Neurological disorders found among patients with history of Covid-19

Ranchi: Among the many complications found in patients following their recovery from

Covid-19

,

neurological disorders

have been diagnosed in a considerable number of people, according to healthcare experts in Ranchi.

Dctors are almost regularly getting patients with a host of such disorders that range from mild cases of fibromyalgia (unexplained body ache) and hyponatremia (sodium deficiency) to serious complications like ischemic stroke (brain stroke) and GB syndrome (when the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system).

The assistant professor of neurology at

Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences

(

Rims

), Dr Surendra Kumar, said that instances of brain stroke among patients with a history of Covid-19 have increased considerably after the second wave. “We have noticed that those with ischemic stroke have had a history of severe infection of the

SARS Cov-2 virus

,” he added.

Dr Kumar pointed out that although the number of patients coming to the state-run hospital with such disorders has gone up now, it could have something to do with the curbs on travel being lifted. “Earlier, we were getting fewer patients, particularly when the Covid-induced lockdown and travel restrictions were in place. Perhaps the patients were unable to come to the hospital so the numbers were less but since the restrictions have been lifted now, we are getting more of such patients,” he said.

City-based neurologist Dr Ujjwal Roy said, “The problem is cropping up more in those who isolated themselves at home despite being severely infected with the virus. Those who were admitted in ICUs were given anti-coagulants which prevented heart attacks and brain strokes. But those who were in home isolation are now coming to hospitals with complaints of brain stroke. We have also got patients with GB syndrome and brain encephalitis (brain fever).”

He added, “Besides the severe neurological disorders, we are also getting mild cases of fibromyalgia, headache, myopathy (tingling sensation on fingertips) and sodium deficiency. Unexplained body ache and complications related to sudden drop in vitamin B-12 or sodium levels have prompted patients to seek medical help. By undergoing simple tests and identifying the underlying cause, these conditions can be treated.”

Dr Roy explained that most of these complications are related to the body’s immunogenic response to the virus. “Even patients with mild symptoms of Covid-19 were diagnosed with cytokine storm and the body’s response to it has damaged various organs, including the brain,” he said.

A few doctors at Rims have also observed an increase in instances of quadriparesis (temporary or permanent weakness in all four limbs), Bell’s palsy (paralysis of facial muscle due to sudden damage to facial nerve and transverse myelitis), inflammation and damage of the spinal cord.

Dr Kumar said that while some of the conditions could have been triggered by the infection, few could be related to the overuse of drugs and medications recommended by semi-qualified people. “During the second wave of Covid-19, people were scared and had gone to semi-qualified people or quacks for treatment and they prescribed medicines that could have caused the damage,” Dr Kumar added.


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