerable risk category.
Long Covid is a term to describe the effects of Covid-19 that continue for months beyond the initial illness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines long Covid in the following way: “Post Covid-19 condition occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of Covid-19 with symptoms and that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.”
Estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in May, 970,000 people in the UK were reporting long Covid symptoms in the four weeks to 1 August 2021. These were defined as symptoms that had lasted more than four weeks from initial infection and continued after 12 weeks.
Long Covid Symptoms
There are over 150 different symptoms that have been reported in more than 10 organ systems.
Our Functional Medicine practitioners seek to address the main underlying causes of these debilitating symptoms in order to treat them more effectively and get our patients back to an improved quality of life. We fully understand how this condition can affect activities at work, and with family and friends.
Some of the most common symptoms include
→ Chronic Fatigue
→ Shortness of breath
→ IBS type symptoms
→ Neurological Symptoms
→ Emotional distress
→ Shortness of breath
→ Brain Fog
→ Muscle Weakness
We also take an in-depth look into the history of our patients to see whether other factors may be contributing to symptoms, so we can piece together any information that can help determine imbalances.
Get Started with us today with a discovery call
Long Covid Treatment
Our practitioners are well versed in helping patients recover from chronic illness whether that be hidden viral infections, chronic inflammatory diseases or multi organ dysfunction. Our approach to treating long covid works on very much the same principles. We look at all body systems and use an evidence-based approach with clinical diagnostics and appropriate therapeutic methods to support a healthy immune response and recovery. We look to go beyond simply treating the symptoms and with some of the complexities involved in long covid, this may mean we look to balance immune function, reduce inflammation, restore hormone and nervous system balance to help you recover sooner.
Long Covid Approach
Nutrition approach to Long Covid
Depending on the symptoms and the organs affected, we will look to optimise nutrient status and recommend avoid certain foods in order to give your body the best possible support to overcome this condition.
Supplement Support
Depending on presenting symptoms and/or test results, your practitioner can recommend some targeted supplements to help support any imbalances or hidden infections found.
Testing
We work on the motto of testing rather than guessing. Our practitioners can recommend specific testing related to long covid such as reactivated viruses which are notoriously difficult to find and very rarely looked for, comprehensive microbiome and stool analysis, along with any other testing that can help with our investigations.
Targeted Treatments
Our practitioners can recommend additional treatment or lifestyle interventions that can be extremely beneficial to overcome chronic fatigue such as IV treatment or ozone therapy.
Our Client's Feedback
Cormac Whelan2023-03-26Rob has helped me through a gut health conditon that no other GP was able or willing to figure out. There was no guess work involved. He got to the root of my issues through knowledge, testing and investigation. I would highly recommend the London Centre for Functional Medicine
Roger Hassan2023-03-26I can’t say enough good things about my experience at the London Centre for Functional Medicine. After 3 years of misdiagnosis and living with IBS I finally felt I was able to heal. I’m truly grateful to Rob for his expertise in SIBO. I have to keep things in check but I feel so much better. I would highly recommend them.
G Monkee2023-03-22For those seeking an alternative viewpoint to their chronic conditions, I would recommend the London Centre for Functional Medicine to others. They were helpful and mindful of my financial restrictions. Thank you.
Martin Beaumont2023-03-21Working with the London Centre for Functional Medicine team has been a great experience. I have had big improvements with digestion issues and now live pain free! Having the support of Rob was very useful when questions or issues arose during the program and was particularly impressed with not going overboard with the supplement regime. Highly recommended!
Sean Hayden2023-02-20I'm currently going through treatment with Rob and just wanted to acknowledge the individualised and personalised care that has been provided. From when I started Rob has looked at my health issues without judgement and was able to help me in many areas that weren't optimal. Notably, Rob has helped me overcome gut issues and other niggling issues that I didn't were related but seemingly are. Rob is also great at explaining the body systems and related things which has been great. I can highly recommend the London Centre for Functional Medicine
K Kelly2023-02-18"What I appreciate about Rob at the London Centre for Functional Medicine is that he seeks to educate rather than just give supplements and instructions. He makes you understand both the action needed to take as well the underlying physiological processes driving the underlying issues. Highly recommended."
Aaron Robson2023-02-18If you're dealing with health challenges that conventional medicine hasn't resolved, I strongly suggest you visit the London Centre for Functional Medicine. They make a real effort to comprehend symptoms and worked with me to develop a plan for exploring treatment possibilities. Thanks to my practitioner, I now have answers to health questions that had eluded me for years, and I couldn't be more grateful. My practitioner (rob) uses a data-driven approach to identify the underlying cause. I've already recommended him to friends, and they have had success with his care as well.
Tracy Thomas2023-02-12Rather than going to a GP when you are sick I entered the Functional Medicine journey before things got out of hand. It’s a route everyone should consider as it does prevent illness and can reverse it! I learned a lot about how my body works and how to become healthier. London CFM walked me through the things I needed to know by educating me about how the digestive system works and healing my SIBO. Thank you!
Lindsay Jones2023-01-08I sought help from the London Centre for Functional Medicine for a problem I have had for most of my life, terrible digestive issues. Rob has worked with me to get back normal function of my digestive function. It has taken some time but the result have been great so far.
T Webster2022-07-16I was originally referred to Mr Staunton by a nutritional therapist who felt that his particular expertise was required for my specific needs. After meeting him and explaining the situation, he conducted some lab tests which had to be shipped to Germany.. In the 3 months that I’ve been treated by Mr Staunton, I’ve seen a significant improvement in my symptoms and I’m feeling optimistic about my continued good health. I highly recommend the Clinic and working with Mr Staunton has been a very professional and pleasant experience. He’s extremely knowledgeable about both nutrition and how the body works.
Why Choose the London Centre for Functional Medicine?
Support
Once you reach out to us, the team will guide you through the collaborative process with a practitioner, We will gather the information we need to understand you better and help support and motivate you along your health journey.
Experience
We take the complex and try to make it simple. Many patients have gone to multiple doctors before they reach us. By taking a functional medicine approach, we can focus on the core imbalance and what needs to be addressed to improve your health picture.
Custom Approach
There is no one size fits approach as each patient is unique. Thus, no plan or protocol is the same. Everything about you including symptoms, lifestyle, diet, genetics and capacity to heal is different and will require a personalized approach.
london center for functional medicine