POST-COVID COMPLICATIONS & CARE
PATIENTS WHO’VE RECOVERED FROM EVEN MILD AND MODERATE CASES OF COVID-19 ARE FACING A PLETHORA OF PROBLEMS FOR WEEKS AFTER THE VIRUS HAS LEFT THE BODY
When Vinay Kumar recovered from COVID-19, little did his relieved family members realise that the ordeal was far from over. Sudden bouts of coughing persisted well over a month. Worse, Vinay began getting panic attacks about the possibility of developing other serious ailments. He became obsessed with the pulse oximeter, monitoring his oxygen saturation level every hour.
COVID-19, even the mild and moderate cases, is leaving recovered patients exposed to a plethora of problems for several weeks and months even after the virus leaves the body. Many recovered patients have been experiencing excessive hair loss, while many others have developed diabetes. Then there are others who’ve been suffering cardio-pulmonary complications, psychological issues like severe anxiety disorder and panic attacks and fatigue.
Dr P V Sudhakar, nodal officer for COVID-19 in north coastal Andhra and principal of Andhra Medical College (AMC) reiterates that the viral infection thrives in a multisystem environment, affecting people in a wide variety of ways, irrespective of the severity of the viral attack, usage of steroids, age and presence of comorbidities. Dr Sudhakar insists the need for special post-COVID clinics and doctors who can deal exclusively with recovered patients undergoing various unpredictable health problems. “Most importantly, recovered patients need to eat a balanced diet, exercise and maintain a positive attitude,” he says.
Apart from the regular balanced diet, healthy snacking is very important to deal with the frequent cravings for food. We recommend controlled portions of raw or roasted dry fruits and natural protein-based snacks and fresh fruits, rather than sugary sweets, deep-fried and processed items from confectionaries
— V ANJALI DANGE, founder & chief
nutrition consultant at Starlite Nutrition Centre
ADVERSE IMPACT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
The impact of the coronavirus has been well-marked not only on the physical, but also at the neuro-psychiatric level. The viral attack has resulted in most patients suffering from panic attacks and anxiety disorder, especially hypochondriasis and globus pharynges, a feeling of some irritant stuck in the throat. Some recovered patients have also been displaying frustration, depression, aggression, loss of concentration and motivation. Dr C Radhakant, professor and head of psychiatry department at NRI Institute of Medical Sciences and a consultant psychiatrist at Apollo Hospital, also points out that several patients have been suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with regards to cleanliness.
“They’re constantly washing hands or disinfecting their surroundings even when it is not required,” says the doctor in clarification. “Social phobias and health anxiety disorder (hypochondriasis) have taken
over some patients; for instance some irrationally fear that a cough may be indicative of lung fibrosis. Or they link a redness of the eyes to black fungus. And those with pre-existing psychiatric and neurological conditions like depression, migraine and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show worsening of their symptoms and require more medication dosages.”
POST-COVID CARE NUTRITION, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND WELL-BEING
As post-COVID complications keep adding despite prescribed medication, vitamin supplements and rest, one requires an integrated approach to the post recovery care. That means incorporating proper diet, yoga and physiotherapy under expert guidance based on the individual’s health condition.
Nutritionists have observed a sudden increase in appetite among patients post recovery. There have also been reports of change in digestion pattern and bowel movement among patients. Diet and yoga expert R Rekha adds that household herbs such as turmeric, ginger, lemon and amla should be incorporated in one’s daily diet as these have immune-boosting and antiinflammatory properties.
Dr Priyalini Sarkar, Andhra Pradesh state coordinator (Women’s Cell) of the Indian Association of Physiotherapy (IAP) points out how COVID infection leaves the musculoskeletal system highly affected. “It causes muscle soreness and stiffness, fatigue, weakness of bones and breathing issues. However, most recovered patients make the mistake of hitting the gym and try strenuous exercises, which result in further collapse of energy,” adds Dr Sarkar.
YOGA AND MEDITATION
At this stage, walking and other slow-pace exercises like extensions and muscle strengthening can be carried out under the guidance of fitness experts. To clear the sputum from the airway, patients can practice simple breathing exercises like deep breathing, balloon breathing and blowing a candle regularly — DR PRIYALINI SARKAR, Andhra Pradesh state coordinator (Women’s Cell) of the Indian Association of Physiotherapy (IAP)
Researcher Ch Lalitha and faculty R Rekha from the Department of Yoga and Consciousness, Andhra University (AU) have recently undertaken a study on the efficacy of yoga in the management of COVID-19 complications on 40 recovered patients. Lalitha says, “One can practice neck, wrist and shoulder rotation asana like greeva sanchalana, skandhachakra, manibandha chakra and various prone postures (lying on the abdomen) to improve the oxygen saturation level. Pranayama should be taken up to enhance the lung capacity, which also reduce mental stress and improve concentration.”
While it affects the pancreatic cells in some, causing diabetes, it causes various gastrointestinal troubles, cardiac and muscular problems, damage to the lungs and breathlessness in others