Sure Signs You Have Post-COVID Syndrome — Eat This Not That

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By Ghuman

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the health of millions of people around the world. While the virus itself is now largely under control, many people are still suffering from the long-term effects of the virus, known as post-COVID syndrome. Post-COVID syndrome can manifest in a variety of ways, from fatigue and difficulty breathing to digestive issues and cognitive impairment. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the sure signs that you may have post-COVID syndrome and provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid to help manage your symptoms.

Sure Signs You Have Post-COVID Syndrome — Eat This Not That

The novel coronavirus has changed the way we live, work, and interact with one another. As the pandemic continues to evolve, so too do the long-term effects of the virus. One of the most concerning is the emergence of post-COVID syndrome, a condition that can cause lingering symptoms long after the virus has been cleared from the body.

Post-COVID syndrome can manifest in a variety of ways, from fatigue and difficulty breathing to joint pain and cognitive issues. While the exact cause of the syndrome is still unknown, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so you can seek medical attention if needed.

Signs You May Have Post-COVID Syndrome

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Joint pain
  • Headaches
  • Cognitive issues
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Heart palpitations
  • Skin rashes

If you’ve had COVID-19 and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention. Your doctor can help you determine if you have post-COVID syndrome and provide treatment options.

Eat This, Not That

If you’ve been diagnosed with post-COVID syndrome, it’s important to pay attention to your diet. Eating a balanced diet can help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system. Here are some foods to eat and avoid:

Eat This

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Lean proteins
  • Healthy fats
  • Fermented foods

Not That

  • Processed foods
  • Refined sugars
  • Saturated fats
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine

Eating a healthy diet can help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, which can help you manage the symptoms of post-COVID syndrome. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any dietary changes you’re considering.

Post-COVID Syndrome—or long COVID—is the next public health crisis, virus experts warn. “Post-COVID-19 condition is an urgent problem with a mounting human toll,” says Aranka Ballering, PhD candidate at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. “Understanding the core symptoms and the prevalence of post-covid-19 in the general population represents a major step forward for our ability to design studies that can ultimately inform successful healthcare responses to the long term symptoms of COVID-19.” Here are five sure signs you have post-COVID syndrome, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

man using asthma machine at home.
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A number of people are reporting long-term lung issues after getting infected with COVID-19. “As we continue to learn about COVID-19, we’re understanding more regarding how it affects the lungs during acute illness and afterward,” says lung disease expert Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MHS. “And this is especially true with the virus’ ongoing variants, as well. As we have learned more about SARS-CoV-2 and resulting COVID-19, we have discovered that in severe COVID-19, a significant pro-inflammatory condition can result in several critical diseases, complications and syndromes.”

woman holding heart
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Some COVID-19 “long-haulers” are experiencing ongoing heart problems, including shortness of breath and chest pain. “Type 2 heart attacks are more common with COVID-19,” says cardiologist Wendy Post, MD. “This heart attack can be caused by increased stress on the heart, such as a fast heartbeat, low blood oxygen levels or anemia, because the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen delivered in the blood in order to do this extra work. We have seen this in people with acute coronavirus disease, but it is less common in those who have survived the illness.”

sleep
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Sleep issues such as insomnia could be a sign of post-COVID syndrome. “Sleep disorders are one of the most common symptoms that patients who suffer from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are having these days,” says Cinthya Pena, MD, sleep specialist for Cleveland Clinic. “So mainly what we are finding is that they complain from insomnia, fatigue, also brain fog, some of them present sometimes circadian rhythm disorders.”

couple in live holding hads while lying in bed together
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Sexual dysfunction has been reported as a sign of post-COVID syndrome. “I have seen young, healthy men, as well as older men with other medical problems, develop erectile dysfunction after contracting COVID-19,” says urologist Amarnath Rambhatla, MD. “But men who are older might be at an increased risk for developing erectile dysfunction due to underlying medical problems. There are a few other reasons why older men could be at an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction after COVID-19: Testosterone levels decrease as we age, and we know that testosterone is needed for normal erectile function. When you’re older, you are also more likely to experience an increased inflammatory response to COVID-19. Diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems—all of these are underlying risk factors for developing more severe COVID-19, and older men are more likely to have these issues.”

young man in white t-shirt and jeans looking in mirror at thinning hair
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Unexplained hair loss could be a sign of long COVID. “It’s extremely distressing, and it certainly might catch people by surprise,” says Jonathan Shammash, MD, an internist at Hackensack University Medical Center. “These patients may have thought they were recovered and done. But hair loss might also be associated with other symptoms and signs of post-COVID syndrome.”

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Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated or boosted ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Ferozan Mast

Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience. Read more

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