The exact nature of long COVID is still coming to light, but we just got some of the best evidence yet that this debilitating condition stems from a brain injury.

Using high-resolution scanners, researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford have shown microscopic, structural abnormalities in the brainstems of those recovering from COVID-19.

Signs of brain inflammation were present up to 18 months after first contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

"We show that the brainstem is a site of vulnerability to long-term effects of COVID-19, with persistent changes evident in the months after hospitalization," the authors of the study conclude.

https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae215

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[–] veganpizza69@lemmy.vg 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Oh, and just for fun, breathing is still hard. And all medical testing shows my lungs are just fine and there should be problem.

autonomic issue?

[–] bluewing@lemm.ee 1 points 15 hours ago

They don't really understand the mechanism very well yet according my pulimologist. But data is being collected and studies are being done.

[–] starelfsc2@sh.itjust.works 4 points 20 hours ago

Not the one you responded to but it's a couple things, generally just lungs feeling inflamed, difficulty taking a full breath, way more sensitive to air quality / air temperature, and a bit of autonomic (I have to use a cpap to fall asleep now because sometimes I just stop breathing as I'm falling asleep)