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A Gut Feeling: Long COVID and GI symptoms
Over the past two years, it has become clear that post COVID syndrome (PCS) is more than just fatigue and shortness of breath. Symptoms such as headaches, brain fog, ringing in the ears, and even eye changes have been reported as part of PCS, and it seems that every day we are learning more about possibly related symptoms.
One group of symptoms we are hearing more about lately involves the gastrointestinal (GI) system. In our COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program (CARP), patients have reported a wide variety of GI issues, ranging from mild nausea and decreased appetite to severe and new constipation and food intolerance.
And what we have seen firsthand has also been documented in medical literature. A study published in March 2022 found that in 147 patients with no prior GI problems, 16% reported having new GI symptoms roughly 100 days after their SARS-COV2 infection.1 The most common symptoms included:
- Abdominal pain 7.5%
- Constipation 6.8%
- Diarrhea 4.1%
- Vomiting 4.1%
Similarly, in a study published in April 2022, researchers found that patients with PCS were experiencing Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction (DGBI).2 Symptoms with this condition included:
- Heartburn
- Troubles swallowing
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Incontinence
While we are not sure yet, there are several possible ways the COVID-19 infection could cause GI problems. For example, the lining of the gut has a large amount of the receptors that the SARS-COV2 virus uses to invade cells. The general inflammation caused by the infection can also disrupt the normal bacteria that live in the gut and stimulate some of the GI system nerves.
What should you do if you are experiencing GI symptoms as part of PCS?
First, make sure to adequately hydrate and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Fad and extreme diets have not been found to be helpful in PCS. Instead, we recommend a standard Mediterranean diet with a reduction in processed foods. Second, avoid using lots of over-the-counter products to treat your symptoms. Sometimes, this can make the problem worse. Instead, speak to your medical professional first to develop a treatment plan.
Hopefully, with more research, we will be able to offer more treatments that get patients feeling better faster.
- JW B, J L, D J, DE F. Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal symptoms after recovery from COVID-19. Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society. 2022;34(3).
- R EN, A S, I S, et al. Gastrointestinal symptoms and the severity of COVID-19: Disorders of gut-brain interaction are an outcome. Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society. 2022.
Read more about PCS through the eyes of a MN legislator. Connect with other people like you and share your recovery tips and successes in the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 support group.
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I have those I only poop every 4-6 days so now just broth until I’m empty! I’m so sick of this been a year …
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1 ReactionEver since I came down with Covid, July 6th, I've been struggling with mouth issues. First l lost my sense of smell and taste, (very disconcerting). It did return after about two weeks. Then the terrible mouth problems began. It rotates around the interior of my mouth with a variety of tastes that are sour, bitter, metallic, salty, or just plain disgusting. Dysgeusia is one of the terms used for this condition. Every once in awhile my mouth seems normal and can last for no longer than 2 days before the nauseating condition returnes. Also my tongue waters and prickles a lot of the time. Has anyone experienced this strangeness?
Hello
I hope you found and read “ how to talk to your health care provider “ about your long Covid symptoms , an article from Mayo clinic with good tips . I found it helpful to break down my symptoms and know where to start my focus with my dr. Hope this helps
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1 ReactionI had Long Covid starting in June and am still trying to resolve my GI symptoms. Not sure if your daughter has tried this but I have used 250 - 500 mg per day of magnesium oxide to help soften my stool. I have also been eating bran cereal in the morning and more fresh fruits and vegetables (start with small amounts). I try to stay away from too many over the counter medicines and supplements and use easily available foods for nutrition and fiber when possible. Today I took a Pepcid and that seemed to help with the stomach pain I am having. There is definitely an emotional toll, so I hope your daughter is getting some support for that.
I have been dealing with Long Covid for about 6 months. It was starting to resolve after about 3 months, but my gastrointestinal and anxiety symptoms returned after I had my second Covid booster (as recommended by my doctor.) I had a lot of nausea and difficulty eating. That was getting better recently but just last week I started noticing that milk (lactose-free, that I have used for years) was giving me stomach pain and causing diarrhea shortly after consuming it. Is anyone else having new problems with dairy products after Long Covid?
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1 Reaction@suzie99, several members talk about issues with dairy and long Covid in this related discussion:
- Covid Recovery: How can I manage GI issues? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-recovery-and-gi-pain/?pg=11#comment-755985
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3 ReactionsThank you!
After I had covid, my digestive tract has been horrible, I am having diarrhea, then it gets constipated , it's all over the place, I have to take miralax to help me go, I truly believe the covid caused this, everything I eat gives Me severe gas and it's awful
Last May I. Contracted covid and my immune system shut down. The Drs. After 2 months of diarehha finally diagnosed me with a form of Guillain Barrée syndrome: CIPD. I am now trying to recuperate from this sydrome but am still having diarehha. Passed all tests imaginable but everything came back negative. I am trying the AOR LGlutimine and the Superfood. However I made a mistake and ordered the AOR L glutimine capsules. It says to take 8 per day. Would this be equivalent to the 2 scoops of powder. Amazon will not take a return.
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1 ReactionI was hospitalized with covid in 2020. 3 months later I almost died and required 4 units of packed red cells transfusion. 2 months after that I became septic with an infected gallbladder. Now it's 2.5 years later and I've been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and grade 3 diastolic dysfunction. I've been telling Dr's for the last 2.5 years that I am always short of breath and extremely fatigued until I found information about pulmonary hypertension and told the Dr that's what I had. After rigorous testing, it was finally diagnosed with additional heart disease. I have chose Mayo Clinic to follow up on my condition and hopefully will get much better care.
Over these 2 years I've, also had severe constipation, but felt it was due to a med I was on and after stopping it the constipation stopped.
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3 Reactions