A 77-year-old man in Japan reported “deep anal discomfort” just days after recovering from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), it is possibly the first such case of a post-Covid complication. He was diagnosed with “restless anal syndrome” by the doctors at the Tokyo University Hospital.
According to Business Insider, which reported the case quoting BMC Infectious Diseases, it was noted by the doctors that the symptoms shown by the man were constant with those shown by patients with restless leg syndrome (RLS).
The report further noted that, he was able to get some relief via exercise which is in yet another feature common with RLS.
However, the tests that were concluded that except a few haemorrhoids, the senior citizen was absolutely fine. There were no issues like brain abnormalities, bladder disturbances etc. The Business Insider report said, restless feeling, anxiety and insomnia were the only health issues that he faced after recovering from coronavirus.
The “anal discomfort” was resolved through a course of Clonazepam, a drug used to treat seizures, it further stated.
Previously, the man was hospitalised with mild coronavirus symptoms that included sore throat, cough and fever. He received treatment for mild pneumonia after developing a low-grade fever for 10 days. He was discharged after his respiratory functions improved to normal 21 days after hospitalisation.
What is restless leg syndrome?
According to BMC restless leg syndrome as a “common neurological, sensorimotor” disorder, caused by the dysfunction of the central nervous system. An urge to move is perhaps the most common symptom of this disorder. The symptoms worsen if the body is at rest.
