Duke researcher uncovers link between long-term COVID-19 illness and loss of sense of smell
A scientist from Duke University said he has learned the reason for the loss of smell during long-term COVID.
The discovery comes at a time when COVID-19 sufferers are trying to overcome fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath.
However, long after some COVID patients walk out of the hospital doors, they are still struggling.
But now Duke has provided insight into what caused the long recovery.
“I have good days and bad days,” said Becky Babel, a long-time COVID sufferer. “Some days are good and some days are not.”
Doctors diagnosed Babel with COVID-19 in February 2021.
With just two weeks to go until the start of 2023, she’s still fighting. She is still tired, and her sense of taste and smell is reduced.
“There are days when it’s hard for me to get out of bed,” Babel said. “I don’t have the energy.”
dr. Brad Goldstein from Duke University researched why long-term COVID, specifically loss of smell, occurs.
The study took 24 biopsies from the noses of nine people who have been suffering from COVID for a long time. During the process, the team found consistency.
“There seems to be some unresolved inflammation in that area of the nose that we believe is disrupting the process of smell,” Dr. Goldstein said.
dr. Goldstein says the next step in the research process is to identify drugs that can reduce inflammation in the nose.
The bigger picture is that the research could be used to address other lingering symptoms of COVID, such as brain fog, shortness of breath and fatigue.
“If there’s a cure, I’d be all for it,” said Babel, who wants to finish her graduate degree and return to teaching full-time.
WRAL Data Trackers analyzed information from the CDC and found that women are more likely to experience long-term illness from COVID-19 than men across the country. In North Carolina, about three out of every 10 adults who had COVID now have long-term symptoms of COVID. And 9 percent of those with long-term COVID say they’ve had significant activity limitations since contracting it.
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