Lately, it’s been hard to do anything or go anywhere without hearing about COVID-19. We are overloaded by information on the subject. Yet, there is still a lot of confusion. Words like inflammation and cytokine storm get thrown around with no explanation. So, what makes this virus so dangerous?
For many, this virus causes a few days of feeling rough. Fever, achiness, no energy or appetite. Yet, for others, it can turn into a serious or even life-threatening situation. What factor causes this illness to cause sniffles for one person and many problems for another?
Well, we do know that COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19) is from the coronavirus family. Which means it’s from the same family as the seasonal flu. We also know that how the immune system responds plays a huge role in how the illness progresses. Also, COVID-19 replicates itself in the lower lungs causing severe inflammation. This makes it harder to fight than the simple cold which affects the upper airways.
COVID-19 Timeline to Serious Inflammation and Illness
The timeline after infection of this virus goes like this –
- Symptoms develop (when virus level is at its highest) within 5-6 days
- 97.5 % People with symptoms develop COVID-19 within 2 weeks
- Those at risk keep getting worse going into severe respiratory failure, shortness of breath, muscle/joint pain, headache/dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, and coughing up blood
- If the process continues, severe airway damage, blood clots, elevated total body inflammation, organ damage (usually lungs, kidneys, and liver), and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) occurs leading to death often
image: Cleveland Clinic
Chronic illness leds to higher risk for negative COVID-19 outcomes
So, those with chronic illness have a higher risk for the immune response to go overboard. This means the level of inflammation would be much higher than for someone fighting off the seasonal flu. With this increase in inflammation comes damage to organs that become inflamed.
Think of it this way, a person with diabetes contracts the virus and develops symptoms. The immune system is already at a low level. But, a constant state of inflammation and ‘fight mode’ keeps blood sugar levels in check and reduces the body’s damage.
Now, it must also fight a new invader that can multiply itself in the lungs. In time, the immune system becomes tired of fighting and becomes insufficient at its job. This is why those with chronic medical conditions are at greater risk for severe COVID-19.
As with the seasonal flu, the illness starts in the lungs. This can lead to pneumonia and the lowering of some immune cells. The virus’s traits (called antigens) trigger the immune system to shift into fighting mode.
Then, inflammation increases in the body. Also, antibody (memory agent) production begins, cytokine (the on/off switch for the immune system) levels rise, and cell death occurs. These are all normal stages of the immune response.
Cytokines: The on/off switch for the immune response (inflammatory response)
The reaction of the immune system to this virus is turned on by the ‘signaling’ cytokines. When the invader is no longer be a threat, antibodies are created to ‘remember’ it if exposed again. Then, the cytokines turn off the response to let the body return to balance.
Interestingly, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) happens when fluid builds up in the lungs. This buildup means not enough air can enter the lungs. Thus, not enough gets into the bloodstream. So, the oxygen supply for all the cells and organs of the body will be too low. Lack of oxygen to any part of the body means that part dies. This is why early treatment is a must.
Yet, sometimes cytokines get confused and don’t send out the ‘off’ signal. In this case, the immune response continues. Inflammation lingers affecting the body.
So, someone can be exposed to the virus but not have a fever. Yet, when it progresses and a fever develops, it’s the first sign of cytokine storm. As the storm grows, the secondary damage caused by the immune response trying to kill the invader can be deadlier than the virus itself.
Plants offer hope in calming the storm of COVID-19 inflammation
Now, we are learning that specific plant sources can lessen the severity of cytokine storms. These plants provide natural immunosuppressive agents to support the overworked immune system. This means these plants can make the ‘off switch’ work again. An added benefit is that there are no toxic side effects of these plants. Listed below are a few.
Andrographolide (in Andrographis paniculata)
Allicin (in garlic oil)
Colchicine (in Colchicum autumnale L, used to treat gout)
Curcumin (in Turmeric spice)
Eugenol (found in clove oil, cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, and ginger)
Gallic Acid (in many plants)
Gingerol (in fresh ginger)
Luteolin (found in celery, parsley, broccoli, carrots, peppers, apple skins, and cabbage)
Melatonin (in many plants)
Quercetin (in broccoli, leafy greens, apples, citrus fruit, tomatoes, berries)
Resveratrol (found in dark berries)
These plants have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. Plants that calm the immune response are better alternatives to treating cytokine storms in COVID-19.
Can COVID-19 inflammation and cytokine storm be prevented?
Thankfully, clinical trials are testing a common prescription drug called an alpha-blocker. Then, it may be used to break the cycle of hyper-inflammation before damage occurs. But, studies on this are ongoing. We will have to wait and see what the science uncovers.
The more we understand, the less we fear. Less fear means lower stress levels. Therefore, inflammation is much lower when stress is lowered. Again, we are talking about a cycle here. But this cycle is what will bring all of us better health and wellness.
I know, easier said than done often. Understanding more of how stress in any form affects our body, reduces it feel much more important, doesn’t it? It is a goal we should all work toward.
References:
Frontiers in Immunology
The New England Journal of Medicine
US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health
Science Daily
Center for Disease Control
Mayo Clinic
