Headache, insomnia after Covid-19: How to improve?

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Duc, Head of General Internal Medicine, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, recently, the number of patients visiting the clinic for headaches and insomnia after Covid-19 tends to increase. increase. Most of the cases complained of symptoms such as inability to sleep or trouble falling asleep, easy to wake up, tired in the morning, headache that persists for many days, taking ordinary pain relievers but no relief. …

Explaining the cause of Covid-19 causing brain damage, Dr. Minh Duc said, the cells in the body that contain more ACE-2 receptors (a type of receptor that helps the virus attach), the easier it is for that cell to become infected. infected and attacked by SARS-CoV-2. In the brain, ACE-2 receptors appear in many areas such as motor cortex, posterior gyrus, olfactory bulb and some other locations.

SARS-CoV-2 enters the central nervous system via ACE-2 Image source: jdsupra.com

The SARS-CoV-2 virus can also enter the central nervous system indirectly, due to hypoxia and metabolic disturbances, as well as dehydration and systemic inflammation. In addition, the cytokine storm associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection can activate C-reactive protein and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is also an important factor in migraine pathology.

In addition, health has not completely recovered after a long time of fighting with SARS-CoV-2, accompanied by worries and invisible pressure caused by the pandemic, causing headaches and insomnia in many people. F0 recovered from the disease and worsened. When the patient is stressed and under pressure, free radicals will increase and attack the brain, leading to symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, memory loss, depression… Parallel to that, mental problems This is also the cause of the increase of free radicals, leading to a persistent pathological spiral.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Duc shared, in order to limit the post-Covid-19 neurological sequelae, F0 need to fully combine methods such as creating positive living habits, taking a reasonable rest time to relieve stress, eat nutritious food, don’t abuse caffeine and alcohol, exercise in moderation; do some exercises to relax the brain and form new neural connections (close your eyes and remember successful and happy moments in life; meditate for 20-30 minutes/day …) and especially In particular, supplementing with anti-free radical nutrients to increase “resistance” for the brain.

Through many in-depth studies, American scientists have found that two active ingredients Anthocyanin and Pterostilbene present in Blueberry have the ability to bring outstanding effects to the brain. Thanks to their small molecular weight, these two bioactive substances easily cross the blood-brain barrier, reach the nooks and crannies of the brain to neutralize free radicals in the blood vessel lumen, and at the same time activate anti-radical enzymes. natural free radicals in the body, helping to protect nerve cells and brain blood vessels comprehensively.

In particular, the combination of Blueberry with Ginkgo Biloba essence will create a duo of nutrients that increase the “resistance” of the brain, nourish and fight nerve cell aging, thereby effectively improving headaches and insomnia.

Blueberry helps fight free radicals, helps relieve headaches, and improves insomnia from within Photo: Shutterstock

If you have applied measures to care for and restore the brain at home, but the headache and insomnia after Covid-19 persist, the patient should go to a reputable neurologist for examination and treatment. .