As we approach a year since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, many questions remain unanswered. The disparities in symptoms between individuals—why some remain asymptomatic while others require hospitalization—continue to puzzle researchers. We’re still gathering insights into the roles of antibodies and T-cells, and we eagerly await effective treatments and vaccines.
One area of ongoing investigation involves “long haulers,” individuals who experience lingering symptoms long after their initial COVID-19 infection. To shed light on this phenomenon, we consulted Dr. Samuel Jenkins, DPT, the founder of the Pulmonary Recovery Initiative at H&D Physical Therapy.
Currently, there are no definitive traits that uniquely identify long haul COVID apart from persistent illness. Dr. Jenkins highlights the alarming variability of symptoms among patients. “In my years of experience, I’ve never seen such a diverse range of responses, even within the same individual at different times. This makes it challenging to classify these cases accurately,” he explains. Most commonly, patients exhibit symptoms that simply do not subside, with some suffering for many months—some since February.
The spectrum of experiences among long hauler patients is broad. Severity of initial COVID-19 cases does not necessarily predict the likelihood of developing long-term symptoms. Dr. Jenkins treats patients who had severe cases that linger, as well as those who initially presented mild symptoms that either worsened or evolved over time.
Research indicates that over 100 symptoms are associated with long haul COVID. Surveys reveal that these symptoms can affect multiple body systems, including cardiac, respiratory, and neurological. Dr. Jenkins has identified eight key symptoms that significantly impact his patients’ lives:
- Severe fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness due to blood pressure fluctuations
- Chest pain or pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath, even at rest
- Muscle aches
- Reduced exercise tolerance
For example, a patient named Laura from Denver shared her experience with exercise intolerance. Before contracting COVID-19, she was active, utilizing her Peloton and walking her dog regularly. Post-infection, even a short walk leaves her breathless and exhausted for the rest of the day. Thankfully, she is gradually regaining strength through Dr. Jenkins’ recovery program.
Dr. Jenkins has also encountered many patients with autonomic dysfunction, which can manifest as seizures, tingling, tremors, or unusual internal sensations. Since March, Laura has dealt with various symptoms, including burning sensations, unequal pupil size, severe headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Doctors suspect that these symptoms stem from inflammation in her brain.
Interestingly, most long haul COVID patients tend to be younger women, unlike the typical COVID-19 demographic, where older individuals and men are more severely affected. Dr. Jenkins notes that the average age of his long hauler patients is 43, with 80% being women.
The causes of long haul COVID symptoms remain uncertain, but they are believed to be inflammatory in nature. Researchers are still exploring whether the symptoms arise directly from the virus or as a response from the immune system. For instance, someone with a previous injury may experience similar sensations anew after contracting COVID-19.
Diagnostic tests remain a challenge in identifying long haul COVID. Laura’s visits to the ER for low oxygen levels and shortness of breath resulted in normal test outcomes. This experience is common; many long haulers report symptoms without clear findings from cardiac or pulmonary examinations. Dr. Jenkins believes this reflects our current limitations in diagnostic testing for this unique condition.
Despite the uncertainty, Dr. Jenkins offers a glimmer of hope. Long haul COVID is now widely acknowledged, allowing patients to access resources and support. He has begun witnessing patients gradually heal and reclaim their lives, albeit at a slower pace than they would prefer. There is a growing belief that long haulers will eventually recover and feel like themselves again.
While we await further information, it’s crucial to continue practicing safety measures, such as social distancing and wearing masks. For more insights on home insemination, you can check out this related post here. Additionally, Make a Mom provides valuable resources on this topic, and Resolve is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination information.
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Summary:
Experts are gaining a clearer understanding of COVID-19 long haulers, individuals experiencing persistent symptoms long after their initial infection. The variability in symptoms complicates diagnosis and treatment, with many patients—predominantly younger women—reporting a wide range of health issues. While research continues, there is hope for recovery, as more resources become available to help those affected.
Keyphrase: COVID-19 long haulers
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