Mysuru: In the wake of the Karnataka government’s formation of a panel to investigate a spike in sudden cardiac deaths, neurologists in Mysuru are calling for a similar initiative to address the post-Covid surge in neurological conditions.
Dr Shushrutha Gowda, a US board-certified neurologist, highlighted a 30% increase in brain-related ailments, echoing global research showing a sharp rise in cities like Mysuru. “While neurological disorders are growing rapidly, little has been done to tackle this issue,” he said. Common conditions include migraines, strokes, neuropathies, and early-onset dementia, now seen more frequently than before the pandemic.
He cited treating a stroke in an 18-year-old diabetic smoker, and dementia in people as young as 45. Dr Gowda emphasized that neurological disorders often result in greater long-term disability than heart problems, underscoring the need for immediate research, awareness drives, and policy response. He proposed statewide brain health surveys, neurology-specific registries, and dedicated funding for dementia and related conditions.
Dr Mohamed Ataulla Shariff from Narayana Hospital also reported a surge in Guillain-Barré syndrome, strokes, and nerve damage, often linked to post-Covid complications or steroid use during treatment.
Dr Sucharitha MV of Manipal Hospital noted long-term symptoms like memory loss, altered smell, fatigue, and worsening of existing issues like Parkinson’s and epilepsy. She observed that while some patients recovered, many have not returned to their pre-Covid health baseline.
Health officials, however, maintain that no drastic local spike has been formally documented yet.