Daily, millions are affected and thousands are dying. No one knows the end to this! However, thousands are getting cured and millions are being vaccinated daily. Aren’t these fair reasons for a ray of hope?
Despite causing serious acute health problems, researches report that the current COVID 19 infection leads to many chronic illnesses. Health staffs are working tirelessly to save lives of the affected, however, management of long term complications is challenging.
What is Long COVID?
The term was first used in social media and now it is used to describe the presence of various health problems, even weeks or months after acquiring Covid-19 infection irrespective of the viral status. It is also called “post-COVID syndrome”.
Women seem to have been affected more. Advancing age, presence of 5 or more symptoms in the acute stage of COVID 19 have been identified as risk factors of Long COVID.
Health and other problems due to Long COVID
Researchers report tiredness, difficulty in breathing, joint pain, chest pain, cough, palpitation, headache, diarrhoea, and more importantly, difficulty in engaging and enjoying the work which were previously done without much effort as mostly recorded health problems due to Long COVID. Employment of the affected people is also threatened as the above mentioned health problems seem to last even after 3 months. Emergence or worsening of prevailing psychiatric conditions has been reported as likely to occur.
It’s the time to think as to how we should deal with this.
A solution?
You are saved… and breathing … may be with some difficulty… you see your loved ones… What more do you want… Be happy… !
Managing Long COVID patients is a multidisciplinary approach. While continuing with treatment and regular evaluation of the general health status, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support are very important to ensure a complete recovery.
Many studies emphasise the importance of chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises which should really begin during the period of infection whether you are at home or in hospital and continue thereafter under the guidance of a physiotherapist.
Researchers have found improvement in the above mentioned health problems after the patient goes through a rehabilitation programme therefore, it is very important for the patient to follow a proper rehabilitation programme along with the medical management.
How to do?
Contact a SLMC registered physiotherapist in a nearby hospital. Don’t hesitate… Ask from the physiotherapist who looks after you during your hospitalisation about such a rehabilitation programme before the discharge.
Don’t forget… there are many willing to help you…
Dr. KRM Chandrathilaka (BSc in Physiotherapy, PhD)
Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
(Written based on the findings of recent research published in high impact journals)
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