When your energy is the thing that's broken, a cross-town drive to an appointment can take the rest of your day. That's one of the biggest reasons I see post-viral patients by telehealth. You can join from your couch, keep your camera off if it's a rough day, and save what energy you have for getting better.

If you've had COVID and you're still dealing with exhaustion, brain fog, a racing heart when you stand, poor sleep, or new digestive or hormone problems, you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. My job is to look at the whole system and support your body's recovery step by step, working alongside your medical doctors.

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One Patient's Words

"Dr Wards program helped me get my life back after an intense season of long-haul covid. My gratitude for Dr Wards experience, knowledge & dedication to help me get well, goes beyond words." Rhonda, from our patient success stories

Pacing First, Then Building

The most common mistake I see is pushing. Post-viral bodies often respond to overexertion with a crash a day or two later. So we start by finding your current safe "energy envelope," then expand it slowly. Here's the general order I follow, adjusted for every person:

Stabilize. Sleep, hydration and electrolytes, regular meals that keep blood sugar steady, and a daily activity level that doesn't trigger a crash.

Investigate. Testing chosen for your story. That might mean a functional blood panel (nutrients, inflammation markers, thyroid), a stool test if your gut changed after illness, an Epstein-Barr screen if old viruses are a question, or the DUTCH test for cortisol and hormone patterns. Kits come to your home, and blood is drawn at a lab draw site near you in Dallas.

Support. Targeted nutrition and supplements, gut support, and nervous-system practices based on what we find.

Rebuild. Gradual, measured increases in activity and cognitive load as your body allows.

Things I Pay Attention To

Brain fog. Often tied to sleep, blood sugar, inflammation, and nutrient status, so we look at all of them.
Gut changes. Many people notice new food reactions or bloating after illness.
Hormones and stress chemistry. A long illness is a major stressor, and cortisol patterns often shift.
Mold or other burdens. A post-viral body may have less room to handle what it tolerated before. If your history suggests it, we look.

When to See Your Doctor First

Chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath at rest, or new neurological symptoms need prompt medical evaluation. I'm happy to work with you once urgent causes have been checked.

Long COVID Questions From Dallas Patients

Is there a long COVID doctor near me in Dallas? I work with Dallas patients by telehealth, so "near" is wherever you are. I'm a functional medicine practitioner (D.C., A.C.N.) who works alongside your medical doctors. If you'd like an in-person visit, our clinic is in Waxahachie, about 30 miles south of downtown Dallas.

What helps with brain fog after COVID? There isn't one answer. I look at sleep, blood sugar, inflammation, gut health, and nutrient levels, then build a plan around your results so you're not guessing.

Do you offer post-viral inflammation support? Yes. Inflammation is one of the things we assess with testing, and the plan focuses on nutrition, gut health, sleep, and targeted supplements to support your body's balance.

Can I do this if I'm too tired for long appointments? Yes. Telehealth helps here. We can keep visits focused, use messages between visits, and pace the plan to your energy.

Do you offer plasmapheresis or IV therapies? No. My work focuses on testing, nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle support delivered by telehealth.