Introduction
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the lives of millions of Americans, many are still dealing with the lingering effects of the virus. Recent studies have found that up to 30% of those who have been infected with the virus are still experiencing symptoms months after their initial infection. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing these symptoms, making smart dietary choices can help to reduce their severity. In this article, we will discuss the types of foods that should be avoided and the ones that should be eaten to help manage post-COVID symptoms.
Up to 30% of Americans Still Have This COVID Symptom After Infection — Eat This Not That
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the United States, many Americans are still dealing with the lingering effects of the virus. According to a recent study, up to 30% of Americans who have been infected with the virus still experience at least one symptom months after their initial infection.
The most common symptom reported by those surveyed was fatigue, with nearly one-third of respondents saying they still experience it. Other symptoms included shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty sleeping. While these symptoms can be debilitating, there are some things you can do to help manage them.
One of the best ways to manage lingering COVID-19 symptoms is to eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help boost your immune system and give you the energy you need to fight off the virus. Additionally, avoiding processed foods and sugary snacks can help reduce inflammation and improve your overall health.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, it’s important to get plenty of rest and exercise. Regular exercise can help reduce fatigue and improve your overall health. Additionally, getting enough sleep can help your body recover from the virus and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Finally, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and reduce inflammation. Additionally, it can help reduce fatigue and improve your overall health.
While there is no cure for COVID-19, there are steps you can take to manage the lingering symptoms. Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest and exercise, and staying hydrated can all help reduce the severity of your symptoms and improve your overall health.
Imagine getting COVID and thinking you’re going to be fine after a short period of time (which many people are), but instead you don’t have a sense of taste or smell, you’re severely fatigued and experience a wide range of symptoms including brain fog and more for weeks or months after the initial infection. This is happening to millions and according to the Brookings Institution, “Around 16 million working-age Americans (those aged 18 to 65) have long Covid today. Of those, 2 to 4 million are out of work due to long Covid. The annual cost of those lost wages alone is around $170 billion a year (and potentially as high as $230 billion).” Although much more needs to be learned about long COVID, “The federal government is taking steps to fund additional long COVID research. For example, the National Institutes of Health launched the $1.15 billion Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, which combines data across more than 200 research sites, the U.S. Government Accountability Office states. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Sean Marchese, MS, RN, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center with a background in oncology clinical trials and over 20 years of direct patient care experience who explains what to know about long COVID and symptoms that can linger on. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Marchese says, “Long COVID is the continuation of symptoms that last at least two months after the initial COVID-19 infection. Many doctors diagnose long COVID after about 12 weeks without resolution of some symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath or cardiac issues. Long COVID can affect anyone regardless of whether it’s their first or subsequent COVID infection. Experts estimate that about 10% to 30% of patients experience long COVID after recovery from the initial illness.”
Marchese tells us, “Long-term effects of long COVID can involve any organ system that retained long-lasting cellular damage from the COVID-19 virus. The most common complications of long-COVID include muscle weakness, brain dysfunction (such as brain fog or confusion), loss of taste and smell, and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). However, post-COVID symptoms can affect any sensitive tissues in the body, such as the digestive tract, respiratory system or kidneys. Chronic kidney disease after COVID may necessitate dialysis in some patients, while others may need prescription heart medication indefinitely.”
According to Marchese, “Anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, changes in smell or taste, and paresthesia (pins and needles feeling) all indicate long-term neurological damage after COVID-19. These symptoms may last several weeks or months, and few treatment options exist. If you’re experiencing continuing neurological symptoms after a COVID-19 diagnosis, note when they started and what makes them better or worse. Your health care provider can use that information to run tests and rule out other illnesses while developing a treatment plan.”
“COVID-19 is notorious for increasing the risk of blood clots and associated complications, such as pulmonary embolism or stroke,” Marchese states. “Knowing the symptoms of a blood clot is vital so you can receive treatment quickly. A blood clot in the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis, can make the leg painful, red, warm or swollen. Blood clots that travel to the lung often cause cough, shortness of breath, or pain with deep breaths. Signs of a stroke caused by a blood clot include slurred speech, changes in vision, confusion or weakness in one side of the body or face.”
Marchese explains, “Long COVID tends to affect the heart by causing chest pain, rapid heartbeat or decreased blood flow. Blood clots can also affect how much oxygen the heart receives, potentially causing a heart attack. If you feel like your heart rate is abnormal, or you are experiencing issues in circulation, such as paresthesia or dizziness when standing, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Patients with long-COVID may require heart medication to control their heart rate or prevent heart attack.”
Marchese shares, “COVID-19 can affect the gut, causing inflammation and damaging sensitive digestive tissues. Symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea can persist long after the initial infection. Stomach pain may also indicate that you have long-lasting damage from COVID-19. If left untreated, persistent stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea can lead to chronic digestive illness or colorectal cancer. If you’re experiencing digestive issues after a COVID-19 infection, keep track of when they occur and what foods you’re eating. Your doctor can prescribe medications to ease symptoms and prevent long-lasting damage to the gut and digestive tract.” 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.
Heather Newgen