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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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Hope it helps. We're all in this together!
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1 ReactionYes, we are!!
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1 ReactionI have covid long haulers and my hubby has it way worse! His belly but the worst is the debilitating fatigue!! He was hospitalized for mental issues that he didn’t have before covid ! It’s scary ! I don’t know what to do anymore and no one around here In Rhode Island! Can anyone help
This is such a challenge for you both! The uncertainty can be really unnerving. You are not alone!
For what it 's worth, I'm seen for Long COVID (LC) in Washington DC at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. (It's called the Medstar COVID Recovery Program now. ) The doctor who manages my care in general provided 3 really helpful referrals: 1) Speech pathology to help with the cognitive fatigue/deficits, 2) Group therapy, which touched on coping with all the major categories of struggle for LC, and 3) Neuropsych for evaluation to tease out what is physiological and what is not to better treat.
I'm going on 14 months with LC. I noticed that the mental and emotional symptoms (anxiety, irritability, etc that did not exist pre-COVID) started improving around the 9th month. This seems to be the case with a number of LC folks. It varies as to when it starts to improve by individual. Perhaps this helps provide hope!
Sending lots of prayers, positive thoughts and good vibes!! Keep hope alive!! 🙂
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4 ReactionsHello…I am sorry to hear you are struggling with Post Covid as well!! I am afraid to get the new vaccine that works against the newer variants…but also afraid not to. I had Covid the beginning of May and have had terrible body pain, exhaustion and awful reflux and stomach issues for about a month or two now. They put me on Paxlovid which did stop the loss of smell and lowered the fever within 24 hours. But I didn’t test positive for six days so I am not sure if I got full benefit because of being sick so long before taking the meds. I had horrific ringing in the ears, sinus pressure, conjunctivitis and high fevers with exhaustion while I was sick. Now I have trouble with mouth sores and thrush and sore throats and still have the conjunctivitis and now a cough plus the stomach issues. I don’t have health insurance and therefore can’t see anyone. I was wondering if you would mind sharing the names of the supplements you are taking? Thanks so much for listening and sharing.
It seems to me the #1 requirement to recover from covid is patience! I too had the fatigue after my 2nd bout for 4-6 weeks...I count myself lucky. The gut supplements I take are: daily Vitamin C, AOR L-Glutamine powder 1 scoop twice a day in water; 1 Bioclinic Naturals BB536 Probiotic pill; 1 Culturelle Probiotic pill twice a day: 1 Vitazan Professional 500mg Quercetin pill twice a day; and 1 scoop of Genuine Health fermented organic gut SuperFood powder mixed in homemade iced tea, well mixed with a small whisk. There is an orange version - homemade iced tea is essential to get the unflavoured down! I also drink kombucha every day as I am not a fan of fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi. Sadly all these do add up financially, but they have helped. If you have to prioritize, I think the 2 powders are key, along with the fermented food and diverse diet. I do not know how readily available all the supplements are as I get them in Canada via a prescription from my Naturopath. I wish you patience and of course good health!
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1 ReactionI have been fighting on trying to eat anything some days I can have a few bites and the lower abdomen starts to hurt. So jello or just water. The longest I had to do that was 10 days. I’ll start to be able to eat a little bit more for a few days . Have a really good day on eating about once a week and bam right back to jello and water. Lower back pain also on the same side as abdomen pain. Tramadol is what I been prescribed but doesn’t cut it . Fetal position or pillow under
My legs and stuck in bed . When it’s this bad I’m nauseous and have acid taste. Started to take pro biotics a week ago that helps with the acid taste.
Lost about 20 lbs so far in 2 months. Just don’t have the energy to do anything for any length of time . I’m more constipated since covid in the spring except when I was on antibiotics and ended up with covid a month ago food just went straight threw me then . Until I was finished with them . It’s safe when my 9 month old granddaughter eats more than me most days of the week.
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2 ReactionsSorry to hear about your severe GI issues. I deal mostly with constipation marbles and then, if I take supplements, the marbles get increasingly, embarrassingly frequent. I drink tons of water.
I don't know if this question belongs in this category. I just had blood work done and suddenly, my cholesterol levels have skyrocketed. I eat very small and infrequent servings of meat, lots of fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts, flaxseed, bran, etc. Wondering if my lack of ability to exercise due to COVID has affected my cholesterol?
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1 ReactionHi
After i had covid last year, my behavior changed. It really worried me and was embarrassing it was exhausting to try to contain it.
I had a brain scan. The neuropsychologist who reviewed it said it was “not normative”. But there is no norm. My brain wAves were at extreme ends of the charts.
He was surprised i was so articulate .
I went go about 10 neurofeedback sessions. I was not sure it helped so i finally quit.
It still worries me but i dont know where to go with it.
Anyone else have ideas on gollowup?
Thank you.
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1 ReactionAfter COVID in the Month of Jan 2022. This was my first COVID after this from February onwards I expected burping issues , heartburn and abdominal issues. I did H pyori test it came out negative , went to various doctors still the problem is not solved. Now I can't drink Tea, Coffee and Soda related drink as it increases the heartburn and bruping. Digene , and antacid solves the problem temporarily
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