Long COVID May Physically Damage the Nerves That Control the Stomach

Long Covid May Physically Damage the Nerves That Control the Stomach

Our study reveals that Long-COVID-19 patients suffer from significant structural damage to the vagus nerve fibers in their stomach lining. By analyzing biopsies from twelve patients, we found a drastic reduction in cholinergic innervation compared to healthy controls. This physical loss of nerve density provides a concrete anatomical explanation for the persistent digestive and autonomic symptoms reported by survivors.

"This structural autonomic impairment may represent an anatomical substrate underlying dysautonomia in Long-COVID-19."