Reminding that Covid-19 is a disease that affects not only the lungs but all organs, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Internal Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Yaşar Küçükardalı stated, "Organ damage can also cause significant health problems."

Although people act as if it is over, the pandemic continues... Moreover, the coronavirus does not seem to let itself be forgotten. Internal Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Yaşar Küçükardalı pointed out that a significant part of the patients who were infected with the disease and recovered after treatment faced some health problems, and listed these problems as follows...

Cardiovascular Diseases

In the acute phase, the coronavirus affects both the heart membrane and the heart muscle. Studies have also shown that the virus causes inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). It can also cause a disturbance in blood pressure balance. As a result, complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath may develop from time to time in the following period. People who have had an infarction, especially during the acute Covid period, need to be extra careful. They should be followed up as cardiovascular patients, as their heart problems may persist for a longer period.

Neurological Problems

Fatigue, feeling of burnout, inability to concentrate, mood disorders, weakness in the musculoskeletal system, loss of strength, as well as numbness in the hands and feet are among the neurological problems that patients complain about. If these complaints start after Covid, the patient should be evaluated neurologically.

Lung Hardening

The most emphasized issue in the long term in the lungs is fibrosis, i.e. the formation of adhesions. Unfortunately, in patients who have severe acute Covid, a significant part of the lung is exposed to the virus and the healing process has taken a long time, adhesions in the air sacs and the surrounding connective tissue and, accordingly, hardening occurs in that area during this healing process. When this tissue hardening occurs on the walls of the air sacs, it alters and reduces gas exchange, that is, the respiratory pump due to fibrosis in the lung does not work sufficiently and gas exchange is not sufficient.

Thyroid Diseases

If the virus infects the thyroid gland in the front of the neck, a condition called thyroiditis may develop. In this case, the patient has complaints such as palpitations, sweating, weight loss, and tremors. In the following period, thyroid laziness may occur because the thyroid is damaged. Therefore, it is appropriate for people who have Covid to have their thyroid functions checked every 6 months at least in the first 1 year.

Diabetes

People who have had Covid may develop diabetes, or the course of diabetes may worsen if they had it before. There are 3 basic disorders in the endocrine system after Covid. The most important of these is related to sugar. As the coronavirus disrupts the cells that make insulin in the pancreas, it may cause diabetes in people who have never had sugar-related problems before. Secondly, cortisone is used to prevent shortness of breath, permanent damage, and adhesions in the lungs, especially in the majority of hospitalized patients. This treatment, which must be applied, may also have some side effects. Diabetes may develop. It may cause insulin resistance.

Inflammation may also occur in patients during the Covid period or in the first two months. This inflammation may lead to the development of insulin resistance and increased susceptibility to diabetes. Especially patients with dry mouth and frequent urination should be suspicious of sugar fluctuations. It is appropriate to have their fasting blood sugars and postprandial blood sugars checked 2 hours after a meal.

Press Coverage: sozcu