Could Corona Virus Cause Paralysis?

Emphasizing that the virus can cause blood clots that can lead to severe paralysis, Romatem Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Metin Güzelcik said, “We learn more about the pandemic every day.

The number of cases exceeded 30 million in the coronavirus epidemic, which affected the whole world. The virus, which was known to only affect our lungs at first, now manifests itself with other symptoms in our body every day. Emphasizing that the virus can cause blood clots that can lead to severe paralysis, Romatem Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Metin Güzelcik said, “We learn more about the pandemic every day. The coronavirus has a prothrombotic state, which means that the blood tends to become thick or sticky. This situation clogs the blood vessels leading to the brain and the blood flow of a certain part of the brain may be interrupted, causing paralysis symptoms, ”he said.

The fight against the Coronavirus (Covid - 19), which emerged in Wuhan, China, continues without slowing down. While vaccination studies continue against this global epidemic, the virus shows different effects on people. One of them is the stroke (paralysis) condition seen as a result of the neurological effects of the epidemic.

Studies Show That Those Under 45 Are More Affected

Emphasizing that the coronavirus can cause blood clots that can lead to severe paralysis, although it is considered a lung infection, Romatem Hospital Neurology Specialist. Metin Güzelcik said, “These clots can go to the lungs and block blood flow to the lungs called pulmonary embolism or go to the cerebral circulation and cause ischemic stroke. Previously experienced viruses such as Influenza and Herpes have also been linked to heart attack and cerebral palsy. There may also be an overreaction of the immune system that partially triggers strokes, leading to inflammation in the body and brain. This situation can occur in any patient regardless of age, even without symptoms. "Studies conducted in the last six months show that strokes due to coronavirus are more common in young patients under 45 years old."

'Time Is Brain'

Güzelcik continued his words as follows: Among the biggest risk factors in the emergence of this situation are uncontrolled blood pressure, unhealthy diet, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle. But it should not be forgotten that stroke is 80 percent preventable. Also, the first 4 and a half hours is very important. That's why we can say 'Time is Brain'. Because every second delay in treatment can lead to 30.000 brain cell death. Symptoms can be shown as problems that occur in certain parts of the face, numbness in the arms, speech disorders. At the same time, there is a high probability of flu cases due to the season. Sometimes this situation we spend with drugs and pills can be dangerous. People with severe flu infection and untreated conditions can result in brain inflammation. "