Long COVID and Digestive Symptoms: What the Research Tells Us
Research summary exploring digestive manifestations of Long COVID, including gut microbiome changes, IBS risk and potential treatment approaches.
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The BMJ published a “Practice Pointer” (01/02/2024) which gives advice to medical professionals on how to deal with patients experiencing cognitive dysfunction following a Covid-19 infection. The paper draws on two sources: a literature search of PubMed conducted using the terms “post-acute covid-19”, and “long covid” and multiple terms relating to impaired cognition; and group discussions with front line clinicians and patient partners who are members of a national quality improvement collaborative for long covid clinics in UK.
The main pointers on what professionals need to know when dealing with cognitive dysfunction are:
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Cognitive problems are common after acute Covid-19 infections and can be disabling and frightening
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Symptoms tend to improve, but this may take up to a year. Those with chronically persistent symptoms lasting more than 12 months have a lower chance of improving
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Symptoms usually fluctuate
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Assessment should be directed to documenting the nature and trajectory of the impairment and excluding alternative diagnoses
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Self-management techniques may help patients manage their condition
The full resource can be read here.
