From left: Patient standing at 0 minutes; 2 minutes, and 10 minutes. Credit: University of Leeds
Current research study presents an unique case of a Long Covid patient whose legs turned blue after standing, highlighting the requirement for increased awareness of acrocyanosis. The study likewise emphasizes the connection between Long Covid, dysautonomia, and conditions like Fibromyalgia, contributing to developments in autonomic medication.
An unusual case of a Long Covid client whose legs turned blue after 10 minutes of standing underscores the requirement for increased awareness of this symptom among those with the condition, according to new research released in The Lancet.
The paper, authored by Dr. Manoj Sivan at the University of Leeds, analyzes the case of a 33-year-old male who established acrocyanosis, a phenomenon where venous blood pools in the legs.
Clients Experience
A minute after standing, the clients legs began to redden and increasingly turned blue over time, while the veins ended up being more popular. After 10 minutes, the color was much more pronounced, and the client explained a heavy, scratchy feeling in his legs. The initial color returned 2 minutes after he resumed a non-standing position.
The client exposed that he had started to experience this discoloration given that his COVID-19 infection. He was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition identified by an abnormal increase in heart rate upon standing.
Specialist Insights
Dr. Sivan, Associate Clinical Professor and Honorary Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Leeds School of Medicine, said: “This was a striking case of acrocyanosis in a client who had actually not experienced it before his COVID-19 infection.
” Patients experiencing this might not be aware that it can be a sign of Long Covid and dysautonomia and may feel concerned about what they are seeing. Likewise, clinicians might not understand the link in 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 require to manage patients properly.”
Long Covid and Related Conditions
Long Covid impacts numerous systems in the body and has a variety of signs, affecting patients ability to carry out daily activities. The condition also impacts the free worried system, which is accountable for controling high blood pressure and heart rate.
Acrocyanosis has previously been observed in kids with dysfunction of the free anxious system (dysautonomia), a typical symptom of post-viral syndromes.
Previous research by Dr. Sivans group has shown that both dysautonomia and POTS regularly develop in individuals with Long Covid.
Dysautonomia is also seen in a variety of other long-term conditions such as Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, likewise referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME.
Conclusion
Dr. Sivan highlighted: “We need more awareness about dysautonomia in long-lasting conditions; more efficient assessment and management techniques, and more research into the syndrome. This will allow both clients and clinicians to much better handle these conditions.”
The research study is the most current work by the team in the field of autonomic medicine. Other advancements include a home test for individuals with symptoms of free dysfunction in conditions such as long COVID, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and diabetes 1 and 2, where people experience lightheadedness or blackouts.
Referral: “Venous deficiency and acrocyanosis in long COVID: dysautonomia” by Nafi Iftekhar and Manoj Sivan, FRCP Edin, 12 August 2023, The Lancet.DOI: 10.1016/ S0140-6736( 23 )01461-7.
