Hospitalized in a mental hospital after recovering from Covid-19 for nearly 2 months, the cause of many people’s illness

She has recovered from Covid-19 for nearly 2 months, but NTQ (46 years old, from Thanh Hoa) often falls into a state of insomnia: difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep. More ominously, although it is very difficult to fall asleep, she often wakes up 2-3 times, only sleeping for 2-3 hours a day, making her tired and hospitalized for treatment.

BSCKII. Bui Nguyen Hong Bao Ngoc – Mental Health Institute, Bach Mai Hospital said that NTQ patient (46 years old, from Thanh Hoa) was hospitalized on April 30 due to insomnia and anxiety after being infected with SARS-CoV-2.

According to the patient’s account, after recovering from Covid-19 for about 1.5 months, Ms. Q suddenly showed signs of insomnia, having difficulty falling asleep, even though she went to bed at 10 p.m. as usual, but a long time later. Only then can I sleep and wake up very early in the morning.

On average, Ms. Q only sleeps 3 hours a night, so she is mentally exhausted and inefficient at work.

BSCKII.TS.BS Nguyen Van Dung – Deputy Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital

The symptoms of the patient’s insomnia are increasing day by day, the night is restless, having to wake up in the middle of the night 3-4 times, then each time 20-30 minutes to fall back to sleep, there are nights awake. Accompanied by a series of symptoms of anxiety, stress, palpitations, tremors, sweating, fatigue, feeling dizzy, tinnitus, nausea, poor appetite …

The symptoms lasted for 2 weeks, the patient went to the hospital for examination and treatment at Thanh Hoa provincial hospital, the symptoms did not improve, so he went to the Institute of Mental Health and was diagnosed with a sleep disorder after infection. SARS-CoV-2″.

According to BS. Ngoc, in this case, in addition to being treated with pharmacotherapy, the patient was broadened his knowledge of how to sleep hygiene, improve his condition, prevent complications, and restore sleep. as before after 3 days of treatment.

Up to now, the patient’s condition has improved, awake, contactable, less anxious and stressed, eating well. The patient slept 8-9 hours at night, slept from 9pm to 6am, awake in the morning.

According to doctors from the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, insomnia is a common symptom in the post-Covid-19 infection period. Studies have shown that the mechanism of sleep disturbance after Covid-19 infection is generally due to neuroinflammation and disruption of the blood-brain barrier.

Neuroinflammation is defined by an increased response to inflammatory mediators such as: cytokines; chemokine (TNFα; interleukin 1β, IL-6, IL-17A) and C-reactive protein. Simultaneously increase inflammatory mediators of immune origin such as cyclooxigenase 2 (COX 2), NOS, ET-1, VEGF, IGF -1 and immune cells. In which, cytokines play a key role in breaking down the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammatory damage to the central nervous system, affecting the ability of nerve conduction.

Illustrations

Accordingly, the doctors emphasized, the relationship between sleep and SARS-CoV-2 infection is two-way. Sleep plays an important role in the regulation of cellular as well as humoral immunity, and lack of sleep can impair the immune response further worsening Covid-19 symptoms.

To improve sleep disorders, BSCKII.TS.BS Nguyen Van Dung – Deputy Institute of Mental Health recommends: When there is a sleep disorder, people should consult a specialist to ensure that they are able to sleep well. best treatment.

If you have not been to a specialized facility, you need to take care of yourself such as ensuring adequate vitamins, daily calories, daily exercise, rehydration, electrolytes and need to pay attention to sleep hygiene. In particular, people do not arbitrarily use tonics, buy self-medication drugs or use male medicines.

Regarding sleep hygiene, MSc Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha – Deputy Clinical Psychology Department, Institute of Mental Health shared, people with sleep disorders need to pay attention to a clean sleeping environment through Open and airy, choose loose and comfortable clothes to ensure blood circulation for the body. The simpler the room, the better the equipment and utensils.

Patients should create a circadian rhythm to go to school at a fixed time, ensure a quiet space or can listen to soft music while sleeping. In addition, patients can combine foot bath with warm water, herbs, or gentle exercise before sleeping.

In particular, Dr. Ha also recommends that patients before going to bed should avoid strong noise, use stimulants or exercise too hard, eat a lot of greasy food. Should avoid thinking too much about the day’s work, focus more on reality to maintain better sleep.

N. Huyen