2023-11-29 18:02:22
Researchers Discover Corona Infection Can Cause Long-Term Digestive Problems
By: Juliane Gutmann
As of: November 29, 2023, 5:02 p.m
Gastrointestinal problems can have various causes. Researchers have now found that a corona infection can also cause long-term damage to digestion.
Heartburn, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea are all signs that indicate impaired digestion. While a gastrointestinal infection is often the cause, stress and an unhealthy diet also affect our digestive tract. But what if your stomach and intestines suddenly start to have problems for no apparent reason?
A US research team has investigated what role a previous corona infection could play in digestive issues. The scientists used the medical records of more than 150,000 US veterans who were sick with Corona. A comparison with over five million people of the same age who had not been infected with Corona actually showed that a Corona infection increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal problems such as constipation as a long-term consequence.
The researchers found that around 9,500 corona patients later developed problems with the digestive tract, pancreas, or liver. Even long after a corona infection, digestive problems in some people can be traced back to Covid-19. Heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea were the most common symptoms shown by the corona patient group. And that after an average follow-up period of around 409 days after the acute infection. Even those who only suffered mild coronavirus symptoms were far more likely to have stomach problems than those who did not have Covid-19.
The study found that people with Covid-19 have an increased risk and an increased 1-year burden of gastrointestinal diseases beyond the first 30 days after infection. This includes heartburn, stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, inflammation of the pancreas, hepatobiliary diseases, and stomach ulcers.
A study by Chinese scientists showed that infection with Sars-CoV-2, the corona pathogen, disrupts the microbiome in the intestine. The researchers came to the conclusion that the bacterial imbalance increases the risk of secondary infections, such as infections with viruses other than the coronavirus or bacteria. The researchers in the current study pose the theory that chronic inflammation after corona infection could be responsible for persistent gastrointestinal problems. It is possible that some virus fragments remain in the digestive tract after the initial infection has subsided, which could lead to persistent inflammation in the stomach and intestines.
Overall, the results show that people with a Sars-CoV-2 infection have an increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders in the post-acute phase of Covid-19.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.]
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