[권순일의 헬스리서치]
The novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) is showing a trend of gradually retreating from a pandemic (pandemic) to an endemic (endemic disease). The government is also planning to change quarantine measures in line with the World Health Organization (WHO)’s decision on whether to lift the Corona 19 state of emergency around the end of April or early May.
According to the international statistics website ‘Worldometer’, since Corona 19 was first discovered in China in December 2019, there have been 683,694,000 confirmed cases and 6,829,600 cases worldwide for 3 years and 3 months as of the 31st. dead came out
There were pandemics that took countless lives, including the Black Death in the 14th century, smallpox, Spanish flu, and recently acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS).
Corona is showing signs of decline due to natural immunity due to vaccination and infection, but this ‘terrible disease’ looks like a formidable back end and left a nasty sequel called long covid. The followingeffects of Corona 19, that is, long Covid, which means that various symptoms of unknown cause continue for a while following suffering from Corona, are harming our health without knowing or knowing.
Experts said, “If you go to the hospital because you feel unwell following getting out of Corona, you are usually diagnosed with Long Covid following looking at other potential diseases.” It can give you clues as to whether or not you’re giving it.”
A recent study that analyzed data from 154,068 people with COVID-19 and compared them to regarding 5.6 million people with similar characteristics who did not have COVID-19 found that people with COVID-19 were 36% more likely to develop long-term gastrointestinal problems they did not have before onset. appeared to be About 9,600 of those who contracted COVID-19 had problems with digestion, intestines, pancreas or liver.
Among them, gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease were the most common problems, but some experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The research team said, “It suggests that corona treatment should include attention to gastrointestinal health and related diseases.” Of course, not everyone with a long Covid experience gastrointestinal problems, and research into this is ongoing.
◇What are the most common long Covid symptoms?
The symptoms of long Covid, classified by type by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are as follows: Common symptoms include △ Fatigue that interferes with daily life △ Fever △ Respiratory and cardiac symptoms △ Shortness of breath △ Cough △ Chest pain △ Rapid heartbeat or palpitations △ Brain fog (fog) Headaches △Sleep problems △Dizziness when standing up △Pricks of needles △Changes in sense of smell or taste △Depression or anxiety △Gastrointestinal symptoms △Diarrhea △Stomach pain, other symptoms include △Joint or muscle pain △Rash △Menstrual cycle changes, etc.
There have been studies on which of these are the most common, and the results have varied. A study of more than 17,500 adults who suffered from COVID-19 found that long Covid was more likely to cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, hair loss, fatigue, chest pain, breathing problems, joint pain and obesity.
Another study found that people with COVID-19 were 35% and 40% more likely to develop anxiety and depression, respectively. Professor Thomas Russo (infectious disease) at the State University of New York at Buffalo in the United States said in an interview with the health and medical media ‘Prevention’, “The most common symptoms we see in individuals are fatigue, brain fog, sleep disorders, joint pain, and various gastrointestinal symptoms. problems,” he said.
Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in the United States, cites fatigue, exercise intolerance (the inability or difficulty to do normal work or exercise), and concentration problems as long-coronavirus symptoms. “Ultimately, all the symptoms associated with Long Covid show that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory disease, it can affect the entire body,” said Dr. Rousseau.
◇How do you know if you have Long Covid?
“Knowing whether or not you have longcovid is obviously tricky,” said Dr. Adalja. “There is no diagnostic test for longcovid, and it is important to get a medical evaluation to rule out other causes of your symptoms first.”
“The medical examination will depend on the symptoms you are experiencing, and your doctor will try to rule out other health conditions first,” said Dr. Rousseau. This may include things like blood tests, physical exams along with chest x-rays and electrocardiograms.
“It’s wise to get tested if you notice any new symptoms,” said Dr. Rousseau. “It might be related to Koro or something else entirely. Nonetheless, it is important to get tested to know the cause of your symptoms and what you can do to relieve them.”
◇How long does it take for long covid symptoms to go away?
“It’s difficult to say for sure how long long Covid symptoms will last in some people,” experts say. However, a study published earlier this year, which analyzed the records of more than 2 million corona patients in Israel, found that most long-term symptoms that occurred following a mild infection disappeared following regarding a year.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, “Long Covid symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or years following infection and may disappear and then reappear,” but the CDC says “most people get better over time.” explains. “Ultimately, many people recovered within a year, but some people’s symptoms persist,” Adalja said.
“It is important to get a diagnosis from a medical professional if you suspect you have long covid,” said experts. ” he says.
