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Experiencing persistent dizzy spells after recovering from COVID-19? Concerned about sudden leg weakness? This article explores potential causes and available advice for managing post-COVID dizziness.
Navigating Post-COVID Dizziness and Imbalance
Reader Question: Following a bout with COVID-19 several years ago, I now endure debilitating dizzy spells. It has become so severe that my legs occasionally buckle under me. Could you offer any guidance?
Expert Response: Similar to numerous viral infections, COVID-19 can trigger a range of enduring health issues.
This condition is frequently referred to as post-COVID syndrome, or long COVID, which is akin to post-viral fatigue. Post-viral fatigue encompasses a spectrum of persistent symptoms, notably exhaustion, often initiated by viral illnesses such as common colds or influenza.
Vertigo is recognized as a symptom of long COVID. One hypothesis suggests that this manifestation arises from the virus’s impact on the inner ear, a crucial organ for maintaining equilibrium.
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Regrettably, for some individuals, these symptoms can persist even after the infection has subsided.
Dizziness can also indicate a cardiovascular complication stemming from COVID-19 known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. POTS is characterized by an abrupt elevation in heart rate when transitioning from a seated or reclined position to standing.
Some individuals find relief through consultations at specialized long COVID clinics. These clinics can conduct evaluations to ascertain if long COVID is the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Furthermore, they can provide various treatments, including compression stockings, which can enhance blood circulation to and from the heart.
Increased hydration, typically around two to three liters daily, alongside increased salt consumption, also appears to provide relief for some.
Specialized long COVID physiotherapists are also available, offering tailored exercises to improve balance in patients experiencing dizziness.
Medical professionals might also prescribe short-term medications such as ivabradine or fludrocortisone.
Any individual suspecting they may have long COVID or POTS should consult their general practitioner (GP). The GP can assess their symptoms and, if deemed necessary, refer them to the nearest long COVID clinic for specialized care.
Addressing Fatigue and Low Iron in Cancer Patients
Reader Question: My 86-year-old husband, diagnosed with inoperable cancer, also suffers from significantly low iron levels. He experiences extreme fatigue and struggles with appetite.
Reader Question: He received an iron infusion last month, yet there has been no noticeable improvement. What further steps can we take?
Expert Response: Iron plays a vital role in enabling red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Insufficient iron levels lead to anemia, a condition characterized by pronounced fatigue and general malaise.
Often, anemia can be managed effectively with oral iron supplements. However, severe cases may require intravenous iron infusions, administered directly into the veins.
Even with infusions, it can take up to two months for iron levels to demonstrably increase. Multiple infusions are often necessary, particularly for individuals battling illnesses such as cancer.
Nevertheless, for patients with incurable cancer, iron deficiency is unlikely to be the sole contributor to fatigue.
Cancer patients frequently experience reduced food intake due to pain and discomfort, resulting in significant deficiencies in essential nutrients, beyond just iron.
When appetite is diminished, incorporating calorie-dense supplement drinks—nutrient and energy-rich shakes that are easily digestible—can be beneficial.
Fatigue in cancer patients is also commonly attributed to potent pain medications. Managing pain relief requires a delicate balance to ensure patients are comfortable without being excessively sedated, hindering their cognitive and verbal abilities.
Providing care for a terminally ill cancer patient is exceptionally challenging, not only due to the emotional burden but also the complexities of organizing adequate support.
For individuals receiving home care, the GP should coordinate care alongside cancer specialists and, ideally, a palliative care team. Palliative care specialists are experts in end-of-life care, focused on managing fatigue, pain, and nausea associated with cancer and its treatments.
Ensuring a referral to a palliative care team is in place is always advisable, offering crucial support to caregivers during these demanding times.
Managing Shoulder Pain in Older Adults
Reader Question: I have persistent pain in my right shoulder. My doctor suggested it’s likely due to age, given I am 87. Is there anything I can do to alleviate this pain?
Expert Response: Attributing shoulder pain in later years to osteoarthritis is a reasonable assumption. Osteoarthritis is a condition precipitated by long-term joint wear and tear, rendering older adults—typically those over 70—more susceptible.
Individuals with suspected osteoarthritis should seek a formal diagnosis from their GP, as various treatment options are available.
Initial management usually involves pain relievers to control discomfort. Physiotherapy, aimed at improving mobility and reducing pain in the affected area, can also significantly help.
Steroid injections might be offered to patients, providing pain relief that can last for several months, though their effectiveness varies. Shoulder pain can also stem from issues within the rotator cuff muscles, which stabilize the shoulder. Physiotherapy can address these problems, but surgery may be necessary for severe damage.
Considering GP Visits for Vaginal Concerns
Seeking Medical Advice for Vaginal and Vulval Issues
A question for female readers: Do you feel at ease consulting a physician regarding problems affecting your vagina or vulva?
Many find these concerns incredibly sensitive, which is understandable. Compounding this is the unfortunate reality that some doctors may be perceived as abrupt, dismissive, or neglectful in adequately investigating women’s health issues, deterring patients from seeking necessary medical attention.
From abnormal growths to skin irritations and infections, numerous issues can arise in the female genitalia. It is crucial to have any new symptoms thoroughly evaluated.
Generally, delaying medical consultation can complicate treatment. While rare, cancers of the vagina or vulva can occur—approximately 1,350 vulval cancer diagnoses are made annually in the UK.
Have you postponed visiting your doctor for a personal health concern? Share your experiences.
The Nutritional Superiority of Cow’s Milk
Why Cow’s Milk Remains the Optimal Choice
Are you an enthusiast of oat milk? I am not. Cow’s milk is given to infants and children for a reason: it is abundant in beneficial calories, carbohydrates, and proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals.
Alternative milk options often lack the same nutritional value. Controversially, perhaps, many individuals avoid cow’s milk without genuine necessity. While genuine cow’s milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance exist, most people can consume regular milk without adverse effects.
The trend towards milk alternatives has largely become a commercial fad, and they are not necessarily healthier. Certain oat milks contain notable amounts of sunflower oil, and many lack vitamin fortification, diminishing their nutritional value. I would not advise my patients to consume them.
- Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email [email protected]
- Dr Cannon cannot engage in personal correspondence, and her responses are for general informational purposes only.