United States: In an article published in the British Medical Journal, an overlooked or untreated symptom of COVID-19 can lead to an issue that causes long-term health problems, as seen in many patients.
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There are common symptoms associated with COVID-19 – congestion, joint aches, and high fever.
Along with that, during the initial round of the pandemic, losing one’s sense of smell or taste was also a symptom.
What more have the experts to say?
According to the British Medical Journal, other symptoms such as stomach and gastrointestinal issues like loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, stomachache, and diarrhea are also linked to COVID-19.
Moreover, as per the journal, more than fifty percent of the people have experienced some of the mentioned issues after contracting the virus.
According to Dr. Christopher Vélez, the COVID-19 virus particles that cause lung illness lead to gastrointestinal tract infection, which can result in infections of the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and colon.
Vélez, whose article was published by Harvard Medical School, said that such particles cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in those with COVID-19, as ourquadcities.com reported.
Additionally, many of the experts have also been noticing that the virus could lead to a persistent and long-lasting symptoms, hence termed as “long COVID.”
GI and long COVID
Several medical experts believe that chronic gut symptoms could be caused by long-term COVID-19.
Vélez also mentions that one probable reason is post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, which happens when the stomach flu disrupts the network of nerves connecting the gut and the brain.
Such nerves, therefore, could be hampered by COVID-19 long, even after the illness is gone.
Vélez added, “Even if the process of digestion remains normal, you may frequently have symptoms like pain or a distressing change in your bowel movements, such as diarrhea or constipation,” as ourquadcities.com reported.
A study by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine has found a connection between COVID-19 and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Dr. William Tierne, who led the study, stated that there is “clear evidence” linking the two.
Therefore, he adds, “COVID could be the trigger for a patient’s long-term digestive symptoms.”