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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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Wondering if anyone has experienced other more severe GI/Digestive issues after Covid? Since our bout with covid my wife experienced a loss of both taste and smell, both of which have recovered, but currently is experiencing intolerable severe GI pain after literally everything/anything she eats. Numerous CT scans and ultrasounds all have shown nothing. At least nothing to those who have read them to date. Current symptoms include: severe GI pain after eating anything that moves from upper area to lower area and left to right; constipation; weight gain; and others. After a year of suffering with this we are lost as to where to turn next……. HELP !!!!!! Please
Your spouses situation sounds very challenging . I have experienced similar symptoms for the latter half of 2022., although less severe from how you describe your wife’s . I had Covid late December 2021. After various ultrasounds etc the short of it is the pressure/ pain source is in the lower bowel ( hemorrhoids) from straining due to constipation. I’m not saying that’s your wife’s issue but after one has put up with pain for so long as she has it gets very confusing as to where is the source? I read some notes from naturopaths and also started probiotics to help my gut. I will be having a scope to address the hemorrhoids and pray that’s the answer to getting rid of this steady constant abdominal/ rectal pressure, bloating etc. all the best in solving your spouses health issue.
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1 ReactionThe gut needs to jeal though diet and specific supplements.
My spouse had the same issues.
A homeopath recommended a homeopathic nutritionist. Working with her and getting a SIBO test helped but it took about 6 months. Be your own advocate.
Has she had a HIDA scan yet?
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1 ReactionI would say talk to your doctor as per this article from the NIH the bacteria balance in your gut is a good indicator of your long covid health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9611210/
I can tell you that you need medical advice on which probiotics based on an analysis of your gut flora. While probiotics can make life more tolerable by aiding the GI track healing it won't completely cure everything. As a long hauler too, any improvement helps.
Exactly the same as me! Severe constipation started the day I came down with covid. This was July of 2022, and I am STILL struggling with constipation. Taking a magnesium pill morning and night fixes it, but if I stop taking the pills for even a day, the constipation is back. Colonoscopy revealed nothing. I think it is just one of several long covid symptoms I’ve been battling. Covid also gave me bad second degree vastus lateralis strains in both knees, and they also still haven’t healed. I’ve also been battling heart palpitations, tingling, chest jumping at night, and muscle and tendon pains.
I also experienced constipation the first time I had Covid of 3/22 and it lingered for months, one of my long Covid symptoms. I am now dealing with a new Covid infestation and experiencing constipation again, along with queasiness which I never had first time.
Where is photo of product??
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1 ReactionYes where is photo of product used??
Yes, I’ve been suffering from severe constipation since the day I came down with covid in July 2022, and I had never had a day of constipation in my life before. Colonoscopy was clear. I’ve found that taking a magnesium pill in the morning and before bed keeps the constipation at bay, but if I skip a day or two it’s immediately back.
Covid also severely attacked my knees at the time, leaving me with severe double vastus lateralis knee strains, which I still have not completely recovered from. It also gave me additional widespread pain and inflammation, which I am also still battling.
Something I just had done, which I believe has proven to be very helpful with my overall condition is diet related… My naturopath ordered the US BioTek 240 Igl Food Sensitivity test for me. It was a blood test that tested my body’s sensitivity to 240 different foods, and the results are very detailed. It was an expensive test, I think $300, and my insurance wouldn’t cover it, but I feel it was definitely worth it.
In my case, I now know that my body is highly sensitive to sugar, dairy, oats, barley, arrowroot, and certain beans, and cutting those things from my diet seems to be making a big difference. I have also found that post covid, my body also reacts very negatively to caffeine (terrible stomach pains).
Before covid, I could eat and drink whatever I wanted and never had GI issues. But I think covid wreaked havoc on my GI system. I think I was probably sensitive to those foods before, but my body could handle it, but not now. Covid seems to have made my body intolerant of them. Hopefully it won’t last forever, but who knows.
Since you mention the severe GI issues your wife is having after eating, I suspect something similar has happened to her. I highly recommend she get a comprehensive food sensitivity test. Her body, like mine, probably needs all the help it can get with fighting long covid, and steering clear of foods that her body doesn’t like might be especially helpful in her case. Good luck.