New research on patients suffering from long COVID has revealed a startling revelation; learn about the subtle underlying factors that cause severe symptoms to persist even months after recovery.
Long Covid Study
Even after recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people continue to suffer from its symptoms for a long time, a condition known as long COVID in medical science. Now, a new and shocking scientific discovery has emerged regarding this disease. According to recent research, a significant and clear difference has been observed in the mix of bacteria living in the mouth and lungs of patients suffering from long COVID, compared to normal individuals.
This study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, states that this change in the bacteria in the lungs can be the main reason for respiratory problems in patients, as well as serious problems related to their brain and digestive system.
For the first time, research was done on the microbiome of the lungs.
According to Daniela Alfés de Lama Headley, author of the study and a researcher at the University of Dundee in the UK, previous research has focused on the relationship between long COVID and gut bacteria. However, since COVID is primarily a lung disease, scientists decided to examine lung bacteria directly this time.
Millions of people around the world are still affected by long COVID-19, with unknown causes. Because the microbiome plays a crucial role in keeping our bodies healthy, scientists believe that disruptions to lung bacteria may be the primary cause of long COVID-19.
Study done on more than 700 patients.
To validate their research, the scientists closely monitored the health of 771 patients treated for COVID-19 at 38 different hospitals in the UK between February 2020 and March 2021. Five months after discharge, the patients were divided into four groups based on the severity of their symptoms.
These patients ranged from those with severe physical and mental health problems to those with very mild symptoms. Six months after discharge, scientists collected saliva and lung sputum samples from all these patients and used DNA sequencing technology to identify the microorganisms and bacteria present in them.
There is a connection between brain fog and stomach problems.
The results of testing the samples surprised even doctors. Patients with the most severe symptoms of long COVID showed significant changes in their oral and lung microbiomes. The research revealed that these bacterial changes reduced lung function, preventing them from pumping air in and out normally.
Additionally, patients with an imbalance in respiratory tract bacteria were more likely to experience mental health problems like brain fog (memory loss, difficulty concentrating) and digestive problems like stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Overabundance of lactic acid-producing bacteria
Professor James Chalmers, lead researcher of the study and Chair of Respiratory Research, explained that patients with severe long Covid had significantly higher numbers of lactic acid-producing bacteria. This excess was directly linked to the underlying inflammation found in the patients' blood.
According to Professor Chalmers, this disruption of the airway microbiome isn't limited to lung disease, but rather has a profound impact on a patient's overall mental and physical health. Scientists hope this discovery will help them understand the exact causes of long COVID in the future and develop new medications and therapies to treat it.
