Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 29, 2024 3 months, 19 hours, 10 minutes ago
Long COVID News: A recent study has highlighted that Long COVID should not be mistaken for a functional neurological disorder (FND). This
Long COVID-19 News report aims to break down the findings, making it easy to understand for everyone. The study, conducted by researchers from various institutions, delves into the complexities of Long COVID and explains why it is a genuine condition with physical roots, not merely a psychological issue.
Long COVID is a real condition, not just in your head
Long COVID: A Complex Condition
Long COVID is a term used to describe the lingering symptoms experienced by some individuals after recovering from the initial COVID-19 infection. According to the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, Long COVID affects individuals for at least three months after the acute phase of infection, impacting multiple organ systems. This study sheds light on the fact that Long COVID can follow mild, severe, or even asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. It is estimated that around 43% of non-hospitalized COVID-19 cases and more than half of hospitalized cases report symptoms of Long COVID.
The Misconception of Functional Neurological Disorders
Despite the mounting evidence of the physiological impacts of Long COVID, some healthcare professionals continue to classify it as a functional neurological disorder. FNDs are conditions where patients experience neurological symptoms without a clear medical cause. These symptoms can include seizures, tremors, and paralysis, which do not align with known neurological patterns. The misclassification of Long COVID as an FND can lead to inappropriate treatment pathways and confusion among patients.
The Historical Context
The confusion around Long COVID stems from historical medical practices. In the late 19th century, neurologists like Beard and Charcot described a condition called neurasthenia, characterized by severe fatigue and other symptoms. This condition eventually split into two diagnostic paths: one focusing on the biological aspects, leading to the identification of conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and the other taking a psychosomatic approach, leading to the classification of FNDs.
Clinical Findings and Differentiation
The study presents several key findings to differentiate Long COVID from FNDs. Patients with Long COVID often exhibit symptoms like post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment (commonly referred to as "brain fog"), chronic pain, sleep disruption, and autonomic dysfunction. These symptoms are supported by objective clinical findings and are not merely psychosomatic. For instance, post-exertional malaise is a hallmark of ME/CFS, which is often seen in Long COVID patients.
Pathophysiology of Long COVID
Long COVID involves a complex interaction of various physiological processes. Some potential aspects include autonomic manifestations, vascular and endothelial dysfunction, viral persistence, abno
rmalities in T cell populations and responses, impaired cardiopulmonary function, autoimmunity, bioenergetic impairments, small fiber neuropathy, and alterations in the gut microbiome. These findings highlight the organic nature of Long COVID, making it inappropriate to classify it as an FND.
Neuroimaging Evidence
Neuroimaging studies further support the biological basis of Long COVID. Research has shown significant structural brain abnormalities in patients with Long COVID, including changes in gray matter thickness and volume, white matter integrity, and increased blood-brain barrier permeability. These findings contrast sharply with the typical neuroimaging results of patients with FND, which often show no significant abnormalities.
Implications for Treatment
Misdiagnosing Long COVID as an FND can lead to ineffective treatment strategies. Patients with Long COVID require interventions that address their underlying physiological issues, such as managing autonomic dysfunction, addressing immune responses, and treating small fiber neuropathy. Inappropriate treatments based on the FND model can delay recovery and exacerbate symptoms.
Conclusion
The study concludes that Long COVID is a genuine, complex condition with clear physiological underpinnings. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to recognize the distinct nature of Long COVID and avoid conflating it with functional neurological disorders. Proper diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for those suffering from this debilitating condition.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Personalized Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/14/8/799
The institutions involved in the research include:
-University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA
-Workwell Foundation, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
-Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
-Dysautonomia Clinic, Williamsville, NY, USA
-School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
-Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
-Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
-University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Long COVID News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/internal-tremors-and-vibrations-in-long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-insights-into-orthostatic-intolerance-in-long-covid-patients
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