May 20, 2024
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A place of hope and healing for COVID ‘long haulers’

Edward-Elmhurst Health has established a Post-COVID Neuro Care Clinic with sites in Bolingbrook, Crest Hill and Plainfield

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Lead technologist Courtney Hill tests a nasal pharyngeal swab for COVID-19 at Northwest Medicine Huntley Hospital on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Huntley.

Lead technologist Courtney Hill tests a nasal pharyngeal swab for COVID-19 at Northwest Medicine Huntley Hospital on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Huntley. For many people, up to 30% of those who tested postive for COVID-19, the symptoms of the virus last longer than three weeks - and, in some cases, for many months. (Matthew Apgar/Matthew Apgar)

A study in August 2020 said approximately 10% of patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus have symptoms longer than three weeks - even months - and an April study said symptoms persist in up to 30% of patients.

To support the recovery of such patients, Edward-Elmhurst Health has established a Post-COVID Neuro Care Clinic with sites in Addison, Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Naperville, Oak Park, Oswego, Plainfield, Warrenville and Yorkville, according to a news release from Edward-Elmhurst Health.

Neurology experts at Edward Hospital in Naperville and Elmhurst Hospital will staff the clinic.

“These lingering symptoms can make it difficult to function and can impact your daily life, work, and relationships,” Dr. Hurmina Muqtadar, a neurology and vascular neurology specialist and member of the Post-COVID Neuro Care Clinic team, said in the release. “Our goal is to help ease your symptoms or resolve them so you can put COVID-19 behind you and move forward with life.”

Treatments may consist of “medications, supportive therapies, lifestyle recommendations and referrals to other specialists, including cardiologists, dietitians, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and pulmonologists,” the release said.

Post-COVID neurological symptoms may include confusion, difficulty concentrating or “brain fog,” muscle aches and pain, headaches (including migraine), dizziness, numbness, tingling, blurred vision, tinnitus and loss of or changes to taste or smell, the release said.

Post-COVID non-neurological symptoms may include fatigue, depression, anxiety, chest pain, shortness of breath, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, insomnia and gastrointestinal conditions, the release said.

Although SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, the virus can also affect other organs. This can result in inflammation of the heart muscle, abnormalities in lung function, acute kidney injury, hair loss and rash, according to a blog on the Edward-Elmhurst website.

To schedule an appointment, call 630-527-7730, choose option 1 and mention the Post-COVID Neuro Care Clinic. Scheduling is also available through MyChart.

For more information, visit eehealth.org/postcovidclinic.