Every day, a new one is added to the information about the effects of the Covid-19 infection on our body. It is now known that the virus, which attracted attention with its damage on the respiratory system at first, also affects the nervous system, leading to an increase in fatal risks such as stroke. For this reason, Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Neurology Specialist, who emphasized that those with high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease should be more careful during the pandemic period. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı states that various nervous system diseases and stroke can be seen after infection. Dr. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı made important warnings and suggestions for the protracted post-Covid period.
Beware of sudden onset of power loss, speech and balance disorders!
While “cerebrovascular” or “brain vessel” disease, which is popularly called “stroke”, can occur at any age, it is mostly seen around the age of 70 in men and 75 in women. The World Health Organization defines stroke as “brain dysfunction of a vascular cause, sudden onset and rapid development, lasting 24 hours or longer, which can lead to death”. Stating that the symptoms of stroke can be “loss of strength and sensation on one side of the body, speech disorder, balance disorder, inability to see one side, loss of balance”, Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı, “We can first consider the stroke picture in two main groups as ‘brain hemorrhage/hemorrhagic stroke’ and ‘cerebral vascular occlusion/ischemic stroke’. Bleeding can occur within the brain’s own tissue or between the brain and the membranes surrounding the brain. Atherosclerosis, or also known as ‘clots’ among the people, may be due to the stenosis in the great arteries exceeding a critical level, the occlusion of a further vessel by a clot breaking off from these vessels, or the occlusions in smaller vessels. In addition, in some heart diseases, the clot formed in the heart can also block the brain vessels. says.
Risk group should be more careful
Especially high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea syndrome and heart diseases increase the risk of stroke. Stating that with the gradual emergence of the effects of the infection caused by the Covid-19 virus on the nervous system, it has become more important to be protected against stroke. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı gives the following information about the effects of Covid-19 on the nervous system: “Due to Covid-19 infection, almost every level of the nervous system can be involved. While there may be relatively innocent effects such as headaches, more serious diseases such as inflammation of the brain or spinal cord inflammation, which manifest themselves as inflammation in the brain, have also been observed. In addition, there were Covid-19 patients who came to us with epileptic seizures. Loss of strength and sensation disorders resulting from the involvement of the fibers of the nervous system dispersed throughout the body (polyneuropathy) have also been reported in the literature. Covid-19 is an infection that also damages the vessels, and the damage in the vessels is a serious and important problem for the brain, just like other organs.”
Coagulation leads to stroke
Stating that these effects of Covid-19 on the nervous system increase the risk of stroke, Dr. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı, explains the reasons for this situation, “The virus that binds to a receptor in the cells that surrounds the inner surface of the vessel, which we call endothelium, disrupts the function of these cells and thus the inner surface of the vessel becomes available for clot formation. Another reason is that the blood, which should normally be fluid in the vein, loses this feature and turns into a clot. As a result, vascular occlusion occurs. It is known that the virus causes bleeding in some patients as well as vascular occlusion. explains in words.
It can also trigger MS attacks
So, when do these effects appear and does the risk continue even if the infection is gone? Dr. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı states that the effect of Covid-19 on the nervous system occurs especially in the early period of the disease, and adds: “However, a few weeks after recovering from the disease, people who experience Myasthenia Gravis, which is a neuromuscular junction disease, or who suffer from Covid-19 without any clinical symptoms, We encounter patients who have had an MS (Multiple Sclerosis) attack for the first time after standing up. This makes us think that the risk may continue even if the infection is gone.”
The effects of the prolonged Covid vary according to the patient.
The “Long-Covid” (long Covid) effects of Covid-19 on the nervous system vary from patient to patient. While it is very mild in some patients, it can sometimes be fatal. “Depending on the affected part of the nervous system, permanent problems such as permanent paralysis, memory problems, vision problems can be seen.” said Dr. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı also states that temporary or permanent paralysis can be seen in groups with a high risk of stroke. Providing information about what can be done to reduce this risk, Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Mustafa Emir Tavşanlı says: “First of all, it comes down to getting rid of excess weight. This is possible with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Because being overweight causes high blood pressure, insulin resistance and related diabetes, fat accumulation in the veins, in short, mechanisms that will cause damage to all veins in general. It is important for people with high blood pressure and diabetes to take their medications regularly and not to disrupt their routine controls.”
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
