Neurologists Explain the Affect of Coronavirus on the Nervous System

With the start of 2022, the Coronavirus pandemic will be in its third year. Although coronaviruses, such as the new SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, are predominantly responsible for mild to severe upper respiratory symptoms, they can also have an indirect effect on other parts of the body. This is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood, which inhibits the body’s capacity to function normally. As a result, although being a respiratory condition, COVID-19 can have an effect on the nervous system according to most neurologists. We’ll go through how coronavirus impacts the nervous system, its immediate impact on the brain, and what long-term neurological issues can emerge after the virus has passed in this blog post.

Affect of Coronavirus on Nervous System

It’s crucial to remember that the interaction between COVID-19 and the neurological system is currently being studied, so conclusions may alter as new evidence becomes available. As a result, recent research indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus largely affects the nervous system via the immune system. COVID-19 has been shown in studies to induce the immune system to overreact.

The immune system uses cytokines as signaling molecules to fight infections. There are numerous types of cytokines with tasks such as: recruiting immune cells, generating antibodies, signaling pain, clotting the blood, creating inflammation, and reducing inflammation. The cytokines that cause inflammation (inflammatory cytokines) outweigh the cytokines that reduce inflammation during a cytokine storm. This simply causes inflammation to spiral out of control, causing more harm than benefit in the process.

There are increased amounts of cytokines in the blood during a cytokine storm. The cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, is likewise affected by these blood changes. Although there is no proof that the virus is spreading into the brain at this time, research is showing that alterations in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid can elicit nervous system reactions.

Immediate Effects of COVID-19 on the Neurological System

To comprehend how COVID-19 impacts the brain right away, we must first grasp how the virus functions. The SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to receptors on certain bodily cells. These specific receptors are typically located in lung cells, but they are also found in endothelial cells, the cells that line blood arteries. COVID-19 can cause blood vessels to become weak, leaky, or irritated as a result. COVID-19 can also produce blood clots or blockages in blood arteries, restricting the normal flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients and potentially leading to strokes or heart attacks.

Blood clots in or around the lungs can obstruct the passage of oxygen and induce hypoxia, even if COVID-19 does not cause strokes or heart attacks. Hypoxia, or low oxygen levels in the blood, is extremely harmful to the brain and other organs.

The majority of persons with mild cases of COVID-19 have no neurological symptoms, but those with intermediate instances that necessitate hospitalization usually have one or more of the following neurological symptoms:

• Muscle Aches
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Alterations in Taste or Smell

According to Neurologists, COVID-19 can also induce strokes, seizures, muscular weakness, nerve injury, pain syndromes, and some nervous system inflammatory disorders such Guillain-Barre syndrome, transverse myelitis, and acute necrotizing leukoencephalopathy in rare situations.

Long-Term Neurologic Effects of COVID-19

Most persons with mild to severe symptoms recover in a matter of days or weeks, with no long-term consequences. Others with mild to moderate symptoms, on the other hand, may develop bodily system malfunction and/or new symptoms as a result of the first infection. Those who have severe symptoms are at a considerably higher risk of developing new symptoms and/or continuing to have a bodily system failure. Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), long COVID, or long haul COVID are used to describe this condition. Some of the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19 include:

Nerve Damage

Peripheral neuropathy is a type of peripheral nervous system injury. The peripheral nervous system is made up of pathways that transmit signals from the brain and spinal cord to all parts of the body (arms, legs, hands, and feet), as well as pathways that return information from the rest of the body to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Depending on the type of nerve involved, peripheral neuropathy can cause a variety of symptoms.

Muscle movement is controlled by motor nerves, and indications of motor nerve damage include muscle weakness and cramping. Sensory nerves are responsible for sending messages from all sections of the body concerning sensations, temperature, pain, and other information. Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet is a common symptom of sensory nerve damage. Autonomic nerves are in charge of various automatic bodily functions that occur without our knowledge. They regulate heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, urine, perspiration, and sexual function, among other things. Dizziness upon standing or sluggish heart rates is two symptoms of autonomic nerve damage.

Fatigue

A sense of depletion or tiredness is referred to as fatigue by neurologists. It can happen after any sort of viral infection, and the intensity of the symptoms varies. Fatigue following COVID-19 may be due to problems such as a reduction in heart, lung, or renal function. The actual reason for weariness is unknown in other circumstances.

Cognitive Impairment

COVID-19-related cognitive impairment can manifest as difficulties concentrating, memory impairments, or a general feeling of brain fog. A feeling of exhaustion frequently accompanies cognitive decline. Certain treatments used to treat the illness, as well as immune, metabolic, or blood vessel problems, can all contribute to cognitive impairment.

Pain

Many people have complained to neurologists of joint and muscular pain that persists after they’ve been infected with the virus. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, as well as some people with mild or moderate illnesses, suffer prolonged chest pain.

Headaches

Neurologists warn that COVID-19 infection can cause headaches both during and after the infection. Mild to severe headaches have been observed for weeks after the original illness. Some people suffer from headaches on a daily basis, while others suffer from them just sometimes. COVID-19 headaches are not migraines, however, they do have a 24-hour baseline that occasionally increases.

Mood Disorders

Neurologists say that the stress generated by a COVID-19 infection can have a variety of mental health consequences. People may experience despair, anxiety, or even post-traumatic stress disorder in some situations. The severity of the infection, as well as the quantity of medical therapy, received during hospitalization, all raise the likelihood of certain mood disorders.