Fatigue is a common effect after a viral infection. And in light of the recent global pandemic, many COVID-19 survivors are experiencing fatigue on their way to recovery. Post COVID fatigue is exceptionally different from the feeling of tiredness after a long day. In most cases, fatigue can be felt in strange ways. If you think that your fatigue gets triggered by dental treatments, it’s wiser to bring someone along while looking for a clinic located in Emerald, QLD.
There are millions of patients affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And the majority of these individuals complain about fatigue months after they received treatment for the viral infection. This effect of COVID 19 has been called post-COVID syndrome or long COVID.
Studies show significant similarities between encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome) and COVID-19 fatigue.
Post-COVID Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Myalgic encephalomyelitis-chronic fatigue syndrome is a common and debilitating disorder that significantly affects the quality of life. When a virus gets involved, a persistent and long-term chronic fatigue syndrome takes place accompanied by infections.
As mentioned, fatigue is the body’s normal reaction when fighting an infection, such as the coronavirus-19. It can come up even though you’ve had a good night’s sleep, and it limits you from doing extraneous activities. Post COVID-19 fatigue can make you sleep more often, feel heavy on your feet, and make standing for extended periods hard to maintain. Post-viral fatigue also affects your memory and your ability to concentrate.
What Causes the Fatigue After COVID-19
There are two possible reasons why you’re fatigued after a covid-19 infection. The reasons include:
- A continuous response to the virus even though the infection has gotten better.
- A side effect of an underlying illness. For instance, patients who survived the coronavirus have developed pneumonia, a disease that might require a six-month treatment.
Why does it turn into “long COVID?”
Patients with post CFS symptoms react differently to the effects of the infection. Many things could contribute to the longevity of fatigue post-viral infection. Sadly, some patients had to deal with it for the long term.
Fatigue due to COVID may stay longer than anticipated due to the lack of physical activity, poor sleep, irregular daily routine, work demands, inadequate health care, stress, anxiety, and many more. If you are starting to show signs of improvement, watching your health and nutrition to ensure a continuous recovery would be wiser.
Managing Post COVID-19 Syndrome Fatigue
Once you recognize that your fatigue is real and has been affecting your daily life significantly, it would help you a lot if you seek medical assistance. In addition, explain your condition to your family and friends.
Some of the common symptoms of fatigue are severe tiredness, sleepiness, irritability, and eye strain. You can check out this link to know what you should do if vision problems accompany your fatigue.
Initially, here are the things that you need to do to fight your way back to wellness and health:
Self Isolate
Always follow your local communities policies, including isolating yourself until you feel better. If the fatigue got worse, ask for clinical assistance immediately. Self-isolation can become quite challenging if you don’t have a support system, but remember that doing so protects your family from getting infected. You can ask a family member to leave a board game or some snacks at your door to prevent boredom.
Rest
Patients with post COVID issues are advised to get plenty of sleep. Resting will help you recover quickly and allow you to restore your health at the same time. Additionally, relaxation and meditation techniques are also recommended among young and old patients. These techniques will promote excellent sleeping patterns and allow you to fight anxiety while you are alone in a room.
Nourishment
One of the most important things for you to prioritize is your nourishment. Because COVID-19 specifically targets your immunity, it would be best to strengthen your immune system through healthy meals and exercise. However, eating a bar of chocolate or two also helps to keep sane. Indeed, your health is a priority but don’t forget to loosen up a bit too.
Exercise
You don’t need to force your body to do extreme exercises. Just make sure to move gently and slowly every day. Being physically unfit will make it harder for you to recover and make you feel more tired. You will notice the minor improvements you make along the way, and you’ll be back in your everyday life in no time.
You may also opt to keep an activity diary. Take note of all the things that you have been doing while you are in isolation. Keep track of your progress and improvements and write down if you are experiencing other symptoms apart from CFS.
Keeping an activity diary could be helpful if your condition got worse. It would give your doctor a glimpse of your health while you’re recovering and the impact of your activities on your overall health.
When Should You Call the Doctor
You should call your doctor if:
- you don’t see any improvement despite your efforts to get better
- the fatigue lasted for more than a month
- the symptoms are getting worse day by day
- you have developed other symptoms apart from fatigue
- you are concerned that you have COVID-19 again
Before you speak to your physician, it would be better to prepare all the information you think would be relevant to your condition. Let your Dr Home Doctors Perth clinic know about the precautions you took after receiving a COVID-19 treatment and the side effects that you have experienced.
Furthermore, don’t forget to mention if you have been diagnosed with a specific disease before getting infected with COVID-19.
References:
How to manage post-viral fatigue after COVID-19 (https://www.rcot.co.uk/how-manage-post-viral-fatigue-after-covid-19-0)
Fatigue (https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/managing-the-effects/effects-on-your-body/fatigue/)
