Impact of COVID-19 on Digestive Health
The COVID-19 pandemic is worse than what the researchers and common people might have anticipated. It has mutated into many different variants, with new symptoms, which have made it even more difficult for healthcare workers to ensure the well-being of their patients and people around. That being said, those who are infected with the virus are also not able to examine the same because of the new symptoms of the new strains. While fever, dry cough, chest pain, and so on are some of the common symptoms that everyone knows of; COVID-19 can affect your digestive health as well. Here are some of the ways that the virus can impact your digestive health.
• Loss of Appetite
This is one of the most common ways that the COVID-19 virus affects your digestive health. You will lose the will to eat even your favourite foods. Especially, if you have a loss of smell or taste – loss of appetite comes along with it. This happens because when you don’t get the taste of what you are eating, you don’t enjoy the food, leading to having them in a limited amount. Adding to this, some may also feel bitterness in whatever you eat or drink – even normal water may start to taste bitter.
• Diarrhoea
Another digestive health that you may face in case you have been affected by the virus is diarrhoea. This is a common digestive problem that people face because of which, detecting the virus becomes difficult. However, if you have been experiencing this problem for a long time and the usual medicines don’t work; it is advisable to get tested. If the reports are to be stated, some studies have shown that COVID-19 patients with such symptoms take a longer time to filter the virus out of their body. Diarrhoea makes the body weak. So, the earlier you start the treatment, the better it is for you. Especially, keep a check on the elderly and senior citizens for the same.
• Abdominal Pain
A new symptom that can be seen nowadays in many patients is excessive abdominal pain. Many people who have experienced abdominal pain mistook it for a normal gastritis issue; however, if the pain persists for more than two days, consult a doctor and get tested for the COVID-19 virus. Most of the infected patients are sceptical to get themselves tested because of the panic that is created around the virus – don’t do this mistake; if you have elderly people living with you, you have to ensure that you keep yourself isolated from them. If the elderly and senior citizens at your home experience such abdominal pain, get them tested. You may think it is an old age-related health issue but that may not be the case.
• Nausea
Along with the loss of appetite and diarrhoea – nausea is another health issue that can be caused due to COVID-19 infection. Sometimes, it may also happen that you don’t experience loss of appetite and other digestive problem but can solely experience nausea. This probably happens because your gut is not able to digest the food that you are eating, causing acid refluxes and gas. The result of which is you vomit out everything. In case you or anyone in your family experience nausea for more than 2-3 days, consult a doctor.
It is said that in some patients or infected people, these symptoms can show up before developing a fever, dry cough, and other symptoms. The second wave that the country is facing right now is something that no one had expected. The cases were going down, patients were recovering, and people were adapting to the new normal. But because the symptoms of the new strains are going unnoticed as normal health issues; it may have impacted the rise in cases.
However, there is nothing to get scared of – you just have to monitor the symptoms and if you or anyone at your home experiences the symptoms for more than 2-3 days, consult a doctor and get a test done immediately. If the reports come negative, you can take a sigh of relief and if by any chance, the reports come positive – you or the infected person can get treated at the earliest. We got through it the first time; we will through it this time as well!
COVID-19, along with impacting the physical health and digestive health, can impact mental health as well, especially in the elderly and senior citizens. Emoha has always been at the forefront in ensuring elderly people lead a hassle-free life. We take care of all their needs – whether it running errands or attending to their health issues; for us, it is always #EldersFirst.
