Patients feel tired because of COVID-19. According to some estimates, 85% of survivors experience fatigue for at least 16–20 weeks after the onset of primary symptoms.
What is known about this problem and how you can help yourself in a column for The Conversation, said Natasha Yates, associate professor at Australian Bond University.
Fatigue is experienced in different ways. Someone experiences muscle weakness, others lose strength quickly even in the simplest activities, others feel tired even when they do nothing. Sometimes physical strength is lacking, and sometimes mental or spiritual strength. A characteristic feature is that rest and sleep do not bring relief.
People often went to the doctors because of fatigue and before the pandemic. The most disturbing symptoms of fatigue include fever, unexplained weight loss, strange bleeding or bruising, being painful, and night sweats. If it’s not getting better and worse gradually, or if you can’t take care of yourself anymore, you definitely need help. After the examination, the doctor may refer you for tests and additional examinations.
An estimated 85% of people with the syndrome after COVID-19 («prolonged COVID-19») suffer from fatigue, according to one estimate, but they tend to have other symptoms as well, and fatigue does not appear to be common among them. Fatigue after COVID-19 also resembles the chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis) that also develops after viral infections. At the moment, we can only say that not all people with fatigue after illness develop post-COVID syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Sometimes fatigue occurs even when COVID-19 has been mild. In vaccinated people, this problem is less common and they become ill less often. There are no proven effective therapies yet, but the recommendations below should be followed.
Gradually return to your normal activities. Prioritize and focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.
Slowly increase your physical activity. At first, you may need the help of a specialist — let your attending physician advise someone.
Don’t beat yourself up for too long sleep. During sleep, the body saves energy and regenerates itself. It is important to follow the regimen, but also to rest during the day if you feel tired.
Eat a variety of nutritious foods. Due to the loss of smell, taste and appetite, it is not that simple. In that case, consider eating as a necessity. What you shouldn’t be doing is spending your money on miracle drugs that have worked well in small studies. More careful checks usually show that they hardly make sense.
Keep a diary to keep track of your condition and see improvement. If the condition worsens, consult your doctor.
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