Docs seek action as post-Covid neurological disorders rise in Mysuru

Time of India

5 days ago

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Mysuru: Following the state govt's move to form an expert committee to investigate a surge in sudden cardiac deaths, Mysuru-based neurologists have urged similar action to address the alarming rise in neurological disorders post-Covid-19.
Dr Shushrutha Gowda, an American board-certified neurologist, reports a 30% increase in such cases, aligning with international findings that indicate a multifold rise in cities like Mysuru. He said that even though brain-related disorders are increasing, there is no effort to address them.
Dr Gowda highlighted a significant uptick in conditions such as migraines, neuropathy, stroke, and dementia compared to pre-Covid times.
"Neurological disorders are often more severe than cardiac issues, with higher morbidity rates. The urgency to conduct comprehensive studies and implement interventions cannot be overstated," he said. He emphasized the need for immediate action to understand and mitigate these health challenges.
Citing recent cases, Dr Gowda noted treating an 18-year-old diabetic smoker for stroke, one of the youngest such patients, and dementia cases in individuals as young as 45.
Diabetic persons with smoking habits are more vulnerable to neuro disorders. There is a need to take up a drive to educate society on brain health, he said.
To tackle this growing crisis, he proposed statewide epidemiological surveys, regional neurology registries, and funding for research into dementia risk factors and treatments. He advocated for an integrative approach to develop effective solutions.
Dr Mohamed Ataulla Shariff, consultant-neurology, Narayana Hospital, Mysuru, observed that post-Covid-19, neurological conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome and ischemic strokes have seen an increasing trend.
Many patients have shown cognitive decline (brain fog), fatigue, muscle aches, and pains. Due to steroid usage in the treatment of Covid, patients developed diabetes leading to a few neurological complications like sensory changes such as numbness and tingling, he explained.
Dr Sucharitha MV, associate consultant-neurology, Manipal Hospital, Mysuru, said initially post-Covid, they did see a spike in acute ischemic strokes, cerebral haemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis, and encephalitis.
Other common problems encountered by many patients were anosmia (loss of smell), altered taste, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and myalgia. Over a span of a year, many patients recovered completely, while others did not return to their near normal but have shown gradual improvement.
There hasn't been a drastic spike in new cases, but patients with pre-existing neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, and epilepsy, who worsened during Covid have often not returned to their pre-Covid baseline.
As a delayed complication of Covid, many patients suffer from memory loss, behavioural issues, depression, and fatigue, she said. In the acute phase, patients had an increased risk of ischemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, and cerebral venous thrombosis, she said.
According to health department officials, the rise in the number of neurological disorders can be ascertained only when the cases are reported to the hospitals, and till now no sudden spike in the cases has been reported. Mysuru district health officer Dr PC Kumaraswamy stated that the mental health programme currently includes brain health initiatives focusing on disorders like dementia. However, he claimed no significant spike in neurological cases has been observed locally.