LONG_COVID DISEASES
After an acute COVID-19 infection, symptoms can persist for many months. This is then referred to as long COVID. Studies estimate that around 10-20% of people suffer from long COVID syndrome after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. In Germany, where more than 26 million people have been proven to have COVID-19 so far, this means that more than two to four million people could potentially be affected by Long COVID. The symptoms significantly affect the quality of life, including the need for care and early retirement, and they cannot be explained by other medical diagnoses
Long-COVID Ddiseases
fatigue
Persistent exhaustion (fatigue)
Muscles
Diffuse muscle pain (myalgia)
Mentally
Depressive symptoms, anxiety
Sleep
Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
immune system
Autoimmunity, dysregulated immune system with excessive inflammatory reaction, recurring infections
Organ dysfunction
Heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys
Nervous system
Inflammation, autoantibodies against binding sites of neurotransmitters (stimulation transmission from one nerve cell to another cell), tingling (paraesthesia), numbness (hypesthesia), concentration and memory disorders (brain fog)
In a few cases, similar symptoms may also follow
a COVID-19 vaccination occurs, which is called
Post Vacc Syndrome referred to as.
Causes of Long COVID
01
Immunological factors
Autoimmune processes may be involved in the development of long-term consequences, i.e. the immune system is impaired and incorrectly recognizes the body's own structures as foreign.
02
Reactivated infections
Multiple reactivations of “hidden”, so-called latent viruses, bacteria and Borrelia can cause various symptoms and confuse and weaken the immune system.
03
Change in blood flow
Research has shown that COVID-19 can cause changes in blood flow and deformation of red blood cells, preventing them from passing through the smallest blood vessels called capillaries. These small vessels become blocked (microthrombi).
04
Combined mechanisms
As a rule, there is a combination of different factors that need to be deciphered and resolved. Thanks to intensive research, new findings are continually being added.
It is important to note that autoimmune diseases can vary widely and not all of these factors play a role in every case. The exact cause can vary from disease to disease.
Causes of Long COVID
The exact causes are still unclear and there is currently no standardized and rational diagnostic method, such as laboratory tests. Therefore, there is no established treatment for Long COVID Syndrome.
Based on the current state of research, it is assumed that several factors could play a role in the development of Long-COVID. These may include psychological factors such as stress and anxiety, a sustained inflammatory response in the body, and the following:
Examples of autoimmune diseases
Causes of Long COVID
Immunological factors
Autoimmune processes may be involved in the development of long-term consequences, i.e. the immune system is impaired and incorrectly recognizes the body's own structures as foreign.
Reactivated infections
Multiple reactivations of “hidden”, so-called latent viruses, bacteria and Borrelia can cause various symptoms and confuse and weaken the immune system.
Change in blood flow
Research has shown that COVID-19 can cause changes in blood flow and deformation of red blood cells, preventing them from passing through the smallest blood vessels called capillaries. These small vessels become blocked (microthrombi).
Combined mechanisms
As a rule, there is a combination of different factors that need to be deciphered and resolved. Thanks to intensive research, new findings are continually being added.
The exact causes are still unclear and there is currently no standardized and rational diagnostic method, such as laboratory tests. Therefore, there is no established treatment for Long COVID Syndrome.Based on the current state of research, it is assumed that several factors could play a role in the development of Long-COVID. These may include psychological factors such as stress and anxiety, a sustained inflammatory response in the body, and the following:
INUSpheresis®
INUSpherese® as a treatment option
For patients suffering from severe long-COVID, ELLANN® uses INUSpheresis® as a combined therapy. It usually consists of two treatment cycles in which special filters are used. Which filter is used is decided individually depending on the symptoms, the course of the disease and the autoimmune antibody concentration in the blood.
Read more about how it works and the two special filters INUS 30 and TKM58 under INUSpherese®.
We create an individual therapy plan for each patient based on their health status and personal goals. INUSpheresis® is an essential component of our holistic therapy. Other methods such as interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (IHHT), infusion concepts, systematic laser application, personalized nutrient therapy, osteopathic treatments for muscle pain, breathing techniques and diaphragm treatments can also be used.
Find out more about this under Treatment.
We charge 2,218 euros per treatment cycle. The INUSpherese® costs are purely self-pay services, as the costs for this special therapy cannot be shown using GOÄ numbers. There are also costs for medical care before, during and after INUSpheresis®, laboratory costs and costs for individual infusion therapies. These are mapped via GOÄ and material cost blocks and can be submitted to private payers. Depending on the contractual relationship, up to 1,600 euros can be reimbursed by the respective private insurance company. Costs for laboratory tests are billed directly by the laboratory and are not included in the total cost pool.
For an educational interview and twoINUSpheresis®Treatments cost between 5,600 euros and 5,800 euros on average. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about costs. Payments in installments are also possible at any time upon request.
A recent court ruling from Landshut gives those affected cause for hope regarding financial support for this treatment. You can read this judgment here.
Costs and reimbursement of the INUSpherese® treatment
In a recent study, specific biomarkers were analyzed before and after therapeutic apheresis in different groups (cohorts) of Long COVID patients. Patients who reported significant improvement after two cycles experienced significant decreases in neurotransmitter autoantibodies, lipids and inflammatory markers. In addition, a 70% reduction in fibrinogen was observed. Elevated fibrinogen levels can increase the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular disease. After apheresis, clumped red blood cells (erythrocyte rouleaux) and fibrin fibers also largely disappeared.
These findings are extremely significant as it is the first study to demonstrate an association between specific biomarkers and clinical symptoms in Long COVID patients. In view of these results and our previous positive experiences, we are convinced that theINUSpheresis® represents a promising treatment option for people with severe long-COVID, in the sense of an individual attempt at healing.
Thisstudy and other interesting publications can be found belowlink.
Study situation Long-COVID and therapeutic apharese
⎯⎯• Allergies
⎯⎯• Lyme disease
⎯⎯• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
⎯⎯• Chronic hepatitis C
⎯⎯• Hashimoto
⎯⎯• Hyperlipidemia
⎯⎯• Crohn's disease
⎯⎯• multiple sclerosis
⎯⎯• Multiple Chemical Hyper-
sensitivity syndrome (MCS)
⎯⎯• Parkinson's
⎯⎯• Post-COVID syndrome
⎯⎯• Post-vac syndrome
⎯⎯• Rheumatism (chronic inflammatory)
⎯⎯• Heavy metal poisoning
⎯⎯• and more
INUSpheresis® was developed to remove a variety of disease-promoting substances and toxic substances from the blood. These include environmental toxins, heavy metals, allergens, metabolic products, inflammatory messengers, infection toxins and harmful proteins. Specially developed filters make it possible to specifically filter out these pollutants while preserving healthy components of the blood. INUSpherese® does not affect your vaccination protection because antibodies and immune cells that are responsible for your vaccination protection are preserved. This makes INUSpheresis® an extremely effective method for cleaning blood plasma and supporting general well-being and health.
INUSpheresis® is not a conventional blood wash or plasma exchange method. It is also not dialysis, in which urinary substances are filtered out. INUSpheresis® is characterized by the targeted removal of harmful substances, while essential and healthy components of your blood remain untouched. This includes vital electrolytes, proteins, nutrients, blood cells and antibodies. The use of specially developed filters ensures that only pathogenic contamination is removed during the treatment. This makes the treatment particularly gentle and generally very well tolerated.
The number of INUSpherese® treatments required depends on your individual health status and health goals. A basic cycle of two treatments within 48 hours is recommended. For more intensive needs, such as extensive heavy metal elimination or complex clinical pictures, a third and even fourth treatment session every 6 to 7 weeks can make sense. Your personal treatment plan will be drawn up by our doctors after a detailed consultation.
An INUSpherese® therapy, which consists of two treatments, accompanying infusion concepts and a preparatory medical consultation, is usually priced between €5,400 and €5,700. This cost information is intended to serve as a rough guide, as the exact investment can vary depending on your individual health condition and any additional therapy options. As part of the therapy planning, you will receive detailed advice and a detailed cost overview that is individually tailored to your health goals.
Frequently asked Questions
Symptoms of Long COVID
Symptoms of long COVID vary from person to person but may include, but are not limited to: