New Delhi/Pune: Research studies across the world have shown that 30% of long covid patients develop some neurological symptoms such as stroke, fatigue, Bell’s palsy and sensory problems .
SARS- Cov-2 affects brain by neuroinvasion and by the consequences of the systemic infection.BRecent rise of neurological disorders post- covid in major cities of Maharashtra is worrisome said Dr Naresh Purohit , Executive Member , Indian Academy of Neurosciences.
Addressing a seminar on "Challenges posed by neurological ailments "organised by the Pune based Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC) , noted Epidemiologist Dr Purohit said here that corona virus affects brain by neuroinvasion and hence by the systemic infection cerebrovascular, sensitive, motor, cognitive and diffuse brain disorders occur.
"The trigeminal and vagus nerve or the gut-brain axis are the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 in brain" he added.
According to the renowned medic in the past 30-45 days there has been a significant rise in Guillain- Barre- Syndrome (GBS) in people of all ages and genders shortly after recovering from a viral or gastrointestinal infection in Mumbai, Pune , Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Aurangabad .
"GBS can happen after any viral infection and since COVID-19 is also a viral infection, it can also lead to GBS." he added.
He pointed out most GBS cases follow a viral or bacterial infection, causing the immune system to mistakenly attack the body itself. The condition typically causes muscle weakness, numbness or tingling as the nerves come under attack, and can progress to paralysis, requiring long recovery.
"Infections by campylobacter jejuni , cytomegalovirus, influenza A and B, HIV, COVID-19 virus and zika virus are the reasons behind GBS in many patients,"he averred.
"Varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis E, chikungunya virus, Japanese encephalitis virus are the uncommon pathogens that cause GBS" he added.
“Headache is the commonest neurological disorder affecting 1 in 3 Indians, and is often neglected in terms of public health priority. It is the second leading contributor to the disease burden from neurological disorders in India. Migraine affects females more than males, greatly affecting adults in the working age population. Headaches, especially migraine, need to be recognised as a public health problem and included under the national NCD programme," said experts.
Experts in the seminar also pointed out that the burden of non- communicable neurological disorders is increasing in India mainly due to ageing of the population. The known risk factors for causing neurological disorders burden are high blood pressure, air pollution, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, and high body-mass index .
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