Oxygen therapy could be the latest solution provided by doctors to treat debilitating symptoms of longCovid, after research in Israel showed how it can repair brain tissue damaged by the virus.
Long-term neurological conditions are some of the most common symptoms associated with a Covid-19 infection, with about 30 per cent of people reporting some level of brain fog, headaches or mental fatigue months after recovering from the virus.
It has left millions around the world unable to work effectively but an innovative treatment used to stimulate stem-cell growth and accelerate tissue repair has proven to be effective in treating longCovid sufferers, a study has found.
Research at the Sagol Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Tel Aviv University suggests the Covid-19 virus can damage brain regions responsible for cognitive function, mental status and pain interpretation.
In some patients, the virus can penetrate the brain and trigger cognitive decline such as brain fog, loss of concentration and mental fatigue
Dr Shai Efrati,
lead researcher
LongCovid patients who received 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) over two months showed significant improvement in their cognitive function, compared with those who were given a placebo.
“The study revealed that HBOT can induce structural and functional repair of the damaged regions of the brain and improve the cognitive, behavioural and emotional function of the unfortunate patients suffering from post-Covid-19 conditions,” said Dr Shai Efrati, lead researcher on the project.
“The research suggests that the development of post-Covid-19 conditions related to the central nervous system includes direct neurological injury mostly in the frontal lobes — the area of the brain that plays a major role in cognitive and mental functions.
“In some patients, the virus can penetrate the brain through the cribriform plate, the part of the skull located just above our nose, and trigger chronic brain injury presented as cognitive decline, such as brain fog, loss of concentration and mental fatigue.”
The study involved 73 patients with reported post-Covid-19 cognitive symptoms, such as inability to concentrate, brain fog, forgetfulness and difficulty recalling desired words or thoughts.
Symptoms had significantly affected their quality of life and persisted for more than three months after a positive PCR test.
The Dubai clinic increasing the pressure on cognitive decline
During the treatment, patients entered an oxygen chamber usually used by deep-sea divers to decompress safely outside of the water, rather than when submerged.
The chamber delivers 100 per cent oxygen by mask during each 90-minute session at pressure equivalent to that found 10 metres underwater.
MRI brain scans were completed to test therapy progress, while subjects took part in cognitive tests and had their symptoms evaluated by a doctor.
Substantial increase
The treatment is offered at the Aviv Clinic in Dubai, where an evaluation for long Covid starts at Dh25,000 ($6,806).
That includes a comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation, physical performance assessment, fitness test, brain scan, blood tests, chest x-ray, smell and taste test, as well as a full medical checkup by a doctor.
Costs do not include the price of treatment, which can run into the tens of thousands of dirhams, depending on the severity of the condition.
Aviv Clinics used oxygen therapy last year to treat a previously healthy and athletic 56-year-old UAE resident suffering from long Covid, months after his release from hospital.
“This client told us that reversing the executive function effects of long Covid, such as memory and flexibility in thinking, as well as physical performance attributes were both very important quality of life priorities,” said Mike Frayne, chief executive of Aviv Clinics Dubai.
“When we measured the pre and post-treatment executive function skills, we saw a substantial increase in executive function performance.
"From a physical performance perspective, he was able to go from being limited to light jogging due to breathlessness to reporting that he returned to mountain running and rowing after the full HBOT treatment.”
The therapy is more commonly used to treat wounds and repair damaged tissue by flooding it with oxygen rich-plasma to supercharge the healing process.
It has also proved effective in treating brain injuries and degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, and can now be used effectively in the most serious cases of long Covid.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge say 78 per cent of long Covid patients experienced difficultly in concentrating, while 69 per cent said they had brain fog and 68 per cent reported forgetfulness.
“Millions of those who have recovered from Covid-19 are experiencing debilitating symptoms which persist for weeks, months or even two years following their original infection,” said Dr Amir Hadanny, chief researcher and head of global clinical operations at Aviv Clinics.
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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Match info
Wolves 0
Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')
Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
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Distance covered: 130km
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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