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Curious about long covid and its impact? Many people have reported a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection has resolved, this is termed as long COVID. A lot of people recovered from COVID-19 within a few days or weeks but some experience ongoing health issues that significantly impact their quality of life. This condition is also known by several other terms, including long-haul COVID, post-COVID syndrome, and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).
Long COVID symptoms can range from mild to debilitating and people have reported that they fluctuate over time. People can suffer from a wide array of symptoms that can linger long after the initial infection has subsided. These symptoms may resemble those of various other conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, lung diseases, heart issues, and neurological or psychological disorders.
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Common Symptoms Include:
In research studies, more than 200 symptoms have been linked to long COVID. Which can fluctuate over time, for instance, symptoms may stay the same over time, get worse, or go away and come back.
People can get long COVID symptoms after catching the COVID-19 virus even if they never had COVID symptoms. Unlike COVID-19 long-COVID does not spread from person to person and its symptoms can also show up to weeks or months after a person seems to have recovered from COVID-19.
- Extreme Tiredness (Fatigue)
- Feeling Short of Breath
- Problems with Memory and Concentration (“Brain Fog”)
- Heart Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Joint Pain and Muscle Aches
- Loss of Smell
- Chest Pain or Tightness
- Difficulty Sleeping (Insomnia)
- Pins and Needles
- Depression and Anxiety
- Tinnitus and Earaches
- Feeling Sick, Diarrhea, Stomach Aches, Loss of Appetite
- Cough
- Headaches
- Sore Throat
- Changes to Sense of Smell or Taste
- Rashes
Prevalence of long COVID
It is estimated that about 5% to 10% of individuals who have had COVID-19 may develop long COVID. For most people, recovery is possible within 12 weeks of their initial symptoms, but those with long COVID experience prolonged or recurring symptoms beyond this period. The understanding of long COVID is still evolving and it is an area of active research. Currently, in the U.S., long COVID is described as a chronic condition triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus leading to prolonged symptoms.
Long COVID has similarities to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) due to chronic fatigue and other overlapping symptoms.
Understanding the Causes of Long COVID
While the exact causes of long COVID are not fully known, several theories have been proposed by different groups of scientists:
1. Tiny Blood Clots:
Small blood clots that don’t cause major events, such as strokes, can still impair the function of vital organs like the lungs and brain. These tiny clots can disrupt normal blood flow and lead to ongoing health issues.
2. Inflammation
The immune system might overreact to the initial infection, leading to persistent inflammation in organs and tissues even after the virus has been cleared. This chronic inflammation can cause ongoing symptoms and contribute to long-COVID.
4. Viral Persistence
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, might remain in the body for an extended period, despite a negative test result and the resolution of initial symptoms. This persistent viral presence can continue to affect the body and contribute to long COVID symptoms.
5. Reactivation of Other Viruses
Some viruses, like Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis), can remain dormant in the body and potentially reactivate after a COVID-19 infection. This reactivation can lead to long-lasting symptoms and health issues.
6. Long-Term Psychological Effects
Severe cases of COVID-19, particularly those requiring hospitalization, can result in long-term psychological effects such as anxiety and depression. The stress and trauma associated with a serious illness can contribute to the overall experience of long COVID.
7. Disruption of Immune System Communication
COVID-19 might disrupt the communication between immune cells, leading to an autoimmune reaction where the body’s immune system mistakenly targets its cells.
9. Viral Survival in the Gut
There is evidence suggesting that the virus may persist in the gut and spread from there, potentially causing ongoing health issues and contributing to long COVID symptoms.
10. Damage to Blood Vessel Linings
COVID-19 can affect the cells lining blood vessels, leading to issues with blood circulation and potential long-term symptoms related to vascular health.
11. Impact on the Vagus Nerve
The virus may damage communication in the vagus nerve, which controls many automatic bodily functions. This damage can lead to a range of symptoms, including those associated with long COVID.
How To Manage Long COVID Symptoms:
While there is no universal treatment, various strategies can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Long COVID symptoms can range from mild to debilitating and people have reported that they fluctuate over time. People can suffer from a wide array of symptoms that can linger long after the initial infection has subsided.
Addressing Tiredness and Fatigue
Tiredness and fatigue are the most common symptoms of long-COVID and can be managed by keeping a diary to track your daily activities and sleep patterns, fatigue levels can help identify potential triggers or patterns that worsen your symptoms. Recognizing these triggers can guide adjustments to your routine to mitigate fatigue.
Maintaining a Balanced Diet
Adding a balanced diet to your everyday diet is essential for recovery and overall health. A balanced diet can help strengthen your body and potentially speed up recovery.
- Focus on adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your meals. Proper nutrition supports your immune system and overall well-being, which is vital when dealing with long COVID.
Engaging in Appropriate Exercise
Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your bone health, and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Exercising every day can improve your physical as well as your mental health. Begin with gentle activities like short walks, breathing exercises, and joint movements.
Seeking Medication and Medical Intervention
Well, there is no specific treatment for long COVID, medications can be taken to relieve symptoms such as cough, anxiety, headaches, etc. If underlying issues such as blood clots are identified, targeted medications may be prescribed.
Vaccination:
If you are already vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine then you are less likely to experience severe outcomes from the disease, which may, in turn, lower the risk of developing long COVID.
Olfactory Retaining
A stellate ganglion block numbs nerves that are present in your neck and can affect your sense of smell. Olfactory retraining is a non-surgical and non-pharmacological treatment that can help improve your sense of smell and help your brain remember what things should smell like.
Antiviral medications, such as Paxlovid®, may reduce the risk of developing long COVID if taken shortly after a positive COVID test, particularly in individuals at high risk for severe disease.
- Reducing Infection Risk
- Practice good hygiene
- Wear high quality masks(such as N95 or KN95)
- Avoid close contact with sick individuals
These are some other strategies when applied can help individuals better manage long COVID symptoms and reduce the likelihood of developing complications.
Key Takeaways:
Long COVID is a complex and emerging condition that pertains after one has suffered through COVID-19. There are about 200 symptoms recorded of long COVID from brain fog to more severe symptoms such as cardiovascular and neurological problems. There is no specific treatment for this disease but it can be managed through lifestyle adjustments, medical interventions, and continued research is crucial for improving quality of life.
