COVID-19 is gone. But why do I continue having symptoms?
After having Coronavirus many people continue having symptoms, but they don’t know why. At the clinic, we have received many enquiries from people who have this condition (Post COVID-19 Syndrome). Most of them describe it as: “it´s like some symptoms´ are never gone”. It is not possible for them to return to normal health levels for weeks or even months. What they complain the most is extreme fatigue, but they also report a huge lack of energy among other symptoms, such as:
- Persistent fatigue and loss of energy
- Muscular aches and pains
- Generally feel unwell
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Diffuse or general myalgia
- Depressive symptoms and increased anxiety
- Non-restorative sleep or insomnia
- Brain fog, bad memory, difficulty reading and concentration
- Dry skin
- Cough
- Hair loss
- Skin rash
During 2020, health experts described this condition as Post Viral Fatigue (PVF) or Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), due to the similarity to people with ME/CFS (Myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome) who have described the same symptoms. After studies made by Mayo Clinic during the last year, this syndrome was described as Post- COVID-19 Syndrome. Experts continue studying the long lasting effects of COVID-19 and how to treat them.
What is Post COVID-19 Syndrome?
These patients sometimes describe themselves as “long-term sick,” and the illness is known as post-COVID-19 Syndrome or “long-term COVID-19”. After a viral infection it is normal to have some degree of Post Viral Fatigue (PVF/PVFS), but in most cases it is for a short period of time (a few weeks). However, Coronavirus recovered patients can spend months getting back to normal. COVID-19 is a very aggressive virus that weakens the immune and lymphatic systems, so your energy level is going to improve when your systems stabilise.
Experts don’t know what causes Post COVID-19 Syndrome, but they catalogued it as autoimmune disease. However, they realised that the main reason patients have fatigue (among other symptoms), when they have an aggressive respiratory infection like Corovirus, is the overproduction of cytokines or what experts called “cytokine surge” (chemicals released by the immune system to communicate and coordinate the fight of infection).
How can I help my immune system recover faster from Post COVID-19 Syndrome?
In spite of the lack of knowledge related to Post COVID-19 Syndrome. Experts recommend trying to resume regular activities as soon as possible and avoid resting too much, as your immune system will recover faster if you move.
We have put together some tips based on our experience as a Lymphatic drainage clinic treating patients with autoimmune diseases, to help you to recover faster from this condition. Let’s have a closer look at them:
- Create a healthy sleeping routine. Do not eat later, no caffeine and no electronic devices before bed. If you have difficulty sleeping, look for advice at the NHS Every Mind Matters.
- Drink a lot of fluids; check the frequency and volume of your urine to know if you are well hydrated.
- Create healthy eating habits. Do not eat inflammatory food such as sugar, processed food, refined flour, and others. Remember your lymph system is swollen, so some kind of food can cause rashes on your skin and slow recovery.
- Have lymphatic drainage to release toxins out of your body sooner, allowing your immune system to recover faster.
- Get up and move around slowly, gently and often during the day. This is good for your body mobility and circulation and your lymphatic system.
- See a physiotherapist if you are finding it difficult to resume your fully daily life activities; recovery time is different for everyone and you could need help to recover muscle strength.
- As you get better, resume some daily activities. Routine helps your body to stabilise itself. Remember to take short breaks, do not rush.
We hope this information was useful for you. If you have any questions about it or about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help.
