🇧🇷 A year and half ago, before vaccines were available, 34 y.o. Dijane Silva from Taquarana Brazil developed a life-threatening condition following a COVID-19 infection that caused her to stop breathing when she fell asleep called Ondine Syndrome #TheySurvivedCovid 1/9 
The name is derived from a mythical tale. The nymph Ondine was an immortal water spirit who became human after falling in love. In one of the versions of the tale, she caught her husband having an affair then cursed him to remain awake in order to control his own breathing. 2/9
Ondine Syndrome causes hypoxemia because the brain is unable to detect changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the body during sleep, which determine the breathing rate. Normally, high levels of CO2 increase breathing, whereas low levels of CO2 decrease breathing. 3/9
The resulting hypoxemia results in confusion, shortness of breath, bluish skin tone and purpling of the lips. 4/9
Ondine syndrome is very rare. When it occurs it is almost always at birth, therefore it is known as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. There are acquired forms that result from brain and spinal injury or neurodegenerative diseases. 5/9
Dijane Silva was diagnosed with Ondine Syndrome following a sleep study with abnormal arterial blood gases. She is now dependent on a non-invasive breathing machine at night to provide oxygen while she sleeps. 6/9
Her neurologist believes she developed a chronic encephalitis from Covid-19 resulting in Ondine Syndrome. Dijane Silva may need a breathing machine for the rest of her life. 7/9
Dijane Silva lived on a farm, but to receive medical care she moved to the city. She is monitored 24 hours a day by a multidisciplinary team composed of a doctor, physiotherapist, nutritionist and nurse. 8/9
"Today, Dijane is grateful for being alive and shares her suffering so that people can take care of themselves and not run the risk of going through what she went through." 9/9
Rare post-Covid syndrome causes woman to stop breathing while sleeping metropoles.com/saude/sindrome…
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