Diagnosing Long Covid.

List of specific tests from Nature's Way to Healing Long Covid.

Currently, there is no specific test or set of tests to diagnose Long Covid. Instead, the diagnosis is made based on clinical evaluation and a patient's medical history. The following are some of the tests and assessments that healthcare providers may use to evaluate individuals with suspected Long Covid:

Medical history and physical exam: Healthcare providers may ask detailed questions about a patient's COVID-19 illness and any ongoing symptoms they are experiencing. They may also perform a physical exam to evaluate for any physical findings that could suggest Long Covid.

1. Blood tests: Blood tests may be used to evaluate for ongoing inflammation or other markers that could suggest a persistent immune response to the virus.

Some potential blood tests that may be used to evaluate for Long Covid include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC can evaluate for any ongoing inflammation or changes in white blood cell counts that could suggest an ongoing immune response to the virus.
• C-reactive protein (CRP): CRP is a marker of inflammation that can be elevated in patients with ongoing inflammation associated with Long Covid.
• D-dimer: D-dimer is a blood test that can evaluate for ongoing blood clotting or thrombotic events, which have been reported in some patients with Long Covid.
• Ferritin: Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and can be elevated in patients with ongoing inflammation or other immune-related disorders.
• Autoantibody testing: Some research suggests that patients with Long Covid may have elevated levels of autoantibodies, which are antibodies that mistakenly attack the body's own cells or tissues.

2. Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans may be used to evaluate for any ongoing lung damage or other abnormalities that could be contributing to symptoms. Imaging tests can include:

• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can be used to evaluate for any ongoing lung damage or abnormalities that could be contributing to respiratory symptoms.
• Chest CT scan: A chest CT scan provides more detailed imaging of the lungs and can identify more subtle lung abnormalities that may not be visible on a chest X-ray.
• Brain MRI: A brain MRI can be used to evaluate for any structural or functional abnormalities in the brain that could be contributing to cognitive symptoms or "brain fog" associated with Long Covid.
• Abdominal CT scan: An abdominal CT scan can evaluate for any abnormalities in the abdominal organs, such as the liver or kidneys, that could be contributing to ongoing symptoms.
• Cardiac MRI: A cardiac MRI can evaluate for any ongoing damage or abnormalities in the heart, such as inflammation or scarring, which have been reported in some patients with Long Covid.

3. Pulmonary function tests: Pulmonary function tests can evaluate lung function and help to identify any ongoing respiratory impairment. Some pulmonary function tests that may be helpful in the diagnosis of Long Covid include:

• Spirometry: Spirometry is a simple breathing test that can evaluate how well the lungs are functioning by measuring the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled.
• Lung diffusion capacity test: This test measures how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the bloodstream.
• Six-minute walk test: The six-minute walk test measures the distance a patient can walk in six minutes and can help to evaluate functional capacity and identify any exercise-induced oxygen desaturation.
• Arterial blood gas (ABG) test: This test measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and can help to evaluate respiratory function and identify any underlying respiratory impairment.

4. Neurocognitive assessments: Cognitive testing can be used to evaluate for any ongoing cognitive dysfunction or "brain fog" that is commonly reported with Long Covid.

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): The MoCA is a brief test that evaluates several areas of cognitive function, including attention, memory, language, and visuospatial abilities.
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): The MMSE is a screening test that evaluates cognitive function in several areas, including orientation, memory, and attention.
• Trail-Making Test: The Trail-Making Test is a series of visual-motor tasks that evaluate executive function and attention.
• Digit Span Test: The Digit Span Test evaluates working memory and attention.
• Stroop Test: The Stroop Test evaluates cognitive flexibility and inhibition.

5. Cardiac evaluations: Echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (EKGs), or other cardiac evaluations may be performed to evaluate for any ongoing heart damage or abnormalities. These can include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An ECG is a simple test that records the electrical activity of the heart and can identify any abnormal heart rhythms or conduction abnormalities.
• Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that can evaluate the structure and function of the heart, including the size and thickness of the heart muscle and the function of the heart valves.
• Cardiac MRI: A cardiac MRI can provide more detailed imaging of the heart and can evaluate for any ongoing damage or abnormalities, such as inflammation or scarring.
• Exercise stress test: An exercise stress test can evaluate how the heart responds to physical activity and can identify any exercise-induced abnormalities, such as a drop in blood pressure or oxygen desaturation.

It is important to note that the specific tests used may vary depending on a patient's individual symptoms and medical history. The diagnosis of Long Covid is currently based on a clinical evaluation and a patient's medical history, and there is ongoing research aimed at improving diagnostic criteria and identifying specific biomarkers that could aid in diagnosis, which will be extremely helpful for people with this condition.

Nature's Way to Healing Long Covid Resources.

Monthly symptom tracker. Get the Monthly symptom tracker here. Or use this download link:

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Weekly self-care checklist. Get the Weekly self-care checklist here. Or use this download link:

https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/f5832cd434537407/a72a2486b72cecff

Pacing diary. Get the Pacing diary here. Or use this download link:

https://delivery.shopifyapps.com/-/b43d0d6a5507a9d9/60a529a91f71539d