Fatigue is a sign that your body is healing itself
After this type of stress response to COVID-19, the body needs to go into rest and recovery mode, which is felt as fatigue. “This is similar to what happens after overexerting yourself with intense exercise or running a marathon,” says Dr. Tania Mucci-Elliott, an infectious disease physician at New York University Langone in New York City.
Dr. Gupta agrees that fatigue is a sign that your body is healing itself. “Feeling tired can be worrying, but keep in mind that this is a natural condition. It’s your body’s response to increase its immune response and tell you to rest,” says Gupta. says.
She added: “Fatigue is like an internal alarm system that says, ‘You need to sit down and take a break.'”
Is fatigue caused by the new coronavirus different from fatigue caused by other viruses?
Even if the new coronavirus infection is relatively mild, it can be devastating. “Many people who have contracted COVID-19 feel the fatigue is worse than at any other point in their lives,” McClelland said. “That’s certainly a unique feature of this disease.”
Chopra agrees, saying, “It’s not just a feeling of fatigue. It’s an abnormal feeling of fatigue and lack of energy, and it’s not just physical, but also cognitive, emotional, and spiritual.” states.
Again, this can be traced back to the extent and type of inflammation caused by viral infections. “COVID-19 is a systemic disease. It affects many parts of the body, including the entire respiratory lining, the kidneys, fat cells, and parts of the brain. “It causes inflammation, and as it subsides, people are likely to feel tired,” McClelland says.
How long will the fatigue caused by COVID-19 last?
The severity and duration of fatigue caused by COVID-19 often correlates with the severity and duration of the illness itself. “Typically, the worse the illness, the longer the fatigue is likely to last. People who have had to be admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 have seen their recovery by the time they return to their pre-illness state. It could take several months,” McClelland said.
McClelland said people who don’t feel well but are able to survive COVID-19 at home may take just one to two weeks to feel less fatigued.
Rest, healthy eating, and medication are all part of COVID-19 fatigue treatment
Rest is important when fighting COVID-19. “I can’t stress this enough: Make sure he gets plenty of rest and sleep during the acute illness and for a week or two afterwards,” says Chopra.
Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, focus on eating nutritious foods and drinks and avoid alcohol during this time, she added.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends treating symptoms with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or if you are at high risk for serious complications, antiviral medications such as nilmatrevir or ritonavir (Paxlobid). We recommend treating the symptoms.
Prolonged or worsening fatigue is a key symptom of long-lasting coronavirus
A person is considered to have long-term illness with COVID-19 if symptoms persist for weeks or months after the initial onset of COVID-19. Masu.
Fatigue is one of the most reported symptoms of long-term COVID-19 infection, Chopra said. “There is research to suggest that many people may continue to struggle with fatigue three to 12 months after infection,” she says. Brain, Behavior, Immunity – Health In 2022.
Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, fatigue has also become an aspect of post-exercise fatigue, described as a kind of “energy crash” after activities involving any level of effort. For some people with long-term COVID-19 infections, even a 10-minute walk can cause debilitating fatigue that lasts for several days, according to Yale Medicine.
If you’re still experiencing troubling COVID-19 symptoms, like fatigue, after three months, McClelland recommends talking to your health care provider (if you haven’t already done so).
“Most people please do not “Some people have a prolonged illness from COVID-19, but for those who do, about 85 per cent have recovered by the end of the 12 months,” McClelland said. “Psychologically, I think it’s good to know that fatigue will go away,” he added.
Practice the 3 Ps to combat long-term coronavirus fatigue
If you’re experiencing persistent fatigue that is interfering with your daily life, McClelland recommends following three principles, or the “Three Ps.”
pace. Pace yourself and don’t push yourself too hard and burn yourself out. “Doing too much can make recovery difficult and stunt your progress. Be sure to incorporate rest into your activities, even if it’s something small like climbing stairs,” says McClelland.
plan. Plan your activities for the day and week. If you find yourself having less energy or concentration at certain times, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists suggests you strategize accordingly.
Prioritize. Know which items on your to-do list are essential and which can wait. “When you’re tired, drop something you don’t need to do or ask someone to help you,” says McClelland.
