Restless anal syndrome, a new consequence of Covid-19

Specialists at Tokyo University Medical Hospital reported that the man suffered from insomnia and anxiety while infected with the virus and, several weeks after being discharged, began to experience deep, restless anal discomfort.

The patient reported feeling a strong urge to move while at rest. When he moved, the symptom improved but reappeared when he rested. The man described a strange anal sensation. A colonoscopy revealed that she had internal hemorrhoids.

As described by infectious disease specialists BMC, the patient presented “Deep, restless anal discomfort, about 10 cm from the perineal region. The following features were observed in the anal region; the need to move is essential, worsening with rest, improving with exercise and worsening at night ”.

“Neurological findings, including deep tendon reflex, loss of perineal sensation, and spinal cord injury, revealed no abnormalities. Diabetic militias, renal dysfunction and iron deficiency status have not been confirmed, ”added the specialists in their description of the condition being treated.

Although it is not yet clear how COVID-19 causes neurological symptoms, several cases of neurological problems, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, “brain fog” and tingling, among other problems, have been linked to the infections. coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. .

Scientists diagnosed the patient with restless anal syndrome after determining that his symptoms met the criteria and found no other cause for the syndrome. In the patient, no alteration of the bladder, rectum or erectile dysfunction was found. Neurological tests found no abnormalities and the patient had no family history of RLS or periodic limb movements.

The patient’s symptoms were relieved after being treated daily with 1.5 mg of clonazepam, a medicine used to treat seizure disorders and panic attacks.