What to do for COVID-19 pain

The phrase “long haul” originated around 1873 as a way to determine the cost of transporting goods and people great distances by rail.

The longer the haul, the less was charged per mile. That’s the opposite of what many survivors of COVID-19 mean when they use the phrase to describe their residual health challenges after recovering from the virus.

One “long haul” effect of COVID-19 that docs have been struggling to understand is the persistence of chronic pain or numbness in hands and feet. Now a new study, published in the journal Radiology, suggests two causes of this lingering symptom. The body’s own immune response to the virus may trigger widespread inflammation that attacks the nerves, or the sensations may be caused by reaction to blood thinners. In that case, blood collects outside of the blood vessels, forming a hematoma, and puts pressure on the nerves. Knowing these potential causes can allow doctors to more accurately determine which treatments will be most effective.

The researchers, from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, also stress the importance of knowing where in the body the pain originates. That’s possible using advanced imaging technology. They suggest anyone with such post-COVID nerve sensations see about having ultra-high-resolution ultrasound and magnetic resonance neurography (MRI of peripheral nerves). Then your docs will have a shot at knowing the cause and where the sensations originate from (not always where you feel ‘em!).

So don’t suffer in silence. Make sure your docs know about these new insights and approaches to treating your COVID-19-related nerve damage.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.