The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and disrupt lives around the globe. If you've recently recovered from coronavirus, you may discover that one or more symptoms persist for weeks or even months. This condition, called post-COVID syndrome or long COVID, can leave you feeling tired, foggy, and dizzy long after the initial diagnosis. If you experience dizziness or tinnitus post-COVID, vestibular rehabilitation may be able to help you return to normal life as your body recovers.
Understanding How COVID-19 Causes Vertigo
COVID-19 is often associated with respiratory problems such as a dry cough or difficulty breathing. But, in reality, the virus attacks many parts of the body, including the brain and nervous system. Vertigo caused by COVID-19 could stem from several different sources. One 2022 study traces COVID-related dizziness to pathways the virus takes to reach the inner ear and brain tissue. Your body's immune response may play a role as well. Inflammation and reduced blood flow to infected areas could also impair your vestibular system.
Recognizing The Symptoms Of Post-COVID Syndrome
Post-COVID syndrome is estimated to affect 10 to 35 percent of patients after a coronavirus diagnosis. Common signs include fatigue, trouble breathing, "brain fog," or issues with smell and taste. Although these symptoms usually go away over time, they can make returning to your normal routine difficult if not impossible. Vertigo is one of the most debilitating symptoms of long COVID and can interrupt your ability to work, exercise, and enjoy an active life.
Seeking Treatment Through Vestibular Rehabilitation
According to one 2021 study, almost 15 percent of COVID-19 patients develop tinnitus, and over 7 percent experience loss of balance, or vertigo. If you've been affected by this condition, vestibular rehabilitation may be able to help. Trained professionals can measure your balance impairment and assess the damage to your vestibular system. From there, customized therapy exercises may gradually restore your sense of balance and reduce tinnitus.
Monitoring Your Recovery Progress
Post-COVID syndrome remains a mysterious condition. It's still being studied, and the information available to doctors changes every day. But your return to daily life can't wait, and so the best course of action is often to manage symptoms while your body heals. Vestibular therapists will monitor your progress in areas such as standing upright, walking, and running until you feel comfortable living unassisted. If you're suffering from vertigo after a COVID-19 diagnosis, contact your local vestibular rehabilitation clinic today to get started.
For more information on vestibular rehabilitation, contact a professional near you.
Share10 November 2022
I am a mother of four wonderful children, and like other parents, I have been to my fair share of health care clinics. It seems like my children are always getting scrapes and coming down with colds. When I was a new parent, I never knew whether I should take my injured or ill child to the emergency room or local urgent care facility. I received some simple advice from a seasoned parent that made my decisions easier that I want to pass onto all new parents, along with other health tips I've learned. he told me that she tended to take her children to the ER when they were bleeding or had very high temperatures and took them to the local urgent care for any other problem. I have followed her advice ever since, and my children remain healthy and happy!
