*The FDA has not approved intravenous ketamine or NAD+ for the treatment of any psychiatric or pain condition. These articles reference off-label use. Like all medical treatments, the discussed therapies carry risks and benefits. Speak with a doctor at Clarus Health to learn if these therapies may be right for you.
Stellate Ganglion Block and Long COVID Sense of Smell/Taste
Loss of taste and smell can be a serious concern with long COVID. Learn how the Stellate Ganglion Block can provide relief to these long COVID symptoms of anosmia and ageusia.
Two unique symptoms in long COVID affect the nervous system: loss of taste and smell (referred to as ageusia and anosmia). This can affect up to 80% of patients with COVID. This is unusual because loss of taste is quite rare without loss of sense of smell. Learn how the Stellate Ganglion Block may help patients with loss of taste and smell from COVID infections.
What Causes Loss of Sense and Smell and Taste in COVID?
We don't know for certain what causes the neurologic dysfunction leading to these changes in smell and taste. We believe COVID causes immune system hyperactivation that then disrupts the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system, or the fight-flight response. Furthermore, because the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly smell and taste buds, there is both direct and inflammatory injury in these crucial cells that control our perception of smell and taste.
Stellate Ganglion Block and Long COVID
The Stellate Ganglion is the bundle of nerves that controls your fight-flight response, a key part of your autonomic nervous system. Numbing the nerves of the Stellate Ganglion can reduce the fight-flight response, making it useful in conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, hot flashes, and long COVID.
The Stellate Ganglion Block has been used to reduce the severity of many long COVID symptoms, including:
- Dysautonomia
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea
- Loss of taste of smell and taste
We believe the symptoms of long COVID are a result of dysfunctional immune system response to the virus. This overactive immune system response then over activates the nervous system, causing a vicious cycle of hyperinflammation and nervous system overactivation. Additionally, the Stellate Ganglion Block also increases blood flow to the face and brain, which may explain its effects in patients with long COVID.
Long COVID Sense of Taste and Smell and Stellate Ganglion Block
Since before COVID, the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) has been used to improve loss of smell (anosmia and ageusia). Since 2020, numerous cases have been reported of improvements in the Stellate Ganglion Block improving anosmia and ageusia. A study of over 100 patients demonstrated an improvement in over 70% of patients receiving the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB).
It is believed that performing the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) as soon as possible after symptom onset provides the best chance of improving these symptoms.
While we still have lots to learn about long COVID and its effects on the nervous system, loss of taste and smell can be very disruptive to the lives of those affected. SGB has a long history of use for many conditions, and its side effects are well understood.
Is a Stellate Ganglion Block Right for You?
It is important that you understand the side effects associated with SGB before the procedure. While SGB is considered very safe, especially with ultrasound guidance, your vigilance in monitoring for possible side effects is very important for your safety. Talk to a doctor at Clarus Health to learn if you are a candidate for a Stellate Ganglion Block to improve anosmia or ageusia.
Anthony Kaveh MD
Dr. Kaveh is a Stanford and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist and integrative medicine specialist. He has over 800,000 followers on social media and has guided hundreds of patients throughout transformative healing experiences. He is an authority on Ketamine, NAD, and SGB therapies. He is a registered continuing education lecturer in the Bay Area.
