Dr.Harpreet Singh, Consultant – Orthopedic Surgeon, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.
As the country battles Omicron, patients who recovered from Covid are returning to hospitals, complaining of exacerbating joint pain. Covid patients usually feel pain in the muscles rather than the joints. However, if the patient already has an arthritic joint in his or her arm or leg, the virus may exacerbate the symptoms. The pain may be excruciating and incapacitating. In fact, joint pain and backache are the most common complaints among post-Covid patients at Delhi’s top hospitals, including Indian Spinal Injuries Centre
“We are constantly seeing patients who come to us with joint pain after recovering from Covid. The pain has worsened as winter has set in. Until now, there has been a 20-25 percent increase in such patients when compared to normal times.
People who recovered from Covid reported issues ranging from weakness to hair loss and skin complications. However, now that winter has arrived, more of these patients are complaining of joint pains.
“One of the most common causes of joint pain is that Covid recovered patients chose to resume their normal routines despite their weakness. It resulted in injury rather than recovery in some cases. We advise that exercises and routines be progressed gradually, keeping in mind that the body is weak and requires time to regenerate.
Vitamin D: Due to a lack of sunlight the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D reduces leading to joint discomfort in the winter. It is therefore critical to get enough sunlight. If you plan to take Vitamin D capsules, consult your doctor first.
Fitness: People’s fitness routines tend to stall during the winter. This can not only cause weight gain, but it can also lead to other issues. Before beginning a fitness programme to relieve arthritis pain, consult your doctor. Make it a habit to exercise for 30-40 minutes every day. Additionally, get at least 8 hours of sleep per day.
Dress warmly: To keep yourself safe, dress correctly with extra layers of clothing. Doctors advise against sitting on a cold floor since it may increase the pain. It’s also a good idea to avoid walking the stairs because it puts more strain on your joints. Even if you’re at home, don’t go outside without a pair of warm socks on your feet. To preserve your feet, you should always wear woolen socks. To ease arthritic pain, soak in hot water.
Healthy diet: Throughout the year, try to consume more fruits and veggies than usual. In fact, fresh fruits and vegetables are the only foods you should eat. Additionally, Vitamin B12, which may be found in eggs, yoghurt, and a variety of seafood, has been found to aid in the reduction of homocysteine levels. The presence of homocysteine in the blood has been related to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
In the same way, vitamin B6 may help to reduce joint inflammation. Vitamin B6-rich foods include carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and bananas, to name a few. If you’re considering taking vitamins or supplements, consult with your doctor first because everyone’s needs are different. While following a balanced diet, it is also vital to avoid alcohol and refined sweets. The pain can be aggravated if these foods are consumed in significant quantities throughout the winter.
