Long covid is a condition where people continue to experience symptoms for longer than usual after contracting the covid-19 virus. According to the office of national statistics, more than 1 million people are living with long covid, and it is estimated that 14% of people who catch covid-19 end up with lasting symptoms.
The largest international study of people with long covid found more than 200 symptoms ranging from brain fog and hallucinations to tremors and tinnitus. Symptoms were found in 10 of the body’s organ systems, and a third of the symptoms continued for more than 6 months.
The study was published in the medical journal The Lancet and researchers studied 3,762 people with confirmed or suspected long Covid from 56 countries. The most common symptoms were fatigue, post-exertional malaise (where people’s health worsens after physical or mental exertion) and brain fog. Other effects included visual hallucinations, tremors, itchy skin, changes to the menstrual cycle, sexual dysfunction, heart palpitations, bladder control issues, shingles, memory loss, blurred vision, diarrhoea and tinnitus.
Researchers have not identified the cause of long covid. However, some of the possible causes include:
– A reduced or lack of response from the immune system
– Relapse or reinfection of the virus
– Inflammation or a reaction from the immune system
– A reduction or change in physical conditioning due to bed rest and a lack of activity
– Post traumatic stress
Some research indicates that the lingering problems associated with long COVID-19 may be the result of injury to multiple organs, including the lungs, heart, and brain.
Home treatment may include the following:
-taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, to relieve painful symptoms or fever
– resting and relaxing
– setting achievable targets to reach
It is also important to take care of general health by:
– following a healthy diet
– getting quality sleep
– limiting alcohol intake
– limiting caffeine intake
– not smoking
However, because the symptoms of long COVID can fluctuate and vary, people suffering from more severe symptoms may need individualised rehabilitation plans.
To read more about long covid visit – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/long-covid
Long Covid: Do I have it, how long will it last and can we treat it?
