Many Coronavirus recovered patients report symptoms they continue having after the virus. Scientifics and health experts recognise COVID-19  as a multi-organic disease. Also, Covid has a large broad spectrum of manifestations with effects that can last for weeks (4 or more) or even become chronic. In addition, Scientifics and doctors continue working together to know why Coronavirus has these long term effects. On the other hand, it is hard for them to study Coronavirus because it mutates all fast creating new variants, for example Omicron. But what it’s certain is the fact that Coronavirus affects your immune system so bad that if you have some hidden condition it could manifest while having Covid and persist as a long term effect.

What produces these effects?

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen responsible of COVID-19. After having Coronavirus you may have residual effects of SARS-COV-2 infection. This is due to the cellular damage which is an innate immune response with inflammatory cytokine production and a procoagulant state caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In short, all these characteristics together may contribute to these long term conditions, at least is the hypothesis for now.

What symptoms may I present as long term effects?

• Fatigue (it could be extreme).
• Muscular aches and pains.
• Skin problems (dry skin, rashes, hair loss).
• Dyspnea (When you can’t get enough air in your lungs)Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Arthralgia (joint stiffness and pain).
• Cognitive issues (brain fog, bad memory, difficulty reading and concentration).
• Depression and increased anxiety.
• Generally feel unwell .
• Swollen lymph nodes .
• Diffuse or general myalgia.
• Non-restorative sleep or  insomnia.
• Cough.
• Chest pain.
• Fast or pounding heartbeat.
• Loss of smell or taste.
• Fever.
• Dizziness when you stand.
• Worsened symptoms after physical or mental activities.

Let’s go deeper:

Some of the side effects are:

Lungs

Covid-19 survivors have shown decreased lung capacity in different ways. Dyspnea, decreased exercise capacity, and hypoxia (there isn’t enough oxygen in the tissues to maintain body functions) are symptoms and signs that are often persistent.

Besides, there is a type of pneumonia often associated with COVID-19 that can cause lasting damage to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The resulting scar tissue can lead to long-term breathing problems.

Neuropsychiatric

Most patients describe fatigue, headaches, myalgia, and cognitive impairment (brain fog). In addition, almost 40% of the patients have reported anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and post-traumatic stress. Each case is different, some of them can involve inflammation, microvascular thrombosis and psychosocial impacts, among others.

Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is a condition that causes temporary paralysis.

Hematologic

Blood clots can occur. Large clots can cause heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, experts think that much of the damage to the heart caused by COVID-19 comes from very small clots that block the tiny blood vessels in the heart muscle.

There are more body parts that can be affected by clots, for example: lungs, legs, liver, and kidneys.

Also, there is a characteristic hyper-inflammatory effect caused by the virus, but it is uncertain how long it could last.

Cardiovascular

The most persistent symptoms may include heart palpitations, dyspnea and chest pain. Furthermore, an increased demand of the heart’s metabolism, arrhythmia, tachycardia, among others are present, too.

Renal

When having COVID-19, most patients develop acute kidney injury, but improves after some weeks. In addition, some patients infected with the African variant of SARS-CoV-2 show nephropathy (kidney disease).

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea, one of the most common symptoms in COVID-19 patients, can persist for quite some time, even after a negative test. Besides, the virus can alter the microbiome of the gut, affecting bacteria that are beneficial to stomach health.

Endocrine

Some conditions are: new or deteriorating diabetes mellitus, inflammation of the thyroid gland or acute thyroiditis, and demineralization of the bones.

A final word

There are different manifestations of the COVID-19 sequels, so it is important that even when you think Coronavirus is over, you should continue visiting your GP in order to keep everything under control. Keep a healthy lifestyle, improve your health habits, rest, introduce massage in your routine, and start Manual lymphatic drainage sessions to release toxins out of your body sooner, allowing your immune system to recover faster. 

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

References:

 https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavir

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01283-zus-long-term-effects/art-20490351

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351

The post Long term effects of COVID-19 appeared first on Perea Clinic.

Your immune system is like a good and loyal friend. It not one of those loud friends that take front and center at a party. It just works behind the scenes making sure everything is ok. But it is always there when most needed.

Moreover, you often overlook this vital defense system. So, it’s time to check in with your old friend and see what it’s up to.

Immune System and viruses

What’s the role of the immune system?

Above all, it helps to protect you against disease and foreign bodies. It helps identify viruses, bacteria, and parasites. And it distinguishes these from the healthy tissue within your body.

It’s made up of different structures within the body. You will be familiar with some of them. For example, the spleen and bone marrow.

But other structures play their part. You may be less familiar with lymphocytes, leukocytes and the thymus.

• Lymphocytes – are small white blood cells
• Leukocytes – are disease-fighting white blood cells
• The thymus – is the organ in which t-cells mature

These are all your allies that help combat pathogens, bacteria and toxins. And in a healthy human, the system is very robust. Nevertheless, there are many ways in which you can compromise your immune system.

Things that can weaken the immune system

Undoubtedly, there are bad practices that can weaken the body’s natural defense system. For example, if you smoke, drink or eat badly, it’s not going to help.

In addition, if you are lacking in essential vitamins such as B6, C, or E it can cause issues. And other factors like poor sleep or over-training can be detrimental.

Kick-starting your immune

It’s always wise to keep your immune system as robust as possible. Currently, there is a major scare concerning the Coronavirus. Just today a Brighton GP surgery has had to close down.

And whilst this particular virus is exceptionally worrying, it always pays to keep your immune system healthy.

There are, of course, common sense ways you can reduce the chance of catching any virus.

• Wash or sanitize your hands regularly (especially after using public transport), and use antibacterial body soap
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes and mouth when out and about

But if you want to strengthen your immune system as well, here are some helpful tips.

• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and whole grains
• Exercise regularly
• Get plenty of rest and sleep
• Manage your stress
• And try and maintain a healthy weight

In addition

Another fantastic way to boost your immune system is through Manual Lymphatic Drainage. You can read all about the benefits in one of our previous blogs. But in a nutshell, it is a great way to keep the Lymphatic System working optimally. And the Lymphatic is an integral part of your immune defenses.

We hope this information is useful. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are glad to help!

 If you like this blog, please share! 

The post The immune system – and how it can help to fight a virus appeared first on Perea Clinic.