Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about a possible mechanism of fatigue following COVID-19 illness. COVID-19 is an illness caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, and symptoms can vary widely for all individuals. Common symptoms are fever, loss of smell and taste, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. After recovering from the acute infection, some people may continue to have long-term symptoms, and they are given the diagnosis of post-COVID syndrome. The main symptoms are fatigue, muscle weakness, brain fog, and feeling slowed down. There are many possible explanations for these neurological manifestations, but it most likely involves the brain and neuroinflammation. The explanation described here is based on inflammation of the olfactory nerve leading to decreased cerebrospinal fluid drainage. This leads to increased pressure in the brain (intracranial hypertension), which can cause stress to brain cells and producing symptoms. Check out the video for more in depth information on the possible mechanism of post-COVID fatigue!
Wostyn P. COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is the worst yet to come? Med Hypotheses. 2021 Jan;146:110469.
