How Alarming Can Post-COVID-19 Fatigue Be? 5 Effective Ways to Deal with the Condition After Infection

More often than not, people get surprised by the intense fatigue, a feeling of being worn out of sleepy, they experience during a COVID-19 infection.

A ScienceAlert report specified that this condition is excessive tiredness that persists despite good sleep and adequate rest. It is likely an outcome of the body's strong immune response to the virus.

However, in some people, the fatigue is dragging on even when the COVID-19 infection is gone. This can be devastating, not to mention, frustrating as simply resting does not make any difference at all.

ALSO READ: 'Long COVID' Symptoms Could Be Seen in Patients' Eyes, According to Doctors

(Photo : Pexels/Liza Summer)
For some people, the fatigue is dragging on even when the COVID-19 infection is gone.

Fatigue Vs Tiredness

The word "fatigue" may have different meanings for different people. For some individuals, this would mean their muscles are easily weakened that even simply walking to their mailbox already feels like they have just participated in a marathon.

For authors, fatigue generally means exhaustion whether they are moving or not. One may experience mental, emotional, or physical fatigue or a combination of the three.

The difference between fatigue and tiredness is that the latter mentioned can get better with adequate rest, whereas fatigue persists even if an individual is resting or sleeping more adequately.

5 Ways to Deal with Post-COVID-19 Fatigue

Since there is no agreed definition of post-COVID-19 fatigue, it is impossible to provide exact figures of how many people have experienced it.

Estimates differ substantially worldwide. For instance, one review of 21 studies, published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, showed 13 to 33 percent of people were fatigued from 16 to 20 weeks after their COVID-19 symptoms started. This is an alarming widespread issue.

The evidence of what's helping one recover from post-COVID-19 fatigue is still in its infancy. There are some things though, that may help deal with the problem, and here are five of them:

1. Do the Pacing

Adjust your back-to-normal activities according to your energy levels. Select your focus or priorities on what you can do, instead of what you cannot.

2. Gradually Go Back to Regular Exercise

It may help you recover if you go gradually return to exercise, although you may need some support about how to handle or get rid of fatigue afterward.

3. Make Sleep a Priority

Instead of feeling guilty about having so much sleep, remind yourself that while you're sleeping, your body is conserving energy, not to mention, healing.

Interrupted sleep patterns are an unfortunate symptom of COVID-19. Having a strict bedtime, as you also rest when feeling tired during the day, is essential.

4. Have a Healthy Diet

Loss of taste, appetite, and smell from COVID-19 make this tricky. Nevertheless, try to view food as your way of fueling your body with both the micronutrients and energy it needs for complete healing.

5. Practice Fatigue Monitoring

Keeping a diary to monitor fatigue is important so you can see your gradual improvement. According to The Conversation, where report about this fatigue after COVID-19 first came out, "you will have good days and bad days," although in general, there should be a 'slow trajectory towards discovery."

Fatigue can drag for weeks, even when the infection is gone, and sleep doesn’t fix it.

But there are simple steps you can take to ride it out, as @DrTashY from @BondUniversity writes:https://t.co/S4lWl1Dl9v
— The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand (@ConversationEDU) April 6, 2022

When to See a Doctor

There are several possible causes of fatigue. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, fatigue was already one of the common reasons for seeing a doctor. Most severe causes can be ruled out when the doctor asks about a patient's symptoms and examines him. Sometimes, too, the doctor will examine further, probably by ordering blood tests.

Symptoms that should raise specific concerns include unexplained weight loss, fevers, pain anywhere that wakes one from sleep, unusual bruising or bleeding, or drenching night sweats.

Lastly, medical experts have recommended that if fatigue is getting rather worse than better, or a person can no longer care for himself properly, it's time to seek medical care.

Related information about post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome is shown on Apollo Spectra's YouTube video below: