An unusual symptoms of long COVID revealed by a new study…

A recent study spotlighted an atypical case of a long COVID sufferer whose legs became blue after standing for just 10 minutes, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this symptom in individuals with the disease.

The research was featured in The Lancet.

The investigation, led by Dr. Manoj Sivan from the University of Leeds, delves into the situation of a 33-year-old male who manifested acrocyanosis, which is the venous accumulation of blood in the legs.

Shortly after standing, the individual’s legs began changing color, turning progressively bluer, with veins becoming more noticeable. By the 10-minute mark, the bluish hue intensified, accompanied by a heavy and itching sensation. The man’s usual leg color returned within two minutes of sitting down.

Post his COVID-19 infection, this discoloration began to emerge. The diagnosis revealed he had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that leads to an unusual rise in heart rate when standing.

Dr. Sivan, an Associate Clinical Professor and Honorary Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Leeds, remarked, “This was a striking case of acrocyanosis in a patient who had not experienced it before his COVID-19 infection. “Patients experiencing this may not be aware that it can be a symptom of long COVID and dysautonomia and may feel concerned about what they are seeing. Similarly, clinicians may not be aware of the link between acrocyanosis and long COVID.

“We need to ensure that there is more awareness of dysautonomia in long COVID so that clinicians have the tools they need to manage patients appropriately.”

Long COVID impacts multiple bodily systems and can hinder daily activities due to its varied symptoms. It also affects the autonomic nervous system, overseeing blood pressure and heart rate regulations.

Children with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, or dysautonomia, have previously shown signs of acrocyanosis. This symptom is frequent in post-viral syndromes.

Past studies by Dr. Sivan and his team have indicated that dysautonomia and POTS are common in those with long COVID.

Such dysfunctions are also prevalent in conditions like fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis (commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME).

Dr. Sivan emphasized, “We need more awareness about dysautonomia in long term conditions; more effective assessment and management approaches, and further research into the syndrome. This will enable both patients and clinicians to better manage these conditions.”

This study is a part of the team’s continuous efforts in autonomic medicine. They have also introduced a home-testing kit for individuals with autonomic dysfunction symptoms in conditions like long COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and diabetes types 1 and 2, especially for those experiencing dizziness or fainting spells.

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